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MGM Grand or Planet Hollywood

Discussion in 'LV Strip Hotels' started by dasharstkn, Oct 30, 2013.

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  1. dasharstkn

    dasharstkn Newbie

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    My family and I will be travelling to Vegas this Christmas. We will be staying on the strip Dec 23 - Dec 27. There will be 5 of us - my bf and I (in our 20s), my parents (in their 40s) and my brother who is 17. We are trying to decide which hotel will be the best option for us to stay at. It comes down to Planet Hollywood and MGM Grand. I know that PH has a better location and is cheaper, however the rooms at MGM are a lot nicer ( from what I hear they were recently remodeled). This will be our second trip to Vegas so I want to hear your opinions on which hotel will be the best option for our age group. I would also like to hear about what is there to do in Vegas during Christmas time. Last time we spend most of our days by the pool, (we traveled to Vegas in July) this time I believe this wont be an option since December is not a month to be hanging out by the pool.

    Lets hear some thoughts! :peace:
     
  2. IWannaBeInVegas

    IWannaBeInVegas VIP Whale

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    I think the South end (MGM) would be more entertaining for your brother. He would have the arcade at Excalubur and also the NYNY stuff. Unfortunately him being 17 is going to be hard for him to do a lot of the stuff most people do in Vegas, but someone that age can and will find things to do (Iv been to Vegas over 20 times, but only 3 since being 21)
     
  3. SARCASTRO

    SARCASTRO Tourist

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    Hotel Room .....

    Unless you're planning to use the hotel room for reasons other than a place to keep your stuff, or to shower off that layer of Vegas Scuzz, or to sleep when you can no longer possibly stay awake, I would suggest going te cheap route.

    that is all
     
  4. ams722

    ams722 Side Bet Shunner

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    I'd go with MGM.

    It's the nicer hotel of the two. Period. That's not even debatable.

    Yes, PH may be younger and more "hip," but with a 17 year old, he wouldn't be able to do anything there anyway. MGM seems to be closer to more "kid-friendly" (even though he isn't a kid) activities.
     
  5. paperposter

    paperposter MIA

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    mgm new rooms nicer ,but ph your closer to shopping and walking around so thats a plus its conected to a mall.

    theres reallly no bad choice in either,if your gambling then that might make the differnce
     
  6. vegas_or_bust

    vegas_or_bust High-Roller

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    MGM in a landslide for me. Everything is nicer at MGM. Also, location is basically a wash, as they are located fairly close to one another.
     
  7. nostresshere

    nostresshere Mr. Anti Debit Card

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    The fact that some rooms are remodeled may be helpful, but not a big deal.

    Good thing about P-H is the mall is right there. As said, finding things for 17 year old to do cuts into options.

    You did not mention what sort of room arrangements you are looking at.

    Yes, no pool time.

    Also, how long ago was last trip? Where did you stay? Do you have any room deals using your players card?
     
  8. dasharstkn

    dasharstkn Newbie

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    Thank you all for your posts. :beer:

    We do like to gamble but it will be difficult to do so with my brother who is underage. That's why we want to stay in a hotel where he won't feel left out and will find something to do for himself (or activities that all of us can enjoy).
    @notstresshere, we went to Vegas July 2012 and stayed at Monte Carlo, we did enjoy the hotel - we found the location to be great. The tram is right there to take you to Bellagio (that's where we spend most of our evenings).

    We dont have players cards so we are using expedia to book our hotels. Total price for MGM for for nights around $300 and PH just under $300, and you get 25 dollars off if you book the hotel though your mobile phone. (these prices are per room, and we will be booking two rooms)
     
  9. gerry53

    gerry53 VIP Whale

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    If you stay at mgm grand the pinball hall of fame is a short bus ride down tropicana.



    .
     
  10. Travel Fanatic

    Travel Fanatic The Arbiter of Taste Caviar Kid

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    Definitely MGM Grand. In terms of age, you all will be fine at either hotel. But Grand is the much nicer property with better restaurants and more on site amenities. It really depends on what you all are in Vegas to do. if you're there to see holiday stuff, neither hotel is great for that
     
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  11. OhioStateAlum

    OhioStateAlum High-Roller

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    I've stayed at both. MGM is the nicer hotel, but personally I like Planet Hollywood better. The reasons are:

    -the time to get from the room to the strip was seemingly forever at MGM, but pretty quick at PH.
    -I like the casinos that surround PH much better than those nearby MGM. MGM is so massive it feels like it's on an island at times. In my opinion PH is pretty ideal for walking the strip as it doesn't sit back off the strip at all and it's location is pretty central. Last trip I walked from PH down to Mandalay Bay and also from PH to Wynn (I do like walking though. Make no mistake, it's a hike).
    -The Miracle Mile mall makes it pretty convenient if you want to grab a quick, reasonably priced bite.
    -The vibe at PH is a little bit younger.


    If none of those reasons matter to you then I'd go with MGM. Going simply off the ages you gave, I think you and your boyfriend would prefer PH while your parents would like MGM better.
     
  12. drfishalot

    drfishalot Low-Roller

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    mgm grand is to big, I'll never stay there again. I don't remember the room being nicer than PHo, matter of fact I don't remember anything about the room except: how far it was from the parking garage, how far it was to the front door/strip sidewalk. I like the room at PHo fine. and much better location for me.
     
  13. domeboy

    domeboy VIP Whale

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    They are both great properties. In fact, I am splitting my next trip between the two.

    I love the atmosphere and dining option at PH/Miracle Mile, and there is a lot going on close by.

    MGM is definitely a little classier, and the rooms are much nicer.

    Bottom line, you can't go wrong with either.
     
  14. heatherlovesvegas

    heatherlovesvegas VIP Whale

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    They would rate about even to me, and have similar flaws. (like being GIANT).

    Yes, the rooms are nicer at MGM. But, they are still old, just updated... they are still small. But, MGM takes better care of their property, so it's just "nicer"

    Location at PH is better. You can walk a lot of places, and they have the mall.

    With a younger person you might like South Strip more (MGM), lots of exhibits like Shark Reef, Bodies, Titanic, NYNY roller coaster.. as well as the M&M place... stuff someone under age can do.

    Bottom line they are really pretty even. I'd just go with whoever is cheaper...
     
  15. VegasNick

    VegasNick Newbie

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    PH in my opinion is a lot more fun. The loud music, the dancers, people watching makes PH more of an experience. I have stayed at both many times, and the rooms may be a tad nicer at MGM, PH is definitely not a dumpy hotel along the lines of ballys quad etc. Location of PH is a HUGE advantage. You can be at paris, aria, cosmo, bellagio within about 10 minute walk. Nothing really of interest is near MGM (short walk). I don't know how important gambling is but at PH you can find some $5 minimum tables during the day, and its a quick walk to bally's with more low limit tables. I do like MGM but for me PH offers more. It's all about what you are after
     
  16. TheCanoe

    TheCanoe Low-Roller

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    What's the name of the old time share building that's a hotel now connected to PHo thru the miracle mile?

    I'd stay there with the family
     
  17. DonkHappens

    DonkHappens Low-Roller

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    I believe that is the Elara Hilton something or other
     
  18. KKB

    KKB VIP Whale

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    Very debatable...

    "It's the nicer hotel of the two. Period. That's not even debatable."

    Having been to Vegas over 50 times & stayed at both properties (albeit not in the remodeled rooms at MGM), MGM is by no means a nicer hotel--quite honestly, very comparable.

    PH--better location, much easier to get to rooms from strip than MGM

    MGM--better access to Excal for arcade--but I don't know too many 17 year olds still into arcades much...(our children are 13, 15 & 18)

    We took our teens 2 years ago & chose to stay at Rio, but came to the strip daily. We only stayed off strip to minimize adult themed exposure (impossible to totally eliminate) & then we could gamble at the property while they were in the room. Not necessary for you--a 17YO can stay in the room alone while the rest of you wander the strip.

    What we did:
    1--shows: Mac King (2nd fav), Nathan Burton (lease fav), Terry Fator(the fave), Mystere
    2--wandered strip, did NYNY roller coaster
    3--shopping: Fashion Show Mall, Planet Hollywood Mall, Outlets (even the boys had some specifics they were looking for to spend Xmas $ on--they loved the outlet prices)

    On evenings with no show, the kids got snacks & we rented them a movie.

    Our then 16YO son said it was a fun trip--always fun just to hang out as a family--but no need to go back until he is 21 (11YO son said the same). 13YO daughter said shows & shopping--she's ready to go back any time!
     
  19. aashleyjc

    aashleyjc Low-Roller

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    I'm an MGM fan, but I would stay at PH if there was a 17 year old in the group. My son is 16, and I know that he would be bored out of his mind at MGM. It it were summer, and the pool was an option, it would be MGM, hands down. Remove the pool from the equation, and you are going to have a bored 17 year old. I think there is slightly more to interest him at PH and center strip.

    Are you going to have a rental car? There is so much to do off-strip that would interest a teenager.

    I'm taking my son to Vegas over Thanksgiving week, just the two of us, and our plans include going to the National Atomic Testing Museum, the movies, dinner (the kid is a foodie) and shopping at the outlet malls. If I can get lucky, I am going to drag him over to the Bellagio Conservatory.
     
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