Las Vegas thread and MSE guide 2009 part 2

ratkarth

Wammer wrote: »

Can't remember which restaurant I read about, but the r.com cert wasn't valid on the cheaper Prix Fixe menus and it had to be $79 or above per person.

!!!!!!...
was planning on using them for that

ferf1223

October , November

rob_kzk wrote: »

Also, is it worth the upgrade to premium economy?

PE on that Vegas route isn't that great - we flew PE to Vegas once (when MaxJet went bust as we were looking forward to NOT flying economy for once and the price was about the same as MaxJet)...it was certainly better than economy, but not double the price of economy better in our mind...we were upstairs in the bubble and had we been downstairs in the PE section there it would have been even worse. So far we've been back twice on that LGW-LAS flight and gone for economy both times as to us it wasn't worth it to fly PE. We also flew PE to Sydney on an Airbus A340 with Virgin and THAT was worth paying extra for.

Personally we'd go economy and hope like hell to get a pair of seats at the back (as there are only 2 of us flying) - even if it meant paying £30 for the extra legroom seats on those planes that sell those seats at check-in - rather than paying for PE...it just wasn't worth the extra money to us on the 747s.

Red_Arrow

October , November

Hi all, hope someone can help me. A group of us are planning on going to Vegas during the last week of October for 7 nights, were talking about between 8 and 10 of us. We all went around the same time last year and stayed at the Stratosphere which was nice but too far up the strip so we are looking at staying somewhere in the middle this time.

Been looking at the likes of NY,NY and Luxor which seem to be in our price range. But I was wondering if anyone knows a way of getting a good deal (if possible) since we would be booking probably 5 rooms? Last time we booked we all did it separately so I'm unsure if we missed out on any possible group discounts if there is such a thing.

ferf1223

October , November

ratkarth wrote: »

!!!!!!...
was planning on using them for that

The certificate will state restrictions...the MIX certificates state:

Valid with a minimum purchase of 2 entrees or 2 Prix Fixe dinners. Excludes tax & gratuity. 18% gratuity added to pre-discounted check amount.

ferf1223

October , November

Red_Arrow wrote: »

Been looking at the likes of NY,NY and Luxor which seem to be in our price range. But I was wondering if anyone knows a way of getting a good deal (if possible) since we would be booking probably 5 rooms? Last time we booked we all did it separately so I'm unsure if we missed out on any possible group discounts if there is such a thing.

I don't think 5 rooms would qualify you for a group discount in Vegas I'm afraid.

Check the links on the first page of the thread for hotel deals. There are probably several other hotels mid-strip that would be in the same (or lower) price range as NYNY and Luxor and will be more central and likely nicer than the Strat...maybe check Harrahs Hot Deals for your dates for all Vegas casinos and see what comes up.

http://www.harrahs.com/hot-deals/

Just choose Las Vegas as your destination and it will give you prices for all the Harrahs hotels in Vegas which will include Ballys, Flamingo, Imperial Palace and Harrahs which are probably in your price range. You could also check Bill's which is a much smaller hotel but rooms look pretty nice and it's very convenient. Both NYNY and Luxor are at the south end of the strip (which of course some people like). We prefer mid-strip ourselves.

Red_Arrow

October , November

Thanks for that link, very useful.

Regarding flights, where should I look for cheapish flights there? Sorry I'm new here and there is so much info to take in I've got a bit lost

jackieblack

rob_kzk wrote: »

Also, been reading a few bad reviews about the Virgin direct flights from Gatwick. Is it really that bad?
Rob

We've flown Virgin 747s from Gatwick several times, to both LV & Orlando (same planes)

We find them fine, never had any problems.
I know others disagree. I think the main gripes are old/'tired' planes and entertainment not 'on demand' like the newer planes in the Virgin fleet, but this isn't really a huge issue and the advantage of the direct flight outweighs these for us.

c_l_a_i_r_e

July

Red_Arrow wrote: »

Thanks for that link, very useful.

Regarding flights, where should I look for cheapish flights there? Sorry I'm new here and there is so much info to take in I've got a bit lost

For flight deals check directly with the airlines and do searches with:
https://www.expedia.co.uk
https://www.netflights.com
https://www.kayak.co.uk
https://www.opodo.co.uk

c_l_a_i_r_e

July

Boomdocker wrote: »

Hey guys, great to see a Vegas thread. My 2 friends and I are going to stay at the Luxor for 5 nights in September flying Virgin from Gatwick. Have a couple of questions if you don't mind:

1) Reading the start of this thread its suggested that the Virgin Gatwick flight isn't all that great. Its a long flight to be uncomfortable on so I would like to try and book seats so what would you recommend for a party of three? (Not sure of the plane configuration)

2) I can't work out where the Fashion Show Mall is in relation to the Luxor, is it doable from here?

3) Are there any regular malls/stores apart from fancy designer ones where we can find a Walmart/Walgreens and regular american stores, IYSWIM?

4) I have seen a couple of posts mention a $20 upgrade but can't find any full details about this?

Thanks for a great thread, trying to work my way through it.

1) The plane configuration is 3-4-3, so any row of 3 would work for you all.
2) FSM is at the northern end of the strip, beside Treasure Island and across the road from Wynn. Luxor is at the southern end of the strip so about 2-2.5 miles away ???(i'm not great with distances:o). You can walk to the mall from Luxor, we've done it before, but it took us ages as we nipped in and out of all the casinos along the way. It was our first trip and we were in no hurry, and enjoyed making our way up the strip. If you just want to go to FSM directly a taxi or the deuce would be better. This map should give you a rough idea of their respective locations:
http://www.destination360.com/north-america/us/nevada/las-vegas/las-vegas-map
3)You'll find Walgreens/CVS along the strip, but you'll have to venture off-strip for a Walmart. Not sure what you mean by regular american stores apart from those?
4)Have a look at https://www.frontdesktip.com

pennylane99

December ( including Xmas and New Year )

rob_kzk wrote: »

Hi All,

Just after a quick reccommendation really.....

Looking to go to Vegas next Feb and having trouble deciding between the Mirage and the Signature at MGM Grand. Obviously the Mirage has the location and the Signature has the luxury suites which will cost me a few pounds more. Can anyone point me where they would advise staying?

Also, been reading a few bad reviews about the Virgin direct flights from Gatwick. Is it really that bad? I flew on Thomson to the Caribbean last year, is it any worse than that, apart from obviously being a longer flight?! Also, is it worth the upgrade to premium economy?

Look forward to your replies.

Thanks.

Rob

BA are also doing direct flights to Vegas from Heathrow, starting end of October.