NANCY BROWN follows the A-list revellers to sinful Las Vegas...

Forget New York, Las Vegas is the real city that never sleeps. Located slap bang in the middle of America’s Nevada desert, it’s a 24-hour party hotspot that’s bold, brash, ballsy and totally entertaining. Hollywood A-listers love spending their downtime here and it’s also where OK! favourites Katie Price and Alex Reid got hitched and where Coleen and Wayne Rooney spent part of their honeymoon.

The main neon-lit thoroughfare – known as The Strip – is home to the world’s largest and most extravagant hotels; expect to see a replica of the Eiffel Tower, the pyramids of Egypt and the canals of Venice. You can roll the dice in one of the countless casinos, see a jaw-dropping theatrical show or shop till you drop in huge shopping malls.

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Since OK!’s last visit five years ago, there’s plenty new on the scene – so if you’ve visited before and thought you’d been there, done that and bought the T-shirt, you couldn’t be more wrong.

WHERE CAN I STAY?
OK! checked into the newest hotel on The Strip, the Aria Resort & Casino (www.arialasvegas.com), which opened at Christmas as part of the new CityCenter complex. Located on 67 acres between the Bellagio and Monte Carlo hotels, the shimmering all-glass and steel hotel complex is huge – with 4,004 rooms and a vast 215,000 sqft pool deck, home to three pools and Liquid, an adults-only area with swaying palms, luxury cabanas, VIP dipping pools and world-class DJs on the decks. OK! stayed in one of Aria’s Sky Suites, decorated in soothing shades of cream and brown. The rooms are a world of calm away from the busy Strip – although the floor-to-ceiling windows do offer magnificent views of the skyline. On arrival, we were blown away by the technology in our room – the curtains opened automatically, the lights came on and a huge flat screen TV displayed a menu of preferences for us to personalise our stay. It’s no wonder The Hills star Audrina Patridge is a fan!

WHAT IS THE MUST-SEE SHOW?
Prepare to be all shook up as the cast (dancers, acrobats and musicians) of Viva Elvis pay tribute to the king of rock and roll. The spectacular Cirque du Soleil show opened last December at Aria and celebrity fans already include the cast of True Blood. Pop into the decadent Gold Lounge for cocktails before the show – it’s inspired by Presley’s Graceland home and, in a nod to Elvis’ passion for horses, a life-sized stallion lamp welcomes guests at the door.

WHERE CAN I SHOP?
Crystals, the brand new upmarket shopping and entertainment complex in CityCenter, is right next door to the Aria, so you can fall out of bed and straight into Prada, Tom Ford, Roberto Cavalli, Tiffany & Co and Louis Vuitton. If vintage is more your scene, try Attic, which claims to be the world’s largest vintage retailer. Or head to Miracle Mile, where you can sift through the rails of 170 High Street stores including Urban Outfitters and True Religion. There are also designer bargains to be had at the Fashion Outlet Mall and the Las Vegas Outlet Center.

WHERE CAN I PARTY?
Pool parties are the latest craze to hit Vegas and the newest place to don your bikini is the Encore Beach Club at Wynn Las Vegas. It opened in May and has a vast pool, cabanas and poolside blackjack tables. Rihanna is a fan of its sister club Surrender. Topping up your tan will also be the last thing on your mind at Tao Beach at The Venetian. Day beds are scattered throughout the pool club, but get A-list service by hiring one of the 12 cabanas complete with aircon, flat-screen TVs and a mini bar.

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By night, OK!’s first stop was Pure, the Caesars Palace hotspot beloved by Will.i.am and Britney Spears. The glass elevator took us up to the roof terrace, where we danced alfresco and ordered the cheapest bottle on offer, which cost £210! The swanky Moon club at The Palms is great for views – of The Strip and of the ladies as the Playboy Club resides on the floor below! We made our way to the top floor of the Palms’ Fantasy Tower to party at the penthouse club with Sir Richard Branson. As the band struck up and girls dressed as disco balls danced on podiums, Moon’s retractable roof opened above the dance floor to reveal an awesome view of the stars.

WHAT ELSE CAN I DO?
Take a break from the neon and explore Nevada’s natural desert wonders. Head skywards on a helicopter ride from Boulder City, taking in the marvels of the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead, before heading for the magnificent Grand Canyon. The flight lasts an hour and 15 minutes, before whisking you to El Dorado Canyon – the site of an old gold mining community. After a wander around the ranch, we hopped aboard a quad bike for an exhilarating ride across the bumpy terrain, then settled down to a barbecue lunch and felt like we were in the middle of a hoe down once the band started playing!

WHERE CAN I EAT?
You can work your way around the world at the Aria’s 16 restaurants. For dinner, we loved the Italian Sirio Ristorante – try the garlic shrimp with soft polenta or the beef carpaccio with white truffle vinaigrette. Next door at Crystals is Beso, the eatery owned by Eva Longoria. On the menu you’ll find steaks and seafood prepared in a wood-burning oven. The dining room is sleek, decorated in black with accents of gold and features wrap-around booths and gorgeous chandeliers. Over at Encore at the Wynn, dinner at the Switch steakhouse is a theatrical affair. As guests dine on steak, scallops and lobster salad, the music turns up a notch and the walls and ceiling change to reveal a brand new decor! The must-visit at Encore is Sinatra’s. The restaurant is a culinary salute to Old Blue Eyes, his music fills the air, his films play on wall-mounted screens and you have to try Frank’s delicious spaghetti and clams.

HOW DO I GET THERE?
Virgin Holidays (www.virginholidays.co.uk; 0844 557 3859) offer a four-night stay in Las Vegas, including flights from London Gatwick and car hire, staying at the 5V Aria Resort on a room-only basis, from £849pp. Price based on two adults travelling, includes all taxes and fuel surcharges and is valid for November 21 2010 departure.