Las Vegas thread and MSE guide 2009

pebblesmax

The Bellagio Fountains

I found we didn't have so much time after clearing customs and doing the bag changeover. Just time for a coffee and then we were ready to board the next flight. We're doing this again in May, (Continental MAN-EWR-LAS) so any info you gather will be most helpful. TIA.

Tyler_Du

The Stratosphere

The wife and I got back from our first trip to Vegas today, will post a quick report tomorrow.

simonts

GRIGGSY wrote: »

I am wondering if anyone can give me some advice regarding the above hotels. My Husband has decided that he would like to spend his 30th in Vegas so I now have approx 6 weeks to organise this. I have found two deals which look ok and the difference in price is £2 per person so not much in it. Any way I have read through this thread and have found that a lot of people seem to recommend the Treasure Island (took me a while to figure out what TI stood for) but I was wondering what others thought of the MGM Grand. I am looking at approx £555 each for 7 nights with flights from Scotland. Now as I have never been I think this price isn't too bad, but just out of curiosity is it good? Any help/ advice on these hotels would be greatly appreciated.

Jo

We had to make the same choice and ended up going TI due to the recent renovation

duchy

GRIGGSY wrote: »

Flying from Edinburgh to Newark then on to Vegas with continental on the 21st Feb. The quote was through Expedia. there is a couple of hours between the flight, but last time we had this in Newark we went in to New york for the day. This time we would probably check out Newark for a couple of hours as the Airport has very little to occupy your time.

I doubt by the time you've cleared customs you'd have time if it's only a couple of hours on the ground-but if you meant a couple of hours spare there's a reasonable outlet mall at Elizabeth (I'm jinxed at Newark -had two 12 hour delays there due to flights misconnecting on 2 seperate trips)

sew109

The Volcano @ Mirage

GRIGGSY wrote: »

I am wondering if anyone can give me some advice regarding the above hotels. My Husband has decided that he would like to spend his 30th in Vegas so I now have approx 6 weeks to organise this. I have found two deals which look ok and the difference in price is £2 per person so not much in it. Any way I have read through this thread and have found that a lot of people seem to recommend the Treasure Island (took me a while to figure out what TI stood for) but I was wondering what others thought of the MGM Grand. I am looking at approx £555 each for 7 nights with flights from Scotland. Now as I have never been I think this price isn't too bad, but just out of curiosity is it good? Any help/ advice on these hotels would be greatly appreciated.

Jo

Hi JO,

I have stayed at both and for me MGM Is much better property it's huge and I also prefer the location, the dining options are much better and I prefer the bars at MGM though the clubs (if you are in to that) at TI are better, and the standard rooms are much bigger as well as having the most comftable beds in the world better than Wynn or Bellagio. As Ferf says there are a vareity fo rooms the standard rooms are nice they are big and have big windows, you may get offered an "upgrade" to a west eing romo do not take it these rooms whilst pretty hip are small, dark and have a trendy bath room tha involves a glass wall but no door between the toilet and the room. You also may want to see how much you can get he flights on theirown for as you can usually get a better deal booking the flight sepeeratly and the hotel direct, you can get many special offers almost all are fully refundbale and many include things like freed entertainment or food vouchers or free drinks at bars an every little helps, ye any comps you get against play that you can use to reduce your cehckout bill can only be used against rooms booked direct and it is amazing how little you have to lay to get some money back. Have look at these offers here http://vegasuncovered.wordpress.com/2008/12/06/amazing-deals-at-las-vegas-hotels/?preview=true&preview_id=958&preview_!!!!!!=6d954c2bf7

wdyw

sew109 wrote: »

Hi JO,

I have stayed at both and for me MGM Is much better property it's huge and I also prefer the location, the dining options are much better and I prefer the bars at MGM though the clubs (if you are in to that) at TI are better, and the standard rooms are much bigger as well as having the most comftable beds in the world better than Wynn or Bellagio.

We have also stayed many times at both the MGM and TI and without the slightest hesitation, for the same price, it would be TI every time. Far better location, better rooms and better bars.

duchy

Seems to some huge is good and to others it's a disadvantage when it comes to preferred hotels.
To me I walk enough in Vegas without a hotel hike on top !

mookybargirl

The Bellagio Fountains

wdyw wrote: »

We have also stayed many times at both the MGM and TI and without the slightest hesitation, for the same price, it would be TI every time. Far better location, better rooms and better bars.

I'm quite torn, as have also stayed at both. I would probably decide based on if I was in another hotel for part of my trip, so I would be in 2 different areas on the strip. Saves on cab fares I think TI has a better "check in tip" success rate if this makes a difference.

nvh

The Bellagio Fountains

we have had more fun @ TI (and have stopped there), but have never stopped @ MGM and don't really go out of our way to venture in there, although love the Rainforest Cafe...

Incidently, has anyone seen ACG'09 for cheap yet? So far, here's the cheapest i've found:
http://www.find-book.co.uk/1883768187.htm (£11.17 @ Amazon at the moment)

List of coupons here incidently
http://americancasinoguide.com/2009-coupon-list.shtml

some of the ones that standout (the main strip ones etc) are these (vegas veterans and explorers will obviously find the t'others very useful too!):

Bills
FREE cocktail at any casino bar at Bill's

Ellis Island
$10 matchplay on any even-money bet at Ellis Island
2-for-1 menu item at Ellis Island
FOUR FREE cocktails at Ellis Island

Excalibur
2-for-1 well drinks at !!!!!!'s Last Stand in Excalibur

Golden Nugget
$60 in poker chips for $50 at Golden Nugget
2-for-1 "Defending the Caveman" tickets at Golden Nugget
2-for-1 drink at RUSH Lounge in Golden Nugget

Harrahs
$5 off buffet at Harrah's limit 2
FREE ticket to Mac King with drink purchase at Harrah's

IP
2-for-1 Legends in Concert tickets at Imperial Palace
2-for-1 auto exhibit tickets at Imperial Palace
2-for-1 breakfast or brunch buffet at Imperial Palace

NYNY
2-for-1 wine, house cocktail or draft beer at America
FREE toppings with double scoop purchase at Ben & Jerry's
FREE milkshake upgrade with purchase of any combo at Broadway Burger
FREE fish fillet or hushpuppies with meal purchase at Fulton Fish Frye
2-for-1 martini at Gallagher's
FREE frozen margarita with entree purchase at Gonzalez Y Gonzalez
10% off at Greenberg & Sons Deli
FREE coffee refill with any coffee purchase at Greenwich Coffee
FREE fries with purchase of sausage sandwich and drink at Jody Maroni's
One FREE slice with purchase of 2 slices and a drink at Sirrico's
2 FREE wings with purchase of 6 at Spice Chix
25% off second hot dog at Times Square to Go

Planet Ho
2-for-1 show tickets for Liberace Tribute at Planet Hollywood
FREE mojito or margarita with purchase of entree at Yolos in Planet Hollywood

Venetian / Palazzo
$15 in FREE slot play for new members at Venetian/Palazzo
2-for-1 menu item at Bella Panini (Venetian)
FREE discount coupon book at Grand Canal Shoppes at Venetian
15% off at Rialto Deli (Venetian)
2-for-1 menu item at San Genarro Grill (Venetian)
20% off at Shake N' Burger (Venetian)
15% off at Towers Deli (Venetian)
2-for-1 cocktail and VIP entry to V Bar (Venetian)

Others
2-for-1 menu item at Haagen Dazs (7 Las Vegas locations)
$50 off Grand Canyon flight per person on Heli USA helicopter tours
2-for-1 admission to Madame Tussauds (Sun-Thu)
2-for-1 menu item at Nathan’s (7 Las Vegas locations)
2-for-1 menu item at New York Pretzel (5 Las Vegas locations)

ferf1223

The Bellagio Fountains

nvh wrote: »

we have had more fun @ TI (and have stopped there), but have never stopped @ MGM and don't really go out of our way to venture in there, although love the Rainforest Cafe...

Incidently, has anyone seen ACG'09 for cheap yet? So far, here's the cheapest i've found:
http://www.find-book.co.uk/1883768187.htm (£11.17 @ Amazon at the moment)

That's the cheapest I've seen too so far.

2009 Las Vegas Advisor Pocketbook of Values (renamed to 'Member Rewards Booklet') is here:

http://www.lasvegasadvisor.com/whyjoin-mrbdetails.cfm

At $37 for the online membership, it's more expensive than the ACG but the Palms 50% off up to $50 pays for the book on its own (if you use it - which incidentally we never have. ) It does have a lot of the same ones as the ACG, but others too.

Not sure which we'll get this year if either...somewhat torn...we are sure we're going in April but not sure if we'll go again in 2009...the more trips in a year the more we can justify the LVA membership.