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

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

The entertainment capital of the world is hosting the highly-anticipated premiere game at Allegiant Stadium for the third time in a row this weekend, and while I am not a fan of the sport, I have always been a huge fan of Las Vegas.

I am an even bigger fan of the Real Housewives franchise, and at the end of last year I was lucky enough to travel to the City of Lights for the BravoCon takeover. 

From RHOC’s early girls’ trips to RHOBH’s Vanderpump dominance, Vegas has become the unofficial Housewives playground thanks to its fine dining, high-end shopping, world-famous stage shows and some of the most luxurious spas in the world. 

So, grab a glass of Champagne and enjoy this glamorous guide to living like a true Housewife in Vegas. 

Housewife headquarters 

Every Housewife needs a happening headquarters, and mine was the Planet Hollywood Las Vegas Resort & Casino.

Located in the centre of the Strip, it’s bold, bright, and perfectly positioned for multiple outfit changes, glam touch-ups, and multiple mirror selfies before dinner.

Rooms are reasonably priced too, with a plush Ultra Hip Premium Room setting you back around AU$450 a night. 

Cocktails and canapés

I began my long weekend where any self-respecting Bravo fan would — at Pinky's by Vanderpump: Lisa Vanderpump’s playful cocktail lounge at The Flamingo.

It’s a bold bar with dramatic lighting, flamboyant interiors and drinks designed for any controversial Vanderpump Rules confessional, including the famous Pump & Bump – a caviar martini featuring Vanderpump Vodka, Dry Vermouth, Bitters, Green Chartreuse, Olive Brine and, of course, those delicate pearls of decadent fish eggs. 

As any Housewife knows, one must not arrive at dinner too tipsy, so I paired my martinis with Lisa's famous goat’s cheese balls and Pinky's signature wedge salad, which was so big it could have fed a family of four. 

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

Seated next to the famous Bellagio Fountains, which come to life every half hour, I was treated to a luxurious three-course meal by four-star celebrity chef and restaurateur Jean-Georges Vongerichten. 

Think crispy beef short ribs, succulent salads, Wagyu steak and decadent desserts, all washed down with a fine red wine selected by an in-house sommelier.

Showgirls and stars  

The next morning began at the dazzling Las Vegas Showgirl Museum, a glittering homage of feathers, rhinestones and jewels to the city’s legendary performers.

The museum is owned by Grant Philipo, who showcases the world’s largest collection of showgirl costumes and memorabilia in his own home on the outskirts of the Strip.

Gasps were drawn as Philipo flung open his front door to reveal a treasure trove of some of the most iconic costumes in the business, including several pieces by legendary American fashion designer and costumier Bob Mackie, who has dressed the likes of Cher, Elton John, Diana Ross, Tina Turner, RuPaul, Marilyn Monroe and Taylor Swift, among others. 

Philipo begins his tour with a history lesson, relaying the strict rules of being a Las Vegas showgirl, along with tales of his own life in the business – from becoming one of Liberace’s muses, to going on to become a showboy, and ultimately the youngest person ever to produce a multi-million dollar stage show for a Las Vegas Strip property. 

I followed the tour with drinks at Vanderpump à Paris, where I finally met the queen herself, Lisa Vanderpump.

Dressed in an chic three-piece suit complete with vest and a velvet tie, she was everything I expected and more as we gossiped over a glass of her signature rosé wine.

Bites and boys  

Dinner was at Best Friend by celebrity chef Roy Choi inside Park MGM — a vibrant and loud eatery with a unique spin on Korean-Mexican fusion food, including the Big Boy Platter with Kalbi, Garlic Chicken, Spicy Pork, Southside Sticky Ribs & Grilled Shrimp.

After a few cocktails for some Dutch courage, it was time to turn up the heat at Magic Mike Live at SAHARA Las Vegas.

While I have never been much of a fan of male strippers, I was dying to recreate the scene where RHOBH star Sutton Stracke dramatically had a meltdown and found herself in a screaming match with Kyle Richards over a lap dance.

And the show lived up to its reputation, with the hard-bodied male troupe leaving me hot under the collar with their erotic dance moves. 

Afterwards, I cooled down with a cocktail and bites at nearby Balla Italian Soul, a coastal Italian eatery by James Beard award-winning Chef Shawn McClain, featuring vibrant, soulful cuisine.

Self-care and selfies 

I earned a reset the following day at Lapis Spa & Wellness inside the fabulous Fontainebleau Las Vegas, where I was treated to an age-defying facial - no surgery required.  

That was followed by an hour of tittle-tattle with fellow guests as I retired to the spa’s steam rooms, saunas and warm thermal pool.

Brunch was at La Fontaine, where I tucked into a healthy egg white omelette and green smoothie, before something heartier for dinner at the ultra-chic Beauty & Essex at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

B&E is THE place to be seen in Vegas, and there is plenty of mood lighting and private booths that provide the perfect backdrop for endless selfies with the girls.

The menu is made for sharing and the stars of the show were the mouth-watering Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup Dumplings and Mexican street corn ravioli.

Then came the ultimate main-character moment: a nighttime helicopter ride over the Strip to see the breathtaking, sparkling lights below.

Operated by 5 Star Helicopter Tours, guests are treated to 180 degrees of unrestricted panoramic views from a luxury air-conditioned aircraft. 

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.

Hosted by the Bravo mastermind himself, the crowd went wild as we got close to fan favourites, including 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 treated me to eight of his greatest hits, including his famous Malfadine pasta with Nduja, zucchini, goat cheese, basil, inspired by Lo Scoglio Restaurant on the Amalfi Coast.

Next stop was an elevated wine tasting at Alle Lounge on 66 inside Resorts World Las Vegas, before dinner at Stubborn Seed, which delivered refined, chef-driven dishes, including some of the best oysters outside Australia, which are notoriously hard to beat.

Fast cars and farewells  

Taking inspiration from season one of RHOSLC, I spent my final morning racing supercars with Dream Racing at the legendary Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Under the guidance of a professional Nascar driver, we set pulses racing as we reached speeds of over 220 km an hour behind the wheel of Ferraris, Porsches and Lamborghinis.

And for a Bravo-worthy send-off, I enjoyed my final toast at Vanderpump Cocktail Garden inside Caesars Palace. 

After four full days of action packed excitement, it was time to head home to Australia, work on my waistline and gossip all about it with the girls.