Las Vegas guide and MSE thread 2012

luci

Bally's is perfect for your needs. We have stayed at all the 5* hotels in Vegas and still really enjoy staying at Bally's.

Is that price you got with the Semi Annual sale promo SEMI2012?

In fact I would go so far as to say, save the money and go for the South Tower rather than the North. We didn't see that much difference in the rooms.

Bally's is nice and central, connected to Paris so you have 2 hotels in one. Directly opposite the Bellagio, next door to Mon Ami Gabi.

Also there is no resort fee at Bally's unlike the MGM hotels.

If you decide to have dinner at MAG then the filet mignon with Merlot butter is really nice as is the flourless chocolate cake.

I agree about the TA reviews. Totally ignore the rankings as far as Vegas hotels go. For some reason the rankings are skewed on TA. It's due to most of the reviews being written by Americans and they can be extremely picky about the slightest thing. I remember reading one review where the 5* hotel got slated because there was no-one there to open the door for them when they got out of the taxi.

duchy

SHOWS

stoneman wrote: »

Well one of the major gripes about the Platinum is that it takes ages to get a cab, they don't seem to go that far and I have seen horrendous waiting lines while we just got in our car and went. Also I seem to see nothing but long lines for cabs from where we end up of an evening.
We have already sorted car hire, only having 5 days and picking up/ returning to TI so we can get straight in a cab and get to the hotel, sounds like bliss.
Never gotten a cab in Vegas in 15 years.

I've rarely had issues getting a cab in the evening. One or twice if we've needed one just as a show is turning out -but they whip through the lines really fast ...or we just stroll down to the next hotel and get one there....but I don't "do" heels
One of the things that puts me right off hirecar in the US is driving an unfamiliar car on the wrong side of the road -straight off a long flight-I think taxi is far better-especially for Vegas where it's such a short cabride on arrival and pick up the car next dy.

nvh

Restaurant Week
27th august - 2nd September

Menus and participating restaurants listed here... We'll miss it this time

http://www.helpoutdineoutlv.org/become-a-participant

More restaurants will be announced as the weeks go by.

Apologies, I'm aware I post about this every year

vegasvisitor

VALUE FOR MONEY

duchy wrote: »

I've rarely had issues getting a cab in the evening. One or twice if we've needed one just as a show is turning out -but they whip through the lines really fast ...or we just stroll down to the next hotel and get one there....but I don't "do" heels
One of the things that puts me right off hirecar in the US is driving an unfamiliar car on the wrong side of the road -straight off a long flight-I think taxi is far better-especially for Vegas where it's such a short cabride on arrival and pick up the car next dy.

I know what you mean about the car hire, we had to use Dollar at the airport last year so picked it up on arrival and it was dark. I always feel a bit funny for the first 20 minutes or so driving in Vegas, but get used to it after that. No fun arriving and driving in the dark though. This year we fly into LA and collect a car there. I've not thought about it much yet, but I'm thinking the LA area will be much busier then Vegas....perhaps going to be a nightmare :eek:

ferf1223

VALUE FOR MONEY

sunflowersuffolk wrote: »

Or PH Hollywood hip strip $158. ??

In our experience I would stay away from this one if you're looking at paying more for it...our 'strip view' HH room was awful - worst room we have had in Vegas, even ignoring the goods lift that ran behind the bed...so disappointed...such a small, dark, loud room...we're used to Bally's and it was miles better than the HH room. We got upgraded the next day to a Resort Room after we complained about the horrible noise from the lift and that was a fantastic room...but we would never book a HH room again.

ferf1223

VALUE FOR MONEY

stoneman wrote: »

We have already sorted car hire, only having 5 days and picking up/ returning to TI so we can get straight in a cab and get to the hotel, sounds like bliss.

We did this last trip and will again next - it IS so much nicer just to leave the car until the next day...we just drive it to valet and park it the first day anyway...TI Dollar location has a sign up saying you have to have your passport in addition to non-US licence...not sure how well they enforce it...being an idiot, I actually left my photocard licence in our room but had the counterpart with me...that+passport was enough, thankfully, but I never pointed out to them that I was missing anything either.

ferf1223

VALUE FOR MONEY

one downside to Bally's, though it's not really an issue for us - since we've stayed there over 10 times and are booked there again in October it must not be an issue - but the dining options in the hotel aren't the best...the Sidewalk Cafe should be avoided, certainly...not a problem with so many options around. One day we will try the Steakhouse and the Sterling Brunch, but other than that, we go elsewhere for our meals.

We did love MAG for breakfast the one time we tried it - was not a cheap breakfast but we had that voucher I think luci posted about...lovely way to see the Strip wake up sitting out on the patio.

luci

trello wrote: »

Has anyone seen the Australian Bee Gees in the excalibur and would you recommend, travelzoo have an offer for $60 for 2 tickets or would they be cheaper at tix for tonight?

:beer:

Travelzoo tickets are now $20 + 10% LET and $8 fee. However I wasn't charged the fee when I booked my tickets and only paid $44 total for the two.

http://www.travelzoo.com/entertainment/las-vegas/-20-Las-Vegas-Hit-Bee-Gees-Tribute-Show-Reg-45-1271319/

Julz11

CASINOS

lesley74 wrote: »

I know what you mean about the car hire, we had to use Dollar at the airport last year so picked it up on arrival and it was dark. I always feel a bit funny for the first 20 minutes or so driving in Vegas, but get used to it after that. No fun arriving and driving in the dark though. This year we fly into LA and collect a car there. I've not thought about it much yet, but I'm thinking the LA area will be much busier then Vegas....perhaps going to be a nightmare :eek:

I am also Flying into LAX then driving to Vegas and tbh im having second thoughts now.

I have driven in Europe plenty of times with no problems, but my fears are that i've never driven an automatic before, never driven in the States and driving a car bigger than my lil old Fiesta (need room in the boot for 2 large suitcases and 2 hand luggage)
And just to top it off I was watching something on the tv the other day (can't remember what) and it cut to a helicopter shot over LA and the roads/traffic looked horrific.

Other than that I'm really looking forward to my holiday LOL

photome

VALUE FOR MONEY

Julz11 wrote: »

I am also Flying into LAX then driving to Vegas and tbh im having second thoughts now.

I have driven in Europe plenty of times with no problems, but my fears are that i've never driven an automatic before, never driven in the States and driving a car bigger than my lil old Fiesta (need room in the boot for 2 large suitcases and 2 hand luggage)
And just to top it off I was watching something on the tv the other day (can't remember what) and it cut to a helicopter shot over LA and the roads/traffic looked horrific.

Other than that I'm really looking forward to my holiday LOL

Driving an Auto is much easier than a manual..only one foot required, basically stop and go. You can even leave it in D all the time as long as you remember to keep your foot on the brake.

Driving in the US is a doddle as its nearly all straight roads, just remember to drive on the right, give way alternately at a 4 way cross rds, every one does so there is no hassle, you can turn right on red lights at "most" junctions.

BUT LA is busy all the time and it can take a lot longer to get from A to B than you think it should. It can take hours to do a few miles.

I like driving and have a PSV license (double decker buses) so it doesnt fase me but can understand why it might some people. My wife wont drive over there.