The Las Vegas Thread and MSE guide

ferf1223

March

mils wrote: »

Hi all,

Could anyone please help us out here. At the moment were looking into booking accomodation between sept 16th - 25th (flights already booked) for 3 of us:

-Looking to spend £400 (400 x 3 = 1200)

- seems 1 room with 2 queens is going to work best

- ideally a strip view

-keeing the location central to the strip

I'd suggest Ballys as the rooms are much larger than most and for 3 people it might be nice to have more room to spread out in. It will easily come in within your budget...problem is going to be the view - if you want a decent view you can get one, but really only from the unrefurbished south tower where the rooms are quite worn. Views can be stunning though - we looked out directly on the Eiffel Tower, could see about 1/2 to 2/3 of the Bellagio fountains and all the way down the south strip.

https://www.harrahs.com/AvailabilityCalendar.do?propCode=BLV&showHotDeal=Y

But for £1200 or about $2340 you could probably stay somewhere much nicer though it might not be as large, you might be able to get a better view

most hotels will not guarantee bed configuration - but I think they generally have more 2-queen rooms than 1-king rooms.

As becksta noticed you can't book more than 7 nights online, but you can look at rates for the first 5 nights then the last 5 nights to get an idea of total cost based on specific type of room and tax.

As for the Virgin flights, I was one of the last hold-outs here and I still think that I prefer to fly direct...while I have acknowledged before that the flights aren't what they should be, I still put a lot of value in flying direct even if the flight isn't that comfortable...but after this last flight perhaps (just perhaps) this means that I need to give up and try another option even though I loathe the idea of a connection. I didn't mention that the IFE system was down most of the flight (it worked for some, but not all, they reset it 2x then it was down for a few hours while they got someone in the tech dept on the radio). Didn't impact us as we brought our own, but can imagine a lot of annoyed people - though coming home from Vegas you're usually too tired to do anything but sleep.

But our flights to Chicago ( also on Virgin) were great - but on a much newer plane...so I think flying out on one plane and back on another in the span of a week sort of put it in perspective for me just how different they are.

All that said we're already booked LGW->LAS in economy in October so I'll have at least one more chance to try it out.

If you manage your expectations it will be fine.

luci

May

mils wrote: »

Hi all,

Could anyone please help us out here. At the moment were looking into booking accomodation between sept 16th - 25th (flights already booked) for 3 of us:

-Looking to spend £400 (400 x 3 = 1200)

- seems 1 room with 2 queens is going to work best

- ideally a strip view

-keeing the location central to the strip

At the moment we're finding that alot of the offers going on at the moment seem to only run upto just before we arrive. So i take it from this we should wait a little longer in the hope that better and longer offers may arise (covering our dates)???

Also does anyone know what the Palazzo is like to regarding the cost of things within the hotel?

any information received will be gratefully received, Thanks

Paul

p.s Could anyone reassure us on what the Virgin flights are like (who we've booked with) after reading ferf's recent expereince??

£1200 is just under $2400. Is that for 9 nights or 10 nights? Even at 10 nights you will get one of the top end places for $240 a night, however the rates typically more than double at the weekend. Keep an eye on Fat Wallet for offers around your dates.

What type of things at the Palazzo did you want prices for?

We stayed there for 2 nights in May, but I can't remember spending a penny in the hotel. Our drinks were free while we were gambling and there wasn't anything else we needed.

They have a Grand Lux Cafe which is reasonably priced as well as high end restaurants with prices to match such as Cut and Carnevino. IIRC a filter mignon was around $54.

luci

May

12345ns wrote: »

thanks steff. we've gone ahead and cancelled the luxor and booked venetian belle. its 20$ more than the standard one they're advertising as 105$ but i assume the base rate of 105$ will be adjusted up/down accordingly and the additional 20$ will remain fixed. 3 1/2 weeks left...cannot wait!

The Bella suite at the Venetian means it has 2 Queen beds rather than 1 King size.

Re the after wedding meal. Another vote for Mon Ami Gabi and the patio. We eat there every visit and always enjoy it. Our bill is usually around $120 for 2.

We make a reservation for an hour before we really want to eat expecting to wait an hour for a patio table. Last time we booked for 7pm expecting to be seated at 8pm. However we got to the restaurant at 6pm and were seated on the patio immediately with no wait.

We have once eaten inside and I wouldn't do it again as it just doesn't have the atmosphere of the patio.

ferf1223

March

mils wrote: »

p.s Could anyone reassure us on what the Virgin flights are like (who we've booked with) after reading ferf's recent expereince??

Thinking about it, I can't really blame Virgin for the size of my hips...so perhaps you should ignore some of my comments. Though I will say that the check-in girl that served us could have clarified that the armrests were fixed and the tray-table in the armrest and the seats are a couple of inches more narrow than the standard seats as a result - especially when we were umming and awwwing about the exit row seats and whether they would be better for us or not. Even those with a shocking lack of spacial awareness would have to have known that I wouldn't be comfortable in the exit row seats.

My current opinion on Virgin is directly related to how uncomfortable I was during that flight...prior to that, I was able to deal with the downsides of Virgin as it meant a direct flight.

sew109

November/December

mils wrote: »

Hi all,

Could anyone please help us out here. At the moment were looking into booking accomodation between sept 16th - 25th (flights already booked) for 3 of us:

-Looking to spend £400 (400 x 3 = 1200)

- seems 1 room with 2 queens is going to work best

- ideally a strip view

-keeing the location central to the strip

At the moment we're finding that alot of the offers going on at the moment seem to only run upto just before we arrive. So i take it from this we should wait a little longer in the hope that better and longer offers may arise (covering our dates)???

Also does anyone know what the Palazzo is like to regarding the cost of things within the hotel?

any information received will be gratefully received, Thanks

Paul

p.s Could anyone reassure us on what the Virgin flights are like (who we've booked with) after reading ferf's recent expereince??

Hi Paul, Prices are low at the minute because of gas prices in the States book now on a fully refundable offer and then if the rate drops either cancel and rebook or call up the hotel and they will change you rate to reflect the lower one only if you book directly with the hotel can you do that. All of these links are direct with the hotel so you can cancel up to 48 hours before check in these are the best offers that I can find at the minute. Most have added bonus’s like free food or drinks look to see – I hope this helps the Mirage offers are the bestIhave ever seen for here we have booked for Xmas.

Try Mirage our favorite on the strip from $72 per night amazing hotel, great pool center location. Valid until end of the year https://reservations.mgmmirage.com/bookingengine.aspx?host=promo&pid=160&code=RRDLUX08&kbid=542076
https://reservations.mgmmirage.com/bookingengine.aspx?host=promo&pid=160&code=RRTD08&kbid=542076

MGM valid until end of September
https://reservations.mgmmirage.com/bookingengine.aspx?host=promo&pid=001&code=MKT125&kbid=542076
https://reservations.mgmmirage.com/bookingengine.aspx?host=promo&pid=001&code=sdm056&kbid=542076

NYNY free room upgrade valid until end of the year
https://reservations.mgmmirage.com/bookingengine.aspx?pid=010&host=promo&code=tahiti&kbid=542076

Treasure Island Valid until end of the year
https://reservations.mgmmirage.com/bookingengine.aspx?pid=170&host=promo&code=TIDIRECT&kbid=542076

Luxor valid til Feb08
https://reservations.mgmmirage.com/bookingengine.aspx?pid=LUX&host=promo&code=PLUX&kbid=542076

sew109

November/December

becksta wrote: »

Hi Guys

I'm after a bit of advice. I am looking to visit vegas at the beginning of October this year for 10 nights. I have been toying with the idea whether to book a package via expedia/ebookers or flights and hotel seperately.

Expedia and ebookers have a 10 night package to stay at the imperial palace for £650 which seems quite reasonable to me. However I would probably prefer to book seperately. Delta have flights for approx £420 but the hotel deals don't seem to be out yet.

I'm on a bit of a budget and want to be as centrally located as i can without spending a fortune. I think the imperial palace sounds ideal and I have emailed them to ask for a price for a 10 night stay. Unfortunately they haven't come back to me yet (I emailed on Friday).

So, my question is:

Is it worth booking the flights and waiting for a hotel deal nearer the time or should I play it safe and book the package via expedia/ebookers?

Many thanks in advance
Becky

p.s. if anyone has a better way of contacting the Imperial Palace then emailing through their website please let me know!

Hi booking seperatly will save you money I would have a long hard think about the Imperial Palace I have stayed there and whilst the property is well loacted its not nice. We found it dirty and very smokey and the pool is horrid, we would not stay there again. Its best to book a room as early as you can and then if the rate drops cancel it or call the hotel and they will drop your rate. I have stayed at Excalibur much nicer, big nicer rooms great location, far pool and cheap buffer etc and you can generally get it for the same price as the IP. Below is a link to a special offer this is non refundable but its a good price.
https://reservations.mgmmirage.com/bookingengine.aspx?pid=EXC&host=offer&code=EBOOK&kbid=542076

This is afuly refundable offer I reccomend that you book it you pay one nights deposit and if you cancel up to 48 hours before you will get your deposit back with no penalty.
https://reservations.mgmmirage.com/bookingengine.aspx?pid=EXC&host=offer&code=XSTAY1&kbid=542076

mils

Thanks for the response, and yea its 9 nights were staying just about to looking into the links. Thanks again

photome

mils wrote: »

Hi all,

Could anyone please help us out here. At the moment were looking into booking accomodation between sept 16th - 25th (flights already booked) for 3 of us:

-Looking to spend £400 (400 x 3 = 1200)

- seems 1 room with 2 queens is going to work best

- ideally a strip view

-keeing the location central to the strip

At the moment we're finding that alot of the offers going on at the moment seem to only run upto just before we arrive. So i take it from this we should wait a little longer in the hope that better and longer offers may arise (covering our dates)???

Also does anyone know what the Palazzo is like to regarding the cost of things within the hotel?

any information received will be gratefully received, Thanks

Paul

p.s Could anyone reassure us on what the Virgin flights are like (who we've booked with) after reading ferf's recent expereince??

As others have said, for the money you have to spend you could stay anywhere. The palazzo is great but I didnt spend anything in the hotel, because I thought it would be to expensive, and I felt we didnt "fit" in.

As for virgin the only plus is that it is direct. The seats on that route are so hard. My suggesttion would be to take some kind of cushion for some extra comfort, and entertainment for when the IFE fails, and some ear plugs to block out all the f*ing from the stag partys

Froggitt

becksta wrote: »

Hi Froggitt

Thats what I was thinking. IP sounds ok for location but hotel may not be as glam as others. I don't mind too much about the hotel to be honest but I do like to get a deal. The actual dates I'm travelling are Monday 6th to Thursday 16th October. Out of interest, where did you find the rate of $679.50?

Thanks

Here you go.........
https://www.harrahs.com/AvailabilityCalendar.do?propCode=ILV&action=default&numchildren=0&numAdults=2&packageCode=&roomType=CAPRI&showPackageDropDown=false&startingMonth=2008-10-01&showHotDeal=Y

06
$53.95

07
$53.95

08
$44.95

09
$44.95

10
$107.95

11
$139.95


12
$62.95

13
$62.95

14
$53.95

15
$53.95

ferf1223

March

Froggitt wrote: »

Here you go.........
https://www.harrahs.com/AvailabilityCalendar.do?propCode=ILV&action=default&numchildren=0&numAdults=2&packageCode=&roomType=CAPRI&showPackageDropDown=false&startingMonth=2008-10-01&showHotDeal=Y

Tax is 9% on top of those rates, but I agree that it's still a better rate than the package deal by the best part of £100...