Las Vegas guide and MSE thread 2011

duchy

May

photome wrote: »

I think the days of cheap hotels in Vegas may be ending.

More and more resort fees

Early check in charges

Gtee non smoking room charges

Gtee 2 queen beds charges

All charges that have been introduced recently

So far the Harrah's group have resisted all of these -vote with your feet

duchy

May

I can see the benefit of a car for off Strip jaunts and serious shopping but when I look at the traffic on the Strip and realize I'm outwalking it-I do wonder how essential it is for more than a few days of a trip.

duchy

May

pebblesmax wrote: »

I agree with ferf, you don't need a car, but it helps.



Regarding the Stratosphere, it wouldn't be my first choice simply because of the location. Once the Sahara closes on 16th May, there will be a long trek from the Strat to anywhere else, and the immediate area isn't the most elegant. There are bus stops right outside though, so you wouldn't be stranded.

That's a very good point-the impact the Sahara closing is going to have on the Strat.

photome

August

duchy wrote: »

I can see the benefit of a car for off Strip jaunts and serious shopping but when I look at the traffic on the Strip and realize I'm outwalking it-I do wonder how essential it is for more than a few days of a trip.

It may seem strange but I love sitting in my big american car on the strip esp in Aug with my air con on rather than walking on the strip in 110*

I have to add that I have problems with my feet so it hurts for me to walk to far

photome

August

duchy wrote: »

That's a very good point-the impact the Sahara closing is going to have on the Strat.

Its reopening in 2014 as SLS, at least thats what Vegas chatter say.

there you go

http://www.vegaschatter.com/story/2011/4/13/184550/186/vegas-travel/The_SLS_Las_Vegas_Will_Rise_from_the_Dust_of_The_Sahara_by_2014

I dont really see the Saraha closing having an impact, I have stayed at the Strat but dont remember going to the Sahara at the same time, but I guess it may be different if you are walking

ferf1223

March

duchy wrote: »

I can see the benefit of a car for off Strip jaunts and serious shopping but when I look at the traffic on the Strip and realize I'm outwalking it-I do wonder how essential it is for more than a few days of a trip.

I agree that driving on the Strip in the evenings should be avoided, generally...but we normally do most of our driving during the day - and take the back roads so rarely actually drive on the strip.

We have talked about not renting a car from the airport - taking a taxi to the hotel when we arrive....that would be nice, not having the detour and faff with picking the car up straight off our flight. But knowing the selection at the hotels is limited, and normally hotel car rental desks don't open until 8 or 9 would mean we couldn't head out early our first morning if we wanted to.

photome

August

Am I the only one that likes driving on the strip?

I do take back rds if I want to get somewhere quicker, but I still make sure I drive the strip at least once (usually more) every trip

We have also thought of hiring car next day but havent done so for the same reasons as you (Ferf)

luci

May

For anyone that's done the Scoot City Tour, any idea how much an appropriate tip would be?

Those that haven't done it can chip in with suggestions.

bubble113

August

Trying not to have a sleep this afternoon so might aswell post a few lines now.

Background info.. 3 couples myself & OH, sister & OH (30's) and mum and dad (60's). We have been to Vegas before (11th visit for me) but only found this forum last year. It has been a great source for tips and info. I have tried to give back but there are usually more experts with better knowledge!

Not done a trip report before so might be a bit dull but I enjoy reading others so thought i'd give it a go.

Ok so....

Thursday 7th April

Flight direct with Virgin from Manchester. Checked in online day before which I thought most people would and therefore would still have to queue but as it turns out long queue for those who had not used online check in, Virgin had one line for both Orlando and Vegas flight. So recommend doing this.

Row 61 at the back couldnt get the 2 seats on own so had a 4 across middle and parents were in row 47. Not a great deal of room, Thomas Cook has more space in economy. IFE ok but not on demand about 10 films to choose from. Food again ok for plane food did get hot meal served first at the back so choice available but snack later on we got served last.

Had the obligatory stag party a couple of rows in front but they were very well behaved, the 2 couples behind us were far noisier.

Not surprisingly they did run out of alcohol, not a prob as i don't drink on the flight. You do go up to the galley for drinks, it was basically like a free bar, felt a bit sorry for staff. Seat belt signs came on for turbulence but none came, I suspect it was to give barstaff a break!

The landing was really terrible, approx 60mph winds at the airport and had to circle a few times, very nearly lost my lunch!

Immigration.....busy,busy,busy! Four flights in together, now i know why we were circling. Virgin was second in queue so could have been worse.

ferf1223

March

bubble113 wrote: »

The landing was really terrible, approx 60mph winds at the airport and had to circle a few times, very nearly lost my lunch!

Landing in Vegas is almost always bad - something to do with winds and topography...when we took my in-laws we had to be careful as my MIL is a very, very nervous flyer so we knew we couldn't tell her too far in advance about landing and likely turbulence - or we might risk her refusing to get on the plane, but also couldn't NOT tell her as she would have been a basket case when it hit thinking the plane was going down.

Looking forward to the next installment!