Discover Lake Las Vegas, Nevada
MonteLago Village, Celebrity Golf Courses Offer Off-Strip Luxury
A 320-acre manmade lake, MonteLago Village, two public golf courses, Casino MonteLago, special events and shops add appeal to Lake Las Vegas, the Vegas Strip alternative
Southern Nevada’s Lake Las Vegas -- only 17 miles from the world-famous Las Vegas Strip -- is the ultimate alternative for travelers who prefer starlight to neon, peace and quiet to 24-hour action.
Although the 320-acre, man-made lake came into being in 1994, it’s still undiscovered by most Las Vegas tourists. Centerpiece of the area is a cerulean lake, surrounded by hills. Tile-roofed buildings in shades of burnt sienna and ocher dot the hillsides offer opportunities for shopping, dining and relaxation without the distraction of bright lights and throngs of people.
The Village
MonteLago Village, with its cobblestone walkways and plazas, contains about two dozen specialty shops, restaurants and bars. Since only the walkways and lake provide access to the village itself, the sidewalk cafes are free of exhaust fumes and traffic noise – delightful almost any day of the year.
The shops, perfect for browsing, for the most part contain high-end merchandise, but it’s also possible to find gift items that most shoppers can afford. Especially fun for children is Flights of Fancy, which features kites, windsocks, bells, wind chimes and other breeze-driven decorative items. You’ll probably not want to take the youngsters inside Collectors Fine Art Glass Artique, though, since its showcases brim with expensive breakables designed by 30 artists from around the world.
Dining choices range from casual Italian dining at Luna Rossa to American cuisine with a French flair at Como’s. A deli and market provide the makings for picnics by the lake, if you can’t snag one of the lakeside tables at a sidewalk café (the shorefront is where you’ll be most likely to find on-street entertainment). Starbuck’s fans will be happy to know they can get their special lattes et al at MonteLago Village, and chocoholics can get their sweets at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory.
Though it has the requisite slot machines and table games, the lone casino at Lake Las Vegas seems far more subdued than those on The Strip or in Glitter Gulch.
Sports Report
Two of the area’s top golf courses – Reflection Bay and The Falls – overlook the lake. The former, personally designed by Jack Nicklaus, features five holes located along a half-mile of shoreline (the course’s highlight is its picturesque 199-yard, par-3 eighth hole). The Falls, a Tom Weiskopf creation (7,250-yard, par-72), is noted for its spectacular views of both the lake and Las Vegas Strip. Each of these public courses includes a dining room with lovely views and snack bar. A third course – SouthShore Golf Club -- is private.
There’s activity on the lake, too. Its champagne and dinner gondola cruises – complete with singing gondoliers – are especially popular with couples who are about to become engaged. The gondolas, as well as kayaks, canoes, paddleboats and windsurfing boards can be arranged for at Lake Las Vegas Marina. Catch-and-release fly fishing is also permitted. Two yachts, available for public rental, are the only motorized watercraft (other than rescue boats) on the lake.
Accommodation Options
Loews Lake Las Vegas (493 rooms, including 43 suites and three casbahs) was built in 1999, while Lake Las Vegas Ritz Carlton (349 rooms, including 35 suites) opened in early 2003. Usually the least expensive option, a third hostelry called MonteLago Village Resort features 150 hotel-style condominium rentals, with nightly rates beginning at about $150. Views from the guest room balconies look out on the hotel’s swimming pool as well as the village’s shops and restaurants. Lake Las Vegas Resort Vacation Villas deals with luxury rental villas and Mediterranean-style homes within the Lake Las Vegas resort area.
Special events celebrating St. Patricks Day, Christmas and other holidays add festive appeal. Information on events is available of the MonteLago Village website.
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