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Hi from the UK

Discussion in 'Introduce Yourself!' started by neilsalop, Jul 7, 2016.

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  1. neilsalop

    neilsalop Tourist

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    Hi guys me (Neil) and better half (Stella) are from Telford in Shropshire (half way up England and a bit to the left, just next to Wales) and are coming to Vegas for 10 days for the first time in October. We've visited the USA many times, but have only done Florida, as with kids it's the best place ever to give everyone something. Now we are (virtually) empty nesters we are going on more grown up trips.

    We were initially booked in to the Excalibur, but changed a couple of weeks ago to the Mardi Gras as we would like a bit more space and the ability to get up in the morning, make a cup of coffee and just pop outside for a smoke. The thought of getting fully up and traipsing down to Starbucks, first thing wasn't all that appealling. The added bonuses are $5 resort fees, free parking for the 5 days that we're hiring a car, free shuttles to and from the strip and airport and even a buffet breakfast included for no extra money. The savings on these things alone for 10 nights is upwards of $400 and as the £/$ rate is killing us at the moment due to Brexit, this is a lot of money to us.

    If anyone has any info or views on the Mardi Gras or it's buffet breakfast we would appreciate a heads up. While we are in Vegas we intend to visit Grand Canyon, Red Rock and the Valley of Fire, we are also hoping to get an early flight one day to SF, spend the day there and get the last flight back, any tips on how best to make this work would help too.

    Thanks in advance.
     
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  2. sybgal

    sybgal VIP Whale

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    Welcome....have never heard of Mardi Gras so I googled it. Have you read the reviews on Trip Advisor? May answer some of your questions. Good luck & have a great time!!
     
  3. Richard Alpert

    Richard Alpert LOST

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    Welcome to VMB! I hope you two enjoy your first visit to Vegas and the surrounding area.
    RICHARD
     
  4. cvkelz

    cvkelz Extremely Low Roller- like, I barely roll at all.

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    Welcome! I've not heard of the Mardi Gras either. Hope you enjoy your trip and post a trip report!
     
  5. makuk

    makuk Low-Roller

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    As a first time visitor you really should stay on the strip, I think you will regret that you didn't, I am from the UK and visit Vegas 3 times a year, we went with some friends last year and they stayed off strip and regretted it, they are coming back again with us this year and are staying on strip, you can get some cheaper strip hotels, just stay away from The STRAT and circus circus as they are way too far down (or Up) the strip.
     
  6. zignerlv

    zignerlv VIP Whale

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    Welcome, Considering its a 10 day trip, I think you'll wish you stayed in San Francisco more than one day.
     
  7. bshowell

    bshowell VIP Whale

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    Welcome. I've never heard of the Mardi Gras, either. Have fun finding your way around the board.
     
  8. pebbles

    pebbles Micro Roller.

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    We stayed at Mardi Gras in 2002. I'm sure it's changed a lot since then. It was a Best Western property at the time, large rooms which included a fridge, pathetic breakfast, a bit of a walk anywhere and the only bus was the 108 south. I have stayed in Excalibur too. They only have a shower in most rooms, so if you like a soak in the tub, you can't. Bus lines Deuce and SDX available if you want to get to other places.

    Out of the two, and bearing in mind the saving, I would stick with Mardi Gras if you don't mind being off strip. We didn't stay on strip until our 5th trip so don't listen to people who say it's compulsory for a first trip.

    Red Rocks area is lovely, but Valley of Fire is spectacular. Especially if you take advantage of your jet lag and go early to see the sunrise on the rocks. That's where it gets its name. It's spectacular. We didn't do Grand Canyon until our 7th trip and haven't been back. Next one will be our 26th.

    We did San Francisco for four days and didn't see everything. Doing a day trip might get you very little idea of the place and cost you quite a lot. It is more expensive than Las Vegas in my opinion, and we were visiting someone who lived there and knew where to go.

    I hope that helps you a bit.
     
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  9. LondonCalling

    LondonCalling Low-Roller

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    Welcome. I'm from UK too and Brexit has totally pissed me off with what it did to the exchange rate.
     
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  10. pebbles

    pebbles Micro Roller.

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    Let me know if I can help you with more specific information.

    Sorry I can't help with the exchange rate.
     
  11. WHU66

    WHU66 High-Roller

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    Agreed re Brexit. I have always stayed on strip, different hotel every time and just love being in the middle of it all but Vegas is different for everyone, we all like different things and have our own experience. Whatever, you will love it. Have a great trip & good luck!
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 9, 2016
  12. CJ's

    CJ's Plumbing the depths of debauchery

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    Hey if you come home with a big win it will work in your favour :whistle:
     
  13. makuk

    makuk Low-Roller

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    <rolls eyes>I didn't say it was compulsory did I !!!</rolls eyes>
     
  14. neilsalop

    neilsalop Tourist

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    Hi pebbles. Thanks for that, it really has put our minds at rest, as almost no-one seems to have even heard of the the Mardi Gras and we were wondering if we had done the right thing. The savings for us are important since the rate has tanked, as no-one really wants to visit Vegas (or anywhere in the US or the world) on a tight budget. The two of us are looking at around $200 a day after everything else is paid for, we'll be using the free shuttles and uber for local trips and we've also got a car for the longer days away, do you think that will be enough? We're not really gamblers, but while in Vegas it would be rude not to have a few little flutters.

    It's our 20th anniversary while we're there and we intend to get a vow renewal with Elvis. Why wouldn't you? :love: We had booked the Strat for an evening meal, but they altered the menu and we weren't that keen, so we've changed to Lawrys Prime Steak, any veiws on that?

    San Francisco isn't set in stone, so we're now thinking that it might have to wait until we do a west coast road trip in a few years. Off to do a south east road trip next year and then Florida (again) in '18 with extended famliy when the youngest daughter graduates. We are hoping that this one trip to Vegas is our only one and it doesn't call us back. Florida was a once in a lifetime trip in '96 and we've ended up going 14 times :blink:.

    Thank you also to everyone else that has replied and welcomed us to the board. We are really looking forward to our trip and a nice big win would maybe change our minds about coming back:D
     
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  15. Sonya

    Sonya Queen of VMB

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    Please remember our No Politics policy applies to Brexit too. The exchange rate sucking as a result is a valid topic but let's keep the political opinion out of it. Thanks.

    To the OP, welcome and I'm glad people here were able to give you some information. You're right that you have to do an Elvis Renewal! One of our moderators, @breanna61 just did one and it looked so fun in her trip report. I certainly can't promise that you won't get the Vegas bug. I think everyone here has it pretty bad. :)

    Sounds like the casino hotel doesn't appeal to you. The only problem with Mardi Gras is that it's not too close to anything. I am not familiar with their shuttle, so don't know if you may need to factor in some walking, or an Uber/Lyft to get around. There are some other options in town that people here have stayed, like some of the extended stay hotels. You might post a question in the Misc Vegas Chat or Off Strip Hotels and maybe someone knows of a bargain somewhere closer to "the action".
     
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  16. pebbles

    pebbles Micro Roller.

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    I wasn't referring specifically your comment, so no offence meant. Many people have said it over the years on here, and I think people can enjoy Las Vegas just as much staying off strip. I certainly have. We love it on or off strip.
     
  17. pebbles

    pebbles Micro Roller.

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    Mardi Gras shuttle was hourly and dropped off at Bally's near the sportsbook entrance when we stayed there. The drop off was still the same as of May 2016 because I saw it several times when we were in that area.
     
  18. CALELLA

    CALELLA Low-Roller

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    Neil, I was the same as you as in looking for a cheap alternative to the strip when I booked my second trip to Vegas 2 years ago and a work colleague(female) told me she had stayed here(The Best Western Mardi Gras) with her hubby and it was fine.

    I'm always of the opinion that if a woman recommends a place then it must be ok as females tend to bother more about rooms than guys do so I booked for a week in January 2014 and found the place absolutely fine as I knew what I was getting for the price, think of it as a motel type place or a Premier Inn.

    The shuttle is great and runs on the hour and drops you off at Ballys and if I remember correctly also at Harrah's and I just tipped the driver a dollar or two each time.

    There is a small pool at the hotel but I didn't use this on my stay but the room was great as I had two queen beds which was handy for when my brother visited from California for 3 days so he had free digs and also free parking out the back of the hotel, there was also a fridge which is great as most places try to charge you up to $25 a day for this.

    I actually walked to Ballys and back almost every day and only once got a taxi when I was too pissed to walk it, it takes about 25 minutes and I never once felt unsafe walking at all times of the day/night, just walk along E.Flamingo Road (past ballys back door, where the sportsbooke entrance is and where the shuttle drops you off) until you get to Silver Seven's (ex Terribles) and take a left on Paradise which takes you right to the hotel, and obviously the reverse when walking to the strip from the hotel. Google Maps are great for showing the route.

    There are only a few fruit machines in the hotel but I quite liked this as i wasn't tempted to gamble once i was back in the place and on several occasions just enjoyed a few beers at the small bar/dining area. Food was fine too with decent pub grub type food which was not too expensive.

    I'm sure you will be fine at the Mardi Gras and having a car for part of your trip will make it a lot easier too, just remember to park at Caesar's properties if driving to the strip as they still have free parking(at time of writing) but MGM properties are charging $10 for self parking.

    Hope you enjoy your trip and dont forget to try out Ellis Island(halfway along Flamingo between Ballys and Silver Seven's) for decent food at good prices and better gambling odds than the strip.

    I've only been back two weeks since my last trip(stayed at Harrah's) and already can't wait to go back again. As you have the Car you might want to try out some of the other resorts outside Vegas which my brother and I did for the first time recently, I would recommend South Point, Red Rock, Santa Fe Station as these were all very nice Resorts with some of them having Bowling alleys and Cinemas.
     
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  19. Marky86

    Marky86 Tourist

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    HI buddy.

    I'm also from the UK...yes the $ rate sucks. I was on vegas last week and we go to Vegas alot. Our first trip to Vegas...before we'd ever gambled a penny was at the best western which is on pardise street and behind encore/wynn golf course. Which I do like to stay in suites and penthouses now on the strip I have very found memories of the place. It's was clean and tidy the rooms where a good size with coffee machine and hobb. The shuttle is 5 mins to and from the strip and it stop (or used too) just outside ballys. Please remember to tip the driver even just a $ each there and back. VEGAS is a big tipping town and it'll be appericiated. The food is basic but homely...its was the 1st place I'd even eaten mash with the skin still in it . I think you'll have a brilliant time. I've been to florida and enjoyed it but in opinion Vegas trumps it by far!!! October is nice weather wise.....I'm just back and it was 115 most days so very hot. In October I've know it to be high 20s :) tbh don't expect to do everything in the 10 days. Hopefully you'll fall in love and go back...If you're going to gamble don't forget to pick up your players card....
     
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