Las Vegas thread and MSE guide 2009

johna999

The Bellagio Fountains

Trust wrote: »

I am sure I have read this on here before, the casinos used to be able to count on revenue coming through the doors..What will happen next, the first of the Citycentre hotels open this October.

MGM Mirage, the Strip's biggest casino operator and the state's largest private employer, could be facing a bankruptcy filing if it can't renegotiate better repayment terms with its lenders covering some $7 billion in loans.
In a filing Tuesday with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the company that operates 10 Strip hotel-casinos and is building the $9.1 billion CityCenter said it was discussing waivers or amendments with its lenders.

MGM Mirage said it would be in default under its senior secured credit facility if it cannot negotiate a better repayment structure. The action could filter down and put all of MGM Mirage's debt, which totals roughly $13.5 billion, into default.
In the filing, the company blamed the recession and the steep drop in consumer spending at casinos for its concerns about not being able to make its debt payments.

oh.... was about to book suite at the MGM grand for 5nights in June!

Trust_2

The Sirens of TI

Johna999

The information was not to scare people away from there, just make sure that you are covering yourself by paying by credit card

MGM will just sell off a hotel or two or three or 11

ferf1223

The Bellagio Fountains

milestone wrote: »

I'm only going to be in Vegas for about 2-3 nights. I will be staying in hostels and camping the rest of the time in california.
As it's Vegas I would like a place with a bit of class and also something that's a bit lively/social particularly as I'm going on my own. I do like the idea of a nice pool, but I'm not a great swimmer and don't have the bod to wanna show it off either. I wouldn't spend all my time in one place, or at the hotel as I'd wanna do/see lots around vegas, so being somewhere near the mains points of interest is ideal.

I assume you're a bit on the young side (younger than me at 39, at least!)? I personally don't think based on what you've said Bellagio would be worth the extra cost...I think that Bally's might be too old and boring for you...so Flamingo seems the best of the options you've given. Flamingo is a hop, skip and a jump from Harrah's and their Carnaval Court is a pretty lively place in the evenings - loads of people, bands, flair bartenders, etc. Flamingo and Harrah's casinos are a lot more vibey than some of the others as well...and you also have O'Shea's right there which always seems to draw a younger crowd and looks like they're having fun.

I'm not sure that Flamingo has a high class factor though (nothing against it at all, but it doesn't immediately spring to mind as one of the classier places in town)...some here have stayed there and enjoyed the newer GO rooms (I think the pink would give me a headache ).

Maybe also consider Planet Hollywood?

ferf1223

The Bellagio Fountains

Trust wrote: »

Johna999

The information was not to scare people away from there, just make sure that you are covering yourself by paying by credit card

MGM will just sell off a hotel or two or three or 11

It would also be a bit crazy for anyone handling the bankruptcy or sale of the properties to up and cancel all the existing reservations for the hotel, I would think...keeping an income stream would seem to be of the utmost importance for them. Tropicana's been in Chapter 11 since spring last year and nothing's happened to their reservations.

sew109

The Volcano @ Mirage

Chapter 11 protecion in the states is very different to somthing go bankcrupt over here, they will continue to trade just as they have and all this really does is give them protecion from creditors. Tropicana has been trading whilst under Chapter 11 protection for about 12 months. I will still be booking and MGM Mirage resort, I doubt that they will file for Chapter 11 and my hunch says that they have released this news soley to pressure the bank in to renegotiating their loan notes. Even if they were to file for Chapter 11 protection I would still book with them.

sew109

The Volcano @ Mirage

milestone wrote: »

I'm only going to be in Vegas for about 2-3 nights. I will be staying in hostels and camping the rest of the time in california.
As it's Vegas I would like a place with a bit of class and also something that's a bit lively/social particularly as I'm going on my own. I do like the idea of a nice pool, but I'm not a great swimmer and don't have the bod to wanna show it off either. I wouldn't spend all my time in one place, or at the hotel as I'd wanna do/see lots around vegas, so being somewhere near the mains points of interest is ideal.

MGM Grand is brillinat great pool and good atmosphere no pool is deeper than about 3 foot so swimming is not a problem, it has a great lazy river and the rooms are lovely there are also some great deals, its a good location and has a monorail station. Dont worry about what you look like round the pool its not all posers I certainly dont have the body of an Adonis and I feel perfectly happy there, all shapes and all sizes ;-) http://vegasuncovered.wordpress.com/2009/02/08/mgm-grand-las-vegas-my-review/

If you want to have a cheapo either excalibur or Luxor will suit your needs Luxor being slightlt nicer propperty and bigger pool (though not much shade) and Excalibur slilghty better location and cheaper prices.

Mirage is my fave on the Strip great hotel luxury , fantatsic pool and releativly kid free, and it's not too expensive the staff there are excellent I had my wedding reception here. http://vegasuncovered.wordpress.com/2008/05/05/mirage-las-vegas-luxury-hotel-with-bargain-prices/

Steff

The Bellagio Fountains

MORPH3US wrote: »

Looks like I might have to revise my thoughts of £100 per day for the two of us.... eeek

Will be an expensive holiday over the two weeks :eek: :eek:

Hi Morph,
The £100 a day wouldnt have been THAT bad when you were getting $2 to £1, but it may be a little tight nowadays. Me and my other half budgeted £150 a day for each of the two weeks we were there BUT you can have a REALLY CHEAP day - using some coupons one day then splash out the next.

We always seemed to end up with a little bit extra carried forward every day - which we then used for a big treat. Dont forget the hotels themselves are attractions and cost NOTHING to visit - spend 4/5 days visiting each of them and your budget EASILY stretches. Granted, we dont see shows but we do play poker (this eats up a lot of time too) and any gambling wins mean that little bit more.

Its swings and roundabouts. Dont worry too much with, say, £100 - £120 a day, but you will have to budget like I say and not go mad with the gambling!! I suppose it also makes a difference WHERE you are staying. IE we stayed at The Orleans once and its really cheap there, but if you stay at the Wynn etc - its costs quite a bit just for a coffee and sandwich....

It helped that he won a poker tournament so he ended up treating us to a champagne Grand Canyon helicopter tour - that was nice!

Hope you have a great time
Steff

mrnomoneybags

The Stratosphere

We're doing the kayaking and getting collect at 6.30am

Any ideas on breakfast at that time?

sew109

The Volcano @ Mirage

Tomlewis007 wrote: »

We're doing the kayaking and getting collect at 6.30am

Any ideas on breakfast at that time?

Where are you staying ? Peppermill does the best 24 hour breakfast other than that every hotel has a 24 hour coffee shop that offers a good range of food the breakfast sandwhich at the Grand Lux cafe is great

ferf1223

The Bellagio Fountains

sew109 wrote: »

Where are you staying ? Peppermill does the best 24 hour breakfast other than that every hotel has a 24 hour coffee shop that offers a good range of food the breakfast sandwhich at the Grand Lux cafe is great

Agree that Peppermill is great, and you'll have plenty of food in your system for the trip! Also agree that you'll find 24-hour cafes in every hotel (or nearly - Bally's is closed a lot of the time but Paris has one that's very good) so if Peppermill is too far afield you'll have an option close to home.