Ultimo – A Weekend of Excellence.  The name would seem to tell the story, but it’s really just a taste of what The Venetian had in store for its guests, at what’s become one of the property’s (and the city’s) signature events.  Once the curtains were pulled back, a massive undertaking of luxury was revealed; impressing even the most jaded of gastronomes, oenophiles, and revelers in the high life. 

The weekend cost couples a pretty penny (tickets begin at $4,500/couple), but with an itinerary chock full of events, one is left wondering why it didn’t cost more.  In addition to one of the Venetian’s expansive suites, the package included car service to and from the airport, a Belvedere Vodka and Caviar Welcome Reception in the property’s swanky Paiza Club; followed by Dessert and Dom Pérignon in the Presidential Suite (converted for the evening into the Rolls-Royce Studio).  

The following day, guests had their choice of a Rolls-Royce Driving Experience and a Hot Air Balloon Trip, after which they were treated to a Dom Pérignon Picnic, in Red Rock Canyon.  Then it was back to the Venetian, for a Louis Vuitton Fashion Experience, followed by the highlight of the weekend, the Le Grand Voyage-themed Grand Banquet; and a LALIQUE After-Party.  Finally, guests left after enjoying a Farewell Brunch at Hacienda Patrón. 

I wasn’t able to make it to the Welcome Reception due to a familial obligation, but made sure I was there for the Dessert and Dom Pérignon, in the Rolls-Royce Studio; and it was fantastic.  I’ve stayed in virtually every high-roller (aka “whale”) suite in town, and to my mind, the Venetian’s Presidential Suite (on the 36th Floor) - with its authentic Chinese antiquities, mahogany floors inlaid with bronze chrysanthemums, and platinum bathroom fixtures – is more like a particularly posh Parisian pied-à-terre than a hotel suite. 

A pianist was tickling the ivories, playing jazzy renditions of everything from Britney Spears’ “One More Time” to the “Game of Thrones Main Title Theme;” while guests nibbled on tasty treats from the Venetian’s pastry team.  To quench their thirst, some opted for Dom Pérignon, while others chose cocktails featuring Belvedere Vodka (poured from the label’s exclusive Bespoke Silver Sabre bottles that had been laser-engraved with ULTIMO). 

From here, people broke-off into splinter groups.  After running to one of the suites to decompress and check-out the Welcome Amenity - an oversized box that opened to reveal one bottle each of Dom Pérignon, Belvedere Vodka, Patrón Tequila (engraved), and Metaphora Cabernet Sauvignon; as well as a gift card from LALIQUE, and a hat from Momento Mori Winery – a few of the media types and some PR peeps moseyed over to the Venetian’s Venezia Tower, where we grabbed a late-supper at Bouchon.  This seemed to be on trend, as the other large group in Thomas Keller’s bistro was comprised of the weekend’s all-star team of chefs, including Keller, Jérôme Bocuse, Emma Bengtsson, Curtis Stone, Ming Tsai, Vikram Vij, Pierre Thiam, Paul Bartolotta, Shaun Hergatt and Mourad Lahlou, with cameos by Ultimo’s dynamic culinary duo, V|P Executive Chef, Olivier Dubreuil and V|P’s VP of Food & Beverage, Sebastien Silvestri. 

But, as these things must, the night came to an end; and none too soon, considering that the first group partaking in the Rolls-Royce Driving Experience had to be downstairs at the crack of dawn (actually 8:30am, but as I see it, anything before 9am on a Saturday, might as well be the crack of dawn). 

Come back for Part 2, where the Rolls-Royce Driving Experience, Hot Air Balloon Trip, and Dom Pérignon Picnic, in Red Rock Canyon; will be front and center!  TTFN… 

Ultimo – A Weekend of Excellence
The Venetian
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