Las Vegas guide and MSE thread 2014

Lord_Jamesy wrote: »

Just looking ahead to December is there any headline confirmed to play Vegas yet? We would like to see Matt Goss again, and maybe Brittany if she is still about come December.

It's probably too early...looking at the headliners page on the Colosseum website it looks like the latest they have at the moment is Celine in Aug...Britney tickets on sale until Sep.

ferf1223 wrote: »

which things do you mean? Hotel rates will be available now as a point of reference at least...restaurants and shows are normally the same prices for that period as other times of the year though in some cases there may be special packages available on NYE itself...but the days around NYE will be normal prices, I think.

It's the busiest period of the year in Vegas so will be crowded and I would imagine clubs and that sort of thing will be quite expensive for NYE.

NYE headliners won't be announced for awhile and it's probably too far out to buy tickets for many of the usual shows though you can probably check their dark dates now.

I was looking on package deals mainly and they were not allowing me to search beyond beginning of December. Bit pointless to get hotel rates without flight costs as that would be the dealbreaker. I did find a few deals on travelsupermarket which ranged from approx 1200-3000 and the the lower end are the more basic hotels - this has put us off.

Obviously it's too early to see what activities are on in each hotel for NYE itself but judging on last years websites, some parties/events cost up to $300pp and I guess I was worried that most places do ticket only (as in UK) and you are paying over the odds to have a good time just because of the date when we can have fun in Vegas anytime. I just think the experience of being in Vegas for NYE will be great albeit an expensive one and is it worth it?

Thanks for your response

Been saving my vegas points and just started collecting Total reward points.

Both me and the wife have 30,000 my vegas points. For total reward points with have only just started so have 2000 saved up so far each.

I'd would be happy to exchange them for some complimentary tickets for some shows.


Anyone managed to save up these free points and cashed them in for anything good yet?

Hi all, I’ll do a little trip report here from our Xmas/NYE trip. I will try not to bore you but do be warned I waffle on a bit! I’ll do it by topic rather than by day, as we shop quite a lot so you’d be bored silly if I did that.

Dates: 23rd December to 8th January

My hubby never gets time off at xmas and I have ‘enforced’ holidays so when he said he had wangled 3 weeks off from his manager we decided the only thing to do was to go and celebrate in Vegas! This was our 5th time here and we have previously gone in April, June and September (twice) so we weren’t sure what to expect going over xmas and new year. We were really lucky with the weather, warm every day, no rain at all and we even managed a few days by the pool it was so hot (well, we’re Scottish so hot to us!). I even came back with a little bit of a tan.

We had booked rock of ages for Christmas day, so during the day we went for a long breakfast, then wandered the strip, then got ready and gambled at the Venetian, had dinner at Grand Lux and then off to the show. Not out typical Christmas day but it was good fun.

We weren’t sure what to do for NYE and debated a million different things. I had fancied the NYNY Bridge Bash but it was off this year due to construction – typical! We debated the Cosmo Ice Rink and many other ‘all drinks inc’ packages but decided in the end we wanted to be on the strip at midnight to soak in the atmosphere so we didn’t book anything. We had a late dinner at Planet Dallies at PH as we were staying at The Signature by this point so didn’t want to stray too far from home. We gambled there most of the night, got some drinks and generally just wandered about and then went out onto the strip about 11.15pm to get a good spot. We were outside the Aria so could see the fireworks at MGM, Planet Hollywood and Aria and a few from further down the strip. The view was great and there were lots of people about, but having seen video’s online it was a bit quieter than I was expecting, maybe that was just where we were? But it was a good spot and I got some amazing pictures of the fireworks and the strip lit up. It was a good night and I’m glad we went but I think it’s a ‘been there, done that’ kind of thing. There wasn’t a lot of atmosphere on the strip and while we chatted to one couple we met and found possibly the only other Scottish person about (!) there wasn’t a lot of chat between anyone, everyone just kind of kept to their own groups. Having spent NYE in Glasgow and Edinburgh City Centre, there’s a lot more going on and more ‘fun’ there. My husband also wore a kilt and was asked many times over the night by Americans if he was Irish, English, Australian, Austrian or German… 1 person guessed Scottish…bit more history needed over there me thinks!

Flights: 2 x Glasgow to Las Vegas via Newark with United via Crystal Travel via Fly.com £1323 - £6.48 quidco compare travel back
All our flights were fine, food semi-decent as usual, nothing better or worse than any other airlines we’ve been on and the service ok.

Car Hire: Standard SUV via Netflights £377 for 15 days - £18.90 quidco back
We struggled to find a decent price for this time of year as it seemed much more expensive than when we normally go in September but we ended up with an Jeep Compass SUV this time as we were going to Death Valley and glad we did, as some of the roads out there are not good. It was great for space for luggage too.

Hotels:
1 night @ Aria delux room $144 inc 2 buffets ($60 credit) Aria direct
6 nights @ Aria via MyVegas FREE (3 nights each) (resort fee not charged)
I was so looking forward to this – not just due to the 6 free nights (and I expected to be charged the $28 resort fee, so not being was a very nice surprise) but although the d!cor is amazing, the casino lovely and it has great places to eat, we had quite a few issues.

Our first room was opposite the Cosmo Marquee club and although on the 31st floor the bass kept us awake until 2.30am – on a Monday night. Not the Aria’s fault by any means, but after an 18 hour journey I really need sleep and didn’t get much that night. It was a shame as the room was nice, great view down Harmon of Cosmo/ PH, although the room had quite a few dings in it – wallpaper scraped, furniture scuffed etc. The whole floor also reeked of Chinese food, it was the most bizarre thing, when we first got to the floor we assumed it was just from room service/ someone bringing food back and didn’t think anything of it, the next morning it was just as strong and after going out all day it was still there at 4pm (we then noticed large vents at the front of the property that seem to filter the smell from the Asian restaurant on the ground floor up to the min-roof on the 31st). I went to reception and asked if we could move, which they did no problem, although it took a while to re-do the linked reservations. I was just a bit disappointed that when I explained the issue re noise they said they move people all the time from that side of the building and when I mentioned the smell the woman just nodded – no I’m sorry etc. We got another room, 23rd floor overlooking the pools, so had to re-pack what had been unpacked and shift all the luggage over (bellman said it would be at least 30 mins to get to us so we just moved ourselves) and when we got to that room as soon as we opened the door a wall of smoke hit us! Given we had booked non-smoking and I re-confirmed this when asking to move rooms, this was a bit disappointing. Back down to reception to complain/ move rooms again – and yet again no apology, no nothing – just I’ll move you again. I asked what kind of room I was being moved to, to be told another standard, so I asked to speak to a manger, who came over and was very nice – he apologised for all the hassle and told me the rooms on the 23rd floor had very recently been changed from smoking to non-smoking and they’d had quite a few complaints from people put in them since. I’m not surprised as it reeked of smoke. He upgraded us to what they call a jr suite – which on the website is a corner suite but without the separate rooms and half bath. It was on the 30th floor and faced right out over the middle of the property and had an amazing view. Now finally happy and settled, the next morning we noticed the shower head was falling off so when you turned it on water sprayed over the top of the shower everywhere and the fridge was broken. We reported both to housekeeping and went out. When we got back the shower had been fixed but not the fridge, we reported it again and at the end of the day it was still broken. Yet again we called down the next day and by the end of the day someone came up with another fridge – didn’t fit it, or even plug it in, the guy just came up put it beside the old one and walked away…eh ok. Now I’m perfectly capable to do these things myself but it was just the way it was done that wasn’t great.

Now all of these things individually wouldn’t bother me but all together I just felt like they didn’t care about service at all, I don’t know if it was because the most of the nights were free or what but we left there with a very bad taste about the whole thing and extremely disappointed. We had also emailed guest relations while there to give some feedback on everything and see what they had to say and didn’t get a response until I left a negative review on Tripadvisor, then they asked us to email them – at the same email add as I had done previously – and have since responded and offered us 2 free nights and a reduced nightly rate which is decent but doubt it’ll get used as we won’t be going back this year. Overall really disappointed as we were really looking forward to staying there.

5 nights @ The Signature at MGM $1184 via Jet Luxury
This is our 4th stay at the Signature and although I still love it, it’s definitely dropped in service. The valet seemed to take quite a while, when in previous visits the valet staff would literally sprint to get your car, run to open doors for you etc – it just wasn’t there this time. We got a 1 bed suite again, and while I love the d!cor, it’s getting tired and needs a refresh. We did manage 2 days out by the pool and it was lovely. The reception staff are always amazingly helpful and polite and they gave us use of the washer/dryers on the ground floor!

1 night @ Furnace Creek Ranch at Death Valley $172 direct
Loved Death Valley, about 3 hours each way from Vegas and the most amazing surroundings, especially the saltflats. The hotel itself was pretty basic, which we knew, but for $172 a night it’s ridiculous! The room wasn’t overly clean and the included wifi was unusable it was so slow. I’d love to go back to DV again but I must admit, I wouldn’t stay at the ranch. You’re pretty much a captive audience down there as there are so few options but I think next time I’d try and do it in a day as the cost is just not worth it.

3 nights @ Wyndham Grand Dessert $282 via Booking.com - £6.26 quidco back
Loved staying here, this was our first time and when we go back I think we’d choose here again. We had the basic 1 bed suite and it was really big, with great kitchen facilities, a washer and dryer, large bathroom and separate bedroom and sitting area. We got parked every time right outside the main door and up to the room super quick, the pools were really nice with lovely palm trees around. For the price it was great value and only 1 block further off-strip than Signature. The only issue we had was on our last night when our upstairs neighbours put their Jacuzzi on at midnight and it made such a racket it woke us up, so the soundproofing wasn’t great, but the rest of the time we couldn’t hear anything.

It’s worth saying that I’ve reviewed all these hotels on Tripadvisor and the only ones not to comment were Furnance Creek – who clearly don’t give a monkeys! But all others did, which shows how much value they put on it these days.

Shows/ Events:
25th Dec – 2 x Rock of Ages at The Venetian $140 buy one get one free deal via bestofvegas.com
Good show not unlike the film, with mostly the same songs – would recommend
27th Dec – 2 x Las Vegas Wranglers at Orleans Area – $35 paid at the door
Loved this and wish we’d gone back to see another game! It was our first time going to an ice hockey game and it was fab, lasted about 3 hours and we saw some great ice hockey and lots of fighting between the players! Great view of the strip from the balcony of the Orleans Area as well.
28th Dec – 2 x Cirque de Solie Mystere at Treasure Island $135 via Ticketmaster
I love Cirque and have seen KA, Love, and O so far – KA is still my favourite but this was very good as well.
30th Dec – 1 x Dig This $119 via groupon.com
I’d seen this on Tripadvisor and thought my hubby would lobe it – and he did. We bought the excavator package which lasted about 2 hours, 20 mins of health and safety training and general info and then out to play in the lot. There is a little shaded area with seating that I sat at to take millions of pictures and the time flew by. Hubby said he would love to go back and do it again.
4th Jan – Cosmopolitan Ice Rink $15 for 2 inc skate hire
Thought this looked like fun and while the views were great, it reality it was too crowded and not very well managed so not that fun. We got our skates, went on the ice and then spent the rest of time taking pictures from the pool area. You couldn’t get near the fire pits that were beside the rink and the others were empty all the time as they were for hire only.
6th Jan – 2 x Lion Habitat Ranch $40 paid at door, $200 lion interaction
Again, I’d seen this on Tripadvisor and looked at their website prior to going. These are the lions that used to be at the MGM. Apparently the MGM ended the contract with them without much notice so they had to open their facility to the public in order to pay for the upkeep of the 50 or so lions they have. They are only open for a few hours each day, as they aren’t yet fully set up for the public and said they need to upgrade a lot of their facilities. We were the only ones there to start with and spent a long time talking to the trainers who gave us lots of info on the lions and their upkeep. We then did the cub interaction, which I wasn’t sure about beforehand. It was a bit of a strange set up – it’s on the website as being available for $200 for 6 minutes with the cubs, but when we got there it needed to be paid inside the facility and in cash, which seemed a bit strange. But we did it and it was an amazing experience, having a little gorgeous cub sitting on you (you get gowned up and hands sanitised and have to take off shoes before you go in) and being able to feed them and have them (gently!) chew on you. Something I will remember forever and they don’t do it often as the cubs can only do it for a matter of weeks before they get too old (and would try and eat you I assume!). We watched some of the bigger lions being fed afterwards and it seemed a bit disorganised to be honest, I was a bit surprised as the guy who owns this place has worked with lions for over 20 years and it looked like this was his first time feeding them as it didn’t go so well. But overall a great experience.
Atomic Testing Museum $10 via groupon.com
We thought this looked interesting and it was ok. The Area 51 interaction was pretty poor but the museum was ok, worth an hour of time but that’s about it.

Food:
I had being doing the Total Rewards Social Rewards programme for about a year and had got $140 of credit on my account and my hub had $70 on his (as I could never get his Facebook to connect grr). We actually struggled to spend this! But in the end we got the flowing meals for free (which I was very pleased with as it saved us a fortune!) 1 visit to Hash House a Go Go for breakfast and 1 dinner (worth noting that I was also able to use ½ price dinner voucher got via email for signing up online so saved even more), 1 visit to Planet Dallies for breakfast and 2 dinners and 1 visit to Starbucks.
Stripburger as always was amazing. I had a $25 restaurant.com voucher with credit returned from previous trips, which I would have paid about $4 for.
El Segundo Sol $25 restaurant.com voucher – as above, first time here and it was really good food, hubby ordered from the stripburger menu but I had fajitas and they were really good. The prickly pear margarita was a bit disappointing though as it just tasted like a standard one.
Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf $10 voucher FREE via groupon.com free credit offer – I signed up to the US groupon site and had bought 1 thing via it when they gave us $5 credit so I bought this and used it at the Venetian on Christmas Day.
Fresh Bar and Grill (Miracle Mile) 2 yard long drinks for $21 via groupon.com – used on NYE and very tasty and strong drinks!
Cheescake Factory $25 voucher bought online – get 1 free slice of cheesecake – constantly good food and great service

We also ate at Millers Ale House and Claim Jumpers at Town Square which were both very good – as was Pinkbox doughnuts there (the maple bacon has actual bacon bits on the top – weird but v tasty). We went to Grand Lux at the Venetian on Christmas Day and it was pretty crap to be honest – the service was appalling and it wasn’t that it was busy, I think we just had a crap server. Then the usual fast food type places – I LOVE Panda Express! Every time we go to the US I need to find the closest panda as it’s the best! We also ate at Ellis Island for breakfast quite a few times, I know it’s a love it or hate it type place but we are definitely in the ‘love’ category. $5.99 for a good brekkie that fills you up for the day can’t be beaten – especially the steak special for the hubby. As usual, if we had breakfast we didn’t eat again until later dinner time – we never mange more than 2 meals a day when we go to the US, which is very annoying, as there are so many places I want to eat at!

Shopping: we do love to shop and hit the 2 outlets in Vegas quite a few times, Town Square a couple of times and the Fashion Show mall on (our) boxing day – was pandemonium. We also went down to Primm for the outlets down there which I love and bought loads. Overall very good sales on the 24th – 31st of Dec.

Gambling: we don’t gable loads and everything I touched I lost so I gave up pretty quick there, but hubby had many good runs on the electronic craps’s machines and we spent a good few hours with him playing (and winning) on them, we think we came out about $400 up overall, so quite happy there!

Overall we had a great trip and Vegas is definitely my favourite place and I love spending the months leading up to a trip planning where to stay and what to do, what we want to see and has been on the ‘to do’ list since the first time we went – there are still many things on that list that I’ve never got round to getting to as there’s always so much you want to see and do.

yeah the $200 was a bit steep - especially as its for 6 minutes and they time it, it flew by but was the most amazing experience - they are so cute and fluffy!

Pinkbox was amazing, i'll try and dig the pic's out to post when i get home as there was fair amount of bacon on the doughnut, although my fave was the oreo cheesecake one mmmmm so they were so fresh and tasty and about $1.80 each which for the size of it was pretty decent i thought.

And i'm sure we were just unlucky with Aria, although it seems pretty hit or miss these days reading the reviews on tripadvisor. Such as shame as the surroundings are lovely and the pool areas were fab, we did get good service from the valet and the bellstaff on the last day too, who were alwyas really helpful (and you can call down to get your car brought up which i love!). I felt cheeky complaining though, especially as it was mostly free! But my hubby was even more cheesed off with it all and he's usually pretty easy going so thought we should let them know how we felt. I think next time we go back we would def go to the Wyndham though, i think that kind of property suiyts us more now, being able to come and go as you plase and having loads of space.

Need to get saving for next time!