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IMPERIAL PALACE vs EL CORTEZ CABANAS

Discussion in 'LV Strip Hotels' started by sammasseur, Jun 18, 2012.

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  1. sammasseur

    sammasseur VIP Whale

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    Am spending a weekend August 10-13 to attend the Star Trek convention at the RIO on Saturday and Sunday, with a side trip to ARIA for Viva Elvis at 9:30pm on Saturday. Will be landing 9pm on Friday night and leaving 6:45am on Monday morning. Will have a rental. Since the whole trip was spontaneous, it's already more expensive than I'm used to paying, so I've decided to go cheap on the hotel. Both IP (deluxe room) and Cabanas (smallest room) are $32 a night, which is inexpensive for a weekend. My main issue is time efficiency, since I want to be able to get where I'm going quickly. Is it worth the long check-in and noise from construction to stay at IP and be closer to the RIO, or should I enjoy the ease and quiet of EL CORTEZ Cabanas and just make the drive back and forth from downtown? I'll add that I want to be able to shower and change between the convention and going to VIVA ELVIS on Saturday night. Opinions?
     
  2. Jinx

    Jinx VIP Whale

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    I don't mind the IP rooms, but they are rough, as they haven't been refreshed in 5+ yrs. When they were new, they weren't bad. El Cortez having redone the cabanas sooner is probably a nicer room at this point. I like to try and get a room near where I'll be going, so IP makes more sense in this case.

    Not saying IP is bad, before the recession, one of my favorite spots to stay and I know you are familiar with downtown rooms, but do want to say it's probably a step down.
     
  3. KKB

    KKB VIP Whale

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    Will you have a car?

    That would be the only way to consider ElCo, imo. Otherwise cabs would make the cost not worth it, imo.
    Honestly, IP is SO much more convenient w/ the shuttle you can catch at Harrahs to the Rio (every 30 min.), or a quick drive from RIO to IP. And I am all about convenience...Admittedly, it is probably a wash on time as far as driving (if you have a car) DT v. shuttle to strip.
    ElCo is nicer...but you are only there a weekend. How much time will be in the room?
     
  4. ardee

    ardee It's only money.

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    I'd go with El Cortez.
    Trying to maneuver in/out of the IP garage or valet whilst the construction is going on will probably add some delay to
    your travel time.
     
  5. Viva Las Vegas

    Viva Las Vegas Elvis has left the building

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    With car, El Cortez hands down.

    1. Room much better and you won't have to wait the typical 1-2 hours to check in at IP (It seems like the IP checkin line is like MGM during the previous no computer weekend - perhaps they could add a third/fourth check in clerk for weekends / in the afternoon/early evenings).

    2. Getting to/from parking to/from your room will be much easier at the El Cortez.

    3. No construction noise.

    4. The Rio is a quick 15 minute drive from downtown. It will take a similar / longer time from your room to the Rio parking lot from Harrah's. The Harrah's shuttle runs every 15-30 minutes, and a lot of times it is full (boarding is by card - Diamonds always get on, Platinum card holders most of the time).

    5. Downtown gives you the best options to casino hop during the few hours you won't be at the convention, Viva show or sleeping.
     
  6. makikiboy

    makikiboy VIP Whale

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    I have to go opposite of the previous poster. The ST convention is one of the largest in the county, many of the marquee stars like shatner will be attending the convention. That means that there will be thousands of trekkers attending. parking at the rio will be a total nuthouse and getting in and out of the area will be a mess IMHO.

    While you have rental to get around there are also alternatives to get to the rio. There is a harrah's shuttle to get to the rio. There is also the Bill/Gold Coast shuttle to get you to the area, just a matter of crossing the street to get to the Rio. The bills/GC shuttle would be easy, you avoid the rio driveway. Beware, because of the convention the GC might not allow you to ride their shuttle unless you are staying at their properties.

    In terms of hotels, while the El Cortez cabana suites are nice, IMHO the smallest room (the "deluxe" rooms) is miniscule compared to the IP smallest room. There isn't much space to spread out. I stayed there this past January during the CES, I had to sit on the floor as there wasn't much room to sort out all the stuff I got from that convention. At least at the IP there is some desk space so you don't have to sit on the floor. If you don't get an upgrade at the El Cortez I wouldn't stay in their small rooms IMHO. I felt claustrophobic in there, you have no view, the windows are frosted over and the room is too small for my taste.

    I know others rave about the cabana suites but most of them were upgraded to the larger suites and not their standard small rooms. If you already stayed in their standard small room and don't mind them then I guess you could go either way but IMHO I would stay at the IP for the same price. But that's just me.

    One other thing, to avoid the parking situation at the IP you could always valet your car for a few bucks.
     
  7. Nevyn

    Nevyn VIP Whale

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    Unless you need to go further afield for something else, my inclination would be to say "forget the rental car, stay at IP and take the shuttle from Harrah's".

    And of course your hotel room for a shower/change would be on the way back from the shuttle to your show.
     
  8. Srvanwyk

    Srvanwyk Low-Roller

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    El cortez.... Nobody should have to pay for a room at ip
     
  9. zamboni

    zamboni VIP Whale

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    Agreed. You also shouldn't have to take approximately 2 diff escalators and the worlds slowest elevators to get to your room, either. Whoever designed the inside of the IP either was drunk or had a good sense of humor and watches people get lost on security cameras and has a good laugh.

    Stayed at the IP last year and Cabana Suites this year. Hands down Cabana Suites.
     
  10. sammasseur

    sammasseur VIP Whale

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    Thanks, everyone, for the details and balanced responses. Seems that IP raised their prices enough since last night to make my existing reservation at ElCo gratifying. Hadn't considered the parking problem at RIO, so might try hoofing over from Gold Coast. That long check-in at IP, combined with the problems with their garage and the elevators, also convince me that staying at IP would actually cost me in time. So Cabanas it is. Thanks again. :nworthy:
     
  11. KKB

    KKB VIP Whale

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    Funny...

    Every time I have been in IP, there have been no lines at all at check in...
     
  12. Srvanwyk

    Srvanwyk Low-Roller

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    Agreed I've never had issues with ip check in.... But I have seen some massive lines and considered myself lucky for not being in them!
     
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