Lavish suites are nothing unusual in Las Vegas hotels, but the newest one in town is really something else: presenting the official Barbie Suite at Palms Casino Resort. Designed by Jonathan Adler with the full cooperation of Barbie’s parent company, Mattel, the adult-sized digs are truly a girlwoman’s dream, with Barbie-print chairs, doll displays and art, pucci prints, vinyl and silver lame accents, sparkly floors, a luxurious spa tub, steam showers, push-button fireplace…and more.
But while most Las Vegas hotel suites focus on opulence and luxury (and don’t worry, I’ll be talking about them soon, too), Barbie’s pad is not the only one here with a sense of funky flair. Palms alone has the Hardwood suite (with a 1/2 basketball court), Kingpin (2 bowling lanes), Erotic suite (8-foot rotating bed), as well as the six-bedroom “Real World” suite (where the MTV series filmed), Hugh Hefner Sky Villa (with an infinity pool hanging over the edge of the tower!) and more…
Another recent stay and personal fave is the Metro 
If you’re in the market, though, you should also consider the Hard Rock Hotel’s stunning Penthouse suite — three bedrooms, three big baths, a huge open hot tub with killer view, grand dining room, full bar, bowling lane, and lots of nooks and crannies. Their goth-rocker Celebrity Suites feature dramatic design elements, killer bathrooms, and pool tables… (and I can't wait to see the new Paradise Tower, debuting this August).
Across the Strip, among their myriad suite offerings, Caesars Palace has an uber-cool Absolut suite (designed, yes, with the vodka company): four bedrooms inspired by the Citron, Peach, Ruby Red, and Vanilla flavors along with a two-story dance floor. Now, that’s a party pad.
Farther off-Strip, Red Rock Resort’s seven Penthouse suites (designed by Bentel & Bentel) each makes a unique statement (the statement is “I’m cool, and I can afford this!”) with technological wonders from the curtains to the toilets, massive TVs, rotating couches, that kind of thing. The 180 Suite, at 6,500 square feet, would even wow James Bond. M Resort and Eastside Cannery are two other off-Strip Las Vegas hotels with cool, if slightly more humble, suites…
But if technology and luxury are the priorities, you’d also want to consider MGM Grand’s exclusive SkyLofts, with private elevators, a private spa, every imaginable concierge service, an espresso machine, wine cooler, B&O stereo, iPod docks throughout, and remote controls for everything imaginable in an urban chic two-floor layout.
Still, you might just want that classic Vegas suite experience — a little tacky, a little decadent — and as far as I know, the only place for that is the Tropicana’s Island Tower Jacuzzi Suites. They may not want to brag about the rooms’ design being decades old, but at this point, they’ve gone from outdated to cool as it gets.
Insider Tip: Most of Planet Hollywood’s memorabilia is hidden in the guest rooms, But until June 26, Julien’s Auctions has a free display on the Mezz there of some incredible items up for bidding, particularly huge lots of Marilyn Monroe’s clothes and possessions, and other items once owned by Elvis, Liberace, Bob Hope, Cher and others. Yes, I said FREE (to look, anyway).
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A contributing editor at VEGAS Magazine, E. C. Gladstone also interviews top Strip entertainers, restauranteurs, moguls and behind-the-scenes players for other local and national publications and websites. Like many Las Vegans, he sleeps only when absolutely necessary.
