Hi everyone, new to board and first time posting. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I will be coming to Vegas in a couple weeks with my wife for a five day stay and was looking for some suggestions on a hotel in the 3 to 4 star range (LVH,Luxor,Excalibur etc.). Thanks in advance for any help.
LVH is not directly on the strip so that might affect your decision. I have not stayed at Luxor or Excalibur but have walked through and they seemed okay - options for varying levels of food (fast food to fancy). My only tip for a first-timer to Vegas is : wear your favourite comfy shoes. I cannot emphasize enough how much walking you will do. Just went with my Vegas Virgin friend and we realized that no matter how much you plan, you'll never do it all, so just aim for a few things and go with the flow. Welcome to the board -lots of great advice here!
Thanks for reply, also wanted to say that I will mostly be playing poker so a nice poker room would be a plus. I would also consider a little nicer hotel if it would make for a better first time experience. Thanks
If you are not renting a car, be ready to walk, and walk....and walk! lol And one of the most common mistakes first timers make is "oh! that doesn't look that far, it's just right there!" The size of the properties are enormous and they don't "look" that far but it's all an optical illusion, lol. I haven't played a lot of poker lately but I liked playing at the Mirage when I was. If you are a more serious player, the Venetian is a nice place to play also. I would stay mid-strip myself, The Flamingo, Paris, Planet Hollywood, or even the Mirage. I don't know how those hotels are rated but I would think 3 to 4 stars myself. Again don't plan too much. We usally just plan 1 to 2 things a day and that seems to work, you don't feel rushed in any way and you're free to do other things you run across.
Not knowing what your price range is, plus being 2 weeks out and you need a room, the rates may be a little high. That being said, here would be my recommendations: MGM Grand - Fairly good size poker room, but also in the middle of renovations all over the hotel/casino. I hear the remodelled rooms are nice though. Mirage -Priceier, but I'm a fan of their casino, room, and poker room. Just not their room rates. Treasure Island - I like the casino and rooms here, but the poker room is an after thought. Quick tram ride to Mirage to play in a much better room though. Mandalay Bay - Never played in their poker room, but I like the casino and rooms here. Luxor - Never played in their poker room, but I like the casino and rooms here. Rates are a little cheaper too Flamingo - Nice poker room, nothing special. The hotel rooms are dated and I'm not high on the casino either. Harrahs - I hear good things about their poker room, but I hate the hotel rooms due to the size of them. Always feel cramped. I think I would stay away from Excalibur. Being your first time, I don't think this would be the best way to be introduced to Vegas.
Thanks for all replies, I will check out all the hotels mentioned. Since it is my first time to Vegas I am starting to lean toward a little nicer hotel with a nice poker room and nice pool area for my wife.
Do you have CET card or an M card? Also, CET properties are resort free unlike M properties. You need to take that in consideration.
First, welcome and this is the place to find answers. We find it always best to book Sun through Fri as prices generally go up on weekends. As others have said, would be nice to know exact dates and also price range. We've been to Monte Carlo a few times for around $49/night and enjoyed it ~ has a nice pool area and last time we were there room was clean but basic but would stay there again. On the other end we were able to stay at Encore for $149/night and they (with Wynn) have fabulous pools and beautiful rooms. We just check out the travel sites and then go to the resort sites and plug in dates to see what's the best deal. One last thing, not sure where you are coming from but the last time in Vegas, we got the best deal at Encore booking a package with Southwest. Don't burn yourself out, there's a lot to do and see and 5 nights gives you time to enjoy most of it and also have some down time ~ have a great time
I would go with a 4 star. The 3 stars get a little sketchy. It's not like the rest of America's typical Holiday Inn 3 stars. These are huge resorts that are really old and smokey and dingy. Check out Mandalay Bay, MGM Grand, Paris, Planet Hollywood, Mirage.. see which one fits your vibe and budget. Those are all very nice huge properties with tons to see and do and with great casinos. I'd say any of those are a good bet. Then there is 4 stars that are a slight step below those Luxor, NYNY, Monte Carlo, also nice, but not quite as good, or in some cases as updated as the others. Honestly, I'd just go with whichever is the best deal of those listed. Stay away from LVH and Excalibur and places like Circus Circus or Stratosphere , won't leave you with a good impression of Vegas.
Well said! I did a ton of research before our first trip to LV. We spent a little more than I initially wanted to stay at PH. It was money well spent, we were right in the middle of everything and got a very good first time LV experience!!
I always recommend newbies stay mid strip for their first trip, ie., Bally's, Paris, Mirage, ti, Caesars, Bellagio, Harrahs, etc. I think Mandalay, Luxor, MGM, even NYNY and Wynn, etc. are just too far down the strip. Luxor used to be my home base, for many years, and we enjoyed that end of the strip, but have found that our interests lie mid strip now, but to each their own. That is why I always suggest mid strip, that way you can get a feel for everything and not be like a two hour walk from home base, lol. I think its easier to figure out where not to stay than where to stay. You can make yourself crazy, haha. One person likes this resort, while another likes that resort. The OP did mention a nice pool for his wife. For me thats Mirage, unless they are a younger partier crowd, then Flamingo. But in several weeks, the weather is going to be VERY iffy for pools being open. There are some hotels that have heated pools open year round, but unless you are from Alaska, its too darn cold to sit out there. I have been to Vegas in October many times and sometimes the pools are open and its gorgeous swimming weather. Other times, no way, no how, its cold. I know its hard to imagine Vegas getting cold since its in the middle of the desert, lol. Have fun!
...Bally's used to have a very nice poker room, set apart from the main casino, with actual walls around it... I have no idea if it's still there, but as a moderately priced 'mid-strip' hotel, you could do far worse. (PS - there are swimming pools at Las Vegas casinos?!? Who knew?)
While some people think it's getting dated, Bellagio would be my recommendation. Nice pool, nice spa, and nice food outlets (although 80% are pricey). GREAT location mid-strip. Cosmo on one side, CP on the other...Paris, Bally's, PH across the street. You could have a complete Vegas experience there. I would call and ask for a casino rate. With minimal play I am getting a ton of $99 rate postcards these days. Totally worth it in my opinion. Paris pool is a concrete slab...while the drink specials were good while we were there, it was not as awesome as Bellagio. My first timer rec is don't be afraid to print out a bunch of stuff and PLAN. You will enjoy yourself more and be able to prioritize. Don't be afraid to take a cab to get you North or South just a bit...the cabbies are used to it...and MOST will not try to eek out extra mileage. ...and I will go against the grain here, but be prepared to walk and go ahead and walk as much as possible. There's so much kitsch in Vegas and some of the best moments are walking along the Strip. Our first trip we walked from Sahara to NYNY, crossed to the MGM Grand and then back. It was MISERABLE, but totally worth it at the same time. Have fun!
Bally's I think Bally's is a good first time choice. I'm not sure this is the time of year for pool time. Being mid strip is always a good choice your first time here, and Bally's is a nice reasonable hotel with a nice connection to Paris. Good luck!
Thanks for all the great suggestions and keep them coming. I almost positive I will be coming to LV on the 10-14-12. We will be flying from east coast and staying 5 nights, here are some packages I have found, Harrahs-777 per person,Flamingo-780,PH-865,Mirage-921,Luxor-678 and Ballys-737. Thanks again.
I would stay away from Harrah's right now because of the construction. Out of the rest of those choices I would choose Flamingo or Ballys. I have stayed at both this year. Ballys is a bit more laid back and has an older more experienced crowd. Flamingo is my choice during the summer because I love their party pool. I would stay at Flamingo if I was into the younger party side of things and Ballys if I wanted a little more laid back kind of trip. Luxor is a fun property, but its just too far South for a first timer that wants to explore. Mirage is great, but I would take the money I saved by staying at Ballys or Flamingo and see a show or something.
MGM Grand is always a good place to stay for a first time visit. MGM Grand is definitely skewed towards a younger crowd.