HAUTE TRAVEL

Beyond the Naked Eye

Vacheron Constantin premieres The Anatomy of Beauty by Louie Schwartzberg, a film that highlights the maison’s new Overseas Skeleton timepieces.

BY ADRIENNE FAUROTE

THE ART OF HIGH WATCHMAKING DEMANDS EXTREME precision, a rare skill acquired over many years of tutorship, and a genuine passion for the intricacies of timepieces. The Anatomy of Beauty, a short film helmed by director, producer, and cinematographer Louie Schwartzberg, explores the complex, synergistic relationship between high watchmaking and nature, a theme that has long been at the core of Vacheron Constantin’s DNA.

Featuring Schwartzberg’s critically acclaimed time-lapse cinematography, the film underscores the parallels between the beauty found in nature and the beauty found in the details of the maison’s intricate watchmaking processes. For Alexander Schmiedt, president of the Americas for Vacheron Constantin, the collaboration with Schwartzberg perfectly depicted the essence of Vacheron Constantin. “He comes from a different angle,” notes Schmiedt about Schwartzberg’s cinematography style. “His unique cinematography captures parallels between the many unseen mysteries to be discovered in our natural world and the almost invisible tiny details of our handcrafted timepieces that together create a beautiful whole.”

The film also highlights Vacheron Constantin’s new Overseas Skeleton timepieces that debuted earlier this year in Geneva: the Overseas Ultra-Thin Perpetual Calendar in 18-karat pink gold and the Overseas Tourbillon Skeleton, available in both 18-karat pink gold and Grade 5 titanium. “The Skeleton Tourbillon is the perfect match,” explains Schmiedt when speaking about the film. “The beauty of the watch is decided on 1/10 of a millimeter. It is something you cannot see with the naked eye. You cannot rationally see it, but you feel when something is [mechanically] off. [These watches] embody the theme perfectly as it is the anatomy of a movement that creates something beautiful.” Both timepieces expose the incredible detailing and time that goes into the skeletonization as each component is reworked and finished by hand.

As Schwartzberg aptly describes it, “Beauty is nature’s design of maximizing the flow of energy. Seeing the interior of a Vacheron Constantin watch is like watching perpetual energy.”

VIVA LAS VEGAS!

WHAT’S NEW AND HOT IN SIN CITY

BY LAURA SCHREFFLER

Las Vegas is hot, hot, hot right now — and I’m not just talking about the temperature! Here are all the things happening in Sin City this summer, from new restaurant openings to resort renovations to the must-try experiences you should have on and off The Strip.

HauteTRAVEL

Resorts World Las Vegas is the new kid on the block — and by new kid, I mean the first resort to open on the Las Vegas Strip in a decade. But the wait was worth it: This place delivers in a big way. Through a historic partnership with Hilton, Resorts World Las Vegas offers 3,500 luxury guest rooms and suites from three premium Hilton brands — the largest multi-brand deal in Hilton’s history — including the largest Conrad Hotels & Resorts property in the world, one of the first LXR Hotels & Resorts locations in the U.S. in Crockfords Las Vegas, and a marquee Hilton Hotels & Resorts hotel. Each brand features its own entrance, lobby, and distinct selection of lavish accommodations, upscale amenities, and highly personalized service. The resort boasts over 200,000 square feet of LED displays, including a 100,000-square-foot West Tower LED screen (one of the largest LED building displays in the U.S.), and redefines the traditional gaming experience by introducing the most technologically advanced casino and gaming operation with Cashless Wagering, RFID bet tracking, and ticket-in/ticket-out (TITO) at the table. Entertainment offerings are also extreme: In addition to a 5,000-person concert and entertainment venue that hosts residencies for Celine Dion, Carrie Underwood, Katy Perry, and Luke Bryan, some of the biggest DJs and musicians in the world head to the on-site Zouk nightclub and Ayu dayclub, including Zedd, Tiësto, DJ Snake, deadmau5, Becky G, G-Eazy, and Jack Harlow.

Its spa, Awana, is available to guests of all three hotels and visitors alike. Guests can choose from a variety of treatments inspired by European and Eastern rituals that uniquely offers an experience unavailable anywhere else in America. That would be the theatrical Art of Aufguss, an avant-garde social experience that takes place in a theater-inspired heated room accompanied by aromatherapy, choreographed music, lighting, and dancing towels. Other innovative elements include the spectacular Fountain of Youth experience, inspired as such by tales of the mythical spring that restores the youth of anyone who bathes in its curative, age-reversing waters. Here, time moves backward through a network of six vitality pools, a heated crystal laconium, tepidarium chairs, vapor-filled steam rooms, cool mist showers and the experiential Rain Walk, as well as through wellnessinspired offerings inclusive of Reiki, chakra healing, reflexology, crystal and sound healing, and cupping as well as a dedicated foot spa lounge.

There are some incredible dining options at Resorts World, too, the newest of which is the Las Vegas outpost of Tal Ronnen’s upscale vegan eatery, Crossroads. The highly anticipated Crossroads Kitchen and CB | Crossroads Burgers officially opened to the public over Memorial Day weekend, joining concepts like the Japanese bistro Kusa Nori;Wally’s Wine & Spirits, Craig’s Vegan;the high-end caviar hotspot Caviar Galore;chef Ray Garcia’s ¡VIVA!; elegant cocktail lounge Gatsby’s;Asian fusion eatery Fuhu; Eight, a cigar lounge with a 150-strong humidor; award-winning Italian eatery Brezza; and its seductive sister restaurant, Bar Zazu. The latter, in keeping with the overall theme of Resorts World, features some innovative digital artwork including The “Ladies of Zazu” portraits, conceptualized by interior design firm AK Design and creative design agency, WC+A, bringing playfulness to the space with a sultry, ambient vibe overall, that pairs perfectly with the menu of traditional Spanish and Europeanstyle tapas, courtesy of executive chef Nicole Brisson. 3000 S Las Vegas Blvd.

ARIA RESORT & CASINO

Aria Resort & Casino has reimagined seven of its two-bedroom Sky Villas and completely redesigned 400+ Sky Suites. The former was updated with completely unique touches by KES Studio, with an emphasis on space, while the latter were designed by Rottet Studio in neutral color schemes of grey, beige, and cream to evoke nature and relaxation. Those who book a Sky Suite will enjoy luxury airport transportation, a personal concierge, private pool, private entrance, and surprise turndown amenities like custom-designed drink coasters by local artists;Sky Villas bookings also include exclusive touches such as a high-end cigar cart, presented in-room by a dedicated cigar sommelier. 3730 S Las Vegas Blvd.

PALMS CASINO RESORT

The Palms is back, baby! Following a $600 million renovation in 2019, Palms Casino Resort finally reopened this past April and is already making history as the first resort in Las Vegas to be fully owned and operated by a Native American tribe. The two distinct towers are still going strong, but now with 766 hotel rooms and suites, a diverse mix of bars and restaurants that include Scotch 80 Prime with its million-dollar whiskey collection;Mabel’s BBQ by celebrity chef Michael Symon;long-standing rooftop venue Ghostbar; and live entertainment venues across a 95,000-square-foot casino. The resort also houses The Pearl, a 2,500-seat theater; an expansive pool and spa area; a wedding chapel;and the Brenden Theatres 14-screen cinema and an impressive art collection, featuring pieces from Andy Warhol, KAWS, Damien Hirst, and Jean-Michel Basquiat. 4321 W Flamingo Rd.

There aren’t many non-gaming hotels in Las Vegas, and the Four Seasons, located at the tail end of the Strip within Mandalay Bay, is like a breath of fresh air — literally and figuratively (this is a non-smoking hotel) — for those who want an elevated stay without any of the gambling drama. New for summer, the Art Deco-designed, five-star property’s award-winning spa is offering massages at the lushly landscaped private pool, including the aptly named Sun Worshipper and Desert Oasis massages, while incredible treatments like the Warm Salt Stone Ritual massage (my favorite) with salt crystal stones are available indoors. Additional offerings include afternoon tea, which takes place in the Veranda restaurant every Saturday. Executive chef Michael Goodman does it right, pairing the sweet and the savory to create the perfect British afternoon service: Imagine sandwiches made of freshly baked bread, traditional scones with Devonshire cream and lemon curd, and desserts like a blackberry almond tart and a mango passion fruit panna cotta. Pair tea with champagne, or imbibe later in the evening when you learn to make a well-balanced cocktail during a one-hour interactive mixology class at Press, the hotel’s indoor/outdoor lounge. 3960 S Las Vegas Blvd.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT) FOUR SEASONS HOTEL LAS VEGAS, BARBARA KRAFT, NOBU HOTEL CAESARS PALACE

NOBU HOTEL CAESARS PALACE

Nobu Hotel Caesars Palace, owned by chef Nobu Matsuhisa, Robert De Niro, and producer Meier Teper, has a new look. Following a multimillion-dollar update, the very first Nobu hotel, a tower within the gigantic Caesars Palace property, has debuted 182 redesigned guest rooms and suites. The world’s first Nobu Hotel now features a more modern, residential feel with design inspiration from kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold epoxy. For those who want the most opulent stay of all, book the baller three-bedroom, 10,300-square-foot, David Rockwelldesigned Nobu Villa for $35,000 per night. 3570 Las Vegas Blvd. S

WYNN LAS VEGAS & ENCORE RESORT

The Wynn Las Vegas & Encore Resort have long been among the most luxurious stays in Las Vegas, and now, they have an even more opulent, refreshed feel thanks to an extensive redesign of all 2,674 guest rooms, suites, elevator lobbies, and resort tower corridors that was completed in June. Each room is highlighted by wood accent walls, a range of functional and atmospheric illumination, luxurious textiles and linens, and accents of natural stone, decorative metal, and original artwork in a polychromatic palette of soft hues. New furniture, fixtures, lighting, and artwork — all exclusive to Wynn Las Vegas — were either custom designed by Lenahan or commissioned from a diverse collective of global artisans. Focal points include a dramatic four-poster canopy bed exclusive to the Wynn Tower Suites, a collection of commissioned artworks consisting of refined, modern pieces, and a lighting design created to enhance the ambient experience both day and night. The most notable changes include a reconfiguration to the washroom in the standard guest room to introduce separate vanities and double the storage space;an expanded dressing area with mirrored walls and upgraded closet with new wardrobe;and an extended multipurpose table in the main living room for working and dining.

The new extends to the restaurants and bars as well. Longtime favorites such as Cipriani, La Cave Bar & Restaurant, and Sinatra are still going strong, while fellow staple eatery Mizumi has undergone a complete menu change thanks to its new hotshot chef, Min Kim, formerly of Mizumi at Wynn Palace in Cotai. Kim has added an array of his signature items to the menu, including cold chawanmushi and steamed Jidori egg-custard with grilled corn, snow peas, and shiso flower;wild snapper sashimi usuzukuri with thinly sliced Japanese madai snapper, white soy and lime dressing, sesame seeds and konbu;and Yuzu and passionfruit soufflé with vanilla ice cream, passionfruit jelly, and elderflower. Casa Playa, on the other hand, is totally new. This coastal Mexican concept is located adjacent to summer staple Encore Beach Club, which makes sense given its totally beachy, buzzy feel. Designed by Wynn Resorts’ creative studio, Wynn Design and Development, Casa Playa transports guests to a Mexican escape with its rich textures, bright colors, and lively patterns that celebrate the spirit and craft of the country. From two dazzling fixtures of cascading marigolds in the main dining room, to the chic atmosphere of the front lounge, guests can enjoy an upscale feet-in-the-sand resort style dining experience with a menu of playful dishes such as squash blossom quesadillas and Baja fried fish tacos, as well as a slew of premium tequila and mezcal-based cocktails in line with the Mexican Riviera theme. There’s also Delilah, the quintessential supper club from h.wood Group, and the Cocktail Collection on the Lake of Dreams that includes Overlook Lounge, a hideaway in the heart of the resort’s atrium overlooking the Wynn’s Lake of Dreams waterfall;Aft Cocktail, a terrace overlooking the waterfall; and Bar Parasol, a whimsical boîte where guests can enjoy caviar-inspired bites and creative cocktails amid rock crystal lamps, couture passementerie, and tiles gilded in 24-karat gold. 3131 Las Vegas Blvd. S

THE VENETIAN & PALAZZO LAS VEGAS

The all-suite Venetian resort and casino and its sister property, The Palazzo, are home to some seriously incredible new culinary experiences, including Wakuda, the first American eatery from Japanese-born Australian chef Tatsuya Wakuda, of the two-Michelin-Star Waku Ghin at Marina Bay Sands Singapore. The new eatery at the Palazzo, courtesy of restaurant group 50 Eggs Hospitality, boasts an impressive, 100-strong collection of sakes, many of which are exclusive to Wakuda, an exquisite menu of Japanese favorites, and an authentic omakase experience. Aesthetically, the 264-seat restaurant draws inspiration from the bustling Shinjuku Golden Gai area of Tokyo, with design details such as a wooden ceiling, wood and stone surfaces, metallic elements, and neon accents. Throughout the space, which houses a private dining room, bar and lounge, private sushi room, secret bar, and outdoor terrace, diners will discover pieces from predominantly Japanese artists, including Shohei Otomi and Jun Inoue. Then, over at the Venetian, Chica Las Vegas from 50 Eggs and chef Lorena Garcia, completed a multimillion-dollar renovation, with a sexy new space, courtesy of the Rockwell Group, featuring Josper ovens, livefire cooking, and a main bar with greenery, gold stencil accents, and tropical colors galore. And those disappointed to see that Estiatorio Milos had closed at the Cosmopolitan will be delighted to find that the upscale Greek eatery has a new home on the Venetian’s Restaurant Row. As designed by architect Alain Carle, the essence of Cycladic culture influences the entire venue, including its open kitchen, bar, spacious dining room, and private dining rooms. Like its predecessor, Milos at the Venetian’s signature fish market is on full display for guests to choose what they want and how it’s prepared, while a raw bar featuring whole fish sashimi using the day’s fresh catch is also on display. 3355 S Las Vegas Blvd.

PARIS LAS VEGAS

Paris Las Vegas is rapidly becoming the resort to beat for some of the best cuisine in Sin City. In recent months, a new Nobu restaurant and lounge made its Parisian debut, marking the second Las Vegas restaurant venture between Caesars Entertainment and Nobu Hospitality. The intimate, 140-seat space features natural wood design elements and offers a variety of fresh fish and seafood in the form of nigiri and sashimi, from salmon and toro to jumbo clam and sea urchin, with Nobu favorites like black cod dry miso and Wagyu tacos dominating the menu. Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Lisa Vanderpump opened her second eatery here as well with Vanderpump à Paris, a sexy, whimsical spot that instantly transports guests from the Las Vegas Strip to an enchanting old Parisian boudoir. The space features approximately 200 seats with multiple dining areas, decorated with plush velvet Art Nouveau banquettes, oversize, ornately embellished pillows, as well as custommade furniture from Vanderpump and Alain’s celebrated design line, Vanderpump Alain. There’s a cocktail menu with tongue-in-cheek names, a dedicated Aperol list, frosé, and even shots, while dishes are presented beautifully, in birdcages, boxes, and more. These new eateries join Bobby Flay’s quick concept Bobby’s Burgers; with other celebrity-owned eateries on tap to open later this year. 3655 S Las Vegas Blvd.

THE COSMOPOLITAN OF LAS VEGAS

The distinctly cosmopolitan property is a stand-alone ode to sleekness and chicness on the Las Vegas Strip, which is home to the excellent Sahra spa, Marquee nightclub, and restaurants such as Zuma and Beauty & Essex. Joining the impeccable ranks here are Superfrico, Spiegelworld’s first fully integrated dining and cocktail concept that blurs the lines between art, fine dining, and entertainment with a menu that it describes as Italian American Psychedelic, featuring new and surprising takes on generationsold Sicilian recipes. Then there is Ski Lodge, a year-round après experience with handcrafted cocktails and pizza on the ‘slopes’ of Sin City. David Chang also debuted Bāng Bar, his Momofuku to-go concept, inside of Block 16 Urban Food Hall, in April 2021. And don’t forget to try the all-new Glitz & Glam brunch at STK on any given Sunday. 3708 Las Vegas Blvd. S

PHOTOS COURTESY OF (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT) THE BELLAGIO HOTEL & CASINO, VIRGIN HOTELS LAS VEGAS, CAESARS PALACE

THE BELLAGIO HOTEL & CASINO

The Bellagio underwent a major room refresh in 2021 that included all 2,568 guest rooms in the resort’s main tower. The new designs are inspired by the movement of water, the beauty of nature, and the skyscape at sunrise and sunset. The concept, created by award-winning Chicago-based firm The Gettys Group along with MGM Resorts International Design Group, draws inspiration from Bellagio’s famous fountains. Updated architectural elements include spacious, built-in closets, comfortable, multipurpose seating nooks, bathrooms outfitted with an array of natural stones such as granite and marble, and dual-sink granite vanities illuminated by mirrors encircled with mother-of-pearl. 3600 S Las Vegas Blvd.

CAESARS PALACE

Caesars Palace is back and intent on being better than ever. The first step: a multimillion-dollar renovation of the original main entrance, main casino, and porte cochere to create an extravagant entryway, redesigned gaming areas and a new lobby bar. The main entrance to the property has been entirely rebuilt, and guests are now welcomed underneath a dramatic dome-and-barrel ceiling as well as a 15-foot-tall statue of Augustus Caesar. Once fully completed, the main entrance will also feature two new state-of-the-art gaming pits, a beautiful new lobby bar, and a renovation of the property’s table games floor. Caesars has also added newly renovated suites for booking, including its villas, which, up until now, have rarely been seen by the public. These behemoths — which span an average of 8,800 square feet with a nightly price tag starting at $15,000 — sport imported marble floors, private elevators, and hand-painted murals. Moving on to the restaurants, make sure to pop by Amalfi by Bobby Flay, which opened in June 2021 and which was inspired by The Food Network star’s extensive travels to Italy’s Amalfi Coast, highlighted by a dedicated on-site fishmonger to tell you about the catch of the day, as well as the truly epic Bacchanal Buffet, which, after a yearlong renovation, reopened to showcase seafood, carving, and American and Latin kitchens. After indulging, a visit to Qua Baths & Spa is in order. Enjoy a treatment like the signature Mojave Rain massage, which also incorporates energy work and smudging, and then make use of the 50,000-square-foot laconium room, Roman baths, and arctic ice room while you’re there. 3570 S Las Vegas Blvd.

VIRGIN HOTELS LAS VEGAS

Sir Richard Branson officially debuted his Sin City hotel, Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, in the former Hard Rock Hotel & Casino space off-Strip last spring. With this new opening Branson truly showcases all the fun, cheeky sensibilities his brand has become known for, as well as some decidedly awesome culinary concepts. The design — from architecture to lighting to interiors — were all customized by Rockwell Group, including the porte cochere and entry, the Junction check-in area, the Bar and The Kitchen at Commons Club, 60,000-square-foot Mohegan Sun Casino, and lounge concept The Shag Room, as well as the over 1,500 “chambers” across the property’s three towers: Ruby, Canyon, and Opal.

The Virgin brand is synonymous with party, and that’s totally apparent at its Élia Beach Club: The luxe two-story Mykonos-themed dayclub feels like a music festival hangout with its open-air entertainment stage, multilevel bar experiences, and cool resort pool, where VIP-style cabanas and daybeds are available. The restaurant roster here is impeccable, and includes Olives from award-winning chef Todd English, TAO Group’s Casa Calavera, Kassi Beach House from restaurateur Nick Mathers, Kris Yenbamroong’s Night + Market, another of chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s high-end Japanese concepts, and ONE Steakhouse. The latter is sublime, a meat-and-potatoes concept from Michael and David Morton, who follow in the footsteps of their famous father, Arnie, the founder of Morton’s The Steakhouse. The One Steakhouse experience envelops the senses by design, flowing from the inviting bar lounge into the dining room built for gorgeous and memorable dinners courtesy of executive chef Patrick Munster. The upper level offers a hip, social setting to mix, mingle, and be merry over signature steaks, seafood, and classic cocktails. 4455 Paradise Rd.