When you think of destinations that affluent jet setters might frequent, the likes of London, Paris, and New York’s Hamptons probably come to mind.
While you’d be right, you’d also be missing one key destination — Las Vegas.
Sin City isn’t just for gamblers, bachelorette parties, and live entertainment enthusiasts. The desert oasis has also become an annual go-to for ultrawealthy tech and finance executives.
Jaclyn Sienna India, founder and CEO of ultra-luxury travel concierge service Sienna Charles, told Business Insider that Las Vegas has become a once-a-year trip for many of the company’s clients.
“It’s very much a place to fly in private, go for three to four nights with friends, stay at a fabulous top suite, have great dinner reservations, and go to some fabulous shows,” India said. “I think people are super into it. It’s major.”
According to the city’s marketing organization, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, the Nevada hot spot saw more than 40.8 million visitors in 2023, a 5% increase from the year prior.
But Sienna Charles’ clients aren’t your everyday travelers.
The company’s membership fees range between $75,000 and $150,000. Its clients — which include about 100 families — have an average starting net worth of $100 million, the company claims.
Most are executives of Fortune 500 tech and finance companies, although some (like George W. Bush’s family) are world leaders, while others (like Mariah Carey) are celebrities.
Despite these prestigious titles, it turns out the ultrawealthy crave the same Sin City vacation as everyone else.
When they go to Las Vegas, they want to have a nice meal (at Carbone), see an exciting show (with backstage passes), and stay at a fun hotel (Encore’s Tower Suites).
Where the ultrawealthy stay in Vegas
According to India, the “only way to stay in Vegas is if you’re staying in the Tower Suites in Encore or Fontainebleau’s similar experience.”
Encore’s Tower Suites span up to three bedrooms. The smallest 745-square-foot one-bed option comes with a separate living and dining room, a bathroom with a soaking tub, and twice daily housekeeping with an additional turndown service — all for an average of $690 per day, a spokesperson for Wynn Las Vegas and Encore told BI.
In comparison, the city’s hotel rooms averaged about $190 per night in 2023.
Similarly, Fontainebleau’s highest-end Fleur de Lis suites starts at $1,250. For the coziest 980-square-foot option, guests can expect a foyer, a living room, 1 ½ bathrooms, turndown service, and a butler.
India finds most hotel wellness programs feel “corporate.” However, she is partial to Fontainbleau’s Theragun treatment and IV drip station, which is “super on brand because you’re in Vegas and you’re hungover.” (The latter service starts at $135.)
But wellness and butlers aside, most importantly, both Encore and Fontainbleau’s most luxurious suite categories include exclusive check-in lounges and, in the case of Encore, private entrances.
“These hotels are so massive that you don’t get service,” India said. (Fontainebleau and Encore have 3,644 and 2,034 guest rooms, respectively.) “Everything is so disconnected, so you need that additional layer of different check-in desks and concierges just to cut through the noise.”
Where the ultrawealthy eat in Vegas
The city’s food scene is often associated with decadent hotel buffets. However, Sienna Charles’ top-booked Las Vegas restaurants aren’t filled with these all-you-can-eat feasts.
Instead, the list includes hot spots available in other cities, specifically Mott 32, Cipriani, Carbone, and Delilah.
Mott 32, perched inside the iconic Venetian hotel, serves modern Chinese fare.
Most of its dim sum dishes cost less than $20, although the applewood-roasted Peking duck with caviar rings in at $268, while the 16 braised dried abalone heads go for an eye-popping $598 per person.
For upscale Italian, head to the Aria hotel for Carbone’s Las Vegas outpost. Like its popular New York sibling, the celebrity-beloved restaurant serves Italian classics like the $36 spicy rigatoni vodka and the $91 veal parmesan.
In general, “anything at the Wynn is great,” India said — especially Cipriani, another Italian staple, and Delilah, a glamorous modern American restaurant.
India called Las Vegas’ Cipriani outpost “gorgeous.” Its pasta dishes cost up to $41 and include spaghetti with lobster and tagliardi alla Bolognese.
Dine on the 14-ounce Australia wagyu ribeye for $105, or opt for the black truffle pasta for $99.
At Delilah, expect to pay $230 for caviar service and $185 for beef Wellington for two. For something more affordable, opt for the $29 chicken tenders.
What the ultrawealthy see in Vegas
A Las Vegas trip wouldn’t be complete without a show.
Many of Sienna Charles’ clients gravitate toward entertainment at the recently opened Sphere — where tickets are anything but cheap — or recognizable artists’ multi-week residences at smaller venues.
For example, Katy Perry’s shows from 2021 to 2023 at Resorts World Las Vegas’ 5,000-seat theater, which many of its clients attended, or Lady Gaga’s 2022 residency at Park MGM’s 5,200-seat venue.
However, unlike most attendees, Sienna Charles’ clients also get VIP or backstage access tickets.
The post This travel concierge’s clients are worth at least $100 million. Here’s how they do Las Vegas differently — from where to stay to where to eat. appeared first on Business Insider.
