Las Vegas guide and MSE thread 2012

blindman

HOTELS

glenbois wrote: »

I have an 2005 edition USA garmin maps for my sat nav, to upgrade to the newest maps they want £69 and I'm pretty sure the sat nav wont except the upgrade as it was originally a european maps that I deleted and put the USA ones on.

Question: Will I have much problem using the 2005 maps for a road trip from flagstaff to Grand Canyon, Mesa Verde, Arches etc... then back into Vegas?

I wouldn't think so-not a complex road system out there TBHO

The old maps don't have waypoints like The Vdara and newer properties. Not too fussed about having up to date maps for the stay in Vegas, as I will be relaxing without the car for 6 nights we are there.

Does your Garmin have an SD slot to add extra maps?

I found a good web-site from which you can download up to date maps.

I'm using my Garmin with up to date USA maps when we go in June though I doubt I'll seriously need them.

scottishnellie

bubble113 wrote: »

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Have you looked at Cosmopolitan? I stayed there last year and will be there again this year. The room I stayed in was amazing ( 1 bed terrace). The brunch buffet I believe is free for international gusets at the moment and is a really good quality buffet. You can also get a fountain view from this hotel.

The gambling in this hotel is not for everyone,tables are expensive and no poker room but slots I found to be ok and and cocktail service frequent.

On a weekend it does get really busy with younger crowd (early 20's) for the club but if thats you or doesnt bother you then not a prob.

I believe lowcostusa is currently the best price for the Cosmo,I booked through Virgin which were the cheapest I found but my sister has booked more recently and lowcost was the best price.

I believe Ferf has been pricing it booking it direct so also worth looking at.

Hi,

I'm looking at the cosmo for 7 nights in Sep and getting it at £840 for a terrace studio through lowcostusa - would you say thats good?

Have read everything on this forum, and lots on trip advisor and have decided the cosmo is for us but so hard to know when to book or what might happen with prices as never done vegas before. Have suggested to hubby he phones the cosmo to see if they will match the lowcostusa price as I'd rather book direct but I'm assuming its unlikely.

Any advice welcome!

blindman

HOTELS

scottishnellie wrote: »

Hi,

I'm looking at the cosmo for 7 nights in Sep and getting it at £840 for a terrace studio through lowcostusa - would you say thats good?

Have read everything on this forum, and lots on trip advisor and have decided the cosmo is for us but so hard to know when to book or what might happen with prices as never done vegas before. Have suggested to hubby he phones the cosmo to see if they will match the lowcostusa price as I'd rather book direct but I'm assuming its unlikely.

Any advice welcome!

The trick with Vegas hotel bookings is to get one that's refundable at an early stage and then look for any bargains nearer the date.

I also prefer going direct to the hotel as it cuts out any "misunderstandings".

I can't comment if that price is good-I'm sure others can.

Spursman180

CASINOS

The biggest advantage of using an up to date sat nav in the USA is keeping an eye on your speed. It is not unusual when driving on unpopulated highways to see cars pulled over, it is my understanding that there is little or no tolerance of being just over the speed limit. Cruise control helps but speed limits in town change block by block. Check the strip out, usually part of the shotgun passengers duty is to check for the white and black sign after a set of lights, they're not the same distance from the lights each time and can easily be missed, especially if your not familiar with driving over there. Nevada and California don't have speed cameras but places like I15 have planes with radar through the desert.

duchy

SHOWS

josha007 wrote: »

I've looked at Paris but it looks a bit dated and a lot of reviews I've read don't put it in a good light. The Golden Nugget looks a good option, it's fairly cheap, not too far from the centre of the strip and has a good feel for some old school Vegas as well. I'd be saving about $300-$500 compared to the Bellagio and The Mirage.

What do people think?

If you want to spend all your evenings Downtown it'd be fine -but to be honest I don't think you will. Taxis wouldn't be cheap between the Strip and Downtown and would quickly eat up your saving-and the bus back is not a fun way to finish the evening (carhire would be an option if you don't drink of course)

If you want to save money on hotels and stay away from the Strip there are much better options but for a first time visit on Strip is much better

coz2099

VALUE FOR MONEY

We go for our 3rd trip 2 weeks sunday for 11 nights, i'm getting proper excited now, seesm to have arrived really quickly since start of year(we booked in july last year)
Its our first time staying in diff hotels same trip too, splitting betweem 3, cosmo 5nights, platinum 2 and then signature for last 4! Not got too much planned this time aside from got some tickets for Love already, probably gonna try and spend a bit more time by pools as never really managed it previous trips always too busy lol

secretmachines

VALUE FOR MONEY

ferf1223 wrote: »

oh no.....I hope it's temporary...we're going via LHR in June (not to Vegas) and I thought it would be one last chance to use it at least...and our flight lands really late...oh dear, oh dear...at least now I will probably expect it to be closed and be pleasantly surprised if it isn't.

it may well be, I don't want to scaremonger! it may have just been closed off for 5mins while they cleaned it

edit - from doing a quick Google it seems that the iris machine(s) at Heathrow are very temperamental and some say more often closed than not, due to anything from software issues to staff on tea breaks!

Porthorg

Can anyone recommend a good Sat Nav App for iPhone which does the USA.....I downloaded Navfree but first impressions aren't great.

davetrousers

Porthorg wrote: »

Can anyone recommend a good Sat Nav App for iPhone which does the USA.....I downloaded Navfree but first impressions aren't great.

Just buy a tomtom from a Walmart when you get there. A dedicated device and no maps to download which could incur high data charges.

Porthorg

If I've already downloaded it before I go it shoudln't cost anything cause I'll just be using the GPS. Didn't really want to purchase a Tom Tom for 7 days use.