Las Vegas guide and MSE thread 2015

Hi Annybananny,

We have visited LV twice before 1st trip on our own (2 adults) Bellagio with BA, 2nd trip we took daughter age 11 and stayed at Trump with Virgin and our 3rd trip is similar to yours 31st March for 10 nights with Virgin MGM Grand.

If you are not hiring a car there are several companies who run trips to Hoover Dam & Grand Canyon and they can pick you up from your hotel. Most hotels need a cc when you check in as they need it for the deposit, please check with your hotel. The Clarity Halifax cc is great as the fees are minimal. On our first trip we took the asda foreign exchange card topped up with $ and we just used any cash point to withdraw $ but each cashpoint charges you per withdraw so we found this an expensive way. For our next trip we will just take some cash $ and Clarity cc. Don't forget most hotels charge a daily resort fee which you can pay upfront in cash when you check in (don't forget to get a receipt).

We went to a couple of shows and I would recommend that you go to one of the Tix4tonight booths as they offer great discounts. Tournament of the Kings is great and includes a meal. We also went to a magic show and a Cirque du Soleil show all via Tix4tonight booth.

Shopping I would recommend the North or South outlet shops, you can get a bus from the strip. One has a great Nike shop for cheap trainers. There are many shopping areas (e.g. Fashion show mall) on strip is also good. I would also recommend you visit Downtown Freemont street.

One thing to note is staff are very strict re age. You have to be 21 to drink alcohol and although there are a lot of things to do during the day for children, night time is a bit different and we got told off for walking thro casino with child. We also got asked for ID at a blues bar we ordered burgers and beer (39 and 40 at the time! quite flattering).

With regards to money saving, do you play MyVegas? I have started playing as we are staying at MGM Grand a MLife hotel. You play free slot machines via laptop/mobile phone and earn points you can exchange for free buffets or free shows etc. definitely worth a look but time consuming, something maybe your 18 y o might want to do.

Most of the hotels are huge and I recommend that you explore the different hotels just in case you visit again. Most hotels have fantastic pools. You will need good walking shoes. We walked from Trump hotel to the Las Vegas sign!

Lastly if you want a cheap meal visit Ellis Island, just off strip. Cheap special steak dinner includes salad or soup, steak, jacket pot, green beans and a beer for under $10. Cheaper with a players card too. I think it was $8.99 when we went last year, it also has a micro brewery and a metro pizza place.

I am sure you will have so much fun, there is so much more to LV than just gambling.

There is no reason why you'd get "told off" for walking through a casino with a child- and often it's the only route -however the key phrase is walking through-if you stop even just to look around for a few moments casino security WILL move you along.

ferf1223 wrote: »

That would mean you're travelling right before a UK bank holiday and (I think) half term...the Monday is also a bank holiday in the US, so I would think there is a reasonable chance that prices will be higher generally than other times...some airlines currently have fare sales on as well. We haven't travelled during this particular period before so no specific advice but it may be a more expensive time to travel than some others.

Yes it is half term, one of the party is a teacher. That restricted us, but also it is memorial day on the monday which is a good time to party which also helped make it easier to go then

Also probably flights including those with a connection to the US as folks may be travelling to other US cities then too...and flights from other US cities to Vegas for those taking advantage of the long weekend.

I wouldn't think it would be a particularly economical time to travel to Vegas but if it's the only time that works then that's understandable...but not sure I would risk waiting for a last minute deal for a peak travel period, but we never wait until the last minute...we're kicking ourselves for not booking our March hotels in October when I first looked at them (and again late November when they were the same prices as October so I left it) as they've all gone a bit nuts in the last month.

back to vegas in june after a 'moneysaving' holiday free 2014. going with two vegas virgins which should be fun! first time at mgm grand (not my choice!)