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Thinking of switching it up and would like opinions

Discussion in 'LV Strip Hotels' started by 96seahawk, Jul 27, 2015.

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  1. 96seahawk

    96seahawk Tourist

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    My first post - just found this site and have enjoyed the posts.
    My wife and I have been staying at The Aria exclusively for the past 3 years 6x/yr(switched from The Wynn) and are booked there again August 13-17. I'm a little put off by their attitude on comps and offers for $50/hand BJ players 4-8 hrs per day so am considering another property and was interested in the boards opinions. We aren't big club pool(although my buddy and I did convince the wives to go to Mirage Bare pool on July 4)people so enjoy the relaxed environment of pools like Aria and Wynn. I've considered Mandalay, although at the far south end, it seems like it has lots of pool and dining options. Basically we gamble, pool, gamble, dinner, gamble. Appreciate any opinions.
     
  2. Travel Fanatic

    Travel Fanatic The Arbiter of Taste Caviar Kid

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    Mandalay is probably a good fit. Best pool on the Strip, IMO. Lots of dining options. Plus, if you are dissatisfied with your comp bang for your buck at aria, you need to step down a tier. You will probably get better comps for your level of play at Mandalay, MGM Grand, and Mirage. If you're going every two months, maybe give all three a shot (or a second chance in the case of Mirage) and see which suits you best. I think the dining options at MGM Grand are slightly better than Mandalay (and its not as far south), but the pool is better at Mandalay. If the BJ rules matter to you, you may have slightly better luck finding a better $50 game at MGM, but the gambling is probably pretty comparable between all three of those hotels. Good luck
     
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  3. broncofn

    broncofn VIP Whale

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    Mandalay is a great property imho
     
  4. vegasvic

    vegasvic VIP Whale

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    I love Mandalay. And I like that it's at the end of the strip. With little walk in traffic it's uncrowded for the most part. And I like the layout of the casino.
     
  5. Packer

    Packer VIP Whale

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    Welcome. 6x a year is a lot. You have time to stay at other properties. So yes you wont get much from Wynn and Aria at 50 a hand. I agree with UK, take it a tier down and try Mandalay or Mirage. You are going from the best to the next best IMO. Outside of MGM properties is GEEZERS or SLS they might be worth a look. But really 50 bucks a hand wont get you very much. Good luck and see you in Las Vegas!
     
  6. akhoya362

    akhoya362 Low-Roller

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    Just out of curiosity, did Aria offer anything meaningful in terms of back-end comps? Staying there for a night in October (before switching to MGM) and am curious whether I should bother playing there or just go downtown and gamble for a night. I play $50-100 a hand BJ, and $150-250 in craps.

    FWIW, Mandalay feels more like a "resort" than MGM (i.e., chiller vibe, nice relaxed pools, great restaurants, etc.). I stayed there over Memorial Day weekend and liked it a lot. The south end thing wasn't bothersome at all. I prefer MGM mostly because it's a lot more energetic, especially at night. The Mandalay casino feels dead when night rolls around....
     
  7. 96seahawk

    96seahawk Tourist

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    Thanks everyone! I was hoping to hear good things about Mandalay. All sounds great about MB except for it being dead at night in the casino. Aria always offers back end comps when I ask but nothing meaningful lately IMO. Couple hundred $ over 5 days of gambling excluding the upfront resort credits they offer which is normally $100/$150. Considering the first time I was introduced to a host at Aria, when I received $650 in backs end comps for the same length of gambling/play, it's fallen off considerably.

    Will MB offer any offers or upgrades upfront? I should call and talk to a host I guess.
     
  8. akhoya362

    akhoya362 Low-Roller

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    To caveat the "casino was dead at night" comment, it might have just been that particular weekend. (Also felt this way on NYE and New Years Day, though.) It's not a ghost town by any means -- the casino floor just didn't feel crowded. Not like MGM (with the Hakkasan crowd) or NY NY at night. So "dead" is relative.
     
  9. 96seahawk

    96seahawk Tourist

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    Got it. Thanks. How does the size of the casino compare to Aria and do they have $25 BJ from a shoe for my wife? Still 3/2 BJ or mostly 6/5?
     
  10. Elf70

    Elf70 High-Roller

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    I think MB is very generous with offers especially with resort credit. You should definitely call and talk to a host.
     
  11. 96seahawk

    96seahawk Tourist

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    I am going to tonight. Any particular rooms preferred by the group? We are rarely there but thought I would ask.
     
  12. akhoya362

    akhoya362 Low-Roller

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    I think Aria's is a little bigger, although I've only spent sparing amounts of time at Aria (hence the upcoming one-night stint). I definitely recall playing $25 shoe BJ at 3:2 during a weekend day, not sure during the night. (Mins might go up on a busy weekend.) But this was Memorial Day weekend, and we all know how quickly the pox of 6:5 can spread, so someone else might have better info. A lot of 6:5 tables, though.
     
  13. Ty

    Ty ?

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    Have you tried the other side of Vegas? Downtown.
     
  14. 96seahawk

    96seahawk Tourist

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    I have. My first time in Vegas I stayed at The Golden Nugget. We try to have a downtown day every trip.
     
  15. Travel Fanatic

    Travel Fanatic The Arbiter of Taste Caviar Kid

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    That is your best plan, although a host probably wants to see a larger average bet. Still, it won't hurt to give them a call. I get upfront offers form my host there all the time
     
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  16. 96seahawk

    96seahawk Tourist

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    I have contacted their host services. Any particular room preferred or not recommended?
     
  17. broncofn

    broncofn VIP Whale

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    You will receive more for your play at mb than Aria. Not sure about upgrades upfront but you will get "more for your money" at mb.
     
  18. 96seahawk

    96seahawk Tourist

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    Thanks. We are booked for The Aria but probably going to switch to MB. Emailed a host there tonight. Any suggestions on which pools are best and how's the pool casino area?
     
  19. 44inarow

    44inarow VIP Whale

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    I love Mandalay Bay, though haven't stayed there in a few trips as I've mostly switched over to Aria.

    I'm pretty sure Mandalay's casino is bigger, but it also might just be more spread out. It certainly feels bigger, as they have multiple table game pits. Mandalay really only has the one main pool area (with the sand beach and the wave pool, which is incredible); there are other pools but they're certainly not the highlight. Pool casino is fine but you're almost certain to find 6:5 blackjack and an annoying craps scene. I've spoken to many pit bosses and dealers who generally hate working the pool area, because the crowd is cheap and the money is often soaking wet.

    I'd seen $25 six-deck S17 at Mandalay during the day, but I'm not sure how quickly that starts bumping up. Otherwise, I think you can hopefully get a shoe game at $25, but you might be stuck with a CSM.
     
  20. broncofn

    broncofn VIP Whale

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    All of the pool areas are nice but since you have gone to bare, you will enjoy moorea. Its a nicer scene there (not talking about it being topless). Its a nicer pool in general.

    The pool casino area is actually indoors but overlooks the pool complex. Its decent, fun and laidback but not for serious gambling.
     
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