The Place: The Platinum Hotel & Spa
The Scoop: Off the Strip but close enough for fun, the sleek, sophisticated, non-gaming Platinum is a haven of intimacy and elegance, offering more than 10,000 square feet of event space complete with full audiovisual capabilities, wireless Internet access and drop-dead views of the glittering Strip and the magnificent mountains beyond.
The Buzz: The rooftop Misora event space, which can be tented and decorated to spec, is a fave for everything from lounge-look receptions and glamorous seated dinner parties to decidedly upscale Super Bowl bashes. Meanwhile, the property's fifth-floor restaurant with pool deck, offering a combined 500-max capacity, features floor-to-ceiling windows and an outdoor space dotted with daybeds and fire pits for cozy canoodling.
The Fans: Pfizer; Los Angeles Lakers; Harley-Davidson; Shakira; Joan Jett
The Quote: “With Las Vegas boasting so many choices today for the corporate meeting planner and still ranking as one of the top wedding destinations in the world, sometimes having the charm of a smaller, quieter and more sophisticated hotel — while still participating in a top destination market — is so much more desirable.” — Debbie Nelson, director of private events
The 411:
The Platinum Hotel& Spa
211 E. Flamingo Road
Las Vegas, NV 89169
702/365-5001
www.theplatinumhotel.com
The Place: Chameleon Studios
The Scoop: Fully loaded production studio and special event space Chameleon stays true to its name with 10,000 square feet of totally customizable space that adapts to just about any event need, from film premieres to “corporate events to “design your own nightclub” private parties.
The Buzz: Event pros go gaga for the venue's four separate SA sound systems and more than 200 intelligent lighting fixtures, which allow producers to transform and brand the space with simple programming and color settings rather than hard goods and props. Add to that 23-foot-long plush draping throughout, oversize sofa seating and a unique VIP booth, and Chameleon is an event location that's as accommodating to guests as it is to event creators.
The Fans: Las Vegas Film Festival; Dom Perignon; Corvette
The Quote: “The whole event space is designed as a stage, and you can run a show through the whole space. It's also rigged for aerial performances. It's like a very big, beautiful toy box for the designer, producer or end client. You can just walk in, turn on the lights and it's ready to go.”
— Cheryl Irwin, president
The 411:
Chameleon Studios
6340 Hinson St.
Las Vegas, NV 89118
702/616-4770
www.chameleonglobal.com
The Face(s): Ivie, Monique, Crystal and Dena
The Biz: Phat Strad
The Scoop: This classically trained all-female string quartet turned string music on its head three years ago and hasn't looked back since. Creating classic rock “mashups” that combine classical technique with modern club beats, Phat Strad uses wireless electric instruments — two violins, a viola and a cello — to perform for event groups from 10 to 10,000.
The Buzz: Fans young and not so young can appreciate the group's groove: While their music is hip, cool and clubby enough for teens and twenty-somethings, Phat Strad's selection of classic rock tunes appeals to CEOs who loved the songs way back in the '60s. The fact that the group's ladies are gorgeous doesn't hurt, either.
The Fans: BMW; Ford; Mazda; SBC; Sun Microsystems
The Gigs: Andre Agassi Grand Slam for Children; Rock for the Cure; Cinevegas Film Festival
The Quote: “This is not your usual ‘girl with a tambourine out in front of the band.’ All of us can really play, are trained to play, and have been practicing all our lives for four to five hours a day. For us, this is a great payoff. We get to get out there and play in an ensemble and really be rock stars.” — Ivie, violinist
The 411:
Phat Strad/Roby Turner Presents
2169 Starline Meadow Place
Las Vegas, NV 89134
702/242-4511
www.phatstrad.com
NEW IN TOWN
For luxurious exclusivity bar none, book The Bank, Bellagio's newest nightclub, which opened to fevered fanfare on New Year's Eve. 702/693-8300
www.bellagio.com/nightlife/the-bank.aspx
Set loose on the scene in September, AGR's Party Face Photo Booth lets event guests choose from 16 digital filters to create hilarious party pix at a rate of 150 shots per hour. 702/388-4263
www.agrlasvegas.com
RSVP Party Rentals has added an elegant fruitwood chiavari stool to its inventory, giving event designers an alternative to the basic bar seat.
702/878-0144
www.rsvpparty.com
