Las Vegas guide and MSE thread 2011

ferf1223

March

duchy wrote: »

Calling our resident Ballys expert Ferf.

I know you like Ballys and I'm torn between going back to the Flamingo or trying Ballys-Any thoughts ? Be Febuary so pool isn't an issue -will be doing stuff at the Flamingo with friends but I'm thinking Ballys isn't that far )the other option with TR is Rio which I haven't ruled out either yet.
Oh I'm so undecided

Hard for me to say - we like Bally's, have never had any interest in staying at Flamingo...so hard to say. It's a much less vibey place, Bally's...which suits us as sometimes by the end of the day we like a less frantic environment. We love the room size...Bally's is what spoiled us for room size in Vegas...so that is a massive consideration for us - we felt so claustrophobic in that PH Hollywood Hip room - really think if we hadn't been moved it would have spoiled the trip, at least somewhat.

We also really like Paris and PH and Bellagio and Caesars so location suits us.

We are staying at Bally's for the first time in 2 years next week...so maybe I will have a different view then.

And we always stay in the north tower - so always renovated rooms...though last time they were starting to show some wear too...

vegasvisitor

September

Well, last night was kind of interesting/weird/fun.....

We went over to the Westin to use their pool as ours was closed all day for a function. We could see them setting up a wedding, but we googled and saw there was a wedding show on at the hotel in the afternoon, so thought it was maybe just a set up for that - catwalk or something.

Well we went downstairs to Stir for happy hour drinks, and there were some people sitting around for a 'function' and a couple of times someone came in and said apologies for the delay etc. Then they said everyone who was sitting there was also welcome to attend the function and shortly someone came over to us and explained they were from tv channel a&e and were looking for some extras. We signed a form, and then popped up to the room for a quick change - we could see that the actual guests were dressed nicely etc.

Turns out it was a reality show for wedding proposals. The 'bride' was outside wearing a wedding dress. She's a local wedding planner and her partner was on his way with a cake which he thought he was delivering for another wedding. So he arrived, she was hiding behind us all and then walked through and proposed. He was told to go off and think about it for an hour. Meanwhile we were supplied with unlimited free drinks and canapes. Then we all got sat down for 'the wedding' and then she came up first, then him. But he said 'not now and not like this' so had decided not to do it. The girl's 7 year old daughter was crying really hard. It looked real, but she could have been a good young actress...who knows. Then they served a buffet dinner, and more drinks, then cut the wedding cake and passed it out. It finished around midnight, and we had a great time talking to the guests, some of whiche were 'extras' from the hotel, others claimed to be friends of bride or groom.

Fun time anyway, whether is was a real situation or just a total set up I don't know. I guess the tv company paid for it all.

photome

August

Lesley that sounded fun and like you say a bit weird.
Thanks for sharing

I-Heart-Me

October

Hi all,

Will I need a credit card to check in to TI? I have one but it is maxed....eek

Zeusiblue

September

Stopping at Vdara this month. Reading the reviews the pool does not have a good write up. People saying its very cramped, ,unbearably hot and blinding from the reflection from the tall glass buildings ! Is it expensive to use the cabanas? Also can we use other pools in Vegas ? If so which would you recommend? Dont want to be too far away from our hotel when sunbathing.

harrisab

May

Has anyone got any recommendations on where to stay on new year’s eve, I’ve booked comp stays at Caesars 25th – 30th and Planet Hollywood 2nd – 6th unsure where would be best place to stay for new year as only been before in April and May. And any recommendations on where to go to see the new year in would be greatly appriciated.
Also does anyone know when the mlife offers will be out for December? The offers I have currently expire 1/10/11

stoneman

October

harrisab wrote: »

Has anyone got any recommendations on where to stay on new year’s eve, I’ve booked comp stays at Caesars 25th – 30th and Planet Hollywood 2nd – 6th unsure where would be best place to stay for new year as only been before in April and May. And any recommendations on where to go to see the new year in would be greatly appriciated.
Also does anyone know when the mlife offers will be out for December? The offers I have currently expire 1/10/11

We stayed off strip NYE a couple of times. Prices are going to be crazy. If you have a car it will be almost impossible to park in any of the casino parking garages, they will check to see if you are staying there. We parked in PlanetHo valet one year, took $5 tip to get the car in but was well worth it. I seem to remember that we stayed at Candlewood Suites on Flamingo.
Most people congregate on the street, they close off the Strip after about 7pm. We have been twice at NYE and never again. You can not get near a slot machine, every drink you have will be in a plastic glass, and the town s full of Californians

ferf1223

March

Zeusiblue wrote: »

Stopping at Vdara this month. Reading the reviews the pool does not have a good write up. People saying its very cramped, ,unbearably hot and blinding from the reflection from the tall glass buildings ! Is it expensive to use the cabanas? Also can we use other pools in Vegas ? If so which would you recommend? Dont want to be too far away from our hotel when sunbathing.

Cabana prices are on their website.

http://www.vdara.com/amenities/vdara-pool-lounge.aspx

You can use some other pools for a fee...we only use the pool to swim and then have only used Bally's and Caesars - both fine, Caesars nicer, bigger, multiple pools but shallow so we prefer Bally's as a proper pool. But there are way better people on here for advice on pools than me.

ferf1223

March

harrisab wrote: »

Has anyone got any recommendations on where to stay on new year’s eve, I’ve booked comp stays at Caesars 25th – 30th and Planet Hollywood 2nd – 6th unsure where would be best place to stay for new year as only been before in April and May. And any recommendations on where to go to see the new year in would be greatly appriciated.

Does your first reservation include the night of the 30th? If it does, I'd be careful as NYE is on a Saturday this time around...a lot of hotels restrict Saturday arrivals anyway...so you may have a hard time finding a hotel for just NYE.

What were the rates you were quoted for NYE at Caesars and PH? If you have that many nights comped, did they not offer you a reduced rate including NYE? I'm surprised that they let you book 2 lots of comped nights without 3 nights in between - interesting as they normally didn't allow that - so maybe they have changed something.

photome

August

ferf1223 wrote: »

Does your first reservation include the night of the 30th? If it does, I'd be careful as NYE is on a Saturday this time around...a lot of hotels restrict Saturday arrivals anyway...so you may have a hard time finding a hotel for just NYE.

What were the rates you were quoted for NYE at Caesars and PH? If you have that many nights comped, did they not offer you a reduced rate including NYE? I'm surprised that they let you book 2 lots of comped nights without 3 nights in between - interesting as they normally didn't allow that - so maybe they have changed something.

If you booked 2 lots of comped nights on their website at 2 different hotels, how would they know you hadnt booked the nights in between at one of their other hotels (or is that a stupid question)

I imagine cost isnt an issue to the OP as most of the nights are comped so IMO stay wherever you want to on the strip


EDIT
Just done a quick check at MGM and Mirage

MGM didnt have a price for NYE..maybe sold out? Mirage was availaible just to book 1 night NYE at $350