Fast cars, fine dining and one sizzling strip show: I lived like a Real Housewife in Las Vegas and here is my very honest account of my wild long weekend

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With the NRL season opener just around the corner, all eyes are on Las Vegas.

Las Vegas, known as the entertainment capital of the world, is hosting the big premiere game at Allegiant Stadium for the third year in a row this weekend. Even though I don’t follow the sport, I’ve always loved Las Vegas.

I absolutely love the Real Housewives shows, and I was thrilled to go to Paris last year for BravoCon, where the franchise had a huge presence.

Las Vegas has long been a favorite getaway for the Real Housewives franchise, appearing in memorable trips from the Orange County to Beverly Hills series. The city offers everything the Housewives love – upscale restaurants, designer shopping, dazzling entertainment, and some of the most pampering spas around.

Treat yourself to some bubbly and get ready to live the luxurious life of a Vegas Housewife with this fun guide!

Housewife headquarters 

Every busy homemaker deserves a fun place to relax, and for me, that place was the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.

Right in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip, this spot is vibrant, stylish, and ideal for getting ready – think quick outfit changes, perfecting your look, and snapping plenty of photos before heading to dinner.

The rooms are also affordable, with a luxurious Ultra Hip Premium Room costing about AU$450 per night.

Cocktails and canapés

I kicked off my long weekend like any true Bravo enthusiast would – at Pinky’s, Lisa Vanderpump’s fun and vibrant cocktail lounge inside The Flamingo hotel.

This bar is striking and glamorous, with eye-catching lighting and over-the-top decor. They serve elaborate drinks perfect for a reality TV showdown, like their signature Pump & Bump – a luxurious caviar martini made with Vanderpump Vodka, vermouth, bitters, and a splash of olive brine, finished with delicate caviar.

Everyone knows you shouldn’t be too drunk when you arrive for dinner, so I made sure to have some food with my martinis. I enjoyed Lisa’s delicious goat cheese balls and Pinky’s enormous wedge salad – it was big enough to serve a whole family!

From there it was time for old-school Vegas luxury at PRIME Steakhouse inside the iconic Bellagio.

I enjoyed a delicious three-course meal prepared by renowned chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, all while sitting with a view of the spectacular Bellagio Fountains, which perform every thirty minutes.

Imagine tender, crispy beef short ribs, fresh, flavorful salads, incredibly tender Wagyu steak, and rich, delicious desserts, all perfectly paired with a great red wine chosen by our sommelier.

Showgirls and stars  

The day started at the dazzling Las Vegas Showgirl Museum, a sparkling tribute filled with feathers, rhinestones, and jewels, celebrating the city’s famous performers.

Grant Philipo owns and operates a unique museum displaying the world’s biggest collection of showgirl costumes and related items, all housed on his property just outside of the Las Vegas Strip.

Everyone was amazed when Philipo opened his front door, revealing a stunning collection of famous costumes. The collection included several designs by Bob Mackie, a legendary American fashion designer known for dressing stars like Cher, Elton John, and Taylor Swift, as well as many other iconic performers.

Philipo starts his tour by sharing the history of Las Vegas showgirls, explaining the strict standards they had to meet. He then recounts his own experiences in the entertainment world – beginning as an inspiration to Liberace, then performing as a showboy, and eventually becoming the youngest producer of a major Las Vegas stage show.

After the tour, I enjoyed drinks at Vanderpump Ă  Paris and finally had the chance to meet Lisa Vanderpump.

She looked exactly as I imagined – sophisticated and stylish in a three-piece suit with a velvet tie – as we chatted and shared stories over her favorite rosĂ© wine.

Bites and boys  

Let me tell you about a fantastic dinner I had at Best Friend, Chef Roy Choi’s place inside Park MGM. It’s a really lively, energetic spot with the most incredible Korean-Mexican fusion food! I shared the Big Boy Platter – seriously, it’s a must-try – with Kalbi, garlic chicken, spicy pork, sticky ribs, and grilled shrimp. It’s a flavor explosion!

With a little liquid courage from a few drinks, it was time to experience the excitement of Magic Mike Live at SAHARA Las Vegas.

I’m not usually interested in male strippers, but I really wanted to recreate the famous scene from The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills where Sutton Stracke had a huge argument with Kyle Richards after witnessing a lap dance.

The show definitely lived up to the hype, and the dancers’ energetic and sensual performance was quite captivating.

I relaxed with a drink and some snacks at Balla Italian Soul, a nearby Italian restaurant known for its lively and flavorful food. The restaurant is led by award-winning Chef Shawn McClain.

Self-care and selfies 

The next day, I completely relaxed with an age-defying facial at the luxurious Lapis Spa & Wellness within the Fontainebleau Las Vegas – and didn’t need any surgical procedures!

After that, I spent an hour chatting with other guests while relaxing in the spa’s steam rooms, saunas, and warm pool.

I started the day with a light and healthy brunch at La Fontaine, enjoying an egg white omelette and a green smoothie. Later, I had a more substantial dinner at the stylish Beauty & Essex restaurant inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

B&E is a popular Vegas hotspot, known for its flattering lighting and cozy booths – perfect for taking pictures with friends.

The menu is designed for sharing, and the highlights were the delicious Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup Dumplings and the flavorful Mexican street corn ravioli.

The highlight of the trip was definitely the helicopter ride at night. Soaring above the Strip and seeing all the dazzling lights was an unforgettable experience.

5 Star Helicopter Tours offers guests stunning, unobstructed panoramic views from the comfort of their luxurious, air-conditioned helicopters.

This was an experience I will never forget. 

Housewives and hoopla 

I wrapped the evening with the big main event –  Andy Cohen Presents: The Bravos.

The event was hosted by the creator of Bravo, and the audience was thrilled to see popular stars like Kyle Richards, Gizelle Bryant, Vicki Gunvalson, Tamra Judge, Phaedra Parks, and Kandi Burruss.

It was more fine dining the day after with a quintessential power brunch at Lago by Julian Serrano.

Chef Serrano shared eight of his signature dishes with me, including his well-known Malfadine pasta featuring Nduja, zucchini, goat cheese, and basil – a recipe inspired by Lo Scoglio Restaurant on the Amalfi Coast.

We then enjoyed a wine tasting with a view at Alle Lounge inside Resorts World Las Vegas, followed by dinner at Stubborn Seed. The restaurant served beautifully prepared, innovative dishes, and their oysters were some of the best I’ve ever had – truly exceptional, even compared to those in Australia, which are famous for their quality.

Fast cars and farewells  

Like a memorable moment from the first season of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, I finished my trip with an exciting experience: driving supercars at the famous Las Vegas Motor Speedway with Dream Racing.

We experienced the thrill of driving Ferraris, Porsches, and Lamborghinis at over 220 km/h, with expert instruction from a professional NASCAR driver.

I ended my trip with a final celebratory drink at Vanderpump Cocktail Garden in Caesars Palace – a perfect way to say goodbye!

After four exciting days, it was time to fly back to Australia, get back in shape, and share all the stories with my friends.

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2026-02-27 08:50