Relaxing Vegas Trip - An Oxymoron??

The last couple of months have been pretty crazy and exhausting due to some family issues, so I'm thinking I want my next Vegas trip to be of a quasi-relaxing variety. I'm not going to be able to make a trip until either November or December which I'm hoping are quieter times than when I normally visit in the warmer months.

I'm thinking of staying at either Aria again, Vdara or MB/Delano. I know Vdara would be quiet since there's no casino. I've never stayed at MB so any info there would be welcome.

I'm thinking there will be lots of spa/gym time, some shopping and lots of mindless slot time plus maybe a little bit of craps.

Any other VMBer's do trips to Vegas that you would consider relaxing? What does relaxing in Vegas look like for you?

 

For me, a relaxing Vegas trip is going solo, or with my wife. Going with other people with their own agendas as to what to do together is not relaxing, to me.

Maybe one day I'll find some Vegas buddies that has similar interests and understanding about solo time and group time.

 

We do a combo if that makes sense, late mornings to early afternoon it is pool time, reading, napping and some adult beverages, try to get in a couple of shows, just sitting getting entertained for 1 to 1 1/2 can be very relaxing, then after the shows we hit the adult portion of the trip

 

Our first 8-10 trips were ones where we'd need a vacation after getting back to unwind from a Vegas vacation: we'd be up and out of the room by 9AM and not getting back until 2-3AM, sleep for a few hours and then repeat.

The last few trips we spend more time in the room: a gambling day for us will probably see us in the room until 1PM, maybe going down for breakfast in the morning or ordering something up, and then going out and about before returning to the room around 6PM to grab a nap and rest a little... then going out for dinner and some more gambling until midnight. A more restful day would probably see us out earlier in the morning for breakfast and then going down to the pool for a couple of hours, then back up to the room for a shower, more resting and maybe not actually going out anywhere until 4-5PM, unless my wife is dragging me off on a shopping trip.

For us the resting up in the room time or going back for a 1-2 hour long nap has made the trips overall more relaxing. We still gamble every day - I wouldn't be going to Las Vegas if I wasn't going to be doing a load of gambling.

For gambling and relaxing I do like casinos that are darker (NYNY, Aria, MGM has a few spots too) where I can find a spot off the main walkways and then plug in my headphones and just play for a few hours.

 

No Vegas trip for us is relaxing. But, it is always a nice change from home life.

 

Vdara for sure!
its like a quiet oasis away from home and Vegas at the same time
when i want to play? Vegas is 300ft away
when i want to chill out? There's everything i have at home in one room

 

We did this quite a few times when Terri was working on her MBA and getaway time was scarce -- the "getaway" to Lake Las Vegas or the JW Marriott; relax, do outdoor stuff, good food, spa, shopping, golf. But Vegas isn't our first choice, all equal, if a recharge experience is what the doctor orders.

 

Nope, our LV trips are not in the least relaxing. We burn the candle at both ends with video poker, to the point of exhaustion by the time we go home. We always say (before we go) we will slow down, but so far that hasn't happened. We're too old for this, but we enjoy.

 

Well, it all comes down to what people find relaxing.

But Vegas is often a shorter trip, involves a time change, and I can't sleep in in that town with any reliability. So while I may relax during the trip, it is not where I would go if relaxation was the top priority. Truth be told, if relaxation was top of the list, I'm not sure I'd go anywhere.

 

For me a relaxing trip would be loading up on free drinks with minimal table game damage, enjoying a nice cigar and walking around the strip people watching and eating good food along the way when i get hungry. Mix that in with some hot mid summer heat by the pool and That is about it.

i still have yet to have one of those but its what i PLAN on during my flight out there lol

 

I have found my solo trips "relaxing" just in not worrying about accommodating what anyone else wants to do. I still stay up all night but I can run on my own schedule, grab a nap if I'm tired and go and do what I want when I want. I still prefer trips with my husband or like-minded friends.

 

We've gone on some Vegas trips with the plan of more relaxation than our usual trips. Extra pool time, drinks in a quiet bar(s) but once I'm there I have a hard time doing those things. I'll lay by the pool for an hour or two and then I'm itching to do something.

 

Anything more than 3 hours sleep, I consider relaxing.
Otherwise comfortably numb for the duration.

 

Go with enough time (days) allotted so you can take one off to just "do nothing". DON'T go with the schedule that says you gotta gamble; we leave in 54 hours!! No time to chill. It works for us but then we go for 5 nights for just such a reason. Good luck!!

 

You would actually fit right into the MB scene. It's not as hectic as the other casinos.

The gym contains plenty of cardio machines to help you work out the blahs.

There is a wide selection of dining options to suit every craving. I remember reading your prior trip reports..... I think you would enjoy the restaurants.

We go to MB/Delano because we can relax (oxymoron) there. Usually by the pool in the mornings, rejuvenate in the afternoons, dinner in the evening and of course... gambling before bed.

For us...the best "all round" resort property.

 

I am also considering Mandalay for our Aug 13-17 trip for some of the reasons mentioned. Will post a review if decide on MB.

 

Compared to the shit show of a work life that i have to deal with on a daily basis I do the following on solo trips to Vegas that usually last around 3 nights> I find this pretty relaxing.

Summer:
Sportsbook with coffee from about 10-11am.
Pool from about 12pm-4pm
Power nap, shower up and grab dinner somewhere solo at the bar {i love solo dining at the bar}
Gamble until the early hours of the morning
Repeat........

Winter:
Replace the pool with a poker tourney

 

Our Vegas trips are always relaxing. While I do like to plan out dinners and shows ahead of time (the main Vegas draw for hubby and me), most of the trip is unscheduled, so we can do whatever we are in the mood for. We've stayed at Vdara several times, and it's a great place to recharge. I haven't stayed at Mandalay Bay, but have spent quite a bit of time there on recent trips and agree that it would also be relaxing compared to many of the hotels on the strip.

Really, though, I think you can have a relaxing trip at any hotel you want to. For me, it's a matter of splurging a bit on the room so you have a nice retreat, and not over-scheduling or feeling compelled to do anything high-energy. I'm too translucent to really take advantage of a pool in the Vegas sun, but I would think for most people, that would be a consideration. Much as I love Vdara, if you are looking for a nice pool, I'd consider MB or Aria instead. If the pool doesn't matter, definitely go with Vdara!

 

The pool at MB does look nice, although I would need to move my trip up to October probably to still have pool weather. I like the look of the rooms at Vdara and Delano as somehow having a sitting area makes it feel more relaxing for me. I would probably be ok with the remodeled resort king at MB, and I had no complaints about the room at Aria.

I generally have found my solo trips to be more relaxing due to the unscheduled, do what I want when I want feel. My 2 best girlfriends are both the type that want to go all the time, so those trips end up being a different style.

I'm going to be limited to probably a 3 night trip this time as I'm taking my mom to Italy next spring and need to save vacation time for that.

pressitagain- I looked over the restaurants at MB and I think you're right. There are plenty of options and I've never dined at MB so they would all be new to me. I've gambled there a few times and did like that the casino felt a bit more laid back than some.

96seahawk- I will look forward to your review.

Alhanalasa- One of my GFs stayed at Vdara on a work trip and really raved about it, plus frank67 has me thinking I might really like it. I have asthma so the non-smoking atmosphere would be a plus for me.

 

Relaxation for me is not being in my present location of Ohio,