The Venetian Resort Las Vegas. Credit: The Venetian Resort Las Vegas
You don’t stay on top in Las Vegas without putting in a little elbow grease. Following a rebranding at the end of last year, Sin City icon The Venetian Resort Las Vegas continues its legacy as a power player on the Strip, housing two Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star hotels, a Four-Star spa, a five-acre pool, a nightclub and a slew of celebrity-chef-helmed restaurants — and that just scratches the surface.
The crown jewels of this mega-resort complex, The Venetian (celebrating its 20th anniversary this year) and sister property The Palazzo (which turned 11 in December), are rife with new additions thanks to a nearly two-year-long renovation.
From exciting culinary offerings and the completion of The Cocktail Collective to a re-envisioning of some of the resort’s most important spaces, here’s a breakdown of what we love right now about this Vegas legend.
A Venetian Suite. Credit: The Venetian Resort Las Vegas
New Looks
In honor of the property’s 10th anniversary in 2017, The Palazzo underwent a massive facelift, debuting a refreshed look last fall.
Most notably, the luxury resort unveiled a freshly designed casino floor that changed the orientation of the gaming tables and introduced all-new carpeting and marble pathways inspired by the property’s Italian theme. For a more modern flair, look up to discover a digital art installation that unfurls a ribbon of color, creating waves of light.
The Palazzo also recently debuted a top-to-bottom room renovation that introduced a vibrant and enlivening color palette (neutral tones, dark woods, teal accents) to all of its 2,872 suites.
Environmentally friendly touches are also found throughout, including corridor and elevator lobbies with energy-efficient lighting and LEED-standard wall coverings, flooring, lighting and finishes inside each private unit.
Not to be outdone, Four-Star Cut Las Vegas — in the Atrium of The Palazzo at The Venetian Resort — also received a makeover from the hands of renowned local designer Todd-Avery Lenahan. The lounge area was doubled to create a more convivial space, while the food program was enhanced with the addition of a shellfish and crudo bar offering caviar service and dishes like Maine diver scallops with apple and white Alba truffles, and chilled red king crab with Thai red curry vinaigrette.
Capitalizing on the popularity of brown spirits, the restaurant also boasts a prestigious whiskey and brandy selection behind the bar, a menu of barrel-aged libations and a cocktail cart.
Rosina. Credit: The Venetian Resort Las Vegas
New Drinks
And speaking of spirits, over the past two years, The Venetian has unveiled, in stages, three new bars known as The Cocktail Collective from renowned New York City barman Sam Ross.
The Dorsey, Rosina and Electra Cocktail Club offer different experiences with varying looks, music and drinks for those seeking a night out that doesn’t involve the thumping bass of a megaclub.
A fun way to explore the options is to embark on your own cocktail crawl. Start at art-deco-inspired Rosina with a glass of bubbles ordered via a champagne call button.
Then, head to Electra, at the center of The Palazzo casino floor, for a pick-me-up courtesy of the Charging Station, a selection made with cold brew, vodka, hellfire bitters and coconut. While you’re here, take a moment to gaze at the 40-foot digital display illumined with 70 million pixels and more than 1 billion colors —the highest resolution video display in Las Vegas.
Complete the evening at The Dorsey with a Disco Punch Bowl. This Instagram-worthy sip is best shared with your crew accompanied by the venue’s DJ-spun tunes.
Mott 32. Credit: The Venetian Resort Las Vegas
New Food
The first U.S. outpost from this Hong Kong favorite, Mott 32 is a sophisticated and modern Chinese restaurant that made its grand debut in December at The Palazzo. Dim sum baskets and applewood-roasted Peking duck carved tableside — the dish is prepared over the course of 48 hours in a duck oven and special air-drying refrigerator, and it’s only available by preorder — create a bustle in the Joyce Wang Studio-designed dining room that is as beautiful as the food is delicious.
Twenty-five-foot ceilings welcome you, as does a wine mezzanine above the bar area — the restaurant can store 6,000 bottles. Be on the lookout for one-of-a-kind design nods to Las Vegas, including pops of neon, a dining table crafted from a vintage roulette wheel and a chandelier constructed of feather boas.
Don’t miss menu items such as the king prawn clay pot with garlic and pepper, wild mushrooms in lettuce cups with black truffle sauce, and barbecue Pluma Iberico pork.
Pair your meal with a refreshing drink like Hong Kong Ice Tea (anejo tequila, Lillet blanc, jasmine tea and black currant) or pick from a selection of non-alcoholic “Mottails” such as the Rose Garden (rose, rhubarb, roselle — a type of hibiscus — and ginger).
On Restaurant Row, the area that bridges The Venetian and The Palazzo, you’ll discover The Factory Kitchen, a newly opened shining star imported from downtown Los Angeles.
The Factory Kitchen. Credit: The Venetian Resort Las Vegas
The carb-rich menu is incredibly light thanks to the quality ingredients and care that go into each dish. You can even watch as the team crafts pasta from scratch in the open kitchen.
To sample the highlights, start with the cavolonero Tuscan kale salad with aged ricotta; progress to the frittura, beer-battered baby leeks and chickpea fritters; and finish with the distinct mandilli di seta, thin sheets of handkerchief egg pasta with Ligurian almond-basil pesto.
Don’t forget to snap a selfie in front of the neon sign at the bar. The color scheme is as light as the food with bursts of orange, natural wood and tempered glass throughout.
Sister restaurant Sixth + Mill Pizzeria and Bar will make its debut this summer inside The Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian. When it opens, expect the aromas of casual Southern Italian fare like margherita pizza and gnocchetti with housemade tomato sauce to waft about the space.
