1. Welcome to VegasMessageBoard
    It appears you are visiting our community as a guest.
    In order to view full-size images, participate in discussions, vote in polls, etc, you will need to Log in or Register.

Best $500 (or less) room, center strip

Discussion in 'LV Strip Hotels' started by gradytripp, Mar 8, 2015.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. gradytripp

    gradytripp High-Roller

    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2012
    Messages:
    548
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    20
    My dad and his girlfriend have decided to go to Vegas in July, at the same time that my wife and I will be there. As indicated below, we're staying at Planet Hollywood (downgraded from an Aria corner suite after recently getting our taxes done...). I am looking for feedback about lodging for Dad and the GF.

    Dad: late 60s, retired teacher. Non-smoker. Has been to Vegas 5 times, including a trip last month with me. Vegas interests: nickel video poker, people-watching, cheap steak at Ellis Island.

    His girlfriend: independently wealthy (although she also worked for 30 years), late 60s. Was last in Vegas 50 years ago. Non-smoker, healthy lifestyle (runs every day, etc.). Wants to try Vegas because she's seen how much my dad has enjoyed his trips with me. Probably not a gambler. Probable Vegas interests: spa, shopping, pool, a show, nice dining.

    Kind of an interesting couple, no? Anyway, when they travel, they share costs. They do not want to stay in the same hotel that my wife and I are staying in, to give us our space, although we'll get together for a couple of meals and maybe my wife will do the spa with my dad's girlfriend.

    I'm looking for your thoughts as to the best room they could get, center strip, for $500 or less. It looks like they can get a nice room! I just priced the Bellagio, and a premier fountain view Bellagio Suite is "only" $418, for instance. Proximity to the spa would be handy, for her. Ease of access to the other side of the strip, for cheaper video poker would be handy, for my dad.

    Possibilities I've thought of include: Bellagio, Aria, Cosmo, Vdara and maybe Mandarin Oriental--although she says it does NOT have to be a non-gaming hotel.

    Thanks!
     
  2. bdautch

    bdautch VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2013
    Messages:
    2,265
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    24
    If she's not a gambler, I wonder if a non-gaming property like Mandarin Oriental would appeal to her? Still part of City Center with shopping and other attractions, plus it's near enough to Aria to placate his VP interests. Nice rooms available there for less than $500 with awesome customer service.
     
  3. shifter

    shifter Degenerate Gambler

    Joined:
    Sep 15, 2010
    Messages:
    10,096
    Location:
    At the tables
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    30
    Hard to beat that B suite.
     
  4. gradytripp

    gradytripp High-Roller

    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2012
    Messages:
    548
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    20
    I personally agree--the only drawback, for them/her, is the walk back through the casino after using the spa. (Not something that I've ever had to worry about, myself.)
     
  5. Travel Fanatic

    Travel Fanatic The Arbiter of Taste Caviar Kid

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2010
    Messages:
    21,510
    Location:
    Tennessee
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    50
    Bellagio or Aria. I think that's an easy call. Probably Bellagio since she hasn't been there in so long and the fountain show is definitely a great sight
     
    The plans have changed
    Post-Shopping Recovery Period
  6. pphold

    pphold pp Park Place Degenerate

    Joined:
    Mar 23, 2013
    Messages:
    2,928
    Location:
    Dallas Texas
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    250
    Depending on the Date you might get a Wraparound suite at Cosmo with the fountain view for $500 or less.

    I like to walk outside.
     
  7. KellyLovesVegas

    KellyLovesVegas Earthling/retired space nerd

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2012
    Messages:
    1,848
    Location:
    San Antonio, TX area
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    81

    I've made the walk from the Spa to suites in the main tower several times over the years. It isn't that far, especially for a runner. The worst part is jumping over the gazillion strollers and tourists who stop in the center of the walkways :wink2:
     
  8. Mrs. K.

    Mrs. K. Low-Roller

    Joined:
    May 17, 2014
    Messages:
    413
    Location:
    Southern California
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    9
    If I didn't travel with a smoker or gamble I'd stay at Aria (all rooms nonsmoking now) Vdara or MO.
     
  9. heatherlovesvegas

    heatherlovesvegas VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Mar 22, 2012
    Messages:
    2,033
    Location:
    Woodland Hills, CA
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    30
    $500 a night? Or all together?

    What are the specific dates since rates widely vary...
     
  10. gradytripp

    gradytripp High-Roller

    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2012
    Messages:
    548
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    20
    $500 a night. We're going four nights, starting July 5. They're probably only doing three of those nights. Basically I'm looking for insight regarding nice, sort of expensive (but not crazily so), rooms. The kind I'll probably never stay in...
     
    Last edited: Mar 8, 2015
  11. waverunner

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

    Joined:
    Jul 27, 2012
    Messages:
    2,810
    Location:
    SoCal
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    124
    I would do a Bellagio Premium Fountain/Lake View Room. The pool, ambiance, the property, the restaurants (i have never been in their rooms, but people i know rave about them), and the Bellagio is right in the center of the Strip. You can easily take the tram down to Aria and South Strip, and walk to FSM, Wynn, Venetian, etc.
    I love the Bellagio, inside and out. I love sitting on the way to the tram eating chocolates from Jean Phillippe and browsing the Bellagio Pool from my table.
     
    Last edited: Mar 8, 2015
  12. spicole

    spicole No shirt, no shoes... NO DICE!

    Joined:
    Oct 7, 2012
    Messages:
    2,393
    Location:
    Houston, TX
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    24
    My go-to site for a quick room quote is vegas.com. For 4 nights starting July 4, they are showing:

    Aria $129
    Venetian $135
    Cosmo $160
    Bellagio $169
    Wynn $198

    It looks like you have a ton of choices MUCH lower than $500 per night.

    Base rate for a Vdara suite from the Vdara website is $596 for the four days!
    Dang... you could get a base room at Mandarin Oriental for $209 per.
    Double dang... the Cosmo website is showing either a Terrace One Bedroom for $252/nt or the wrap-around for $383/nt.
    Bellagio: Premier fountain view room from the Bellagio website is only $956 for the four days. The Bellagio Suite is only $1,356 for the four days.

    In my opinion, you can get a great room - and rate - for MUCH less than $500 per night. I would recommend the Premier Fountain View room at B and save the money for dining and shows. The location, spa, and dining would be great.
     
  13. lionelhutz

    lionelhutz Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2011
    Messages:
    516
    Location:
    somewhere outside of Toronto
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    4
    maybe one of the Sky Suites at Aria??

    they're pretty awesome, and the limo pick-up is a nice touch as well
     
  14. gradytripp

    gradytripp High-Roller

    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2012
    Messages:
    548
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    20
    Good tip! I'd forgotten about them (since they run about 3x my usual price range...). I'll look into that option.
     
  15. heatherlovesvegas

    heatherlovesvegas VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Mar 22, 2012
    Messages:
    2,033
    Location:
    Woodland Hills, CA
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    30
    Dang, I was just going to suggest a City Corner Suite Lakeview at Vdara. It's only $167! You picked the best time to go, right after a holiday weekend. For $100 you can add airport transfers and personal curbside check in.

    https://reservations.mgmmirage.com/bookingengine.aspx?pid=938&host=promo&show=rates&code=VRSIGDE154&kbid=335345&sub=ORLPH!WU!VRSIGDE154!US!FV45!YS


    Or Aria you get a 1 bedroom penthouse for about $380 or a sky suite for $450, includes airport transfers and a $200 dining credit
    https://reservations.mgmmirage.com/bookingengine.aspx?pid=930&host=offer&show=&code=ARBLIGAC&kbid=335345&sub=ORLPH!WU!ARBLIGAC!US!FV45!YS

    I wouldn't spend $500 just to spend $500. I would say a City Corner Suite with a Lakeview is just as good as an Aria suite with a view, and it's half as much. Unless they are really dead set on being somewhere with a casino.

    I like those properties since you will be at PH.. easy access. Cosmo too.. except not sure I'd spend on a balcony room in July when it's far too hot to be outside much.
     
  16. gradytripp

    gradytripp High-Roller

    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2012
    Messages:
    548
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    20
    Maybe I shouldn't have put it that way. It's kind of hard to explain. My dad's girlfriend literally is a "money is no object" kind of person. She's got more than she could spend in a dozen lifetimes. My dad's a retired teacher and is pretty frugal (=nickel video poker). But they travel well together and like to stay in nice places, usually for $1000 a night or more.

    It's not like she'd take one look at, say, a Bellagio base room and walk out. But she's used to really nice rooms. So I'm hoping to save my dad some money by keeping it to $500 (or less) and still have it be a really nice room.

    I was thinking Cosmo, too. I've never stayed there, love walking through the joint although the table limits are usually a bit too high for me. I don't fit the demographic, at all (I'm a frumpy professor), and my dad certainly doesn't, either. But it's a beautiful property.

    Thanks for the tip on the Aria dining credit--that would be a nice plus. I'm going to provide him with the feedback I've received. I'm looking forward to seeing their digs! And you're right, that's a relatively cheap four days to visit Vegas. If we hadn't had bad news from the tax preparer, we would have been at Aria ourselves!
     
  17. franknic

    franknic Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2014
    Messages:
    153
    Location:
    New Berlin, WI
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    75
    Bellagio always a good beat I think. Question - when even considering Cosmo - - how do they feel about loud vs more quiet places? If too much background noise an issue or even potential issue, suggest you stay clear of cosmo.

    The Bellagio suite is excellent, There a few years agao and returning this April. Good variety of VP also and eating/dining - great place for eats (course, often find me at Snacks or cafe..
     
  18. lotso-bear

    lotso-bear VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2013
    Messages:
    1,225
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    111
    I agree with the Bellagio Suite. I'm assuming one of them has an AMEX Platinum or Centurion card? If so, book the suite through FHR for the extra benefits. I believe FHR bookings for Bellagio Suites and above get round-trip airport transfers and access to the VIP lounge along with the F&B credit..
     
  19. lotso-bear

    lotso-bear VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2013
    Messages:
    1,225
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    111
    No kidding. I got slammed before my Vegas trip last weekend. :grrr:
     
  20. mwig

    mwig VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Jun 17, 2009
    Messages:
    1,343
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    30
    Another thing to keep in mind is that Vegas is a unique city. $300 per night is equivalent to $600 per night or higher elsewhere. The Cosmo suites with terrace overlooking the fountain are amazing rooms that would easily cost over $1000 per night in other cities. If I was paying out of pocket, I would go that route. As you can see from my upcoming banner, I'm all about free but I still love Cosmo and have stayed there a couple of different times.

    Despite all the cost increases, Vegas is still a tremendous vacation value in a lot of ways.
     
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.