Las Vegas thread and MSE guide 2010

Boa21

January , February

1st time poster - long time lurker! I have been to Vegas twice on business (most recently last May). So, thought I would take the family at half term as they have never been to the USA. It was a fairly late decision so the cheaper Virgin flights were all gone for our dates.

Booked via Expedia - Delta via Atlanta. 7 nights at Paris for, effectively 4 adults (youngest kid is 13). £2550 all-in. Seems reasonable, and don't really want to mess around with the hotel booking as I wanted centre strip.

The one thing that has hacked me off is that Expedia advertised and sold the flights as KLM (still showing as KLM on the booking). I wanted a european flight for the free booze etc. Nowhere does Expedia say it's a codeshare (nowhere obvious anyway).

I have a car booked for the week from Carhire 3000 - Chrysler Sebring for £124 for the week - which I think is excellent.

In the spirit of moneysaving - I downloaded the latest USA map to my Tomtom in their map sale for £45 - so much cheaper than hireing the satnav from the care hire co.:cool:

luci

May

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luci

May

Boa21 wrote: »

1st time poster - long time lurker! I have been to Vegas twice on business (most recently last May). So, thought I would take the family at half term as they have never been to the USA. It was a fairly late decision so the cheaper Virgin flights were all gone for our dates.

Booked via Expedia - Delta via Atlanta. 7 nights at Paris for, effectively 4 adults (youngest kid is 13). £2550 all-in. Seems reasonable, and don't really want to mess around with the hotel booking as I wanted centre strip.

The one thing that has hacked me off is that Expedia advertised and sold the flights as KLM (still showing as KLM on the booking). I wanted a european flight for the free booze etc. Nowhere does Expedia say it's a codeshare (nowhere obvious anyway).

I have a car booked for the week from Carhire 3000 - Chrysler Sebring for £124 for the week - which I think is excellent.

In the spirit of moneysaving - I downloaded the latest USA map to my Tomtom in their map sale for £45 - so much cheaper than hireing the satnav from the care hire co.:cool:

Welcome to the MSE Las Vegas thread!

Is that price for 2 rooms or for all of you in one room?

That seems a decent price if it is 2 rooms. It can cost the same for 4 people in one room as it does for 2 rooms as they charge $30-35pp for each additional person over 2.

I really liked staying at Paris, it's a good, central hotel.

Boa21

January , February

Thanks Luci. It's one room, with 2 queens. I'll try the $20 trick on the way in.

Last time I went a mate in the conference trade got me a free upgrade to a suite in Harrahs, with limo pick-up drop off and a Diamond pass. I know Harrah's isnt the best - but hey it was agood freebie!

ferf1223

April

luci wrote: »

I really liked staying at Paris, it's a good, central hotel.

While I'm really glad you got an upgrade at your stay at Bally's, I would love to be able to pick your brain on the comparison between Bally's and Paris standard rooms. We're still going back and forth on where to stay our first 5 nights next trip before moving to Encore...part of me thinks try Paris, you'll be moving anyway...part of me thinks go with the known Bally's.

But for the first time ever we're checking in on a Friday night...so it's quite possible we won't get upgraded to the north tower at Bally's anyway...so maybe it is the time to try Paris.

I think mookybargirl rated Bally's over Paris...which is one of the reasons I'm hesitating on Paris.

Decisions, decision!

ferf1223

April

Boa21 wrote: »

and don't really want to mess around with the hotel booking as I wanted centre strip.

I don't understand this part?? You can book any hotel regardless of location separately?

Also, just be sure you know the limitations in Vegas with children before you go so they won't come as a surprise. Several people here go with kids and have a great time, but I've read too many comments of folks from the UK taking kids to Vegas and being angry about some of the limitations not to mention it in case you're not already aware.

luci

May

ferf

It's hard for me to compare Bally's and Paris as we got a junior suite instead of a standard room at Bally's.

From what I saw, even the older blue rooms at Paris were newer and fresher than Bally's South Tower. I actually preferred the older blue room over the newer red room, but it was a P room.

We liked the massive space in the junior suite, but it was old and worn which is how I expect the South Tower rooms to be.

Sorry I can't be more help.

Boa21

January , February

Hi

Any suggestions for the best Helicopter trips to the Canyon? It'll be a real treat for the family (2 kids, 13 & 17). Last May I went with Maverick, landed on the Indian reservation for drinks (ok, ledge above the river:p). It was really good.

I was looking at the trip with the combined river rafting as it seems to add a lot more trip for relatively little more money. But any suggestions welcome.

I did the plane and coach in 2000 and frankly the flight made me sick, the helicopter is way smoother.

luci

May

For the Mandalay Bay and THEhotel offers above, if you book the following dates you get a free suite upgrade:-

Feb - 8, 9, 10, 11, 18, 21, 22, 23, 24 25
March - 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 21, 22, 28, 29, 30, 31
April - 1, 4, 5

*Room will be upgraded to 600SS or 750GR at Mandalay Bay and based on availability.

Boa21

January , February

ferf1223 wrote: »

I don't understand this part?? You can book any hotel regardless of location separately?

Also, just be sure you know the limitations in Vegas with children before you go so they won't come as a surprise. Several people here go with kids and have a great time, but I've read too many comments of folks from the UK taking kids to Vegas and being angry about some of the limitations not to mention it in case you're not already aware.

I booked as a package with Expedia, so would have to 'unbundle' the hotel - not really sure what the hotel part of the cost is. I suppose it's a case of 'never look back as you tie yourself in knots to save a tenner'

I know what you mean about travelling with children - but we're not big on casino's (I know, why go to Vegas at all!:o) but want to see the sights, see some shows - drive about in the desert and enjoy some dining out.