Anyone been to Las Vegas

[ultra_joel88]

Evening all.

Thinking about going to Vegas for 10 days in April/ May this year with a couple of mates.

Read a few guides on the internet, but it's all a bit overwhelming, so many choices of hotels, restaurants, offers etc.

Does anyone have any advice on which hotels to stay at, where to stay etc?

We are willing to spend up to £750 each for 10 days, including flights.

I've checked the flights and with Virgin Atlantic you're talking £480-530 each.

What we are after really includes...

1) Hotel on the strip

2) No "resort fees"

3) Decent pool

4) Ideally a nightclub in hotel but not bothered if some nearby.

We aren't really bothered about the fit and finish of the rooms as long as they are clean.

Does anyone know if you can sleep 3 adults in 1 room or would be better off getting 2? There doesnt seem to be much price difference in getting a 2nd room.

Hotels which look OK at the moment include Imperial Palace, Flamingos, Luxor.

I've ruled out Circus, Stratosphere, Riveria as they are too far up the strip.

Any help and experiences appreciated,

Edited 2 February, 2010 by ultra_joel88

['daiking']

*ahem*

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/135542-vegas-baby-yeah/page__p__1697810__hl__las%20vegas__fromsearch__1entry1697810

[SkoDave]

The wife and I went on a Virgin package holiday which included Vegas, and they put us up in Circus Circus. Have to agree that it's not the best hotel to stay in, probably because of it's age, but I'd also say that when you're in Vegas, as long as the rooms are clean then you don't have much to worry about. Our room was very clean and we didn't see any "chavs" as mentioned in the other post. It did look dated, but then I also liked the fact I recognised a lot of the scenery from Diamonds Are Forever.

As for distance, I remember there was a super-cheap bus that travelled up and down the strip all day and night, so no worries about where you are staying really if it's on the strip itself. Circus Circus was at the far end of the strip, but nothing was too far away (walking distance). And everything is so close that it's not like it matters where you are sleeping, you can hang out in any of the casinos/hotels and then just wander back to wherever you are sleeping. But if a pool is your priority, and money is limiting then I'd just make sure you find a cheap and cheerful hotel with a pool and you should be set. My mum went with a friend and stayed in a cheap motel with a pool just off the strip and she had a fantastic time. I really enjoyed Vegas, though didn't do any gambling. It all looked a bit depressing in the casinos, but visiting the different hotels was a blast, and the various free shows on the strip were entertaining. Have fun!

[ultra_joel88]

Thanks for that...

do you think a week is long enough or 10 days would be better to see it all?

10 days doesnt work out anymore expensive flights/ accomodation wise...

Will be doing a bit of gambling but not overboard.

Edited 3 February, 2010 by ultra_joel88

[Fastkwak]

You could easily spend a month there mate and not get bored lol Luxor is ok probably the best of the bunch you picked there and its just over the road from New York New York and The MGM but again its at the other extreme of the strip ... The best value place to eat for mega portions and good grub is the Harley Davidson cafe on the strip Awesome food served there at a good price The nicest Hotel i have stayed in there is The Mandalay bay top hotel and spotless too ...but not very cheap

[westerdam2]

You might want to check British Airways packages to Vegas. Some excellent offers including 4* hotels with huge pools and fares for around £800 - details here

http://www.britishairways.com/badp/common/sortingFilteringPaging.do

We found 7 days enough for Vegas itself but go for the 10 days if you want to see the many attractions around the city.

Vegas is currently experiencing a huge drop in bookings so suggest you do some shopping around for bargain packages.

hth

[ultra_joel88]

Okeeeyyy via eBookers got the following:

For 3 adults 10 nights, 1 room (can't quote me for 2? Might ring them) including flights, hotel, taxes charges etc

Imperial Palace - £596.37

Ballys - £635.72 (Promotion also says save 20% on 5 nights PLUS all Free/ 2for 1 deals?)

Harrah's - £654.93 (Promotion also says save 20% on 5 nights PLUS all Free/ 2for 1 deals?)

Flamingos - £665.23 (Promotion also says save 20% on 5 nights PLUS all Free/ 2for 1 deals?)

Paris Las Vegas - £696.83 (Promotion also says save 20% on 5 nights PLUS all Free/ 2for 1 deals?) Do Paris charge resort fees?

I've ruled out Luxor because its down south and charges resort fees.

[autojumbler]

Okeeeyyy via eBookers got the following:

For 3 adults 10 nights, 1 room (can't quote me for 2? Might ring them) including flights, hotel, taxes charges etc

Imperial Palace - £596.37

Ballys - £635.72 (Promotion also says save 20% on 5 nights PLUS all Free/ 2for 1 deals?)

Harrah's - £654.93 (Promotion also says save 20% on 5 nights PLUS all Free/ 2for 1 deals?)

Flamingos - £665.23 (Promotion also says save 20% on 5 nights PLUS all Free/ 2for 1 deals?)

Paris Las Vegas - £696.83 (Promotion also says save 20% on 5 nights PLUS all Free/ 2for 1 deals?) Do Paris charge resort fees?

I've ruled out Luxor because its down south and charges resort fees.

Of the one's you have listed Ballys is the best the rest are a bit tack TBH Try MGM or The Excalibur or New York New York they are at the best end of the strip and they are prepared to do deals when pushed

Edited 3 February, 2010 by autojumbler

[Fastkwak]

Paris too is a good Hotel but always quite busy around the food halls due to it been mid strip

[vRS G60]

A week is enough, once you've seen one casino you've seen them all

I've been twice and If I went again it'd be for 4 days max.

[Wabey]

Been twice, and was due to go for a third time this year, but couldnt due to one or two reasons. Both times we have stayed in the Flamingo. Hotel is great, rooms are comfortable with 2 queen size beds, and the location of the Flamingo is spot on with it being dead centre of the strip. The casino isnt fantastic in the Flamingo, but with Caesars Palace over the road, and the ability to walk anywhere you like on the strip, you dont need it to be. So much to see and do there it is unreal, and really gutted I can't go back this year. If you need anything else, ask away, and I will answer!

PS. Don;t worry about the pool, we tried having a "pool day" but after a couple of hours the heat became ridiculous, so we gave up! That was in August though. I cant remember what the temperature was like in the May when we went, but it was still very hot!!

[Fastkwak]

Yeah wabey august is deffo early morning by the pool then shower and out for lunchtime lol !!

[SkoDave]

I'd agree with what others have said above. A week is probably plenty, but then that probably depends on what you want to do. I think we were only there for a few days as we were travelling all around California and Nevada by car, and it was plenty of time to see everything on "the strip" and take in a few shows if we wanted to (though most were too expensive for our tastes). If you plan on going to a bunch of shows, then you might need more time, but it doesn't sound like you plan on doing a LOT of gambling, so a week is probably plenty. Then again if you stay longer you can just take it easier fitting everything in over a longer period of time. I remember it was a pretty hectic 3 days trawling up and down the strip making sure we saw everything it had to offer. Lots of fun though, but we were glad to find the indoor (air-conditioned) shopping centre where one of the shops had one of those vibrating massage chairs on display (which the wife made use of on multiple occasions, ha-ha)!

And as for the hotel options, I'd say just check out what the rooms (and pool) look like by visiting the individual hotel websites and see what takes your fancy. As I and others have said, it really doesn't matter where you are staying, as you can spend your days at any of the other casinos/hotels for gambling, shopping, eating, wandering around etc., but if you want to sit by a pool, then probably best to see which of the hotels on your list has the best looking pool! I remember Paris was a really nice looking hotel (probably why it's one of the most expensive ones on your list), but again we just slept at Circus Circus and then went to eat and hang out at all the "better" hotels/casinos. Probably what 99% of the tourists do!

[ap0gee1978]

A bunch of our friends went a few years ago, and from what I gather, you won't get much at all in terms of 'free' entertainment at any of the hotels unless you pay a hefty premium - people sitting by the pool or watching TV in their rooms aren't gambling or paying megabucks to watch Siegfried and Roy or Elton John, so you either pay upfront for the room and facilities or pay indirectly by staying somewhere basic and shelling out to do stuff...

JMTPW

[Fastkwak]

Trip advisor mate visit this site its a must for evaluating hotels based on peoples experiences !!!!

[westerdam2]

travelsupermarket.com has this offer which sounds a bargain.

http://195.40.189.221/cgi-bin/TSFeed.cgi?Mode=html&LinkID=LHRLAS08-04-2010020007_R0912DL_0103LHRLAS0101T__8e080410_150410_HID_91530

Other dates available.

[ultra_joel88]

I've managed to find 9 nights at the Flamingo, 2 adults 1 room, including flights with Virgin direct from Gatwick, for £629 each including all taxes etc.

[Wabey]

Joel...that is a bargain! We were going to be paying a similar amount when we went at the end of August...but then a mate was told he couldn't have the time off, so had to cancel it.

Go for it, and enjoy it! Take your time with everything....and remember, the Food Courts in places offer good food for a snip of the price. It is in their best interests to do good food everywhere, as there will just be somewhere else 2 minutes walk away who will want your business.

I am jealous of you!

[andy-fisher]

Ive been twice now, first time I stayed at the MGM grand for a week which was long enough. The second time I just stayed at a Travel Lodge for $30 per room per night which was located about 1/2 way down the strip. In both places the rooms had two double beds. Obviously the MGM had a much better room but as I only slept there and nothing more, I didn't see the point in paying out for a fancy room again. My second visit was only for 2 days which was plenty, Id done most of the sight seeing the first time around so all there was to do the second time was go in the casinos. As mentioned above, one casino is pretty much the same as any other.

My second visit was part of a short road trip starting in Tucson, Arizona. Drove via the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam and then to Vegas and on return went via San Diego and Pheonix back to Tucson. San Diego was probably the best place for clubbing but very expensive for drinks.

[GAFF]

When we did route 66 myself and 2 others stayed in the Travelodge (after spending so much along route I didn't see the point in a big expensive hotel to SLEEP IN), about mid way between New York New York and Ceasers, actually next door to the Harley Cafe, http://www.travelodgevegasstrip.com/

Cheap and cheerful, FREE parking, FREE pool. Our mates were in NY NY and were getting rode for the prices.

They were clean, TV, free wifi etc etc and to be honest means you can spend your money on more important things. I do think they were 2 double beds IIRC

Btw take a spin to Speedway, can get a passanger ride in a Nascar with Petty Racing School.

Shopping check out Outlet Malls

http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=58 (I found this one best)

http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=61

Edited 5 February, 2010 by GAFF

[andy-fisher]

When we did route 66 myself and 2 others stayed in the Travelodge (after spending so much along route I didn't see the point in a big expensive hotel to SLEEP IN), about mid way between New York New York and Ceasers, actually next door to the Harley Cafe, http://www.travelodgevegasstrip.com/

Cheap and cheerful, FREE parking, FREE pool. Our mates were in NY NY and were getting rode for the prices.

They were clean, TV, free wifi etc etc and to be honest means you can spend your money on more important things. I do think they were 2 double beds IIRC

Btw take a spin to Speedway, can get a passanger ride in a Nascar with Petty Racing School.

Shopping check out Outlet Malls

http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=58 (I found this one best)

http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=61

sounds like the same one I stayed in. There was an exotic car hire company at the entrance. Silly ammount of $$$$ to hire a Lambo for a few hours. Must say, I was tempted...

[GAFF]

sounds like the same one I stayed in. There was an exotic car hire company at the entrance. Silly ammount of $$$$ to hire a Lambo for a few hours. Must say, I was tempted...

That's the one. Wasn't the worst place in the world was it , considering the price of the big places. Also kinda handy as kinda mid way down.

Just re-reading your other post I see you mentioned it...sorry, only browsed through all the replies and didn't see you mention it.

Edited 5 February, 2010 by GAFF

[andy-fisher]

That's the one. Wasn't the worst place in the world was it , considering the price of the big places. Also kinda handy as kinda mid way down.

It was perfect for a place to get your head down and a base to explore. All the big hotels let you use their clubs and facilities so why pay more? After all, they only want to take your money, so why would they stop you going in?

Edited 5 February, 2010 by andy-fisher