Element Hotel in Las Vegas adds pedal-power to charge your tablet

An announcement on Dec. 10 alerted me to the fact that guests of Element Hotels now can pedal their way to a fully charged tablet or smart phone. Since there is an  Element Hotel in Summerlin, at 10555 Discovery Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89135  it seemed like an interesting tidbit to pass along.

The pilot to Element’s Pedal for Power program, unveiled at Element Miami International Airport’s opening event, saw bicycling enthusiast and Starwood president and CEO Frits van Paasschen join associates in a pedal-pushing effort that generated enough electricity to power up flat-screen plasma monitors and laptops for a virtual ribbon-cutting. 

According to the press information, the Element Hotel fitness centers are well equipped and open 24 hours. Saline pools and bikes to borrow are available to give travelers added incentive to get up and go. 

Other tenets of the brand’s commitment to balanced living on the road include the following:

• Guest rooms and public spaces are designed to be bathed in natural daylight, as guests’ mood and productivity are improved in a well-lit environment.
• Complimentary RISE breakfast offers healthy options including egg white wraps and fruit smoothies.
• Seamless connectivity is offered via free Wi-Fi in public spaces and in guest rooms, which also include ergonomic chairs at workstations.
• Guests can work, relax and fuel up on their own schedules, with kitchens in every room and a fully stocked 24/7 grab and go gourmet pantry.
   

Sandy-related fundraiser Vegas style: food, drinks, entertianment

If you're in Las Vegas Sunday, Dec. 9 head to the fundraiser for victims of Hurricane Sandy.
  

Vegas restaurants and chefs with roots in both New York City are holding a fundraising event,  “Start Spreadin’ the News,"  11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Brooklyn Bridge at New York-New York Hotel & Casino .

For a $100 ticket (available at RedCrossLasVegas.org, NewYorkNewYork.com/Sandy) guests will sample food from celebrity chefs Scott Conant  and Francois Payard  as well as cuisine from 22 of the city’s top restaurants; six bars featuring specialty cocktails, craft beers and wines; and appearances and entertainment from Las Vegas personalities.

Restaurants from across The Strip will feature an array of signature dishes and New York–inspired culinary delights:

• Bellagio: Todd English’s Olives
• Caesars Palace: Payard Patisserie & Bistro and Rao’s
• The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas: Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill, Scarpetta and D.O.C.G. Enoteca
• Crystals at CityCenter: Todd English P.U.B.
• The Forum Shops at Caesars: The Palm Las Vegas
• Mandalay Bay: Aureole
• MGM Grand: Tom Colicchio’s Craftsteak and Stage Deli
• The Mirage: Carnegie Deli and BLT Burger
• New York-New York: Broadway Burger, Nathan’s Famous Hotdogs and Bonanno’s New York Pizza
• Paris Las Vegas: Gordon Ramsay Steak
• The Venetian & Palazzo: B&B Ristorante, Carnevino, Otto and Bouchon Bakery
• Smith & Wollensky

Bar stations provided by Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada will offer craft beers, an array of wines and five specialty cocktails handcrafted by mixologists from the United States Bartenders Guild with assistance from Back Bar USA. P

aying homage to New York City, the featured libations will include “Yankee Doodle,” “Forgetaboutit!,” “Eastside/Westside,” “The Neighborhood” and “‘5’ Boroughs.”


In addition to several surprises adding to the excitement, all attendees will receive a commemorative chip reading, “When the ‘chips’ were down, Las Vegas stepped up to help those who were dealt a bad hand by Hurricane Sandy, 12–9–12.”