Las Vegas thread and MSE guide 2009 part 2

duchy

August

pebblesmax wrote: »

OMG! how do you do that? I couldn't manage less than two weeks. The travelling kills me.

I get worse jetlag on a longer trip to Vegas than a quick one (I'm doing 2 nights next month)

pebblesmax

October , November

Well surprisingly enough I got 12 hours sleep last night after our long trip home. I hope that is a good omen.

duchy

August

I just changed hotels -anyone know *whose* "Friend and Family" you're supposed to be on the Harrah's group rates ?
Got a Go room for $73

pebblesmax

October , November

Doesn't seem to matter. They didn't ask my parents anything.

stoneman

September

pennylane99 wrote: »

Also...just a note, if anyone has use of the Virgin Heathrow Clubhouse, they are stopping the facility to pre-book treatments/haircuts from 1st December, you just have to turn up on the day and hope for the best.

That's actually good news as we a are usually there waiting for them to open at 7am;):D

lisaloo1977

January , February

Hi everyone,

Hoping for some advice as im going insane reading reviews and looking up hotels. :-D Sorry for long post.

We are flying out to Vegas Jan 17th and will stay for 5 nights before heading off on a round the world trip. We chose to put Vegas on the start of our trip to get married and for the Vegas part there will be myself, my H2B our 3 year old son and my parents.

I have the following prices for the following hotels and wondered if anyone can give me any pointers, im going in circles reading reviews.

All of the following are the actual amount payable in total. The totals are in dollars as well and i would also maybe like to try the $20 sandwich trick, do any of the hotels work better than others?

Mirage = $742 Deluxe Room

NYNY = $632 Room is Park Avenue Premium View Room.

MGM Grand = $482 (this seems a good deal, however everything reads like this is a massive place and im not sure my mums up to miles of walking) Rooms here is Grand Tower Room, although its not much more for West Wing.

Wynn Encore & Resort both = $666 ( Seems great price as well) Rooms are Resort Suite King and Resort King.

Caesars = $760. Room type is Roman Tower or Classic.

I know they are very different hotels, but if you want the most bang for your buck where would you go?
If anyone can come up with a better deal i am totally open to that also. its driving me mad looking if im honest and this is week one of a 4 month trip that starts in 8 weeks, im feeling slightly overwhelmed now so any help would be fantastic.

What we want to achieve is somewhere nice to stay, somewhere comfortable for my parents and hopefully with two beds in a room so that when our son is with us or my parents he has his own bed. Do any of the resorts have indoor swimming pools as i have read that most pools will be closed as its January?

We are also looking into our wedding meal. Again just somewhere nice that the 5 of us can have a good meal and make it an even more special day. The cost is not really important, food wise i think for my mum Steak is the safest option.

I like the look of Smith and Wollensky and also Craftsteak. My child is very well behaved, however i would still like a place that is known for being childfriendly. Again any other places that you think might be perfect for that special meal greatly appreciated.

Lastly is it worth hiring a car? Hoping to see some sights outside of Vegas, but with such a short timeframe are we best doing trips or doing it ourselves?

Thanks in advance for any help.

spalding

October , November

Day5 - Had a bit of a wandering day today headed over to UNLV had a nice walk round there was a nice change of pace from the stip and got a UNLV sweatshirt! Then carried on just in and out of hotels Forum shops and fashion show mall, where I satisfied my addition to Abercrombie and Finch!

Had the Spice Market buffet, really impressed choice and quality couldn't be faulted, then took the deuce and headed over to freemont street, took in a free magic show with some German guy which was impressive as where the freemont lights of course!

Day 6 - Had breakfast at Ocean Grill in miracle mile nice surroundings and really good food only $6 for breakfast really good value. Headed over to Mandalay Bay Shark Reef was left a little disappointed compared to London Aquarium or similar, and the normal standard of things in Vegas, both my girlfirend and me said is that it when we got to the end?
Evening we headed over to House of Blues for a nice meal and some Motown music its worth checking out free music evey night and the sunday Gospel Brunch sounded very good, just bare in mind if you having dinner just keep putting the drinks on the table bill, went to Bar for some drinks to bring back to tableand had to pay the entertainment tax again!

Day 7 - Didn't get up til late today so just grabbed a sub at Merchant Coffee house and watched the Rain in Miracle Mile, headed to the M&M store, could not believe how much stuff they can put those little coloured guys on!
Went over to RIo for the buffet with the intention of heading up to voodoo lounge due to the massive size of the buffet and the many returns we made didn't end up with time, put that one down for next time! Buffet had a massive selection, loads of locals as well as think there is a current offer for local residents. Took the free bus to Harrahs and heading into the Venition, in true Vegas fashion stumbled across a classic concert in the square took that on for a bit, interestly had learn't the Chinese (I believe) nation anthem which brought some massive tips flooding in from a passing coach party!
Then Blue Man Group, hard to find the words to describe it really amazing, cane out of the theatre on a massive high, made up for not getting to see cirque this time.

Day 8 - Final Day - Popping straight down in the morning to ask about a late checkout offered me till 4 with no charge, much better than 11, always remember it's worth asking these things upgrades etc, thank you people on the site who have persuaded me to start doing this!
After a major effort trying to fit are new purchases into some very expanded suitcases! We headed for Lunch at Spice Market to stock up for the day ahead, food again brillant, reccomend the made to order burgers
Then it was off to Mccarren for the flight home and to start planning the next trip!

ferf1223

October , November

lisaloo1977 wrote: »

Wynn Encore & Resort both = $666 ( Seems great price as well) Rooms are Resort Suite King and Resort King.
.

That seems a very good rate to me...and the rooms are very nice and extremely comfortable - given your options, I would personally choose Wynn, but others will have different opinions. I think that with the prices you've stated though that Wynn is the best overall value...especially as it's a special occasion. Only possible concern is the no-strollers rule, but I think that guests are exempt from that?

Also, I can't believe that Caesars oldest towers are more than Wynn - that seems so odd to me.

As for renting a car we think it's absoutely worthwhile - we always rent one and love the freedom it gives...but it depends on how comfortable you would be driving in the US and traffic on the strip can be really bad, but at least it moves slowly. I would think that for side trips you would be better doing it yourself - especially with a child along as it gives you more options to stop, etc...overall driving in that part of the US is pretty straightforward and depending on what sort of trips you are thinking about you'll probably save a fair amount of money with a car.

ferf1223

October , November

spalding wrote: »

Day5 - Had a bit of a wandering day today headed over to UNLV had a nice walk round there was a nice change of pace from the stip and got a UNLV sweatshirt!

I never even thought of that! Now I want one.

Sounds like you had a great trip and glad the vouchers came in handy.

We also thought the aquarium was lame - but I think the London Aquarium is lame having lived near and awesome, awesome one in the US.

ferf1223

October , November

lisaloo1977 wrote: »

Wynn Encore & Resort both = $666 ( Seems great price as well) Rooms are Resort Suite King and Resort King.

for my parents and hopefully with two beds in a room so that when our son is with us or my parents he has his own bed.

I just noticed this...king rooms will only have 1 bed.