Paris, Las Vegas Style

So I went to the Paris Hotel on the Strip, hoping to find a remotely French experience. And maybe if I'd tried one of the crepes at the Creperie, I would have. But, basically, the inside of that hotel is worse than Epcot.

The fake sky ceiling is even less effective than at Caeser's or the Venetian because the ceilings are lower at the Paris. The pathways seem narrower, too, so it's nothing at all like being on a boulevard...no matter what the sign says.


The names of most everything are in French, although there was a Shooz.


There were more than enough places to eat, and included a variety, not just French. Le Provencal had pizza, among other offerings.

Napoleon's was a very nice looking lounge.

I ate at the Le Cafe, which was the 24 hour coffee shop every major Vegas hotel sports. The menu wasn't as extensive as I expected, but it did have a nice variety, including a small section of Asian offerings.

I was tempted by the French styled hamburger, which was topped by Bleu Cheese, but decided to go with the calamari. I hadn't had it in a while and a fellow blogger recently mentioned the dish. Well, as I wrote in a comment to that post, all the calamari I'd ever had was in Italian restaurants and they were firm and tasty. These must have been imported from the U.K., because they were as tender and bland as Mike says they are in England.

The creme brulee had a little more flavor, although some of it was from the slightly burnt caramelized sugar it was topped with. Still, that at least satisfied the craving.

For coffee shop fare, though, it really couldn't be faulted. In fact, I thought it was admirable that these things were even on the menu. And it's not like they were actually bad. Oh, btw, the calamari was an appetizer. In case anyone was thinking it was a little chintzy for an entree. And for anyone wondering about Las Vegas Strip hotel prices, the calamari was about $11 and the creme brulee about $6, I think. The whole bill came to $18 and change, after tax and before tip. I just had ice water, so there was no drink on the tab.

The decor continued even into the bathrooms.


I have to say that I did like their light treatments. Particularly since the ceilings felt low, it was nice they didn't try to hang chandeliers everywhere. But the lovely medallions around the fixtures added some style.

All in all, I'd have to say that the overwhelming feeling I had inside the Paris Hotel was one of claustrophobia. It was dark and close and totally lacking in any resemblance to the charm of the actual city it was trying to replicate. Plus, the food wasn't that good. So...my verdict is FAIL!

Big surprise, there, huh?

On the way home, I had to pass in front of Hard Rock, which I hadn't seen in a mighty long time because nothing ever takes me that way these days.

I took this picture when stopped at the light. I don't know why the sign says cafe instead of hotel. I think there may be another one a little ways down, and maybe that one says hotel. Were they afraid that people might not realize there was a Hard Rock Cafe in the Hard Rock Hotel?

Anyway, I used to be a frequent visitor there, but it's been under different management for a while now. I'm curious to see if there are any noticeable differences, so it may be my next stop.

Well there's another episode of exploring my current hometown. Let me know if there is anything you'd particularly like to see or hear about and I'll do my best to oblige. Always with the caveat, of course, that I take pretty awful pictures and I always have. So that's not likely to change any time soon.

Oh yeah, and Happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate. I had a pumpkin walnut muffin for breakfast as my personal nod to the occasion, and I'm thinking of maybe throwing together a quick pumpkin soup now that I'm getting a little hungry. Hope everyone had a nice day and that you've all got a great deal to be thankful for.