Planning a trip to Las Vegas can be overwhelming! Which hotel will be right for you? Which pools are worth a visit? And where’s the best place to indulge in a little luxury – whilst rubbing shoulders with the stars of course? Well, sit back and sip a Blueberry Margarita as I present The HAYLEY NOLAN Las Vegas Travel Awards….

BEST DRAMATIC DINING – Switch at Encore is one of a kind!  The  ceiling and walls switch round every 15 minutes, which makes for a rather unique theatrical dining experience. So if the extravagantly presented food isn’t enough to keep you entertained, the ever changing decor will be!  Stunning!

BEST LUXURY POOL EXPERIENCE – Caesars Palace Garden of the Gods is a pool oasis of 8 distinctive swimming pools  that appeal to all ages, with lavish amenities and luxurious cabanas, all set against the breath taking back drop of the legendary Caesars Palace Hotel (pictured below)! It’s definitely got the WOW-Factor and will satisfy all glamazons and budding celebs out there! Perfect Accompaniment: Caesars sumptuous Qua Bath & Spa.

BEST RELAXATION RETREAT - Mandarin Oriental is a shockingly calm presence in the neon city of non stop madness. The minute you step inside the famous Sky Lobby it’s as though you’ve been dipped in a pot of tranquility! For those who want to press “Mute” for a while and recoup their energy - knowing Las Vegas still awaits them outside – the Hotel’s wondrous Spa and Pool is the epitome of  serenity.

BEST EVENING ENTERTAINMENT - Peepshow at Planet Hollywood is currently starring E! network celebrity Holly Madison (pictured below.) Viewers will recognise her as one of Hugh Hefner’s famous ex’s in Girls of the Playboy Mansion/ Girls Next Door and Holly’s World. Peepshow is a striptease spectacular with a dazzling display of  sexy songs, sparkling thongs and some of the most skilled dancers in the city! And while Holly herself doesn’t sing, her Holly’s World co-star, Josh Strickland, does so in spectacular Broadway style!

BEST SPA FOR ROCK STARS – The Reliquary Spa at Hard Rock Hotel has all the classic elements of a spa but with its own cool take. From the minute you walk through the entrance - it’s decor reminiscent of an English Gentlemen’s Club - you know you’re in for a special treat with a twist. The interior is like a grand Roman bath and in the treatment rooms gentle Rock music is played – well, it certainly beats babbling brooks and mystical flutes!

BEST REGAL SPA EXPERIENCE - The Spa and Salon at Encore is an awe-inspiring, palatial wonderland (pictured below.) If you’re looking to be pampered like a Princess, then this eastern delight is the place to unwind – with their aptly named signature treatment, The Encore Escape! Quite amazing!

BEST RETRO VEGAS EXPERIENCE - The Golden Nugget Hotel is located in Old Vegas, on the Original Strip - where you can still feel the presence of Sinatra and the Rat Pack from their Vegas Heydays! It is soooo Hollywood, with its palm tree lined drive and sparkling modern interiors. The hotel is also home to one of the most exciting pools in Vegas, you can, quite literally, swim with the fishes as the pool has a huge tank of sharks in the centre!  They even have a “Shark Chute” slide which goes straight through the tank! Exhilarating stuff!

BEST FAMILY POOL – Mandalay Bay Beach is located across 11 acres and has real sand, a huge Wave Pool (pictured below), a Lazy River, even a Beachside Casino for the parents! And with 3 additional pools - some exclusively for the grown ups - plus some impressive luxury Cabanas, Mandalay Bay Hotel has the whole family catered for.

BEST BAR WITH A VIEW - Mix Lounge at Mandalay Bay boasts the most breath taking view of the city at night, through floor to ceiling windows around the dance floor and a glass fronted balcony. Even the glass elevator ride up to the bar on the 64th floor is better than any fairground attraction! Spectacular!

BEST BLISSFUL POOL EXPERIENCE – The Azure Pools at The Palazzo bring the opulence of the French Riviera to The Strip with this gorgeous array of pools, gardens and cabanas (pictured below.) With frozen fruit and champagne showers to keep you cool (seriously) you may never want to leave – only, perhaps, to go dine at the stunning poolside Solaro restaurant.

BEST POOL PARTY - Surrender at Encore is the place to party if you want to go from Beach Club to Night Club without changing venues! The place has got a great atmosphere and attracts a fabulous crowd, the luxury cabanas lining the pool securing the attendance of many VIPs and celebrities. And with dance podiums and poles in the middle of the pool, it’s a slice of true Vegas that mustn’t be missed!

BEST VIP EXPERIENCE - Trump International Hotel Las Vegas is a heady mix of Hollywood glamour and decadent decor. If you want to be treated like a true star in Vegas, this is the place to come. Whether its having luxurious privacy and peace in one of Vegas’ few non-gaming hotels, or staying in one of their staggering suites (pictured below) - just ask the Kardashians or The Donald himself, who stay here whenever they’re in town - it’s the stars secret hang out! Top Tip: make sure you visit The Spa at Trump for their “Vegas Recovery Massage!”

MOST ANTICIPATED LAUNCH – Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas Hotel is to be the last addition to The Strip for some years, so it’s only right it should be spectacular…and it looks like it’s going to be just that! With a stunning pool that will be lowered to reveal a stage, where many concerts are planned and will play out on a big screen onto The Strip, it’s certainly got the showbiz factor. It opens in December 2010.

BEST MOVIE MOMENT – The Bellagio Water Fountain display was immortalized by Brad Pitt & Co in the film Ocean’s Eleven. In the closing scenes, they watched the spectacular display from the Bellagio balcony and you can too, absolutely free! It’s the perfect way to round off an evening at one of the  famous hotel’s delicious restaurants.

BEST TRAVEL TO VEGAS - Virgin Atlantic flights go direct from London Gatwick to Las Vegas in 9 hrs 50 minutes. Even Virgin Economy seats are capacious and comfortable. And with regular drinks and meals and in-flight entertainment, you are very well looked after, and arrive in Las Vegas feeling relaxed and ready roll!

SPECIAL READER OFFER - 3 Nights in Las Vegas with Virgin Holidays! Including scheduled flights with Virgin Atlantic from London Gatwick direct to Las Vegas, accommodation at the 5V Mandalay Bay
on a room only basis with car hire included starts from £779.  Virgin Holidays guests receive a free strip view room upgrade and free v-room passes when booked before Sept. Prices are per person based on 2 adults travelling and sharing a strip view room, price includes all applicable taxes and fuel surcharges which are subject to change. Prices are based on departures 01-29 Jan 2011. Start your holiday before you’ve even taken off in the V ROOM at Gatwick Airport…adults £17, Kids £10 To book: www.virginholidays.co.uk , 0844 557 3859   0844 557 3859  or visit one of our 40 stores located in Debenhams and House of Fraser stores nationwide.

PLAN YOUR TRIP WITH THE HELP OF visitlasvegas.co.uk AND CHECK OUT ALL THE CITY HAS TO OFFER!