Las Vegas guide and MSE thread 2015

photome

hollie.weimeraner wrote: »

I'm looking at the Bellagio for September next year and have the same problem. The only thing I've found at the moment is an online discount code (DWEB) for the Bellagio when booking direct which brings it in line with hotels.com.

I've heard differing opinions about booking through hotels.com with some people having issues when they arrive so have decided to try and book direct wherever possible (currently looking at a West Coast road trip).

Up to now booking direct seems as cheap as the online booking agencies in most cases and you have the added security of knowing your booking is safe.

The only drawback is that the hotels seem to want to take the first nights charge as a deposit but they are refundable up to 48 hours (Bellagio is 72 hours) if you cancel

It is standard practice for hotels to take the first night as a deposit, as you say that is normally refundable up to 48 hours before. I have in the past had a few hotels booked as options at great rates and then cancelled nearer the time.
It is too early to get any good rates for next September and Bellagio is one of the hotels that isn't greatly discounted, it is worth signing up on their website for email offers

blindman

photome wrote: »

It is too early to get any good rates for next September and Bellagio is one of the hotels that isn't greatly discounted, it is worth signing up on their website for email offers

Thanks for that snippet

My Q is

What I should be expecting to pay In August-Sund-Wed for either the Bellagio or Cosmopolitan.

photome

blindman wrote: »

Thanks for that snippet

My Q is

What I should be expecting to pay In August-Sund-Wed for either the Bellagio or Cosmopolitan.

There are many nights available Sun thru Thursday in next few months at Bellagio for $159 a night plus tax resort fee etc so rough £135 a night for the cheapest room. I would hope not to pay more than that.

If it was me I would book direct with the hotel and keep checking the price. I have had prices lowered by the hotels after booking by calling them.
Have you signed up to both Bellagio and Cosmo email

burnoutbabe

have you tried through MGMvacations? you say you are doing it as part of a West coast trip, I got a great rate on Vdara through this plus my flights from LA to Vegas and then they through in a choice of 2 theatre tickets for various MGM shows.

blindman

photome wrote: »

There are many nights available Sun thru Thursday in next few months at Bellagio for $159 a night plus tax resort fee etc so rough £135 a night for the cheapest room. I would hope not to pay more than that.

If it was me I would book direct with the hotel and keep checking the price. I have had prices lowered by the hotels after booking by calling them.
Have you signed up to both Bellagio and Cosmo email

Yeah, saw those and worked out the Bellagio Fountain view is $224 = £145 per night.
Cosmo fountain view is around $560 total (2 nights) so about £160 per night

Just wondered if anyone had solid evidence for the August just gone.

I will sign up to emails etc and book direct and keep my eyes out for discounts etc.

Seems like I can get a deal with Expedia (as I booked the flight through them) and the Cosmo comes out at £160 per night with free cancellation.

photome

blindman wrote: »

Yeah, saw those and worked out the Bellagio Fountain view is $224 = £145 per night.
Cosmo fountain view is around $560 total (2 nights) so about £160 per night

Just wondered if anyone had solid evidence for the August just gone.

I will sign up to emails etc and book direct and keep my eyes out for discounts etc.

Seems like I can get a deal with Expedia (as I booked the flight through them) and the Cosmo comes out at £160 per night with free cancellation.

No evidence re this August just gone but August is one of the cheaper months generally because of the heat

secretmachines

Vegas on TV alert: just seen a "Coming Soon" ITV trailer for this

http://hattrickinternational.co.uk/shows/Las_Vegas_with_Trevor_McDonald

Brats64

Just back yesterday from our 11th trip to Vegas since 2004.

I don't do trip reports...mainly because because I'm to lazy to write them.

But a brief summary of our 12 night trip.

Flew direct from Manchester with Virgin,paid for back row in bubble...not sure I'd pay again,not sure it was worth it.
Good flight time meant we arrived mid afternoon,which was a bonus,as we normally have a stopover,and arrive late evening.
Hotels stays
Orleans....Don't know why,but my trips to Vegas wouldn't feel complete without staying a few nights at Orleans...recent refurbished rooms..which was needed...made it even better.

Weekend was spent at Main St Station Hotel....We always enjoy a couple of visits to Freemont Street while in Vegas,but don't like the late SDX bus back up the strip...So last year spent the weekend in MSS....cheap even at the weekend,and a champagne brunch for $12.99.
Didn't enjoy it as much as last year's stay,service wasn't as good,and probably didn't drink enough booze to enjoy Freemont street crowds.

Luxor Hotel was 2 free nights through myvegas,just resort fees to pay.
Luxor was our first ever hotel stay in Vegas....it is now,as it was then....perfectly acceptable for a short stay.

Last hotel was The Aria...first time we have stayed there,and I really liked it.Loved the curtains opening,and tv coming on as you enter the room for the first time.Liked how you can control everything by remote,and the bed was the most comfortable I have ever slept in.

Shows.

Through groupon and travelzoo we got some cheap deals.

New shows,
Hitzville and All Shook Up shows at PH....both small shows,not costing much at all,both were OK for what was paid.

Terry Fator...I didn't really want to go to this,but the wife did.Got off to a slow start,but the humour got better,and ended up quite enjoying it.

Shows we have seen before,

Rock of Ages...seen twice before,we both really enjoy this show,great music...Showroom not very full,so they moved everyone closer to front....maybe had its time in Vegas,if audience numbers are dwindling.

Jersey Boys...6th time I have seen it,and personally,for me,the best show by a mile in Vegas.I love everything about this show...the acting,the music,the humour...as long as I go back to Vegas,if Jersey Boys is playing,I will be buying tickets...once again,the best part of my holiday.

Food wise....took me a few visits to get into the "buffet experience" in Vegas...now we eat at too many of them.

Orleans breakfast buffet...you can't beat it for $10....always quick service.

Bellagio Buffet remains my favourite....excellent food every time.

Aria buffet...wasn't overly impressed last time,but enjoyed more this trip.

Mirage buffet free with myvegas.....very good,once again.

Luxor buffet free with myvegas...ok.

Biggest disappointment ...Bachannal Buffet @ Caesars...first ( and last ) time we have visited this buffet,and was massively disappointed by it.
Service was awful...and it wasn't even busy....food not very warm,nor the best by a long way.Paid for the Mimosa drinks add on,and was near impossible to get a refill.

Other food,

We always visit PF Changs a couple of times a visit,but on our first trip there this time,the food was cold.....so didn't have a second visit.

Always enjoyed the food at Grand Lux in Venetian...went twice....once again nice food,but cutlery dirty on both occasions....just wiped it clean.

We were booked for Charlie Palmers @ four seasons...wanted the MJ tribute menu...but a couple of days before our visit,I checked their website,and they have replaced the MJ menu with a thanksgiving one....so we cancelled.

Been meaning to make a trip to Ellis Island for the last few years,never made it until this trip.....it really is a small place,isn't it....we must of liked it though,as we went twice...first visit,I had the steak special,which was good for the price paid...second visit we both had the "daily special" which was Beef Stroganoff .....it is VERY cheap...but to me was VERY nasty...didn't eat it....my wife ate a bit more than I did.

Others things done,

Visited The Elvis Exhibition at Westgate....big Elvis fan,but wasn't overly impressed by memorabilia on view.

While downtown at weekend we had tickets to Golden Nugget beer tasting event...I thought this would be drink all you want beer festival,but you got a tiny glass,and had to go round all the different Brewers,and get a tiny mouthful of beer at each station.There was 125 to try...I had about 8-10 samples,and left....not my idea of fun.

A better drinking experience was the groupon for Rockhouse Bar at Venetian...all day wristbands...we visited early afternoon for a few drinks....then returned in the evening,when they have a live band for the karaoke.....always been told I have a good singing voice,but didn't have the nerve to get up and sing...dispite having many more beers in the evening.
We left when they closed at 2 am....good night.

Another good night....think there may link to booze= a good night.....was our myvegas $50 drinks credit at NYNY Times Square Piano Bar.
Drinks credit got about 7 beers before having to start paying for them.
We paid for vip seating area...worth it to keep away from crowds of people standing at bar.Paid $20 for them to play a song that my wife requested...Dancing Queen....with comment 23 years married...they soon played it,but made my wife,and myself dance throughout the song in front of the whole bar....I don't dance,so it's a good job we had had a few drinks.

Done plenty of shopping as usual,didnt loose to much on the machines...some small wins along the way....and weather was still in the 90s for most of the trip.

Flight back was indirect this time...Delta...then Virgin....only third time we have even flown delta,and every time has been bad....we will not fly delta ever again...even if they are the cheapest option.

On reading this back before posting I notice two things.It is as long as normal trip report,and it does look a little negative in places....I can assure you we have had a great holiday once again.we had a great time in Vegas,and will be looking to go back next year for trip no 12.

pebblesmax

Thanks Brats64. I enjoyed your not a trip report.

We usually spend a few days at Orleans every trip too. It just feels odd when we miss it off our itinerary. This time was 3 days for a slot tournament. I won $50.

We stayed at MSS last Easter weekend because it was cheap. I love the casino but hated our room. It just seemed past due an update, and the taps were squeaky. We will be back at El Cortez next time we stay Downtown.

photome

Re downtown

We have stayed at Golden Nugget and California

For value the California wins and we now have the offer iof free nights there plus all the Hawaiians stay there and are a friendly bunch

Rooms are ok


We do like the 25c roulette wheel at El Cortez though