Las Vegas Junket

One of the conveniences of Foothills living is the fast 45 minutes from driveway to ticket counter at Tucson International Airport.

And one of the most popular destinations is Las Vegas. An hour by air from Tucson, another fifteen minutes to collect your bags and another fifteen to Las Vegas Boulevard.

A three-day, two-night stay of Las Vegas sensory bombardment is more than enough for most people to clear out any comfort cobwebs.

Just when it seems like there isn’t a spare parcel of land left on the Strip, ground is broken for yet another mega hotel/casino at a budget twice the size of its predecessor.

The Bellagio is a good case in point. Built for a staggering $1.6 billion in 1998 — the most expensive hotel in the world at the time — it’s been bested by Wynn Las Vegas for $2.7 billion.

But the Bellagio remains a favorite of many visitors.

On a recent trip, we splurged for a 27^th floor, corner suite with a commanding view of Lake Bellagio and the fountain festivities. It seems like no matter how many times you’ve seen the show, the crashing sound of the waterworks beckons you to the window to enjoy it as if for the first time.

One of the perks of booking a suite is having a driver and stretch limo waiting for you when you arrive at McCarran Airport. Before you know it you’re at the hotel and being ushered into the VIP room while bypassing all the check-in traffic in the lobby.

Here, you can take a brief rejoinder on the sofa with a chardonnay or a single-malt and enjoy the trademark chocolate-covered strawberries which are in bountiful supply.

It’s important to rest up with a long day and even longer night ahead of you.