Pampering

Spa Mio, our award-winning four-star spa and salon, offers the perfect opportunity to provide mom with the spa day she’s always wanted but may have never asked for. With services like manicures, pedicures, massages and facials and packages for moms who are short-on-time, like The Mommy Express package, or for moms who would enjoy an entire spa day, like our Mio Relaxation Day package, Spa Mio has options to suit any budget and any mom. Plus, anytime you book a service at our spa, you also receive full access to our spa amenities for the day including the steam room and sauna. If you’re just not sure what she’d like, purchase a Spa Mio gift card and leave the choice up to her.

Dining

If you’ll be taking Mom out this Mother’s Day, relax to the soothing sounds of live piano while enjoying a delicious Italian brunch at Marinelli’s, our Italian restaurant. Presenting a three course brunch with choice of appetizer, entrée and White Chocolate Mousse with Raspberry Gelee for dessert, Marinelli’s will provide Mom with a taste of Italy at its finest. Ghalib Ghallab will add to this special day playing the piano all afternoon. For a special touch, request a song for Mom!

A Custom Gift

Now if your mom loves our resort (which we hope she does), we recommend creating a custom gift basket full of some of the best items our resort has to offer…after all, you could say “M” is for Mom…Fill it with a gift card to our resort, a wine card or better yet, a bottle of her favorite wine from the Hostile Grape, a sweet treat from Baby Cakes (they offer take home pints of gelato), Spa Mio candles (they are pure soy in scents like Love Spell and Green Tea) and maybe even bed sheets from Spa Mio (trust us, they are amazing!).

Do you have other ideas for pampering Mom at our resort? Or are you planning the perfect four-star Mother’s Day for your mom? We’d love to hear how you’re planning to pamper Mom – comment below!

Though the interaction may be brief, the guest experience begins in Valet with our Guest Services team. They make it their job to know your name, especially if you frequent our resort. They will assist you with your luggage and perhaps offer you a bottle of water should it be another hot day in Las Vegas. They will even escort you inside to the Front Desk or at minimum, will direct you there.

A special touch from our Front Desk to one of our guests celebrating their wedding.

Once you arrive at the Front Desk, you’ll be greeted with a smile by one of our fantastic front desk agents. What you may not know, is the night before our front desk team scanned reservations arriving the next day to find out if anyone was celebrating anything special. If availability permits, we’ll pre-assign your room. It isn’t unheard of to receive a card with cupcakes for your birthday or chocolate covered strawberries for your anniversary from the front desk agent who checked you in.

Those little touches might even extend to your dinner. Maybe you are here celebrating your anniversary and our Concierge recommended Anthony’s Prime Steak & Seafood, our award-winning fine dining restaurant. Because our Concierge noted on your reservation that you are here celebrating your wedding anniversary, the hostess might seat you near the window so you can indulge in a view of our main pool deck, Villaggio Del Sole and the Las Vegas Strip. Once you reach the end of your meal, the waiter may bring out a special dessert tasting with “Happy Anniversary” written out in chocolate ganache for you to enjoy.

These are a few of the little things we like to do at our resort to create the ultimate four-star guest experience. From beginning to end we take care to make you feel special because as one of our guests, you are special! Let us know if you’ve experienced the little things while here at our resort.

Lucky for our guests, we don’t charge resort fees. Yes, you read that right. After four years in the Las Vegas Valley, we are proud to say that we do not require our guests to pay a resort fee. While many resorts on the Las Vegas Strip and even off-Strip have begun charging a resort fee, we allow our guests to decide what amenities they will use during their stay and do not require them to pay for those amenities when they may not use them, for instance, the Internet. Should our guests wish to use the Internet, we offer complimentary Wi-Fi service in Baby Cakes, our 24-hour patisserie, and Internet is included free of charge in our Four Year Anniversary Package or when booking at our best available rate. Should guests like to utilize the fitness center, we offer an option to purchase a daily pass to Spa Mio, our four-star spa and salon, which also includes access to our steam room and sauna.

Other amenities at our guests’ disposal are a complimentary daily newspaper which can be found on every hotel floor at the elevator bay. In addition, we offer our guests complimentary daily shuttle service both to and from the airport and to and from the Fashion Show Mall on the Strip. Robes and slippers are available upon request for our Resort Rooms, just phone Housekeeping from your room or the Front Desk. And if that isn’t enough, we will print your boarding pass complimentary, whereas some hotels include this service in their resort fee. We also have complimentary bottles of water waiting for our guests upon their arrival. And, we do not require our guests to pay to access our gorgeous pool deck. Now that’s service!

Dining

Vegas has turned into a culinary mecca in recent years, but we know not everyone has the palette (or pocketbook) for a Michelin-star meal.

Fun and Funky - Have a sweet tooth that needs satisfying? Baby Cakes, our European-inspired patisserie will have you loosening your waistband after sampling pastries and homemade gelato from our world-renown pastry chef Jean Claude Canestrier. His delightful creations are just as beautiful as they are delicious. We suggest his new line of cupcakes with selections like Peanut Butter Cup, Coconut Pineapple and Red Velvet or stick to a traditional sundae, it’s just a delicious! If in the heart of the famous boulevard is more your style, Serendipity 3 at Caesars Palace offers a whimsical and wacky menu that will bring out the kid in you. Sip on a Frozen Hot Chocolate, feast on a triple-decker grilled cheese and finish it all off with a deep-fried Oreo sundae (and then some Tums).

One-of-a-kind - So you won big at baccarat and want to please your inner foodie (and oenophile), Charlie Palmer's Aureole at Mandalay Bay will entertain all senses. Boasting a wine tower with over 10,000 choices and 'Wine Angels' who ascend said tower to retrieve your selection makes this one of those "only in Vegas" dining adventures. If 10,000 bottles isn't enough for you, you can check out the variety of vinos from around the globe offered at Hostile Grape. While there are no 'Wine Angels,' there are fancy machines that pour the wine for you in one, three or five ounces. Choose from more than 160 wines by the glass and enjoy those sips in an atmosphere that screams hip - we're talking broken wine barrels for the ceiling - how cool is that? With that many selections it's a wine bar that appeals to both the wine novice and the newbie.

A Feast Fit for a King - Now, we don't want to brag too much, but we do have to mention our killer buffet, Studio B Buffet. With more than 200 dishes served daily this is one Vegas buffet that should not be missed and not just because of the food, the price also includes unlimited beer and wine! Can you say bargain?

Other Experiences

Must-see attractions line Las Vegas Boulevard. The Bellagio fountains seem to top most tourists' to-do lists, but there are many more things hidden in plain sight that are just as show stopping as the fountains themselves.

Retro Vegas - Ever wonder where old neon signs go to die? The Neon Boneyard, of course. Located just off the Strip (hey, so are we) is the Neon Museum of Las Vegas. It is home to more than 150 old signs that once graced Vegas' streets of yesteryear. For a more simple (but essential,) retro experience, enjoy a shoeshine fit for a president from the M's very own resident shoe shiner Heather Holton.

One-of-a-kind - Love a good view? Good, so do we. Take a short elevator ride up to Veloce Cibo. At 400 feet higher in elevation than the hotels on the Strip, you couldn't ask for a better view of the Strip and of the entire Las Vegas Valley. The stellar views and killer terrace can't be beat. Tucked inside Mandarin Oriental is their lobby bar, Mandarin Bar. It's an escape from Vegas, within Vegas. Offering panoramic views of the Strip but perched high on their 23^rd floor you escape the chaos below from the city that never sleeps. For another escape,

Vegas offerings are extensive so ask your concierge for more suggestions and any (or all) of these recommendations can be pre-arranged for your enjoyment by one of our award-winning concierges. Stop in and say hi when you're here for a visit. They'd be glad to assist you.

If you're looking for an exceptional place to hold that holiday party, look no further than M Resort. But look quickly, 'cause dates are filling up fast! We provide holiday centerpieces and d?cor as well as a dance floor for your party and you can find some great catering specials for local businesses too on our website here. Call group sales at 1-866-551-1540 and they would be happy to help you make all the arrangements so your holiday party is one to remember.

If you're just starting to plan your holiday party, here are a few tips from Mark that may help you along the way:

• As a planner, be sure to enjoy yourself. If you do, your guests will too.
• Don’t forget those guests that may have special dietary needs.
• Hire a professional to help you plan the event - the time and stress it will save you is worth the expense.
• Theme the event - a Victorian Christmas or maybe something from your favorite holiday cartoon.
• Give employees holiday gifts and if you can, personalize each one.
• Luncheons are typically less expensive than dinners. (And by the way, the M Resort holiday menus are specially priced to give you the best we have at the lowest price point.)
• Many companies now hold their holiday parties in January, so don't feel obligated to have your party in December.
• Be sure to get an accurate headcount to avoid overpaying for "no shows".
• Create the mood by decorating in seasonal deep reds and forest greens.
• Special lighting can really enhance an event.
• Be sure everyone is having fun, but also watch their alcohol consumption. Some organizations will set up a designated driver program specifically for your party.

We hope your holiday party this year is a great one and we'd love to host it here at M Resort - a spectacular venue and level of service that are sure to impress your guests.

There are a lot of things which connect M Resort with wine - Hostile Grape, our wine bar with more than 160 wines-by-the-glass through our super-cool Enomatic dispensing systems; the Marnell family's vineyard in California which produces six different labels we serve here at M; the some 250,000 bottles we give away as gifts to iMagine Rewards members every year and of course the fabulous events we host like Rock 'N Roll Wine's Reggae Pool Party.

With so much here relating to wine in one way or another, we thought it might be helpful to pass along some wine tasting basics that may help you enjoy your wine a little more and possibly discover a new wine you love. Here are some great tips and wine tasting basics from our Assistant Beverage Manager here at M - Charlie Moavero:

1. Start with a clear wine glass. The rim of the glass should end inwards to help funnel aromas to the nose and allow you to swirl without spilling.
2. Now pour a little wine into your glass - an inch or less is best. If you are tasting several wines, begin with the lightest (sparkling wines, roses, then light whites followed by full-bodied whites) and progress to the heaviest (light reds to more full-bodied reds followed by dessert wines). This will help keep your taste buds more sensitive so you can better appreciate each wine in the series. A sip of water between wines can also help preserve your palate.
3. Notice the color of the wine. It often helps to hold the glass up to light or hold it against a white background like a white napkin. The color can give you a clue as to the age of the wine. White wines generally gain color as they age. Red wines generally lose color. That is, young red wines are more red or burgundy while older wines tend to show a hint of tawny brown around the rim. Regardless of age, the colors of wine are just fun to see, ranging from pale yellow-green to ruby red to brick red-brown.
4. Swirl the wine a couple of times by moving the glass in a circular motion. Holding the glass by its step, instead of the bowl, allows you to swirl more easily. Swirling is done to aerate the wine and release vapors, evaporating from the sides of the glass, allowing you to better smell the wine.
5. Put your nose right over the rim of the wine glass and breathe in. Take note of the wines aromas and bouquet (the range of smells a particular wine possesses).
6. Take a sip, letting the wine spread across the tongue from front to back and side to side before swallowing. Notice the flavors and acidity of the wine. How silky or rough does the wine feel?
7. Swallow a small amount if you wish to note any lingering "finish," but if you're tasting a number of wines - in a winery tasting room, for example - your host will usually provide a large container for you to spit out the wine instead of swallowing. (Don't worry, this isn't rude!) Everyone in the wine trade is accustomed to the swirl-sniff-sip-slosh-spit routine. No one wants an intoxicated taster or worse, an intoxicated driver.

The bottom line is that a good wine should always give pleasure. It should smell good, taste even better and be smooth and satisfying by itself or with whatever food you're pairing it with.

The summer solstice is the official astronomical start of summer. From a meteorological standpoint, summer is generally classified as the months of June, July and August and therefore starts the first of June. From a Vegas standpoint, well, summer pretty much feels like May through October. We think that's just perfect though because let's face it, there are a lot of people who either live and work here or visit because of all the sunshine. Our lowest monthly average possibility of sunshine? 77 percent for January. The highest? Right now, at 93 percent for June. That means there are about 28 sunny days in June. Nice.

Let's face it - all that sun means it can get pretty hot. If you're visiting us here in America's Playground during the summer months, there are a few things you ought to remember: First, stay hydrated. While we certainly appreciate all the yard-long cocktails and giant beers tourists consume while here, it's important to drink plenty of water too. Believe us, you'll feel better and you can enjoy yourself more and a lot longer. Second, distances between properties, especially on the Strip can be deceiving. You have to remember just how large these buildings are and that they often appear closer than they really are. If you're going to "walk it," give yourself more time than you think you'll need, make some pit-stops and be sure to wear plenty of sunscreen. Third, if you decide to take a cab, you should know they aren't legally allowed to stop on the street and pick you up. There's no waving your hand or whistling for a taxi here in Vegas - you'll need to go to the entrance of a property or other area where the cabs are able to safely pull off the street. That cab driver isn't ignoring you - just obeying the law. Fourth, visit M Resort because it's just so worth it.

Summer is a great time to take advantage of all the fresh herbs and spices available at your local market and grocery store. Soups, salads, grilling and oh yes, all those great summer cocktails are perfect places to utilize fresh herbs and spices and wow your family and friends at the next dinner party or backyard barbecue. Here are a few tips on how to handle, use, preserve and even present your herbs and spices:

A great way to store fresh herbs and have them easily at hand for use is to freeze them. Just remove the stems, chop the leaves and sprinkle them in an ice cube tray. Pour water over herbs, freeze into cubes and then pop the cubes out and store in labeled plastic freezer bags. When making soups, sauces, stews, (or mint for your mojitos!), etc., grab a couple cubes and just throw them in. You'll have the beauty and taste of fresh herbs and you'll have saved both time and money.

Another way to store fresh herbs is simply by trimming off the stem ends and placing the bunch in a glass of cold water. Wrap the leaves with a damp paper towel or clean dampened kitchen towel to protect the delicate leaves.

Fresh herbs make a beautiful center piece when coupled with fresh fruit and vegetables. Fill a large glass, vase or clear bowl with fresh fruit or veggies, trim herb bunches so the bottoms are neat and even and place in the vessel of your choice. Fill with water and you have a unique, signature arrangement. Place candles in and around the arrangements for a high-end ambiance you and your family will love.

What about dried herbs and spices? When it comes to cooking, the general rule with dried herbs is this: dried spices and herbs go first. What this means is the dried spices and herbs should be gently heated before any other ingredients are added to the pan. The heating of the herbs can be done in a dry pan or you can infuse your cooking oil with the spices. Fresh herbs go in last because we want the color to stay bright and the taste to remain fresh.

So don't be afraid to pick up some fresh herbs and spices and use them in your next dish - you'll find a use for them in just about everything you cook and they'll add color, flavor and that professional chef flair!

Summer is just around the corner and we're guessing it's time you might be hankering for some time by the pool with a great cocktail in hand. Here at M Resort, we take our mixology seriously. What's mixology? Mixology is the art of harmoniously blending a variety of different flavors. Understanding ingredients and knowledge of flavor profiles are what represents one's creativity to create a well-balanced drink. Mixology is like cooking, it's the harmony and understanding of flavors, the right amount of each ingredient and having the passion, patience and dedication to make or create a truly great cocktail.

A first class restaurant will go to great lengths to promote that they use only fresh ingredients in their food - today's bars, pubs and lounges are starting to join that trend. Using the freshest ingredients available will aid greatly in the crafting of a great cocktail. New flavored spirits along with fresh juices, syrups, fruits, herbs and infusions give bartenders the starting blocks to create that exquisite cocktail.

Here are the seven elements of a truly great cocktail and some things every great bartender should ask them self when creating cocktails:

Character is the distinctive identity of your cocktail. Is it tropical, exotic, fruity, frozen, mixed, sweet, sour, spicy, dignified, old classic, after dinner, shooter or seasonal? Are you trying to match it with a food menu or special theme?

Presentation is the "eye appeal" or appearance of the drink. Does the drink sell itself? Does the glass and garnish highlight the drink? This cocktail should be mouthwatering. Eye-catching cocktails find that a guest's "What's that?" often turns into an "I want that."

Flavor is a blend of smell, taste and feeling sensations. Our noses detect scents - nuances of flavor from explosive aromatics - and pass this information directly to our brains. Our senses of the smells that surround us are recorded subconsciously, yet smells trigger memories more effectively than sounds or sights: they are the most evocative of experiences. With a little practice you can soon learn to break smells down and identify their components.

Aroma is a hint of what's to come. It is customary to take in the bouquet from a glass of wine to understand its essence. Muddle fresh fruit and herbs to extract the oils, juice and scents. This will add flavor and aroma to your cocktail.

Taste is the confirmation of what people see and get from the aromas. Tasting is done principally with the nose - a far more acute organ than the tongue, although the two interrelate as the sample is swallowed. While there are only four primary tastes, there are 32 primary smells. These are aromatic volatiles, which are detected by a small fleshy bulb called the Olfactory Epithelium, located at the back of our noses and having a direct link to the brain. Primary tastes are registered by little sensory receptors on our tongues and palates. These are broadly arranged so that sweet flavors are picked up on the tip of the tongue, sour and salt flavors by the sides and middle and bitter flavors at the back. The time it takes to stimulate the different areas of the tongue varies, with the bitter receptors taking the longest, so it is important when tasting to hold the liquid in the mouth and to make sure it coats the tongue thoroughly. You'll then want to identify the primary tastes - the immediate flavors your tongue collects. There are only four: sweet (on the tip of the tongue), salty and sour (at the sides) and bitter (at the back).

Texture means ingredients must blend together; they can't be too thick or too thin. A consistent smooth quality cocktail is one that is easily drinkable not one that is like thick pudding or one that's like soup. You also want a firm clean cocktail, not a watered down one.

Balance is when ingredients work together to produce a smooth and uniform taste. Is the strength of the drink overpowering? Is there a flavor that is missing or one that's coming through too much?

Now that you know the Seven Elements of a Truly Great Cocktail, here's a refreshing one for summer that you can try at home or by the pool at M Resort:

The Honey & Ginger

1 ? oz. Jose Cuervo Citrus Tequila

Dash of ginger syrup

Juice from ? a fresh lemon

Drizzle of pure honey

Mint leaves

Ginger ale

Fresh ginger

Muddle mint leaves, ginger syrup and two lemon wedges in a clear pint glass. Add tequila and ice and muddled ingredients to a cocktail shaker. Shake and double-strain into a martini glass. Top with ginger ale, a swirl of honey and ginger zest.