It’s hard not to leave Vegas with a smile these days. Fifteen years ago, if you didn’t make out like a bandit at either the craps table or the all-you-can-eat prime rib buffet, there wasn’t a whole lot to celebrate. Last month, however, during an ideal three-day press trip at the all-new Palazzo, I saw every indicator that Las Vegas has perfected the art of pleasing JUST ABOUT EVERYONE.

Touring the Palazzo and adjacent Venetian’s meeting space and guest suites, and observing several large events in progress, it made me want to toss off my editor hat and put on an attendee name badge. For one, the meeting space (including the massive attached Sands Expo Center) is as close as you can get to the rooms, the restaurants and the casino, unlike many major meetings resorts. Secondly, the staff sets the bar for professionalism and friendliness—in Vegas, everything is turned up a notch energy-wise, and it’s reassuring to planners to know they’re working with people who can still shine under pressure.

Once the meeting is over, however, the sheer number of things to do and places to eat at these two properties is enough that you never need to go outside (which is good, because I’m coming back twice in August).

We had breakfast at Thomas Keller’s Bouchon, in an elegantly appointed private dining room. Later, dinner in a private section of the Palazzo’s pool deck showed us that floral arrangements in Vegas have to be as cutting edge and mind-blowing as everything else. The food was excellent, too. And lunch the next day at The Venetian’s David Burke was a tantalizing exhibit of both culinary exploration and plating design. My favorite was the cheesecake lollipop tree—don’t ask, you need to see it for yourself. In fact, with the number of celebrity chef restaurants here, it’s like a microcosmic dining tour of San Francisco, New York and Los Angeles, without any of the traffic.

As far as entertainment goes, The Venetian and Palazzo are going at it from two extremes. We saw an excellent performance of the weird and hilarious Blue Man Group, which is a refreshing reminder of the human potential. And, though I missed it, I hear the group loved the Jersey Boys, a fun-lovin’ musical about Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons.

I have to admit, it was pretty tough to board my plane, knowing everyone I spent the last few days with was getting ready for an incredible night out at the Venetian’s TAO Nightclub, arguably one of the best nightclubs in the world. I’ve been there several times before, and you always feel like you are at the best party in the desert. It’s also one of the favorites for planners, as the nightclub can be rented out for private functions Sunday–Wednesday.

Wow, it’s only been a few days, but I can’t wait to get back to Vegas.