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Please help me decide where to stay

Discussion in 'LV Strip Hotels' started by jambieyes, May 1, 2014.

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  1. jambieyes

    jambieyes Newbie

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    I am having trouble deciding where to stay for my trip to Vegas in July. I am taking my wife of 13 years who has never been. I have only been once and that was 12 years ago. I stayed at the Excaibur and while I was there for 4 days, I remember about 4 hours of it. So, in a way, this will kind of be my first trip too I guess.
    Anyway, we are in our late 30's. She will be 6 months pregnant when we are there. We don't care much about gambling or casinos. We are going to mainly see the strip highlights. We want to stay in the heart of the strip. Room view is important, but room comfort is just as important. I have went back and forth for weeks on hotel choices and I am going insane trying to decide. We can afford to go all out, but I wonder if we should seeing as how we will be doing so much while there. I don't want to spend more than we should, but don't want to "cheap out(like that's possible!)" either.
    We are staying for 5 nights. We care about the pools, dining(willing to walk if needed though), sights, room view, and room comfort. We are not into the party scene(although I will be drinking quite a bit I am sure). We don't want a party pool or care about staying near "the in crowd." We just want some laid back fun, maybe a hotel with a topless pool, shops not too far. Basically, we want the Vegas experience. Some hotel choices I am debating are:

    Bellagio fountain view room
    Aria deluxe city view
    Paris red room premier
    Monte Carlo monaco suite

    Some others I considered but kind of eliminated were:

    Signature at MGM(too far down the strip)
    Cosmo(the place to be plus pricey, but those balconies are awesome)
    Mirage
    NYNY
    Wynn/Encore(too far down the strip)
    Treasure Island(construction)
    Venetian/Palazzo(this is where I want to stay, but the views apparently suck)
    Ceasars(too expensive versus some other seemingly nicer reorts)

    Any info anyone can offer me is greatly appreciated!!! Any other suggestions or pros/cons of each choice? Thank you.
     
  2. BayouBengal

    BayouBengal VIP Whale

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    You're right, the balconies at Cosmo are awesome. It's a good location too as you have easy access to Aria, Bellagio and Planet Hollywood. NYNY is going to be one of your best values but it's a notch down from Cosmo. The rooms are nice and property is well kept but there is currently construction, no buffet on site and depending on your room the roller coaster is noisy. When the Cosmo doesn't hook me up, I usually go with NYNY. On the upside the Cosmo players club, Identity, gives you points for resort spending so even if you don't gamble you still earn points and you can cash those in for almost anything at the hotel. You earn 5pts per $1 spent and 100 points = $1 when redeeming. So it's kind of like 5% cash back. And regardless of where you stay sign up for the players club even if you don't gamble. It's usually good for small discounts and on the occasion you put $20 in a machine they can track it and maybe send you a marketing offer. I've seen people gambling that amount and get a random offer for a free midweek night.
     
  3. aashleyjc

    aashleyjc Low-Roller

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    Based on your criteria and choices, I would go with the Bellagio fountain view. The Aria city view room is nice, but the property is set back from the strip so unless you have a very high floor, your view is of the Veer towers, and the backsides of MC and MO. The Bellagio fountains are quintessential Vegas, the property is center strip, the pool area is nice and the dining options are great.

    If the price isn't the issue, go with a Cosmo fountain view. It will be worth it.

    If you are staying for five nights, why not do 2 at V/P and 3 at Bellagio or Cosmo?
     
  4. Suekel

    Suekel VIP Whale

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    Of the 4 you have listed as your current top choices, I would scratch Paris and MC and focus on Bellagio and Aria. There is nothing at all wrong with Paris and MC, I've stayed at both and liked them, but they are not in the same class at all as the other two.

    My inclination is to say go for the Bellagio Fountain View room - it can be a very romantic pleasant time sitting in your room at night watching the fountain shows. They have some great restaurants and it's kind of the Grande Dame of the Stip, so to speak.

    The downside (to me) of Bellagio is it seems to be so freaking crowded in the public areas when I've been there lately. Tons of looky loos who aren't staying there. I could swear when it first opened they did not allow children who were not staying, but last time I was there the Conservatory was absolutely teeming with kids running all over. Maybe it was strollers they don't allow. Anyhow, I digress.

    I've not stayed at Aria but have heard many good things about their rooms - clean, luxurious, and well appointed.

    ETA - not sure where you are visiting from, but be aware that it will be VERY hot in July. I was there last July and even after the sun went down, the heat radiating off the pavement made me feel like a cooking baking in an oven. Be sure to drink tons of water, particularly your wife, as that kind of heat can be tough on a pregnant woman.
     
  5. guapoxxx

    guapoxxx High-Roller

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    For the full Vegas experience, I'd pick either the Bellagio fountain view room
    or the Aria deluxe city view. Both locations have exactly what you're looking for. Good luck!
     
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  6. WHIVGOYTUBE

    WHIVGOYTUBE MIA

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    Based on your short list, Paris Red Room Premeir or Bellagio Fountain view.

    Bellagio will have a sooooooooo much better pool area and the whole experience will be upgraged over Paris.

    Food options are cheaper at Paris with even cheaper eats at the Miracle Mile shops at PHo. The Casino Vibe in Paris is an older crowd 40+, but maybe others can be more specific. Paris does not have much of a pool area.

    Aria City view is not going to do it IMOP for you said you want a strip view.

    MC is not in the heart of center strip, but has a better pool than Paris and some cheap eats too.

    She is six months pregnant, and she is going to tire. You are also going in the two worst hot months of the year, July and August! :poke: She is going to tire quickly.

    So that takes out Aria and MC, for the extra effort to get to mid strip. MC does has the tram to Bellagio, but as I said, she is going to tire quickly. You want instant Mid Strip Access.

    Again, she is 6 months pregnant, it is going to be hot as hell outside, so she may spend more time in the room, compared your eagerness to explore Vegas.

    Base on everything, depending on what you can afford, I would go with

    1) Bellagio Salone Suite (these are corner rooms, with windows on both sides of the room).

    2) Bellagio Fountain View Premeir.

    3) Bellagio Fountain View (Best Price Point).

    4) Paris Red Room Premeir (Best Budget Point).

    Last, to go cheaper, I was going to suggest Bally's remod Jubilee rooms, but the pool is far away, the view is not good, and the whole experience will not be up to par with Paris, so forget Bally's.

    I was also going to suggest, for the price point, Cosmo, but the pool will be a very lively party pit. They also have a second pool that is layed back, so that may work. I have read the Balcony rooms way high up during the roaster hot months, blow massage amounts of hot air.

    Think sitting in front of a fan. Fans have a cooling effect, until the temperature gets over a certain point (not sure the exact point). Once crossed, the fan will have zero cooling effect, and is actually hotter more harmful to you.

    You are going to read better advise that mine, so sit back, read, and enjoy. Lets us know what you decide to do.

    My post is just to get your thinking process started. :thumbsup:

    Last, she is six months pregnant, so stay in one place, and not hotel jump around. She will thank you later.
     
    Last edited: May 1, 2014
  7. thecarve

    thecarve Misanthrope

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    I think the Bellagio fountain view is probably going to suit you best. Bellagio’s a great property with plenty to do and see and some fantastic dining. It’s also mid strip and there’s a tram that connects to Aria and Monte Carlo. The fountains and conservatory are as good as advertised, IMO.

    There are a few downsides though. Bellagio’s many “must see” attractions bring in a boatload of gawkers, making getting around certain parts of the property a bit annoying during busy times. Also, while the place is maintained wonderfully, it’s still getting up there in years (at least by Vegas standards). The rooms have been recently renovated and they are very, very nice. But they’re still a small step down from some of the newer joints in town (Wynn, Encore, Aria, Cosmo).

    While I think Bellagio is probably your best bet, it’s hard not to steer you toward Cosmo. Those terraces are freakin’ awesome. And with a fountain view? You might not leave the room the entire trip. The rest of the property is pretty damn cool as well – good food, so much to see, crowds of twenty-somethings wearing next to nothing. :wink2: But with a pregnant wife, the non-stop party atmosphere might not be what you’re looking for. It can definitely become somewhat grating after a while.
     
  8. smartone

    smartone VIP Whale

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    In my mind... Bellagio IS Las Vegas. All the others take a backseat in my opinion.
     
  9. KBT2012

    KBT2012 High-Roller

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    Bellagio would be a good choice. Aria has the most comfortable beds in Vegas, but as others have said it is a pretty good walk to get onto the strip, but a cool walk at that! I'd stay away from Paris or MC based on what you have stated.
     
  10. jambieyes

    jambieyes Newbie

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    Thanks to everyone for the suggestions. You guys are a LOT of help. One other hotel I was told to check out was Vdara since it's non gaming and non smoking. It's set back from the strip a bit though. Any thoughts on it? And THANKS again for your time. :beer:
     
  11. guapoxxx

    guapoxxx High-Roller

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    Last November, my wife and I stayed in a Vdara corner suite with a view of the Bellagio fountains. We enjoyed our stay there-- an awesome room and the location was ideal since you can easily get to Bellagio, Aria and Cosmo. Issues with Vdara (from what you posted) is that there's no casino, no upscale restaurants, the pool is weak (small pool and no topless ladies as I searched), and you may have to do some walking to get to Bellagio, Aria and Cosmo. Not sure if your pregnant wife would appreciate that...
     
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  12. WHIVGOYTUBE

    WHIVGOYTUBE MIA

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    Bellagio Fountain View room types

    Was looking at the Bellagio web site, trying to find the Fountain show schedule, and came across the basic Fountain View rooms. They have three levels for this view at the basic level room. The web site shows a picture of each, to give you an idea of the view to expect.

    1) Fountain View, farthest away, located in the Spa Tower.

    2) Deluxe Fountain View, located in the main structure at the lower floor levels.

    3) Premier Fountain View, located in the main structure at the higher floor levels.

    Here is the link that shows all the different views, starting with the basic Spa Tower view. Click on menu on the left side to view the others.

    http://www.bellagio.com/hotel/fountain-view.aspx

    At the Cosmo, you should be able to hear the music just fine from the smaller East Tower Cosmo Balcony, but way up high, or in the larger West Tower, who knows, for we have stayed at neither. Be careful of the East Tower Fountain view rooms at the lower levels, for the Bellagio Marguee will block your view (search YouTube for examples).

    They're are all very pricy, But Cosmo may be a better deal.

    I have read from people that stay at Bellagio, the music in piped in through the TV set in your room.
     
  13. billduhcat

    billduhcat Low-Roller

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    I think either aria or Bellagio would be fine, with Bellagio winning the tie because of better views.

    If you can get Cosmo at an acceptable price though, I'd do that instead. Super fun property, best location on the strip, multiple pools, many great dining choices on site or within a 1 property radius. Also next to or across the street from shopping.

    Vdara is my personal LV favorite, but the pool is small. Not sure if you can get into arias pool as a vdara guest or not. Also requires some walking to aria, Bellagio, or Cosmo for good eats.

    Another suggestion: consider renting a car if you're going to tour many other strip hotels not in a 1 property radius from where you're staying. Valets make it super easy to drive around, and if you want to go to multiple places over the course of the day, it'll probably balance out cost wise compared to taking cabs all over the place. I had a car last year with my 55 year old parents, and we saved a ton of wear and tear on them during our visits to the south strip, Venetian, and downtown by driving, and got to see some nice off strip properties as well.
     
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