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How does Bally's compare to the Orleans?

Discussion in 'LV Strip Hotels' started by 1LuckyMomma, Oct 5, 2014.

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  1. 1LuckyMomma

    1LuckyMomma High-Roller

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    How does the Indigo tower compare to a room at the Orleans? I just logged onto Bally's website out of curiosity (we've never stayed there) and I have a comp for 2 nights. Must be because of all the donations I made last year at the Rio. :confused2:

    We may stay there instead of Gold Coast/Orleans (3 nights comp). After being turned down for a 3rd night comp at the Orleans so we wouldn't have to switch hotels and incur two holds on the credit/debit card, I'm thinking it may be worth it to pay for one night at Bally's and try someplace new. The convenience of being on the strip and not having to change hotels or wait on the shuttle to the strip would make up for it.

    Is Bally's charging resort fees on comped rooms?

    Where do you eat at Bally's or nearby for $20pp or less?

    What is the charge/credit hold for incidentals? Do they let you pay it in cash to be picked up upon departure?
     
    Last edited: Oct 5, 2014
  2. tinytim

    tinytim Low-Roller

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    The rooms at Ballys are the largest on the Strip. I'm not sure if you'll get a recently renovated room tho. There are lots of food choices (fast food courts nearby). I like the café there and Harrahs has a good one too. There is no buffett but there is a good one at Paris and Planet Ho. Ballys will charge you resort fees unless you are platinum or higher. I THINK the CC hold is $200. I also think cash will be fine but I just leave charges on the card. Cash at check-out?? I never have any lol.
    Tim
     
  3. 1LuckyMomma

    1LuckyMomma High-Roller

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    This will also be a weekend trip. I'm usually there during the week. Where are the quiet rooms for light sleepers at Bally's?
     
  4. dankyone

    dankyone VIP Whale

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    The rooms at Ballys are certainly not the largest on the strip. Given the OPs questions, that really does not matter.
     
  5. waverunner

    waverunner ------VEGA$------

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    If you stay in the Indigo Tower (north), i would try some place high up with a High Roller view. That's my preference.

    The Bally's food court has about 4/5 places to eat which is right by the Sports Book. You can eat at the food court or bring your food over to the SB to watch games.

    The great thing with Bally's is it's connected to Paris, which offers a lot more choice with fine dining. And right next door is PHO with the shopping mall and more dining options in the mall or inside the hotel.

    Yes, there is a fee on comped rooms unless you're Platinum or above.

    The Bally's Grand Bazaar location is outside Bally's (not finished yet but soon), but getting into/out of Bally's is very simple, on the Flamingo side of Bally's you can walk over to Cromwell and points north, if you want to go south, just exit Paris using the walkway and go south. You can also cross the street at PHO to get to Bellagio, or use the crosswalk in front of the Linq to get to Caesar's/Mirage, etc.

    I'm comped at PHO next month. I really love the mid Strip location of Bally's. Tons of Hotels close by to shop, gamble, see shows, fine dine, etc.

    I stayed at Rio last May and loved it. But i really love having my home base on or near Flamingo Blvd. It's a comfort thing.
     
  6. lobsterkmd

    lobsterkmd Low-Roller

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    If I had a great offer I would totally stay at Bally's for location alone! I really liked our rooms at Orleans- and it holds a special spot in my heart- but I just like to be closer to the strip
     
  7. leo21

    leo21 VIP Whale

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    The rooms compare well, especially if you mean the older Orleans room. Square footage wise they are probably close in size and they have comparable amenities. At Bally's you could probably swing the cafe and Tequila Bar for under $20. Sea, the Thai place isn't that much more and then you have the food court. Bally's is also really close to Ellis Island, which is one of the reasons I like it because I can walk over for breakfast. It's a worthy alternative to Orleans.
     
  8. gradytripp

    gradytripp High-Roller

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    I second this. $5.99 steak and eggs. We always wind up having it every day (or nearly every day) of a trip.

    Tequila Bar in Bally's has a gigantic tray of nachos for $16 (with TR card) that can easily feed four or more. They also have $2 frozen margaritas and beers (which you can take to go). Again, we wind up swinging by here multiple times.

    Slightly more expensive--my wife and I have started visiting the crepe joint in the hallway between Bally's and Paris, every trip. $10-$12 for a tasty crepe.

    Much, much less expensive--if you don't mind visiting a dive bar (or if you enjoy visiting a dive bar), the Stage Door is right outside the Bally's sports book entrance, on the other side of Flamingo. $3 for a (Nathan's famous!) hot dog AND a beer. If you think that you might enjoy that kind of experience, it's a must-visit. If you aren't sure, then it's probably a must-avoid. It's pretty divey.

    I've only stayed in the north (Indigo) tower and it's always been very quiet. The $20 trick has always gotten me an upgrade to a junior suite, which is a very large room.
     
  9. vsop

    vsop VIP Whale

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    I recently stayed at The Orleans and Bally's...comped 2 nights each....beware, the Indigo Tower has two "classes" of rooms: Classic and Deluxe....the Deluxe is the better of the two...the Deluxe room is comparable in quality/size to the Premium rooms at The Orleans....as others have mentioned, Bally's will charge a resort fee for comped rooms (Platinum/Diamond cardholders excluded)....Plenty of food choices for under $20/person between Bally's. Paris and Ellis Island...or catch the Gold Coast/Orleans shuttle outside the food court at Bally's and go to Gold Coast or Orleans for the buffet....If you decide on Bally's, see if you can arrange for online check-in on the day of your arrival....this would save you the time and hassle of waiting in a huge queue, as the queue to pick up the room key for online check-in is substantially shorter....
     
  10. 1LuckyMomma

    1LuckyMomma High-Roller

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    Still up in the air about Bally's. Rate for one night has jumped up to $96 + 66.00 in resort fees. Also, cc is held $100 per night upon check in according to the TR website. I'll keep watching though. The location can't really be beat for that price. I'm always checking prices and looking for a better deal until about 48 hrs before we leave.
     
  11. jrinct1

    jrinct1 VIP Whale

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    I haven't stayed at Ballys..... but don't like the propery at all ( however if ya like being on the mid strip then its a NO BRAINER because the Orleans is kinda isolated).....I am a BIG FAN of the Orleans and have stayed there and love the property as a value play...and would return in a HEARTBEAT. However your post indicates to me that you are leaning to Ballys..Give it a shot..
     
  12. lp670lambo

    lp670lambo Low-Roller

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    You are killing yourself for no reason if you stay at the Gold Coast or the Orleans. Skip the funeral and go to Bally's. Ballys has a food court in the bank of the casino on your way to the monorail that you could surely eat at for $20 a person. I've told the front desk many times that I don't wish to charge any incidentals to the room and didn't put a card or the account nor leave a cash deposit. So I'm very sure you could pay cash at the conclusion of your stay.
     
  13. ajp

    ajp High-Roller

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    I don't get the concern over the hold on the credit card. It all gets refunded unless you have room charges.
     
  14. lp670lambo

    lp670lambo Low-Roller

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    If this person is considering Orleans, Gold Coast, or Bally's, then they are also probably a budget minded individual. They may not have money to put towards incidentals. Who knows their rational?
     
  15. ajp

    ajp High-Roller

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    What does budget have to do with it? It gets refunded. Unless they don't have a credit card. But honestly in this day and age for the fraud protection alone you should have a credit card. Nevermind the rewards, free insurance on rental cars, and for times like this.

    But I guess if one does not have a credit card I can see where the amount of cash held could be an issue.
     
  16. dianenjnj

    dianenjnj Tourist

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    personally i'd pick orleans. the re done rooms are very nice and there is much to offer right on the property ie., restaurants, pool, movies, etc. plus they have the shuttle service to the strip.
     
  17. Snidely

    Snidely VIP Whale

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    We stay at Bally's a few times. I'm not a huge fan of the casino but Paris and Cromwell are close by and plus, you can walk to rest of Vegas Strip from Bally's easily. The Burger Brasserie at Paris good and $20 a person. Bally's is hard to beat for the location and cost. Plus, it's clean and not too rowdy.
     
  18. LV_Bound

    LV_Bound VIP Whale

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    In general I can't see Orleans beating out Ballys with Ballys being in a great location.

    The Paris breakfast buffet is under $20/person and lots of fresh food.
    Planet Dailies at PH and Earl of Sandwich at PH also provides options for $20pp.

    The burger place at Paris is also very good.

    Based on location and options, Ballys is an easy choice over Orleans.
     
  19. aaisack

    aaisack VIP Whale

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    For non gamblers or infrequent visitors to Vegas, Ballys is a good choice for its location.

    If good low stakes gambling is more important to you than there's nothing wrong with the Orleans. I've stayed there numerous times.

    Anyone who has whittled their choices down to these two properties is probably a little confused about what they really want in a Vegas vacation.
     
  20. 1LuckyMomma

    1LuckyMomma High-Roller

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    DH doesn't care much for buffets or fancy restaurants. He's a meat and potatoes guy. Happy to eat at the cafe in the Orleans and the Mexican place. I love buffets so I'll get away with it once or twice while we are there.

    I'm not confused at all. I like to gamble, he doesn't. We'll probably go to Outback while we're there and maybe a comedy club or a show so we'll spend some time on the strip. I always like to try new places which is why I was considering Bally's. But, we're always very comfortable at the Orleans and DH doesn't really like all the hustle and bustle of Vegas ( I thrive on it!). We're going away for the first time in 10 years without the kids and just want some alone time. Our anniversary gives us the perfect excuse to leave town. :ssst: It's probably best if we just stay at the Orleans this time. When I go back in March with a friend, it's a whole new ball game. We definitely want to stay on the strip!

    As far as the credit card hold, I had a horrible experience at the Flamingo a couple years ago. Used my debit card and over $1k was authorized (for one night) and held until after I returned home. Just about ruined our entire trip because we don't carry a lot of cash on us. Now I would just prefer to leave a cash deposit and pick it up when I leave if possible. Some hotels authorize $100+ per day. Not all of us can afford to have $500+ held up for a week. Orleans is $100 per visit unless that's changed since last year. We do have credit cards, just prefer not to use them unless it's an emergency.

    And, I ALWAYS win when I stay at the Orleans! I lost buckets full of cash at Flamingo, Mirage, Fremont and Rio last year.
     
    Last edited: Oct 17, 2014
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