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Saturday, 15 August 2009
Wednesday, 10 December 2008
you have to know before going
Healthy Traveling
Indonesia is getting better in terms of hygiene and medical facilities but it still has a ways to go. You do not want to have a medical emergency Yogyakarta. Play safe and make sure you have medical insurance before you come. Best to have insurance that will evacuate you if you get terribly sick or have a serious injury and need airlifted to Singapore or home. Here are a couple of other common sense points that should keep you in good shape and enjoying your visit.
Drink plenty of fluids (water and fruit juices) to avoid dehydration. Drink bottled water ONLY - ice in drinks, however, is not a problem. Use common sense when choosing a place to eat. Eat in established restaurants that are clean and well patronized. See our restaurant guide for a few suggestions. If you are dead set on trying the hawkers in the street stick to those not serving meats unless your system is already well adjusted.
If you are using prescription drugs bring a sufficient supply. Pharmacies (Apotiks) often can fill a prescription but the dosage may not be quite the same as your doctor has prescribed. Take prompt care of any cuts or burns - do not risk infection in this heat and humidity. If you are sleeping in the open air, use mosquito repellent and a mosquito net. Malaria is not a problem in Yogyakarta. For additional information there's a list of hospitals and clinics in the Emergency Info section. Additional information on health matters may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Money Matters
You can exchange most major world currencies (cash or travelers checks) easily into the local coin, the Indonesian Rupiah. Hotels generally give less favorable exchange rates (the price of convenience). Or - and this our choice - go to a branch office of one of the local banks. However that being said, there are a squillion "authorized" money changers available. If you choose to deal with an money changer BE CAREFUL - The number of stories we hear about people being cheated are shameful and the authorities are seemingly helpless to shut these despicable characters down.
Nonetheless here are a couple of points worth remembering. First, the rate posted on the door usually is for amounts in notes of US $100. - lesser denominated notes (i.e. $50.00) will be given a less favorable rate. Next verify the exchange calculation (ask to use the calculator or - better yet - bring your own) and count your change before you leave the window. Lastly, be prepared, if you are cashing travelers checks you will need to present your passport for identification and many money changers do not accept cash notes that have been defaced - or are in less than near mint condition. The official exchange rate posted is daily in all major newspapers.
Rupiahs come in paper and coins. Paper denominations are 100, 500, 1,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000 and 100,000; coin denominations are 10, 25, 50, 100, 500, and 1,000. Just a word of caution there are many styles of the same denomination and together with all the "zeroes" even we who live here get confused once and awhile.
ATMs are quite common and the ones with VISA / Cirrus logos dispense local currency at the bank's then current exchange rate. Some have the rate on the screen. (Our feeling is that this is still far better than going to a money changer considering the high probability of being short changed.) A note of caution though - you must be absolutely sure to take your card - if not and the card remains in some machines additional withdrawals may be made WITHOUT having to reenter the PIN ! Also, read the sidebar about using credit cards in Yogyakarta.
Tipping
Tipping is relatively new in Yogyakarta. Most large hotels and restaurants will automatically add a service charge of between 5 - 10 percent to your bill which is quite sufficient. Smaller restaurants generally don't add anything extra but considering that the waiter's wage is often only $1.00 a day - a tip of 5 - 10 percent is very much appreciated.
Other.
Bellmen and skycaps generally get Rp. 1,000 - Rp. 1,500 for a small to medium sized luggage and at least Rp. 2,000 for those house trailers some people carry around. For taxi drivers, rounding up to the nearest Rp. 1,000 or Rp. 5,000 (depending on the length of trip) is the norm. If you hire a car for an entire day it is good form to give the driver Rp. 5,000 - 10,000 for each meal and tip (say Rp. 20,000) at the end of the day. With tour guides and the like tipping is up to you - just remember that chances are your driver/guide has most likely already received a commission from anything you purchased during the day.
Phone Home
All telephone numbers listed herein are local numbers. To reach any number in Yogyakarta dial: International access code + 62 + 274+ (local number). Wherein "62" is Indonesia country code and "274" is the most common area code for Yogyakarta. Be advised most Yogyakarta telephone numbers are 6 digits some are still 5. Cellular service in Indonesia is GSM. If you bring your own mobile phone you may purchase a prepaid calling chip from any Satelindo distributor (cheaper than using your home country service).
Telecommunication capabilities have improved greatly over the last few years but patience is the keyword when trying to dial overseas from Indonesia - especially during office hours. Most better hotels offer International Direct Dialing (IDD) and Home Country Direct (HCD) services. Overseas calls can also be made at state-run telephone offices known as a wartel (warung telephone).
Need to get online ? There are any number of WarNets (Warung Internet) that are reasonably quick and very cheap. Be careful of entering credit card data on public computer terminals. For those using a laptop in their hotel room the local phone company allows anyone access to its network without having to establish an user account or pay any set fees (the telco makes its money by adding a 50% surcharge to its normal per minute tariff) making it easy to check your internet email (i.e. Yahoo mail or mail2web.com). To access dial 0809- 89999 / username: telkomnet@instan / password: telkom.
Business Hours Most shops and sidewalk vendors along Jl. Malioboro trade from 10 am till 8-9 p.m. daily. Street vendors and Lesehans (sidewalk food vendors) who use the shop fronts and parking areas in front of buildings start to set up around 6 pm and go to 11.00 - 12.00 pm. Established restaurants start serving from 7 a.m. or so until 10-11 p.m. Government offices and banks operate from 8 a.m. till 3 p.m., Monday to Thursday, and 8 a.m. till 12 p.m. on Fridays. Museums have their own hours and are generally open for half a day Monday - Saturday.
Bargaining Difficult for many first timers but once you get the hang of it you’ll never pay retail again! However, not everybody wants to bargain anymore. Many of Yogyakarta's finer retailers now refuse (price tags generally signify a fixed price) but bargaining is still the norm in the batik displays, trinket and T-shirt stalls along Jl. Malioboro. But don’t get cheesy. Nothing is more irritating nowadays than watching a well clad tourist trying to squeeze the last 1,000 Rupiah (about 12 US cents) out of a shopkeeper. Just remember how much it cost to get to Yogyakarta. So what is the value in not taking home that beautiful wood statue or silk batik? Negotiate a good price and take home a good story.
Street WiseThe Javanese have a reputation as a very gentle and friendly people. Unfortunately, this lulls some people into becoming less than vigilant. And whilst Yogyakarta is still far, far safer than most large cities in this world, there are still those who prey on visitors. Pickpockets, car break-ins and drive by bag snatching seem to be the most common complaints. To reduce your risk, use plain common sense and take the same basic precautions you would if you were visiting any big city. So, keep a tight grip on your purse or camera, Never leave any bags (whether valuable or not) in your car, use the hotel safety deposit box, don’t go down dark deserted gangs (alleys) and don’t count money in the open. Not so hard... On the flip side don't even think of committing a crime in Indonesia. You are a long way from home with far fewer rights than you think. Behave yourself and be a gracious guest.
Outward BoundOn the way out of the hotel be sure to keep a little extra money handy. All passengers leaving Yogyakarta on a domestic flight via Adi Sucipto Airport are required to pay an airport departure tax of Rp. 15,000.- Sometimes this has already been included in the ticket price - but often not - ask and be prepared. If you are leaving Indonesia from Solo's Adi Sumarmo International Airport you are required to pay an international departure tax of Rp. 75,000.-. Tax for domestic departures from Solo is Rp. 10,000.-. And finally be advised that it is against the law to leave Indonesia with more than Rp. 10,000,000.- in cash.
Indonesia is getting better in terms of hygiene and medical facilities but it still has a ways to go. You do not want to have a medical emergency Yogyakarta. Play safe and make sure you have medical insurance before you come. Best to have insurance that will evacuate you if you get terribly sick or have a serious injury and need airlifted to Singapore or home. Here are a couple of other common sense points that should keep you in good shape and enjoying your visit.
Drink plenty of fluids (water and fruit juices) to avoid dehydration. Drink bottled water ONLY - ice in drinks, however, is not a problem. Use common sense when choosing a place to eat. Eat in established restaurants that are clean and well patronized. See our restaurant guide for a few suggestions. If you are dead set on trying the hawkers in the street stick to those not serving meats unless your system is already well adjusted.
If you are using prescription drugs bring a sufficient supply. Pharmacies (Apotiks) often can fill a prescription but the dosage may not be quite the same as your doctor has prescribed. Take prompt care of any cuts or burns - do not risk infection in this heat and humidity. If you are sleeping in the open air, use mosquito repellent and a mosquito net. Malaria is not a problem in Yogyakarta. For additional information there's a list of hospitals and clinics in the Emergency Info section. Additional information on health matters may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Money Matters
You can exchange most major world currencies (cash or travelers checks) easily into the local coin, the Indonesian Rupiah. Hotels generally give less favorable exchange rates (the price of convenience). Or - and this our choice - go to a branch office of one of the local banks. However that being said, there are a squillion "authorized" money changers available. If you choose to deal with an money changer BE CAREFUL - The number of stories we hear about people being cheated are shameful and the authorities are seemingly helpless to shut these despicable characters down.
Nonetheless here are a couple of points worth remembering. First, the rate posted on the door usually is for amounts in notes of US $100. - lesser denominated notes (i.e. $50.00) will be given a less favorable rate. Next verify the exchange calculation (ask to use the calculator or - better yet - bring your own) and count your change before you leave the window. Lastly, be prepared, if you are cashing travelers checks you will need to present your passport for identification and many money changers do not accept cash notes that have been defaced - or are in less than near mint condition. The official exchange rate posted is daily in all major newspapers.
Rupiahs come in paper and coins. Paper denominations are 100, 500, 1,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000 and 100,000; coin denominations are 10, 25, 50, 100, 500, and 1,000. Just a word of caution there are many styles of the same denomination and together with all the "zeroes" even we who live here get confused once and awhile.
ATMs are quite common and the ones with VISA / Cirrus logos dispense local currency at the bank's then current exchange rate. Some have the rate on the screen. (Our feeling is that this is still far better than going to a money changer considering the high probability of being short changed.) A note of caution though - you must be absolutely sure to take your card - if not and the card remains in some machines additional withdrawals may be made WITHOUT having to reenter the PIN ! Also, read the sidebar about using credit cards in Yogyakarta.
Tipping
Tipping is relatively new in Yogyakarta. Most large hotels and restaurants will automatically add a service charge of between 5 - 10 percent to your bill which is quite sufficient. Smaller restaurants generally don't add anything extra but considering that the waiter's wage is often only $1.00 a day - a tip of 5 - 10 percent is very much appreciated.
Other.
Bellmen and skycaps generally get Rp. 1,000 - Rp. 1,500 for a small to medium sized luggage and at least Rp. 2,000 for those house trailers some people carry around. For taxi drivers, rounding up to the nearest Rp. 1,000 or Rp. 5,000 (depending on the length of trip) is the norm. If you hire a car for an entire day it is good form to give the driver Rp. 5,000 - 10,000 for each meal and tip (say Rp. 20,000) at the end of the day. With tour guides and the like tipping is up to you - just remember that chances are your driver/guide has most likely already received a commission from anything you purchased during the day.
Phone Home
All telephone numbers listed herein are local numbers. To reach any number in Yogyakarta dial: International access code + 62 + 274+ (local number). Wherein "62" is Indonesia country code and "274" is the most common area code for Yogyakarta. Be advised most Yogyakarta telephone numbers are 6 digits some are still 5. Cellular service in Indonesia is GSM. If you bring your own mobile phone you may purchase a prepaid calling chip from any Satelindo distributor (cheaper than using your home country service).
Telecommunication capabilities have improved greatly over the last few years but patience is the keyword when trying to dial overseas from Indonesia - especially during office hours. Most better hotels offer International Direct Dialing (IDD) and Home Country Direct (HCD) services. Overseas calls can also be made at state-run telephone offices known as a wartel (warung telephone).
Need to get online ? There are any number of WarNets (Warung Internet) that are reasonably quick and very cheap. Be careful of entering credit card data on public computer terminals. For those using a laptop in their hotel room the local phone company allows anyone access to its network without having to establish an user account or pay any set fees (the telco makes its money by adding a 50% surcharge to its normal per minute tariff) making it easy to check your internet email (i.e. Yahoo mail or mail2web.com). To access dial 0809- 89999 / username: telkomnet@instan / password: telkom.
Business Hours Most shops and sidewalk vendors along Jl. Malioboro trade from 10 am till 8-9 p.m. daily. Street vendors and Lesehans (sidewalk food vendors) who use the shop fronts and parking areas in front of buildings start to set up around 6 pm and go to 11.00 - 12.00 pm. Established restaurants start serving from 7 a.m. or so until 10-11 p.m. Government offices and banks operate from 8 a.m. till 3 p.m., Monday to Thursday, and 8 a.m. till 12 p.m. on Fridays. Museums have their own hours and are generally open for half a day Monday - Saturday.
Bargaining Difficult for many first timers but once you get the hang of it you’ll never pay retail again! However, not everybody wants to bargain anymore. Many of Yogyakarta's finer retailers now refuse (price tags generally signify a fixed price) but bargaining is still the norm in the batik displays, trinket and T-shirt stalls along Jl. Malioboro. But don’t get cheesy. Nothing is more irritating nowadays than watching a well clad tourist trying to squeeze the last 1,000 Rupiah (about 12 US cents) out of a shopkeeper. Just remember how much it cost to get to Yogyakarta. So what is the value in not taking home that beautiful wood statue or silk batik? Negotiate a good price and take home a good story.
Street WiseThe Javanese have a reputation as a very gentle and friendly people. Unfortunately, this lulls some people into becoming less than vigilant. And whilst Yogyakarta is still far, far safer than most large cities in this world, there are still those who prey on visitors. Pickpockets, car break-ins and drive by bag snatching seem to be the most common complaints. To reduce your risk, use plain common sense and take the same basic precautions you would if you were visiting any big city. So, keep a tight grip on your purse or camera, Never leave any bags (whether valuable or not) in your car, use the hotel safety deposit box, don’t go down dark deserted gangs (alleys) and don’t count money in the open. Not so hard... On the flip side don't even think of committing a crime in Indonesia. You are a long way from home with far fewer rights than you think. Behave yourself and be a gracious guest.
Outward BoundOn the way out of the hotel be sure to keep a little extra money handy. All passengers leaving Yogyakarta on a domestic flight via Adi Sucipto Airport are required to pay an airport departure tax of Rp. 15,000.- Sometimes this has already been included in the ticket price - but often not - ask and be prepared. If you are leaving Indonesia from Solo's Adi Sumarmo International Airport you are required to pay an international departure tax of Rp. 75,000.-. Tax for domestic departures from Solo is Rp. 10,000.-. And finally be advised that it is against the law to leave Indonesia with more than Rp. 10,000,000.- in cash.
Thursday, 4 December 2008
Open Hospitality continues to achieve breakthrough Internet Search Results and Booking Revenues for Hotels
Open Hospitality continues to break ground helping develop and implement hotel Internet marketing strategies, and ultimately converting consumer interest into guest room bookings.
Competition among hotels for consumer attention is a key concern as both the economy and traveler demand contract. The goal of a strong marketing program is building a fair share. Open Hospitality is achieving results even in difficult times.
John Rozatti, Director of Sales for the Cortona Inn and Suites Anaheim Resort (http://www.cortonainn.com/) notes, 'Critical to any business represented on the Internet is the ability to be seen, whether by search or referral. The team at Open Hospitality has worked like a laser beam, focusing on SEO to maximize our exposure. They have been relentless with their efforts to ensure that we employ superlative SEO as well as email blasts that have the ability to get results.
' Producing reservations and new bookings is essential for hotels. Rozatti added, 'Efforts that drive results is critical in a highly competitive market like ours. With Open Hospitality's tools, we are seeing interest in our site grow and our exposure on the Internet is outpacing our previous site. We are very pleased with hotel website design elements presented by Open Hospitality. They were completely unique. There was no imitation of other sites. Open Hospitality began from a clean slate and then created a completely customized website. The site has grown to become our primary marketing presence.
'The New York-based online service provider creates customized, visually appealing and informative websites for its clients. These high-impact websites improve search engine rankings, attract qualified traffic, and convert visitors into customers.
About Open Hospitality
Open Hospitality delivers a wide array of strategic online marketing solutions and accommodation booking options. The award-winning Internet marketing company focuses exclusively on hotels and hospitality verticals. It helps independent hotels, large groups and chains to raise online visibility, build market share and increase online reservations.
Open Hospitality designs websites optimized for major search engines and creates high-impact email marketing campaigns. Its diverse client base of over 540 hotels in 38 countries includes some of the most renowned names in the hotel industry, including Helmsley Hotels in New York, Blakes Hotel in London, Warwick Hotels International, Rock Resorts, Noble House Hotels and Benchmark Hospitality, among others. The company is headquartered in New York, with offices in London, Miami, Dallas, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Anaheim, San Diego, and San Francisco.For more information visit us at http://www.openhospitality.com/ or call (212) 989 - 7227.
Competition among hotels for consumer attention is a key concern as both the economy and traveler demand contract. The goal of a strong marketing program is building a fair share. Open Hospitality is achieving results even in difficult times.
John Rozatti, Director of Sales for the Cortona Inn and Suites Anaheim Resort (http://www.cortonainn.com/) notes, 'Critical to any business represented on the Internet is the ability to be seen, whether by search or referral. The team at Open Hospitality has worked like a laser beam, focusing on SEO to maximize our exposure. They have been relentless with their efforts to ensure that we employ superlative SEO as well as email blasts that have the ability to get results.
' Producing reservations and new bookings is essential for hotels. Rozatti added, 'Efforts that drive results is critical in a highly competitive market like ours. With Open Hospitality's tools, we are seeing interest in our site grow and our exposure on the Internet is outpacing our previous site. We are very pleased with hotel website design elements presented by Open Hospitality. They were completely unique. There was no imitation of other sites. Open Hospitality began from a clean slate and then created a completely customized website. The site has grown to become our primary marketing presence.
'The New York-based online service provider creates customized, visually appealing and informative websites for its clients. These high-impact websites improve search engine rankings, attract qualified traffic, and convert visitors into customers.
About Open Hospitality
Open Hospitality delivers a wide array of strategic online marketing solutions and accommodation booking options. The award-winning Internet marketing company focuses exclusively on hotels and hospitality verticals. It helps independent hotels, large groups and chains to raise online visibility, build market share and increase online reservations.
Open Hospitality designs websites optimized for major search engines and creates high-impact email marketing campaigns. Its diverse client base of over 540 hotels in 38 countries includes some of the most renowned names in the hotel industry, including Helmsley Hotels in New York, Blakes Hotel in London, Warwick Hotels International, Rock Resorts, Noble House Hotels and Benchmark Hospitality, among others. The company is headquartered in New York, with offices in London, Miami, Dallas, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Anaheim, San Diego, and San Francisco.For more information visit us at http://www.openhospitality.com/ or call (212) 989 - 7227.
Wednesday, 3 December 2008
gue telat nich
hai hai...
Kenalin ..namaku Nuri..Aku kerja di salah satu hotel di yogyakarta..gak perlu di sebutkan kali nya..ya pokoknya bintang lah..Hey..aku gak pinter nulis..blog ini mau tak isi curhat aja kali ya.. kebisaan paling cuma dreaming..khayal ..nglamun tingkat tinggi ..pokoknya..ingin nya kaya tapi tanpa kerja hahaha...bisa gak Ya,,?Just KiddinG hehheh
yang pasti pingin share ma temen2 ,,,punya banyak temen dll
ok ..?!!!
Kenalin ..namaku Nuri..Aku kerja di salah satu hotel di yogyakarta..gak perlu di sebutkan kali nya..ya pokoknya bintang lah..Hey..aku gak pinter nulis..blog ini mau tak isi curhat aja kali ya.. kebisaan paling cuma dreaming..khayal ..nglamun tingkat tinggi ..pokoknya..ingin nya kaya tapi tanpa kerja hahaha...bisa gak Ya,,?Just KiddinG hehheh
yang pasti pingin share ma temen2 ,,,punya banyak temen dll
ok ..?!!!
Friday, 28 November 2008
The world's biggest hotel - in Vegas
WHATEVER it is - boobs, bottoms, buffets - Sin City has the biggest out there. And those are just the Bs.
Small wonder, then, that the biggest hotel in the world - and the second-largest building - has just opened on the Las Vegas Strip.
The £1billion, 50-storey Palazzo extends the existing Venetian to create a hotel with more than 7,000 suites. Its 50 restaurants, cafés, bars and banqueting halls can serve 10,000 diners a night.
“It's a city within a city; the beginning of the meta-resort' era of Las Vegas,” says William Weidner, president of the Palazzo's parent company, the Las Vegas Sands Corporation.
He's not kidding. I was tired when I arrived after my ten-hour flight, but no, my eyes weren't playing tricks. Looming up out of the Nevada desert were towering colonnades that seemed to sweat neon into the warm desert night.
Inside, the giant marble cupola was adorned with reproductions of frescoes by Italian grand masters. Models in togas were tethered to the ceiling on top of giant indoor waterfalls. Down below, on the fake canals that flow through the hotel, gondoliers serenaded grannies.
The sheer scale of the place makes it difficult to get around, but it has its advantages. My suite was the size of Long Island (well, almost) and decorated in the kind of “no embellishment is an embarrassment” style that would make Elton John blush
.
There were more frescoes over the four-poster bed and a retro-porno-chic sunken lounge. The huge floor-to-ceiling windows looked out over the giant cartoonish monuments to sex and seven-card stud that line the Strip.
The Palazzo has a vast casino, with 120 table games and 1,400 video poker machines creating an electronic goblin's chorus that accompanies the “kerching!” of the serried ranks of slot machines. The huge theatre - where the Tony award-winning Jersey Boys, the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, is playing - was full every night with emotionally incontinent fans.
But its key appeal lies in the scale and ambition of the shops and restaurants. It's the first hotel in the world to have its own department store - and it's not just any old Grace Bros. Barneys New York has three floors, with the best designer collections in the city.
The hotel has poached two of the best American chefs and become the first outpost of one of New York's finest fusion cuisine restaurants that often featured in Sex and the City. Mario Batali's Carnevino offers the best of New York. I opted for the new-style Italian sashimi - raw fish with pesto and olive oil that made Esca in Manhattan Batali's first big hit.
Wolfgang Puck's CUT at the Beverly Wilshire is the must-be-papped-at restaurant in Los Angeles. Now it has its first Vegas outpost. Steaks don't come any rarer - and bills any more overcooked. Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte loved Sushi Samba. To find out why, I tried the roast shrimp with toasted brazil nut and “sake-saffron crema”. I think Mr Big would have approved.
No Vegas hotel and casino is complete without a celebrity scene, and the Palazzo has its own “resident” star, Jay-Z, who runs his 40/40 club. The key attraction is the 80 plasma TV screens on which the owner performs with his wife, Beyoncé. The night I went clubbers were not interested in “hanging” with Jay. They wanted to channel their inner Paris Hilton next to the real Paris Hilton, who had just arrived from the Hilton.
The Palazzo is more than Vegas with extra sequins. It's a hotel on crack. My advice? Enjoy the high while it lasts. And when the swirling kaleidoscopic buzz of franchised avarice and sleaze wears off, remind yourself that while what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, you don't have to. And leave.
Small wonder, then, that the biggest hotel in the world - and the second-largest building - has just opened on the Las Vegas Strip.
The £1billion, 50-storey Palazzo extends the existing Venetian to create a hotel with more than 7,000 suites. Its 50 restaurants, cafés, bars and banqueting halls can serve 10,000 diners a night.
“It's a city within a city; the beginning of the meta-resort' era of Las Vegas,” says William Weidner, president of the Palazzo's parent company, the Las Vegas Sands Corporation.
He's not kidding. I was tired when I arrived after my ten-hour flight, but no, my eyes weren't playing tricks. Looming up out of the Nevada desert were towering colonnades that seemed to sweat neon into the warm desert night.
Inside, the giant marble cupola was adorned with reproductions of frescoes by Italian grand masters. Models in togas were tethered to the ceiling on top of giant indoor waterfalls. Down below, on the fake canals that flow through the hotel, gondoliers serenaded grannies.
The sheer scale of the place makes it difficult to get around, but it has its advantages. My suite was the size of Long Island (well, almost) and decorated in the kind of “no embellishment is an embarrassment” style that would make Elton John blush
.
There were more frescoes over the four-poster bed and a retro-porno-chic sunken lounge. The huge floor-to-ceiling windows looked out over the giant cartoonish monuments to sex and seven-card stud that line the Strip.
The Palazzo has a vast casino, with 120 table games and 1,400 video poker machines creating an electronic goblin's chorus that accompanies the “kerching!” of the serried ranks of slot machines. The huge theatre - where the Tony award-winning Jersey Boys, the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, is playing - was full every night with emotionally incontinent fans.
But its key appeal lies in the scale and ambition of the shops and restaurants. It's the first hotel in the world to have its own department store - and it's not just any old Grace Bros. Barneys New York has three floors, with the best designer collections in the city.
The hotel has poached two of the best American chefs and become the first outpost of one of New York's finest fusion cuisine restaurants that often featured in Sex and the City. Mario Batali's Carnevino offers the best of New York. I opted for the new-style Italian sashimi - raw fish with pesto and olive oil that made Esca in Manhattan Batali's first big hit.
Wolfgang Puck's CUT at the Beverly Wilshire is the must-be-papped-at restaurant in Los Angeles. Now it has its first Vegas outpost. Steaks don't come any rarer - and bills any more overcooked. Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte loved Sushi Samba. To find out why, I tried the roast shrimp with toasted brazil nut and “sake-saffron crema”. I think Mr Big would have approved.
No Vegas hotel and casino is complete without a celebrity scene, and the Palazzo has its own “resident” star, Jay-Z, who runs his 40/40 club. The key attraction is the 80 plasma TV screens on which the owner performs with his wife, Beyoncé. The night I went clubbers were not interested in “hanging” with Jay. They wanted to channel their inner Paris Hilton next to the real Paris Hilton, who had just arrived from the Hilton.
The Palazzo is more than Vegas with extra sequins. It's a hotel on crack. My advice? Enjoy the high while it lasts. And when the swirling kaleidoscopic buzz of franchised avarice and sleaze wears off, remind yourself that while what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, you don't have to. And leave.
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