Zagat Releases Best of Las Vegas Guide (Etats-Unis)
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Zagat Releases Best of Las Vegas Guide (Etats-Unis)
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Category: North America & West Indies / Carribean islands
This is a press release selected by our editorial committee and published online for free on 2007-12-14
745 Top Restaurants, Nightspots, Hotels, Golf, Shops, Attractions Rated and Reviewed as Part of New Travel Guide Series
Vegas Rolls in as Most Expensive Dining City; Prices Soar; Shopping and Nightlife Are Also Strong
Zagat has taken the gambling out of Las Vegas with its latest survey of 745 restaurants, nightclubs, shops, hotels, golf courses and attractions. As part of its new "Best of" travel guide series, Zagat Survey's Best of Las Vegas 2008 is an all-around guidebook designed for visitors and locals alike. Unlike any other guide, it is based on the shared experiences of thousands of participants, 5,279 to be exact.
Glitz & Gluttony: Given its many outstanding new restaurants, gluttony may well be Las Vegas' newest vice. Nearly 90% of surveyors state that they eat out more today than they did two years ago. Fueling this boom are top- notch dining experiences provided by renowned chefs such as Joel Robuchon, Thomas Keller, Daniel Boulud and Mario Batali. Surveyors crowned Las Vegas newcomer Joel Robuchon as the king, awarding him the top two spots for Food, with "stunning" L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon and his "life-altering" namesake Joel Robuchon. Batali's B&B Ristorante was voted Top Newcomer and the artful Picasso won Most Popular plus Top Decor.
Like many other things in Vegas, such vices aren't cheap. Among the U.S. cities that Zagat Surveys, Las Vegas now ranks as the most expensive place to eat at $44.44 per meal with an annual inflation rate of 7.9%. In comparison, a typical meal in New York City and Los Angeles respectively costs $39.46 and $33.29 and well above the national average of $33.42.
"The recent trend of investments by celebrity chefs continues to accelerate, making Las Vegas one of the world's leading dining destinations," noted Zagat Survey CEO, Tim Zagat. "But Vegas is also a 24-hour experience for those who come to gamble, shop, play golf, see the sights and party at some of the world's most exciting clubs. We wanted to get all of that into one useful book and onto ZAGAT.com."
High Rolling Nightlife: In contrast to nightlife loving tourists, locals report devoting only 1.7 nights out on the town per week -- that's less than New York City at 2.0 and London at 2.3. But when it comes to drinking, Las Vegas residents are the country's highest rollers, averaging 3.4 drinks on a night out (with 70% drinking cocktails on the weekends). They expect to spend about $86 on a night out and will typically go with a group of at least four people. Amongst nightclubs, TAO was ranked the Most Popular while Mix Lounge won Top Appeal. Tryst was named Top Dance Club, Red Square at Mandalay Bay as Top Hotel Bar, and Spearmint Rhino won Top Strip Club. Key newcomers to the Las Vegas nightlife scene include Bare, TAO Beach and LAX.
Shop 'Til You Drop: If you win at the tables, there are plenty of places to spend your dough thanks to Vegas's world-class shopping scene. Zagat surveyors, by a stunning 86% majority, view shopping in Las Vegas as more of a leisure activity rather than a chore. Among the city's myriad shops, Nordstrom was named Most Popular and Brioni rated Top Quality. In accessories, French luxury brand Hermes got the nod; Harry Winston glittered #1 for Top Jewelry Shop, Sex and the City's famous shoe choice, Manolo Blahnik, walked away as Top Shoe Store.
Hotels: In a city of mega hotels, resorts and spas, Zagat includes coverage of 35. Bellagio Hotel was ranked the Most Popular hotel and the Four Seasons ranked #1 for Top Overall score (combined average of Rooms, Service, Dining and Facilities scores).
Most Popular: Top Overall:
1. Bellagio Hotel 1. Four Seasons
2. Venetian 2. Bellagio Hotel
3. Wynn 3. Wynn
4. Mandalay Bay 4. Venetian
5. Caesars 5. Ritz-Carlton
Attractions and Golf Courses: The Bellagio Hotel's iconic fountains were ranked both Most Popular and Top Appeal attraction. Reflection Bay/Lake Las Vegas was named the Most Popular golf course, with Rees Jones' "absolutely amazing" Cascata as the Top-Rated golf course.
The Best of Las Vegas 2008 Guide ($12.95) was edited by Heidi Knapp Rinella, Jason Bracelin and Michelle Golden. The guide is available at all major bookstores, on ZAGAT.com or by calling 888-371-5440.
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