First time to Vegas. Staying at Aria

Hi.

Me and my brother is travelling from Norway to Las Vegas 5th to 13th of march. (33/41 y old)
Got a great deal with flight and hotel 8 nights 17500 norwegian kr. ($2400 +/- total for both together). After booking we have upgraded from a deluxe kingroom to a deluxe queen room with 2 beds and city view for $30 pr night. (normally $60 p.n)

We are looking forward to the trip. Dont have many plans yet, but we want to take a helicopter ride over the strip. Should we go with maverick?
We also want to take a tour to grand canyon. Have found bus trips (13-14 hours from pick up to drop off) from around $80. Any tips here?

Any other suggestions to what we should do? We want to try most of the casinos and visit a casino store. (spinettis?)
My brother dont gamle as much as me, but he likes the slots and roulette. I like Roulette, Slots and Blackjack. I also like playing poker. In some of the evenings if he wants to relax in the room for a while, im planning to play poker (1/3 NL) at Aria. Will buy in with $100 or $200. Is it difficult to get a place at theese table at evenings?

Is it possible to get a $10 play (Blackjack) at Aria at some time of the day? 3:2 or 5:6?
Should we get players card? Mlife? Some others?

What do you recomend for transport from/to airport? I see that you can get a limo RT from $100? And hire a limo 1 hour for $45? If im not wrong its just over 2 miles from airport to hotell. Should be easy to get a cheap limo from outside the airport when we arrive?

 

Couple answers to some of your questions:

I highly doubt your going to see a $10 BJ game at Aria..if you by chance do it would be a 6:5 game, but I doubt you'll see that. The last time I was at the Aria, I think I might of seen a $15 6:5 BJ table during a week day in the middle of the day, but the majority of everything there is $25 and up. Definitely get players cards..doesn't hurt and you could get some offers for return trips. Might as well stop at one of the CET casino's (Harrah's, Caesars, Ballys, Pho, Flamingo etc and get a card there as well.

For the $10 BJ, I would suggest either going downtown, or checking out Monte Carlo, Flamingo, Ballys. I know those casinos have it for sure. Bally's even has $5 BJ, but I doubt you'll see a 3:2 $5 bj table except for downtown somewhere.

Speaking of downtown, make sure you go to Fremont street at night and check it out. $1 beers, $2 shots and the casinos down there will have lower limit games.

For the Limo, Presidential Limo is very good, just reserve that with them before you arrive and they'll be waiting for you with a sign at arrivals.

 

Not as many people watch this section, so some of your specific questions may be asked in other forums. Wait a few days and see. Also, many have been already asked and the answers may help.

As to helo over the strip, and separate Grand Canyon tour. I might suggest doing the helo to Grand Canyon that also flys over the strip. We did that and loved it.

 

I have never done a Helo ride in Vegas, but most people tend to use Maverick. I have been to the GC before, but not from Vegas. $80 seems like a good deal, but I would try to read some reviews first. All of Aria's BJ tables are 3:2...the problem is the low table min. I know there is always a $15 table in the carnival pit, so that may be the lowest you will see in Aria.

 

You can also take a taxi for less than $20. Just make sure you tell the driver "no tunnel." MGM usually has a few $5 tables in the morning during the week. If you go off strip both Gold Coast and the Orleans will have $5 tables all day.

 

Gold coast has one of the least expensive liquor stores in town, Orleans is also good.

 

I stayed at the Bellagio early December (during Rodeo week) and they always had a $10 3:2 blackjack table open - even early evening. Just take the tram over past the Aria poker room. I only walked through Aria after breakfast time once and don't remember seeing a $10 BJ table. I think the lowest I saw was $15. But I didn't look to hard after finding the Craps tables.

My cab fare, from Terminal 3 I think, was $19.70 and he took the most direct root without me saying anything. I arrived on a Wednesday AM and it was pretty slow at the time.

 

Awesome! 8 days would be a long time, but if you are flying all that way, you will need quite a while to make it worth it. Love Aria, beds are the best on the strip in my opinion. Not sure if it is too late, but since you will be there for so long, I may recommend Vdara, they have full kitchens and you can request anything up to the room (plates, cook stuff, utensils, etc..). Comes in handy on those long rides.

Lots of Groupon deals, also check http://www.travelzoo.com/local-deals/Las-Vegas/deals, this is the deals Travelzoo has, which a lot of them can be really good. Updated quite often so check back every week or so.

Same as above, lots of options and you don't have to pay full price.

You can browse the previous trip reports to make a list, but here are some of my highlights:
Cosmo Hotel is awesome, check out some of their Happy Hour restaurants between 5-7 Mon-Friday on the third floor dining.
How about a show? Travelzoo link above usually has some half off discounts.
Foundation room at Mandalay Bay for a drink
Search online for club hosts to get free entry to clubs if you are interested in doing that
Get a big novelty slushie drink for sure!!
Carnival court at Harrahs is always interesting

You won't have a problem 90% of the time. If you do, just go to the next casino. I enjoy Aria's poker room though, real nice and good waitresses. I believe Bellagio gives better comped drinks though.

Get a card and use it for everything. Give it to cashiers when you pay for food or stuff in the casino. You will get offers to come back depending on play, which will probably make you want to come back that much more, for your next trip.

Its not too far, you can setup limo transportation with Presidential or get one cheaper at the airport. Bring a bottle of nice Champagne in your luggage to get the party started!!