Tag Archives: confections

The Aria Hotel in Las Vegas

The Aria Resort and Casino was featured on a recent episode of The Bachelor…okay, so I admit that the show is one of my guilty pleasures….

150 Aria Hotel

As we approached the casino entrance into the ARIA, it was undoubtedly one of the most beautiful, modernistic hotels I had seen in Las Vegas.  As a matter of fact, the ARIA is considered the most sophisticated of accommodations in all of Vegas.  Built in association with the City Center, this elegant casino and resort boasts some of the best restaurants inspired by some of the most influential chefs in the world!

What makes the resort so unique is its use of technology.   Each hotel room or “smart room”, is equipped with curtains, lights and thermostats that adjust to regulate the use of energy depending on whether the guest is inside or outside of the room.

There are 4,004 hotel rooms at the ARIA making it the 9th largest hotel in the world.  The casino at the ARIA is the only one located at CityCenter.

151 Patisserie at the Aria Hotel

There are 16 restaurants and 10 bars and clubs in the hotel.   I have to admit my favorite place in the hotel is the Jean Philippe Patisserie with its decadent desserts and confections.  I could spend the day here, but unfortunately, I would probably feel sorry for it later.  The designs and artistry of each creation are decadent as well as mesmerizing.  And if you find that you will not be able to visit the Patisserie anytime soon, you can always visit their website at jpchocolates.com.  But I will warn you, you will be tempted to order, so have your credit card ready!

152 Inside of the Aria Hotel

The resort opened in 2009 as the largest and tallest of all of CityCenter’s structures.  With its eccentric décor, one could mistakenly feel as though he was in the Land of Oz.  It is comprised of two glass towers that are each 61 stories tall.

There is a theater that accommodates 1,800 spectators for the Cirque du Soleil show, Zarkana replacing Viva Elvis which paid tribute to The King of Rock and Roll.    What remains as an homage to Elvis is the Gold Lounge, taking on the décor and design of Elvis’ famous Memphis home, Graceland.

Since its opening, ARIA has also been featured in modern day film and television.  From Last Vegas to The Amazing Race, you may recognize the unique structure of one of Las Vegas’ most recent resorts.  Of course, that is, if you are not an avid “Bachelor” fan.  But not to worry, I am certain that there will be more exposure for ARIA in the years to come.  It is a resort experience that must not be kept secret!

The ARIA is located at 3730 Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas.  For more information about the hotel and casino, visit their website at www.aria.com.

Have you stayed or visited a fabulous resort that you recommended to all of your friends and colleagues?  I would love to hear about it in the comments below!  Happy Travels!

More photos of the Aria Hotel

153 Aria Hotel Lobby

 

154 Aria Hotel Interior

 

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Touring the Sweet Spangler Candy Company

I remember as a child I loved Dum Dums suckers and even more, I enjoyed saving the wrappers so I could send them in for some great merchandise.  From frisbees to t-shirts, there were so many exciting options.  But did you know that these amazing candies are made in northwest Ohio?  I set off for Bryan, Ohio to take a tour of the factory and learn more about the history of Spangler Candy Company.

Spangler Candy Company is a private confectioner making Dum Dum suckers, but the company didn’t start out selling confections when they purchased their company in 1906.  Arthur G. Spangler purchased the Gold Leaf Baking Powder Company and moved the company to Bryan where they made baking powder, laundry starch, baking soda, corn starch and eventually cough syrup. They named their new endeavor, Spangler Manufacturing Company.

Ernest, Arthur’s brother, joined the company in 1908 and suggested that they make candy. By 1911, they were making “Cocoanut Balls” followed by cream peanut clusters which were both a success.

By 1913, they moved the company to its third location, the present day facility at 400 North Portland  and in 1914 Omar joined the company which was now offering chocolates, hard candies, brittle, soda pop, assorted jellies, ice cream cones, sugar sticks and cough drops.

By 1922, Spangler Candy Company was making and selling over 60 different products.

With the tragic, unexpected death of Arthur in 1945, the company becomes a corporation.

By 1943, the company acquires the rights to Dum Dum pops, one of their best selling candies, starting with only seven flavors (lemon, lime, coconut, pineapple, cherry, grape and butterscotch).

Acquisitions continued until Spangler Candy Company broadens its portfolio to include candy canes, whistle pops, Saf-T-Pops and  Circus Peanuts and its most recent acquisition of Necco wafers, Canada Mints and Bit-O-Honey.

Spangler Candy Company created a store and museum which they opened to the public in 2005. The celebrated their 100th anniversary in 2006.  After grabbing a couple of samples, it was time for my behind-the-scenes tour on the Dum Dum trolley.

Boarding the trolley and wearing my protective hair net, I was ready to learn more  about Spangler Candy Company.  Unfortunately, the company does not permit photos of the production of their products, but Larry gave me a thorough tour to see where one of my favorite candies is manufactured.

Clearly the Dum Dum Original Pop is so popular that Spangler makes over 2 million of them each year. One single batch makes 12 – 14,000 Dum Dums and new pops are based on 400 different available flavors.  So what is the Mystery flavor???  This is the combination of the flavor from the last batch and the that of the next batch as the production of one flavor to another runs continuously, mixing the two flavors together.

I was so thrilled to have toured this iconic confectionary and was excited to see the placards outside denoting the additional flavors and the year in which they were created.  Can you guess which one is my favorite?

Which is your favorite Spangler candy?  I would love to hear if you have toured this magnificent candy company and your thoughts about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.  Many thanks for reading about my experience at Spangler Candy Company and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Spangler Candy Company
400 North Portland Street
PO Box 71
Bryan, OH  43506
Telephone:  419 636 4221
Website: www.spanglercandy.com

Where to Stay:

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Bryan-Montpelier
13399 OH-15
Holiday City, OH 43543
Telephone: 419 485 0008
Website:  www.colonialmanormotel.com

Where to Eat:

Four Seasons
233 South Main Street
Bryan, OH 43506
Telephone:  419 636 1818
Website:  https://www.facebook.com/fourseasonsbryan/

Where to Drink:

Father John’s
301 W. Butler Street
Bryan, OH 43506
Telephone:  419 633 1313
Website:  https://www.fatherjohnsmicrobrewery.com/

What to Read:

  • A Sweet Century: The 100-Year History of Spangler Candy Company and the Spangler Family, Bryan, Ohio, by William L. Culbertson