Las Vegas thread and MSE guide 2010

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April

I have been back from my trip a couple of weeks and although I am not usually a report writer I had to at least make an attempt after all the help and info I had from this site :T

Trip:

The trip was LHR-PHX-LHR via PHL on US Airways. First time using US-A and although the trip was fine overall, I was not totally happy. One issue was that I expected more from US's (newish) airbus A330 planes. On the way out, the first shock was that I had to pay $5 or £3 for a basic headphone so I could use the AVOD. This is the first time on an international flight I have been forced to pay and although I realise many will already have one with their mp3/ipod player, I still thought it was stingy of US to charge. The other issues were that the seat configuration was 2-4-2 but the under seat space in both A and B seats were restricted because of the entertainment equipment. The AVOD itself was fine but not the latest.

The return plane although was also an A330, had clear under seat space and touch-screen AVOD although it was shockingly slow.

One other item was that the flight from PHL to PHX (or LAS) is over 5 hours in a single-aisle plane. If I ever book a similar trip I will try to book a flight with a longer first leg as at least you have the use of entertainment system, free food and drink of the international flight.


My trip was a fly/drive Phoenix-Grand Canyon-Vegas-Phoenix

Intermediate class car was booked through CH2000 with Dollar. As it was suggested here, I joined the dollar express and all I had to do was to show my card at the express booth which was very quick and efficient. As a bonus although my rental was to include a mandatory first tank of petrol, the agreement asked for the return with a full tank. I was however charged an extra $15 (tax and fees). The car itself was a one class upgrade Ford Fusion which although had 40K on the clock and scruffy outside was very clean inside, mechanically sound and comfortable. It however had a 3L engine and I only managed around 32mpg over 1200 miles of mainly motorway driving.:eek:

The trip from Phoenix to GC via Sedona and the route 66 drive to Vegas was an amazing journey. All I will say that it is well worth a visit and definitely for longer than the couple of days I had.

Vegas: Total stay of 7 nights first 5 at Flamingo. Late Sunday night check-in was quick and efficient. I did try the $20 trick which was accepted without a comment but I made the novice mistake of not specifically requesting a GO room so was offered a Suit in the older tower which I think differs only from the standard room by being bigger and having a sofa. The room was a little tired and the bathroom was less than expected otherwise the stay was fine. We did however notice that a room service food tray stayed outside in the hallway for more than 3 days by which time the leftover strawberries were covered with mould:eek:

Not much to add regarding the 5 days as it has all been mentioned before. Had The Rio Buffet which was excellent using the 2-1 ACG voucher. The Flamingo Breakfast Buffet was ok. Used a few r.com vouchers but I was a little disappointed with the Stripburger. Maybe it was the chilly night and although the burger was very nice, the fries were too well done and practically brown. It just did not met the expectations I had.

I'm not a gambling person so my gambling consisted of a few dollars worth of slots play. I did however join a few players clubs and made use of the free slots play vouchers in the ACG specially the $25 Venetian which won me $40
Ellis Island was just as described and the steak yummy

The last 2 nights I stayed over at the Downtown. The Cabana Suits of El Cortez was just as described. A small but very nice room which at £30/night was excellent value for a weekend night.
I was also rather disappointed with the Fremont Street. The Friday night crowd consisted mainly of young looking drunks, older looking drunks and beggars.

Shows
Blue man Group: The show was excellent. Thoroughly enjoyed it
Nathan Burton: I got these tickets for free (thank you Luci:T) and the one hour magic show was very good.
Frank Marinos Divas Las Vegas: Not entirely my taste but it was interesting and the audience certainly did enjoy it

Overall I had a very good time

Many thanks to all

Jodi

December ( including Xmas and New Year )

I am looking to go to Vegas very soon. And we are looking to book into the Paris Hotel and Casion, and have been ahving a look on their website and I am just wondering if anyone has stayed there and if they used the Le Rendezvous Concierge Lounge, if so, what was the daily rate and was it worth it or not?? Any help would be great!

luci

May

We have stayed at Paris 3 times, but have never used the lounge so can't comment. It was offered to us last time at an extra $55 a night with a strip view so we passed.

Jodi

December ( including Xmas and New Year )

luci wrote: »

We have stayed at Paris 3 times, but have never used the lounge so can't comment. It was offered to us last time at an extra $55 a night with a strip view so we passed.

Luci thanks for the reply, is it a hotel you would recconmend? This is our first trip out there. Is there a top three things do def do while in Vegas?

luci

May

Yes I would definitely recommend Paris. I think the rooms are very nice considering their age. The last twice we have asked for a P room which is slightly bigger with 2 windows and has a separate small room between the bedroom and bathroom.

You can see some photos of both a Red Room and P Room HERE if you put Paris in the Search box at the top right.

As for top 3 things to do, have a look at Page 1 of this thread, but I would say Bellagio fountains especially at night, the Lion Habitat at MGM and possibly the Venetian hotel inside and out, but others will have different top things.

foxystoat69

Article on the Lonely Planet website regarding their view on what the best buffets are

http://news.travel.aol.com/2010/11/04/the-moveable-feast-best-las-vegas-buffets/

bungle888

Jodi wrote: »

Luci thanks for the reply, is it a hotel you would recconmend? This is our first trip out there. Is there a top three things do def do while in Vegas?

1. Bellagio Fountains
2. Fremont Street
3. Stratosphere View

credit_crunch

October , November

we fly out on wednesday.

i can check in online 24 hrs before for the BA flight - there are 2 couple goin - any recommendations on what seats ppl think are better? from what i remember is is 3-3-3 so one of us might take an aisle seat or else sit over 2 rows

for online check in will i need passport info? its just i dont have the other couples passports so will need to ring in advance to get them

finally, i have a iphone - is it true that it can be plugged in on the BA flight to save the battery? i do fear this is merely a rumour lol!!

Ruth_honey

October , November

credit_crunch wrote: »

we fly out on wednesday.

i can check in online 24 hrs before for the BA flight - there are 2 couple goin - any recommendations on what seats ppl think are better? from what i remember is is 3-3-3 so one of us might take an aisle seat or else sit over 2 rows

for online check in will i need passport info? its just i dont have the other couples passports so will need to ring in advance to get them

finally, i have a iphone - is it true that it can be plugged in on the BA flight to save the battery? i do fear this is merely a rumour lol!!

I've just checked in online for our flight. :j Flying with BA out to San Francisco, then on to Vegas after a few days. Look at http://www.seatguru.com/ for the plane layout and comments about the seats. Yes, you do need some info from the other passengers before you can check in online.
Passport number.
Citizenship.
Which Gov issued your passport.
Passport expiry date.
Country of residence.
Dietry requirements.

This can be done now. You don't need to wait until online check in opens. Have a safe flight.

missymo46

ferf1223 wrote: »

I totally forgot. We have a part used (didn't use much) Las Vegas Advisor Member Rewards Book - if anyone is going before the end of the year and wants it pm me with a number between 1 and 50 (for tiebreaking purposes). I'll send trets the number now so it's clearly fair. I'll leave it open until Sunday evening and post it Monday morning to the person with the closest number.

Hi, I am trying to send a DM, but Im not sure I am doing it right. Are you receiving them.