Las Vegas thread and MSE guide 2009

funkyfin2000

The Bellagio Fountains

thanks for the info guys...

how does valet parking work, when you turn in to the car park for the hotel, do you choose the valet lane? then tip the bloke who picks up your car for you, empty the luggage and then let him drive off with the car?

how do you get your keys back? How much do you tip them and presumably its free to park at the hotels in vegas?

Rich

sew109

The Volcano @ Mirage

I disagree about PH being nicer than MGM I prefer the rooms at MGM thoug the bathrooms at PH are nicer the actual room space is less than MGM the beds dont come close and the windows are very small.

tingtong

photome wrote: »

If you want to get there quickly, I wouldnt have a problem going through the tunnel, having said that the Excalibur being next to the runway (well nearly) shouldnt take long either way.

I think what some do is give the cab driver $20 and let them keep the change. So, if he takes you the shortest route and the fare is, say $14, he gets a nice enough tip. However, if he takes you the long route, he probably won't get any change at all, even though you've ended up paying the same amount.

EDIT: Just done 2 routes on Google maps, from Airport to Paris Hotel and by going via the tunnel it is 4.5 miles longer (8.1, instead of 3.6) - didn't realise it was that much longer.

ferf1223

The Bellagio Fountains

funkyfin2000 wrote: »

thanks for the info guys...

how does valet parking work, when you turn in to the car park for the hotel, do you choose the valet lane? then tip the bloke who picks up your car for you, empty the luggage and then let him drive off with the car?

how do you get your keys back? How much do you tip them and presumably its free to park at the hotels in vegas?

Rich

You'll need to keep an eye out for the valet lane - in most cases it's in the same area where you drive into the self-park, but not always...but it's almost always well signposted. Most people do not tip the guy who takes your car (I don't) unless you want them to keep it close as you won't be long or if you have luggage and they help you to get it out...the valet will usually ask your name and give you a ticket to keep and they take your keys...you need that ticket to collect your car (for a rental worth noting the licence plate number so you will recognize it when they bring it back!).

When you're ready to go, go to the valet booth, give them your ticket and one of the valets will bring you your car. It is free to park and people usually tip $2-3 on pick-up, some will tip more.

One of the biggest benefits of valet parking is in the summer - the valet will have cranked your AC so your car will started to have cooled down.

ferf1223

The Bellagio Fountains

tingtong wrote: »

EDIT: Just done 2 routes on Google maps, from Airport to Paris Hotel and by going via the tunnel it is 4.5 miles longer (8.1, instead of 3.6) - didn't realise it was that much longer.

The green line is the direct route via surface streets, red is via the tunnel...so it's a really long way...but can be a lot faster depending on where you're going - if we were staying downtown I'm pretty sure we would ask to take the tunnel, etc.




I do agree that the idea of giving the taxi driver a $20 and saying he can keep the change may encourage him to go the least expensive way...assuming that the fare is less than $20.

trets77

The Bellagio Fountains

funkyfin2000 wrote: »

thanks for the info guys...

how does valet parking work, when you turn in to the car park for the hotel, do you choose the valet lane? then tip the bloke who picks up your car for you, empty the luggage and then let him drive off with the car?

how do you get your keys back? How much do you tip them and presumably its free to park at the hotels in vegas?

Rich

Yeah Don't tip the guy who takes your car away ect . Only tip the guy who drives your car back up to you and then takes your ticket back.

The Valet guys pool thier tips so everyone gets paid , so will only expect it when you have got your car back. $2-$3 per drop off / pick up cycle is fine .

as for your cases when you pull up . they will whisk them away and issue you a ticket . when your in your room and ready for them , call down to the Telephone number on the ticket and they will deliver your cases to your room. Tip the guy who drops them off . $1 -$2 per cases is about right , unless you have a very heavy case.

you can leave your cases with the Valets for hours if you wish . we did when we stayed at THE HOTEL @ Mandalay Bay before we even checked in . Valet is one of the most coverted jobs in Vegas and these guys ain't going to risk it by petty theft ect.

i always use the Valet if available , as self park gargaes can be a trek . sometimes they run out of space and only offer Valet to high rollers but this only tends to be when events or shows are starting ect.

luci

The Bellagio Fountains

sew109 wrote: »

I disagree about PH being nicer than MGM I prefer the rooms at MGM thoug the bathrooms at PH are nicer the actual room space is less than MGM the beds dont come close and the windows are very small.

I have stayed at PH 3 times and MGM Grand Tower once. Even though the PH room was newly renovated and more modern, I preferred the MGM room.

The view of the fountain is what made the PH room nice, but one major factor against it is there is hardly any storage space. There's only one small wardrobe and two tiny drawers, only enough for maybe 2 nights clothes, but useless for the Brits who have at least a week's worth.

We ended up with clothes all over the room, making it untidy and we've never had that in any other hotel.

luci

The Bellagio Fountains

trets77 wrote: »

Yeah Don't tip the guy who takes your car away ect . Only tip the guy who drives your car back up to you and then takes your ticket back.

I have also heard this said about the bell hops, only tip when you pick up, but believe me we had no choice but to tip the bell hop when we dropped our bags off as he kept saying how he was going to take care of them and had his hand out.

stoneman

The Bellagio Fountains

funkyfin2000 wrote: »

thanks for the info mate. interesting.....yeah i thought the pool at PH was bad. Also i read the car lot is difficult and a long way away at PH where as it may be easier with MGM!

Oh my!! You think PH car park is far wait till you see the MGM one!!! you actually have to go underground to get from the garage to reception, it's that far that they have shops along the way:eek:
As for weather PH or MGM rooms are better, I guess it depends on what type of room you get, there are 3 different types at PH and I don't know how many (excluding suites) there are at MGM. We had a resort vista obtained by adding a $50 note to my passport;)

photome

The Bellagio Fountains

sew109 wrote: »

I disagree about PH being nicer than MGM I prefer the rooms at MGM thoug the bathrooms at PH are nicer the actual room space is less than MGM the beds dont come close and the windows are very small.

But with $20 you are much more likely to get upgraded at PH and get a resort room with 2 windows and loads of space.
I know how much you love the MGM, but it is prob my least favourite