Where to stay: I decided to try the new Mandarin Oriental during my most recent trip to Las Vegas this past week. Since it’s been over a decade of “attending the MAGIC Convention”, this is probably only the second time I’ve stayed in a hotel in Vegas without a casino! Located in the City Centre and situated next to Aria, gamblers can still walk over to Aria’s casino or shop at the nearby lux stores (Louis Vuitton, Dior, etc.).

This by far is the closest thing to a “boutique hotel experience” that you’ll find…I would definitely recommend staying here, the service is impeccable, the decor is beautiful, and the ambience including the three pools on the 8th floor, are amazing! This is only the third Mandarin property I’ve stayed at, but it continues to be one of my favorite hotels in the world…and let’s not forget the world class spa service available. Loves!!!

Above Allen is one of my favorite lounges and Hot Spots in NYC…the destination just amped up the style quotient a notch with a new collab by Nanette Lepore, who’s designing uniforms for this Thompson hotel’s lounge. The “LBD” looks super cute…and it look will also be rocked by the staff at the Hollywood Roosevelt in LA and the Donovan House in D.C..

Thompson LES: 190 Allen Street (at East Houston); 212-460-5300

Where to stay: The trip started off low-key…much needed girls weekend…we chose the W Hotel South Beach. The hotel itself is beautiful, the infinity pool is definitely impressive and I love the “Whatever, Whenever” feature…guests can indulge in whatever their “wish” is and the experiential offerings literally cover just about anything. I’ll let mine remain “private”….lol.

I’ll have to admit, the service isn’t “amazing” during the weekends…crazy packed and the pool staff is NOT flexible or accommodating in any way shape or form. I would recommend reserving a cabana or bed if your plan is to be poolside - waking up at 7am to save chairs isn’t really my idea of a vacation. The W is situated directly on the beach, so that’s always an option. The food is pretty good, little over-priced, but it’s Miami so what do you expect?? The rooms themselves are beautiful - two flat screens, large bathrooms, etc. Not really understanding why they don’t have the Heavenly Beds in the rooms, that’s just odd and not very Starwood of them! Also, keep in mind…while they have wireless available in the rooms, you can’t use it on the balcony or poolside (not business friendly).

Let me first start this off by saying that the ACE Hotel NYC is a great backdrop for photo shoots…the hotel lobby, the event space, staircase, and loft, all make for great set-ups! The vibe is very rock/hipster/camping/Americana etc…I’m also a big fan of their bar scene and the drinks are amazing. However, after having just stayed there for the night, I wouldn’t be the first to recommend this hotel for anything more than the scene, a drink, or even the occasional Breslin Burger, from time to time.

Where not to stay: The service here is horrible…clearly that is not what they are known for. This is definitely not my idea of “lux” by any means. I’ve now seen all their rooms, and although the loft suite is the largest in the hotel, the amenities are really underwhelming. Considering I had to call maintenance to repair my tv, dialed housekeeping for five hours to get a set of towels, then back to maintenance to fix the shower (at 1am) AND room service forgot utensils?? I’d have to say it gets a NO GO on my list of where to stay…I could probably go IN a bit more, but i’ll give it a rest since I happen to like the management staff AND “the list” at Breslin is official. Just have the Lamb Burger and call it day…

Where to eat: More of a “gastro-pub” then your typical restaurant, the “Pig” is a very hipster type spot…Since they don’t take reservations, I tend to drop by this here for lunch or late-night for drinks and snacks. I personally love the atmosphere, a very “London-type” feel - plenty of celebrities spotted here as well:
Jay-Z (who is also an investor), Beyonce, Rihanna, Lindsay Lohan, and Kate Hudson to name a few…

What to eat: Gnudi, Shoestring Fries, Deviled Eggs, Chargrilled Burger.

314 W. 11th St. at Greenwich St. - Manhattan

After dealing with a massive headache from consuming way too many shots the night before, I motivated enough to make it over to the Sheraton for a quick lunch. Ran into Chingy plus a few other people before heading back over to the Jordan Brand 23/25 Experience. The technology was insane inside: Mosaic 23/25, an online experience that allowed fans of the brand to share their photos and become a digital part of the 25th anniversary of AIR JORDAN and the brand’s iconic game day shoes. Thousands of submitted photos were compiled together to form an interactive image of a milestone moment in Michael Jordan’s career. Other highlights of the digital space include an interactive wall featuring a touch screen experience that walks the consumer through the history of the franchise.

I started the night with a great dinner at Nobu located in the Crescent Hotel - spotted Kobe and a few other players…then stopped by the ESPN party which was at Ghostbar (again)…thanks to my DGI fam for hooking me up with tickets, DJ Rashida was amazing as always. The event itself was a “bit corporate” so I didn’t stay long, but headed over to MJ’s private event next to the Hotel Joule. With major “names” in attendance, too many to name, drinks were flowing…it was unbelievably fun.

Where to stay: The Joule Hotel, a part of Starwood’s Luxury Collection, is simply fabulous…great ambience, the rooms are chic and the staff is extremely friendly. If I ever find myself back in Dallas, I would definitely stay here.

I’m not quite sure how I actually made it into DFW from JFK since flights were being cancelled left and right due to the blizzard…but I did!! After landing and being alerted that my initial driver had “driven into a ditch”, the owner of VIP Limo in Dallas, personally came to pick me up (niceee!).

Started out the trip with quick stop by the Jordan Brand “23/25 Experience” at Victory Park…the installation was crazy…more on that during “Day 2″, needless to say, the Jordan fam and my folks at Project2050 did not let me leave the space without consuming the largest shots of Patron i’ve ever seen (everything is bigger in Texas - that is not a lie!).

Next stop…the EA/NBA Live party at Ghostbar in the W Hotel…by far one of the best events of the weekend. Mick Boogie and Pete Rock - what more can I say??!! The party was packed…not a lot of “riff raff” since so many flight were cancelled. Tons of “names” in attendance…Pretty official - thanks Glen Chin, had a great time!!

More Patron…yikes!!! I really should know better than to kick off the trip so hard the first night. When will I ever learn to pace myself. Ouch!

Where to go: No, it’s not in Soho, it’s in the Meatpacking District, the west-side warehouse neighborhood that’s suddenly found itself enjoying a second career as something of a dining and nightlife mecca. The Soho House name, rather, refers to its status as the New York chapter of the legendary London members club. So it’s a hotel, yes, but it’s a private club first.

The waiting list for memberships, we’re assured, is miles long, but this being America, it is possible to buy your way in; hotel guests are members for the duration of their stay, with access to spaces that most locals can only daydream about. And here membership, has its privileges, including 24-hour butler service, the Cowshed spa, and a rooftop pool with views over the Hudson and the West Village. You’re assured an in at the restaurant and bar, normally among New York’s hottest tickets, and a drawing room and games room round out the not-so-public public spaces.

Celeb sightings are the norm here…whether it be Rihanna, Mary-Kate or Ashley Olsen, Kim Kardashian, Pharell, or Clive Owen - the list goes on and on. So if you’re lucky enough to gain entry please don’t play yourself - leave the camera at home.

Juvenex Spa - 25 W. 32nd St. Manhattan

My friends and I have been going to these types of spas for several years now…Granted it’s not a spa experience like you would have at the Mandarin Oriental or Burke Williams with fluffy robes and cucumber infused water - but nonetheless worth the experience, event if you were to only try it once. Back to the original question: NY (Juvenex Spa) vs. LA (Olympic Spa)??

Keep in mind that these are women-only spas and if you’re shy or self-conscious about walking around naked, you may want to reconsider going. Your “bizness” is definitely out there! The Korean spa is a traditional/ritualistic type of scrub…they basically “scrub” you raw and finish with some type of oil rub down and massage. Packages offer different variations which may or may not include a hair shampoo and/or mini facial of sorts. I’m also aware that none of my Korean friends will touch these spots with a ten foot pole since they had to endure these scrubs as children on a regular basis!

Ambience: NY
Juvenex by far wins for ambience…the photos above are a testament. The facilities are spotless and if you make an appointment during the week, you’ll be able to enjoy the saunas and steam-rooms with practically no one else around.
Service: TIE
Both are comparable in this category. The employees are cordial but not overly accommodating.
Treatment: LA
Olympic Spa wins based on the simple fact that when I leave Juvenex I usually feel as if I was scrubbed so hard that i’m bleeding…while at Olympic, I only felt that three layers of skin was exfoliated versus five!
Value: LA
Again Olympic Spa wins in this category. Juvenex prices run about $160 for a scrub/massage, while Olympic has the same package for $100.

WINNER: Olympic Spa LA
Sidenote - if you’re ever in Las Vegas check out Imperial Spa…the facilities are huge and they offer the same treatment for only $90!

Olympic Spa - 3915 W. Olympic Blvd. Los Angeles

Where to eat: The Trifecta’s own stylist to the stars Michelle Ten had her birthday dinner at Macao Trading Company Saturday night…they serve a Chinese-Portuguese fusion type menu set with museum-type furnishings and curios on the balcony above. Very 1930’s feel from the ambience to the lighting…love love love it!

What to eat/drink: Dr. Funks, Truffle Croquettes and and the African Chicken…However, I would not recomment the Sea Bass which had no flavor at all, what a waste!

311 Church St. (Tribeca) Manhattan