Las Vegas thread and MSE guide 2010

TangoBunny

September

duchy wrote: »

Either they were at a different hotel ....or those "couple of drinks" were awfully strong !!!

I'm not an IP snob-rooms are servicable but stunning? Nooooooo

Well That's what I thought having stayed there twice myself....I asked what colour they were and they said cream and gold....so I showed her a picture of our Deluxe room and no it wasn't like that it was bigger and more modern....so I printed off a pic of the Luv tub room to show them and it wasn't that either.....so could they have refurbished a few rooms do you think and if so can you ask for them on check in....if in fact they do exist.....and yes before you ask they were in the IP because they were watching the dealertainers while they were waiting

-MKB-

October , November

credit_crunch wrote: »

hi mkb i have asked this recently as well. not sure who it was but someone recommended a1 limos - its $55 dollars for a stretch lime from ariport to ur hotel.

my boyf parents also used this company on their trip a few weeks ago and said it was perfect.

i will be bookin at the end of the month for my trip in november (waiting on payday lol!!)

if you google a1 limos vegas it brings up their website

hope this helps x

This place looks exactly what I was looking for, thanks very much. I'm going to email them though with a questions before I book.

Froggitt

ferf1223 wrote: »

it's funny because I was thinking about the Triker phones this weekend and even mentioned to my husband that maybe I would enquire as to their availability...but I think we've decided to go ahead and buy one...there are occasions where it would be really handy and since we go to the US a couple of times a year we think it would be worth the $20 or so.

From memory, the cost of buying credit for a SIM wasnt that far out from buying the phone and the SIM in Walmart. There was an issue I recall with buying the credit online here......UK credit card not accepted so you had to buy the more expensive credit over there.

trets77

georgecostanza wrote: »

Helicopter trips !

Am looking to do a helicopter trip that will take in the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam , no more then 3 hours door to door . Did one a few years back ( cannot remember who) and am taking the GF this time who would like to see the sites. Not looking at landing in the canyon or white water rafting etc.

Any suggestions on what company is best ? And any discounts too ?

see the list of main helicopter companies out of McCarren in post 1 .

Gill247

August

My boyfriend and I are not long back from 10 nights of Vegas fabulousness! Had such an amazing time and Vegas is still my number one holiday destination. This was my second trip to Vegas, having been 3 years earlier, and my boyfriends first. We booked through Continental Vacations as a package, after spending weeks pricing flights and hotels it just worked out the best price for what we wanted. We paid just under £800 each for flights from Edinburgh to NY, NY to Vegas, staying at the Mandalay Bay for 10 nights. Booking this way also allowed us to pay £150 deposit and pay the balance in the months running up to our holiday. Everything ran very smoothly. Here is our trip report, for anyone interested!

31st August

Continental flight from Edinburgh at 9.30am, very comfy with seat back entertainment allowing us to pick from 40 odd films and 150 tv shows. I watched SATC2 and Ghost and Greig watched the new A-Team and Robin Hood. Our 6.5 hour flight was over before we knew it, arriving in Newark slightly before schedule. 6 hour wait in Newark airport dragged on, after clearning Customs quickly, picking up the luggage and dropping them back on the international belt we had to go back through security then we had lunch at Garden State Diner which was lovely and wondered round the shops. Wish we had booked the earlier flight connection and rushed, but were worried about being delayed. Back on the plane for a 5.5 hour flight to Vegas, managed to get 3 seats between us, watched the film and landed in Vegas about 8pm. Quickly picked up bags and made our way to taxi queue which was empty. Got completely ripped off as he took the looooong way round, on to the freeway then back up the stip, then had the cheek to add on 'service and airport charge' making it $30. I didnt leave a tip as it should have been a $15 cab fare to MB.

Checked in at Mandalay Bay, said we wouldnt be charged Resort Fee as we had booked in January before this had been introduced, happy as this would have been an additional $150. Asked for a strip view but the girl advised that they were busy and the highest strip view they had was the 7th floor, but said she would put in a request to change in morning. Got to room which was larger than we had booked, with a strip view, but it had smaller windows and a funny green tinged light outside. Looked at the view for a while then fell into bed and straight to sleep.

1st September

Woke at 3.30am, 4.30am, 5.30am then eventually got up at 7am ready to go! Tram to Excalibur then walked to Monte Carlo and got the new tram from there to Bellagio. I know the Mandalay Bay is one of the furthest down the strip, but with the trams we could easily be a the Bellagio within 15 mins. Breakfast buffet at Bellagio, $15 each, very nice. Walked back to hotel via CVS to stock up on juice and nibbles for the room.

Back down to reception to ask if we could change rooms, given new room on 21st floor overlooking the pool. Gorgeous room and we actually preferred having a pool view as we saw the strip everyday walking up it. Big king bed, desk with chairs, really comfy seat and footstool, dressing table, 2 closets, huge bathroom with second tv. I had previsouly stayed in The Hotel at MB and had a suite, but liked this room just as much.

Down to the pool for some sunbathing. Loooooove the beach at Mandalay, huge wave pool, lazy river, 3 swimming pools and couple of hot tubs. Even over Labour Day weekend we could always get a couple of loungers.

After a lazy afternoon by the pool we walked over to NYNY for a Nathans hotdog then had an early night.

2nd September

Woke at 5.30am and decided to just get up. Buffet breakfast at Mandalay Bay, $13 each. Greig preferred this buffet but I think Bellagio had the edge for me. After eating far too much food we rolled ourselved to the pool and chilled out for the day. Got the Deuce bus to Planet Hollywood - bus is $7 for 24 hour pass, and you can use the Deuce or Goldline which is express stops. We ended up using these buses alot at they were frequent and cheap and air conditioned.

Dinner at PF Changs, gorgeous! Honey Chicken, Crispy Beef, Chicken Fried Rice and Garlic Noodles - ordered way too much but it was delicious. Greig had a couple of Happy Hour beers and total bill was $60 including tip.

Hit the Miracle Mile shops and happy to discover that Betsey Johnson had a sale on with an additional 40% off sale items - ridiculously cheap! Bought lots of goodies. Spent ages in Sur la Table looking at all the kitchen gadgets etc, bought a few odds and ends. Got a Fat Tuesday frozen cocktail and back into Planet Hollywood for a little gamble on the slots.

Walked over to Bellagio and watched a couple of Fountain shows. This is my favourite part of Vegas, so lovely. Into Bellagio and to Jean Phillipe for a $3.50 chocolate crispy treat. Tram back to Monte Carlo and discovered the Sex and the City slot machine - I get excited at this kind of thing! Once Greig had managed to tear me away from my new favourite machine we crossed thr road to Walgreens and bought more suncream and juice. Then onto Coca Cola shop and M&M world for pink M&Ms and a few presents for our nephew. Caught the last tram back to MB and another earlish night.

3rd September

Up at 7am - Gold Line bus to Fashion Show Mall, wander round the shops for more Betsey Johnson, Macys, Bloomingdales. Bus to Caesars Palace for lunch at Serendipity 3. Really liked this restaurant, Greig had the biggest sandwich I have ever seen and I had Mac n Cheese. Managed to squeeze in a Deep Fried Oreo Sundae - OMG - soooo sweet and sickly but amazing! Bill was $70 inc tip. Bus back to hotel for a lazy afternoon in the lazy river.

That evening wandered to Luxor, didnt really like this hotel, then back to MB. Got take out sandwiches from Red White and Blue and ate these back in room while watching a film.

4th September

Up at 7am again, just cant seem to sleep past this time. Greig went down and got Krispy Kreme donuts (my favourite) and OJ for breakfast and we ate these in the room and chilled out. Got down to the pool early and got loungers right beside the wave pool. It was unberably hot this day, they had issued a sever weather warning that morning and thought that the temps would break records. Managed to sunbath till early afternoon then it got too hot so went back to room for a siesta.

Deuce to Forum Shops and dinner at Cheescake Factory. This was one of my favourite places from my last trip and it didnt dissapoint 3 years on. I had crispy beef and Greig had meatloaf. With a slice of cheesecake to take away the bill was $70 inc tip. Wander round Forum Shops, MAC etc.

Got a lovely blender style cup filled with strawberry margarita from Margaritaville then sneaked it on the Deuce for a long bus journey to Downtown. Walked up and down Freemont Street and watched 'American Pie' - was lovely to see and I'm glad we went and ticked it off the list, but dont think I would bother again. I prefer the big hotels and lights and fountains of the strip more. Got the Gold Line back to the strip which was very fast. Jumped off and watched a couple of Bellagio Fountain shows, then jumped back on bus to hotel exhausted.

Gill247

August

5th September

Up early as we had booked tickets for the Gospel Brunch at House of Blues. This was $40 each which was a bit steep but we enjoyed it, the food was delicious, lots of choice, and the gospel group were fantastic - a nice way to start the day. Walked over to Tix4less and bought Titanic Exhibit tickets for $13 each. Went into MGM and seen the lions (we watched on David Letterman a few nights later the lion attacking one of the keepers). Over to Luxor and did the Titanic Exhibit - really enjoyed this and was a great way to get out of the hot sun for a while. Back to MB and as I passed Golden Monkey slot machine I stuck a $1 in as I hadnt played anything for a few days. 2 pulls later and I had won $30. Cashed out straight away feeling pleased with my little win that would pay for our drinks by the pool that afternoon.

Chilled out by the pool, very busy with it being the holiday weekend. Still managed to get a lounger ok. Back up to the room and watched a couple of films then went down to Raffles for a late dinner. We had a Restaurant.Com voucher so our dinner was $12 plus tip. Excellent value. Got a slice of Peanut Butter pie from Red White and Blue for dessert and went back to room for a quiet night.

6th September

Up extra early as Greig had booked a trip to the Hoover Dam as was being picked up at 8am. He went off to do that and I got the Gold Line down to Town Square which is 5 mins from MB. Lovely shops and alot quieter than the stip malls. Spent ages in Whole Foods picking american candy etc to bring home. Then sat in Borders books for ages using the free wifi and sending a few emails home. Into another few shops like Sephora for more shopping.

Bus to Planet Hollywood, hot dog from Pinks which was lovely then more shopping at Miracle Mile before jumping on the bus back to the hotel an meet Greig. He really enjoyed his tour of the Hoover Dam and thought this was worthwhile.

Bus back down to the Venetian - i love this hotel! Had a wander round it and lots of photos before having dinner in Grand Lux Cafe. Had Asian Nachos which I reccommend to anyone - I have been talking about them to everyone since I got home! lol. Also Caramel Chicken and a Sloppy Joe for Greig. I think this was our best meal in Vegas - so delicious. Ordered a box of choc pecan cookies to take away - these were delivered to our table in a little box still warm and tasted out of this world! Total was $67 with a 20% tip - excellent food, great service, huge portions - amazing!

Wandered round the Grand Canal Shops and watched the gondolas before catching the Gold Line back to MB.

7th September

Woke to grey skies and then thunder and lightning and rain storms. Greig decided he would go to the Atomic Testing Museum and I went back to bed. By the time I had woke up at 11am the skies were blue again and the sun was shining so hit the pool. Greig phoned tosay he was finished at the museum, which he loved, and was going to do a bit shopping before coming back to the pool.

After a day chilling out we got the bus to the Wynn. Wow this is the first time I have been in this hotel and it was gorgeous. Just so plush and lovely. Went to the Wynn Buffet for dinner - $35 each but well worth it for the choice and quality. Loved all the different food stations and the desserts were lush. Played a couple of slots at the casino then window shopped at all the designer shops wishing we were rich.

Jumped on the bus to Paris and bought tickets for the Eiffel Tower - its $15 per person but we had a 2for1 voucher. Told it would be a 50 minute wait but ended up being about 35 mins. Lift to the top was a bit scary, im not particularly scared of heights but I dont love them either. Surprisingly quiet at the top, I thought you would hear the fountain music or the traffic but nothing. Great view though. Then I got the surprise of my life when Greig brought out a ring and proposed! After the shock wore off and I had said yes we watched the fountains then got the lift back down. Sat outside at the little cafe bar at the foot of the tower and drank frozen cocktails from our Eiffel Tower glasses and phoned our parents to tell them the happy news. Was such an amazing spot opposite the fountains and a perfect night. Walked over to watch a couple more fountains before heading back to the hotel.

8th September

Woke up and excited to be engaged! Headed down to Fashion Show Mall and Stripburger - very nice and loved the onion strings. Tix4Tonight to buy tickets for The King Lives. Gold line back to the hotel to chill by the pool.

Got a taxi over to Hooters early to pick up our tickets for tonight. Greig happy as buds are only $1.50 here so had a few and sat outside by there pool in the evening sunshine. The Kings Lives was a great show, the singer is a fabulous Elvis impersonator and has done lots of covers over the years and has some really nice stories about meeting Elvis and working with his friends. For $24 each we thought this was great value for a really entertaining show.

Walked over to MGM then into Hard Rock Cafe, got a table straight away but after sitting for 20 minutes without our drinks order being taken, being ignored by every waiter and having to shout to hear each other we decided to leave. I love the Hard Rock in Edinburgh, and have been to alot round the world, but didnt like this place at all. Decided to walk up to Planet Hollywood and eat in PF Changs again - delicious.

9th September

Didnt wake until 9.30am -a first. Jumped in a taxi to the Las Vegas Welcome sign and took lots of snaps. Walked back to MB bus stop and got the Deuce to Polo Towers. I had read about Amore Patisserie at Mandarin Oriental and really wanted to try it, but when we got over there we realised it was closed for refurbishment, which is funny as its only a few months old - its not in the best spot so I think it has closed down. Went into CVS and stocked up on lots of American Candy and Lucky Charms to bring back as presents. Into NYNY for their NY deli sandwiches - $22 for 2 huge sandwiches and a juice, delicious.

Walked over to Excalibur, a hotel I hate, but bought some Krispy Kremes and found their sweet shop which sold all things delicious and naughty! The woman was very nice and let us try different flavours of fudge - peanut butter, smores etc. Huge back of treats for $11.

Tram back to our hotel for our last afternoon of sunbathing. Will really miss the wave pool and lazy river. Hung by the pool until closing time then up to the room to pack.

Bus down to the Venetian and dinner in Grand Lux Cafe and those Asian Nachos and warm cookies! mmmm. We wanted to do a gondola ride but it was getting late and we decided its nice to have something on the to do list for our next trip - whenever that will be.

10th September

Up early for a taxi to the airport, $12 this time! Checked in quickly and flights all on time. Only 3 hours wait in Newark this time. Our flight back to Edinburgh felt more cramped, maybe a different plane, but we tried to sleep us much as possible and arrived back into Edinburgh at 10am the next day.

Overall we had such a good time. I was sad to leave but excited about coming home and showing my Mum and friends my ring etc, but now we have been home nearly a week we are feeling rather depressed about going back to work. Not sure when we will return to Vegas, as we now have a wedding to save for. Yesterday while looking through our photos I suggested to Greig that maybe we should go back and get married there - its such a special place. We shall see!!

ferf1223

April

Froggitt wrote: »

From memory, the cost of buying credit for a SIM wasnt that far out from buying the phone and the SIM in Walmart. There was an issue I recall with buying the credit online here......UK credit card not accepted so you had to buy the more expensive credit over there.

I only have a work mobile (I'm not a big mobile person) so can't get it unlocked...so assume I couldn't buy a US SIM for it.

We would use it only quite rarely so hopefully not a big issue, though thinking about it, I wonder if my sister who lives in the US has an old mobile lying around....hmmm...

georgecostanza_2

October , November

trets77 wrote: »

see the list of main helicopter companies out of McCarren in post 1 .

Was hoping for more of peoples' experiences rather then just a list of the companies .....

ferf1223

April

Gill247 wrote: »

Had Asian Nachos which I reccommend to anyone - I have been talking about them to everyone since I got home!

Great report - and congrats on the engagement! How exciting for it to have happened in Vegas.

As for the Asian Nachos, I loooooove them. So does my husband. But a word of warning...next time you go back, do not think 'hey, we should go to Grand Lux for lunch and just get an order of Asian Nachos each'. They are ridiculously awesome, but a whole plate of them? Tooooo much. Been there, done that.

ferf1223

April

georgecostanza wrote: »

Was hoping for more of peoples' experiences rather then just a list of the companies .....

if you search the thread for 'helicopter and canyon' you'll find a number of posts - some of which are people asking, but some of which are people reviewing their trip...it's probably the most asked question here.