Las Vegas guide and MSE thread 2017

CarefreeGuy

Hello mate.

I don't know if you remember but back in 2013 you sorted me for a contact at the Platinum Hotel and we got a pretty decent deal from the source you gave.

I recall reading that the employee you advised has since left and I'm sure I remember you saying that you'd had a bit of a bad experience since ....... is my memory correct?

Anyway, more to the point. Do you still stay at the property? Is there a contact we can reach? Do you still consider it as highly as you once did? Has it maintained its high levels?

I am fully booked up this year but the wife and I have spoke about reliving the experience in 2018. They are currently doing a $99 a night on Travelzoo for Aug/Sept this year so it looks as though sales aren't what they once were.

Thank you for any help you may be able to offer. Much appreciated.

Safe travels all

Mick

stoneman

Lilylou709 wrote: »

Hi, it's our first trip to Las Vegas and nothing like any holiday we have had before, normally all inclusive beach holidays...
Have booked a 2 trips to the Hoover Dam and Grand Canyon.
Would like to go to a show or 2
I know everyone is different but what kind of spending money should I take?
I am travelling with my husband, daughter (17yr) and Mum (74yr) not big drinkers gamblers or fancy eaters, just haven't got a clue how much to take we are using Monzo and Soldo prepaid cards and taking Halifax clarity credit card, also will take some cash too.

Another concern is dress code what's expected/accepted, husband just wears knee length jean shorts (is that ok most places?)

Going in 2 weeks for 10days and starting to panic now 😣🙄

Any advice gratefully received.
Thanks in advance 🤗

I wouldn't worry about dress code. Most people dress very casual, shorts, bum bags , wife beaters. (Cringe) even when going out for dinner people insist on having their arm pits and feet on show.

totallybored

Thanks all for the car rental advice. Prices are coming up the same to collect from the airport as I can collect from Paris (just need to find which website I found that one on!). I've never had an issue with the cars from dollar at TI (or before that at the Mirage) but then I'm not too fussy, I order the size bigger than compact and only drive it to the malls. Never had anyone at the desk try to upsell extras too.

Brats64

Lilylou709 wrote: »

Hi, it's our first trip to Las Vegas and nothing like any holiday we have had before, normally all inclusive beach holidays...
Have booked a 2 trips to the Hoover Dam and Grand Canyon.
Would like to go to a show or 2
I know everyone is different but what kind of spending money should I take?
I am travelling with my husband, daughter (17yr) and Mum (74yr) not big drinkers gamblers or fancy eaters, just haven't got a clue how much to take we are using Monzo and Soldo prepaid cards and taking Halifax clarity credit card, also will take some cash too.

Another concern is dress code what's expected/accepted, husband just wears knee length jean shorts (is that ok most places?)

Going in 2 weeks for 10days and starting to panic now 😣🙄

Any advice gratefully received.
Thanks in advance 🤗

You are certainly right that it will be nothing like a beach holiday.

You will do a lot more walking than you would on a beach holiday..unless you do a lot of exploring during your beach holidays.
You can take 15 minutes just to get to the strip from you hotel...and that's staying in a strip hotel.Takes a fair bit longer if staying off strip.
Everything "seems" like it's not far away...until you start walking.

As said,you will see all kinds of dress code in Vegas.Most appropriate for the weather..which will probably be over 100 when your there.
It's usually just shorts and t-shirts,but some like to dress up,usually in an evening.Basically anything is acceptable.

For shows either check out online what you fancy and pre book.Look for discount code sites to get a better price,or wait until you get to Vegas and use one of the many tix4tonight booths that are all over Vegas for up to half price tickets for that day.

Spends are very different for different people.
If you don't gamble,and don't eat fancy,it shouldn't cost you too much.
Vegas still has plenty of "cheapish"food options.As Bobby says food courts are cheap,places like earl of sandwich do a nice sarnie for about $6.Most hotels have a cafe eatery inside,and that will usually be a cheaper menu than the fancier restaurants that they have.The more fancy the hotel the more you will pay.
Burger bars are reasonable if you like that kind of thing,and mid strip has the link project where most places have reasonable priced food.
In the evening "THE" best value for money in Vegas imo is Ellis Island
Starter and a Steak dinner for less than $10..once you join their players club,and play a minimum through the slots.
As you say you don't gamble,it would be a little more,but still great prices.

Vegas is getting dearer over the years,but there is still value to be had.As you have a good option of cards you really don't need to take too much in the way of cash.The Halifax card will no doubt give a better rate on purchases than the cash rate you get anyway.
Having said that apart from cards,we take between the 2 of us about $2000 in cash for 13 nights..although we do gamble a little.

Lastly 17 may not be the best age for a visit to Vegas.
We used to take our daughter when she was about 9 up until she was 17 or 18.She didn't really enjoy the last trips as she was still classed as a minor,so she harder to please and keep happy.
She returned to Vegas with us last year at 21 and was much happier,as she was then an adult.
It may not be an issue for you as you say your not big drinkers.

Don't worry about things Vegas is very easy to navigate,and if you learn to ignore the !!!!!! slappers and the people dressed in costumes on the strip you should have a great time.

Any other questions you have just ask them on here,there will be plenty of people to answer them.

Enjoy.

Stew68

Lilylou709 wrote: »

Hi, it's our first trip to Las Vegas and nothing like any holiday we have had before, normally all inclusive beach holidays...
Have booked a 2 trips to the Hoover Dam and Grand Canyon.
Would like to go to a show or 2
I know everyone is different but what kind of spending money should I take?
I am travelling with my husband, daughter (17yr) and Mum (74yr) not big drinkers gamblers or fancy eaters, just haven't got a clue how much to take we are using Monzo and Soldo prepaid cards and taking Halifax clarity credit card, also will take some cash too.

Another concern is dress code what's expected/accepted, husband just wears knee length jean shorts (is that ok most places?)

Going in 2 weeks for 10days and starting to panic now 😣🙄

Any advice gratefully received.
Thanks in advance 🤗

This thread showing it's worth again with all the good advice you've already had.

I'll back up Brats as to using the Link in the middle of the strip for eating, plenty of choice along that stretch and also you've got the High Roller (think London Eye) there too for the views before or after eating. The barbecue restaurant there was very accommodating for lunch one day.

I would suggest signing up with Uber too before you go if you're going to be casino hopping, especially in the heat you'll be experiencing. It's cheaper than taxis and it charges directly to the linked credit card on your account so saves on your cash.

Shopping? I'm sure the 17 year old might be interested in that! Plenty of options for that, with the Forum Shops in Ceasers Palace and the Fashion Show Mall opposite the Wynn. Also have a look at the Outlet Malls at either end of the strip too.

Shows? Take your pick, plenty of choice, yes use the Tix4Tonite booths, you can get good discounts and they show them on electronic boards on the outside, the sales people on the outside are really helpful too and don't pressure you into buying.

Main thing, try not to stress before going. Chill and enjoy the experience and when you come back let us know how you got on.

Ask any further questions, plenty of people here to help.

Lee399

Our trip and wedding is getting closer and we have a had a bit off a "wobble" over hotels for the honeymoon part of the trip.

We have a 1 bed terrace fountatin view room booked for thursday through monday, which we where happy with originaly. Looking on trip advisor recently The Cosmo reviews seem to have gone a bit Marmitey, some 5* reviews but a signifcant number of low reviews with the same sort of complaints such as long check-in/out times, dirty rooms that havent been cleaned with previous ocupants bedding still on the beds, general areas in the hotel dirty, rude staff and one review saying if your over 38 dont bother (we are mid 40`s). To top it off I also saw a you tube reviewer from July complaing of a whole host of issues one being that some of the upper floors are being remodeled and the builders where in working from around 430am every day!

Our alternative at the moment would be a Fountain View Studio at the Vdara, which recent views all still seem to be good. We understand it is quieter and less facilities but the other resorts are near by if we need some feeding or entertaining.

Has anyone here had good or bad exepriencs at either The Cosmo or Vdara?

martmonk

Hackers76 wrote: »

Hi guys

Planning my third trip to Vegas for next year and this time it will be a stag do. Too old for it to be too messy and the stag himself doesn't drink so will be able to spend plenty of time enjoying Vegas rather than recovering 😄

The stag is a big sports fan so we are hoping that we get lucky with some boxing, UFC or basketball being on at MGM, does anyone know if you get any kind of ticket preference if you stay at the hotel? If so this will sway us to stay there, if not we will be back to The Linq which I rate very highly.

If anyone else has any sports based ideas for things to do out there please share. We are doing two nights LA then driving up to Vegas for four nights early May 2018.

Thanks

Well it's highly unlikely that the new ice hockey franchise in Vegas will make the playoffs in year 1, and then be good enough to still be in them come May, but the LA Kings will have a shot at still being around. If your dates match up to a home game while you are in LA you could try for tickets - I'd expect them to be pretty pricey however.

Other than that, the baseball in Vegas is well worth a visit, great fun and pretty cheap as well.

dontone

Lilylou709 wrote: »

Hi, it's our first trip to Las Vegas and nothing like any holiday we have had before, normally all inclusive beach holidays...
Have booked a 2 trips to the Hoover Dam and Grand Canyon.
Would like to go to a show or 2
I know everyone is different but what kind of spending money should I take?
I am travelling with my husband, daughter (17yr) and Mum (74yr) not big drinkers gamblers or fancy eaters, just haven't got a clue how much to take we are using Monzo and Soldo prepaid cards and taking Halifax clarity credit card, also will take some cash too.

Another concern is dress code what's expected/accepted, husband just wears knee length jean shorts (is that ok most places?)

Going in 2 weeks for 10days and starting to panic now ����

Any advice gratefully received.
Thanks in advance ��

Hiya.
I thought I'd add my two cents as well.
Re. dress code. I'll be honest and say that when I visit Vegas, it's the only time I wear shorts :rotfl: Shorts are perfectly acceptable (and a must when it's hot) It's all about common sense tbh, if you are going somewhere fancy to eat, then you might want to dress for it, but as long as you aren't naked, you'll be fine. :rotfl: I will say that take some comfy footwear though, you will be doing a lot of walking.
As for shows, there are plenty of those Cirque De Solei shows, and I think that the shorter version of Phantom Of The Opera is still there, as is Blue Man Group, & Penn & Teller at Rio.
As for eating, there are tons of buffets. I'm not a fan tbh, but all of the casinos have food courts that do nice meals/snacks. You must try an American McDonalds - far superior than what we have here, and Wendy's too. Also try Nathan's chips with bacon & cheese (*drool*). If you like Chinese, than Panda Express is a must. And also, if you like burgers, there was a place in the Venetian called 'Johnny Rockets' It's fab, and the Oreo Cookie milkshake is a must try.
As for shopping, I think that the Fashion Mall is a tad expensive, but worth a trot round and visit the Bath And Body Works, it's better that the Body Shop if you like smellies and stuff.
The Outlet Mall near the airport is great. If the link is still on the front page, you can sign up and if you print out the special discount page, they will give you a booklet with even more discounts. Handy if you like jeans & trainers. Try things on though, the sizes are different (I'm a size 8 in America :T:j ) It's brill.
And if you have a car, you can take a trip to Primm and their casinos & mall (and also the thrill ride Desperado is there) and visit Silverton & Outdoor World on the way back. Btw, you must also find Walmart, not only to stock up on water & snacks 'cos it's cheaper, but to find the giant bottles of mouthwash, it's hilarious.
HTH.
Have a great trip. p.s take plenty of sunscreen too. Sometimes it is baking hot there.

Hovis91

For anyone interested in Bacchanal Buffet @Ceasers it is currently on offer on Travelzoo for $88 for two people till end of September.Hopefully it will be on when we go in November !!
Should of said it is for brunch have to be seated before 3.00pm and includes either 2 mimosas or 2 beers per person .

John259

dontone wrote: »

and Wendy's too

I'd also recommend In-n-Out Burger, Arby's for their roast beef sandwiches, and the Mexican fast food chains such as Taco Bell for something different.

And if you have a car, you can take a trip to Primm

Some other places which are easily accessed with a car are Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area (23 miles, desert scenery and vegetation), Hoover Dam (32 miles), Mount Charleston (43 miles, nice scenery and the higher altitude gives some relief from the heat), Valley of Fire State Park (56 miles, accurately named in summer), and Zion National Park in southwestern Utah (164 miles, and in many people's opinion one of the most beautiful places on Earth).