The Las Vegas Thread and MSE guide

duchy

There's plenty to do in Vegas without spending -but it's all about mental attitude. If you (or from what you say your brother) is going to be thinking all the time "If we had the cash I'd be doing X instead" and resenting it and wouldn't have a good time maybe it is time for a rethink however I've gone with very little money and had a lot of fun.
Consider the Orleans for a late buffet breakfast (free shuttle from the Strip outside Bills from 10am) for $6.99-food is good and plentiful-you won't need lunch-their dinner buffets are again pretty good for $10.99-far better than some of the more affordable Strip buffets.
I'd definitely check out changing to a cheaper hotel-the Orleans rooms are HUGE, The Gold Coast is a smaller hotel (but you must have a renovated room -they are lovely -the unrenovated are awful by comparison)-overall the Orleans is nicer (although the rooms aren't cutting edge but spacious and comfy)but the Gold Coast has both the Palms and Rio nearby (easy walk) as well as the same (free) shuttle to the Strip as the Orleans. You won't need a hirecar -use the deuce for days you want to go further up the Strip $5 for 24 hours unlimited travel-and it will even take you down to Freemont Street too.
Use the penny slots to finance your drinks (but tip a buck per drink not per round) and schedule in some pool time too.
Vegas really does cater to all budgets-you just need to educate yourself

photome

viktory wrote: »

Evening all - great thread!

I have been thinking about a trip to Vegas to celebrate my 40th in 18 months or so. My son wants to come with us and will be just 19. We know he won't be able to drink alcohol but will he be barred from the Casino's as well?

TIA.

At 19 he wont be allowed in the bars not just unable to drink (ar least i dont think so). While he may get away with putting the odd coin in a slot (if he looks older), you have to hope he doesnt win the jackpot as he wont get paid. He will not be able to play on any table game as they will ask for ID. IMO if you want to take him wait until he is 21 and then its a whole new ball game, I also think that a 19 year old would get bored because of the restrictions.

duchy

Made a bit of a mess up on Priceline last night-fortunately only for a single night booking but accidently ticked North as well as South Strip and got the Riviera To add insult to injury I also found the hotel cheaper elsewhere so had to invoke Priceline's price promise. As I have a mugged phone number in my profile it took a while to get past the automated service but once through they were very nice and helpful and I have $29 refund on its way (which is more than I calculated it at) so could have been a lot worse. $69 for any Strip hotel for a Friday is a pretty good deal -even if it's a dump (reviews are REALLY mixed) and I've always stuck to South before so it'll be a new experience.
First time I've ever messed up with Priceline (I use them a lot)-so a good lesson learned -and Riviera seems pretty good for $20 trick so may try that but for one night I'm not going to stress over it.
Useful info -even if you use a US priceline account the UK CS number connects you to the States CS so no need to call internationally.

duchy

photome wrote: »

At 19 he wont be allowed in the bars not just unable to drink (ar least i dont think so). While he may get away with putting the odd coin in a slot (if he looks older), you have to hope he doesnt win the jackpot as he wont get paid. He will not be able to play on any table game as they will ask for ID. IMO if you want to take him wait until he is 21 and then its a whole new ball game, I also think that a 19 year old would get bored because of the restrictions.

Quite honestly if you are planning to gamble he WILL get moved on quite often. It isn't like here-they ID anyone who looks even close to 21 and they won't even allow him to stand and watch you play.
Some casinos are hotter on it than others -the Orleans for example is very strict -MGM didn't seem to notice 17 year old waiting for us but that may have been luck as it was only one night.
My son had a great time doing other stuff-like riding the coasters and he saw ColdPlay in concert (strangely enough he told all his mates he saw Coldplay but didn't mention he also saw Donny and Marie's show ) but without an over 21 buddy along your son would be very restricted. I agree wait til he's 21.

brummiekid

September

Thanks to everyone for all your help & advice over our lack of spending power! Just to fill in a few details, we are unable to get refunds on what we have already paid for which is as follows: Flights, rooms at the Excalibur - got their $61 per night deal - paid up front - no cancellations. The car was booked on Lastminute at the same time as the flight so no cancelling there either!
From your kind advice it seems we could manage to be quite thrifty when actually in Vegas although my Brother is taking some convincing. I feel from the tone of his voice that he has already made up his mind not to go.
Like the idea of two meals per day and doing some sunbathing - can you take your own drinks to the pool?
Thanks again
Mark

PS. Whereabouts is Ellis Island?

ferf1223

March

stoneman wrote: »

Ferfs pics do not really show how big that room is. We love the Luxor especially the pyramid rooms. does the place look either dark or run down in those photos?? no. Never understood people saying that, there are a lot worse rooms in Vegas that cost more, we just stayed in one!!

I agree that the photos don't show how big the room is (they're the only photos we have) but to be fair, the photos were taken at night, with flash - without the flash the room was quite dark we thought (I think the first one looks dark with the flash myself)..and in the second one, even though the quality is lacking, you can see a lot of scratches and chips on the furniture...much of the furniture in the room was quite beat up, relative to what we've experienced elsewhere.

As I said, it was a perfectly acceptable room overall though it isn't a place we would look to stay again and I agree that it's decent value compared to some places...but it's all pretty relative - what one person loves another doesn't. and all that.

duchy

I've never had a problem taking my own drinks to the pool -but I've never flaunted it either. Can't see it been an issue.

nvh

May

brummiekid - as the majority is paid for, i'd definitely go for it I think you may regret spending all that money (flights etc) and getting 'nothing' for it - Froggits suggestions are great and I honestly can only see you spending money on food, drinks, a cheap show and maybe a teeny tiny gamble (plus any petrol costs...) you can easily kill up to a whole day driving to the dam, valley of fire, death valley, grand canyon and the costs to get in split between all passengers are minimal ($25 a car for the parks i think? so just over $5 each) - can't remember the dam costs... but you have probably done your research and recognise it isn't all about the gambling budget properly and you'll do great the majority of stuff you will need to spend on, is probably only stuff you'd have to buy / spend on if you stayed at home too! (aside from the self employed earning issue you mention - but everyone needs a break!)

have a look here too: http://www.vegasmessageboard.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&f=21&page=1&pp=30&sort=lastpost&order=desc&daysprune=-1

re: drinks to the pool, think there's basically a ban on 'glass' bottles but yeah, we took bottles of water down and no-one said anything not sure about stronger drinks tho

re: Luxor rooms, I agree, they are dark and more 'tired' than some rooms in other strip hotels we have stayed in, but i wouldnt hesitate staying there again, fantastic price and still pee's over the majority of places you'd stay in in the uk for the same price, plus as stoneman says, the refurb downstairs is quite spectacular and is really bright and funky good location too (we prefer south)

sturll

August

nvh wrote: »

re: Luxor rooms, I agree, they are dark and more 'tired' than some rooms in other strip hotels we have stayed in, but i wouldnt hesitate staying there again, fantastic price and still pee's over the majority of places you'd stay in in the uk for the same price, plus as stoneman says, the refurb downstairs is quite spectacular and is really bright and funky good location too (we prefer south)

Not now its not, pretty much half of the downstairs of the Luxor is undergoing renovation and is boarded off. It looked like it was for the bodies exhibition, but when i looked from above it was like a building site so i dont know.

nvh

May

sorry sturll - i meant the casino part that stoneman mentioned no-one bothers with the 'auditorium' do they?

has anyone seen this by the way (taken from here: http://www.vegasmessageboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=38789) - short notice but looks cool and a good price

Get ready to wrap up your summertime fun with this LIMITED TIME OFFER
At The House That Fame Built - Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino

$69 per night in one of our all-new Hollywood Hip Rooms
Featuring movie memorabilia, the signature Sheraton “Sweet Sleeper” Bed
and a 42” Plasma TV!
PLUS...
2-for-1 Breakfast Buffet in our award-winning Spice Market Buffet
2-for-1 Admission to the award-winning Planet Hollywood Spa by Mandara
$40 Gaming Bonus
This offer is available ONLY on the following dates:
September 28, 29, 30. October 1, 2.
Must book by September 26

use link posted on the above mentioned forum (cos i can't get it to work on here )