I was sick last night, but still could not resist the opening party for Sunset Tan. Resort spas offer tans, of course. But, I think, Sunset Tan is one of the first tanning studios to open in the resort corridor.

Most people are surprised it has taken this long for Sunset Tan to make it to Vegas. Whereas I am not quite sure why a store offering artificial suntans is needed in the middle of a sunburnt desert filled with resort pools and tan decks.

I tried to get into the spirit of tanning by letting a woman with alcohol breath set down her champagne to begin to spray some tanning machine fluid at my face, but I backed out in the middle of her efforts when I got a taste of some of the spray in my mouth. I think I am still my same old pale sickly self this morning.

Palms owner George Maloof looking his usual pale self was there, so I asked him when he was going in for a tan. He explained that he had planned to go in last Saturday for tanning but had not made it quite yet. He has been too busy, he reported, overseeing the building and opening of Palms Place.

This is the third tower at Palms and the first without any gambling. But it will contain a restaurant by upcoming celeb chef Kerry Simon and other high-end amenities. That was why I was so anxious to be there -- Sunset Tan's opening in the tower was my first excuse to check out Palms Place.

Like Signature at MGM, Palms Place sold (now sold-out) condominiums that can be turned into hotel rooms when the owner is out of Vegas. I asked for a tour of a suite and a one-bedroom. I want to live there. It is heaven. Who would think heaven is next door to the Loose Caboose on Flamingo?

It will be interesting to see what sort of clientele comes to stay in these rooms, which are more sophisticated than the Mannerist view of luxury that usually overtakes casino high-roller suites.

Parking can be very difficult at the Palms. And one advantage of Palms Place is that it has its own valet. In front are exquisite blue crystals. I thought they were made of glass but was not sure. Photographer Sarah Gerke was kind enough to touch one for me and returned with a bloody prick on her finger. The crystals seem to be really made of chunks of glass, and as beautiful as the display looks, Palms Place may want to fence off sharp edges better from the public. There were also tiny pieces of glass in the display that any child could put in his or her mouth. Las Vegas tourists love a lawsuit against a casino and Gerke hardly touched the glass before slicing herself open. But no worries, George, she isn't planning to sue Palms Place.

(Photos by Sarah Gerke)