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Two nights with a 4 and 5 year old

Discussion in 'Off-Strip Hotels' started by markr520, Apr 16, 2017.

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  1. markr520

    markr520 Tourist

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    My family is moving from Nebraska to California this summer and we're looking at taking a "mini vacation" in Vegas. We're not really going to be gambling much, but we're looking for a nice, relatively family friendly hotel to stay at. We've essentially decided against the strip even though we could snag a single free night at a few places. The parking costs, bloated resort fees, size/complexity of hotels are just things we're looking to stay away from on this part of our journey. We've looked into Orleans a little bit and this seems like a place that could be good for the kids since they have the movie theater and bowling alley in house. I've never been there with kids before though, so I'm not sure how good it is for them other than that.

    Any and all recommendations/advice are welcomed and appreciated.
     
  2. Drewm1972

    Drewm1972 VIP Whale

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    Hi Mark, I probably don't have exact answers and I'm sure other members here have better ideas. but just in case if you do decide to stay on strip... I recommend Vadra - I personally haven't stay there YET but I had many family & friends members stay there with younger ones and they all had good things about it... first there's no casino inside, quiet, smoke free, friendly staff, good clean rooms and I hear pool was very clean not to mention quiet as well. And top of that you are center of strip and for type of hotel &a location it's reasonably priced I believe. But I can totally understand with having two little ones you rather spend $$ on them(I remember back in those days I didn't buy crab for myself but bought everything kids needed it lol)... I'm sure you will find more "kid friendlier" hotel, I had no idea Orleans had movie theater and bowling alley!! But just in case, I thought I want to give you my recommendations! Good luck hunting!!
     
  3. spicole

    spicole No shirt, no shoes... NO DICE!

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    You have some good reasons to avoid the strip, but I suggest considering Mandalay Bay. The pool complex will be a big attraction for the kiddos.
     
  4. Richard Alpert

    Richard Alpert LOST

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  5. markr520

    markr520 Tourist

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    We checked out MB (my wife and I have stayed there before) but it was like 350 a night for our dates!
     
  6. spicole

    spicole No shirt, no shoes... NO DICE!

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    Yikes!
     
  7. leo21

    leo21 VIP Whale

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    Orleans is a good option. There is a nice pool area too and its near a park that may be worth checking out. South Coast has similar amenities but is a little further from the strip.
     
  8. Grid

    Grid Well-Known Member

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    Thanks for the shout out Richard!

    Markr, We had fun as a family at Green Valley Ranch, they have a movie theater, great pool, arcade, shopping and even a splash pad in their mall area. Here is my overview of the joint.

    https://sites.google.com/site/lvgrid/journal-blog/j2-off-strip-search-green-valley-ranch-sept-16

    With that said, I'd still stay on the strip for that Vegasy feel. Your kids are old enough to be able to see Vegas as a family. So dont get too hung up on things to do at your hotel. You can experience all the family friendly stuff on the strip and not have to stay at those properties. Just pick a place with a nice pool (if you guys want to swim) and head off to explore!

    As mentioned, Mandalay Bay has a great pool, and they are connected via a free monorail to Excalibur. From there you can spend hours in the Fun Dungeon. Hop across the street to NY NY and their arcade and roller coaster are pretty fun.

    I made this trip report with a baby, but it can work generically for anyone with a family.

    https://sites.google.com/site/lvgrid/journal-blog/o-baby-does-vegas

    Here is why I say to stay on the strip, you would be missing out on all of this if you just planted yourself off-strip


    The Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay.
    The mall between Luxor and Excalibur.
    Luxor also has a Titanic Exhibit as well as Body Worlds.
    Excalibur's Fun Dungeon and castle tour.
    Free Monorail between all the above. Its kinda like a ride!
    New York New York's arcade. They also have a roller coaster.
    Monte Carlo free monorail to Crystals & Bellagio.
    Bellagio Gardens.
    M&M Store. They have a great free movie in here.
    Planet Hollywood Mall
    Paris Mall
    The Flamingo Habitat at Flamingo.
    The Forum Mall.
    The Linq shops and High Roller wonder wheel.
    Secret Gardens at Mirage.
    Volcano Show at Mirage.
    Fashion Show Mall and the Disney Store. Many Las Vegas exclusives in here. We got the Elvis Stitch.
    Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian. They also have a pretty cool wax museum here.
    Circus Circus, pretty much the entire place your kids would go bonkers. Midway & Adventuredome
     
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  9. Grid

    Grid Well-Known Member

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    I would stay at Excalibur or NY NY. Both fun environments for a family, but neither has an awesome pool scene. But both can be had on the cheap, even with those shitty resort fees it is still cheaper to stay there than at most Best Westerns across the US. And for the price of a full blown resort (usually $75 midweek with fees) it is still a good value.
     
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  10. Big dan

    Big dan High-Roller

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    I have stayed at the Orleans with my family plenty of times and it's ok. I personally would look into some of the station properties they have the same amenities you are talking about but nicer all around in my opinion.
     
  11. nostresshere

    nostresshere Mr. Anti Debit Card

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    Personally I would try to find a hotel with 2 rooms. With a door in between so you can have quiet time and not disturb kids. Embassy Suites comes to mind.

    Be careful as way too many places now use the term suite even if there is not door, but just a larger room.
     
  12. mountaindave

    mountaindave Tourist

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    If you want to stay away from the strip a bit, try Sam's Town. I think they have all the essentials for kids (pool, movie theatre, bowling) but
    they also have the atrium with the light/laser show and all the animatronics. You have such young kids so that is something really simple
    and fun for them.
     
  13. leo21

    leo21 VIP Whale

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    Kinda confused with the strip suggestions considering the reasons laid out in the original post as to why strip was out on this trip. If the strip was in play, it doesn't sound like our help would be needed.
     
  14. Electroguy563

    Electroguy563 Vegas Joker

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    I was thinking maybe Green Valley Ranch since your children are so young. GVR is a very quiet, relaxing resort in Henderson and I recall it's not very smokey, unlike the Orleans.

    If your children were older, then I'd recommend Excaliber or NYNY. I know you said no Strip but it's because these places have arcades for them to play in. A lot of shops like Hershey and M&M are also close by. And one day you can cab it to Circus Circus to have the kids play arcade games and there's the Aster Dome next door with lots of carnival type rides.
     
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  15. Geogran

    Geogran VIP Whale

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    Agree with @Electroguy563 - Green Valley Ranch - since you have 4 & 5 year olds and want to stay off strip - GVR is a really good choice - very nice pool and beachy area, arcades for some game time, plenty of good food choices for youngsters that age - burgers, pizza, cafe, buffet, etc. Has a really nice resort feel, well appointed rooms, and reasonable prices. Free parking and reasonable resort fee. Nice casino.
    Save the strip for when you can really enjoy all it offers!
     
  16. johnnytwofingers

    johnnytwofingers Low-Roller

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  17. markr520

    markr520 Tourist

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    Thanks to everyone for their advice. The one thing I'd add about our trip is that the idea of NOT going to a million different resorts is actually part of the appeal for us. My wife and I have been many times, but not with the kids, thus we've been on the strip for all of our trips. But we know what being on the strip brings. And considering that we have a 5 hour drive into Vegas on our first day, checking into a place (GVR sounds and looks great as well!) and just having a good time with a lot of things to do but without shuttling them from room to a monorail, to another giant casino/hotel. If it was a longer and more relaxing visit, I think Excalibur or NYNY would probably be our best bet. Right now, I think we're down to Orleans, GVR, and maybe Red Rock at this point (depending on prices).
     
  18. Celtics2424

    Celtics2424 Tourist

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    I would suggest the Hilton Grand Vacation club. Its located behind Flamingo. Short walk to the strip but a nice quiet hotel/condos. They havetheir own pool but you can use the Flamingo pool also. Full kitchen, living room area.
     
  19. vegasvic

    vegasvic VIP Whale

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    Personally I'd stay off the strip with a 4 and 5 year old. Red Rock is very nice, has a cool bowling alley. Orleans has bowling alley and movie theater but isn't as nice as RR (one of the nicer properties in Vegas period. GVR is also very nice (a step below RR but still a great place). They have an arcade and movie theater.
     
  20. markr520

    markr520 Tourist

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    So we appreciate all the feedback. We really liked the Red Rock and wanted to go there, but they have no availability those nights. GVR is a little beyond what we're looking to spend on a nightly basis (over 200 per night with resort fee). We're going with the Orleans. Apparently kids eat free at the buffet there, which will give them a chance to eat what they want, to bowl, see a movie, AND some child care on site so my wife and I could have a nice meal and some casino time together. Thanks everybody for your thoughts. Always great information and advice to be had on this board.
     
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