Diane Taylor

Camera Ready at the Holidays

Although most folks today carry cell phones with cameras, I am old-fashioned in that I like a camera — a real camera.

This past week, I was camera ready as I visited two casino/hotels and a brand new offering, the Asian-themed Lucky Dragon Hotel & Casino. My first stop was a new display at the Wynn Las Vegas.

The Wynn Las Vegas this year went gold,
The Wynn Las Vegas this year went gold, silver and white with the installation of a number of petite lighted holiday villages, a product of Vice President Design Roger Thomas and Wynn Design & Development. Thomas was nice enough to call about the villages, naming a host of collaborators on the project. The villages were actually made in Hong Kong by a company Thomas knows well, Rich Creation International. Wynn collaborators in Las Vegas included Gary Cramer, Director of Horticulture, and Evelyn Herrera, Senior Floral Manager. Thomas says that although the villages are new this year, visitors are likely to see them in upcoming holidays as well.
Photo by Diane Taylor
The Wynn Las Vegas villages were shipped from Hong Kong in pieces to be reassembled. Evelyn Herrera and crew planned some 60 trees for this holiday season. Photo by Diane Taylor
The Wynn Las Vegas villages were shipped from Hong Kong in pieces to be reassembled. Evelyn Herrera and crew planned and created some 60 trees for this holiday season.
Photo by Diane Taylor
The floral display that accompanies Wynn's holiday villages contains two unusual plants. While normal white poinsettias are typically a creamy color, Gary Cramer explains the plants Wynn used this year are the first pure white plants available and are called Princettia Max. In this display, they are paired with poinsettia plants of an unusual color called Gold Rush. In all the Wynn and Encore contracted for some 10,000 plants to display during the holidays. Cramer explains that all Wynn/Encore display plants are rotated every three weeks. Photo by Diane Taylor
The floral display that accompanies Wynn’s holiday villages contains two unusual plants. While normal “white” poinsettias are typically a creamy color, Gary Cramer explains the plants Wynn used this year are the first pure white plants available and are called Princettia Max. In this display, they are paired with poinsettia plants of an usual color called Gold Rush. In all the Wynn and Encore contracted for some 10,000 plants to display during the holidays. Cramer explains that all Wynn/Encore display plants are rotated every three weeks.
Photo by Diane Taylor
Away from the Strip and five-star resorts, the Tuscany Suites & Casino describes itself as a "jewel of Las Vegas resorts" and at the holidays this is true. In the hotel lobby, holiday decorations create a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Photo by Diane Taylor
Away from the Strip and five-star resorts, The Tuscany Suites & Casino describes itself as a “jewel of Las Vegas resorts” and at the holidays this is true. In the hotel lobby, holiday decorations create a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
Photo by Diane Taylor
Checking in at the Tuscany.
Checking in at the Tuscany.
Photo by Diane Taylor
The Tuscany makes frequent use of this garland design.
The Tuscany makes frequent use of this garland design.
Photo by Diane Taylor
Several very large wreaths greet Tuscany visitors as they walk the hallways. Photo by Diane Taylor
Several very large wreaths greet Tuscany visitors as they walk the hallways.
Photo by Diane Taylor
The Lucky Dragon Hotel & Casino had its official opening yesterday, December 3, but locals could get a
The Lucky Dragon Hotel & Casino had its official opening yesterday, December 3, but locals could get a “soft opening” look even before the official opening. The Lucky Dragon is said to be “the first casino resort designed from the ground up to create an authentic Asian cultural and gaming experience”. Asian inspirations begin with the carpet and continue throughout the facility.
Photo by Diane Taylor
The focal point of the casino area is a large dragon-inspired chandelier, surely to be the subject of every visitor's photo. Photo by Diane Taylor
The focal point of the casino area is a large dragon-inspired chandelier, surely to be the subject of every visitor’s photo.
Photo by Diane Taylor
The dragon theme is repeated on the back of gamblers' chairs. Photo by Diane Taylor
The dragon theme is repeated on the back of gamblers’ chairs.
Photo by Diane Taylor
All signs at the Lucky Dragon are in English and Chinese. This high roller room hopefully will attract wealthy visitors from China. The first direct commercial flight from mainland China (Beijing) to Las Vegas was inaugurated this past Friday, just one day before the official Lucky Dragon opening. Photo by Diane Taylor
All signs at the Lucky Dragon are in English and Chinese. This high roller room hopefully will attract wealthy visitors from China. The first direct commercial flight from mainland China (Beijing) to Las Vegas was inaugurated this past Friday, just one day before the official Lucky Dragon opening.
Photo by Diane Taylor
A view of the Lucky Dragon casino taken from the second floor. Note the line of people. They were waiting to sign up for a player's card, but Thursday morning only one person was working at the Player's Club window.. (The wait was LONG.) Photo by Diane Taylor
A view of the Lucky Dragon casino taken from the second floor. Note the lineup of people. They were waiting to sign up for a player’s card, but only one person was working at the Player’s Club window Thursday morning. (The wait was LONG.)
Photo by Diane Taylor
The Lucky Dragon, just west of Las Vegas Boulevard on Sahara, has just over 200 rooms and several Chinese restaurants. Want to watch some of the food preparation? That can be done right from the casino floor. Photo by Diane Taylor
The Lucky Dragon, just west of Las Vegas Boulevard on Sahara, has just over 200 rooms and several Chinese restaurants. Want to watch some of the food preparation? That can be done right from the casino floor.
Photo by Diane Taylor

Comments

4 responses on “Camera Ready at the Holidays”

  1. Once again, Diane did a superb job covering the latest on the greatest city on earth.. Las Vegas!!
    Love all the pictures….. Thanks Diane!!! 😀

  2. Thanks for the new casino info! Great pics! Another beautiful place to spend some time and money! 🙂

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