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Vegas first timer

Discussion in 'Misc. Vegas Chat' started by Steadyeddie, May 17, 2016.

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  1. Steadyeddie

    Steadyeddie Newbie

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    Hi all.
    I'm visiting Vegas for the first time this year, with my wife for my 50th, probably around early/mid October for 7 nights.
    I've spent a few days trawling the net but am now suffering from information overload!!
    We are looking for a higher end hotel, preferably with a decent pool area (are most of the pools open this time of year?). We have a budget of £100-£150 a night ($150-$220), would it be better to book now or wait for a deal nearer the time?
    I'm having a good read through this forum, any input would be appreciated.
    Thanks
    Jeff
     
  2. DonDraper8

    DonDraper8 Tourist

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    Shop around, use discounts such as those found at smartervegas.com and book as soon as you can... but then keep looking.

    The key with Vegas is the prices are volatile but almost always cancellable.
    So book and then rebook when you see a better rate.
     
  3. Chris9494

    Chris9494 Tourist

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    My vote is Bellagio! Its mid strip and the location is great. The weekend will be a bit more on cost at the Bellagio than your per night budget. Decent pool. Please check out the conventions in town in Oct. Oct is sometimes full of conventions and drive up room rates. The weather is GREAT that time of year!! Welcome and enjoy Las Vegas on your first trip!!
     
  4. JWBlue

    JWBlue VIP Whale

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    Aria has a European vibe. Rates are in that price range.
     
  5. Ringo16

    Ringo16 Tourist

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    For that price range I would suggest staying at the Venetian or Palazzo if you want a lavish room.
    Aria is also nice and has a better location in the middle of the strip.
    Vdara is a nice modern room, but does not have a casino. It is part of aria so you will spend time there.

    SmarterVegas is very useful for finding discount codes. Booking earlier and continually checking is a good tip. I usually just book and forget about it though.
     
  6. Steadyeddie

    Steadyeddie Newbie

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    Thanks for all replies so far.
    The Venetian and Palazzo look amazing and are within budget, also found a good deal on the Aria.
    I also like the look of the pool area at Mandalay. Which of the better hotels have a more expansive pool area, with more of a 'water park' feel?
    Are there any similar sites to Smartervegas.com?
    Thanks
     
  7. weas

    weas Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Vegas Deals

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  8. rvallez6

    rvallez6 MIA

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    I think location should be a major consideration for you. You can get around by cab of course, but being centrally located is a huge plus. Mandalay Bay is as far south as you can go on the Strip. All hotels have their own feel, so if you don't mind staying within that property, its not a big deal, but that end of the strip is not as lively as the middle area, where Bellagio, and Aria are.

    *EDIT* -- The area around Aria is not that lively, but it is short walking distance to the center of the strip.
     
  9. valleyman0505

    valleyman0505 Tourist

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    I would suggest focusing more on location than room quality. Everyone wants a nice room, of course, but, in the end, you don't go to Vegas for your room, you go for....Vegas. My mantra is that they all look the same with your eyes closed. I definitely think getting something center-strip is worth it. Mandalay Bay (South end) and Venetian/Palazzo (North-ish end) are nice, but you will always have to take time and plan how to get to other places, particularly if you want to go all the way to the end opposite of where you are staying. Maybe even look into some of the mid-tier center-strip properties such as the CET properties strictly for location reasons and use some of the money you save for other things. If you are center-strip, you can investigate North one day and South the next and never have all that far to go (well, "all that far" is a relative term when describing distance in Vegas).
     
  10. h0und10

    h0und10 VIP Whale

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    The most "waterparky" pools i think would be mgm and mandala. Both pools are pretty kick butt. I love the lazy river at mgm and the wave pool at mandala.
     
  11. Chairman Meow

    Chairman Meow Low-Roller

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    I'd vote for Aria, I have stayed all over the strip and for me, it's the hotel I most want to return to next.. the pool area is very nice and the hotel itself is modern, stylish and has a nice atmosphere.
     
  12. Steadyeddie

    Steadyeddie Newbie

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    The Signature MGM has caught my eye, I can get a 1 BR balcony suite for about the same price as the Aria. It has a pool and has use of the MGM pool complex which i presume is fairly close by?
    Any opinions on this please?
     
  13. rvallez6

    rvallez6 MIA

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    I believe its about a block away from the strip. You'll find, when you see a really good deal, especially with suites, there is usually a reason. A big reason often times is location.
     
  14. KKB

    KKB VIP Whale

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    OK...Venetian/Palazzo or Aria are both excellent choices. Both have great pools. Would you prefer a traditional European vibe (much like Bellagio)? Take V/P. Would you prefer a more contemporary vibe (lots of dark woods)? Take Aria. V/P rooms also have a sitting area, so really more of a suite. (not sure that many would say Aria has a "European vibe"...)
    Mandalay is close in quality (but NOT quite...)--but it is the furthest south casino on the 3 miles strip...
    Signature is great--but more of a condo, no casino, further from the Atrip. For a first trip I would recommend staying ON the Strip. My husband has stayed twice with a large group of guys (and we have done Vegas over 60 times). He says the rooms are great but he hates the trek to the Strip.
    Early/mid October SHOULD be fine for pools, tho mid October COULD be cool, though doubtful. They are usually open until the end of October.
    Only book through a 3rd party if the price is CONSIDERABLY less than booking direct. You are still booking fairly early; prices could improve. If you book direct with the property you can change your reservation if you find a better price. I often rebook multiple times before a trip as prices change.
     
  15. Kkirk777

    Kkirk777 Tourist

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    If it were me I would split my time between Aria and Palazzo/Venetian unless you get an incredible deal for all days in one hotel. Both are in great locations, both great hotels with totally different vibes. I like the living area in theVenetian/Palazzo. By splitting, you get to experience two hotels instead of one and experience different parts of the strip while still being in great locations.

    Since it's a special occasion, I highly recommend Mon Ami Gabi for lunch with a table on the outside patio with shade from the umbrella's. It's terrific food, beautiful, great people watching and if you google Bellagio fountains schedule, you can see the fountain show. I know you didn't ask about food, but it's really amazing, I never miss it!! Have a wonderful time.
     
  16. jtdestef

    jtdestef Low-Roller

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    I'm going to suggest Cosmopolitan. Their rooms are really nice and if it's in your budget, I'd get a wrapparound terrace suite.
     
  17. -(J)-

    -(J)- Low-Roller

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    If staying 7 nights I would highly recommend staying a 2 different places! 4 nights somewhere + 3 nights somewhere else. Just make sure to stay at the nicer room/resort on the later half of the trip! The trip feels longer and you get to experience more. Last time we did Aria + Cosmopolitan. This time were doing Delano + Vdara.
     
  18. nostresshere

    nostresshere Mr. Anti Debit Card

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    I would also agree on two different hotels to mix things up a bit.

    Check out the MONTHLY rate calendar for a few hotels before you pick your dates. Rates move up and down from day to day.
     
  19. Kolmeseiska

    Kolmeseiska Low-Roller

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    I would suggest Cosmopolitan too but I don't think it fits their budget, let alone for a wraparound.
     
  20. BarelyHangingOn

    BarelyHangingOn VIP Whale

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    Stayed at the Aria twice. The beds are out of this world comfortable. The soaker tub glass enclosed shower and double sink bathroom is second to none in a standard room. The Spa and Buffet are top notch. The pool and large hot tubs are open in December when we go. The drawback. No real view unless you upgrade to a strip view. Our second stay we were second floor from the top so we had an amazing view. Not sure what it would be like if you were lower. We are just normal slobs and felt quite at home there.

    My friend stays at the Venetian when he goes and swears by they rooms. I believe they are a two level room that he books and from what I see online they look really nice. Not sure about the view or what type of room you have to book if you want a strip view. We enjoy walking around the Venetian, its very lavish and there are lots of shops and restaurants.

    We ventured into the Cosmo and were in the Casino, skated on the pool, checked out the Chandelier Bar. Our experience was that it wasn't for us. We are in our 40's and when we went through it was a bunch of rich drunken 20 somethings and we didn't feel at home. The balcony rooms or the rooms with the view of the Bellagio fountain look pretty nice though.
     
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