1. Welcome to VegasMessageBoard
    It appears you are visiting our community as a guest.
    In order to view full-size images, participate in discussions, vote in polls, etc, you will need to Log in or Register.

Planning a trip to Aria w/ girlfriend...

Discussion in 'LV Strip Hotels' started by Lastkaii, Jul 30, 2012.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. Lastkaii

    Lastkaii Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2011
    Messages:
    147
    Location:
    Alberta, Canada
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    10
    Hey guys.

    So I have been to vegas twice, once staying at Monte Carlo and the other time at Bellagio. However, both of those times I have been under 21.

    But, this December I turn 21. It's not really a big deal, as I have been able to legally gamble/drink/etc for 3 years in Canada. The only thing that I am looking forward to is being able to book hotels in Vegas, and maybe gamble and drink a bit.

    So, I want to take my girlfriend who is a few years younger than me (shes 19) to Vegas. I have really enjoyed it the last few times I was there as a minor with all of the shows, food, and sights and I know she would enjoy it too. I do have a few questions though:

    1. Looking at staying at the Aria w/ a basic room. I have always been very impressed with this hotel, and it seems to be a nice central hub with the tram nearby. And seems to have a solid selection of slots (not a table player). Thoughts on the Aria?
    2. Second of all, and kind of a dumb question, but does anyone know if minors are allowed in the Skybox Sports Bar at the Aria?
    3. Any shows you would suggest? Ive seen O, Love, and Viva Elvis and enjoyed them all thourougly, and would like to take her to see some of them.
    4. Best places to eat for a couple? Nice steakhouses are a plus, same with buffets.
    5. Good places to shop? The girlfriend loves shopping...
    6. Finally, we are planning to go in February (17th to the 21st) and are hoping that Vegas isn't super super busy during that time? Its one of the only weeks that works for me as I have it off (such is the life of a college kid).

    If anyone could help me out that would be great. It's not set in stone yet, but just looking ahead. Thanks!
     
  2. dfalk

    dfalk VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Mar 7, 2011
    Messages:
    2,510
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    20
    Aria is very nice, so you'll score some brownie points there, then take her to a show like Zumanity. After that you'll be so busy indulging in the poon that you won't have to worry about other activities.
     
  3. grapplefu

    grapplefu Tourist

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2011
    Messages:
    87
    Location:
    Hawaii
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    14
    Skybox should be fine for minors. I've seen minors in there before. However be aware that if there is a game going on, there is a $15 per person per hour minimum.

    A lot of places to shop in Vegas. If you wanna stay on the strip the bigger ones are; Forum Shops at Caesars, Miracle Mile at Planet Hollywood, and Fashion Show Mall.
     
  4. nostresshere

    nostresshere Mr. Anti Debit Card

    Joined:
    May 4, 2009
    Messages:
    23,220
    Location:
    TN
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    40
    Lots of questions, some of which will get lost in this format. You may want to read a bit more than ask specific questions in each area.

    But - I will throw out some answers to your questions.

    Aria Looks like you already like Aria, so go for it.

    Shows - you have been to a few and know more than we can offer. Take her to the ones you liked and already know you like. There is an entainment section here.

    Eating - tons of steak houses. I tend to go to places at or near where we are staying. Next question is budget $40 dinner, or $200 dinner? There is a dining section here.

    Shopping - tons of it. From the fancy stuff at Crystals, to cheap stuff at Hawaiian Village. Not sure what level you are looking for.

    Dates to visit: As you check the hotel calendar, you will quickly find what dates are more expensive that others. All the hotels will display a month at time for your review.
     
  5. Nittany1

    Nittany1 VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Jul 6, 2009
    Messages:
    3,244
    Location:
    Pennsylvania
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    90
    Aria has become my favorite too.Hope you enjoy it.
    Since you have enjoyed other Cirque shows I suggest Mystere at TI.
    It is the original and still my favorite.

    Shopping-
    You have to walk through the Forum Shops at Caesars.
    Across the strip at Miracle Mile Shops at PH.
    Crand Canal shops at Venetian
    Fashion show Mall
     
  6. mdee

    mdee VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2010
    Messages:
    2,491
    Location:
    Orlando
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    41
    So I take it the legal age to drink and gamble in Canada is 18 right? Does your GF like to gamble?
    Seems it would be unbearable not to be allowed especially while visiting Las Vegas. Are you sure she will have a good time?
     
  7. nostresshere

    nostresshere Mr. Anti Debit Card

    Joined:
    May 4, 2009
    Messages:
    23,220
    Location:
    TN
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    40
    If she wants to drink, her options will be very limited. Only places where you can "sneak" her a drink. That rules out drinks at dinner as they always ID.
     
  8. thecarve

    thecarve Misanthrope

    Joined:
    Aug 24, 2009
    Messages:
    6,341
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    75
    I enjoy Aria quite a bit. After the Wynncore joints, it would be my next favorite. The rooms are nice, the casino is one of my favorites and the restaurants are pretty good – unless you’re looking for quick and/or cheap and then the pickings are slim.

    I’m not a “show guy” so I can’t help with that too much (my favs have been LOVE and Penn & Teller).

    Neither am I much of a slot player. But, since Aria was only recently built, I can’t imagine that they wouldn’t have all the latest and greatest slots, if that’s what you’re looking for.

    Food – As nostresshere mentioned, budget is usually an important bit of info for us to have to give out recommendations. But, I’ll throw out a few of my favorites anyway. At Aria, I think Sage (“New American”) and Julian Serrano (Tapas) are by far the best restaurants. Neither is cheap. But, if your budget allows, both are worth consideration, IMO. I also really like Todd English P.U.B. at Crystals. It is “upscale pub grub” that is good and not terribly expensive, by LV Strip standards. I would avoid Café Vettro at all costs. Even if it were reasonably priced (which it is not) I couldn’t recommend it – bland, boring, yuck. Instead, head to The Pub at Monte Carlo if you’re looking for quick, cheap and nearby.

    Everyone has their favorite steakhouse. And I imagine that you’d get a delicious, but expensive, meal at any of them. The two that have impressed me most have been Craftsteak at MGM Grand and SW at Wynn. Figure $150+ a head after tax, title and tags (maybe a bit less since only one of you can have wine). If that’s too pricey, you might check out The Steakhouse at Circus Circus. I’ve not eaten there, but it consistently gets good reviews. And while not cheap, it will be much less expensive than many of the other steakhouses on the strip.

    Have fun and best of luck. :thumbsup:
     
  9. Debh

    Debh Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2011
    Messages:
    138
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    55
    we have stayed at Aria every 8-12 weeks since they opened.
    Absolutely love the place.
    We are there every Feb around those dates and it is usually steady, not busy.

    We have moved up to corner suites as I love the design of the room and the beautiful washrooms.

    The Casino floor is quite large with many slots and games to please most.
    The steakhouse upstairs was excellent as well.

    We enjoy Cafe Vettro never having a complaint here ever unlike a few others.
    The steak and eggs for breakfast is our favourite.
    I find them fair priced as well.
    Skybox food was very good as well.

    Many say its hard to get to the strip, takes us 10 min on a bad day.
    Lots of different ways to explore.
    Never waited longer the 10 min to check in

    She will have a great time even though she is too young for some things
     
    Last edited: Jul 31, 2012
  10. jr7110

    jr7110 VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Jan 13, 2009
    Messages:
    1,556
    Location:
    NYC
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    35
    One other thing to consider is that if you and your girlfriend want to go to a nightclub, that will be a problem because in the US you have to be 21 and over to enter and she will be carded (anyone under 21 is also technically not supposed to be on the casino floor, except for passing through to get to the restaurants or room elevators. If she looks 19 she might get carded even if she is just standing near you while you play).

    By the time you arrive at Aria, "Zarkana", a brand new Cirque show, will have replaced the current Elvis Cirque show there - and from every clip I have seen, Zarkana looks phenomenal. I would also highly recommend La Reve at The Wynn. While La Reve is not technically a Cirque show, it was created by Franco Dragone, the man behind "O", "Mystere" etc - (MGM has the lock on Cirque shows in Vegas, so the Wynn can't call it a Cirque show, but that is pretty much what it is). I saw it last summer and I absolutely loved it - it is visually stunning and I would see it again.

    Aria has great dining options - if you want a romantic dinner, try Blossom (near the Sky Suites entrance). It is Chinese cuisine and I ate there a couple of weeks ago. The restaurant is gorgeous and the food was exceptional. Another romantic spot is Sirio (on the Promenade Level of Aria). The food is Italian and also very good. These are two of the more upscale dining options at Aria but you might want to do one of them as a special meal one of the nights you are there.
     
  11. Lastkaii

    Lastkaii Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2011
    Messages:
    147
    Location:
    Alberta, Canada
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    10
    In regards to the girlfriend drinking/gambling/clubbing, we aren't planning aside to do any of that (aside from me gambling a bit, but she is cool with just chilling or doing her own thing during those times). We have been dating for 3 years, and I know her pretty well. I think she would have a great time, I loved Vegas as a minor, just the whole experience is amazing. And yes, the legal age in Canada is 18.

    Anyone had any experience with the spa at Aria? And for the budget questions, $80-$100 a meal and she likes cheap to mid range shopping, with some higher stuff. So all ranges of the spectrum.
     
  12. mjamesp

    mjamesp High-Roller

    Joined:
    Sep 30, 2009
    Messages:
    645
    Location:
    Minneapolis
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    20
    Not the same college life style I experienced. Enjoy!!!
     
  13. Pinny Long

    Pinny Long VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Apr 15, 2009
    Messages:
    1,828
    Location:
    Vegas
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    50
    ARIA is a great hotel/property for a first time Vegaser. It is pretty spacious and has a good buffet and neighbors the Crystals' shopping area so it should serve both your gambling needs and her shopping needs, as well as your shared dining needs. The rooms are nice and very new and clean. Their 24 hours cafe is awesome. One of my favorites.

    She will NOT be permitted in any of the gaming areas. I'm not saying she will get thrown out (I've no idea how old you both LOOK). If she's not gambling or drinking, though, there's less risk that anyone is going to card her or raise any questions. And even if they do, she just says, "Oh, my wallet is in my room" and then she leaves (followed shortly by you if you're a gentleman).

    Just be careful not to abandon her when it comes to the 21+ activities. I suggest you see if she might like a day spa or something and you can get in a few hours of gaming there. Or if she likes shopping by herself, plan accordingly.

    I get in enough trouble just dumbly overstaying my stop at a table (my wife is strictly slots) and the split with a non-gamer would be even more delicate to balance.

    As for shows, you guys are young and I think you'd like Blue Man Group perhaps. Jabbawockeez looks kind of cool too (I like the dance show). I guess if just depends on what she's into. Stay away from Mystere, in my opinion, as it is boooooorrrrriiiiiinnnggg!!!

    Anyway, plan carefully, always make sure your lady is well attended to, and have a great time.
     
  14. shifter

    shifter Degenerate Gambler

    Joined:
    Sep 15, 2010
    Messages:
    10,096
    Location:
    At the tables
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    30
    not sure about that. it depends on where you go. we never have gotten ID'd at dinners, but maybe if you look really young, IDK.

    however, my wife has gotten ID'd a couple of times when she was near me while i was gambling and she's almost 30. i was shocked actually that they did that especially in the HL room where i'm a known player, but it happens. i'd worry more about her trying to be with you while you gamble than getting served drinks.
     
  15. nostresshere

    nostresshere Mr. Anti Debit Card

    Joined:
    May 4, 2009
    Messages:
    23,220
    Location:
    TN
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    40
    We took our mid 20's kids and spouses to Vegas twice in recent years. They were carded many times at dinner. But, to be honest, I think they could have been just about anyone. They just glanced at the ID's. I am thinking the liquor boards are not busy checking this stuff.
     
  16. Pinny Long

    Pinny Long VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Apr 15, 2009
    Messages:
    1,828
    Location:
    Vegas
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    50

    I think CET must have had a bust recently or something, or just did a big push for this card checking in their policy. I'm 38. My friends (on their honeymoon) came over from Scotland and did NOT carry their passports on them. The man is 36 and certainly does not look like a child.

    We got carded at a table in Harrahs and they told him he couldn't play. We tried 2 other tables in the same casino . . . same results. We also tried Flamingo and IP (working down the line, hahaha) and got the same.

    Someone must have gotten nailed for servicing minors or something because they were dang near militant about it.
     
  17. Lastkaii

    Lastkaii Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2011
    Messages:
    147
    Location:
    Alberta, Canada
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    10
    Yeah I won't have her standing around while I am gambling, like I said she will be doing something else or sleeping in the room or whatever. Same with drinks, not too concerned she isn't really a drinker.
     
  18. WrongWayWade

    WrongWayWade VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2010
    Messages:
    1,151
    Location:
    Atlanta, GA
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    27
    Two words: Fake ID.
     
  19. Travel Fanatic

    Travel Fanatic The Arbiter of Taste Caviar Kid

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2010
    Messages:
    21,525
    Location:
    Tennessee
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    50
    Have a good time! I agree with the other posters, you will not have any problem with hr being 19 at Skybox. As for shopping, she can go high end at the Crystals next to Aria, or walk across the street to the PHo mall for some more variety. Aria is a great spot, but the tram is really only useful to get you to Bellagio if you don't feel like walking down to the street
     
    The plans have changed
    Post-Shopping Recovery Period
  20. LAV

    LAV Tourist

    Joined:
    Apr 3, 2011
    Messages:
    593
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    100
    Based on you criteria, I have the following suggestions:

    DINING

    Steakhouses: (based on your budget of $*0-$100 per meal)
    Try one time at Mon Ami Gabi at Paris. Prices are good and food is decent.

    Ballys Steakhouse is pretty good food.

    Inside PH, there is Pampas Brazilian food.

    Circus Circus Steakhouse

    Lawry's the Prime Rib just slightly off the strip (maybe a few dollars higher than your budget)

    Ember's Steakhouse at Imperial Palace

    The Range Steakhouse at Harrahs

    Or just pay a little more and eat at steakhouse at Aria

    OTHER DINING

    Bellaio Buffe (I personally think it's over-rated)-most people seem to like their experiences there.

    Buffet at Aria serves lobster on Saturdays

    Spice Market Buffet at PH

    Wynn Buffet

    Buffet at the M

    Planet Dailies at PH

    Jasmine Chinese Restaurant inside the Bellagio

    PF Chang's and Todai in PH.


    As for shopping, since you said she can go cheap to mid range, I would suggest taking her to one of the outlets. Several near the strip.

    Then go to Fashion Mall by Wynn and the Miracle Mile Shops at PH.

    For high end, Crystals is right there at CityCenter where you will be staying and the Forum Shoppes at Caesars is always very popular and you can also walk from the Forum Shoppes to the high end stores at the Bellagio.

    Hope this helps a bit.
     
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.