Las Vegas: Palazzo Hotel Royal Ambassador Treatment & Cut Restaurant Review
Earlier this week, I asked for suggestions on what to do in Vegas for a couple days. I got an overwhelming amount of suggestions, so I unfortunately didn't get a chance to do even a small fraction of them. Ultimately my trip ended up being:
Monday: Landed at 6:30pm, Checked in at the Palazzo Hotel as an Intercontinental Hotel Royal Ambassador - Fortuna Suite, dinner at Cut by Wolfgang Puck at the Venetian, after dinner drinks at the Cosmopolitan hotel and all-night partying at Marquee at the Cosmopolitan.
Tuesday: Slow motion recovery day- had original plans for a helicopter tour of Grand Canyon, but ended up sleeping in and shopping at the Forum shops at Caesars, spa time at the Mandarin Oriental Spa, late lunch at Bouchon at the Venetian, round 2 of raiding the free mini-bar at the Palazzo, near front row seats at the Celine Dion concert at Caesars and dinner at Il Mulino.
Wednesday: Had all intentions of going to Lotus of Siam for lunch, but had to deal with my website meltdown and just ended up lunching at Morels at the Palazzo before going to the airport for my flight home.
Palazzo Review: Two days before check-in the Palazzo hotel called me to confirm my stay and my arrival time and let me know they were anticipating my arrival as a Royal Ambassador. As a relatively new hotel to the Intercontinental Hotel Group, I was worried that my Royal Ambassador status would be ignored and I'd have to fight for benefits. I was wrong.
Upon arrival, Royal Ambassadors can avoid the long check-in lines and use the private VIP lounge entrance to the right of check-in. I was greeted by a friendly agent and they checked me in, confirmed my upgrade to the Fortuna suite and explained that the entire mini-bar and snacks above it were complimentary. Score!
My suite was on the 43rd floor and had the typical Palazzo sunken living room (I stayed at the hotel once before it was an IHG hotel), but the master bedroom had extended living space and a huge walk-in closet. Overall, the suite was large and comfortable, with a non-strip view (to be honest, I could care less about strip views).
The greatest part of the suite was the free minibar. I've only stayed at a handful of IHG hotels as a Royal Ambassador and this mini-bar blew the others away. Mini bottles of Moet champagne, Belevedere vodka, mini-bottle of white wine, 8 minis of hard alcohol, Corona, Heineken, Amstel Light, Redbull, Coke Zero and some water and juices. And it was restocked after it was raided the first night! Considering my room rate was about $150, I think the value of what was consumed from the mini-bar just about equaled that each night! I am really starting to get used to Royal Ambassador benefits!
After getting settled in, we went to Cut for a nice steak dinner. The most unique part of the dining experience was having the sommelier hand me an iPad so I could browse the wine list and actually order what I wanted.
Dinner was good and pretty pricey, but that's to be expected when dining at a celebrity chef steakhouse in Vegas. Two bottles of decent Cabernet, some starters, sides and desserts for 4 people came out to $1,250 (including 20% tip). Granted, I got the $135 steak sampler cooked rare and it was simple and delicious. The sampler included choice cuts of:
American "Kobe Style" From Snake River Farms 4 Oz*
U.S.D.A. PRIME Dry Aged 35 Days 4 Oz*
Australian Wagyu From Oakleigh Ranch 2 Oz*
The steaks came with a bunch of side sauces and we got creamed spinach and mac and cheese (which was amazing).
After dinner, we headed to the Cosmopolitan for drinks and got a nice couch at the second level bar. We befriended the cocktail waitress and she gave us a tip for avoiding the line at Marquee, which was pretty long- we entered the pool area by dropping her cocktail waitress friend's name and before I knew it we were walking along the pool area and headed into the club via a back entrance. When we went in, we even got free drink coupons. Score.
Marquee reminded me of NY's Marquee a la 2006. You would have never known the stock market dropped 600+ points that very day - packed club with lots of bottle service, girls dancing on tables and lots of athletes, rappers and wannabe investment bankers. It was pretty crowded inside, so we ended up hanging in the rooftop outdoor area, which was nice.
Overall, day 1 in Vegas was a lot of fun. Good hotel upgrade, good food, good drinks and scene.
[card card-name='The Platinum Card® from American Express' card-id='22504813' type='javascript' bullet-id='1']
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.