"THEhotel" at Mandalay Bay -- no, I swear, that's really what they are calling it -- is officially open for business. The new 43-story tower features more than 1,100 new suites, each measuring approximately 750 square feet, about double a standard room. These are traditional suites that have separate living and bedroom areas, each with upgraded amenities like three flat-screen televisions (one in the bedroom, one in the bathroom, and a 42-inch plasma in the living room), high-speed Internet connections, fax/printers, and fancy marble-and-granite baths. The new tower also features a new spa, workout facility, and will eventually have a nightclub and restaurant at the top. Prices for the upgraded rooms will run about $170 and up weekdays, and around $280 and up weekends -- sometimes way, way up, like over $400 a night).

Caesars Entertainment, operators of Caesars Palace, Paris, Bally's and others, is hoping to do a little shopping. It's made a proposal to build a 160,000-square-foot casino and resort next to the Mall of America in Minnesota. The whole thing is just a suggestion right now, and most industry analysts believe it would never happen since a bunch of laws would have to be changed to allow such a thing, but for cash-strapped states like Minnesota, you just never know.

If you're planning to carve out a space in the crowd this New Year's Eve near The Venetian, you should get there early to catch a live outdoor concert featuring 50 Cent, Ashanti, Puddle of Mudd, Keith Urban, and Hootie and the Blowfish. The 8 p.m. concert is part of the second annual Fox New Year's Eve special, broadcast live and hosted by Ryan Seacrest of "American Idol" fame.

The high-end strip club Jaguars closed last week after a big splash and fast fade, all centering around former owner Michael Galardi's guilty plea to federal corruption charges. The $15 million facility was unofficially referred to as the Bellagio of strip clubs, complete with marble staircases, multiple stages and an opulent environment unlike the seedy joints elsewhere in town. After Galardi's guilty plea, county commissioners revoked the club's liquor license and, despite the bar's attempt to serve juice with its jiggle show, things didn't work out and the doors closed. Behind-the-scenes wrangling could see the place reopen early next year with the booze flowing again, but nothing is a done deal yet.

Speaking of wasting away, Margaritaville has opened it's doors at The Flamingo. The new restaurant and concert space features two outdoor patios facing the Strip, five bars, a themed store, and a fake volcano flowing with margaritas. The official opening will be in January, with a live concert from Jimmy Buffet, the guy who performed the song and then turned it into a successful chain of restaurants.

This Week's Trivia

Q: One major Strip hotel opened its doors the week between Christmas and New Year's Eve. What was it? ANSWER

The Weekly Trivia Question is sponsored by the Online Memorabilia Museum at Vegas4Visitors.com

The Full Story

• Despite Scoffing, Ritz Named Vegas' Best Hotel
• Burton's Magic Mixes Folksy Charm, Understated Tricks
• THEhotel Opens At Mandalay
• Vegas Q&A: Where Can I Learn To Gamble?
• Vegas Q&A: How Can I Save Money, Not Be 'Cheap'?

In Next Week's Column

Next week: The latest from Las Vegas.

Plus, don't forget to send me your questions about Las Vegas. I've got room for more, so send them in today!

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Rick Garman is the head writer for Vegas4Visitors

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