It’s still a rough time for travel—with new variants emerging and borders tightening their restrictions again, weekenders and local staycations are having a moment. That said, now that Las Vegas has lifted its mask mandate, the “old” normal seems to be reemerging. MGM Resorts International invited me in for a hosted staycation in the new ARIA Sky Suites, complete with a full itinerary of the best places to eat at ARIA Resort & Casino. Here’s how I spent the perfect sleek staycation at the ARIA Sky Suites.
An ARIA Sky Suites Staycation in Las Vegas
Check-In
It’s essential to consult the resort map before you arrive. ARIA is quite large (it’s one of the few resorts in which I still get a bit lost). The main lobby is not where you will be checking in for your Sky Suite. From the parking garage, go down the escalator to the casino floor and curve around the side of the casino floor on the left. You’ll soon see a lobby for several restaurants and the hallway that leads to the Sky Suites front desk and private lounge. Check-in is quick and easy; however, make sure you have a good card for the higher incidental hold. Next to the front desk, you’ll find a private lounge exclusively for Sky Suites guests. It’s a comfortable retreat with several food and beverage items available throughout the day (juices and pastries in the morning, cheese and wine in the evening).
ARIA Sky Suite
I stayed in a one-bedroom Strip-view Sky Suite, and it was the perfect blend of understated elegance. The room felt like a luxe apartment with muted tones, bright pops of color, and a soothing design. The one-bedroom Sky Suite has a powder room off the foyer, a workspace, a full living room, a dining room that seats eight and a wet bar space in addition to the bedroom and bathroom
While panels on each wall coordinate the drapes and lights for each specific room, the living room and bedroom are each outfitted with touchscreen tablets that allow you to control the lighting, window coverings, televisions, and other aspects of the space. You can also order room service through the tablet screens, contact various departments on the property or order food to pick up downstairs.
The space is bright and airy, with plenty of full-length windows that allow guests to take in the sweeping, panoramic Strip views. The living room, dining space and bedroom all have stunning views and plenty of natural light. The luxuriously-appointed bathroom includes a full walk-in closet, vanity space, duo sinks and a jetted tub in the center of the room (there’s even a handy bathtub caddy and bath salts for guests who want to recharge with a nice soak).
Quick Bites For Lunch
There are several fantastic on-site options for lunch before or after you check in to your room. If you’re planning to get some work done and won’t have a lot of time to sit, the ARIA Patisserie provides a quick option if you’d like to bring something back to your room. The 24-hour spot has numerous sweet and savory options, goodies for souvenirs, gelato and lots of pretty pastries. The seasonal displays are always a crowd-pleaser as well, and the patisserie is an unexpected treat for Raiders fans (the rotating Raiders cakes and edible decor were a fun tribute to our NFL home team).
Shopping & Attractions
If you’re looking for some luxurious shopping or unique attractions, there’s plenty of that to be had at The Shops at Crystals. Adjacent to the ARIA main front desk, the entrance to Crystals is literally steps away. Here, you’ll find the nation’s only all-luxury shopping destination. Designer shops of all kinds call The Shops at Crystals home, and you’ll find familiar labels like Cartier, Burberry, Chanel and Dior, along with more contemporary designers like Alice + Olivia and Golden Goose.
In addition to the fantastic shopping options, The Shops at Crystals is home to Lighthouse Immersive, which houses Immersive Van Gogh and Disney Animation Immersive Experience.
Both are immersive attractions that are suitable for the whole family.
Dinner Options
ARIA has some of the best dining options on the Strip under one roof. If you’re in the mood for seafood, CATCH is a stunning and delicious choice. Javier’s serves up excellent upscale Mexican cuisine and is a local favorite. Bardot Brasserie is well-loved by foodies all over Las Vegas for their excellent brunch and dinner fare. My evening took me to Jean Georges Steakhouse for the first time. The space is sleek and sophisticated, with a large circular wall displaying the restaurant’s wine selection (it’s quite impressive). For an early dinner on a Wednesday night, the restaurant was quite packed by the time we finished our meal—a sign that the restaurant is a very popular option.
The menu here is relatively straightforward, with numerous delightful surprises along the way. Courses that seem familiar are presented with modern interpretations and new flavors (the “Japanese Wagyu Carpaccio” was delicious and unique). The steaks are, of course, fantastic and accompaniments like the bone marrow are nothing short of Instagram gold. I say this a lot, but…make sure to save room for one (or two, or three) of the decadent desserts. Or just order them to-go and take them back to your suite (there’s a refrigerator) for a midnight snack.
Rise and Shine
If you’re visiting on the weekend, there are numerous options for brunch. If not, there are still several places on site for breakfast, but none quite as hearty as Salt & Ivy. You can quickly get to the restaurant from the promenade floor (the level with the pool, spa and convention facilities) without ever having to step foot on the casino floor. The menu has several traditional brunch classics that one would hope to find and several fantastic Dutch Baby Pancakes (sweet and savory options).
If you had a particularly indulgent evening, the beverage menu has a few juices and fresh juice blends that are perfect for starting the day on the right foot. No matter what you’re in the mood for, be it omelets, waffles or something lighter, you’ll likely find something perfect for your day. If the weather permits, ask to sit on the outdoor patio; you won’t be disappointed.
The Spa at ARIA
A staycation isn’t truly relaxing without a trip to the spa, and The Spa at ARIA is a truly unique experience. In addition to the salon and treatment rooms one would expect, the spa also has several healing spaces like the Ganbanyoku Beds designed to relieve muscle tension and the Shio Salt Room for healing respiratory ailments. The spa’s co-ed therapy pool is also a lovely addition to the facilities, which are the recipients of a Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Award.
The Spa at ARIA is also home to the Kalologie Medspa, which offers treatments like CoolSculpting, IV hydration treatments, Microneedling and more. During our stay, I enjoyed an Ashiatsu massage that was administered comfortably (I fell asleep as my therapist used her feet to target pressure points and alleviate tension in my back) and safely. The highly-trained therapist was fantastic at making sure my comfort level was always kept in mind, and I left the spa feeling more refreshed than I had in months.
One Last Lunch
Sadly, it was almost time to head home, but not before one last lunch. My table was booked for Din Tai Fung. I had yet to visit the Las Vegas location, but I already knew what to expect from previous visits to other cities. The restaurant is famous for its Xiao Long Bao (soup dumplings), and they were especially perfect on a slightly chilly day. If you’ve never tried the trendy dumplings before, this is the place to try them. We had the “Crab and Kurobuta Pork Xiao Long Bao,” “Jidori Chicken Wontons With House Spicy Sauce,” “Braised Beef Noodle Soup,” and half of the desserts (the “Chocolate & Mochi Xiao Long Bao” were definitely a table favorite).
Din Tai Fung is known worldwide for the Taiwanese dumplings and they’re so popular that the restaurant even has a location at Taipei’s premier observation tower. There are a variety of tastes to try here from sticky rice to more familiar styles of dumplings, so don’t be afraid to branch out. The desserts are all unique with traditional Asian flavors like taro, black sesame and red bean.
