The Mirage Has Undergone A Major Transformation Bringing The Excitement And Luxury Of Las Vegas To The Center Strip

Posted by Nick Niesen on October 29th, 2010

When Steve Wynn opened The Mirage in 1989 no one could have foreseen that he was actually paving the way for what the Las Vegas Strip has become today. Huge impressive resorts with thousands of rooms and every imaginable amenity anyone could need (or desire). At the time it was the largest and most expensive resort ever built anywhere in the world. People began flocking to Las Vegas just to see what Steve Wynn had created. Today The Mirage may no longer be the largest, but a two-year, multi-million dollar renovation has given new life to The Mirage and made it one of the most exciting resorts on the Strip.

If you haven't visited The Mirage in the last few years or have never visited you may think you have stepped into a brand new resort. Of course, the signature volcano, located along Las Vegas Boulevard in front of the hotel, still erupts nightly. Siegfried & Roy may longer be there, but their white tigers still occupy the Lion Habitat. The 53-foot aquarium still lines the area behind the front desk. The 100-foot domed Tropical Rainforest continues to flourish and welcomes guests upon arrival. And Siegfried & Roy's Secret Garden & Dolphin Habitat to this day occupies the lush and tropical landscaped area behind the hotel. But that is really all that remains of the 'old' Mirage.

Today all 3,044 guest rooms and suites have been refurbished to give them a serene south seas feel. All rooms are now outfitted with the upmost in comfort and convenience. Marble topped vanities, dual phone lines with high speed internet, and you will certainly enjoy the dramatic views of the mountains surrounding the Las Vegas valley and of the Strip itself.

The Mirage now has so many entertainment options that you could literally see a show each night and never have to travel to another resort. Cirque du Soleil opened The Beatles LOVE in 2006 and the show has been sold out since day one. It is without a doubt one of the few must-see shows in Las Vegas. If you wish to attend be sure and purchase your tickets well in advance. The show is so popular that some people have planned their vacation around the dates they were able to secure tickets to LOVE. Danny Gans continues to amaze audiences with his singing, comedy and multitude of impressions in this ever-popular show. And The Mirage has developed a reputation for bringing some of the funniest comedians to the Strip. You will regularly find the likes of Ray Ramano, Jay Leno, Kevin James and Brad Garrett making audiences laugh.

When it comes time to sit down, relax and enjoy a meal, The Mirage has more options than ever before. Some of the newer additions to the resort include STACK, a cutting-edge American bistro. You might even describe it as a restaurant with a nightclub atmosphere. Fin is an absolutely stunning restaurant serving contemporary Chinese cuisine. Onda offer rustic Italian dishes and was voted 'Best Italian Restaurant' by the Las Vegas Concierge Association. And Onda also has a wine lounge where you can indulge in wine tasting and sample some antipasti. Kokomo's is still located under the beautiful tropical rainforest but the restaurant and menu has undergone a major update. The décor is more contemporary and the menu features prime steaks and fresh seafood flown in daily from all over the world.

If you are ready to do a little partying after that meal, The Mirage has two fantastic options. The first is JET, a 15,000 square foot multi-level nightclub. What makes JET different from other nightclubs in Las Vegas is that fact that it is actually three nightclubs in one. JET has three distinct rooms, each with it's own unique look and sound. Party-goers can move from a room filling the air with rock music, to one room with more of a hip-hop vibe, to yet another featuring popular dance and house music. The other nightspot is The Beatles Revolution Lounge. The lounge is not a tribute to the band in that you won't necessary hear The Beatles greatest hits, but was instead, designed by Cirque du Soleil to inspire the spirit of The Beatles. The interior is has many interactive and almost psychedelic elements for the guests to enjoy. If your imagination allows, the décor and music evolves over the course of the night.

This is only the beginning of what The Mirage has to offer it's guests. There are many more restaurants and bars, the waterfall flanked pools, the topless (adults-only) Bare pool and bar, the fitness center, shopping, one of the best buffets on the strip and the newly renovated Spa & Salon.

The Mirage has surely been transformed into one exciting destination in Las Vegas and the center Strip location couldn't be any better. You'll find yourself literally next door to Treasure Island and the massive Forum Shops at Caesars Palace. You'll find yourself across the street from Harrah's and the Venetian. And a leisurely walk away from Wynn Las Vegas and La Pallazo (the Venetian sister property slated to open late-2007 or early-2008) and the Fashion Show Mall. The room rates will be somewhat lower than the rates offered at some of the newer resorts. But with this dramatic and much needed transformation you'll feel like you are staying at a new Las Vegas resort, not The Mirage resort that Chevy Chase and family stayed at during his 'Vegas Vacation.'