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MGM, Mirage or Monte Carlo?

Discussion in 'LV Strip Hotels' started by Steve in RI., Aug 23, 2013.

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  1. Steve in RI.

    Steve in RI. Low-Roller

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    For my parents upcoming anniversary (47th) next year, my wife, brother and myself are planning on paying for their tickets to visit Las Vegas! (They have never been). My Dad is still in decent shape, but my Mom is starting to get frail at age 70, so we don't want to wait for their 50th to do this. I've never stayed at any of the above places. I know MGM is huge, but I think it might not be a bad fit since its on the monorail, and there are so many choices under one roof. Although it has been overshadowed by all the newer places in town, I've always wanted to try Monte Carlo, maybe due to the ease of access and nice pool. The Mirage is another place where I wanted to stay sometime.

    Any suggestions on the best place to stay with older relatives? I'm assuming Monte Carlo would be priced below the other two. No exact dates are available yet, but it will likely happen during the fall of 2014.
     
  2. shifter

    shifter Degenerate Gambler

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    gotta go with Bellagio for older first timers.
     
  3. VegasDave

    VegasDave Addicted

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    Bellagio
     
  4. 4Vegas

    4Vegas Low-Roller

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    Bellagio
     
  5. undathesea

    undathesea Grandissimo

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    Bellagio.
     
  6. billduhcat

    billduhcat Low-Roller

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    Start saving your pennies and do Bellagio. It's arguably the best location for Vegas newbies. Signup in their website "guestbook" for offers, but earlier in September will be better $$$-wise than later in Sep or October.

    Budget also for a rental car, it'll make getting around a ton easier. I did Vegas earlier this year with my 65 year old parents, and we drove just about everywhere, saving my Dad a ton of wear and tear on his already bad knee.
     
  7. Gaggles

    Gaggles VIP Whale

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    Bellagio aside, of the three choices I would go with The Mirage. If Bellagio was on the consideration list I would then certainly go with that.
     
    I Like to Drink and Gamble
  8. bdautch

    bdautch VIP Whale

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    My parents are also of this approximate vintage, and they love Bellagio. Truly center strip, Muzak playing to stave off the kiddies, and a wide array of restaurants. I know it's a slightly bigger hit financially, but if you do online searches well in advance you may be able to at least snag a deal that's 20-30% off. Also, maybe consider signing up for MLife; even if you have no points whatsoever, they extend reasonable discounts.
     
  9. JWBlue

    JWBlue VIP Whale

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    Mirage. Best value in town.

    No way on MC (partiers and families) or MGM (partiers).
     
  10. easystreet57

    easystreet57 Low-Roller

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    Hello Steve in R.I.

    Been thinking about your post in regards to older folks staying and enjoying Las Vegas for the first time.

    Although I don’t disagree with the other members suggesting the Bellagio, a great choice for any visit, I would like to add what I know about the other hotels that you have in mind.

    If it’s just a sightseeing trip, then I would suggest a mid-strip location, on the west side, such as the Bellagio or the Monte Carlo. The MGM is a great stay but I would not consider it in this particular situation because it just too big and the floor plan can be overwhelming for first time (or older) visitors. True as you say, that it does have access to the monorail, I have never found the monorail to be the answer to any of our “getting to and from” issues, walking #1(but requires extra time) and taxi #2, (added expense).

    I f I were deciding from your choices, I would have to lean toward the Monte Carlo. It has a similar location as that of the Bellagio, but it is not in the same high price range, if that is a consideration. City Center and Crystals are located between it and the Bellagio with a free tram that connects them all, and then a reasonable walk to Caesars, Forum Shops and Mirage. From the Monte Carlo, you have easy access to the casino and restaurants at ARIA. To the south, you have NYNY, across the walkway to Excalibur and another free tram to Luxor and on to Mandalay Bay. There is currently construction at the Monte Carlo and NYNY to build a park-like, walk-about along the access road between the two hotels with outdoor shops and restaurants planned, should be completed by the fall of 2014, and perhaps may have some appeal to older folks. The Monte Carlo has nice shops and restaurants including a food court; easy to find and use elevators and the casino floor is a huge rectangle so there is little chance of getting turned around and getting separated from your group. The Mirage, another great place to stay, is taking you closer to the north end of the strip, plus I always found it to be very crowded and bustling, more so than the Monte Carlo. The Monte Carlo is a “mlife” resort so booking suggestions applies to it as well.
    That’s my 2 cents worth. Hope it give you some” food for thought”. IMO, there are no bad stays in Vegas. It’s all good from any location.
     
  11. casinoboy

    casinoboy Low-Roller

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    why are people saying bellagio when the op didnt put bellagio on the list?? whats wrong with you people?? why not say aria or wynn if you just want to ignore the question and say any hotel?? :grrr:

    of those choices the op lists mgm and mirage are the best and mgm has more to do so i would say mgm.
     
  12. Bo333

    Bo333 VIP Whale

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    My mother who is in her 80s loves the MGM.
    She can walk around the one property and do anything she wants.
     
  13. Steve in RI.

    Steve in RI. Low-Roller

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    While I would like to stay at Bellagio, its a little rich for our blood! Even if we got a good deal, the only restaurants that are within budget are the café and buffet. My aunt stayed at the MGM about 10 years ago, and barely ever left the property, although she was too stubborn to rent a wheelchair.

    Lots of time to decide for sure, just going through Vegas withdrawl right now as its been 5 months since the last trip
     
  14. shifter

    shifter Degenerate Gambler

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    Because Bellagio is the unequivocal best for this scenario. It's so far better than any on his list that it's the only choice IMO and others.
     
  15. VegasBaby!

    VegasBaby! Low-Roller

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    I have stayed at all 3, the MGM, The Monte Carlo and NYNY and I agree with the above description :peace:
     
  16. wishman35

    wishman35 VIP Whale

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    Of the options, definitely Mirage. Best location, and just a nice property. To be honest Bellagio may be better for the older folks but I personally think the walk to get in and out of there is a bit much for first timers wanting to get to the Strip often. It is no tiny stretch to get to the street. Mirage is definitely shorter and more manageable inside with less people standing around dawdling like you get in the Bellagio.
     
  17. gpenguins67

    gpenguins67 High-Roller

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    I like MGM for me.. I'm 30. I don't know if MGM is gonna be great for someone older. The property is a little big, so might not be the greatest if your mom isn't in the greatest of health. I always used to see a mixed age group at MGM before but it seems to be pushing more towards a younger / club crowd now with Hakkasan open. I'll let you know in 2 weeks what the atmosphere/clientele is like when I get out there.
     
  18. mike_m235

    mike_m235 Tourist

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    For the age range you're talking, I'd go Mirage, Monte Carlo, MGM. And I don't think it's particularly debatable. MGM is a nicer hotel than MC, but it's a younger crowd. Mirage and MC have older average patronage.
     
  19. pokerbucketlist

    pokerbucketlist Low-Roller

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    Mirage and give them lots of cab money for getting around!

    I'd also look seriously at a scooter.
     
  20. Big Tip

    Big Tip VIP Whale

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    I agree. It always amazes me how people respond with another suggestion other than the OP's "which of these" questions. It's an interesting phenomenon on the board.

    I personally think that they should choose to go to Disney World instead of Las Vegas. :evillaugh

    I keed!

    I like Monte Carlo. I like Mirage. Pools, dining options, rooms, location to other things, gambling conditions are comparable I think.
    MGM too big, not good location. Even though it's on the monorail, the monorail stations are so far from everything, I don't think that's much of an advantage.
     
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