Pondering a first-time stay at Caesars

We are traveling the first week of August, and I have booked an offer at Wynn: 3 nights for $386.40 total (incl. taxes and resort fee) with $200 Freeplay and 2 buffets.

On a whim, I checked other options, and came to find out that Caesars is giving me a ton of free rooms, including at Caesars (Forum Tower) and Cromwell.

Context:

• For our last six trips (dating back to 2013), we have alternated between Aria (love) and Mirage (like), largely because of a combination of MyVegas free rooms and mLife offers. The four trips previous to that, we'd alternated between Wynn/Encore (love) and Cosmo (love).
• Of the Caesars properties, we have stayed at Flamingo (meh), Harrah's (hate), and Paris (like), but a long time ago.

The question I'm facing is whether I want to stay at Caesars, stay at Cromwell, or remain at Wynn (unless something better comes along from Cosmo or mLife).

Caesars

• Pro: we have never stayed there, and it is an iconic property; part of me feels like, even with 26 trips under my belt, I'm not a true Vegas fanatic until I've stayed at Caesars.
• Pro: free is free.
• Con: I generally hate the casino at Caesars and definitely hate the Forum Shops: too confusing, too many people, too cheesy.

Cromwell

• Pro: intrigued by what they've done to my once beloved Barbary Coast.
• Pro: intrigued by the idea of a smaller hotel.
• Pro: I have not had a free room from Cromwell to date, so I wonder if I'll ever get it again.
• Pro: free is free.
• Con: I have a very low tolerance for nightclubs and the crowds they attract.

Wynn

• Pro: I love just about everything at Wynn/Encore: the spacious rooms, the quality of service, the vibe of the casino, the restaurants.
• Pro: We haven't stayed there since 2011, so it'd nice to come back, and to generate even better offers with more play than just an afternoon we spend there every trip.
• Con: It'd cost us more money. On paper, it's >$150 more because, I'm sure I'd gamble $200 there on the trip, but I doubt I'd do the buffet.

So, VMBers, what say you? Is the lore of Caesars and the decent quality of a Forum Tower room good enough for a three-night stay? Should I take a stab at Cromwell and see if I can stand fedora armies for three nights? Or, should i just spend the money and stay somewhere I know I like?

Your thoughts are much appreciated.

 

I too was compelled to stay at CP just based on the fact that it is CP and I have often said on here you should stay at either CP or Bellagio at least once just to say you did. I had a beautiful room in the Augustus tower with an amazing view. It was Valentines Day weekend and you could not swing a dead cat without hitting someone proposing in the garden or with the fountains in the backdrop. I am glad I stayed once, but have not had the urge to go back for many of the reasons you stated. I understand how you feel and it sounds like its an itch you are going to have to scratch at some point, so may as well get to it!

 

I find the Cromwell intriguing and I love the Casino vibe. That being said they market to a completely different demographic at that place. Not to mention I hear that on the weekends the noise from roof top club reverberates across
all the hotel rooms. So no going to bed before 3am.

Encore / Wynn are pretty nice, however the exorbitant prices at that place cause me to make more frequent trips off property, not to mention being a the north end of strip tends to limit how far south I venture.
CP on the other hand is so well connected between Bellagio, the forum shops, and on property choices in dinning / gambling. I never feel like I have to leave that place.

The Forum tower rooms will not measure up to WynnCore in terms of room quality or view, but its a short walk from Forum tower to casino, and you are mid strip with lots of other choices close by.
The Forum tower rooms were remodeled a few years ago, and I still think they are higher quality than say other mid tier properties. Not as nice as Aria, Bellagio, Encore. Better than MGM / MBay and equal to Mirage.

So bottom line is what type of experience you are looking for, because both Wynn, Cromwell, and CP are going to be different in terms of hotel / resort experience.

 

I just booked our next May's trip at Caesars in the Forum tower because we were offered 5 nights comped and that had never come up before. Also was offered The Cromwell, but we decided on Ceasars because we have never stayed there and want to experience it at least once. Not may favorite casino, but DH likes to play there. Looking forward to the experience. For us free is free usually is a deciding factor. It was actually cheaper to stay at Caesars, adding the 6th night, than our beloved Paris and just slightly more than Bally's.

 

I stayed at Cromwell last week and loved it. I also had a choice of Caesars or Cromwell both comp. I don't like Caesars casino either and love the dealers at the Cromwell. Also a plus is the ease of getting in and out compared to Caesars.

 

I think this is true.. almost required to stay there at least once...

 

I 2nd this....

The wife and I were pleasantly surprised how much we loved staying there once we got used to it (a few hours), Also Caesars has one of the best pools for a CET property so if you are gonna do Caesars there is no time like the present!

 

I was pretty much of the same opinion regarding Caesars. Just too big for me. Earlier this year I got an offer I couldn't refuse. Had a nice room in the Augustus tower. I actually really liked Caesars and would definitely stay there again. Clearly though, Caesars will never be Wynn.

 

I hadn't even thought of that, but, yes, that is a huge plus. As much as I love Encore and Aria, it gets really tiresome to be (seemingly) ten minutes away from just getting onto the Strip.

We are in our 40s, so definitely not their demographic, but we'll be staying Sunday-Wednesday, so the noise shouldn't be an issue.

You guys are making it tough on me, but thanks for the responses!

 

$300-ish for three nights including buffets and other various things is a good deal for Caesars! I've seen their ROTH rooms go for that much per night at times.

 

I appreciate the hatred of the casino but I don't think the Forums Shops should factor in the decision. You really don't have to go in there if you don't want. Even if you end up in Forum Tower and want to head North, there are better exits out. When I stay at CP, I only go into the Forum Shops when I have nostalgia for the fountains.

 

Based on your pro / cons, I'd stay there - particularly for free, and to cross it off the list. It's not far to the strip, you can gamble at any cet props, and never go into the forum shops (we generally don't). I strongly vote for book it now while you can, double book at Wynn if you'd like and cancel one when it's closer.

Granted I've never stayed in the forum tower, but I'd probably still do it. Might switch my room to forum this weekend only because I've never been in one and we aren't staying there anyay.

 

No that's the offer for Wynn; Caesars is free room + resort fee.

I think I may just book it and see how I feel in the next 7 weeks. Thanks all!