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Hotel Advice...Please?

Discussion in 'LV Strip Hotels' started by ChancesAre, Jan 29, 2014.

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  1. ChancesAre

    ChancesAre Tourist

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    My love of 10 years and I are headed to Vegas for the first time, April 3rd-7th, for my birthday and also to get married. This is our first trip in 10 years without our sons, so we are stoked! We are somewhat on a budget.

    The most difficult thing we are having trouble with, is where to stay. I have narrowed it down to MGM Grand, Flamingo and Treasure Island (not sure if I'm all over the place with budget, location, etc.) but these are the three, that gave me less of a headache when reading reviews...and I have read thousands (so it seems!) of probably every hotel on the Strip and beyond.

    So...yeah...that's where we are at. My soon to be hubby, is leaving the planning up to me so he is not of much help.

    This is my criteria:

    Not A Dump
    Not Hoity Toity (really expensive)
    Not far from the Strip (don't want to be spending tons of money on cabs & buses)

    His criteria:

    A place to Sleep
    A place to do the "horizontal polka" :rolleyes2:

    Simple Huh? I welcome all suggestions and advice....Thanks in advance!
     
  2. ernestoc33

    ernestoc33 Low-Roller

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    I'm really good at staying in Vegas on a budget. So hopefully I can help. You said you want to get married as well?

    My wife and I were married in Vegas a few years ago so I could probably help there as well.

    How many stars do you need the hotel to be and what is your daily budget for the room(including resort fee) ?
    How far are you willing to venture away from the strip?
     
  3. ChancesAre

    ChancesAre Tourist

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    Everyone keeps telling us, that since it's our first time we "definitely" should stay on the Strip, to get the "whole Vegas experience".

    If the hotel happens to be off the Strip, but fairly easy, and inexpensive for us to get to the Strip, on the days we are there, then I am fine with an off Strip hotel.

    3ish to 4 stars? Would be ideal.

    As far as getting married, we want something simple, but not really a cheesy chapel. We found a place that will, for lack of better words, will marry us on the street, lol, or a location of our choosing. We plan on having a big reception later in Philadelphia. It will just be the two us, no family, just us, we do like the idea of maybe streaming it live on the internet, we saw that a couple of the less cheesy chapels, offers this service. So that's an option.

    It's funny, I own a wedding & events planning business, so this should be the easy part, but Vegas, seems so complex! lol
     
  4. Jbrown815

    Jbrown815 Tourist

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    I would suggest either treasure island or mgm. I've only stayed at mgm (last year) and enjoyed it. I think it really comes down to where on the strip you would rather stay based on what you plan to do. Seems like the future husband would be content anywhere.

    If you're more of a shopper treasure island would be better for that. It's closer to the larger malls. If you're a show/gambler crowd I would suggest mgm.

    Flamingo has a location that is a blend between the types. It's your wedding. Splurge a bit and get a nicer room at some more updated modern properties. I have heard good things about flamingos go rooms and suites. Still seems more of a property tailored towards the older nostalgic folk. (Not that there's anything wrong with that)
     
  5. ernestoc33

    ernestoc33 Low-Roller

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    If 3 stars works for you I would suggest The Gold Coast and the Orleans. Both are a short distance from the strip and have a free shuttle service. Both have a great pool and in room WiFi is included in the $9 a day resort fee. For the days you want to stay you can book at either one for about $280-310ish[TOTAL]. Aside from having 3 stars both have an average Trip Advisor rating of 4/5. That's far better than a lot of the affordable strip properties. The Orleans is actually ranked #26 of all hotels in Vegas by TripAdvisor, which is a better ranking than MGM. The service is really what won me over with these two places. My wife and I have stayed at both and were very pleased and have gone back multiple times because the service was so great.

    The Gold Coast is across the street from the Rio and the Orleans is about a mile away from the strip on Tropicana. They have an awesome and super affordable buffet. They also have a bowling alley and tons of restaurants at both. Orleans also has a movie theater. The Gold Coast also had most of its rooms redone less than a year ago.

    If you book there use the discount for 25% off in April if you book ahead. Also book direct for the lowest price.

    As far as the wedding. We were married at Mon Bel Ami which is on Las Vegas Blvd. They have packages as low as $200 and offer free limo pickup at your hotel. The package we had included all the flowers, cake, champagne and it was wonderful as far as Vegas weddings go. They also do the live stream of the wedding. Its also really close to the marriage license bureau.

    Orleans Room:[​IMG]

    Orleans Pool:[​IMG]

    Gold Coast Room:[​IMG]

    Hope this was of help.
     
    Last edited: Jan 29, 2014
  6. gpenguins67

    gpenguins67 High-Roller

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    I'm a big fan of MGM but there must be some kind of event at MGM that weekend b/c the only rooms available are the West Wing rooms and they are extremely overpriced.
    That being said between TI and Flamingo, I think TI would be a better choice since it is your special day. Just remember you are gonna have an additional $20-25 resort fee added to the price of whichever hotel you chose on the strip

    To make it a little more special I would suggest getting a limo from presidential limo to do the airport pickup and cruise the strip on the way to the hotel.
     
  7. Jordan

    Jordan Caveman

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    The is absolutely nothing wrong with the GO luxury with view rooms at the Flamingo. They have an awesome view of the Bellagio fountains, the hotel has a food court with some cheap eats options (if desired), the pool is amazing and the location is by far the best on the strip....
     
  8. vegasvic

    vegasvic VIP Whale

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    The National Association of Broadcasters annual convention kicks off on 4/7 , perhaps many of them are coming in early to party, it's a big event, around 100,000. Intertop wraps up on the 4th with about 20,000 people perhaps many of them are sticking around for the weekend.

    What's this "horizontal polka" you mentioned? :evillaugh
     
  9. nostresshere

    nostresshere Mr. Anti Debit Card

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    1 - That big event will impact prices

    2 - Yes, stay on the strip if at all possible. This is where newbies should stay.

    3 - TI is fine, but is at the very north END of the strip. Not a bad choice at all, but not the best.

    4 - There are lots of great hotels you could pick. Paris, Ballys, P-Ho and the ones you mentioned.
     
  10. kps

    kps High-Roller

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    I know March Madness is crazy there, that weekend is the final 4 of the NCAA tourney on the 5th with the final on the 7th. That may also have an effect along with the conferences.
     
  11. vegasvic

    vegasvic VIP Whale

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    Ah yes, final 4 weekend, I didn't notice that. Definitely some extra gamblers in town for that.
     
  12. captainron62

    captainron62 VIP Whale

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    STAY ON STRIP, DEF STAY ON STRIP.

    If that is your top three, I would pick TI. MGM can be intimidating to first timers, its the largest property in LV and seems to go on and on for miles. Flamingo is one of my faves, but it doesnt appeal to everyone. Some think its a bit dated and run down.

    That brings us to TI, there is a ton of fun to be had on the property, it is easy to navigate, easy to get to the strip from the rooms and I think its a good example of the LV experience. Cheers and let us know how it goes!!!
     
  13. ChancesAre

    ChancesAre Tourist

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    MGM is at the top of our list! There was a nice package last night on orbitz, and the reviews seem okay. We do want to take in a show, but we are not much of gamblers, however I will play some slots. Shopping...YES, Please!
     
  14. ChancesAre

    ChancesAre Tourist

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    Do you all suggest that we go with a place like orbitz and the like, or directly book with the hotel we choose?

    I really love the Flamingo Go rooms, for awhile that was my number 1 choice. I did notice that MGM only had one room available, the "West Wing King", which some people said was a very small room? Is this so?

    Treasure Island is doable too!

    Thanks for the information for the wedding portion of our stay, and I will check into the limo too!

    I have been stalking these boards for awhile, and finally got the nerve to post, because I am at my wits end, so thanks for everything. I will definitely let you know what hotel we decided to go with. We are looking to book this weekend.

    Thanks again!
     
  15. ernestoc33

    ernestoc33 Low-Roller

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    I believe that you will get the best price booking direct. Usually you can maybe get a better deal when you bundle through an airline, but only then. Booking sites don't usually get you a better deal because they need to make a commission. Booking direct often gets you added inclusions such as resort or dining credits that you wouldn't get otherwise. IMO.
     
  16. aashleyjc

    aashleyjc Low-Roller

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    If your only option at MGM is the West Wing King, I would pass. I love MGM, but the WWK rooms are tiny! If you could get a Grand King, then I would say MGM all the way.

    I would pick Flamingo over TI, personally, especially if you can get a GO room. Flamingo is center strip, has a great pool area, and we enjoy the casino there. TI is nice, but is on the North end of the strip. V/P and Wynncore are great to explore, but in my opinion, there is more to see and do center/south strip.

    As for your wedding, make it special and enjoyable. That means different things to different people. If you want a cheesy Elvis ceremony do that. Many of the hotels have beautiful chapels. Stratosphere has a package to get married on the observation deck, just the two of you, for $150.

    Congratulations and good luck.
     
  17. pressitagain

    pressitagain VIP Whale

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    In your situation, I would stick with an MGM property. I have stayed in all 3.

    MGM is closest to the airport. It's a very nice hotel. It would suit your husbands expectations as a place to sleep. It is a very big hotel with lots to do.

    Mirage would be in the price range of either TI or Flamingo. It too would be a nicer experience and is right in between the 2. If you plan on getting married with pictures. This might be the place. Many picture options.

    Good Luck!!!
     
  18. numeno

    numeno VIP Whale

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    Book Direct. If budget is a big concern, you can keep looking at prices and maybe one option drops a lot and you can switch. If you go through Orbitz you are locked in.


    If I had to choose in those 3 I would probably go with TI. MGM Grand new rooms might be better, not sure. Flamingo basic rooms just aren't great. Also after looking at the prices, Flamino at $920 for 4 nights seems rediculous.


    Another option I'll throw out there is Monte Carlo. I'd put it at 3.5 stars. A very good value in my opinion.



    All of the Caesars properties are looking like $900+ for the 4 nights(including tax/resort fees). For that price, I would seriously look into the more higher end resorts and maybe you can get Wynn for $200 more. As I said I feel Flamingo at over $200/night is a rip off.
     
  19. DjZZeRo

    DjZZeRo Tourist

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    I love the Flamingo go rooms, can't go wrong with them. Also do the upgrade to get the GO Luxury for only $20 :D. If you're on a budget and want a nice room I recommend flamingo. The construction sucks, but who enters through the front anyways? The back in the best place to enter into the casino.
     
  20. Peachiekeehn

    Peachiekeehn High-Roller

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    I would pick the Flamingo Go room as well. You might also look into getting married on their grounds, the grounds there are beautiful! The Flamingo is center strip so easy walking to almost any other hotel.
     
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