Parties, Poker and Premieres Turn the Exclusive Lounge into the Hottest Spot in the Snow
LAS VEGAS - The W Las Vegas Hotel, Casino and Residences captured the attention of celebrities and tastemakers as the W Las Vegas Residences Lounge became the place to see and be seen at the 2006 film festival in Park City, Utah. Those in the know clamored to gain access to the exclusive gathering spot perched at the top of the Village at the Lift.
Throughout the festival celebrities were given a sneak peek of the highly anticipated W Las Vegas Hotel, Casino and Residences, even before residences go on sale to the public in Spring 2006.
Poker Invitational Draws Pros and Personalities
The lounge played host to the first-ever W Las Vegas Poker Invitational, where 50 celebrities and professional poker players battled until the wee hours of the morning all in an effort to snag the top prize, a fully furnished condo worth $700,000. The coveted spots were filled by Dave Navarro (who was cheered on by wife Carmen Electra), Anne Heche, Gina Gershon, Shannon Elizabeth, Danny and Chris Masterson, Laura Prepon, Lance Bass, DJ AM, Joe Reitman, Gregory Smith, Justin Baldoni, Kevin Smith, Emile Hirsch, Joel and Benji Madden and more as they competed against poker pros including Phil Hellmuth, Antonio Esfandiari, Annie Duke, Phil Gordon and Phil Laak.
World Poker Champion Phil Hellmuth won the tournament in dramatic fashion, ultimately beating out the host of the event, Reagan Silber, at a final table that included Annie Duke (finishing 4th), Shannon Elizabeth (5th), Gina Gershon (6th), Julie Yorn (7th) and Chris Masterson, who placed 3rd. Hellmuth celebrated his victory by immediately applying his studio condo grand prize as a down payment on a $2 million penthouse at the W Las Vegas.
Parties and Premieres
The W Las Vegas Residences Lounge was the location for the hottest parties in Park City while also providing an important location for some of the most talked about films of the fest to conduct press interviews and host after-premiere celebrations.
Amanda Scheer Demme, who has signed on to create a nightclub lounge at the W Las Vegas, played host along with Scott Sartiano and Richie Akiva for the festival’s most exclusive bash. DJ AM and DJ Frankie whipped the celeb-filled crowd that included Paris Hilton, Eve, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Shannon Elizabeth, Jack and Kelly Osbourne and other notables into a frenzy until 5 am.
The next day, football fans gathered to watch NFL players and mingle with friends. Spotted in the crowd: Robert Downey Jr., Susan Levin, Paris Hilton, DJ AM, Chazz Palminteri, Guy Pearce and more.
Other celebs visiting the lounge during the days and nights of the festival included Josh Harnett, Scarlett Johansson, Lucy Liu and Matt Sorum, for the after-premiere party of the picture “Lucky Number Slevin.” At a press event for “Friends With Money,” Jennifer Aniston promoted her new movie with co-stars Scott Caan and Catherine Keener. Winona Ryder, Wilmer Valderrama and Joseph Fiennes were on hand at a dinner celebrating the film, “Darwin Awards.”