The Las Vegas Thread and MSE guide

photome

Baz wrote: »

Thanks for helping with the south rim lodge bookings, we now have our favoured two nights booked.

Those of you that stayed at the South Rim Grand Canyon lodges what time did you set off in the morning? Im thinking about 8am - 8:30am but was wondering if thats early enough really?

Google says its 4 hours 30 minutes but is it really that long?

Also we are going mid October and we want a convertible, is it convertible weather out there at that time of year?

As to what to do when we are there, unfortunately the wife is still recovering from an arm operation which means anything short of mild walking becomes painful for her within half an hour. So mule rides and long hikes are out. Does anyone have a list of things that are "must do" for the two nights we are there bearing in mind the arm problems.

Also anything else we should do/not do, Im sure this info is already in this thread but its a very long read.

Or is it just a case of it all becoming apparent when we get there, a bit like it did for us when we got to Yosemite?

Thanks in advance.

Yes it is really that long, took me 5 hours plus, did stop at hoover dam for a short while (you will get held up there anyway as I think they are still building another crossing there) and a couple of other short stops.

havent been in October, been in april and it is below freezing at night and pleasant in the day.

Didnt see any Mules!!!!!

Didnt do any short hikes never mind long ones, we drove between each viewing point and then got out for look and a short wander.

Other than the view during the day there is also the poss of seeing the sunrise over the canyon and or sunset over the canyon, and a fantastic view of the stars if clear but not much else to do...you will not be disappointed tho.

pebblesmax

November/December

Baz wrote: »

Those of you that stayed at the South Rim Grand Canyon lodges what time did you set off in the morning? Im thinking about 8am - 8:30am but was wondering if thats early enough really?

Google says its 4 hours 30 minutes but is it really that long?.

We set off at 6am when we went in November 2007. We stopped for late breakfast/early lunch at Kingman AZ, and arrived at our hotel just outside the park at around 12:30pm

Baz wrote: »

Also we are going mid October and we want a convertible, is it convertible weather out there at that time of year?.

In early November it was definitely NOT convertible weather near the Canyon. Our car was covered in ice when we got up early the next morning. It warmed up a bit when the sun got up, but it was still "see your breath" chilly until about 11am.

Baz wrote: »

Does anyone have a list of things that are "must do" for the two nights we are there bearing in mind the arm problems..

Do see the IMAX presentation. We enjoyed it.
Don't leave it too late to get something to eat, it appeared that everything was closed by 9pm. This was a bit of a surprise after Vegas being 24/7.
We didn't do any hikes or anything like that, just drove around to all the lookout points on day 1 and did the same the next morning to catch the sunrise, which was awesome.

Hope you have fun.

becksta

I've booked 6 nights at Bill's Gamblin Hall in October and the price has decreased by $80 since we booked it. As it is a fully cancellable rate I have emailed reservations to ask them to amend the booking to the cheaper rate but have heard nothing back. I can't find anywhere on the website to amend/cancel the booking myself and wondered whether the only way to do this is to call the hotel direct. If I call them do I ask them to amend the booking or will I need to cancel and rebook? Does anyone have any other suggestions?

Many thanks
Becky

redrichie2001

January/February

I had a similar situation with Luxor, I just rang them yesterday and they ammended the booking immediatley!! But mine had gone down by $150!!

All sorted now and cant wait to go 6 weeks on thursday!!! :j

photome

becksta wrote: »

I've booked 6 nights at Bill's Gamblin Hall in October and the price has decreased by $80 since we booked it. As it is a fully cancellable rate I have emailed reservations to ask them to amend the booking to the cheaper rate but have heard nothing back. I can't find anywhere on the website to amend/cancel the booking myself and wondered whether the only way to do this is to call the hotel direct. If I call them do I ask them to amend the booking or will I need to cancel and rebook? Does anyone have any other suggestions?

Many thanks
Becky

Ring them, dont forget the international call checker (sticky) for rates from 0.5p...Now is a good time to ring as it is 11 am over there (or 10am)

sew109

November/December

becksta wrote: »

I've booked 6 nights at Bill's Gamblin Hall in October and the price has decreased by $80 since we booked it. As it is a fully cancellable rate I have emailed reservations to ask them to amend the booking to the cheaper rate but have heard nothing back. I can't find anywhere on the website to amend/cancel the booking myself and wondered whether the only way to do this is to call the hotel direct. If I call them do I ask them to amend the booking or will I need to cancel and rebook? Does anyone have any other suggestions?

Many thanks
Becky

they shoudl just ammend the rate

becksta

Thanks for the advice.

Just rang them and they changed it to the lower rate immediately. Duration of the call was probably 2 mins max - excellent. Will keep my eyes peeled on the rate between now and October and maybe it may creep down even further!!

Cash-Is-King

Hi Forum

Great thread... I am going to LV in September and after browsing the Tripadvisor Forum I spotted someone state that fees from ATMs can be approx 8-10%.

I have the standard MSE abroad Issue Nationwide Flex account and was planning to withdraw my cash in LV with this - now I am apprehensive.

Can anybody advise what type of free to use ATM brands I should seek out with good exchange rates?

I am staying a couple of nights in Mandalay Bay and a couple in the Bellagio.

Thanks!

Aidenr

November/December

Most ATM's do charge you even tho NBS wont.
the cheapest is noramally a bank ATM like Bank of America that normally charges $3 ish.
or if you speak to the hotel front desk, they may do a cash advance for free if you smile nicely

pebblesmax

November/December

The Target on Maryland Parkway was Zero charge in May 2008.
The Walgreen's on the strip is $2 per transaction in May 2008.
Casino Royale was $1.50 per withdrawal in May/June 2008.
Cash machine in Ellis Island Casino was $1.50 per withdrawal in June 2008

Casino Royale is the only on strip cheap cash machine at $1.50 per transaction.

If you don't mind a bit of a walk, there is a credit union drive through cash machine just behind the PH on Harmon. This one has never charged me for getting my cash out using a Nationwide card. http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=12816641970537173215,36.108019,-115.167147&saddr=36.108314,-115.167156&daddr=&mra=mi&mrsp=0&sz=17&sll=36.108358,-115.167081&sspn=0.003571,0.00663&ie=UTF8&ll=36.108358,-115.167081&spn=0.007142,0.013261&z=16