I did some light research before I left ARIA for PH, which had me sort of uneasy about what to expect. My research revealed that what’s now PH use to be the Aladdin Hotel and Casino. I’d never stayed there, but the name, neither the exterior ever struck me as a place I’d want to visit … you know, not quite grown and sexy enough. And a new paint job couldn’t possibly have changed much. Be that as it may, I’m not the complainer, so I sucked it up and found my way to hotel’s entrance.
When I walked through the huge brass doors, I was immediately put at ease. Regardless of what it used to be, the place had obviously been totally made over. It turned out to have much more of a sexy vibe than even ARIA. I dodged all the tempting slot machines, restaurants and bars and found my way to the check-in desk. What jumped out immediately was an enticing scent in the air that seemed to compel me to spend all my money and get totally lost in my indulgences. I became a zombie of sorts, with pure hedonism in mind.
The associate at the desk took my I.D. and searched the system for my name. But it wasn’t there. After some investigation, she discovered I was in “The Tower.” My countenance fell and I snapped out of my zombie-like state, because I thought my previously held fears were about to be validated. She gave me directions to what I assumed was the “old” part of the hotel, Planet Hollywood Westgate.
After about a three-minute walk, including through a mall and bypassing all the luxury and hotness, I arrived at “The Tower.” The feel was noticeably different as I crossed the threshold into the area I was directed to. But it wasn’t old at all. It was bright, youthful and evoked the spirit of Hollywood, including a pool with beautiful people lounging around. I breathed a second sigh of relief. The check-in associate got me squared away and handed me my key. I informed her that I had just left ARIA and how nice it was, and she just looked at me and smiled as if she had a surprise up her sleeve. Curiously, I headed for the elevators.
The doors opened to the 37th floor, I stepped off, dragged my luggage to the door of my room, opened it, and my jaw hit the floor. It wasn’t a hotel room, it was a home. The furniture was super-chic, it had full scale appliances – including a washer/dryer unit, flat screens on every wall (even in the lou), including a projector and screen that doubled as the shade for the floor to ceiling windows that looked down onto the Strip. There was also a bed-side jacuzzi in the bedroom, which was separated from the living space by a prominent polished cherry door assembly. I know I’m supposed to experience what the strip has to offer, but that mission will be rivaled by the comforts of my chic, hip lodging.
It’s the beginning of my stay and I can’t speak experientially to the service, but I can’t imagine there being any issues. Two thumbs up, five stars, five mics … whatever your scale, PH blows it wide open. –gerald radford
