With the acquisition, the Palms joined the lineup of prestigious and well-managed Red Rock Resorts properties, which includes Green Valley Ranch, Red Rock Resort, and seven Station Casinos. For those with a car, however, the coming and going is easy, and the hotel location on West Flamingo Road facilitates accessing Strip casinos via alternate routes rather than joining the gridlock on Las Vegas Boulevard. The Palms is too far from the Strip for most guests to feel comfortable walking.

The Palms plans to convert its buffet to a food hall concept. More casual options include Social Table, with seasonal craft beers and grilled specialties Lucky Penny, a 24/7 coffee shop China House Café 6 and The Eatery food court. The restaurant lineup, equally impressive, leads off with Alizé, serving gourmet French cuisine and stunning views from the top story N9NE, a steakhouse imported from Chicago and Nove Italiano, an elegant room graced by topiaries in the form of classic nudes. The Palms was acquired by Red Rock Resorts (Station Casinos) recently, so some changes in the nightlife and lounge scene are probable. A show lounge, a 14-screen cinema, and Pearl-a very cool concert venue-complete the entertainment mix. Off the lobby you’ll find the Rojo Lounge. Also on the casino floor is Tonic-a fine place to grab a drink. Social, the casino’s center bar, offers whiskey-based cocktails.

On the ground level of the same tower is Rain, a high-energy dance club with pulsing fountains and high-tech special effects. Atop the 55-story Fantasy Tower are Moon and The View, a nightclub and lounge, respectively, with panoramic views of the entire Las Vegas Valley. Though the casino is roomy, at 95,000 square feet, it’s the Palms’ nightlife mix that sets the hotel apart. Wide windows offer Strip or mountain views. White linens are topped by violet bolsters above the headboards are arresting murals that combine palm leaves and eyes that follow you around the room. Guest rooms in the Ivory and Fantasy Towers are cutting-edge with purple and cream velvet and splashes of bright turquoise or red. The resort where trendy and affluent Gen X and Y guests partied 12 years ago has matured, and so have the guests, with all transitioning to a more upscale experience. The resort has been re-energized with contemporary nightlife spaces and culinary spots, an expanded pool complex, a reconfigured casino, and upgraded guest rooms. Bob Sehlinger, author of The Unofficial Guide to Las Vegas, reviews the Palms.

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