Despite recent upgrades that have lent the once-gaudy Palace a more sophisticated air, some of the resort's original features from the swinging '60s have survived. Out front are the same spritzing fountains that daredevil Evil Knievel made famous when he jumped them on a motorcycle on December 31, 1967 (and ended up with a shattered pelvis and a fractured skull. More than two decades later, his son Robby repeated the attempt – more successfully).
The likes of Celine Dion, Shania Twain and Elton John perform at the Colosseum , a gigantic showroom modeled after its Roman namesake and custom-built for lavish theatrical spectacles. Nearby, fashionistas saunter around inside the Forum Shops . In the hotel's fabulous Garden of the Gods Pool Oasis , goddesses proffer frozen grapes in summer; Roman-eqsue statuary surrounds the circular Temple Pool; and topless sunbathing happens at Venus Pool Club.
The Palace and Forum Shops also feature dining venues fit for an emperor, including the gut-busting buffet Bacchanal and high-flying celebrity chef outposts such as Nobu , Restaurant Guy Savoy and Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill . Afterward, sip rum on a floating boat inside Cleopatra's Barge , get giddy over champagne cocktails at Fizz or do double-takes at the riotous variety show Absinthe .
