Help. Suggestions needed.

Dates: August 8-10.

Situation: Going to Denver August 1-8. Flying into Vegas for a solo trip for 2 nights. Where or what do I do?

So, I am a primarily CET player. I have free comped rooms (Linq, Harrahs, Flamingo, Bally's, and Rio). I've stayed at pretty much all of them except the Rio (don't wanna stay off strip) and Linq. I have heard Linq is nice. But when I go to Vegas, I like to experience new things. So if I was going to stay at a CET property, I would stay at Linq. This situation came up because I really, really, really hate paying resort fees, especially if nothing has been "new" to me.

Thus, I came up with this idea - I have 215k points in MyVegas.

I can stay at Monte Carlo (I can access both MGM Grand and Mandalay Bay pools) for 65k points. I can stay at MGM (no access to other pools) for 110k points. Or the Mirage (125k points).

I also get free play at any of the aforementioned hotels for 56k points. Then I can use the rest of my points towards food.

I am a special education teacher, so I want to end my summer with a bang - thus Colorado-Vegas-Home. I just want to primarily relax, swim, eat some free food, play very minimal this time (unless I save up big). Basically, a mental vacation from everything before the school year starts.

Any suggestions for the Monte Carlo/MGM Grand/Mirage points? There's so much more details, but I think you got the gist of it. I think MGM Resorts will win over CET for this trip just because of the $25 free play and free buffets via MyVegas. At least my "resort fees" will go to SOMETHING. Basically, becomes a wash (if not, a "profit" via the value of the free offers).

Thoughts?

 

A big part of it for me is the POOL situation. Which one has the BEST pools? Monte Carlo (both MGM/Mandalay Bay), MGM Grand, The Mirage. That's the BIG BIG part of it. If you feel I will spend all my time at MGM pool, then by all means suggest MGM. I don't even know what the situation at Monte Carlo is. I don't mind walking or whatever.

 

I'd personally stay far away from Monte Carlo until the renovations are done there, but staying there will get you access to either MGM or MB pools. The long walk (or short drive) to each would kill it for me too. I'd much rather just walk down from my room to the pool and relax.

I don't think you could go wrong with any of those 3 hotels, but I'd put Mirage's pool at the bottom of those 3 options, though I do love the vibe at the Mirage pool.

 

Even though the MGM Grand is on the other corner and the tram is available to MB?

 

I thought they took away the option to use myvegas free play while staying on a myvegas comp?

 

Of those options, I would go with MC with the access to Mandalay beach. Its an outstanding pool complex. You can really relax there all day, eat at the mlife restaurants, and crash back at MC each evening

 

You're still talking 20 to 30 minutes of walking from room to either pool.

As for hotel room, Monte Carlo seems like a disaster right now, no pool onsite, construction noise, poor room conditions, and a bunch of restaurant closures, just don't seem worth it to me. MGM has a solid pool facility, but the West Wing room you get with the MyVegas reward is fairly tiny. Since you're traveling solo, you might not mind as much. Mirage would offer a good balance between hotel room and pool. Why not consider the Mandalay Bay reward?

 

MGM Grand pool. I have spent many trips at that pool and would do it all again. They have a google street view of the lazy river if you are curious but it wont do it justice. Its also a great location if you want to do anything else on the strip whereas Mandalay Bay is a hassle. Monte Carlo is under construction and not the best atmosphere but thats only my opinion. Mirage is a strong contender too, but I have no experience there. If you stay at Monte Carlo, I cant imagine it being fun or relaxing to commute to your pool.

 

They can't because it's required to stay at a property for the trip to redeem.

 

I don't have 2 comped nights at Mandalay Bay, unfortunately. Only one comped night. Since it's only for two nights, I don't wanna switch hotels the next day. Too much work. Solid points about MC.

 

Alright, just to make it easy on myself, I went ahead and picked MGM Grand. A lot of people made good points about the walking aspect from MC. With it being 110 in August (I'm guessing!), I figured it was not worth the hassle. So I picked MGM Grand. Thanks for all who helped and chimed in.

Now, 2 rewards left. Gotta figure out what else to use it on!

(Admin: you may lock/close the thread)

 

I don't do MyVegas, but I can tell you that the Monte Carlo pool simply does not exist right now with the construction. I think the travel time down to MB would be a deal breaker for me. (Staying at Monte Carlo during the nuclear construction is a deal breaker for me, period.)

Between Mirage and MGM Grand, I would vote for Mirage based on your preference for a pool. I have not stayed at MGM Grand but the pool there gets consistently good reviews on this board. The casino there is way too crazy for me, though.

 

Mandalay bay , the pool is awesome !

 

I'm so glad you picked MGM! My vote would have been MGM or Mirage. I personally would NOT want to walk for the pool (MC) ...pool time should be leisurely, not a hike. Mirage is great, but it takes the most points. Plus, I personally think MGM and MB have the best pools on the strip, but I'm a sucker for a lazy river pool. (And this is from a non-pool person.)

Have a GREAT trip, and kudos on a very noble profession. I have teachers in the family and I know you guys work your fannies off...enjoy a very well-deserved vacation!

PS if you gamble at all, you might swing by the Mlife VIP desk pre-checkout, and just nicely asked if you played enough to have any charges taken off. I've been surprised to see fees come off when I ask, even with play I thought wouldn't merit it. (And I'd suggest don't ask for specifics unless they balk, then ask about resort fees. If you ONLY ask for resort fees and are eligible for more, you might miss out, so make it generic on your request.)

FYI, They will NOT take off fees at the checkout desk, and they can only take off room charges/resort fees, etc., not fees you charged to a credit card directly.

So, if you play at all, charge all to the room, and then ask the VIP desk pre-checkout, the worst they'll say is "no"!

 

Thank you for the kind words. This will be my third year teaching. It seems like the second year went a million times faster than the first - which was truly nervewrecking! So I survived the profession so far and couldn't be happier!

I've never heard of this method before - very interesting. Will have to keep it in mind! Thanks for this.

Thanks to everybody else who commented. Your comments helped me. I omitted MC just because I have two days and don't want to spend a couple hours walking to check out two different pools. It will be August, so probably 120 degrees! I skipped MB just because it's way down the strip and not much for me to do "locally" there. I like to go up and down the strip, so MGM gives me the "best" option for that. Plus - thinking of using the free monorail pass via MyVegas just for a quick trip up the strip and work my way back down (even though the actual locations of the monorail stops are way off base).