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Need strip recommendation.... first trip since 2004.

Discussion in 'LV Strip Hotels' started by doggz109, Dec 8, 2015.

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  1. doggz109

    doggz109 Tourist

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    My wife and I used to be Vegas regulars....(2-3) trips a year in our 20s but kids sorta stopped that. I know Disneyland well now though! Anyways....we are planning a trip for February 4 nights and looking at staying on the Strip.

    We used to stay off strip or downtown almost all the time (Orleans, Golden Nugget, Palms). We are low rollers (150-200 each per day gambling budget) and not really looking to earn comps. We just really want to do some sight seeing, booze it up a bit, and be adults without kids for the first time in awhile.

    We want to stay on Strip this trip just because things have changed so much in the past decade and there will be lots of new things to see/do. I hardly recognize the place from looking online. So a few places that would be in our price range would be like TI, Luxor, Mandalay Bay, Monte Carlo, NYNY, Excalibur, LinQ perhaps?

    Main wants in a hotel......nice bathroom/shower (per the wife!), some decent bars/lounges (we are almost 40 so a bit out of the club scene), and just a nice fun place. Doesn't need to be fancy.

    Open to any and all suggestions! Thanks!
     
  2. Travel Fanatic

    Travel Fanatic The Arbiter of Taste Caviar Kid

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    Of the hotels you listed, I think Mandalay Bay is the choice and I don't even think its close. It has the best bathroom, by far, of the properties you listed. It has a few decent bars, although none of the places you listed are where I think of when I think of Vegas bars.

    So of those places listed, MB would be the easy choice for me. But one thing you may also want to consider: location. If you haven't been to the strip in years and want to get around easily and see everything, Linq is probably the choice form the hotels listed because it is the most centrally located. If you don't care about being centrally located, then I would definitely go with MB
     
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  3. fudgewapner

    fudgewapner High-Roller

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    Location and value wise I would lean towards Linq or Monte Carlo. The Linq rooms are quite good post-renovation, with nearly all of the IP traces removed. Monte Carlo is cheap and offers a good location, with easy access to CVS for cheap drinks, PH across the street, and it's quick to get to Aria. The rooms certainly aren't fancy, but they do they job. As UK said, only Mandalay has decent bathrooms on your list, but the MB location is terrible for strip crawls.
     
  4. Sonya

    Sonya Queen of VMB

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    Have you looked at Mirage? It's sort of becoming my go-to for their location, rooms and food. Usually I find their prices to be comparable to the ones you have mentioned. I've enjoyed my time at TI too, but Mirage has better rooms and better restaurants/bars, IMO.
     
  5. smerrian

    smerrian View from Bally's

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    Don't forget the $30/night resort fee not mentioned in the price!
     
  6. MojaveJoe

    MojaveJoe Tourist

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    Linq would be my recommendation. Great location, good value, good bars, rooms are nice, get a luxury King...bathroom is good size.
     
  7. matt925

    matt925 Tourist

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    If you guys are gambling 300-400 per day, I'd think you can knock places like Excalibur off the bottom of your list. That place is a dump, especially if this is your first adult vacation in awhile. You can get rooms at Aria or Palazzo for $200 per night, personally I'd knock some of my gambling budget down to stay at a place like that if "the trip" is the biggest part of your vacation. If your wife is big on bathrooms she would definitely appreciate a newer property and I think overall it would be a nicer more memorable vacation.

    If you guys really aren't picky and usually go for the downtown places then you will have a good time no matter what, but do not stay at excalibur.
     
  8. jrinct1

    jrinct1 VIP Whale

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    Many...not even an issue.
     
  9. acepro4

    acepro4 Tourist

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    Why the knock on Excalibur? When is the last time you stayed there? I just stayed 4 nights over Thanksgiving weekend and found nothing wrong with Excalibur. My only complaint was the pool was closed. I stayed in tower 2 on the 12th floor. Room was clear and quiet, bathroom may not be what the OP's wife is looking for but was perfectly fine for me.

    That all being said ... I am not looking for a Wynn, Aria, Bellagio type of room. I want clean, comfortable and affordable.

    The other knock I hear is the casino is so smokey .... I didn't find that at all

    Were the kids? yes, and I'm sure more than at other resorts, but we they an issue? Not for me.

    My recomandation of those listed in the OP would be the Linq ... simply for location and vibe
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 10, 2015
  10. fudgewapner

    fudgewapner High-Roller

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    I'd say the knocks on Excalibur are the lack of any decent dining options, the location, and the pretty dreadful casino. The remodeled rooms do seem fine, but the whole place just seems worn, and "low low budget" compared to options such as MC and Linq that are low budget as well, but several steps above in terms of overall ambience, dining, and certainly the location.
     
  11. sybgal

    sybgal VIP Whale

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    Any thought given to Bally's? The new Jubilee rooms are very nice & we love the bathrooms. Best location too / great food options in several directions....can't go wrong....
     
  12. matt925

    matt925 Tourist

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    I actually haven't stayed at Excalibur. I went there to see the tournament of kings show and it was a fun show, I enjoyed that. Walking through the lobby, casino, and getting drinks at Big Dick's was just dingy, sad and depressing however. Like lower end reno sad. Combined with it being at the very end of the strip, for a couple looking for their first big adult vacation in many years, I say aim higher, much higher my friend.
     
  13. Sonya

    Sonya Queen of VMB

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    Also, the OP's wife requested a nice bathroom. That would disqualify Excalibur.
     
  14. ChickenBone Jones

    ChickenBone Jones Low-Roller

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    I hate when people do this, but I'm going to make a suggestion that wasn't in the original list. I think that you will be able get vdara for a price that is close to Mandalay. Great bathroom, great location, and access to plenty of 40 appropriate spots in aria and bellagio.
     
  15. doggz109

    doggz109 Tourist

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    Thank you all for the recommendations! We are giving some other places a good look. LinQ and Mirage in particular. I've scratched Excalibur off the list.....not because I find it "that" dumpy but all the kids around might ruin the Vegas vibe for us a little bit.

    Appreciate the advice and keep it coming if you have any other suggestions!
     
  16. Nittany1

    Nittany1 VIP Whale

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    Agree with UK.
    Mandalay Bay of your choices if the hotel is top priority.
    Linq if its location .
    Hate to go off your list but MGM Grand may be a good fit.
     
  17. Roginator

    Roginator Tourist

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    What about...?

    I often stay at Planet Hollywood. If you can get a decent price there (factoring in an extra $32+ resort fee per night) it could possibly be THE ideal solution. You CAN get rooms with decent showers - most rooms have them. If they try to put you in a handicapped room with only a tub - complain and have them put you in a normal room. If you can afford to upgrade above the standard room you should be pleased.

    I'm not much into the bars/lounges, but the food options are excellent in and around PH. From fast food to fancy, it's within a relatively short walk.

    I've stayed at Luxor and Excalibur in the past decade -- usually on offers. I suspect they gave the worst rooms to people booking those low rates. With what? 4000 rooms at Excalibur? I got the same damn room twice in a row. World's most uncomfortable mattress. And the last room at Luxor was in the pyramid. How can a room be that dark in a pyramid? The carpet in the hallway was in a serious state of disrepair with wrinkles you could easily trip over as you carefully walked to your room.

    That's not to say other hotels haven't experienced a lack of repair as all the Indian casinos grab their revenue. The carpets in PH hallways used to be cleaner and you can see the lack of upkeep in places like the elevators.

    Another hotel that might be ok is Bally's. It's a very boring hotel, but the rooms are usually adequate. The price is often competitive and the location is superb. It probably attracts a less-destructive clientele compared to PH. I've never stayed at Paris, but I assume the rooms are a step up from PH and Bally's based on the price. Excellent location there as well.



     
  18. Geogran

    Geogran VIP Whale

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    I agree with Sonya; Mirage is a good choice:
    Since the bathroom is important to your wife, pay a little more and get a "Tower King" rather than a standard King - larger bathroom with dual sinks, separate walk in shower and separate tub. Separate elevators floors 24, 25 for the tower Kings.
    New center bar is really nice with plenty of comfortable seating all around the bar.
    Moderate to expensive food choices.
    Easy walk to other casinos with plenty more bars.
    If you are considering a show, The Beatles 'Love' is my favorite of the cirque shows.

    Whatever you decide - enjoy your getaway!!
     
  19. willywilkes

    willywilkes Low-Roller

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    If you consider mirage,nook at the mirage suite too. Depending on when you're going it seems to be not much more than a standard room and has two full baths! I've never stayed in it but was checking prices the other day for mid Jan and it was $70/night on weekdays (was a offer of some type through mlife though).

    Of your list I'd personally pick Mandalay. Been to MB, mgm, mirage, and Luxor, and I'd pick MB hands down , but I've always been in standard rooms at those place. I want to try aria sometime and I upgraded to Delano once, which I enjoy the most.
     
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