Vegas Spotlight: Mandalay Bay

Upon experiencing The Valley of the Waterfalls where fire pots, mythical architecture and lush landscaping conspire to create a scenic wonderland, you'll agree, as I did on a recent visit, that Mandalay Bay -- the two tower, almost 5,000-room hotel surrounded by a tropical oasis --is one of the truest (and most tranquil) resort hotels on the Strip.

While adjacent hotels like The Venetian and Paris Las Vegas attempt to approximate foreign sophistication with gaudy ostentation, Mandalay better captures the international exoticism of Southeast Asia with a "less is more" approach -- think tropical landscaping, Balinese carvings and the impressive Shark Reef Aquarium.

For years, Westerners have headed to Southeast Asia for R&R, and that's just what you'll get at this hotel. After restoring with a hot bath in one of your room's sunken tubs or getting an in-room massage, head down to Mandalay Bay Beach, an 11-acre tropical water environment, where you can immerse yourself in one of the four pools, including the wave pool, where you can float to your heart's content before taking a tube down the lazy river or tanning on the hotel's real sand beach.

The exotically-designed hotel spas, Spa Mandalay and Bathhouse feature an assortment of culturally- inspired world treatments and services, including hot and warm pools, plus an invigorating cold plunge pool.

But there's nothing more comforting than a good meal and Mandalay Bay doesn't disappoint with world-class offerings from some of today's most award-winning chefs: StripSteak Chef Michael Mina's steakhouse, Fleur de Lys, showcasing the contemporary French cuisine of Chef Hubert Keller, miX (2009 Mobil Four-Star), offering contemporary and classic French and American dishes by Chef Alain Ducasse served high atop THEhotel at Mandalay Bay, and many, many more.

However, in keeping with its Asian theme, Mandalay also serves up excellent regional fare; sample Shanghai Lilly's classic Cantonese cuisine, China Grill's pan-Asian delicacies, and some of the many tasty offerings at The Noodle Shop, a traditional Cantonese noodle kitchen. You can also feast your ears on big-name concert attractions at the House Of Blues Concert Hall and the Mandalay Bay Events Center.

In May 2009 Disney's "The Lion King" takes up residence at the hotel. If you're flying solo, there's always a chance of landing a date for the acclaimed musical at the high-tech eyecandy sound lounge & bar™, the unique Minus 5 Ice Lounge, where guests can enjoy signature cocktails and steamy conversation on ice couches, or at the balmier Minus 5 Lodge, on more traditional leather seats.

After a little liquid courage, you might also commemorate your trip by getting inked at Starlight Tattoo at House of Blues, which offers traditional Japanese hand-tool and Samoan hand-tool tattooing. Then if you ever experience trouble in Shangri-La, you'll be soothed with memories of the earthly paradise otherwise known as Mandalay Bay.

(Images courtesy of Mandalay Bay)