Las Vegas guide and MSE thread 2013

vegasvisitor

Traveller - have a great trip.

Los Angeles - I enjoyed LA, but we were there at the start and end of a trip to Vegas (due to cheap flights). I wouldn't particularly drive there for a day trip, although I can see why you might want to visit if you are in Vegas. I'm not sure I'd fly over either, I can't remember seeing decent transportation. Maybe there are buses, but I didn't notice. San Francisco on the other hand seemed to have very good transport/buses etc. The roads are quite daunting. Huge, 5 or 6 lanes is quite common...and not much fun if you're having to get right across for an exit within a mile or so as it's very congested yet traffic still flowing, and no courtesy of letting you out when you indicate so it can be tricky.

luci

Jude1964 wrote: »

Thank you. That is a huge help.. I think I am going to book MGM grand, then bellagio.. I think I will try get the wedding for £1000 and under.. I might try the we are getting married scenario, to get an upgrade., but to be honest I am a bit scared to do that,... ...
Right so should I book now, or wait a while..
I think it's the 2nd July 2014 that is our last night..
Think it is a Thursday .

Check https://www.lowcostusa.co.uk for the MGM, or for any Vegas hotel for that matter. I got my brother a wraparound suite at the Cosmo for about $300 less than it was on any other site.

I have also booked an Executive King suite for next year as I thought the price was too good to miss and was worried it was a mistake and they would change it online. When I booked it, it was far too early to get offers for the MGM for May next year. However I got an email offer last week with one night free. When I priced it, it was only offering the crappy Petite King and was just over twice the price I was for a far superior room.

Only book this far out with LCU if you are certain it is an unbeatable rate as there is a £30pp charge in the event of cancellation.

luci

Mich81 wrote: »

I'd be made up with an upgrade like that for $30 a night - although I don't expect it as we're checking in on a Friday so they'll likely be busy

They are always busy at at least 95% occupancy. Unless there is a special event on such as a big fight or concert, you can ask your options at check in. You are rarely tied to what you booked.

Georgiegirl256

luci wrote: »

Have you booked direct with the hotel or via a third party? If direct then you can cancel up to 72 hours before arrival and get your deposit back.

Through the hotel. So like you say, we can cancel up to 72 hours before, and I'm starting to wonder if I can find a good deal with the Cosmo and to stay there for the last 2-3 nights and PH for the first few nights. I don't really want to spend a great deal more though, so I'll have a bit of a scout around and see what I can find!

visidigi

Has anyone ever driven from the Grand Canyon down to Phoenix? We're planning on LA, LV and San Diego, but I would like to spend a night at the GC, leaving from there to go on to SD and I really dont fancy driving back down a road already traveled if there's an alternative...

Phoenix is an alternative, just wondered if anyone had done it?

ferf1223

Georgiegirl256 wrote: »

Through the hotel. So like you say, we can cancel up to 72 hours before, and I'm starting to wonder if I can find a good deal with the Cosmo and to stay there for the last 2-3 nights and PH for the first few nights. I don't really want to spend a great deal more though, so I'll have a bit of a scout around and see what I can find!

I would consider somewhere else your first few nights, maybe...since PH and Cosmo are across the street from each other...it might be nicer to stay somewhere a bit farther away and then move to Cosmo and be at a different part of the strip...just a thought...though we did move from Paris to Cosmo once and it was OK but it does seem to be a bit more exciting to move somewhere a bit different...even if overall it's all still in the same general area.

It does seem that lowcostusa has the best rates for Cosmo and the higher-end hotels.

I would absolutely choose Cosmo over Bellagio...but I think Bellagio is overrated.

traveller - have a great trip!

Hovis91

Mich81 wrote: »

I've seen a day trip from Vegas which I fancy.

Vegas2Hollywood - long day but you get to see the highlights of LA.

I can't decide if its going to be easier to hire a car / fly and organise myself though. Has anyone done a trip to LA whilst in Vegas?

We have done the day trip to LA last October.It was a good experience,we got picked up at Ballys at 6 .00am,there was only 8 of us in a shuttle bus,and we arrived at Hollywood sign by 11.00 ish.After taking many photos we then went onto Santa Monica beach and had 1 hour here.Then on to Beverley Hills ,saw all the landmarks,stars houses then onto Rodeo Drive to the Cheesecake factory for lunch.Last stop the drive to Hollywood,being shown again all the famous sights on the way.We then had a couple of hours at Graumans Chinese Theatre and the stars handprints.
I think we were back on the road for 6. 00 and back in our hotel 10.30 ish.It was a long day but I enjoyed the whole journey plus we actually thought Hollywood was a dive but loved Santa Monica.

duchy

After doing Disney and Universal we thought we should really "do" Hollywood so drove and parked nesr the Chinese Theatre for a reasonable cost and did the "Homes of the Stars" tour which covered most of the main sights -and that was enough TBH. Glad we did it-but wouldn't do it a second time.

duchy

silvercar wrote: »

You can sort out your legacy in your will. If something happened to you, your partner can meet someone else whether he had married you or not. In fact if he faced being single at a relatively young age, you would want him to be happy again rather than have 30 years of misery, wouldn't you?

Erm you need to be single to be miserable ? :rotfl::rotfl:

Actually we both have grown up kids from previous marriages so I sort of understand where she is coming from but there are more effective ways to protect inheritances than marriage :)

Jude1964

I think you changed my mind regarding the Bellagio! Thanks for the tip about lowcostusa... Think I am going to go for Cosmo!
Thanks so much for advice.