Las Vegas guide and MSE thread 2017

newuser86

Logged back onto Myvegas and none of the cirque shows are there, do Myvegas remove items now they are sold out or because i have claimed show tickets before do they not appear? TIA

pebblesmax

ferf1223 wrote: »

We are so sad about the Station rewards going...we always made it to RR or GVR buffet (sometimes both) and really like both. We did stay and gamble, at least for a bit...at least for as long as we would if we were stopping by without going to the buffet.

We are sad too. Thanks for taking us with you last time.

lizzielie

Hi all

Thanks Secretmachines for starting the new thread for 2017! And thank you to everyone who posts for giving me a bit of a Vegas fix each morning, nothing quite beats reading your posts over a nice cuppa before starting the daily grind

Last year we had three trips to Vegas, and my apologies for not posting any trip reports, but all I can say is life seemed to keep getting in the way whenever I wanted to sit down to do a write up.

A new trip is in the planning, but we did feel we needed a bit of a break from Vegas to really appreciate the journey over, so it won't be now before end of May. First time in a long time we're not going to use any comps, but instead opting for the special rate from Aria as it actually worked out cheaper than using comp nights. Go figure! I know more offers may come, but I am actually quite ok with the total cost, so probably won't amend anything.

As for the 2016 trips, the first was end of May for my birthday, quick 5 days with very little planned and we didn't do a lot either. All our nights at the Aria as we didn't really want to do any hotel hopping for a short trip. As it was a special birthday for me, and falling on a Sunday, we had booked in for the Sterling buffet. On my to do list for a long time! We did go fairly late, not something I would recommend if you want the best value. I originally planned on using my TR points to pay, but I think thanks to all the champagne, we ended up paying cash. Not cheap for a buffet, nor a huge selection of items, but glad I have experienced it.

Our 2nd trip was in September for our 10th wedding anniversary, combined San Fran with Vegas. Starting our trip at the Bellagio (2 night comped) and we were upgraded to a suite originally offered to us for $50 a night extra. Not sure if it was really worth it, although being on the corner, we had great view of the strip, caesars and Rio. Nice touch with some choccies and a card delivered too to mark the occasion.

Back in May, we had booked the High Tea @Bellagio. We normally just buy for one, as it is plenty of goodies for both of us. Still as good as our last visit!

We totally fell in love with San Fran, and it is on the list for a revisit for when we have a few pennies extra spare (yup, it was expensive)! Back to Vegas for 7 nights and all at the Aria (3 nights comped).

With a car hired for the latter part, we did get about a lot more. Finally we also made a visit to the Lion Habitat. Well worth the trip out, and we spent a lot of time speaking to the staff there. Anyone making the trip out there, make sure you speak to them, as it really makes a huge difference to the overall experience.

By chance, I noticed a deal on Living Social for VIP tickets to the Food and Wine festival at the SLS. For $100 for the pair of us, we got early entry and once inside, you can eat and drink for free. Plenty of stalls about, we some seriously amazing food, prepared by a number of different restaurants in Vegas. We were pretty stuffed and a teeny bit sozzled when we left SLS that evening For anyone interested, I believe the festival is 5 - 8th October this year.

Unfortunately I got pretty ill for our last 4 days in Vegas, so most of the time was spent in bed.. Which is why the 3rd trip in December came about.

Oh and the fact we love Cowboy week Arriving end of November, we stayed 2 nights in a Stay Well room (comped) at the MGM, still not sure how it helps your jet lag, but we didn't actually find the adjustment too bad this time around. The remaining 8 nights at the Aria (3 nights comped). Determined to make up a bit for what we didn't managed to do last time around, we packed in a lot more this trip:

Vegas! the Show - VIP tickets and front row seats, special deal from Vegas.com. Had no expectations, but it really surprised us as to how good it was! Highly recommend it.

Lucky Dragon - We signed up for their player's card as we heard you got a food voucher of $18 along with some free play. An hour and a bit later, this was indeed the case and we tried out their food street. Using one voucher, our final bill including a beer and plenty of food, came to $8! And the food was scrumptious too, although the meat station next to the fish, the food was not very warm. It was so good, we ended up going back the following day. Not realising it was the day of the official opening. Anyone else having no clue about what day of the week it is when in Vegas?? Anyhow, we thoroughly enjoyed seeing the show they put on and although nearly killing my eardrums, the fireworks was pretty awesome too.

Wynn buffet – With Sterling, Bacchanal and Wicked Spoon crossed of our list, it was time to try out the Wynn brunch buffet. The food was delicious, although I did miss potatoes of any kind (even fries would have been nice), just make sure to leave room for desserts! We still cannot decide though, which is the best!

Ethel M’s Xmas lights – We loved this display last time around, and it was just as spectacular this time around. Although a shame the M&M shop there has been closed down, and I do find the choccies on sale quite pricey.

Topgolf – We were handed a $10 off coupon at the MGM when we stayed there (a little desk close to the check in area), this would cover the membership fee you have to pay. We walked over as it was a bit too early for the shuttle. It is a fair bit of a walk unless you know your way around MGM, but for us it was well worth it. Although neither Hubby or myself play golf, we had lots of fun for an hour in our own private booth. The membership fee is $5 and is for life, and you hire a booth per the hour. You can be just 1 or up to 8 of you, and the cost is the same. It is cheaper the earlier you go though, and probably busier the later you go. Now firmly on our list of things to do on return visits!

Finally, our last night, we had booked the Frank Cullotta Casino tour. For anyone of you who have seen this film, or have an interest in the mob, this is a tour I highly recommend! This tour has been on my wish list for a very long time. We were 7 of us in total, although Frank later told us we were the only 2 booked up until that morning, but thanks to a media crew and another couple booking it last minute, we didn’t end up with a private tour. Husband has left a tripadvsor review if you want to read more about it and get the number to book it on: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g45963-d6991664-Reviews-Frank_Cullotta_s_Casino_Tour-Las_Vegas_Nevada.html
As for flights, on our last trip, we went via Charlotte, with American Airlines. Having dodged AA for a while now, it was such a difference! Two seaters rather than 3 and not very full, coupled with pretty new planes, it was actually quite a nice journey there and back. Although we did have a long with in Charlotte on the way out, thanks to missing pilots! But fair play to AA, we were looked after very well.
Thanks for reading, and sorry for the long post!

ferf1223

newuser86 wrote: »

Logged back onto Myvegas and none of the cirque shows are there, do Myvegas remove items now they are sold out or because i have claimed show tickets before do they not appear? TIA

the MyVegas Rocks Facebook group (or whatever it is called) suggests they should be refreshed later this month and not to panic yet.

ferf1223

lizzielie wrote: »

Vegas! the Show - VIP tickets and front row seats, special deal from Vegas.com. Had no expectations, but it really surprised us as to how good it was! Highly recommend it.

pebbles has mentioned this before, too...I keep saying we should go...thanks for the reminder, I am going to try to get it sorted for our March trip - particularly if we end up staying at PH.

Did you think that the VIP seats were that much better than the standard seats?

lizzielie

ferf1223 wrote: »

pebbles has mentioned this before, too...I keep saying we should go...thanks for the reminder, I am going to try to get it sorted for our March trip - particularly if we end up staying at PH.

Did you think that the VIP seats were that much better than the standard seats?

I believe the VIP seats means you have reserved seats in the first couple of rows, otherwise you sit wherever you want. It is a really small theater and I don't think you can go wrong at all wherever you sit. Maybe being so close, some parts we didn't see so well though, but it didn't take away from the enjoyment of the show at all.If I remember rightly though, the price was about $10 more for VIP seats.

ictquizzer

We were last there in 2015 and I'm still getting over the "trauma" of thinking I was watching hundreds of people burn alive on the BA flight to London whilst indulging in the free booze on The High Roller at the Linq!

Anyway looking at going back in Sept. Unsurprisingly all the hotels are coming in at rather high costs right now. We tend to stay in at least 2 if not 3 hotels per trip and enjoy staying in different parts of town while there, both for experience and cost reasons! Eg last trip was Luxor, Orleans and Venetian. Loved all 3 for very different reasons and happy to spend time off strip for part of our time.

From what I can gather resort fees have gone completely stupid since our last trip. We'll undoubtedly stay on strip for at least half of our visit and will bite the bullet, but would be interested in suggestions for the rest of our stay. We won't have a car and Orleans definitely in the frame for a repeat stay. TIA.

Stew68

ictquizzer,

I've been looking at using Airbnb for my stay in May, i'm finding rooms on there in The Signature and the Jockey Club, certainly most of the rentals in The Signature through Airbnb are not charging the resort fees, possibly because these rooms are actually owned and not rented(?) and the prices are reflecting that. Not actually booked one yet but will more than likely do so at some point this month.

I'm new to Airbnb but know people who have used it without any issue, I'm sticking with the people who have plenty of reviews.

Hope that helps in some way.

cherabelle

Hi,

Myself and my partner have a short trip planned from the 2nd March arriving around 2pm and returning on the 5th at approx 4:30pm. We know its short, we know we are going to probably end up living on Pro-plus or similar for the whole time but we are prepared to do as much as we can in the time we have.

Here is my rough plan.

Thursday:
Buy a 3 day bus pass!
Walk down and see the sign, look around Mandalay Bay, Luxor (our actual hotel), Ecvalinur, NYNY and MGM Grand. I was then going to book us a meal at Lago in the Bellagio to watch the dancing fountains.

Friday.
Visit Paris, Ceasars Palace, do the Sundance helicopter ride of the Canyon (already booked) and then watch the Mirage Volcano before a meal somewhere in the evening.

Saturday.
Explore the Wynn and hopefully eat there,
Venetian and do a gondulala ride.
Evening in Freemont street and enjoying that.
Check out any white chapels (I wish we could get "fake married").

Sunday
Titanic Exhibition.
Depart and sleep.

I have tried to plan the hotels in a logical order grouping then on location but have I missed anything? Am I being too ambitious? I know in reality I might not get every single hotel done but i'd like to try. Anything I miss is always an excuse for another trip. :-)
TIA.

stoneman

Well after practically giving up ever being able to redeem my stash of Avios, I had a look last night at the BA site and to my surprise there was First class availability for practically the exact dates we wanted so I snapped them up. Late August, ahh, just when it's really hot and you don't have to decide what clothes you have to take with you.

So now I'm down to my last 50K Avios after spending 380,000 on these tickets, 350,000 on the 4 Seasons in April, 30K on Monarch flights to Barcelona in June, and 80K on our Tenerife hotel for this week.

We do have 80K Amex Rewards points and £200 in Tesco Clubcard points to convert still.