Las Vegas 2007 bargain hunt + tips

ferf1223

Toronto wrote: »

Just a quick question, can anyone tell me if it possible to get upgrades on the flights? and if so how do I go about it. Thanks for any help received. T.

Not sure who you are flying with...I have seen Virgin selling PE upgrades on each leg, though not always (depends if they have any empty seats)...we asked last trip and they didn't have any seats available but we had previously seen signs up at check-in stating what the fee would be (was about £150 each way if memory serves).

If you're a frequent flyer with the airline you might stand a chance...or if you're going for a particularly good reason (wedding, noteworthy birthday) and there's a lot of spare seats...but even then it's probably unlikely...doesn't hurt to ask, though!

TangoBunny

photome wrote: »

Ok no problems.

Wasnt sure if you were aware that it is best to pay in the local currency if booking direct with hotel...using a nationwide or post office credit card to avoid any transaction fees.

Yes thank you I have already got my Nationwide card and intend to use it for my bookings whenever that may be

ferf1223

We are very sad...just found out today that hubby has an invite to the Vegas Harrah's properties Summerfest slot tournaments - 2 free nights and entry into the tournament...some of the dates coincide with dates we will BE IN America...only will be several states away welcoming my soon-to-be-born nephew into the world.

And yes, yes, we already checked that the dates wouldn't work such that we could make a side trip.

If anyone has a Total Rewards account, may be worth checking.

TangoBunny

ok you lot
If you had a choice would you rather stay at Imperial Palace or Circus Circus.
We had more or less decided to stay at the IP but turns out someone we know is staying at Circus Circus the second week we are there and we are considering staying there instead.I realise it's further north but there is a shuttle bus I'm told.
Someone has put me off the IP saying it was really pants the last time they stayed there
What do you think??

wdyw

TangoBunny wrote: »

ok you lot
If you had a choice would you rather stay at Imperial Palace or Circus Circus.
We had more or less decided to stay at the IP but turns out someone we know is staying at Circus Circus the second week we are there and we are considering staying there instead.I realise it's further north but there is a shuttle bus I'm told.
Someone has put me off the IP saying it was really pants the last time they stayed there
What do you think??

Would never ever contemplate staying at Circus Circus, but can't comment of IP as have never set foot in the place ( that I can remember anyway!)

Kerry39

wdyw wrote: »

Would never ever contemplate staying at Circus Circus, but can't comment of IP as have never set foot in the place ( that I can remember anyway!)

Can I ask why, is it really pants? Or is it the location?

ferf1223

I don't know of any shuttle bus from CC to anywhere else...I think there is a shuttle from parts of the CC property to other parts of the CC property (it's quite spread out)...also, be very, very wary of the manor motor lodge rooms (from which the shuttles may run to the casino)...this is a small (3-story, I think) motel out back of the main property. If you are going to stay there, book a tower room, for sure.


CC is not very highly regarded by many...it's very family oriented and it's very inexpensive...as such, you end up with a lot of kids running around and a lot of lower income families...nothing against kids or lower income families, but when compared to most other Vegas hotels, CC pales in comparison...it is also quite old and hasn't had much done to it in terms of renovations, so it's a bit rundown. We've also found the casino to be quite dirty again when compared to other casinos. My mother-in-law's boss booked a last minute deal over Christmas last year staying at CC...he was very disappointed in the hotel. Also, the area outside of CC isn't nearly as safe as the mid-strip location of IP - or at least it doesn't feel that way. It's not a ghetto, and will probably be OK, but like wdyw, we would never contemplate staying there.

IP has a much better location and that alone would make it a winner in my book...I have not heard the greatest of things about the rooms (had friends stay there and they thought our room at Excalibur was much nicer - that says a lot) but some have said it's a perfectly acceptable, relatively inexpensive option.

Also, if you are used to European hotels, where the standards are much lower relatively speaking, either will probably be just fine...unless you are used to higher-end European hotels, in which case, either will probably be a disappointment.

ferf1223

and if you want to read what tons of people think about the hotels.


CC ranked 111 out of 240

http://las-vegas-hotels.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g45963-d91770-Reviews-Circus_Circus_Hotel_Casino_Las_Vegas-Las_Vegas_Nevada.html

CC Manor Motor Lodge ranked 140 out of 240 (but probably a lot of people put their reviews on the main CC rankings)

http://las-vegas-hotels.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g45963-d310164-Reviews-Circus_Circus_Manor_Motor_Lodge-Las_Vegas_Nevada.html

IP ranked 85 out of 240

http://las-vegas-hotels.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g45963-d186114-Reviews-Imperial_Palace_Hotel_Casino-Las_Vegas_Nevada.html

Hundreds of 'real people' reviews of each except the manor motor lodge but many probably on the regular CC reviews.

photome

Kerry39 wrote: »

Can I ask why, is it really pants? Or is it the location?

I have stayed at both. Circus circus (twice) last time was last month for $40 a night in a tower room. The rooms are fine, in fact just as good as some of the $100 a night rooms on the strip.

BUT it is a long way from the centre and I dont know of any shuttle bus.

The Casino is a bit on the dirty side and the hotel itself is FULL of kids and of course it has one of the worst buffets in Vegas and prob the BEST steak house.

Personally speaking for £20 a night you cant go wrong.

The IP was a while ago now but my wife said at the time "never again" so we havent. From what I remember I prefer the rooms at CC but that may be different now. Obviously the IP wins hands down on location.

I guess it comes down to price and where you want to stay. If you want to be centre strip and can get the Flamingo for the same money as the IP I would go there...much better pool for one.

If you want to stay with friends and can get a tower room at CC for $40 or thereabouts then go for it.

TangoBunny

I wouldn't have thought I could get the Flamingo for the same price as the IP...at the moment it's coming out at almost double the price so it would have to be a really good promo to bring it down to the IP price.

The reason I said the IP was pants was the rooms....I've been told they are dull,dingy and dated....I know we are only going to be sleeping there but I would like some sort of comfort and I was told comfort is not what you get.
Then again I'm only used to 3* european hotels so what do I know