Aria opinions

Hi all

Got back from Vegas 2 weeks ago and already on the verge of booking next year's visit. We have been 3 times now, first time we stayed at circus circus, and and last 2 times the MGM Grand.

So as much as we enjoy the mgm we are thinking of trying something different. The Aria caught my eye.. Just curious to what you guys and girls think of this place?

Thanks all

Chris

 

Aria is really great- you can't go wrong staying there. Their pools are great, and they have a great selection of restaurants as well.

 

You are going to get replies both good and bad. Personally I had a great stay there with only a minor hiccup or two with housekeeping. The safe was locked on check in, room could have been vacuumed a little better, carpet was wet were previous guest spilt something. Nothing to stop me from staying again in the future.

 

It's taken over Mandalay Bay as my favorite place to stay; my last four trips have been there, and my next two are there.

The only complaint I have with them is that their Bell Desk is completely dysfunctional. Everything else is great. I love the casino, and in particular the fact that it isn't too bright, is always busy, and the dealers (especially the craps crews) are great. Huge fan of Lift Bar for drinks and video poker, which had 9/5 JoB as of mid-May and comps some pretty top-notch cocktails. I also love their restaurants, in no small part because their are plenty of great mid-day dining options (Julian Serrano and Lemongrass at Aria proper, plus a few others at Crystals and plenty more next door at Cosmopolitan), which is something I think a lot of resorts are lacking.

 

Aria is awesome. Stayed last Nov for 2nights. Loved the room!

 

The Aria is very modern and large, if you like that style, which I do.
See the movie "Last Vegas" to get some glimpses of the main lobby area and pool areas.
1) The Sky Suites are a separate hotel-within-a-hotel, more $$$ but better rooms and service
2) Casino is big, lots of craps tables etc.
3) Poker room is great
4) Sports book is on the smaller side but decent
5) Haze, the nightclub is only a 2nd tier megaclub, but the Gold Lounge is fun
6) The buffet is a notch below the Wicked Spoon at the Cosmo
7) Great restaurant collection
8) Since it is mid-strip, it only 10 min to Cosmo, PHo, Bellagio etc.

Have fun!

 

I really like it and will be staying there next month. They definitely have service issues. But that's the only significant drawback, IMO. The gambling is good, good location, excellent food, excellent pool, and the best spa on the Strip. I guess it all depends on what you're looking for. Its an upgrade over MGM Grand and a huge upgrade over Circus Circus

 

I liked it so much I've stayed there twice this year. I haven't had any service issues with checked bags, etc that others have had. Front desk staff and most other staff I've encountered have been very friendly, and at the very least they have been polite. Beautiful hotel, love the restaurants, the casino is pretty great too. Only small problem I've encountered is it is hard to get a drink in the area just outside the high-limit slot room.... everywhere else the cocktail service was prompt.

 

Only place I will stay! Well, except Wynn. Probably stayed at Aria over 20 times. Be there in a couple weeks again. Great service. Never a problem. Never worry about comps being wrong. Good restaurants. Rooms are very nice (Sky Suites).... Easy to get to other resorts. Great gambling and really friendly staff. Great golf (Shadow Creek). Great for shows and concerts at the MGM.. One step down from Wynn but way above MGM and 1000 times nicer than Circus Circus. All in all great place and would highly recommend Aria. Have fun.

 

I have stayed at Aria several times. I like the rooms - nice size, nice decor. We always enjoy Todd English Pub, which technically isn't part of Aria, but it is immediately adjacent. I don't think Aria's buffet is as good as Cosmo or Bellagio, but its not bad. It is a long walk to get to the Strip, particularly heading north. The limits at the tables are little high for me, usually at least $15 for blackjack. But I think there rooms are a great value for the quality and size of the room and it is a beautiful resort overall. I have always found the people working there to be nice and helpful. I have had no service issues. It is also connected directly to Monte Carlo - you don't have to go outside. There is also a tram that runs to Bellagio. I would definitely stay there again and would recommend it to others.

 

I switched to Aria from Bellagio and haven't looked back. Love everything about the property. Margaritas and food at Javiers are my first night ritual. Easy to navigate property and accessible to other strip properties, although a little walk to get started. All the food is top notch. My experience with casino staff has been fantastic. Only one pit critter out of multiple trips that was less than friendly.

 

I also switched from Bellagio and glad I did.
My tenth stay at Aria is coming up in 6 weeks.
Casino staff has been great and I have not experienced the service issues a few posts have discussed.
Really like the restaurants and bars.
SkySuites are my favorite but Corner Suites are often a great value.
Not a big deal to some people but there are not as many tourists clogging up the walkways as there are in Bellagio and often MGM Grand.
Easy walk to Monte Carlo food Court for cheap eats.Easy walk to Cosmo for Bars.

 

That's very true. Never try to walk form the bac bar to the craps pit at Bellagio right after an O performance lets out!

 

Aria is beautiful! Great service considering it's a massive hotel, great spa, dining, casino. Do remember, 5 star hotel = 5 star prices on all the amenities and gambling.

I had the standard room. I wasn't that excited with it.. if you want a 5 star room, you can do better than Aria in my opinion (I think Vdara is a better value for the money). It was nice, but the rates are often $50-$100 more than MGM Grand or Mandalay Bay. I didn't think the room was $100 a night nicer than MGM. And all my little gadgets in the room didn't work either (which is kind of the whole point of staying there!). I would stay again, but I would get a more upgraded room.

The location is pretty good, but it's so complicated... getting around doesn't make a lot of sense, CityCenter was built weird. But, you are close to everything. I like the proximity to Planet Hollywood and Cosmo.

It's a great place, worth checking out, but my advice would be don't overpay for it. If it's a good deal go for it. They run a lot of $79, $99 specials, worth it at that rate. But, don't pay $250 for a Deluxe Room or anything.

 

Thanks for all your replies... Really don't know where to stay.. Going to travel agents tomorrow to book it so have 24 hours to research. Really fancy the Aria, but also looking at Paris, Ceasers, mirage etc etc.. Arrggghhh lol

 

lol...very true! I have learned to take a "90 degrees on fairway" approach to navigating through the crowds at Bellagio. Hug the east wall and then cut 90 degrees through the slots to where you want to go.

 

I do the same thing.
I never understand why people walk four abreast in an overly crowded walkway and do not want to yield.

I understand people bringing there small children to Las Vegas. Doing the zombie walk with them at 10pm through the casino seems a little ridiculous.

 

I went from Mandalay to Bellagio ... and I still adore Bellagio, but Aria has stolen me for sure. Fantastic casino. Great food. Awesome rooms. It's my go-to. Service has always been fantastic. Often can find really good suite rates, too.

 

Chris, you are talking about next year. I cant think that far in advance but as of now, once again, I would stay at Aria. If you are going with Family I might stay at Geezers (Caesars) as the forum shops are right there, the Mirage is right there and now the new Cromwell, linq and whatever else is right across the street. You can always keep busy at Geezers. It is a step or two down from the Aria. That's just this man's opinion. I wouldn't stay at Mirage. Unless we go back in time to 1989!

 

So is there any difference between the Aria and vdara?