Vegas Spotlight: Luxor Hotel/Casino

Even after 16 years in business, Las Vegas's famed Pyramid-shaped Luxor hotel remains the eighth wonder of the modern world. Regarding its impressive, 30-story exterior, I was awestruck, like contemporary Pharos admiring our regal resting places. And the interior -- with its expansive city of buildings and structures, appearing more like a Nile River Valley resort than a garden variety casino -- is nothing to sniff at either, starting with the wondrous atrium lobby, as I experienced on a recent visit.

After a quick check-in, I headed to my comfortable, quiet, tastefully-designed room. Note: business travelers must sacrifice a desk and wireless Internet, and couch potatoes, a flat screen TV; but then again Vegas is for partying, not working or sitting around!

So think of your room as a mere rest stop on your way to the recently-refurbished 120,000-square-foot gaming area, as well as the many other attractions the hotel offers, including "BODIES…The Exhibition," ($31) an educational display of the human body, perfect for all you forensic fans and science geeks, and "Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition," ($27), an extensive collection of authentic pieces from the doomed ship, room recreations and hands-on interactive experiences.

But you'll want to go back to the future for the very innovative "CRISS ANGEL Believe™" ($59- $150) show, courtesy of Cirque du Soleil, which takes the mysticism and illusion of the ancient art of magic to new levels; plus, Criss gets sawed in half! After sweating it up on the dance floor at one of the hotel's six nightlife spots later in the evening – we recommend Liquidity, which brings water to life with a projection system that uses water as a canvas, CatHouse Ultra Lounge, decorated like a 19th-century French bordello, satiate yourself at one of eight restaurants and a food court.

T&T (Tacos & Tequila), a lively, crowded cantina, featuring traditional and modern Mexican cuisine, specialty tequilas (Blanco/Plata to Extra Anejo, for both the un-initiated as well as the connoisseur) and "mi casa su casa"- style service. Sampling several of the small, fresh plates ($10-12) and a variety of ceviches (Atun, Tuna, and Mahi Mahi), we found the flavors excellent, crisp, and well-defined.

For an even more elegant and intimate experience, head to TENDER Steak & Seafood, an Old-West style steak restaurant, specializing in local, seasonal cuts so tender, you could cut them with a fork: Kobe to Antelope, Black Angus to Bison ($22-30) with terrific sides like creamed spinach and Potato Layonese.

Work it all off in the morning at the five-acre pool area, featuring four pools, four whirlpools and 12 private cabanas with so many amenities (refrigerator, a/c, tv, telephone, dining area, lounge area) that they may as well double for rooms, or the state-of-the-art fitness center at Nurture – The Spa at Luxor, where you can also unwind with massage, body treatments and facials.

Alternatively, you can keep burning calories and through your credit card at Mandalay Place, located on the sky bridge linking Luxor and Mandalay Bay, featuring the only U.S.-based Nike Golf store, upscale fashions from Nora Blue and Elton's Men's Store, and more. Now that's what I call LUXORious!

(Images courtesy of the Luxor)