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I think I've graduated from the Excal... Suggestions?

Discussion in 'LV Strip Hotels' started by SavageGambler, Aug 28, 2019.

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  1. SavageGambler

    SavageGambler Tourist

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    So, my special lady friend and I have had a good run at the Excal for the past couple years, 4 - 6 trips a year.

    I believe I've solidify myself as, what I feel is, low/mid-level player to MGM. We budget a bankroll around 5k between the 2 of us for a 3 - 4 night stay and always have a good time. I've also established RFB status with a Host but am looking to kick it up a notch in resort quality.

    Building a relationship with another MLife property seems in order. Luxor blitzkrieg's my inbox on the weekly (Tournament, Special Offers and the like). It appears to me they're trying to pouch my from Excal (I find it odd the Mlife properties compete with each other in this way), but I get bad vibes from Luxor.

    I've been thinking about the Park MGM but from what I've seen there's a upscale "Laughlin" quality with their age demographic, if you know what I mean :poke:, and it's not really our scene.

    So, guess I'm open to suggestions... and GO! :biker:
     
  2. gr8whitenorth

    gr8whitenorth VIP Whale

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    If you get bad vibes from Lux, maybe Mirage is more to your taste?
     
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  3. HoppinHardWays

    HoppinHardWays VIP Whale

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    I'd say Mirage or MGM if you have no interest in Luxor.
     
    Labor Day!
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  4. fugsworth

    fugsworth VIP Whale

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    MB? It's a half-step above the other properties mentioned in their lineup, but I find there's a lot of value there-- it's basically a luxury hotel in terms of amenities, but outside of peak periods it's not really priced like one. And personally I'm a sucker for a large room.
     
    EDC
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  5. 44inarow

    44inarow VIP Whale

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    Agreed. Luxor is a pretty decent property for what it is, but if you're not feeling a vibe there, I wouldn't go near it. And Mandalay has probably the best pool in Vegas, along with an excellent restaurant collection.

    I'd stay away from Park MGM. I'm not really a big fan of their rooms, the casino isn't much different since the remodel, and especially during the day I find their restaurants pretty lacking. I enjoy Bavette's, and it's got good proximity to Aria, but I've never enjoyed spending time there overall.
     
    Last edited: Aug 28, 2019
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  6. HoppinHardWays

    HoppinHardWays VIP Whale

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    I'd say Mandalay Bay is probably a full step above Mirage when you compare things top to bottom.
     
    Labor Day!
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  7. 93 Octane

    93 Octane Chief Bottle Washer

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    Mandalay all day
     
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  8. FYMYAWF

    FYMYAWF VIP Whale

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    If you're looking for overall resort vibe and a step up from the Ex you could do worse than NYNY. The rooms are smallish and need a reno but they're still better than the Ex and you're almost guaranteed to enjoy the place. Nine Fine and Times Square are always fun and Gallagher's is an amazing steakhouse.

    MGM is probably one slight step up from NY, also reasonable rooms that are probably within your comp range if you've been getting pinged by Luxor. Huge, lots to do, great food/bev, great pool, Monorail.

    Then maybe in a year or so if you dig those spots give Mandalay a try. It's gorgeous, huge, tons of food/bev and easily the best overall MGM resort on the south strip.

    BTW Luxor is slowly but surely improving from a rooms standpoint, don't rule out the reno'd Pyramid and Tower rooms if they have been a deal breaker in the past.
     
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  9. FYMYAWF

    FYMYAWF VIP Whale

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    No doubter, unless location is a prime concern.
     
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  10. mickyblueeyes

    mickyblueeyes VIP Whale

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    Mandalay Bay if you don't mind being at the end of the action if not MGM or Mirage
     
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  11. SavageGambler

    SavageGambler Tourist

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    I love NYNY's casino floor but have always stayed away because even the pix of the rooms on the website look dated.

    I've been thinking MGM too, but for a while I was only being offered West Wing :cry: rooms and they remind me of cruise state rooms with a view. Now that that has changed I might try a Stay Well King and see what happens.

    As far as the Luxor, I've actually really been wanting to try a tower suites since my always offered a 1 bedroom suite or higher depending on the dates but the truth is I've ALWAYS lost my shirt there everytime I play there.. :kill:
     
  12. omahatovegas

    omahatovegas Low-Roller

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    I'll second NYNY. Rooms are a bit dated, but still a step above Excal. The location is excellent, food and casino layout is excellent, and the staff have always been friendly. The pool is a bit on the small side though. I've never stayed at MB, but I've enjoyed the time I've gambled there. The only downside is the location.
     
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  13. tmoney25

    tmoney25 High-Roller

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    1. NYNY 2. Mirage 3. MGM Grand

    I love nYNY. The dated rooms aren't really that dated to me. I've never seen the rooms in Excal but I get the feeling of it being in worse shape than NYNY. If you're good with Excal you'd be good with NYNY.
    I'm really liking Mirage lately. I've stayed there twice now and I'll be staying there again next year. All due to the conference I'm attending (assuming the conference is at Mirage again). I really enjoy it. I love being down by NYNY and MGM for some gambling and restaurant options better, but I enjoy the Mirage property. MGM was my first. I guess you never forget your first? I enjoyed staying there and I look forward to staying there again sometime, but the stars just haven't aligned. I liked the pools at MGM.

    One thing to take note, if you enjoyed staying at Excalibur and you really enjoy the location, then you may not want to stray too far... On the other hand, you've been so many times to Vegas and stayed always on that corner so perhaps staying at Mirage is also a good idea to get a taste of the other end of the strip. You only have to stay once to determine if you want to keep staying there or not. You seem to go often enough that one trip won't make or break your Vegas experiences.
     
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  14. pressitagain

    pressitagain VIP Whale

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    I think if you go to Vegas 4-6 times a year....you should have some idea of what jives with you and your special lady. It’s considered the lowest tier property but your Vegas budget says you should be somewhere else....

    If you can give us a typical gaming trip and an idea of what appeals to you. We should be able to better identify the right casino.
     
  15. FullPay

    FullPay When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro

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    I thought they were arranged in order on purpose. OMG It’s Vegas-Excalibur. We’ve got this Vegas thing going on-Luxor. Vegas, we’ve arrived-Mandalay Bay.
     
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  16. GabrielBFly

    GabrielBFly Vegas Aficionado

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    I say you go big or go home....and go with Aria. Just because. :noangel:
     
    The Celebration of Mimi
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  17. The Rumor

    The Rumor VIP Whale

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    I would work my way up as opposed to shooting way high. I can understand skipping NYNY. But I could see going to Luxor before Mandalay if you like the vibe, and I could see giving Mirage a shot before Aria or Bellagio.

    You'll get slightly better comps the lower you go because the room cost eats up less.

    Personally, if I were you, I'd have been to Luxor, Mandalay, NYNY, Park MGM, and MGM by now given their location vs. Excal. Do you not have a preference between them and some thoughts on the location? I don't feel like you should really need much input from this board on the South Strip other than some gentle reminders that Mandalay is quality in a distant location, and the MGM is really, really big.

    In a vacuum, I'd tell you to give the Mirage a shot to get a chance to see the other end of the Strip some. Ask for Tower rooms.
     
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  18. AllieWhitt

    AllieWhitt Low-Roller

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    We've stayed at MGM, Mirage, Luxor, Monte Carlo (now Park MGM) Mirage used to be our hotel of choice because of the location. We love that we can just walk across the street and have so many choices of nice casinos to visit. Plus Mirage is very close to the Linq and all the great things to eat, see an do. But, Mirage was just sooo smokey in the casino and the ceilings were so low. We then received a 4-nite comp from Luxor for the 1-Bedroom Tower Suites and have been happy ever since. The waive the resort fees as well. The suites are very nice and hubby can stay in the living room and watch his sports without disturbing me in the bedroom since there is a door that separates the two rooms. We like the South end of the Strip too, and if we want to venture midstrip or Downtown, we catch the Deuce (very convenient). I actually like Luxor 1-Bedroom Tower Suite better than I did when I stayed in the Fountain view room at Cosmo. I got bored with watching the fountains after a couple of nights....to each his or her own. I also hate how huge the MGM casino is.

    Luxor casino is not too big not too small...IMHO. Whatever you decide....have fun!!

    You have received some great suggestions. Just try one at a time each visit until you two decide what you like best.
     
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  19. Marky147

    Marky147 VIP Whale

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    I've got the same comp offer I'm using in December at Luxor. I'm in one of those suites for the first 4 and last 6 nights of the trip.

    I've got the premier at the start (1050sq/ft) and the normal 1br at the end (780sq/ft).

    I've got to pay $59 for the 5th/6th nights at the end, but was surprised they comped all resort fees on the first 4 nights, and I think I'm paying them on the 2 paid nights only at the end.

    Looking forward to exploring the south end of the strip, as I never normally go further than NYNY, and then have the last week of my summer month at Delano :)
     
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  20. Marky147

    Marky147 VIP Whale

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    I've got 5 nights at everything from PH down at Caesars, after prob ~$1k coin-in on slots this summer.

    Maybe give them a few hours gambling each, and see what you can pick up from them, too.
     
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