Las Vegas thread and MSE guide 2009

CAE

The Stratosphere

I've been as far as the Conservatory, but now I've seen where this is, will add this to my list for my visit in November.

malid

The Volcano @ Mirage

KMcD wrote: »

Hi everyone.
Can I just say thanks to you all for your helpful comments so far.
I've never been to Vegas before but am going on 23rd July for 2 weeks to stay with my cousin who recently moved there. Due to already having (free!) accomodation there could anyone suggest a family-friendly hotel on the Strip for one night and also maybe somewhere nice to eat? My son will turn 17 on the 27th July and I thought it might be nice to spend the one night in a hotel. Don't want to spend a fortune but don't want to scrimp either as we are going for the experience but we would like pleasant rooms with nice views. Between us we will have 3 other kids aged 6 to 10 too. I believe my cousin and her family have previously spent a night at the Excalibur as a birthday treat for one of their boys but wondered if there was anything else. Obviously as they live there they don't have much need for hotels so haven't tried any others. Any suggestions gratefully received.
Karen.

I suggest eating at the Hard Rock Cafe; this was a hit with our boys 2005 (they were 16 and 13 at the time).

Returning as part of a 16 day holiday to the USA on 24th August. We are statying for three nights at the MGM (2 rooms). Our California/Arizona/Nevada holidays have always been so good that this time all three sons are coming - 25, 20 and 17. Can't wait!

stoneman

The Bellagio Fountains

KMcD wrote: »

Hi everyone.
Can I just say thanks to you all for your helpful comments so far.
I've never been to Vegas before but am going on 23rd July for 2 weeks to stay with my cousin who recently moved there. Due to already having (free!) accommodation there could anyone suggest a family-friendly hotel on the Strip for one night and also maybe somewhere nice to eat? My son will turn 17 on the 27th July and I thought it might be nice to spend the one night in a hotel. Don't want to spend a fortune but don't want to scrimp either as we are going for the experience but we would like pleasant rooms with nice views. Between us we will have 3 other kids aged 6 to 10 too. I believe my cousin and her family have previously spent a night at the Excalibur as a birthday treat for one of their boys but wondered if there was anything else. Obviously as they live there they don't have much need for hotels so haven't tried any others. Any suggestions gratefully received.
Karen.

I think as a treat for the kids you can't beat the Luxor. It will probably be the first thing they notice on the strip if you fly in. Ask for a pyramid room, they will go nuts. Just riding up in an inclinatior and feeling them selves going diagonally will thrill them. Then walking down the corridor to the room and looking over the edge to casino below. This is the largest freestanding atrium in the world. the rooms all slope at the ends so you lose a little floor space but then again you feel as though you are part of the building. I took my kids there back in 1991 and my girl just screamed the whole time she was there. My lad is 26 now and he still remembers the thrill of staying there. Prices are on the low side as well, there are probably more offers and deals for the Luxor than any other hotel

scottishf

c_l_a_i_r_e wrote: »

Ok until Luci comes along have you tried for starters:
www.expedia.co.uk
www.kayak.co.uk
www.netflights.com

What dates are you looking at?

looking at the last 2 weeks in July

scottishf

OK cheapest flights are 2150 for the 4 of us. I quite fancy the Luxor, but with 2 kids does anyone have any better or cheaper good ideas for hotels?

nvh

The Bellagio Fountains

c_l_a_i_r_e wrote: »

Its at the Jean Philippe Patisserie, just around the corner from the conservatory:
http://www.bellagio.com/restaurants/jean-philippe.aspx

Its a great place to grab a snack. They do lovely sandwiches, croissants etc not to mention the most gorgeous cakes and pastries:D

don't forget the crepes either! - missus had this one last year whilst i went off gambling so no idea what it is - obviously chocolate based!

malid wrote: »

I suggest eating at the Hard Rock Cafe; this was a hit with our boys 2005 (they were 16 and 13 at the time).

it may be on the strip by July as well... no idea what the current ETA (website says' "summer")
http://www.hardrock.com/locations/cafes3/cafe.aspx?LocationID=507&MIBEnumID=3

it is being done opposite to Diablo's (it will be just up from the giant coke bottle)


really like this pic!... just needs the fountains going on it

also, like the panoramic one! - that's the sort of thing that needs to be enlarged and hung on my lounge wall!

nw_man

The Bellagio Fountains

scottishf wrote: »

OK cheapest flights are 2150 for the 4 of us. I quite fancy the Luxor, but with 2 kids does anyone have any better or cheaper good ideas for hotels?

I think Luxor is a good choice for the kids, they have the upstairs bit ( I forget what its called !! ), with the IMAX and a bit of stuff going on like exhibitions etc.

What about Excalibur ?

They have the fantasy Faire Midway ( kind of like fairground stalls ) and also the Spongebob Squarepants 4D ride. Also its ever so slightly more central, although both properties are linked with a moving indoor stairway and monorail so its not really an issue.

nvh

The Bellagio Fountains

nw_man wrote: »

I think Luxor is a good choice for the kids, they have the upstairs bit ( I forget what its called !! ), with the IMAX and a bit of stuff going on like exhibitions etc.

What about Excalibur ?

They have the fantasy Faire Midway ( kind of like fairground stalls ) and also the Spongebob Squarepants 4D ride. Also its ever so slightly more central, although both properties are linked with a moving indoor stairway and monorail so its not really an issue.

the IMAX is no longer there (been replaced by Titanic / Bodies)


but i'd agree, Luxor is cool definitely recommend a 'pyramid' room even though the 'tower' ones are supposed to be better (more modern)... like (i think) stoneman said, looking out over the balcony is wicked - let me find the piccy i've got...

edit: nuts, i haven't got a pic lol - remember now i filmed it instead

edit2: does anyone know where i can upload quicktime movies for free? is there anywhere a bit like imageshack (ie. somewhere I don't have to sign up / register! )

Stew68

The Secret Garden

CAE wrote: »

Loved that pic of the chocolate fountain at the Bellagio. Whereabouts is it? I think it deserves a visit.

The chocolate fountain is the largest in the world, they even have a certificate next to it saying so, only a really sad person would have a photograph of that though........





Okay i'm sad!!

Sorry about the large size, just makes it more readable.

Stew

ferf1223

The Bellagio Fountains

So looks like Virgin will have some competition in the direct to Vegas market come the fall.

http://www.lvrj.com/business/45249642.html

Interesting - the arriving at 5:10pm thing isn't exciting...but the 777s is...and the 7pm departure from Vegas is.