The Las Vegas Thread and MSE guide

secondtoughest

As long as you take tags out and leave boxes etc behind I dont see how it is enforcable?

Agreed, we hammered the Nationwide credit card in Florida. The only thing I kept in a box was an iPod, just took the tags out of all the clothes. Its not like you can take them back is it??

Admittedly this is not exactly customs friendly but.... it worked?

Steve1981

sew109 wrote: »

The deals I have seen online have allways been available at the booths and the monrail is nicer than a bus however it stops at about 2am I think and the monrail stations are hike from the part of the casino that you want to be at. That said I have not got a bus in Vegas for 10 years I have used the monrail but generally drive or use cabs

they also offer a 1 day and a 3day deal, worked out about £15 for the 3 day deal if I recall so is good value for money, as you say it finishes at 2 (3 i think on friday, saturday and sundays) but it gets you where you need to be and is a good clean, prompt service, only thing is you need to walk through the casinos to get to it, BUT it does mean you get to see all the hotels which you might have otherwise missed

secondtoughest

As i say the only issue might be when the maid comes, but if you avoid that and your not too obvious then it shouldn't be a problem.

We were thinking of tipping the housekeepers very well!!

Do you need to wear a wristband at any point? I guess we could ask for 2 keys at check in?

Will look into the monorail deals - I have a bit of a geeky love for monorails, think it was that <i>Simpsons</i> episode from years ago...

ferf1223

March

secondtoughest wrote: »

I notice the monorail website is doing $20 for 6 ride passes if you purchase online. Are those types of deals available at the ticketing booths? Is this is a good offer i.e. will this be an effective way to get around? We don't mind walking but I think I'd prefer a monorail to a bus if there was a choice.

Someone on OpenVegas posted yesterday that the booths and ticket machines are now ONLY selling 1-day, 2-day and 3-day passes though the 6-ride ticket still shows on the website.

So not sure if the multi-ride passes are a thing of the past - shame if they are as they're the only way the monorail makes sense for us as we only use it occasionally...the daily passes may be OK for some (ongoing deal for 1-day ticket for $9) but as much as we would use it in one day, would probably work out cheaper in a taxi as there are 2 of us - so $18 ($9x2) in taxi fares would make it a wash and a lot more convenient to take taxis.

The monorail has its uses but it does have its downsides as Steve1981 mentioned...we like it for the occasional jaunt, and it can be a good way to work your way up the strip from MGM to Sahara, stopping en-route...but if the weather is nice, it's nicer to just walk, we think. I do think you sometimes notice things from the monorail you wouldn't see otherwise and some neat views in some places.

sew109

November/December

secondtoughest wrote: »

We were thinking of tipping the housekeepers very well!!

Do you need to wear a wristband at any point? I guess we could ask for 2 keys at check in?

Will look into the monorail deals - I have a bit of a geeky love for monorails, think it was that <i>Simpsons</i> episode from years ago...

No writsband needed you show your key, if you were to lose a key or even both the reception will cancel them and give you additional ones, if somone wer to find the cacnelled ones they woudl still give them access to the pool !

ferf1223

March

Questions for those who have done the South Rim of the Grand Canyon and stayed at one of the lodges at the rim -

Did you park your car when you arrived and take the shuttle buses around? were you happy with that way of getting around? This is what we're planning to do I think but...

or did you drive around instead? Did that work better?

I'm just trying to prepare myself for what to expect. I've read over and over that parking for each of the lodges is limited and many complained that they had to park a way away and walk - but I'm prepared for that and that's fine (if I weren't prepared, it would have made me cranky - I do not deal well with the unknown).

Also - after dark, is there much to do/see? I really have no idea what to expect and sunset is about 5:45pm the night we're there - I assume that once the sun goes down the canyon itself is not really visible but maybe I'm wrong - trying to figure out if we should plan to find a way to amuse ourselves or if there's plenty to do...I've read that the restaurants get crowded and so going early is best.

If this is too OT please feel free to PM me and I appreciate any guidance!

dan28

Mandalay Bay from $100
from vegas-hotels-online.com, name: Early Weekend Bonus, double rooms from $100, stay from July 10, 2008 - August 15, 2008 on selected Thursdays and Fridays
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The Hotel at Mandalay Bay from $140
from vegas-hotels-online.com, name: Early Weekend Bonus, suites from $140, stay from July 10, 2008 - August 15, 2008 on selected Thursdays and Fridays
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Circus Circus from $35
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https://reservations.mgmmirage.com/bookingengine.aspx?pid=CCC&host=promo&code=SECRET&kbid=755041&sub=en

sew109

November/December

ferf1223 wrote: »

Questions for those who have done the South Rim of the Grand Canyon and stayed at one of the lodges at the rim -

Did you park your car when you arrived and take the shuttle buses around? were you happy with that way of getting around? This is what we're planning to do I think but...

or did you drive around instead? Did that work better?

I'm just trying to prepare myself for what to expect. I've read over and over that parking for each of the lodges is limited and many complained that they had to park a way away and walk - but I'm prepared for that and that's fine (if I weren't prepared, it would have made me cranky - I do not deal well with the unknown).

Also - after dark, is there much to do/see? I really have no idea what to expect and sunset is about 5:45pm the night we're there - I assume that once the sun goes down the canyon itself is not really visible but maybe I'm wrong - trying to figure out if we should plan to find a way to amuse ourselves or if there's plenty to do...I've read that the restaurants get crowded and so going early is best.

If this is too OT please feel free to PM me and I appreciate any guidance!

We drove ourselves round just so that we could do things at our pace. We have stayed at Bright Angel Lodge and Maswick Lodge, after sun down there is nothing to do other than have a drink and eat but these shut early as well. However if its clear then the stars themselves are so amazing and its worth the trip for this alone.

Steve1981

Im in the process of rying to get some places sorted to go for dinner whilst in Vegas. Ive booked the Top Of The World, at The Stratosphere and have Roxy's Diner also at the stratosphere on the list along with Planet Hollywood.

So far I have 3 on there that we haven't been to before.
Nine Fine Irishmen (NY NY)
Il Fornaio (NY NY)
Binions Ranch Steakhouse - (Freemont Street)

I was wondering if anyone could comment on these and maybe help to add a few more.

Also trying to get a list together of decent, not too pricy, but good clubs also

Cheers

S

sew109

November/December

Steve1981 wrote: »

Im in the process of rying to get some places sorted to go for dinner whilst in Vegas. Ive booked the Top Of The World, at The Stratosphere and have Roxy's Diner also at the stratosphere on the list along with Planet Hollywood.

So far I have 3 on there that we haven't been to before.
Nine Fine Irishmen (NY NY)
Il Fornaio (NY NY)
Binions Ranch Steakhouse - (Freemont Street)

I was wondering if anyone could comment on these and maybe help to add a few more.

Also trying to get a list together of decent, not too pricy, but good clubs also

Cheers

S

The only way I have found to do affordable clubbing in Vegas is use Nitetours, Vegas is a mare for clubbing grief getting in, stupid prices to get in etc, Nitetours gets rid of all this for one price and gives you free booze to boot whilst travelling between clubs.

http://vegasuncovered.wordpress.com/2008/04/04/new-nite-tours-club-crawl-packages-prices-las-vegas/

Dining in Vegas
I would not go to Planet Hollywood in Vegas it’s the same as going to any other PH anywhere else in the World.
Can I suggest the Peppermill near Riviera its great good food, fair service, cheap and full of Vegas real Retro.
Voodoo Café at Rio is good and I actually prefer the view (and the food) to the Top of the World they have a terrace so you can go outside.
Il Fornino is very nice I have breakfast there sometimes
Eiffel at Paris is my fave restaurant in Vegas but it drains your pocket
The coffee shop at Binions is good cheap food that comes in massive portions
Fleu De Lys (SP) at Mandalay is lovely
Maggianos is good value American/Italian