Leaving Lake Las Vegas to Loews

The exclusive Ritz-Carlton, Lake Las Vegas hotel closed its doors on Sunday, May 2, a casualty of the tough economic times that have hit this gambling Mecca especially hard.  The property featured 349 luxury rooms and employed over 350 workers.  The community of Lake Las Vegas sits 17 miles from the famed Strip, close enough to enjoy its glitz without feeling overpowered by the glare of its harsh lights.  As a non-gaming property, the Ritz-Carlton was a great choice for families who wanted a bit of distance from the casino action. 

Families that visit the area should keep the Loews Lake Las Vegas resort in mind.  It is now the only hotel on this man-made lake, and its 493 modern, clean, and spacious rooms provide a great option for visiting families. Acres of lush gardens will entice you to stroll the grounds.  Kayaks, canoes and pedal boats dot the lake, and are perfect family entertainment.  The giant swimming pool has a 3-story waterslide, so even teens will find the ride thrilling.  Saturday night the pool is the place to be for dive-in movie screenings of family-appropriate films.  There is a kids concierge on-site, who will greet your kids at check-in with a special gift and treats.  As a non-gaming property, the atmosphere is a bit more wholesome than your typical Las Vegas hotel.

If you get the itch to hit The Strip, the hotel runs free shuttle buses into town several times per day.  Parents have the option of going into town with the entire family, or leaving kids ages 3-12 well taken care of at the Kids Club.  Kids Club attendants all have CPR and First Aid training, to ensure peace of mind.  If you do bring the kids into town, keep in mind that Las Vegas features many family-friendly shows, including 7 different Cirque du Soleil extravaganzas, one of which is sure to appeal to your family.

Even if you don’t stay at Loews Lake Las Vegas, it is worth a trip out to dine at Marssa, where Master sushi Chef Fuji is making the restaurant a destination for Las Vegans.  Tiger rolls are a house specialty, but you can’t go wrong with any of the ultra-fresh sushi offerings.  Several times per year, Chef Fuji runs a sushi-making class for children, called SushiSkool, where kids can learn his secrets.

The elegant Moroccan-inspired Spa Moulay is a peaceful sanctuary that offers a full-range of services, as well as a fitness center.  For the under-12 crowd, the Spa offers a range of services, including mini-manicures.

If golf is your sport, you have come to the right place.  Lake Las Vegas is a golfing community, and Loews even has its own golf-concierge.  The hotel recently partnered with South Shore Golf Club, which now invites hotel guests to enjoy golfing privileges at this acclaimed Jack Nicklaus-designed course.

With a wide range of services and activities that will appeal to families, Loews Lake Las Vegas is an excellent choice for those whose plans include visiting the Las Vegas area.  Check the hotel’s website for periodic deals, like kids eat free thru Memorial Day. I am keeping my fingers crossed that this lovely property has a viable future in tough economic times.