The Las Vegas Thread and MSE guide

tashawasha

Tomorrow is Las Vegas day. :T :T :T :j :j :jcan't wait. All packed and raring to go.
Just a few questions re tipping. How much should we tip the taxi driver, bell hop and concierge etc.
Thanks Tasha

photome

Only 6 days to go and still havent got my hotels finalised.

I have various options and like you Ferf have splashed out for last 2 nights in a pyramid suite at the Luxor, primarily because we have never stayed there.

BUT cant believe I have just booked 3 nights at the Palazzo for $179 a night Whoo hooo....might change it yet tho as I hate paying that much to stay.

We are starting at the MGM on the 3 for 2 deal and then Flamingo in the middle with a free upgrade to a strip view Go room.

Might all change yet tho

photome

tashawasha wrote: »

Tomorrow is Las Vegas day. :T :T :T :j :j :jcan't wait. All packed and raring to go.
Just a few questions re tipping. How much should we tip the taxi driver, bell hop and concierge etc.
Thanks Tasha

I am a tight git and hate tipping. I dont use taxis but I usually give bell boy $1 per bag for bringing them to the room. $2 for the valet parker on pick up. $1 per drink to the cocktail waitresses (seems mean maybe,but they keep coming back). I sometimes leave a note in the room for extra creams and potions with a few $,s and end up with loads. Not forgetting the biggest tip, $20 if you want to try for a better room etc

These were my early 2007 tips, and my plan will be the same again this year.

tashawasha

photome wrote: »

I am a tight git and hate tipping. I dont use taxis but I usually give bell boy $1 per bag for bringing them to the room. $2 for the valet parker on pick up. $1 per drink to the cocktail waitresses (seems mean maybe,but they keep coming back). I sometimes leave a note in the room for extra creams and potions with a few $,s and end up with loads. Not forgetting the biggest tip, $20 if you want to try for a better room etc

These were my early 2007 tips, and my plan will be the same again this year.

So am I - will look out for you!!!!!! We are staying at Excalibur
Tasha

ruthy14

April

sharpcroft wrote: »

Come on chaps and chapesisseseses, as per earlier post whats your tips for cheep drinks and is Freemont Street worth a visit for 5 fellas on an evening out?

As mentioned earlier i know about Slots of Funs cheap beer and frozen Margarittas, any other casinos have cheap bars ect for a group of middle aged skin flints :-)

O'sheas next to flamingo is cheap.

luci

May

O'Shea's were doing a 12oz beer for $1 or 20oz for $2. There was also a stall outside Flamingo with $2 beers. Still $1 Michelob's at Casino Royale

Re earlier post on ATM's, Casino Royale is still only $1 per transaction so take out the maximum your card will allow, which is the equivalent of £300 each for us with a joint account with the Nationwide.

Another option is to buy something cheap at Walgreen's or CVS, pay using your debit card and ask for cashback.

Thanks for the heads up on Binion's Steakhouse. Will probably try there after Defending The Caveman at the Golden Nugget.

nvh

May

ferf1223 wrote: »

Oh - and the discussion awhile back about Vegas guidebooks - I have to change my vote to The Unofficial Guide I think...have now read the new editions of that and The Brit's Guide and Unofficial has much more info.

But I'm really surprised at how much misinformation (or missing information) is in both. snip

completely agree - we had a perusal through the Brit's 2008 one in Waterstones the other week (as we were so impressed with the '07, we thought we'd see if much had changed in 12 months).

Quite shocked to see it still stating that the Luxor has 'Ra' nightclub, which was knocked down well over 12 months ago (pre-Dec'06)

nvh

May

trets77 wrote: »

i cannot recommend them yet as i have not yet used but i'm trying a sim from this lot ( or may get one off Ebay)
http://www.oneroam.co.uk/sim-cards.aspx?aid=18
you will have to have been planning on making £15+ of calls on your own network before it will save you though.

I can 100% recommend the oneroam jolt card - we used it last time, and you get some free calling credit with it and it was dead easy to use

it was ideal for me as my phone is both work + personal, so meant I wasn't paying for other people to ring me (especially those i didn't want to talk to!) - just gave the new number to close friends and family

trets77

April

whew so many questions to help out with , i love it :beer:

Casino Royal do still do 99c Michelobs and mini frozen Margaritas. i drank my fare share , for sure , but you can never get a seat at that bar.

Bills ( i still have to stop calling it Barbary coast) also does cheap booze like the others said. O' sheas is always worth a vist IMO .

i still say the big yards of frozen or on the rocks cocktails are the best way to get in the party sprit. here is a picture of small sized ones.



you can get ones that come to your chest stood on the floor. i drank a fair few of these as well :beer: :beer: . they have the advantage of been easy to transport on your travels without spilling.

Imperial Palace nightclub ( right on the strip pavement) sell good ones that you don't have to go inside for . as does the one inside Miracle Mile mall , outside M+M world , and outside Coyote ugly ( don't venture inside , unless you know what to expect :rolleyes: ) .

personally i love Fremont street and you find loads of good priced bars here.

photome wrote: »

Trets is it the Binions Ranch Steakhouse where you go for your quality steak?

There is a buy 1 entree get one free for there, in the ACG if it is.

yep thats it i'm sure . it has it's own button on the elevator , and is the only proper steakhouse there.

Binions steakhouse is probably a couples kind of place , as it has candles and low lighting. My wife declared her steak there the best she has ever eaten , mine was also very good . don't be put off by the casino downstairs , battle your way through the smoke and get to the elevator. it may not be to everyones taste and is not a cheap and cheerful joint, but we really liked it. the views are excellent , and if your getting a half price voucher , sounds a really good deal.

lets us know what " defending the caveman " is like Luci , i might give it a go.

for Taxis i aim for £1 -$1.50 per $15 fare .if you only have a small fare ( below $10) you should tip $2 because of the time taken and small fee. don't forget you cannot flag Taxi's down , you have to have them hailed for you . most casinos have a place for this ( usually front entrance ) . it is usual to tip the hailer $1 as well

Bellhops about $2-$3 per big bag for me , room service about the same per day , unless as Ferf says you want to stock up on those freebie shampoos and stuff. cocktail waitress $1 per drink is usually fine. bartenders the same.

xxpollyxx

Well we've been back in the UK for 12 hours and I'm missing Vegas already!!
We had the most amazing time, done everything we wanted and more!!! A huge highlight were the dolphins in the Mirage, I didn't know anything about this - $15 each and totally worth it!!

Stayed in NYNY, thanks to a deal posted by Tretts!! Loved this hotel - room had a fab view and the casino vibe was fun. Dueling pianos are a 'must do' too! We're not really gamblers but had a good flutter every day and a few decent wins too!!

My only moan would be the Mytravel flights, the outgoing flight was awful. They were cheap (£340 each direct), but wish we'd have paid the extra and gone virgin/bmi. But hey ho, more spending money!!!


Cant wait to get back over there!!!!!!!:beer: