The Artisan Hotel is the antithesis of a Las Vegas hotel; no gaming, no warehouse size casino floor. Instead, the property is a sophisticated hideaway, a romantic collection of moments; the entry opens to an enormous bronze fountain, massive black leather seating, a wine cellar passage opens to a garden terrace, and the bar is nothing short of magnificent. The walls and the ceiling are all covered with framed high-end reproductions of the art work of the world's masters.

"We love Las Vegas, and it has some incredible hotel properties," said Doug Da Silva, owner of the Artisan. "We knew that if were going to attract customers in this ultra competitive market, we had to offer something very different. We ended up establishing a hotel that is somewhere between Chateau Marmont, the Standard and Mondrian. Our visitors say it looks like it was plucked from Sunset Boulevard rather than being a few blocks from the Las Vegas Strip."

And the feeling goes beyond the architecture to include sophisticated dining with Chef Franco Spinelli, an Italian national who is well known for his osso buco recipe. The restaurant is tastefully decorated and also features a hidden, separate, completely private dining room. The cocktail lounge looks like the birthplace of absinthe; a dreamscape setting with towering back lit bottles of top shelf liquor framed by a black granite bar top dominating a room that looks like it would invite Edgar Allen Poe to doodle notes in a corner.

At the Artisan, the bartenders are actual mixologists. Tom Kunick begins his shift with a black leather briefcase in hand. The contents include the fresh herbs and some of the fruits he will use to mix drinks for customers that day. Looking for a top shelf mixed drink? With Kunick, no mixes. Drinks are made from scratch. And the bar is cigar friendly, with a huge oversize ventilation system to turn over any lingering bit of smoke.

The pool area; scene of late night pool parties with an outdoor bar and occasional jazz ensembles, is a serene slice of tranquility. Daybeds and cabanas invite visitors to layback, take in the sun and contemplate a night in Las Vegas.

The property has attracted a vast array of weddings, with indoor and outdoor chapels. It is after all the perfect scene for bachelorette parties with private terrace champagne or cocktail parties and a private dining room. Friends and family who can't make the trip can watch the entire celebration via the Internet.

The Artisan Hotel is located at 1501 West Sahara at the intersection of Sahara and the I-15. The property features 64 guest rooms, a spacious lounge, dining room with private dining, indoor and outdoor wedding chapels, a wood-paneled business meeting room, and a pool and cabana. The property is located in a quirky neighborhood with an eclectic collection of businesses. It's across the street from a high-end couples friendly adult cabaret and two blocks from Las Vegas' only gay resort. The Artisan has been featured in the Los Angeles Times and has been the scene for several films including Cinemax's "Sin City Diaries" and A&E's "Chris Angel Mind Freak."

Entertainment

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Lounge
Indefinite		Revel at Las Vegas' newest hot spot. Artisan Lounge, named Best New Bar by Las Vegas Life Magazine, features exotic libations in an ultra chic setting. Join us on Thursdays and Fridays from 9pm - 2am and enjoy the smooth grooves of DJ Mackenzie. Then, Saturdays, DJ Theory spins Downtempo, Nu Jazz, Soulfunk and lush House beats from 9pm - 2am.
Indefinite		Martin Mancuso - Wednesday & Thursday 5:30pm to 7:30pm DJ Dakota - Thursday 9:00pm to 1:00am DJ McKenzie - Friday & Saturday 9:00pm to 3:00am

Restaurants

• Artisan Restaurant Cuisine: Italian