As the Year of the Dragon flames out and the Year of the Snake slithers upon us, several Las Vegas hotels are prepping elaborate celebrations for the occasion. From gold riches to giant serpents, these are some of the events to hit when the Chinese New Year rolls in:
Bellagio
While the casino’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens will receive the Midas touch with a money tree sporting massive gold coins, the real star is a rare food event. The Bellagio’s Tuscany Kitchen, decked out in celebratory décor, will host the cuisine of the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse on February 14 to 16. This marks the Guesthouse’s second appearance on U.S. soil. Having hosted more than 1,000 heads of state and other governmental leaders during his Guesthouse tenure, executive chef Hao Baoli will serve an exclusive prix fixe dinner with eight courses of classic-yet-modernized dishes from China’s past. Even the utensils will be special — tableware will be shipped in from Beijing for the event. Tickets are $500. Reservations can be made at Bellagio’s Epicurean Epicenter.
Wynn Las Vegas
Led by firecrackers, a lion and dragon dance will make its way through Wynn Las Vegas, beginning at the hotel’s south valet entrance and ending in Encore at Wynn Las Vegas’ front desk. The hotel’s upscale Wing Lei restaurant will also feature a special New Year’s menu.
The Palazzo Resort Hotel Casino and The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino
The Palazzo will join The Venetian in a New Year’s display of grand proportions. In honor of the new animal being heralded in as the year’s mascot, the two resorts will host a gigantic snake display measuring a whopping 98 feet long as well as a 38-foot-tall tree through February 25. Head to the two properties on February 9 to see roaring lion and raging dragon dances.
The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas
Welcome the Year of the Snake with a limited-time treatment at this Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star spa through February 28. Seek good karma with the Double Destiny treatment for couples, increase circulation and release tension with the 90-minute, full-body massage dubbed Destiny of the Water Serpent, or receive a Chinese zodiac manicure and pedicure customized to your personal element along with energizing hand and foot massages.
Photos Courtesy of Wynn Las Vegas, The Venetian
