The Las Vegas Thread and MSE guide

duchy

Be aware the Monte Carlo has construction next door which is impacting on the pool area-so if you're a pool person this may not be the good deal it first appears-otherwise-it's a great deal

Croesus

Hi, my first post on this thread; am planning to go to LV in Oct. and we are booked for 7 nights at the Excalibur.
Just a quick question or two - we would like to take a helicopter trip over the Grand Canyon.
Any recommendations as to which company? Also, would it be better (cheaper) to book online from here in the UK, or wait to pick a local deal when we arrive in Las Vegas?

Never been to the USA before - let alone LV - we are flying AA LHR via Dallas - am I correct in thinking that we go through immigration their and collect baggage for the internal flight in Dallas?. Or is it all done when we arrive in LV?

Thanks for any answers,,,,


C.

PandaPants_2

September

If you do a quick search you'll find quite a lot of info about the helicopter trips. Also, for your first visit Excalibur may not be the best hotel. It's not one of the nicest on the strip and it's a bit far out, depending on what you want to do.

sew109

November/December

Croesus wrote: »

Hi, my first post on this thread; am planning to go to LV in Oct. and we are booked for 7 nights at the Excalibur.
Just a quick question or two - we would like to take a helicopter trip over the Grand Canyon.
Any recommendations as to which company? Also, would it be better (cheaper) to book online from here in the UK, or wait to pick a local deal when we arrive in Las Vegas?

Never been to the USA before - let alone LV - we are flying AA LHR via Dallas - am I correct in thinking that we go through immigration their and collect baggage for the internal flight in Dallas?. Or is it all done when we arrive in LV?

Thanks for any answers,,,,


C.

Hi
You go through immigartion, then pick up your luggage and then drop it 20 yards later and pick it up at your destination, so when you get to Las Vegas just collect you luggage, jump in a cab and dont sleep for a week ;-)

Pre book your trip to the grand canyon Pappillion are the best, make sure you specify where in the Grand canyon you want to go, many of the helicpoter trips go to the West Rim (any that land in the cnayon do) and thsi is not what you are thinking of when you think Grand Canyon you must go to the South Rim

This is teh best offer around for Excalibutrit includes a free uupgrade to a Widescreen room and from $51 per night https://reservations.mgmmirage.com/bookingengine.aspx?pid=EXC&host=offer&code=EMMT08&kbid=542076
Book your hotel direct do not use an online or UK travel agent unless you have money to burn

Simon

Justin case there are some more offers here
Luxor ttps://reservations.mgmmirage.com/bookingengine.aspx?pid=LUX&host=promo&code=PLUX&kbid=542076
NEW yORK nEW yORK https://reservations.mgmmirage.com/bookingengine.aspx?pid=010&host=promo&code=tahiti&kbid=542076
MGM Grand 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=INB187&kbid=542076

sew109

November/December

PandaPants wrote: »

If you do a quick search you'll find quite a lot of info about the helicopter trips. Also, for your first visit Excalibur may not be the best hotel. It's not one of the nicest on the strip and it's a bit far out, depending on what you want to do.

I agre its not the nicest but it is without doubt the best of the cheaper hotels and the location is great next to NYNY and Luxor, accross from MGM and Tropicana and direct Tram to Manadaly bay. I have stayed at most Strip hotels rom Wynn to the Sahara and if I were on a budget I woudl happily stay at Excalibur again and if the same price it woudl be toss of a coin that chose that or Luxor, I would certainly pick it over Imperial Palacem Tropicana, Circus Cirucs, Riviera, Strat or Sahara . The rooms are big and clean (The widecreen rooms are lovely) the casino is big and friendly the only let down is the pool but this has been upgarded since I was there last year.

Croesus

Thank you for all your advice! Excalibur is already booked - did think about IP and Strat. but not so good reviews for them overall.
I think the Ex, will be OK for a first LV visit - while we suss the place out!!
Will have a look at the Pappillion site - thanks for the advice re west rim.

C.

ferf1223

March

sew109 wrote: »

I agre its not the nicest but it is without doubt the best of the cheaper hotels and the location is great next to NYNY and Luxor, accross from MGM and Tropicana and direct Tram to Manadaly bay. I have stayed at most Strip hotels rom Wynn to the Sahara and if I were on a budget I woudl happily stay at Excalibur again and if the same price it woudl be toss of a coin that chose that or Luxor, I would certainly pick it over Imperial Palacem Tropicana, Circus Cirucs, Riviera, Strat or Sahara . The rooms are big and clean (The widecreen rooms are lovely) the casino is big and friendly the only let down is the pool but this has been upgarded since I was there last year.

I agree 100% though we do prefer mid-strip as a location now, we were south strip people for several years. I think it's all about managing expections though - it's not Wynn, it's not Bellagio...and as most hotels in Vegas have thousands of rooms, there is always the chance you will get one that is past its best (unless you book a recently refurbished room type). If the price is comparable, I would also put Excalibur above the other 'budget' hotels you listed. From what I've read, Bill's can be really good value, though they don't have many rooms. I'm a firm believer in Bally's as one of the best value for money hotels on the Strip, but it's frequently quite a bit more expensive than Excalibur.

At the end of the day, it's all pretty relative as what is perfectly good for one person may be horrible to another. Other things that tend to get hotels bad reviews are things that should be considered beforehand - if you book a room with 2 queen beds as your preference, it's not guaranteed...so you can't slate the hotel if you don't get your preference when it's clear that it's just a preference/request.

MercilessKiller

Croesus wrote: »

Thank you for all your advice! Excalibur is already booked - did think about IP and Strat. but not so good reviews for them overall.
I think the Ex, will be OK for a first LV visit - while we suss the place out!!
Will have a look at the Pappillion site - thanks for the advice re west rim.

C.

It all depends on why you're going to Vegas. If its for a luxury holiday then stay clear of places like the IP I guess, which IS a budget place though definitely suitable!

I'm going to see things and play poker. The only thing I desire is a comfy bed in the hotel, and through all the bad reviews everyone agrees the bed is usually comfy

For people my age (21), going with mates rather than girlfriends, the IP has got very good reviews due mainly to location. Perfect for me.

As long as it doesn't smell bad and I can sleep, good!

duchy

It always annoys me when someone posts they have already booked and there's a reply saying "IMO you've not made a good choice". Not really helpful especially as first timers usually have packaged so can't switch without cost. OK if someone's booked a downtown fleapit and is travelling with children then maybe I would !!
Personally I think the Excalliber is fine-no it's not "The best" but it's clean, comfortable, offers reasonable value for money and is well located for a first visit. Who spends loads of time in their hotel especially on a first visit anyway ?
IMO Excaliber is a FAR better choice than the Strat or IP which were your other choices !
Right back to my packing and house cleaning Vegas here we come !!

MercilessKiller

I had that I'm going to be a first-timer and when I mentioned I booked at the IP I was told to cancel by a few users.. though unfortunately it's too late!

But I've found good reasons to be happy