Weekend in Las Vegas

via Private Charter

November 2015

United First Class Las Vegas to Denver

With an 11:30A flight, we spent a leisurely morning in our suite with excellent in room dining service.

From the Encore, it was a short 10 minute $20 taxi ride to LAS and what appears to be a new terminal, at least for me.

Train to the D gates.

With 30 minutes before boarding, we headed to the crowded Centurion Lounge and managed to find two seats together.

At around T-45, we headed for the gate and arrived just as they were boarding Group 1.

LAS-DEN
UA 320
737-900
11:30a-2:35p
November 8, 2015
Refreshments

Excellent SFO-based crew provided attentive service including open bar PDB prior to push.

And the Wynn and Encore.

Another beautiful flying day with great scenery.

At just over 600 miles, no meal service but a pass of the snack basket.

And beginning our descent to Denver.

Centennial Airport from where we departed two days ago.

Thirty minutes after pick-up, our driver dropped us at Signature APA to retrieve our car.
On the drive down E-470, we decided to see Spectre on our way home.

Off to Las Vegas

Weekend in Las Vegas and another "free" Jetsmarter private charter

A few weeks ago, Mrs. SFO started talking about a couple of days in Las Vegas... for some shopping, fine dining and maybe a show. Lo and behold JetSmarter came thru Thursday morning when APA-LAS popped up for Friday afternoon. Book it Danno. Now thoroughly spoiled by my Challenger 604 and Hawker 800XP experiences, I was a little disappointed that it was "only" a Hawker 400XP light jet. But hey, it sure beats United.

With a scheduled 1:45P departure time, we left our home at 1:10P and despite an accident on southbound I-25, pulled into the Signature APA parking lot at 1:25P. A few minutes later, we met our pilots and waited a few minutes while they finished refueling our plane.

Denver APA to Las Vegas LAS
Hawker 400XP Light Jet
Tail N490CT
1:50P-2:37P
November 6, 2015

On board, small but perfect for a short flight for the two of us.

After a review of the safety features from Captain Jim and a final check, we're ready to go.

Downtown Denver.

Snow has already come to the mountains.

Time for a drink and snack.

Now over southern Utah.

Ah, the good life.

Some spectacular scenery as we begin our descent and approach to McCarran.

Mrs. SFO, practicing her paparazzi pose.

After a perfect landing, a short taxi to Atlantic Aviation, today's FBO at LAS.

Where our driver was waiting and drove up to the plane.

Our bags were loaded and we were off for the short drive to Steve Wynn's place.

Encore at the Wynn

OK, now this is one fabulous suite. Our Living Room.

Amazing view.

Bedroom.

Master Bath.

Just inside entry, another bath.

And massage room!

After we settled in, we headed downstairs with a map to explore the amazing complex that is Wynn.

Two hours later, finally a drink at Sinatra.

Las Vegas

And then up to our room to get ready for dinner. One of favorites chef's is Jean-Georges Vongerichten. We've loved his restaurants in New York and Shanghai, and his other Las Vegas restaurant Prime at The Bellagio. So, Mrs. SFO has decided that we're going to Jean-Georges Steakhouse at Aria. The massive complex that is Aria.

Way too big for our tastes... and at least a 10 minute poorly marked walk from main lobby to the restaurant.

Huge room, comfortable seating.

Even though it's a steakhouse, we opted to go non steak tonight.

I started with the Tempura Calamari with Pea Shoots and Chili Dip. Similar to what we had in Shanghai. It was amazing!

For some reason, Mrs. SFO decided to just to a couple more starters, a shrimp cocktail..

... and crab cake.

While I went with the wonderful Veal Milanese.

All in all a good but not memorable meal. We passed on dessert and headed out to check out more shopping although it took forever to finally get to there in this cavernous place.

Yeah, just what I want after dinner, more shopping.

Not sure what this dude was trying to do to the water tank.

After I fell asleep in one of the stores (most wisely have installed chairs and sofas for husbands), Mrs. SFO got the message and we headed back to our hotel.

Early morning and gorgeous sunrise. Views from our suite.

In room dining was an easy choice in this suite.

The smoked corned beef hash was very good.

Meanwhile I keep looking for a private way out tomorrow, or rather a practical one.

Then out for another round of shopping, looking for that perfect dress for a friend's December wedding. A gorgeous 68F/20C late morning as we take the walkway over S. Las Vegas Blvd. to more shopping.

But first a stop of Clark for a $35 pair of practical and comfortable shoes. Even Mrs. SFO has her discomfort limit in her stylish but not so comfy for lots of walking Jimmy Choo boots. Although she did agree that if we were in Paris, she would just suck it up and endure the pain.

She was not amused when I suggested this dress.

After a couple of hours we headed back to the Wynn for lunch. I suggested NY-style deli Zoozacrackers. She suggested Asian themed Red 8. So Red 8 it is. Nice decor but OMG, horrifically bad.

Mrs. SFO ordered wonton soup. Awful.

And BBQ pork chow mein. Gross.

I ordered the chicken satay. It was least unpalatable selection but not even close to MH or SQ.

After lunch, back to the room to relax, Mrs. SFO a nap and me watching college football and one of the classic games, Arkansas/Ole Miss. For dinner, we headed for Andrea's, apparently named after Steve's new and 2nd wife, not the ex he just kicked off the board. This place was sensational.

Pics from their website. The eye's are supposed to be Andrea's. I'm sure the ex loves that.

The Tuna + Crispy Rice with pickled jalapeño, spicy mayo, kecap manis starter was out of this world.

We shared a couple of mains.

The Jidori Chicken Adobo with onion, jalapeño and garlic was excellent.

While the Steamed Sea Bass with ginger, garlic, green onion, cured lemon, mushroom and cilantro was out of this world.

Crispy Brussel Sprouts were excellent.

And dessert. Yum.

An outstanding meal. Then back up to the room before heading out to cavernous Mandalay Bay for Cirque du Soleil's spectacular Michael Jackson One show.