Swanky digs – where to sleep the night when money is no object

Landing before a sea of neon confirms that Las Vegas lies beyond the runway.

This epicentre of high-flyers and hedonistic getaways attracts young clubbers and old-time crooners alike … and me, a non-gambling, non-spring chicken looking like a fish out of water when tipped out of my taxi.

I’m on a whistlestop weekend in Sin City, where opulence hides and resides on the rooftops of popular Vegas hotels.

So, I’m having a stickybeak into why two illustrious names will forever be entwined with Nevada’s desert city.

Gaughan’s ‘Glitter Gulch’ – The birthplace of Downtown Las Vegas, established in the early 1900s, is  located north of the Strip, in what is today the arty Fremont East Entertainment District.

And within a toke’s throw is 1941-built El Cortez: the city’s longest continuously run hotel and casino. Still crowned by its signature neon sign, it features on the National Register of Historic Places.

Jackie Gaughan was one of the Las Vegas gaming forefathers. He claimed many hotels, including Union Plaza, Gold Spike, Las Vegas Club and The Western.

But his prize purchase was El Cortez in 1963.

In 1980, Gaughan added 14-storey, 200-room Tower II. And the 15th-floor became the home for him and his wife Bertie. He lived there for three decades until his death at 93. The casino magnate is remembered for recruiting minorities and his philanthropic work.

In his memory, the 250sqm penthouse was named The Jackie Gaughan Suite. Team member John Civitello leads my private tour of one of the most treasured rooftops in Las Vegas.

Photos and statues of ‘The King’ in the foyer of Westgate Las Vegas Hotel & Casino. All images: Marie Barbieri

Entering via double doors with ‘J and G’ handles immediately confirms that The Jackie Gaughan Suite is the jewel in this hotel’s crown. It’s adorned in sculptures and figurines, marble tables, white armchairs and bouncy baby pink carpets you could almost trampoline on.

Gaughan’s portrait hangs on a wall by the bar. The library reading room remains preserved, true to its time.

“This wallpaper isn’t made anymore and it’d be very hard to replace,”  John says.

One retro room, with a daybed in wine-red crushed-velvet cushions, sports a wall of framed stars – from Frank Sinatra, Etta James and Brenda Lee to Tom Jones, The Beatles, Diana Ross and Sting. But it’s the next room that sends me potty.

“Lift the toilet seat!” John advises. The command sounds ominous, but I comply.

The entire toilet suite is not just pink. It’s heavy. Solid marble (pictured).

In the pink palace that was Bertie’s bathroom, all is swirly pink marble, including the sinks, shower, spa bath and bidet. And each is bedecked with flamboyant golden swan faucets.

Undeniably lavish, the suite features in several modern music videos. Yet  this was Gaughan’s family home. And from his multiple balconies, the gaming pioneer could proudly eye-up his  Las Vegas empire.

Presley’s sky parlour – The first person to greet me in the lobby of Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino  is ‘Elvis Presley’, brandishing his mic  and guitar.

And beside Barron Hilton’s statue of ‘The King of Rock’n’Roll’ is an equally charismatic (but living and breathing) gentleman named Gordon Prouty.

The hotel’s welcoming vice-president of public relations stands immaculately dressed in a plum-pink suit and pastel-pink and white floral shoes that match his tie and pocket square. ‘Flash Gordon’ then takes me backstage.

The Westgate was opened as  The International Hotel on July 2, 1969, by Kirk Kerkorian. The 30-storey resort hotel (later, Las Vegas Hilton) showcased greats such as Johnny Cash, The Righteous Brothers, Aretha Franklin, Brooks & Dunn and Kenny Rogers. But it’s particularly famous for Elvis’ seven-year residency.

“Opening night on 31st July, 1969, took place in Showroom Internationale (later renamed International Theater),” Gordon says.

“Elvis hadn’t performed live on stage for eight years. He sang his not-yet-released Suspicious Minds. And after that, each of his 636 shows were sold out.”

One of the sumptuous bedrooms in the Imperial Sky Villa.

We enter the theatre, garbed in glittering gold lamé curtains.

“It was the largest showroom at the time, seating up to 2000 in the largest hotel in Las Vegas,” Gordon says.

He introduces me to Craig Hayes, the theatre’s head stage carpenter.

With props wedged under his armpit, he reminisces.

“My dad was here on Elvis’s opening night. And I’ve now worked here for more than 30 years,” he says.

“By the way, right where you’re standing is where Elvis always entered ‘stage left’.

“There would be someone with a flashlight there. That was my dad.”

I look down (more to mask my moistening eyes). Noticing, Craig  whips away for a minute, returning with a book.

“In my book, It’s showtime!, I share behind-the-scenes stories from my backstage perspective working on Elvis’s stage,” he says, handing me the gift.

We head to the dizzying decadence of the 30th floor via an elaborate gold- stencilled elevator, internally ornamented with prize artworks.

Entering the 1226sqm Imperial Sky Villa reveals frescoed walls and  ceilings, lion-headed chairs and columned hallways.

Although heavily altered and extended over the years, the suite was constructed on the original 465sqm footprint that was Elvis’s penthouse throughout his residency.

The giant candelabra chandelier above plush sofas and a thick-pile rug is of unparalleled elegance.

And by the grand fireplace is where Elvis had his bed.

David Stanley, stepbrother to Elvis Presley

At the time of my visit, the suite was displaying nostalgic imagery for the hotel’s ‘Year of Elvis’ celebrations. The grand homage marked what would have been Elvis’s 90th year. And it can be rented for, ahem, US$20,000 per night.

It’s the closest I’ll ever get to touching Elvis when a hand reaches out to  shake mine.

“Hello. I’m David, Elvis’s stepbrother.”

My emotions once again surge.

David Stanley’s mother married Vernon Presley after Elvis lost his mother. And he leads the My Brother Elvis experience at Westgate, comprising backstage tours to include intimate audience talks about working with his brother at the theatre.

“I worked on Elvis shows for five years when the hotel was the Las Vegas Hilton,” he tells me.

He’s also authored several books on growing up with the Presleys.

“I still feel my brother’s presence here. Even right now,” he says, pulling from his pocket a photo of him and Elvis in 1972.

And now I feel the presence …

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