Las Vegas guide and MSE thread 2013

thinlizzyk

Ha! I really started a debate there didn't I? This is where we're all different. Usually if I'm going to stay off strip I go to the Hard Rock particularly out of pool season it is very chilled without the Rehab party people. However, I've got a nice amount of Total Rewards points and I'm trying to do a VERY mse trip. So I figure the points will stretch further with cheaper hotels. I don't fancy Harrahs, Flamingo or Ballys with all that construction going on so I was looking at Rio. You've all given a fairly positive review so it might be a good option.

I liked Gold Coast but I found food options and stuff nicer over at Rio. I like The Orleans as well but I do find its a little bit out of the way.

stoneman

Froggitt wrote: »

Prices have now virtually doubled And when you add in food and presumably baggage, its not so low cost any more.

And for every quote I have done their "Premium" (equivalent to WT+) is £200-£300 more than BA, with only one bag allowance of 20KG and a meal in a box. No drinks or snacks included. Then I would have to get from LAX to LAS, no thanks.

duchy

thinlizzyk wrote: »

Ha! I really started a debate there didn't I? This is where we're all different. Usually if I'm going to stay off strip I go to the Hard Rock particularly out of pool season it is very chilled without the Rehab party people. However, I've got a nice amount of Total Rewards points and I'm trying to do a VERY mse trip. So I figure the points will stretch further with cheaper hotels. I don't fancy Harrahs, Flamingo or Ballys with all that construction going on so I was looking at Rio. You've all given a fairly positive review so it might be a good option.

I liked Gold Coast but I found food options and stuff nicer over at Rio. I like The Orleans as well but I do find its a little bit out of the way.

Remember that even if your TR account says no offers you'll get better rates when you are logged in if you have previous play on the card.

rorylando45

Froggitt wrote: »

Prices have now virtually doubled And when you add in food and presumably baggage, its not so low cost any more.

When I checked this morning, some of the September dates were still £378.90 return. But as is normally the case with these deals, you gotta be quick to get in on them!

photome

What a day yesterday. A fine example of why not to do connecting flights. We were delayed at Amsterdam and then bumped off,had an anxious wait to see if we were spending night in Amsterdam, eventually rerouted via Seattle had to run to catch that flight and then 4 hours in Seattle, eventually got to the Orleans 24 hours after leaving home with virtually no sleep. Hope it gets better now we are here.

vegasvisitor

duchy wrote: »

That's my one issue with the Orleans -that there's no other hotels within wandering distance. I've always said if the Orleans was on the Gold Coast site it'd be perfect Starbucks, Walgrens and a free ATM with walking distance though Gold Coast has bowling too and there's a good cinema (standard and IMAX) in the Palms opposite. Obviously the Orleans has more and better food choices than the GC too.The Palms vibe in the day I really like but it's a bit of a change when the clubbers arrive so I've never wanted to stay there despite some good offers.

Rio has never floated my boat and I'm not sure why-I like their buffet -the casino is OK and the rooms are huge (but feel a bit bare to me)-I've just never felt atmosphere there.

As you say we all have differing opinions.

I agree with that - the Orleans would be better on the Gold Coast site. I've only been at the Gold Coast buffet and their TGI's so I'm really not up on their other food options. At Orleans however we have eaten at the food court, hubby like to get a veggie burger from Fuddruckers and I just get sbarro pizza or a veggie delite from Subway when we eat at the food court. One thing we did notice a bit different this time at The Orleans, we went out a walk, out beyond McMullan's. There were a few shops back there, nothing really interesting. I do like that the petrol station sells Krispy Kremes though

It's great that we all like different places, saves us from all fighting over the same place. We got a nice deal on Palazzo this year and really loved it...the room was so nice and the bed so comfy. I loved walking over to Wynn for breakfast a couple of mornings. I also enjoy our time at Platinum, and it's quite moneysaving because they have a very good happy hour from 4-8 I think it is.

There are only a couple of places that I haven't liked. First time we went to Vegas we stayed at the Best Western Mardi Gras. It was ok, but I can't imagine returning there. Second trip was to the Key Largo. OMG thank goodness that place has closed!! It was pretty awful. Another place I didn't like much was Desert Rose. The real problem though was the complete shortage of sunloungers. It was also full of Brits, I mean no harm to fellow Brits but the sunlounger grabbing and stealing food at breakfast is just something I'd prefer not to see :rotfl: They did have some nice things though, like free soft drinks all the time I think, free wine and crisps or similar for an hour in the evenings, and a laundry room. Damn shame about the pool issue. We like some pool time and it drove us mad.

We would like to try Wynn, perhaps next year will be a good opportunity for my 40th

duchy

The Orleans has a few nice sit down eating places too . Sadly Sauzios has gone but the steak loft is nice. Gold Coast has a Chinese with a really good reputation though.

pebblesmax

Sorry you trip set off on the wrong foot photome. On a better note, we have always found that we get into "Vegas time" easier if we have a long journey out.

Have a great time, sorry we will miss you this trip.

pebblesmax

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fivehundy/sets/72157636695173743/

A few pics of Downtown Grand. Official opening very soon.

ferf1223

yikes - what a journey, photome...agree with pebbles though - it may help you settle into the time change (plus you're in Vegas - woohoo!)

We had an uneventful journey and landed nearly an hour early which was a nice surprise...no upgrade at Bally's so in the North Tower which we do like...and a $10 tip for housekeeping with a note asking for a fridge worked again (so that's a 66% success rate for us)....while I woke up at 4:30 yesterday managed 8:30 today and was amazed...but I guess getting up at 4:30 and not napping did the trick.

Saw O yesterday courtesy of My Vegas...for years I have said it was my favourite but as it had been many years since we had seen it and we have seen Love several times since I wasn't sure if I would still feel the same...turns out I do but they are such vastly different shows that it is really unfair to even try to compare them. We did have 2nd row seats off to the right facing the stage and as expected they were too close - now I want to see it from the middle of the theatre (first time we were 2nd balcony which was interesting as we could see some of the divers, and a bit of the mechanics). Zarkana tomorrow so we shall see where it rates.

Slots have been terrible for us so far (yesterday and today)...my first slot played this trip, 3rd spin I won $200+ and my hubby's first slot yesterday the same...but the rest of the day has been dire both times...hoping we are getting our 2-3 day losing streak that happens most trips out of the way early!

We did stop at the Hilton/LVH today as I needed a photo of the Elvis statue and they do have a no fee ATM deal at the minute...$300+ no fee...it's a bit confusing as the sign says exactly what I have typed below (I took a photo so I would be able to refer to it)...the sign says valid for a limited time only but no more in terms of how long it will continue.

Reduced Fee
ATM $4
Credit $400+ only $20

No Fee
ATM $300+ FREE!
Debit $500+ FREE!
Credit $700+ FREE!

We withdrew $400 and there was no charge...then took another $400 on our other 'good' debit card since the way things are going, we'll probably need it!