Las Vegas thread and MSE guide 2010

jadamcp

March

Hello everyone, been lurking here for the past 2-3 years, we've had lots of great info from MSE including many trip reports and even flights at under £370 allbeit a couple of years ago.

Just back from Vegas yesterday, this was out 5th visit and if it's OK then I'll post a trip report over the next day or so....:beer:

jadamcp

March

LV Trip Report August 24th to Sept 1st – 8 nights (The Five S’s) Shopping, Shopping, Shopping, Shows and Shandies.


Day 1 - Tuesday
We were dropped off by our son for our Flight from Glasgow (that would cost me a couple of Abercrombie t shirts) to Philly, then Philly to Vegas, Flying US Airways again, pretty basic – centre TV screens from Glasgow to Philly, no IFE from Philly to Vegas (as expected) We had to wait for 45 minutes on the tarmac going from Philly to Vegas, bit of a bummer so the flight took 5 hours 40 minutes, I dosed most of the way with only the odd drool waking me up - Decent stopover times is the main reason we choose US Airways.

Arrived at McCarran, after a short wait for our suitcases we grabbed a cab to the MGM Grand, cost was $14 we gave him $17, the young driver looked as if he bumped us, The return journey was $10.50 so we gave the older driver $15. Strangely not a tunnel in sight!!

Arrived at MGM around 7:30PM, no queues at check-in, asked for a nice room high up and we were given a room overlooking Hooters/Airport on the 20th floor which was fine, we had a strip view last year which was nice so this time around we weren’t too bothered. (Didn’t bother with the £20 trick) We booked the room on an offer of free wi fi access before the resort fees came in and true to their word MGM did not charge us for either of these.

Unpacked very quickly and headed out for a walk on the strip, stepping out into the hot LV night - went as far as Bills and had a couple of Beers and $ Margaritas, then did a quick shop in the ABC stores near to MGM, the a quick visit to Ross’s at MGM (surprisingly we didn’t buy anything, this time !) Then home to bed……for about 11:00PM Vegas time or 07:00AM Glasgow time.

luci

May

Don't say I'm not good to you.

Free tickets to Nathan Burton. Totally free, no drinks minimum or anything.

http://smartervegas.com/shows/nathan_burton_comedy_magic/ticketsdiscounts.aspx

jadamcp

March

LV Trip Report August 24th to Sept 1st – 8 nights (The Five S’s) Shopping, Shopping, Shopping, Shows and Shandies.

Day 2 - Wednesday

Slept to about 6:30AM, spent a couple of hours at the pool, then off to Premium outlets for shopping, especially the Coach outlet (handbags) who had an additional 20% off. My better half purchased her fifth bag in the past couple of years. Then to FSM, Abercrombie & Fitch for a further 2-3 hours, as we were feeling the pace we went back to MGM for a couple of hours off and so.

In the evening we went to Ellis Island to try their Mexican evening, after 2-3 drinks each (ACG coupons) at the bar we found that most of the Mexican options on the menu were off so settled for 2 x Steak Specials which just happened to have another two complimentary beers with them. Then home for an early night and a couple of Macallans from the bottle I brought with me. (I hardly drink at home you know)

Day 3 – Thursday

We had a lie in and went to Mon Ami Gabi for breakfast around 10:00AM in the morning, French toast with blueberries for me, Cheese and ham omelette for wife, coffees and orange juice FSM for shopping, we got several items from Macys, but alas none for me LOL, came back and had an afternoon nap

BB Kings at night for food, we are not big eaters so decided on a mixed starter, (ribs, hot chicken, pickles, fish) – All good but maybe not too sure of the pickles, then choose large bowls of soup with a portion of cornbread (that arrived 10 minutes after the soups, big mistake ! As we were pretty full from the starters and struggled to eat the Gumbo and Chilli soups, they weren’t that great but maybe we just picked the wrong dishes. We had a $25 Restaurant .com voucher which we gave to the waitress, but wasn’t deducted from the bill, which wasn’t great as it was the first time we had used one, eventually got it sorted, bill came to $42 including tip – BB kings had a very good band on, and is a lovely place, there was a wedding party in and had their first dance serenaded by the two singers from the band,

Love at the Mirage – got our ticket in the Summer of Cirque offer earlier this year for $50, section 303 and front rows for this at the 09:30PM This was our first Cirque show and it was absolutely fantastic and breathtaking, so much to see and so much going on, as it was a late show my dear wife still managed to snooze for at least a couple of minutes until my elbow “brought her round” We left the show raving about how good it was and to make sure we see another cirque show on our next visit.

ferf1223

April

luci wrote: »

Don't say I'm not good to you.

Free tickets to Nathan Burton. Totally free, no drinks minimum or anything.

http://smartervegas.com/shows/nathan_burton_comedy_magic/ticketsdiscounts.aspx

Thanks Luci - you are good to us!

I do think it's funny that. when you click on print coupon it takes you to...

http://www.smartervegas.com/images/coupons/1707/lance-burton-free-tickets-coupon.gif

someone got their Burton magicians confused, methinks.

ferf1223

April

jadamcp wrote: »

Love at the Mirage – got our ticket in the Summer of Cirque offer earlier this year for $50, section 303 and front rows for this at the 09:30PM This was our first Cirque show and it was absolutely fantastic and breathtaking, so much to see and so much going on, as it was a late show my dear wife still managed to snooze for at least a couple of minutes until my elbow “brought her round” We left the show raving about how good it was and to make sure we see another cirque show on our next visit.

It is a stunning show we think - have seen it twice and would happily go again. The only thing I would say is it is very, very different from other Cirque shows (maybe more in line with Viva Elvis but haven't seen that one)...not to say you won't like others, but just be prepared for more acrobatics and circus-y sort of stuff. We took the in-laws to Love, then Mystere on the same trip...big mistake to do them in that order as Mystere just seemed pretty lame in comparison (had seen it before too, but not in the same trip as Love).

trets77

KrazyKel wrote: »

Ive been reading the last few pages for a few days now, and im really excited
I really want to go to LasVegas, no plans as of yet (dont know who would come with me haha)
I was looking at doing a Trek America tour from NY to LA (goes go Las Vegas for 1 or 2 night) but they are expensive, and also worried about how much walking and activities with my Arthritis
So then started to look at just a holiday to Las Vegas, or LA, (or Both) ... or NY - still cant decide where to go!

Im also still worried about how big everything is - walking distances and getting around!
What time of year is best to go too? not tooo hot.
Also need to look at money and best deals and how long to go for, I see a lot just go for 3-5 days etc, Is that enough? Was gona go on a long holiday and go to LA too maybe
So much i want to do haha

yes there is a lot of walking when you visit Vegas . even if it is just in your hotel .

April and May are not to hot . Sept and Oct are also popular for this reason .

3-5 days is long enough for some but as a first time visitor , i would aim for a week if you want to do a fair amount of stuff. 3-5 days would be okay though and probably better if combined with LA IMO

jadamcp

March

LV Trip Report August 24th to Sept 1st – 8 nights (The Five S’s) Shopping, Shopping, Shopping, Shows and Shandies



Day 4 – Friday

Spent a couple of hours at the pool, (missed the pool chemical incident in the MGM when it got evacuated – gutted – US Lawyers For U were primed!!) Then off to Las Vegas Outlet Centre for some retail therapy, I got a pair of Air Max trainers so that kept me happy for the 3-4 hours we were there!

For food that night returned to Ellis Island for Lite beers and Chardonnays, then a full rack of ribs each at the barbecue, then back to MGM

Later in the evening, after all that shopping and with tired legs and sore feet, my wife says we should stick to the MGM on Saturday and would like to go to Michael Buble at the Garden arena, previously we decided not to go as we like smaller venues and would maybe book Matt Goss tickets instead.


Day 5 – Saturday

Went to MGM box office - Michael Buble – SOLD OUT – It wasn’t on Friday, Sods Law, so we’d decide later that day what show we would do

Went to Rio for Champagne brunch, with only a 20-25 minutes wait, used ACG 2 for 1 buffet coupon, accepted without any issues, buffet was excellent, 4 small potions of Chinese, Mexican and prime rib, then deserts plus 3 champagnes each.

Around 6:30 PM, we booked Matt Goss at The Gossy Room/Cleopatra’s Barge at Caesars – Admittedly I was not a Bros fan in the 80’s and my wife not a Brosette but earlier this year we stayed at the Wynn and seen a TV feature on Matt moving to Caesars from the Palms so this was where the seed was planted to see him – Once again what a superb show !! The venue is so small, we were no more 30 feet from the band, Matt, backing singers – Oh and four lovely long legged dancing girls !! The Dirty Virgins I’m sure they were called. I’d really recommend Matt, but it does start at 10:30PM with the doors opening around 09:15PM, another 5 minute snooze at one point for better half.

jadamcp

March

LV Trip Report August 24th to Sept 1st – 8 nights (The Five S’s) Shopping, Shopping, Shopping, Shows and Shandies


Day 6 - Sunday
Two hours at pool, then up to FSM and Ross’s for the usual 2-4 hours shopping ! Went to Stripburger , wonderful burgers and I’d say the best I’ve tasted although we didn’t have anything to eat prior to that, also the Strawberry milkshakes are to die for, used a $10 restaurant.com voucher without any problems.

Had several Macallans/glasses of wine in the room mid afternoon, to get us in mood for the show that evening.

Paris – Picked up tickets for Barry Manilow at :06:30PM and headed back to Bills for $1 Margaritas and $1 Newcastle browns to try them, managed two each then back to the Paris for big Barry. What a great show, definitely 9/10, it did only last for 1 hour 20 minutes though so don’t take any toilet breaks unlike us, blame it on the beer and Margarita we bought at the Paris bar to take in with us…..

Back to Bills for more Margaritas/Newcastles (2) and met Jason Bourne’s dad at the bar, well it is a small world isn’t it? He told us some of the CIA secrets and how Sadam was a patsy for George Bush amongst other stories, how most people in Bills were packing either 38s or 45s and to hit the deck as soon as we hear any gunfire, he then wanted to trade cigarettes but we declined and gave him two, one of which he sold for $1 and put this into Video poker LOL.

We sat for another couple of hours in Bills watching a good cover band called Acoustic Soul, who did requests from their catalogue, pitcher of Coors Lite consumed. Staggered home for our latest night and best of the holiday, but not before I stopped and got a Panda Express carry out for the room. (Takes me back to my late teens/early 20’s that does). .


Day 7 - Monday
A couple of hours at the Pool, more shopping at Ross’s and then Ellis Island for more beers, Chicken Soup, Ellis Island Shrimp/Shrimp Scampi, and Strawberry Cheesecake – used ACG 2 for 1 coupon for entrees


Day 8 – Tuesday
More shopping at FSM (Abercrombie again) then another $200 at Ross’s near the Riviera.

Back to MGM where we spent a very awkward hour or two trying to fit the last days shopping into our suitcases (2 suitcases at 50 and 49 pounds respectively and 1 cabin case at around 11 pounds)

Then up to Bills mid afternoon for another pitcher of Coors lite for $6 and an hour of Big Elvis sitting on the front row, better half got her piccy taken with Pete so quite happy and he seems a really nice guy.

Then off to Ellis Island once again for a couple more beers/Chardonnays and a full rack of ribs/rib combo – Back to MGM via ABC store for a couple of 16oz Mickelob ultras, then to hotel room to unwind after the packing issues earlier that day, sleeping for midnight !

Up at 6:00 AM for a shower and then home, 14 hours later arrive in Glasgow and are unpacking an hour later. Slept for just a couple of hours and back to work in the afternoon for my better half, I was back on Friday.

Summing up – this was our fifth time in Vegas, four times in the past 19 months and really enjoyed it once again, that said it is such a long haul so we maybe need a year’s break but if we got a good flight deal then we’d probably book again. So if anyone sees anything sub £450 for March-Oct 2011 please post it as I hate to miss that bargain.

TangoBunny

September

jadamcp
Loved your trip reports...I've never been to Ross's but judging by your many trips it's well worth a visit

Looking at the map on the stores website I'm assuming the one you visited was this one
Las Vegas Strip
3001 Las Vegas Blvd S
Las Vegas, NV
(702) 731-3361

Is it far from the FSM