The Las Vegas Thread and MSE guide

ferf1223

March

carson wrote: »

signing up cards at the resorts....are they worth doing and what do you get free/comps.

I think so...what you get free for joining varies dramatically. You can get some info here:

http://www.advantageplayer.com/lasvegas/index.html

then click on Slot Club Sign-up Bonuses. Remember you can only join once for each group of casinos so you may want to be strategic and sign up at the one which has the best freebie for you.

As for comps - it's down to what you play, how much you play and where you play generally. The clubs are quite different between casinos so it's a difficult question to answer. You can try to have a look at that site above, but this time go to the section on the left called Guide to Las Vegas Slot Clubs and click on the various casinos to see the info available (sometimes it's minimal). At the end of the day it's free to sign up and you just might get something out of it if you use your card - so I can't really see a reason not to.

Some casinos do seem to try to lure people back another time with some pretty great deals for minimal play. Wynn does it. The Harrah's properties do it. At least for slot players.

We had several trips where our rooms cost us nothing. Last trip 9 nights cost us less than $250...and we currently have about $300 in comps we could use for rooms, food, show etc (saving them for a trip with the in-laws later this year)...so we really think it's worth using our cards...we figure that we're going to play what we're going to play anyway, so might as well get something out of it.

In many cases just showing your card will get you a discount at some restaurants, shops and shows too.

davidmcg2u

RichTeaBiscuit wrote: »

It's nice to see some favourable reviews for Bill's Gambling Hall and Saloon, I booked 3nights there on the Tripadvisor reviews and was hoping it's ok.

We stayed in Bill's for the 1st 2 nights of our trip & found it good value for money. It's in an excellent location, the food is superb & reasonably priced.

The hotel/casino is small compared to others around which is great because you get to the strip within 5mins after leaving your room.

The beds/pillows are very big & comfy & if you have time to watch TV there's a 42 inch plasma on the wall.

Now being very very picky, the only thing I didn't like was the small bath - that's the only thing but for the money, approx. $60 a night, it was well worth it!!

We'd definitely go back.

luci

May

I've had excellent success with the $20 trick at PH, 3 out of 3. Last time we got a newly remodelled Resort room with a view of the Bellagio fountains! It was on the 23rd floor which is the highest floor of that leg that sticks out the front of the hotel.

I used to hold the $20 in my hand after I'd handed over the passport and credit card, but read on www.frontdesktip.com to hand it over at the same time. I've done that twice now, at PH and the Bellagio, and it worked both times. Will be trying it at the MGM and Palazzo so wish me luck. Not bothered if it doesn't work as I think a regular room in Vegas is great.

As for the IP, we only stay there because it's cheap so stay there at the weekend when everywhere else is $300+ a night. We are paying $29/$119/$119 and $39/$119/$119 so we are getting 3 nights for less than the cost of one night elsewhere. Imagine getting a room in Vegas for £15!

I know that some people get their rooms free, but we are tiny low rollers who only play penny slots so that's not going to happen for us.

atro1

May

niceday999 wrote: »

Can anyone tell me will my Hair Straighteners work in Las Vegas. I took them on a Med cruise before and they only heated up very slightly. I will be lost without them if they dont work . Never been to USA before so sorry if this seems trivial to some.

My wifes totally lost [her words] without her Straightners, and the GHD's did not work well at all so I went to CVS and brought a cheap set of Local ones, $19, wife was over the moon. They are now up in the loft ready for next time.
Truthfully, brought the wrong ones first at $25, too thick, had to take them back and change them. No problem.:p

ferf1223

March

atro1 wrote: »

Hi all. Back after our visit to LV. Ended up in Redhill [Gatwick]hospital for 9 days [not the happiest of hospitals]

Thanks for your report atro, and glad that you are doing OK...sounds quite scary to me!

gt568

September

PandaPants wrote: »

Has anyone had any luck with the $20 trick in PH? Or is it worth offering $50 for a really good room? I get all embarassed when i do it... :eek: :eek:

Yes, we secured a remodeled resort room overlooking the fountains.....only used a 20 in the passport....asked politely if any upgrades were available, perhaps with a view of the fountains...

pcg2001

davidmcg2u wrote: »

We stayed in Bill's for the 1st 2 nights of our trip & found it good value for money. It's in an excellent location, the food is superb & reasonably priced.

The hotel/casino is small compared to others around which is great because you get to the strip within 5mins after leaving your room.

The beds/pillows are very big & comfy & if you have time to watch TV there's a 42 inch plasma on the wall.

Now being very very picky, the only thing I didn't like was the small bath - that's the only thing but for the money, approx. $60 a night, it was well worth it!!

We'd definitely go back.

Bill's: Would you say the rooms are old or have been refurbished?

Hotels in Vegas: I know I may come across a bit naive, but I like staying in a refurbished room and hate rooms that look too old, colours faded, couple of stains, mouldy bathrooms, etc. This is my premise. I don't care so much for hotel facilities (never use them), but the room is important. So that I don't come across as a "snob", I really like Ibis hotels - standard, clean, preferably refurbished and very affordable, and no thin walls.

Then I look at LV hotels and get totally confused. I get 3 star hotels on the strip for £40 on sites like expedia or lastminute (some of the cheaper ones, I disregard). Then, I go to tripadvisor and I read some really bad reviews (old rooms, uncomfortable beds, prostitutes, thin walls) :eek:

start looking at 4stars, and the budget doubles...

I've never been to the US, so the quality / price ration, which I have "mastered" in Europe, is unknown to me (and LV seems to be a place on its own!!) and I get completely lost. And I seem to be looking at hotels which are perhaps too much for my needs (MGM Grand, Planet Hollywood). I know I won't regret going for a more expensive hotel, but I would rather save a bit and spend it on Cirque shows!!!

Can someone recommend some hotels given this description of my preferences? Many many thanks!!

PS: I don't really understand priceline or hotwire... so I would rather book via a conventioanl website or via the hotel promos. But I am looking for August and most deals from the hotels don't run that far... Suggestions please as to the best place to look?

pcg2001

Any good/ cheap electronics stores in Vegas where I can buy a laptop, games, etc?
Is there any problem in customs when returning to the UK if the items are for personal use?

Many thanks.

davidmcg2u

pcg2001 wrote: »

Bill's: Would you say the rooms are old or have been refurbished?

Hotels in Vegas: I know I may come across a bit naive, but I like staying in a refurbished room and hate rooms that look too old, colours faded, couple of stains, mouldy bathrooms, etc. This is my premise. I don't care so much for hotel facilities (never use them), but the room is important. So that I don't come across as a "snob", I really like Ibis hotels - standard, clean, preferably refurbished and very affordable, and no thin walls.

Then I look at LV hotels and get totally confused. I get 3 star hotels on the strip for £40 on sites like expedia or lastminute (some of the cheaper ones, I disregard). Then, I go to tripadvisor and I read some really bad reviews (old rooms, uncomfortable beds, prostitutes, thin walls) :eek:

start looking at 4stars, and the budget doubles...

I've never been to the US, so the quality / price ration, which I have "mastered" in Europe, is unknown to me (and LV seems to be a place on its own!!) and I get completely lost. And I seem to be looking at hotels which are perhaps too much for my needs (MGM Grand, Planet Hollywood). I know I won't regret going for a more expensive hotel, but I would rather save a bit and spend it on Cirque shows!!!

Can someone recommend some hotels given this description of my preferences? Many many thanks!!

PS: I don't really understand priceline or hotwire... so I would rather book via a conventioanl website or via the hotel promos. But I am looking for August and most deals from the hotels don't run that far... Suggestions please as to the best place to look?

I'm almost positive that the rooms have recently been refurbished. The decor & furniture is somewhat dark though, some would say traditional.

I took a couple of pics of the room & can email them if you'd like. If so, PM your email to me.

David

fifth_ave

PandaPants wrote: »

My GHD's have always worked in America, i've never had a problem.

Went in February I took my mini GHD's, quite a few years old so not dual voltage. They didn't work for me in the Mandalay Bay & I'm totally positive they worked in New York for me.
On the first night I made my way to Fry's Electrical's & bought some straightners for $20.00. They didn't have any slim one's at all, so ended up purchasing a wide pair, which was better than nothing at all. I didn't try the GHD's at Bellagio, so I don't know if it vary's depending on hotel. I had a pair of Babylis Dual Voltage straigtners at home (Boots £25) that I could of taken with me, which may of worked.
A friend once mentioned to me that if you take the plug of the GHD straightners you are left with a 2 pin plug for USA sockets. Has anyone done this ?? Didn't fancy playing around with the plug & still got the problem of the voltage.