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2nd vegas trip advice needed

Discussion in 'LV Strip Hotels' started by Carlany2, Dec 29, 2014.

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  1. Carlany2

    Carlany2 Tourist

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    Hello, I'm in the process of looking for my 2nd ever trip to Vegas and as I find this group full of different type of opinions, I thought I'd ask for advice.
    Our 1st trip to Vegas incorporated me and my wife getting married so our budget was quite good and we stayed in a terrace studio (city view) at the Cosmo, as it was part of our honeymoon.

    As we are in the UK, its best for us to buy a package of flight and hotel as they are only a few £ more than just a flight.
    We want to stay at a Mlife hotel,(although there is a great deal on a cosmo studio room with breakfast which is around £150 more than a room at the aria or a Monaco suite at Monte Carlo) but we are undecided on a cheaper hotel with a better grade room or a more expensive hotel on a more basic room.

    Thanks for any input.
     
  2. kboltwkreations

    kboltwkreations Low-Roller

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    If you stayed at Cosmo you will more than likely be dissapointed in the quality of room at Monte Carlo
     
  3. REELmoneySlotFan

    REELmoneySlotFan High-Roller

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    It al depends on what you're looking for when travelling to Vegas. What are you planning to do? Want to see as many shows as possible, gamble a lot of hours, have meals in nice restaurants? Or is staying at a nice hotel room (above average) important to you? You set the bar pretty high for yourself during your first trip to Vegas. Cosmo, Venetian, Palazo, Wynn, Encore, Aria en Bellagio are absolutely above average. Those are the quality resorts on the Strip in my opinion. If you want to save some money on a room but still have a decent room you might want to consider Cromwell, Caesars Palace, Mandalay Bay, MGM. One step down on the ladder, there's tons of options.
     
  4. guapoxxx

    guapoxxx High-Roller

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    I would book Cosmo and frequent Aria and Bellagio but since you want to stay at a Mlife property, were there any room options for MGM Grand? If not, I'd go with the basic room at Aria and see if they can give you a free upgrade at the desk. :peace:
     
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  5. Bluskies

    Bluskies Low-Roller

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    I agree with this advice. The Deluxe rooms (which are the basic rooms) are really good. However, if you get upgraded, it is likely not going to be more than a Deluxe with a city view. As I understand it, they basically upgrade within that room's group selection (like a corner suite has Corner Suite, Corner Suite City View, Corner Suite Panoramic...and you could start at the low end and work your way up). Of course, you may have more luck...English accents are charmers with Americans. :)
     
  6. Reel Investor

    Reel Investor Low-Roller

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    Aria and Bellagio are the two top end MLife casinos but are in different styles - Aria being the more modern look with Bellagio the classic rich elegance style. Bellagio overlooking the fountain would be nice if it isn't overly expensive when you go.
     
  7. marktaylor

    marktaylor Low-Roller

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    carlany2 you have a lot to answer for , after me commenting on your status on myvegas group on facebook about the price of trips from uk looks like im heading back 12th nov 2015 !!!! ( thanks for the heads up on cheap prices )
     
  8. Bernie2

    Bernie2 MIA

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    Check Momondo you might be surprised at their fares and/ or packages.
     
  9. heatherlovesvegas

    heatherlovesvegas VIP Whale

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    I wouldn't pay 150 more to to stay at Cosmo over Aria. If you liked Cosmo you will like Aria, Aria is very very nice! No spectacular terrace room like at Cosmo, but the rooms are nice, the property is amazing. If you'd like to go more budget friendly check out MGM Grand or Mandalay Bay or Mirage. Good mid level properties, very nice, lots to do, and the gambling/dining/entertainment is all a little bit cheaper than the 5 star hotels.

    Monte Carlo is a dump, don't stay there. It's a 3.5 star hotel at best, Cosmo and Aria are 5 star resorts. Definitely get a more basic room at a nicer hotel.
     
  10. Mrs. K.

    Mrs. K. Low-Roller

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    If you don't mind being further from the action I'd say Mandalay Bay on the low end of the budget. The rooms are much nicer than Monte Carlo and the prices can be comparable. But you give up quick access to the most bustling part of the Strip. I was very impressed with the layout and furnishings of MB last time I stayed there. It's not perfect and needs some refreshing, but nothing was broken/filthy/missing. But Aria is great and I think comparable to Cosmo.
     
  11. VDMTom

    VDMTom Low-Roller

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    I heavily agree with this.

    I love Aria while I enjoy being at Cosmo too. Aria has very modern rooms, which I really like. Cosmo has the younger crowd which is equally great.

    You can't go wrong with staying at Aria. I would not recommend staying at Bellagio for various reasons such as noted in two of my threads previously posted.
     
  12. letired

    letired Tourist

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    I'd definitely check the hotel websites when looking for package deals - when I was booking earlier this month, the package deals (flight+hotel) were MUCH less expensive when booked directly from the hotel - many of them were $400-500 cheaper than a package deal from Expedia/Priceline etc, and some of the package deals were actually CHEAPER than booking a room directly with the hotel (you got a flight and hotel for cheaper than they were offering 5 nights in the hotel when just booking a room...crazy!)
     
  13. Bommen

    Bommen High-Roller

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    How many nights are we talking about? Is it 150 extra a night or for the total trip? Cosmo/Aria/Wynncore are my goto hotels when in Vegas but i only stay at Aria if i get it for half of the price compared to the other two resorts. To me it sounds like if its 150 for the whole trip i would stay at Aria if its 2 days or less otherwise its definitely worth the money to upgrade to Cosmo. Also what type of breakfast is included? Is it at the Wicked Spoon you and your girl will save a lot of money since they serve a great brunch there that will last until its time for dinner.
     
  14. Carlany2

    Carlany2 Tourist

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    Sorry about that Mark, where did you end up staying?

    I think we're going to book 7 nights in the Vdara suite with a view.
     
  15. marktaylor

    marktaylor Low-Roller

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    not a problem , its just 2 blokes so going for the Excalibur , have stayed there before and i think its ok
     
  16. DonnyC

    DonnyC VIP Whale

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    I have found Mandalay Bay to look pretty pricey. (one of the reasons I haven't tried it for a night).
     
  17. DonnyC

    DonnyC VIP Whale

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    Totally true.

    The one kicker is that if you go this route you can't use loyalty points for any portion of the cost, and you can't get any of the cost removed at the end - if your play warrants. (My play isn't big enough for back end comps, but through Social Rewards I generally have a few $100 in Total Reward credits, so I have never booked a package directly through a CET hotel website as i want to us some of the credits for resort fee and room charge).

    Another thing to consider when booking a package is that you can probably save $$ by only having 1 traveler book the package, and the 2nd traveler booking flight only - especially if the flight prices out less than the package. Hotels don;t charge a per person stay (if you are talking about 2 travelers...but a package does.)
     
  18. urbanphotos

    urbanphotos Tourist

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    Mandalay Bay is definitely the best MGM Mirage property to choose if you want a good value for your money. It's just as nice as Aria (I have stayed at both properties) but usually half the price.
     
  19. TheNewUnion

    TheNewUnion Tourist

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    I've also booked Excalibur for next year (October). I genuinely could not believe how cheap it was. £711 per person, 2 weeks, direct flights with Virgin from Manchester. I too have stayed before and agree it's OK. Don't really understand the hate for the place, it's fine and at that price it's more than fine! (plus will probably have 3-4 days at a MyVegasSlots freebie whilst there anyway so that'll be a nicer place).
     
  20. TheNewUnion

    TheNewUnion Tourist

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    Oh, and getting back to the original topic. I have always had a soft spot for Monte Carlo. Only stayed once and were on the Concierge Floor (is that now Hotel 32?) and I really liked it. I like the casino, I like the pub, I liked the concierge floor/room (free liquor!). All that being said, if I was happy with the price I'd stay at Aria because it's all fancy and nice!
     
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