Believe the hype. The Forum Shops at Caesars expansion is all that.
The experience starts with the entrance. For the first time, visitors can actually enter directly from Las Vegas Boulevard, a marked difference from having to traipse through a slot machine-infested casino or duck in through a back service door. Architects also broke free from the loud, ancient Rome-inspired formula avec moving statues, instead bringing us a more contemporary shopping environment. Occasionally, less can be more.
However, we hope Caesars doesn't totally abandon its wacky ways. The Strip's first themed hotel has been a longtime favorite because of the kitsch.
Once inside the 175,000-square-foot space, it takes time to digest the series of fascinating spiral escalators winding their way up and down three floors beneath a massive domed ceiling that allows for natural light. A 40-foot floor-to-ceiling window on the third floor near a sitting area lets visitors enjoy the fantastic neon-clad views of the Strip.
About 60-odd new stores and restaurants flank the atrium, and this is where the fun really begins.
Each store has been masterfully designed. The sheer numbers winner will likely be jeweler Harry Winston and its multimillion-dollar collection of karat-weight sparklers that can't help but dazzle visitors with their brilliance. Baccarat does the same with crystal.
Penhaligon's, a perfume house out of London, opened a quite British signature store, and Fresh, a fairly new line that includes soaps, scrubs, lotions, natural makeup and fragrances, does its thing inside of a minimalist masterpiece of glass, backlighting and chrome. Men may prefer a shave and haircut from the master barbers inside Truefitt & Hill.
Apparel highlights include the handsomely crafted wools and tweeds from Brooks Brothers; sexy lingerie maker Agent Provocateur; Italian color and pattern guru Emilio Pucci; Carolina Herrera, queen of subtle elegance for him and her; the playful elegance of Juicy Couture; and Nanette Lepore, in all of her vintage-inspired glory. The long-awaited Anthropologie also opened its shabby-chic doors with a wow.
There are some amazing accessory stores, too. Look for Giuseppe Zanotti, Bally, Donald J. Pliner and Kate Spade.
Restaurants include Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab, Sushi Roku and Segafredo Zanetti. Top it all off in the most mouthwatering way possible: with exotic truffles from Vosges Haut-Chocolate.
E-mail:
[email protected]