Las Vegas guide and MSE thread 2011

daz200

April

Triker wrote: »

Ditto re above, honestly the jet lag is phenomenal, hits you out of nowhere so I'd go steady too over first few days. The other point I suppose I'd make is that you don't seem to have any leeway on some things, honestly half the fun is spotting places, things to see, allsorts that just catch your eye, from a place to eat, a drink to try....anyway just have a blast as I'm sure you will.

I have a method for reducing jet lag, have been using it for last 3/4years and it works for me.

After I have arrived on the Virgin Vegas flight I will not eat anything for the rest of that day, I'll just drink water (yes, I do feel hungry). Then have an early night, about 9. Next morning will wake up about 8 and have a massive breakfast - normally buffet. After that I feel fine for the rest of the holiday.

trets77

dodger1 wrote: »

Have to disagree with others about the second night show. As long as you get a decent sleep on your first night you'll be fine. I've never had jet lag on my outward journey but most times flying home. Guess we're all different.

done a show on the first night . BIG mistake , was pretty much asleep standing up at the end of it .

2nd night you will be fine IMO

ratkarth

daz200 wrote: »

I have a method for reducing jet lag, have been using it for last 3/4years and it works for me.

After I have arrived on the Virgin Vegas flight I will not eat anything for the rest of that day, I'll just drink water (yes, I do feel hungry). Then have an early night, about 9. Next morning will wake up about 8 and have a massive breakfast - normally buffet. After that I feel fine for the rest of the holiday.

there is a lot of evidence behind this, its to do with internal body clock, there was a good doccumentry on it on tv not so long ago

totallybored

November / December

hcb42 wrote: »

Thanks for that, very useful. Still not booked my hotel. I liked the question about where would you stay no object, where would you stay being more realistic? So far my search has been at the five star options. I want as luxurious a room as I can, but equally dont want to be miles away from the centre of the action. Meeting my sister there, she is travelling from a different part of the world, but has booked the Bellagio..but I think their standard rooms look a little tired so not so keen on booking them given the money. I've booked the flights with Virgin, then I need to also book 2 nights somewhere near GC! wish i could make my mind up on it all. And I work in the hotel industry too!

For a luxurious room that is central try the Mandarin Oriental. Rooms are very nice and it is right on the strip so no long walk to your room. I think I preferred the Encore room over the Mandarin but he location is much better at the Mandarin. Aria's rooms also look good and I'm trying that next visit. I've also stayed at the Palazzo which has great rooms but I now find the city centre / Cosmo part of the strip preferable.

totallybored

November / December

misa.blue wrote: »

Hello guys
I have shopping question. We are going to USA next Thursday, travelling around California for 13 days, then 4 days in Vegas.
I'm now franticly running round shops, trying to get decent price trainers (under £30) and swim costume..:undecided
Am I better off waiting for when we get to US (LA, San Diego, San Fran)? Is it still truth what people used to say few years back that clothes is cheaper in USA?
I'm not too interested in expensive brands..Maybe just Sketchers trainers..

I'd personally buy swim stuff here as if it's hot when you arrive you'll want to head to a pool, not hunt around for a swimming costume.

I find shoes cheaper in the US (although I love shoes and would justify them even if they weren't cheap). There is a sketchers shop in the outlet at Primm on the Cal border heading towards Vegas that does buy one get one half price and hubby normally stocks up there. There is also a Hollister outlet there too if you like that sort of thing.

Clothes aren't the bargain they were a few years ago but are still cheaper than here or Europe. My advice is don't take too much stuff with you if you enjoy shopping :T

ferf1223

March

thunderchump wrote: »

TUES 3RD MAY
MIDDAY: Go to Flamingo to get Nathan Burton Magic Show tickets for thurs.

When we were picking up our Donny and Marie tickets on a Wednesday morning people were coming to get Nathan Burton tickets - they were out of the free tickets until the following Tuesday...you can still pay for seats, but you mention later that you're looking to get the free seats. Not saying it will be the same when you are there - but just may want to manage your expectations.

As for free time, you'll find plenty to fill it...you'll find you ditch some of your itinerary and not do all the things you planned to as you'll find other stuff that will take your fancy.

We did a show our first night a few trips ago...I nodded off several times...a few more trips ago we did a late show (O) on the 2nd night and while I loved the show, I did spend several minutes with my eyes closed here and there.

I can guarantee with absolute certainty there is no way if I go to bed at 9pm I would sleep until 8 the next morning...especially not if I am hungry.

hcb42

November / December

totallybored wrote: »

For a luxurious room that is central try the Mandarin Oriental. Rooms are very nice and it is right on the strip so no long walk to your room. I think I preferred the Encore room over the Mandarin but he location is much better at the Mandarin. Aria's rooms also look good and I'm trying that next visit. I've also stayed at the Palazzo which has great rooms but I now find the city centre / Cosmo part of the strip preferable.

Thanks, going to have another browse this evening!


(On the jetlag, I never find it a problem going to USA, normally worse going the other way around...with USA it is easy to adjust, given the time difference and length of flight, especially if you get a flight leaving UK in the morning.)

Vikki_74

misa.blue wrote: »

Hello guys
I have shopping question. We are going to USA next Thursday, travelling around California for 13 days, then 4 days in Vegas.
I'm now franticly running round shops, trying to get decent price trainers (under £30) and swim costume..:undecided
Am I better off waiting for when we get to US (LA, San Diego, San Fran)? Is it still truth what people used to say few years back that clothes is cheaper in USA?
I'm not too interested in expensive brands..Maybe just Sketchers trainers..

Just a suggestion, but if you want to buy trainers to wear when you're away, I would get them now and wear them in as much as you can before you go leave. Given where you're going, you will be doing a lot of walking and there's nothing worse than shoes that haven't been worn in to wreck your feet and make you miserable.

You can definately find bargain shoes & trainers in the US (I always seem to come back with at least a couple of pairs ) but if you want them to wear whilst you're there I don't think it's worth saving a few ££ in return for potentially spoiling part of your holiday being uncomfortable.

Have you had a look at Sports Direct for buying some here? They quite often have good deals on trainers - if you don't have a shop near you, you can order online & have them delivered for £3.99 or £5.99 next day. Full range of Sketchers here to give you an idea:

http://www.sportsdirect.com/skechers

thehobbit

Spursman180 wrote: »

Can't but disagree, I'm not a drinker but on occassion on a very hot day a long tall G&T appeals. We used to sit quietly at the bar after our evening shenanigans before retiring for the night with a drink, sometimes even just a coffee, putting a few dollars through the pokie machines. I hit a royal for $1k and service had not been special but fine and we left a $20 tip after a couple of drinks. Did the same thing next evening and our bums hadn't even touched down on the stools and he was there, the bar was quite busy and we had no waiting at all, as our glasses went below the halfway mark he'd make eye contact and nod, drinks arrived. Pretty fortunate that I took money from the machines each night sometimes only $50 or so, but the drinks were being comped and we usually tipped $5 each for a couple. When I did have a G&T I had to emphasise 'only a single', my mate is a vodka & redbull drinker and he got Redbull not Sobi or Rockstar etc. Worth making a friend of the barman.

When changing shifts they would usually point you out to the changeover crew etc. If they have a cocktail waitress station there as well they'll drift them your way when playing the machines or sportsbook.

Also a good source of what's going on around and stuff. Stop by the bar for an aperitif going out to dinner he might well be able to use connections, give them a call and get a nice table, welcome drink etc.

Don't over tip, but tip right and you'll find that it smooths the way a lot. Concierges can be a little more difficult to get to terms with but they are connected to the grapevine. A lot of people on here are always looking for cheap ticket deals, ask the concierge that your thinking of a show but the tickets are more then you really want to pay does he have any advice, you'd be surprised how often they can find ways of making arrangements for shows etc.

I know it's like giving a dog a biscuit he's your friend until you don't, but it makes some of those little niggles smooth out.

Thats fair enough if your getting comped or getting something extra.

I was talking more of the US in general (not been to vegas yet).
My experience with drinking in the US has been, wait to get served, get served and the barman expecting a tip.

I think ive never bothered to tip barmen because of my experiance at JFK. The barman was stood at the bar with nobody in there. He pured my drink without have to move and then said "what no tip" after i payed.
I dont mind paying for good service but the guy didnt even have to move to serve me

secretmachines

July

everyone wants different things from Vegas, for me and the other half, it's important not to forget it's a holiday so we don't want to stress ourselves with having to meet an itinerary and thinking we've got to pack in everything there is to offer.

much like if you don't live in London... you can't 'do London' in a few days, a week, or 10 years! (that's how long I lived there and there were still places I didn't go!)

naturally there's a handful of things we want to do/places we want to see but we'll do them when we feel the time is right. for me, half the fun of Vegas is just wandering round and exploring and relaxing