Living Like a Real Housewife: A Glamorous Las Vegas Weekend Guide
With the NRL season opener approaching, Las Vegas is in the spotlight as it hosts the premiere game at Allegiant Stadium for the third consecutive year. While sports may not be my passion, I have always adored Las Vegas, and as a devoted fan of the Real Housewives franchise, I recently embarked on a BravoCon-inspired trip to the City of Lights. From early girls' trips on RHOC to the Vanderpump dominance on RHOBH, Vegas has evolved into the unofficial playground for Housewives, thanks to its fine dining, high-end shopping, world-famous shows, and luxurious spas. So, pour a glass of Champagne and dive into this glamorous guide to living like a true Housewife in Vegas.
Housewife Headquarters: Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino
Every Housewife needs a vibrant base, and mine was the Planet Hollywood Las Vegas Resort & Casino on The Strip. Situated at the heart of the Strip, it offers a bold, bright atmosphere ideal for multiple outfit changes, glam touch-ups, and mirror selfies before dinner. Rooms are reasonably priced, with a plush Ultra Hip Premium Room costing around AU$450 per night, providing a perfect blend of luxury and accessibility.
Cocktails and Canapés: A Bravo Fan's Delight
My long weekend kicked off at Pinky's by Vanderpump, Lisa Vanderpump's playful cocktail lounge at The Flamingo. This bold bar features dramatic lighting, flamboyant interiors, and drinks crafted for any Vanderpump Rules confessional, including the famous Pump & Bump—a caviar martini with Vanderpump Vodka, Dry Vermouth, Bitters, Green Chartreuse, Olive Brine, and delicate fish eggs. To avoid arriving too tipsy at dinner, I paired my martinis with Lisa's renowned goat’s cheese balls and Pinky's signature wedge salad, which was generously sized enough to feed a family of four.
Next, I indulged in old-school Vegas luxury at PRIME Steakhouse inside the iconic Bellagio. Seated beside the famous Bellagio Fountains, which animate every half hour, I enjoyed a luxurious three-course meal by four-star celebrity chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. The menu featured crispy beef short ribs, succulent salads, Wagyu steak, and decadent desserts, all complemented by a fine red wine selected by an in-house sommelier.
Showgirls and Stars: A Glittering Homage
The following morning began at the dazzling Las Vegas Showgirl Museum, a glittering tribute to the city's legendary performers with feathers, rhinestones, and jewels. Owned by Grant Philipo, the museum houses the world's largest collection of showgirl costumes and memorabilia in his home on the Strip's outskirts. Gasps filled the air as Philipo revealed iconic costumes, including pieces by legendary designer Bob Mackie, who has dressed stars like Cher, Elton John, and Taylor Swift. Philipo shared stories of his life in the business, from being Liberace's muse to producing multi-million dollar stage shows.
After the tour, I headed to Vanderpump à Paris for drinks, where I finally met Lisa Vanderpump herself. Dressed in a chic three-piece suit with a velvet tie, she was everything I expected as we gossiped over a glass of her signature rosé wine.
Bites and Boys: Korean-Mexican Fusion and Magic Mike
Dinner was at Best Friend by celebrity chef Roy Choi inside Park MGM, a vibrant eatery offering a unique spin on Korean-Mexican fusion. Highlights included the Big Boy Platter with Kalbi, Garlic Chicken, Spicy Pork, Southside Sticky Ribs, and Grilled Shrimp. After cocktails for Dutch courage, I turned up the heat at Magic Mike Live at SAHARA Las Vegas. While not typically a fan of male strippers, I aimed to recreate the dramatic scene from RHOBH where Sutton Stracke had a meltdown over a lap dance. The show lived up to its reputation, with the hard-bodied troupe delivering erotic dance moves that left me hot under the collar.
To cool down, I enjoyed cocktails and bites at nearby Balla Italian Soul, a coastal Italian eatery by James Beard award-winning Chef Shawn McClain, featuring vibrant, soulful cuisine.
Self-Care and Selfies: Spa Luxury and Fine Dining
After a wild night, I earned a reset at Lapis Spa & Wellness inside the fabulous Fontainebleau Las Vegas, where I received an age-defying facial—no surgery required. This was followed by an hour of tittle-tattle with fellow guests in the spa's steam rooms, saunas, and warm thermal pool.
Brunch was at La Fontaine, where I enjoyed a healthy egg white omelette and green smoothie. Dinner was at the ultra-chic Beauty & Essex at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, a prime spot for being seen in Vegas. With mood lighting and private booths perfect for selfies, the menu is designed for sharing, starring mouth-watering Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup Dumplings and Mexican street corn ravioli.
The ultimate main-character moment came with a nighttime helicopter ride over the Strip, operated by 5 Star Helicopter Tours. Guests experience 180 degrees of unrestricted panoramic views from a luxury air-conditioned aircraft, offering breathtaking, sparkling lights below—an unforgettable experience.
Housewives and Hoopla: Bravo Events and Power Brunches
I wrapped the evening with the big main event: Andy Cohen Presents: The Bravos. Hosted by the Bravo mastermind himself, the crowd went wild as we got close to fan favourites like Kyle Richards, Gizelle Bryant, Vicki Gunvalson, Tamra Judge, Phaedra Parks, and Kandi Burruss.
The next day featured more fine dining with a quintessential power brunch at Lago by Julian Serrano. Chef Serrano treated me to eight of his greatest hits, including famous Malfadine pasta with Nduja, zucchini, goat cheese, and basil, inspired by Lo Scoglio Restaurant on the Amalfi Coast. This was followed by an elevated wine tasting at Alle Lounge on 66 inside Resorts World Las Vegas and dinner at Stubborn Seed, which served refined, chef-driven dishes like some of the best oysters outside Australia.
Fast Cars and Farewells: A Thrilling Send-Off
Inspired by season one of RHOSLC, I spent my final morning racing supercars with Dream Racing at the legendary Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Under the guidance of a professional Nascar driver, we reached speeds over 220 km per hour in Ferraris, Porsches, and Lamborghinis, setting pulses racing.
For a Bravo-worthy send-off, I enjoyed my final toast at Vanderpump Cocktail Garden inside Caesars Palace. After four action-packed days, it was time to head home to Australia, work on my waistline, and gossip all about it with the girls.
