First Timer/Honeymoon Question

Hi all Its our first trip to Vegas and our honeymoon so we are coming week of October 14-20 . unfortunately we are on a budget but looking at places like MGM Grand or the Luxor but want to stay on the strip and want a good clean hotel that isnt too smokey as my future wife has asthma. Also we want to be able to use pools as well but dont know anything about the hotels or resorts there and any help from people are appreciated as we are looking thru expedia and jetblue vacations for cheap packages we want to be able to have money for shows and gambling and dont want to blow alot on place to stay. will take all suggestions as we dont mind walking around strip and to fremont st.

 

Between those two, I’d vote MGM Grand. The pool complex is amazing, though there’s been closures recently so stay up to date. Congrats to both of you, enjoy Vegas!

 

I'd look at Vdara - nicer hotel, no casino IN the hotel but next door / quick walk to Aria, Bellagio, and Cosmopolitan (all great casinos/restaurants in those). Since it's just the hotel, it's non-smoking and costs a little less than higher-tier properties - possibly in line with the rack rate prices you're seeing for MGM/Luxor/etc. Just an idea to consider for something a little nicer than the options you laid out.

 

You can find some surprisingly good bargains at the Delano or Aria, both of which would be nice, mid-priced hotels suitable for a honeymoon. MGM is ok too. All have standard rooms which are not through the roof and which are still nice in decent hotels. Also, compare the best deals you can get at TI or Mirage, which would be my budget picks and also a good location.

If you stay on The Strip, you will not want to walk "to" Fremont Street.

Enjoy yourself. There's lots to read about Las Vegas, here and elsewhere. Be prepared and you can both save and have a good time.

 

TRN is right. I forgot Vdara. Very good choice for the reasons stated.

 

You read the thread title and HAVE to read just to see what was what. I guess since it wasn't in the vegas after dark section I should of known. Good luck.

 

Same. I'll admit to being a bit disappointed when I realized he was only talking about being a first time visitor to Vegas.

 

If it's your first time in Vegas, you'll have a blast no matter what. My advice:

- Stay on the strip (check)
- Find a nice pool. Look at their websites to get an idea. (MGM, Mandalay, Aria, Flamigo...)
- Most casinos aren't smokey, but you'll run into pockets of smokers everywhere
- Spend some money on nice meals (don't nickel and dime this - Vegas has amazing food. An extra $100 or two for the trip can make a huge difference in quality)
- Uber around and see the different hotels

Have fun

 

Hey Crazynick!

I'll let the others handle the suggestions/info, but wanted to say CONGRATULATIONS and BEST WISHES on the upcoming wedding! We just celebrated our 35th anniversary and honestly, only a couple days in there sucked and they were my fault! I wouldn't trade my life's partnership for anything.

 

Never stayed at MGM Grand or Luxor, so no help there. Delano is very nice, pretty far south on strip. The Park (Monte Carlo) is mid strip and should be totally renovated by Oct, I hear the pools are nothing special though, have not stayed there..

I'm a Mirage fan so some bias here...but another possibility to consider:

"Mirage Suite" is a nice suite with 2 bathrooms and often reasonanly priced. If price is too steep, get a:
"Tower King" (floors 24/25) bigger bathroom than standard king base room, tub and walkin shower, moderate size room
(Skip the Base standard rooms, the bathroom is way too small and crowded).
Very clean and good housekeeping staff, hotel is non smoking, all casinos allow smoking.
Really nice large waterfall pool, also an adult pool (Bare).
Short walk to Treasure Island, Caesars, Harrah's (smoky), Venetian/Palazzo and Wynn/Encore - great for exploring or dining.

Need to bus or Uber or cab downtown to Fremont unless you have a car.

Best of luck and happiness!

 

For a honeymoon and a first time visitor with the "smoke/athsma" concern I really like the Vdara (or Aria) recommendation. Vdara and Aria can be had for not much more money (especially if you shop for rates), they are conveniently located to other properties, yet they both function well as "getaways" when you want to remove yourself from the "buzz" a bit. Even within Aria it's a bit more "reserved" kind of atmosphere for the most part - it doesn't have that "constant electricity vibe" like Cosmo does, or Planet Hollywood does, for example. OTOH, if you want that "electric vibe all of the time", it's there, too (Cosmo!!).

Especially with a week long trip, I would try to get something a little more comfortable - so I would look towards places with a bit larger room that function as "nearby retreats". You can easily walk/uber from these places to get right into the heart of the Strip, and just be a short walk away.

One other bit of advice: Get on YouTube and look at some of the recent (and I do recommend keeping it recent) videos of the rooms and properties, as well as some of the Strip walk journal type videos. It's a real education and you'll find out that you can really do just about any kind of "personality/vibe" you want in Vegas. And with all of those choices, why not get just what you want? Vibe is everything in Vegas, so tailor this to your tastes.

Pools are another area where tastes/vibe differ. Some are more "party pools" some are more relaxed, so that might be a factor too.

Another rec: Sign up for the appropriate players clubs (MLife for MGM chain, Total Rewards for Caesars, Wynn Insider if it's WynnCore). Even if you gamble zero you can get discounted room rates which will get you even more for your $$, and signup is free and without obligation.

 

I would also suggest Vdara for your needs. Reasons were stated in the posts from others.

 

Delano is a not cheap, but good value option in the Mandalay Bay complex. All the rooms are suites, although the service level seemed to have dropped between my trips. First trip had high quality bath amenities and turn down service, second trip had generic shampoo/lotion and meh maid service. Advantage is that you have access to the great Mandalay Bay pool complex and a private Delano pool.

Luxor is a lower end property. The renovated tower rooms are nice, but just hotel rooms. The casino is OK and the pool complex is pretty good. The last time I stayed, service was way above bargain property level, lots fo friendly faces.

MGM Grand is a huge place. The Grand Tower rooms and above are very nice, but the West Wing is terrible. Pool complex is great. The times I've stayed, the service was just OK.

 

Not sure where you are from but any first timer i always tell them to check to see if they have a casino nearby that is connected with some of the Vegas casinos. Especially CET properties because they are generous with midweek comp rooms for little play. A few hundred dollars spent at a local casino may save you twice as much in comp rooms for your honeymoon.

 

Congrats on your honeymoon.
How about Paris? What better place to celebrate your honeymoon than in the most romantic city of Paris?
The location is the center Strip, you can have dinner at the most romantic restuarant on the Strip Mon Ami Gabi watching the Fountains of Bellagio from your table, climb up to the Eiffel Tower, and you can sleep in an Eiffel Tower Suite.

You said you are on a budget, Paris checks that box off, along with the location, the Restuarants, and the shows.
Honeymoon in Paris.