Which Hotel?

Also as I was looking at the cosmopolitan site, one of their rules said "No outside food or drink is permitted in guest rooms." So what if we come back at around 4am with some mcdonalds, can't we eat it in the room?

Do all the hotels have this rule?

 

All three hotels are among the best in Vegas. They are also next door to each other. I would think, based on your comments, that the Aria/Cosmopolitan thing would appeal to you more, but it is impossible to say. Certainly, Aria and Cosmopolitan are more youth-oriented than Bellagio.

I think that your decision is made more difficult because the "nicest" hotel might not be the best match for you. A Rolls Royce Phantom is probably a "nicer" car than a Porsche 911, but if I had to choose one over the other for a weekend, I'd choose the Porsche.

Either way, you'll have ready access to the clubs, restaurants, and casinos of all three properties.

And either way, you are going to have a great trip!

 

Bingo, those would be great choices! They are both brand new hotels, and are much hipper than Aria. Also right next to Bellagio so you can still go there

 

Personally, we can't stand Cosmo. Aria's casino also bugs the snot out of me, although the wife has a different opinion. For just light's out comfort, service and food, think Wynncore. Steve's people always treat us right.

 

Aria and Cosmo are a better choice for your preferences. The pool scene at both hotels in waaaay better than the pool scene at the Bellagio. The Bellagion has gorgeous pools, but they are more quiet and serene than the Aria/Cosmo pool scene. The standard room at Aria is just as nice (if not nicer) than the standard room at the Bellagio.

The aspects of the Bellagio that you would enjoy most (i.e. the clubs) you can easily access without having to stay there.

Regarding your question about outside food and drink, you can certainly take your McDonalds back to your room. The purpose of the policy (which is rarely enforced) is to prevent people from bringing a bunch of food/alcohol into their room and catering a huge party.

Ultimately, my top three choices for you on this trip would be: (1) Cosmo; (2) Aria; (3) MGM. All three have a younger crowd, a great pool scene, great rooms, and great location. Have fun!

 

I recently came back from a stay at Cosmo in a Terrace Suite and there was a refrigerator and full kitchen in the room including an oven and a microwave so that whole thing about "no outside food or drink permitted" is total crap! Not only that, but on the weekends there were groups of people piling into the suites to party and you know they brought in alcohol and whatever else into the rooms. There is no way they can enforce that "rule" so I wouldn't worry about it.

By the way - in an earlier post you mentioned something about planning to book a few nights in a Bellagio Penthouse Suite to "look like a High Roller" - I have stayed in a Bellagio Penthouse Suite many times and all I can say is save your money because no one except you will notice lol - maybe back in the Rat Pack days the hotel would take notice if someone booked an expensive suite but now it wouldn't even register a blip on the hotel's radar. The only way to successfully make yourself to appear as a high roller in any way that the hotel would take notice of is to deposit a large amount of cash with the hotel etc...there are all kinds of methods people use. if you simply want to book a Bellagio Penthouse Suite for your own enjoyment, then I would highly recommend it.

 

I'm 37 now, and I have been coming to Vegas for the past 13 years. On my first visit, I let the travel agent talk me into staying at the Rio. It merely served as a base of operations, and we spent just nights & breakfast at the Rio. In retrospect, I should of picked a place mid or south strip. Since then, I've stayed in 10 other places, but always regret staying at the Rio for my 1st visit to Vegas. So, I appreciate your wanting to 'get it right' for your first trip.

I wouldn't recommend the Bellagio to stay for someone your age. It's definitely worth a visit or two though. My recommendation for someone in their 20s like yourself would be as follows:

1) Mandalay Bay - I know it's south strip, but It will be cheaper than Bellagio, has a large casino, plenty of options to spend your evenings and awesome pool

2) New York New York - Much cheaper, Very cool property, next to Monte Carlo and the monorail to Aria and Bellagio, next to MGM and monorail to the mid and north strip and stays in theme

3) Paris - Cheaper than the Bellagio, Mid strip property, great theme, a lot of entertainment and dining options, and nice casino

4) Planet Hollywood - Same price range as Paris, modern, hip property, large casino and a lot of entertainment options



Just my thoughts, but if I was planning my 1st trip, I'd look at these 4 really hard.

 

Unfortunately, my list of best places to stay could also be a list of places furthest away from the center strip. THEhotel, MGM Signature (both South and set back off the strip), Trump/Wynn (North end), and even Vdara isn't terribly convenient.

I'd have to suggest Aria first, PH towers (now called Elara) second, and that's pretty much it. Both are centrally located, but on opposite sides. Cheaper than bellagio and both have nicer rooms. Tons of action at PH, and Aria is very upscale without being pretentious.

9 days in Vegas will be plenty, don't worry, lol.

 

well

You prob love Hard rock--Lots of people in your age group there

 

I agree, great analogy by the way, I would pick the porsche too..

We will be visiting the hard rock but will not be staying there..

Thanks buddy, I appreciate it..

Looks like its gonna be The Cosmo/Aria Combo..

Cosmo from Thurs - Sun (check out Monday) .. then Aria from Monday - Friday(check out Saturday)

Now for prices.. the lowest I'm getting for both of these rooms combined with the additional $25 daily charge from Aria, is $1500.

Saving me at least $500 from bellagio which gives us more to "count cards" with, is anyone able to find anything lower? or are these decent prices for the rooms?

From Aria, we are getting a Standard deluxe queen room and by including the additional $25 daily charge, it comes to $692

At Cosmopolitan we are getting a city room, and with the 20% off deal its $788 but it doesnt say if its 2 queen beds.. it doesn't state how many beds?

All the rooms must have 2 queen beds, how can we know for sure that they will have queen beds?

 

First, I think the Aria/Cosmo choice is a good one. Both are great properties - maybe not as elegant as Bellagio, but the rooms are nicer and the crowds significantly younger (especially Cosmo).

But, I would not book a city room at Cosmo. They are the only ones without a terrace. And the terraces are what set Cosmo apart from pretty much everything else. So, take some of that "found money" and use it for a Terrace Studio or Terrace 1BR (one of the two can be had with 2 queens I'm sure).

Best of luck. You guys will have a blast, I'm sure.

 

Would I be able to use the $20 trick and ask for an upgrade to a terrace studio?

 

I'm about to book the cosmo right now, so would appreciate some advice guys... should I do the terrace studio without knowing if its gonna be a king bed or 2 queens.. or should I do the city room (also without knowing if its queen beds or a king bed), and upgrade using the $20 trick to the terrace studio?

 

Speaking from experience checking in at The Cosmo, the check-in area is a MADHOUSE! Luckily I was in the VIP check in line because I was in a One Bedroom Terrace Suite but the place was chaos and that was at 10:30am. The reason I mention this is because the hotel seemed to be pretty well booked.

I would not leave it to chance. The Terrace Studios have the balconies and there is no guarantee at any hotel that the $20 trick will work, especially because if they have people who have already paid to reserve the Terrace rooms, they can't give them to you. They might upgrade you to a better view, a higher floor, or something but why would you risk it? A friend of mine stayed in a studio Terrace and had two beds so ask to request this when you make the reservation...

 

ok its done, I've cancelled Bellagio and booked Cosmo and Aria, now just hoping that we get the queens in the studio terrace at cosmo, or we will have to downgrade to a city room.