The Aria Resort is the main feature to the new City Center development in Las Vegas, Nevada, at the heart of the world famous "Strip" on Las Vegas Blvd. The property is located in the center of all the action, next to Caesar's Palace. .. It was designed by Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects, and the hotel is considered to be one of the "Greenest" hotels in the world.
The Aria Resort and Casino was opened on December 16, 2009. The City Center project - started almost 7 years ago - is almost completed now, after major delays in construction due to the economic ressesion. But sources there told me that half of the condos remain unsold...
Aria's Contro l4 automation system is what makes this resort so green. The system can remember a guest preference. When you swipe your room card, it can restore your favorite settings for room temperature, the lights, draperies - and it will greet you by name!
Aria is the largest LEED Certified building in the world. This organization is similar to "Energy Star" here in the U.S.
"Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design" (LEED) is a world wide recognized green building certification system, that provides third-party verification that a building or development was designed and built for maximum energy efficiency.
I was very impressed with this luxury hotel, but the buffet was expensive. Also the resort has a futuristic "metal" feel to it, so we felt like we were in the TV show "The Jetson's". It took a lot of work to get there also, as the streets are still under construction, so it is a difficult walk to say the least.
Grade: A-