Visions of Yesteryear Flavor Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino
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Barry Manilow headlines at this luxury property adjacent to the convention center. A multitude of shows and eateries keeps guests entertained and well fed.
As soon as I walked into the lobby of Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino, I saw the bronze statue of Elvis Presley and knew this was the Vegas base camp for me. There he was in bell-bottom pants holding a microphone, a guitar slung around his shoulders.
Titled “Elvis: The King of Las Vegas,” the sculpture is a favorite selfie spot and a reminder that the showroom of this storied place (formerly the Hilton) hosted his eight-year run of sold-out performances from 1969-1976.
Being of a certain generation, I was looking to tap into the Las Vegas of yesteryear during my stay in town, and the Westgate provided just the nostalgia I needed. Prowling the public spaces on the first floor, I had a field day traipsing down the corridors, delving into nooks and crannies to inspect the framed posters, artwork and black-and-white photos of stars who entertained there way back when—legends like Barbra Streisand, Liberace, Ann-Margret, Dionne Warwick, Tom Jones, Barry Manilow and Gladys Knight & The Pips.
Barry Manilow at Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino
Manilow, now 80 years old, performs at Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino today. The crooner’s residency at the Westgate International Theater continues through 2024, with 15 three-night engagements scheduled through December. His show “Barry Manilow: The Hits Come Home” features favorites like “Mandy,” “Copacabana” and “Can’t Smile Without You.”
Next to the theater, the gift shop sells everything from Barry-themed drinkware and T-shirts to throw pillows and rubber duckies. Maybe a fruit-bedecked, Carmen Miranda-style headpiece, a nod to “Copacabana,” would suit your fancy. Or how about a Barry bobblehead?
Manilow’s image adorns an exterior wall of the mammoth, 2,956-room resort and flashes on the 28-story outdoor video sign, said to be the largest freestanding sign of its kind in the world. His picture even graced my room key card.
Other Entertainment Options at Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino
Westgate Las Vegas’ playbill also features Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, another blast from the past. Valli, who turns 90 on May 3, is set for several appearances in 2024.
Once a month, the city’s special connection with Elvis is highlighted in “My Brother Elvis: An Evening with David Stanley,” a conversation in which The King’s stepbrother shares stories and memories.
The Westgate Cabaret presents comedy and magic acts, plus musical shows like “Soul of Motown,” a tribute to vocal groups such as The Temptations and Smokey Robinson and The Miracles.
In one corridor, close to the game arcade, resort guests can play entertainer in a room equipped with a grand piano that invites passersby to sit down and pose at the keyboard, a fun photo op.
Recreation at Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino
Outdoors on the third level, resort guests can soak in the sun and relax in a cabana at the sprawling swimming pool. Other amenities include tennis and pickleball courts, a state-of-the-art fitness center and the full-service Serenity Spa. Adjacent to the Westgate is the 18-hole golf course at Las Vegas Country Club; golf packages are available.
Dining Choices Abound at This Las Vegas Luxury Resort
The property’s most eye-popping dining venue is the cavernous space encompassing Benihana’s Japanese steakhouse, Rikki Tiki Sushi and Silk Road Asian Bistro. The village setting is landscaped with statuary, foliage, a koi pond and pathways.
Breakfast is served all day at Sid’s, a cafe just off the lobby, and nearby Fresco Italiano offers tastes of Italy. Edge is a classic American steakhouse.
Clustered by the Race & Sports SuperBook, the world’s largest such facility, are Nacho Tacos Authentic Mexican, Drafts Sports Bar & Grill (sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs) and Cordovano Joe’s Pizza. Across the way is Fresh Buffet.
Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino is located off the north end of the Las Vegas Strip, next to the Las Vegas Convention Center. The heart of the Strip is just a five-minute ride from the on-site monorail station.
Lead photo courtesy Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino
