Name? Liza Herlands

Occupation? Content Creator

Preoccupation? I love to go out and eat and explore NYC, I’m always out finding new things to do. I love to hike and be in the mountains and travel as much as physically possible.

Place you live? New York, NY

How long have you lived there? 4 years

Can you sum up Vegas in a paragraph?  Vegas is like an adult Disneyland. There are people everywhere and activities to do at all times of day and night. There’s food everywhere you turn, and everything’s larger than life. Anything you could possibly want is here.

What is the best thing about Vegas? All the lights at night are dazzling, there are thousands of places to look!

What is a common misperception about Vegas? All there is to do is party and gamble. In reality, there are tons of sights on The Strip and nearby. You can even take a day trip to the Grand Canyon or visit the Seven Magic Mountains.

If Vegas was a person or character who would it be? My girl Britney Spears. Enough said.

What did you love about Planet Hollywood Las Vegas? Our room was absolutely amazing. The views were incredible. On one side, you could see the sunrise over the mountains, and on the other, a view of Paris and the Bellagio Fountains (which was gorgeous in the morning and looked even better at night). The beds were plush and left us feeling refreshed after an incredible night’s sleep. We spent a lot of time in the common living area where we could get our work done, all by the bright lights of the city.

Our first morning, we had a delectable room service breakfast spread that came up so quickly! The hotel boasts a massive complex with everything you might need without having to step foot outside in the heat of the desert. It was just a quick jump from our rooms to the concert venue where we were able to see our all-time favorite childhood band, The Backstreet Boys! It was lovely to jet up to our rooms right after the show and avoid all the traffic.

What stood out about Planet Hollywood Las Vegas? The location! It made it super easy to explore all the photogenic locations in the area. Plus, Ubers arrived within minutes – quicker than it took to order a coffee from one of two Starbucks on the property!

The space in the hotel room also stood out because it was second to none. As both of us had been traveling before this trip, this amazing room and hotel helped us unwind while still feeling the energy of the city unfold below us. The views of the mountains hit my sweet spot as they are my happy place. When you think of Vegas you think about partying and forget how much amazing nature there is there.

Tell us about the activities you participated in during your visit: We loved wandering the city early in the morning before it got too hot and crowded. Vegas transports you to a ton of different cities all at once, from New York to Paris to Rome and Venice! It was so magnificent how they were able to duplicate these amazing places. We, of course, had to start with a visit to the Welcome to Las Vegas sign. We also took a trip to a restaurant where we had some of the best mac and cheese I’ve ever had at Carson Kitchen. We had an amazing lunch at Gordon Ramsay Burger where I got the duck fat and goat cheese burger with a side of truffle parmesan fries – so decadent! Then we came back to the hotel room to get ready for the Backstreet Boys concert, where they have a residency at the theater connected to the hotel. It was an amazing performance we won’t soon forget! The next day I took a wander to try some Sushi Cupcakes just a bit of a walk from the hotel and paid a visit to the Seven Magic Mountains.

If a friend was visiting Vegas, what would you suggest they do? First thing in the morning, I would recommend getting out to Seven Magic Mountains or to explore The Strip before the tourists wake up and fill the streets. You can get the best Instagram shots with no one around, like the calm before the storm. Then, I’d recommend hitting up Carson Kitchen for brunch (best for lighting) where you’ll get some of the best food you’ve ever had. Next, head back to the hotel to enjoy some pool time or try the cool surfing experience they have there.

For lunch, wander the Strop down to the LINQ Promenade and either go to Jaburrito for Sushi Cupcakes (very Instagram-able) or In-N-Out Burger (we don’t have them on the East Coast so this is a must!).

If you’re feeling lucky, try out any number of casino games. If you’re like me, you’ll probably stick to slots…but you’re in Vegas, C’mon! Or take a wander around the mall and shop for a new outfit you can debut on the Strip. For dinner, hit up Gordon Ramsay Burger. You can do it big or take it easy here with your burger since you’ve been eating all day! Then, of course, you’ve got to see a show. Whether it’s at Zappos Theater right downstairs, a magic show, Penn and Teller, or Backstreet Boys it’s easy to find a nightly show. If you’ve got time, check out a club, but if not, hit the hay – you’ve had a really busy day!