Palms celebrates Barbie’s 50th anniversary with fantasy suite

There was a time when Barbie lovers could only dream of spending the night in Barbie's Malibu Dream House, hence the name.

Alas, the swank pad was too small for humans.

But last month, the trend-setting doll moved into the Fantasy Tower at the Palms. Now those dreamers can stay in the 2,350-square-foot suite, modeled after her Malibu house. It will cost them much more than the Dream House ever did: $4,000 a night.

Since it became available in June, the suite is one of the most requested. Some guests are using it for bachelorette and birthday parties while others are collectors looking for the ultimate Barbie experience, says Jon Gray, assistant to the Palms' president.

Mattel representatives approached the Palms about doing the suite as a way to mark the doll's 50th anniversary, says Michelle Chidoni, a spokeswoman for the toy company. They already had done several events, including a New York fashion show in which Barbies modeled haute couture.

"When I first heard about it, I didn't know if it would be a good fit for us," Gray says.

But Mattel's plan fit in with the overall idea behind the Palms' Fantasy suites, to provide guests with a bit of whimsy during their stay, Gray says. Jonathan Adler designed it using pieces from the "Barbie Loves Jonathan Adler" collection. It launches this fall and includes furniture and home goods.

It might sound garish but the suite is tastefully done with kitschy, custom-made chairs covered in what can only be called Barbie print, pink Barbie books on the coffee table and dining chairs with Barbie silhouettes on them.

There are pink poodle statues, a pink Barbie bed and pink chairs. If you're wondering, pink is the dominant color. Everything you see can be purchased through the hotel, Gray says.

A retro '50s vibe permeates the rooms; highback wicker chairs in fruity colors and a tiger skin rug accent the overall Barbie theme. One of the suite's highlights is the sunburst mirror, featuring 65 reproductions of the 1959 Black and White Bathing Suit Barbie.

Only one of the three bedrooms is decorated in Barbie style; the others are regular suite rooms.

Barbie is scheduled to be at the Palms only through the end of the year. Depending on how things go, the Palms might be willing to negotiate a longer stay, Gray says.

Contact reporter Sonya Padgett at spadgett@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4564.