Las Vegas thread and MSE guide 2010

ferf1223

April

mattwallisuk wrote: »

Regarding Virgin flights, personally I much prefer a 3 or 4 hour shorter travel time and just deal with a slightly more uncomfortable seat. Other than it being a slightly older plane/seat the service is as good as BA/etc and your saving over 8 hours there and back in time in the air, as well as hassle at connecting airports in the states, which can be a real pain in the bum.

We used to say that - but having tried it with a connection this last trip, we've booked our next trip with a connection as well. I do absolutely see the benefit of a direct flight - but the extra time wasn't as bad as we thought it might be - and in some ways was a nice chance to stretch our legs and have some non-airline food. And since we flew with AA - the transatlantic leg we had loads of chance to get a pair of seats - not the very small chance with Virgin. To not be crammed in with a stranger for the bulk of the flying time makes it a much nicer experience. I only say this really as we were very, very firmly in the 'we'll deal with Virgin because it's direct' camp...now we see the benefit of flying indirect. We shall see what we think after our next experience trying it this way - may be that last time we were geared up to resent the connection and it wasn't as bad as expected...now we may be expecting it to be great and be disappointed.

I think the only real negative for us was the inability to use online check-in with AA as they don't seem to allow it for international itineraries. That said, their check in system is brilliant and so quick even if you haven't done online check-in.

jaypr

mattwallisuk wrote: »

Regarding Virgin flights, personally I much prefer a 3 or 4 hour shorter travel time and just deal with a slightly more uncomfortable seat. Other than it being a slightly older plane/seat the service is as good as BA/etc and your saving over 8 hours there and back in time in the air, as well as hassle at connecting airports in the states, which can be a real pain in the bum.

True, but i hate the Virgin planes to Vegas as they are all pretty old and manky.

We sometimes book a flight into LA with Virgin and fly back from Vegas. The Virgin planes to LA are much nicer, have a better seat configurations and video on demand.

We then spend a couple/few days in LA/Anaheim/Palm Springs then drive to Vegas.

Works for us.

Jason

gamboller

January , February

cityandshow generally has v good rate for Encore at Wynn

ratkarth

thebaroness wrote: »

Package vs DIY - Am I doing it wrong?

With all my other holidays I've booked elements separately as this has always been cheaper. I'm now starting to look at prices for our honeymoon in September but booking flights and hotel together is pulling up the cheapest option.

One issue is we want a direct flight (premium economy) and the cheapest at the moment is with BA at £888 per person. With last minute I've found 10 nights in The Mirage with premium economy flights for £1185 per person. So essentially the room is £594 whereas the cheapest rate I've found for the room elsewhere is £805. Any tips to bring the price down now or am i likely to get it cheaper at a later date? I don't want it to be too last minute as it's a honeymoon and I don't want to have addittional stress near the wedding. I'm sure I'll be getting enough of that as the big day approaches.

I booked my hotels 6 months in advance booked where i knew I could cancel and that way as better deals have come up can swap and change
would say the mirage i find quite overpriced for what you get

ratkarth

Worgie wrote: »

Hi. Never been to Vegas before but am thinking of booking a trip for 2 in 2011. Virgin are offering MGM Grand. Any feedback you have about this hotel would be much appreciated. TIA.

I loved mgm grand was dreading going there following reviews etc
but all my family preffered it, (in a way even to the palazzo..they found it less intimidating more fun and less of a poser place...I disagree but then I am an intimidating boring poser...)
would reccomend highly for pool

Cand

September

Am with you Mattwillisuk, to me all planes/ flights are horrible, uncomfy and soooo boring so I just wanna get on and get it all over and done with in one go! I do get travel sickness though so the thought of having to go up and down more than nessesary also plays a big part. (Im such a wimp haha)

Also forgot to say as quite a few people mention this but we havent had any rowdy groups or stag & hen doo's sat in the area around us when we have been but maybe thats just luck?

duchy

March

I'm a huge fan of non direct -for lots of reasons.
I found the direct fine until I was unlucky to experience a big stag group on one of the flights (made worse by the fact Virgin spread them through the plane instead of seating them together). It was like been trapped in a Wetherspoons on a Saturday night but somewhat harder to leave !
Now I always use US carriers -no problem with prebooking seats I actually want, more Americans on the flight so normally zap through customs and immigration, I earn more miles -enough that I hold elite status so as well as preferred seating I can use first class checkin so never get to stand in a long airport line to check bags -and most airports have an elite security line. It also gets me upgraded to first on almost all my domestic flights.
I always time allowing go out through security and breathe unprocessed air during the layover and since doing that have never gone down with the post holiday illness I used to invariably get after non stop west coast flights.
I've also a couple of times deliberately chosen longer layovers and spent the day in the city. Hopped on a train to the city (Chicago and New York so very easy) and had lunch done a bit of sightseeing or met friends and then returned for my connecting flight. Bags rechecked before leaving the airport so just my handbag or laptop bag to carry.

Not for everyone but for me there's more advantages to indirect than direct and of course it's usually cheaper too !

nvh

on the subject of Virgin flights...

Sale of the day!
Virgin Atlantic have increased cashback to 3% on all flights from the UK. They don't do that often so book your flights today!

http://www.quidco.com/virgin-atlantic

(PLEASE NOTE: Earnings are calculated on the sale price excluding any additional taxes and surcharges.)

mookybargirl

March

Thought I'd add a little about MGM, from my experience... (I've also stayed at Paris, Ballys, Caesars, Venetian and TI too so I have a few to compare to).

The size of the hotel/casino doesn't bother me at all. I got to know the shortcuts pretty easily, but my OH had no idea where he was going even after a few days, so it IS big and the casino areas do look alike in some places. We tried out the pool there, and it was relaxed, with plenty of chairs (in Sept). Really enjoyed the variety of places to eat, and we both especially loved the Pearl, the Chinese restaurant. Went to a breakfast buffet there and both service and food were great. OH enjoys playing poker here and as Starbucks is right outside the poker room, I'm a fan too! (lol). We had a Celeb Spa room, and it needs a bit of a facelift, as like a lot of rooms in Vegas, it's been a while since it was last updated. Our room specifically was a bit dark, but very spacious. We like the location as it's easy to get to all of the hotels at that end of the strip (Luxor, NYNY, Mandalay Bay, Monte Carlo, and it's right next to M&M's World which I also love).

We would stay here again as the hotel has plenty of good points, but for us, we wouldn't stay here for the entire trip. It's just a little too far away from the other areas we love (around Bellagio and even the other side at Wynn etc). You can very easily jump a cab, but we prefer to be on the doorstep.

If you're thinking about staying at MGM, it's a good hotel and for a first timer, it has everything you'd want with relatively easy access to the rest of the strip. If a good offer came up for us for MGM, I'd stay there again......

TangoBunny

September

Froggitt wrote: »

Zumanity boobs were out, but it was not funny, was not sensual or sexy, and Im at the opposite end to prude. Was just rather boring.....except for the bit where the girl flipped into the fish bowl.

Agree though Jersey boys 10/10 and KA 10/10.

Totally agree with you Froggit ..appart from that comedy duo who were slightly funny but no way hilarious....I thought it was tacky....not sensual or sexy and parts were really boring.....I'm not a prude...if I were I wouldn't have booked it...there were plenty of boobies on display but that wouldn't have interested me anyway....I went for the show....and I was dissapointed I wouldn't go again and I certainly wouldn't recommend it