My question is, would you prefer to stay at a base room at an average-above average (Mirage, Mandalay Bay, MGM, PH) or stay at an upgraded room at a lower property (Luxor, Harrahs, Flamingo). Planning a 3 night trip in March looking around $500
I think I would take the upgraded room, we spend more than time than most in the room, so I would like the added space to spread out.
With the given options, my order of choice would be: 1. PH (top notch location, great casino, lively crowd, good poker room, with other great casino's, Earl of Sandwich, Bellagio Fountains and Walgreens around the corner) 2. Harrah's (nice location, with Casino Royale, Tag, O'Sheas, Carnaval Court, the High Roller and entertainment promenade right at your doorstep) 3. Mirage (3 en 4 are interchangeable, prefer Mirage as a hotel though and location is not bad) 4. Flamingo (3 en 4 are interchangeable, because of the great location of Flamingo) 5. MGM (5 en 6 are interchangeable, prefer actually 6, but 5 is better location) 6. Mandalay Bay (5 en 6 are interchangeable, but MB a bit too far away from everything) 7. Luxor (don't like the location, nor the hotel)
All other factors being equal? I'd take the nicer hotel. Nicer tends to extend past the room itself to the service, the dining, the amenities, the pool, etc.
Based on the hotel examples you gave, I'd stay in one of the base rooms at the better hotel. MGM and MB have better pools too.
Like guapoxxx said, I would consider MB or MGM if pool is important. The pool scene at Planet Hollywood is pretty bad. My vote would be for MB because of the pool scene, huge selection of restaurants between MB, Four Seasons, and Delano (not to mention the MB Shops), and the recently renovated rooms. A basic MB room is fairly spacious for a standard room and a bathroom that is quite large with a good-size tub and separate shower.
You absolutely want to stay in the standard room of a nicer property. Service, common area cleanliness, and food options are all reflected by the quality of the hotel.
I personally vote for the standard room at the better property. ChickenBone said it best - service, cleanliness, common areas and soft goods will all be better.
Nicer room at lower property. I rent a car and spend little time at the property. I LOVE driving around Las Vegas and just taking in the City sights. I must hit 20+ casinos in my 10-14 day stays and I eat at highly rated local restaurants...almost never on the Strip.
base room, nicer hotel. The hotel is more interesting and entertaining, and the room is just a place to shower and sleep.
I'll toss out another thought..............what if you have a higher status, ie diamond at CET? Would you possibly be treated better as one of a few diamonds at flamingo, vs one of many at Caesars?
Depends on WHEN in March you are visiting? MBay always has at least ONE pool open year round, but the wave pool opens March-ish. Only once in 13 years the wave pool was not open yet in early March,,,but damn...can't remember the dates. And had a group of clients for lunch..and I couldn't show them the action of the wave pool in earlier March,,(hoping they would book the next year's conference at my Hotel of Choice.) (I think that was also the year the golf tournament snowed in Vegas). Not good with dates. I only know when my next trip is.
For me personally, a base room at a nicer hotel. 1) The base rooms at a nicer hotel often trump nicer rooms at a lower hotel on luxury. I'd rather sacrifice size for a closer focus on each individual detail (and a GREAT bathroom.) 2) The guests will often be less rowdy at the nicer hotel, so when you DO want to sleep, you can. This does NOT mean boring, it just means you might not have a raging party next door. BUT it definitely depend on what YOU will find luxurious. Are you going to feel more extravagant walking into a huge, sprawling room with a bedroom, living room and dining room, with floor-to-ceiling windows, even if its a little dated, but looks like a Vegas "suite" you see on movies? Then you might want a better room in a lower hotel. (Luxor's Premier Suite might be an option...) Or, do you feel more pampered in a smaller room, with very fresh décor, and a great bathroom with a separate shower and tub, and with polished stone walls vs. older tile? Aria or MB maybe then. Id say check ALL the rooms at different hotels on oyster.com and see which really catch your eye. What feels luxurious is different for each person...size/décor/service, etc. .and its actually really fun checking out the different rooms! Whatever you pick, I hope you love it! (And just don't forget to budget in resort fees...)
Reminds me of real estate. Do you want the cheapest house in the best neighbourhood or the most expensive house in a lousy neighbourhood for same price? Neighbourhood almost always wins.