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One Queensridge Place rose to the top of the Las Vegas rankings not because it is located on the Strip but for the fact that it surpasses all other high-rises in outright luxury features and amenities. This high-rise is not your standard cookie cutter design. There are 43 variations of the floor plans and substantial opportunities to finish out interior detailing with some of the finest materials available anywhere. The builder, Peccole Nevada, suggests the buildings are more of a vertical version of a custom home development. A fully equipped and staffed spa, on-site gourmet restaurants, and more are on the property. Queensridge Place is the heart of the Queensridge master planned community so is surrounded by top golf courses, shopping, security, and other custom home estates. The area represents one of the finest in luxury resort communities. The brand new Red Rock Resort and Casino is nearby as are the Sun Coast and J.W. Marriott. Queensridge is in the desirable northwestern side of the Las Vegas valley adjacent to the Summerlin area and is about a 15 minute drive to the Strip. It is about a half hour via the new Interstate beltway to McCarran International Airport. There is a gradual rise in elevation from the Strip heading west so by the time you get to Queensridge you are several hundred feet above the Strip. Views, especially from the upper floor units, will be amazing with westerly sightlines to the Spring Mountains and Mt. Charleston and easterly views to the entire length of the Strip from downtown to Mandalay Bay. Given all that it has going for it, we expect top prices for units to be maintained since this property really competes with some of the top condo developments in the world for the most discriminating buyer and resident.

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Tied for first place, The Mandarin Oriental is perhaps the most luxurious condo offering on the Strip boasting some of the highest prices in town. Part of the City Center complex, it is the closest of City Center’s residential offerings to the Strip itself. The condos are the top floors of the Mandarin Oriental hotel. Mandarin Oriental is a 5 star luxury hotel chain and this is their first foray into Las Vegas. The hotel access (lobby, elevators, etc.) is completely separate from the residences. The building itself is also separate from City Center’s main hotel/casino (Aria) but is a short walk as is the new Crystals mall. Alternatively, residents are also near the new Cosmopolitan (opening next year), Planet Hollywood, and the Monte Carlo. Amenities at Mandarin Oriental are numerous.

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Lake Las Vegas is not a single condominium development but is a master planned community incorporating single family home neighborhoods, custom home sites, townhomes, and condos. However, because the condos are in close proximity to the attractions of Lake Las Vegas we rank them collectively in this category. There are four condo developments available (others are already sold out): La Scala (which is a fractional ownership option), Luna Di Lusso, Montova, and Prima. All have similar features, similar architectural designs (the entire Lake Las Vegas area has that quasi-European/Mediterranean theme). See below for links to the individual builders websites for more specific details.

Unfortunately, the poor economic conditions have impacted the Lake Las Vegas development severely. The Ritz Carlton hotel has closed as has several golf courses. The entire development is in bankruptcy. This is creating bargain opportunities for buyers. However, new buyers are cautioned to carefully assess the financial condition of these condo developments as well as the surrounding amenities for potential changes. While the overall quiet and ambience remain, it is not expected that any new signficant development will be taking place in the near future.

Each condo development features upscale finishes, a variety of floor plans, and their own pools and on-property features. All of them are in close proximity (walking distance) to the Loews Hotel which features gourmet restaurants, spas, and meeting facilities. The resort area is built around a man-made lake which connects to Lake Mead and is large enough for smaller sailboats and powerboats. Numerous golf courses and country clubs are part of the community. It is located about 20 miles southeast of the Strip and about 15 miles from McCarran International Airport east of downtown Henderson. Lake Las Vegas is a paradise for anyone looking for top quality condos in a quiet resort setting but within a few minutes drive from the attractions of Las Vegas. The community fell to second place after One Queensridge Place (which is located in almost the complete opposite side of town) Mandarin Oriental (which is on the Strip) mainly because it is much more isolated with only a minimum of conveniences in the immediate area. MonteLago Village is the main shopping center in the resort but is more a collection of upscale boutiques then a true shopping mall. Surrounding area views are top notch for those who like natural desert/mountains, water views, or golf course views. Although the resort is at a higher elevation than the Strip, due to its location within the foothills, there are few views of the Las Vegas valley itself which means that at night it gets very dark. For those looking for an upscale resort lifestyle away from the noise of the Strip, the condo developments at Lake Las Vegas are a great choice with prices starting quite a bit lower than the only other similar community at Queensridge. Buyers should be aware that the golf course owner has gone bankrupt and the court has okayed closing the course to save money. Valuations have fallen but still remain a good deal compared to other areas with a lack of ambience.  

La Scala - Intrawest Development PROMO: These exquisite enclaves of private residences are set in a secluded valley, overlooking the shores of Lake Las Vegas and its two extraordinary signature golf courses. Inspired by true craftsmanship and exceptional attention to detail, La Scala's architecture is reminiscent of the old world charm of Tuscany. These fully furnished private homes offer 2 or 3 bedrooms and range in size from 1,990 to 3,042 square feet. Ownership is based on a fractional concept – the fastest growing segment of the real estate industry today. It is extremely practical and progressive. Fee-simple deeded ownership with flexible usage – the amount of access you need and want. storiedplaces-lakelasvegas.com

Luna di Lusso - Intrawest Development PROMO: Just across the Pontevecchio bridge, situated on a lakefront plateau near the Nicklaus-designed Reflection Bay Golf Club, Luna di Lusso, by Intrawest, provides inspiring views of the village and Lake Las Vegas. Luna di Lusso celebrates the architecture of Tuscany with a rare collection of luxurious and fully furnished studio, one and two bedroom resort condominiums. Showcasing a sense of modern design - homes at Luna di Lusso offers a perfect mix of luxury and exclusivity. lunadilusso.com

Mantova - Innovative Resort Communities PROMO: Mantova is a collection of lakeshore villas located in the gated community of South Shore, adjacent to the South Shore Yacht & Beach Club. Featuring spectacular views of Lake Las Vegas and the surrounding mountains, five unique floor plans in the Mantova community includes up to three bedrooms with Den/Library in select villas overlooking a courtyard garden with a reflecting pool and a private nine-hole putting course. Each floor plan offers a wide open easy-living plan that makes entertaining effortless. Extensive covered retreat areas allow for enjoyment of the magnificent views and extend living area. In addition to the Roman-arch entryway and cobblestone driveway, Mantova even sounds and smells of Italy with shady olive trees. Starting from the $200,000's and sizes from 1,568-3,478 square feet.  innovativecommunities.com

Prima - AmLand Development PROMO: Exquisite Lakeview Condominiums and Golf Course Fronting Homes Inspired by Mediterranean hillside country architecture, and infused with a touch of metropolitan flair, the condominiums and homes of Prima are reserved for those who appreciate the new urban designs of Vegas, but prefer to be connected to the water and quieter life surrounding Lake Las Vegas Resort. From your terrace you enjoy sweeping views of Lake Las Vegas and Reflection Bay Golf Course, desert mountains, and the twinkling lights of your own waterfront Village - Montelago. Starting from the $300,000's and sizes from 1,634-3,500 square feet. primalasvegas.com

Vdara is the largest of City Center’s residential developments with 100's of total units. As with the rest of City Center’s condo towers, Vdara was begun at a time when “Condotels” were a popular way to sell a condo to individual buyers who could then recoup some of their investment by including their unit in a pool of rental units managed like a hotel. Vdara shares similar architecture to the main hotel/casino at the center of the complex (Aria). Curving walls of glass add interest to the floor plans. The variety of floor plans, however, is somewhat limited as the entire building was designed to be consistent so as to simplify nightly rental rates. Vdara is placed at the northwest corner of the City Center complex which puts it next to Aria and also close to Bellagio. Another benefit of this location is fairly unobstructed views from the units facing northwest since there are no other large buildings nearby. The East facing units have views of Aria, Cosmopolitan, and Veer towers.

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The Signature (Residences at MGM Grand) actually outscored Trump International. Why? In a word, location. Owners have direct access to the MGM Grand, which offers a significant variety of entertainment, shopping, and restaurant venues (the restaurant Joel Robuchon was recently awarded both the AAA 5 diamond rating and Mobil's 5 star rating while the Skylofts hotel at MGM Grand also received the AAA 5 diamond award). The MGM "campus" is nearly a city in itself. Other positives in terms of location include an easy trip to/from the airport and immediate proximity to the growing Harmon corridor. Although the condo towers technically don't front on the Strip, they are about the same distance as Trump is. Views in most directions are excellent with few tall buildings immediately nearby (note, however, that MGM may add towers to the property immediately east so owners facing that direction could have current views obstructed eventually). The property is developed by Turnberry Associates, one of the top developers of luxury properties. All the spa/fitness amenities of MGM Grand are at the disposal of residents. Usage options include full time residence, part-time, or participation in the condo-hotel program (called "Signature"). Some view the design as ho-hum (the towers are nearly identical to the fairly conservative Turnberry Place and Turnberry Towers farther north along the Strip). A very small number of choices in terms of floor plans leaves little variety. The location and the marketing power/draw of MGM Grand should guarantee a steady stream of nightly rentals providing owners with a good chance of covering maintenance expenses, etc.