Elevating Expectations

When a hotel casino consistently receives “Best Of” accolades from prominent publications, it’s time to take notice. So consider the Stratosphere Casino, Hotel & Tower’s recent haul: headliner Frankie Moreno being voted “Best All-Around Performer 2012” by the staff of the Las Vegas Review-Journal and named “Best Strip Headliner” by Las Vegas Weekly; the property’s dramatically elevated Top of the World voted “Best Restaurant” by Nevada Magazine; and the landmark Stratosphere Tower voted “Best Place to View the City” three years in a row (2010 to 2012) by readers of the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Last year, Stratosphere unveiled a $20-million reimagining that included more than 900 remodeled “Stratosphere Select” guest rooms, updates to the casino floor and a new VIP and valet area. Singer/songwriter/showman Moreno opened his raved-about show last November.

Never content to rest on its laurels, Stratosphere has announced a bevy of new attractions and events this fall, including the opening of McCall’s Heartland Grill, helmed by Chef Rick Giffen and slated to open in late October. Matt Mascali, Stratosphere’s vice president of food & beverage, helped design the restaurant’s unique look and feel.

Stratosphere’s super-fun “Totally 80’s Weekend Party” on Sept. 14 and 15 will feature a Madonna ticket giveaway, slot and blackjack tournaments; ’80s movie viewings and movie rewind trivia with ’80s memorabilia prizes; plus a period lookalike contest and karaoke.

Now in its fourth year, Stratosphere’s Pro Football Headquarters is one of Vegas’ most popular sporting event venues. Pro Football HQ is like tailgating in a theater — the only theater on the Strip with table seating — surrounded by nine huge screens.

It’s never too early to start planning your New Year’s Eve, and Stratosphere boasts a NYE-dedicated website (www.stratospherenewyears.com) detailing an array of ways to ring in 2013, including glamorous parties and great room rates (tip: book a party by Dec. 1 and save 10% on your room). And of course Stratosphere Tower is the place to get a 360-degree view of the NYE fireworks throughout the Las Vegas Valley.

—Paul Rogers, Custom Publishing Writer