Las Vegas thread and MSE guide 2009

sew109

The Volcano @ Mirage

Trust wrote: »

So looking at the totals on the top of the page, I am staying in Rio in a couple of weeks, and obviously from the scoring I should give!

Rio Masquerade show in the sky

a wide birth!

Or has anyone got anything good to say about it?

I dont think it requires a wide birth, the first time we saw it I thought it was good but since then I have just thought it boring and the people in it bored.

nvh

The Bellagio Fountains

we went rio but couldnt be arsed to hang around for it

the thing with the poll, is that it's just what's favourite (not what's least favourite) - i'd recommend everyone does everything in the poll just so you can see it for yourself

re: Players Clubs, think that is a good idea ferf - certianly think it's worth including your link ( http://www.advantageplayer.com/lasvegas/index.html ) as it seems a comprehensive list of funbooks, sign-up promotions etc etc

another tip from me would be don't necessarily sign up for a players card at the same time as your partner (unless it's a killer offer or you're both big players), as if a better offer comes later (ie. on another trip), you won't be able to do it - there were some excellent MGM offers last time we went, but we had both signed up to MGM previously (even though the missus didn't really use hers) - she did get the free luxor t-shirt, but this time around we could've got free $$ to gamble (more preferable to me! even if we would have lost it all!)

completely agree about not chasing points / comps too no point, however we do target MGM properties more than others as we can use our card more effectively there (as we have a fair few points on it already) - hence not yet signing up for Harrahs / Wynn yet (although we could've had them for their free buffet like others did! )

we feel we've donated enough cash to MGM anyways - and had naff all offers back, hence now having a gander @ Harrahs as an option

TangoBunny

The Secret Garden

Just done my ESTA application...mine was fine but it took 4 attemps for my hubbys to go through....think the website may have some technical difficulties

pebblesmax

The Bellagio Fountains

ferf1223 wrote: »

(there are exceptions - there's at least one club that is or used to be based on coin-out - the more you won, the more comps you got...how odd).

I think you're thinking of Club Coast. Since it changed to B-Connected and they added their Downtown properties, they have changed to coin-in.

ferf1223 wrote: »

I don't think anyone should play for comps...they'll likely cost you more than you would have paid in the end...but if you're going to play anyway, may as well take what they'll give you.

I completely agree with you there. As you know we only play a very small amount, so I was surprised to see that we had anything at all. When I log in it says I have no offers, but the rooms came up much cheaper (and free!) than the rate calendar was showing when I wasn't logged in.

Vegas must be really hurting in this recession.

I also think that the Rio show in the sky is worth seeing once, but as was said before, it isn't my favourite. That will always be the Bellagio fountains.

ferf1223

The Bellagio Fountains

pebblesmax wrote: »

As you know we only play a very small amount, so I was surprised to see that we had anything at all. When I log in it says I have no offers, but the rooms came up much cheaper (and free!)

so glad that they changed the coin-out thing...that was just crazy!

And I totally agree - we rarely get offers but for a few years now have done really well just logging in, picking our dates and seeing what comes up. I wonder about folks in the US who book specifically to suit their offers - you see them mention it all the time on Open Vegas - why they don't just check dates they want to go rather than the dates they're being offered...not to mention that if you have a 3-night 'offer' maybe you could get 5 nights comped going through the reservations system...I've learned not to care about offers at all.

twinmumagain

Cheers Furf!!!

So to everyone else..... do you do the holiday yourself or do a package??
We were thinking Virgin package(looking at MGM Grand with room upgrade to bungerlow suite.... do these have strip view??) but we dont want the car hire. We are only going for 7 nights(my darling mother/father would never have my 5 for more than that!) and want it to be strip based! Eating, drinking and $100/$200 or so a day for casino(however long that lasts!!)! I will be glued to penny slots Hubby will be glued to Blackjack tables!
Very very excited and its ages away!!!

tully187villa

Thanks for the advice and nice welcome i will get the (virgin) flight booked up asap and look out for the deals.

Not that confident in driving over there but will probably take your advice up about switching to cheaper accomodation at the weekends off the strip any you can recommend?

I have never had a credit card but will have to get one i suppose in order to pay for the hotel directly?

Thanks again

trets77 wrote: »

welcome to the thread and congrats on your upcoming wedding.

Who is that flight with ?? Virgin should be your first port of call for pricing up flights.

I hate that flight, but it is direct , has good baggage allowance and they have some good prices at the moment. the prices will only increase the longer you leave it.

with current exchange rate .£1000 for 14 nights might be pushing it at The Venetian espically if you have 2 friday and saturday nights .

If you want the nice hotels and want to save money look to move on weekends so you stay at the posh places on week nights . it might be a good idea to take a trip to the Grand Canyon or surrounding areas on weekends, or stay in some of the really nice Off strip Hotels .

there are plenty of intresting places you can hit with just a few hours drive.

Moving hotels on the strip is not that much hassle . okay you have to check out about 11 -12 at most places , but if you have a car you can simply leave your cases in the care of the Valet/ bellhops till late afternoon when you check into the next hotel.

don't get blinkered to just The Venetian and Palazzo as if you read a few pages back , you will read some negative reports on recent stays. be flexable and pick the good deals is my advice . you can always ask on here about the hotel you are considering

MORPH3US

Cheers Trust, !!!!!! is Rio Masquerade in the Sky though?

Spritzy

So excited!

Friends and I are going outon 30th May for 5 Nights.

Not yet booked, but the plan so far is Virgin flight out there, and then the special offer with MGM which works out at $459 for the 5 nights. I'm hoping it will come down a bit too!

I was going to bid on Priceline, but I'm too much of a wuss!

I think my friends are going to book through Virgin Holidays, it works out slightly more expensive, around £250 for the pair of them - but they want to convenience of paying a deposit and then the rest 5 weeks before and the fact you get access to the V Lounge!

I'm a first timer to Vegas, only gutted I'll be missing the devine Bette Middler by the sounds of it.

pebblesmax

The Bellagio Fountains

So to everyone else..... do you do the holiday yourself or do a package??

First two visits were packages, then we found that DIY was much more flexible and cheaper for the same quality of accommodation.

If the car is "free" with your package, be aware that they often don't include insurance and insist that you buy the insurance they provide. they don't reduce the price if you don't have the car though.