Las Vegas thread and MSE guide 2009 part 2

Zazie

April

Trust wrote: »

you are 100% right the glitz and glamour has gone off this, but it will come back when city centre starts opening,
!

Anyone know when that will be??

Andream

December ( including Xmas and New Year )

Aria is due to open 16th December, Vdara I believe has been put back to end of October and the Mandarin Oriental is taking bookings from December 5th. Will be staying at Bellagio when Aria opens in December so will have to check that out but I believe Vdara and MO are non gaming.

Andream

December ( including Xmas and New Year )

Stoneman I am also 52, I wish somebody would card me I would be well flattered. Joking aside seems very petty indeed!

Trust_2

October , November

Will all be open pre-xmas as per the current plan, but some are talking about a delay, the key thing at present is the monorail access over the street, as soon as this is open the road will open full again, I was lucky to have the tour last week (US collegues working on project) it will be worth it.

They are also constructing a new approach road opposite to crystals

If you are driving use the service roads, deuce allow lots more time, literally on peak times 2hrs+ from MGM to Freemont.

9/11 was a nightmare over there, but that is for another day

pebblesmax

October , November

Trust wrote: »

I was lucky to have the tour last week (US collegues working on project)

I am so jealous! I love buildings.:j

Cade_Foster

September

MissNobody wrote: »

I know what you mean, 9 nights could incorporate 4 weekend nights instead of 2.

I usually go sunday then leave a week on friday so I only incorporate 2 weekend days into 12 days usually works pretty well as arriving on sunday the rates go back down that day.

Cand

September

Trip Report as promised…

Went to Vegas last year for Honeymoon we loved it that much they we booked to go back again with my mum and dad as they have both always wanted to go so I got to play at being tour guide for 10 days. J

Day 1
Arrived on time flew direct from Gatwick with Virgin no problems with drinks running out or IFE all was as good as a 10 hour flight can be. Bad landing very very bumpy mum was nearly sick and I wasn’t close behind but we both managed to hold it thank god. Immigration queue wasn’t to bad probs half hour if that and we were last in queue as we were at the back of the plane. Got cases straight away and jumped in a taxi, taxi driver was miserable as we found most of them were before we had even finished getting the money together to pay him he decided to tell us his tip wasn’t big enough! Much to our amazement as we hadn’t actually got the tip together for him yet needless to say he didn’t get much! We had requested on our booking that we had adjoining rooms (there not adjoining but they have double doors in front of your normal doors) tower 2 and high floor. None or which were given but the girl behind the desk sorted this for us as long as we were happy to wait till 6pm but got a call less than an hour later to say the rooms were ready! Went up to the rooms unpacked and took mum and dad out for a wander. Ventured through main MGM and out onto strip to Walgreens to get a few bits for the room, walked back and stopped at MaccyD’s on the way back as we were all to tired to do anything else so had an early night think it was about 8-9pm ish.

Day 2
Woke up about 5.30am ish watched tv for a bit then ventured down into main MGM showed mum & dad around the main pool areas then went to the buffet for breakfast. We then took mum and dad for a walk down the strip walked up as far as Bellagio they were changing the conservatory over so we didn’t get to see it all set up as we never got chance to go back although we had seen it already as they were changing it over to what it was when we went last year. Made our way back from Bellagio stopping at other hotels on the way back. Went to Blondies at Planet Hollywood for tea which was lovely we went here last year so we knew what to expect.

Day 3
Spent the day by the main MGM pool as sun was on there from first thing in the morning where as Signature pools (Tower 2 and 3 anyway) it more like 11am before you get any proper sun. Discovered that the big cocktail drinks that everyone had were $9 to refill so bought one and kept using the same cup thing over the holiday. Went up to the room about 5ish for quick wash and change than got on the monorail to Harrah’s walked down to Casino Royal for some $1 beers and margaritas then walked down to Fashion Show Mall spent a few hours looking round the boys bought the RLauren tops as they were to cheap to miss but me and mum decided to wait and see what we saw at the outlet before we bought anything. Went to Maggionos for tea oh my god it was gorge thank you so much guys for recommending this place we loved it and it was soooo cheap for a really nice meal… 2 rounds of drinks, 4 meals (half sizes) and 2 sides $110 I know they were only half sized portions but none of us managed to clear our plates.

Cand

September

Day 4
Got to the Premium designer outlet for opening time went and got my discount leaflet thing which came in handy thanks again for letting me know about this! Hubby and dad bought loads, mum bought a few bits mainly from Guess and I got a cardy from AX decided I would rather spend my money on the bags I had seen in the Guess shops on strip. Went for a walk over to Excalibur, Luxor & Mbay that night ate at Red, White & Blue which was a lot better than we thought it was going to be.

Day 5
Managed a bit of a lay in today so bought a full day pass for the buffet (at MGM) $39 Fri-Sun $36 I think for Mon-Thu. Spent the day by the Signature pool then went to the weigh in for the fight which was really really good, I’m not into boxing at all but the atmosphere was brill. Me and hubby went for dinner just before weigh in not because we were hungry but just cos we could! After tea we caught monorail to Harrah’s got some $1 drinks at CRoyal then walked down to Wynn and worked our way back looking in Palazzo & Venetian.

Day 6
Shopping Day!!!! Monorail to Harrah’s then walked to FSMall got one of the discount booklets. Bought a few Guess Bags looked at Uggs but they didn’t have my size in Saks or Nordstorm so walked down to Forum Shops got another discount booklet bought another Guess bag and another one from Marciano and Uggs from the Walking Comp (I think that’s what its called). Stopped at Cheesecake Factory for dinner again thanks for recommending this one it was sooooo nice and had a brill menu. Stopped at Miracle Mile on the way back and got some smellys from Victoria Secret and Mum got some bits from her new fave shop Marshall Rousse. Spent 11 hours out and probs only an hour of that in the CFactory! Needless to say the boys were ready for some beers when we finished J! Dropped the shopping back off home and had a quick change then went to PFChangs for tea which was lovely another of your recommendations! Today was also fight night when we went back to get changed it was madness but I wouldn’t say it was that busy that I would tell anyone to stay away.

Day 7
Spent day by the Signature pool again today had dinner by the pool which was really nice not particularly cheap but was nice. Had tea in Mirage at Carinage (spelling) which was ok then went to see CDS Love which was brill, I must say I didn’t enjoy it as much as Ka felt there was to much going off and that I was missing something but still very much enjoyed it. Mum and dad especially liked it but they haven’t seen any others they also appreciate the Beatles more than me and the hubby! Stopped and watched the Fountains on the way back which as always were amazing!

Day 8
Went back to the shops to get the last few bits that we had been thinking about getting I bought a bag from Saks as I had a 15% of voucher that ran out that day so that saved me a good few $! Walked over to Wynn as I thought they would have a Tiffany’s in there but they don’t so stopped and had a drink in Sugar & Ice got sat outside near the waterfall which was lovely. Apparently we just missed Mayweather spending his $ in the Rolex shop. Went over to NYNY for tea, went to Gallaghers as we ate there last year and really enjoyed it and it lived up to its expectations it was delicious but wanted to be as it wasn’t cheap. Had a few drinks in NYNY then walked back over to MGM had a go on the slots lost out $10 had a drink whilst doing this then decided it was bedtime.

Day 9
Got up early went to Strat so hubby could go on the rides then to Bellagio so that I could go and get the bracelet from Tiffany’s that I had seen for my anniversary prezzie from hubby, walked through Flamingo as we missed this last year looked like a very nice hotel with a decent swimming pool. Stopped at MaccyD’s on the way back for a quick dinner then spent the rest of the day by the pool. Went down to Freemont Street at night got there at half 7 and a show was on so we quickly went into a Casino so as I wanted mum and dad to see a full show so I presumed that they were on once an hour so went back out at 8.15 but show didn’t start until 9pm so got a bit confused with that? Anyway Dad & Hubby got footballs filled with beer for $8 so they were happy and the show was worth the wait as it was American Pie which is one of my dads fave songs! They both really enjoyed it! Got a taxi back and found the first cheerful driver some crazy woman who never shut up all the way back telling us about how she was going to Brazil for a facelift. Went to Rainforest caf! for tea food was good but the guy asked us if we wanted dessert whilst we were still eating and when we said no not yet he brought the bill?!?!?!

Day 10
Got up early packed the cases, I started panicking about being overweight so hubby called reception to see if they had some scales to weigh the cases, they did and they were up to the room in about 10-15min. They weren’t overweight somehow I don’t know how with all the shopping we did but anyway it put my mind at rest. Went to Delights for brekkie which was soooo nice wish we had gone there for brekkie before! Killed an hour by walking to main MGM & watching the lions who were active for once then walked back and got a taxi to the airport (the only other nice driver). Flight home wasn’t good was bumpy for the first 2-3 hours then was ok after that, service was fine though just not a good ride.

Overall had an amazing trip just wish this place was a bit closer to home! Loved the Signature as much as last time and wouldn’t hesitate to stop there again. Agree with others that the new buildings aren’t as nice as they don’t have any character there just glass building but am sure it will all be good once it’s finished. Getting from PHollywood to MGM is a bit of a mare past the city centre and it’s the only bit of the strip that they don’t clean the street there are the naughty cards everywhere haha. Thank you so much for your recommendations on places to eat they were spot on and also for letting me know about the shopping discount booklet things they saved us so much money anyone who likes shopping must go and get these booklets! Oh and now Stoneman has got me worried that I must look rather old for my 23 years as I never got asked for ID once haha!!!!!!

Can’t wait to go back but I don’t think it will be for a good while now. L

luci

September

Thanks for the report. You certainly did a lot of walking and well done on the shopping.

ferf1223

October , November

thanks for the report, Cand - really enjoyed reading. Even with the City Centre madness I'm looking forward to our arrival on the 29th - in the US now, and where we are it looks pretty much like London at the moment- drizzling and overcast. Looking forward to some sunshine.

And stoneman - sorry you've gone off Vegas at the moment, but I do hope you'll at least peek in here from time to time as I do think you have plenty to offer in terms of advice. I'm still sad that photome abandoned us as he wasn't planning on going back for a good few years...don't you now go too!