1st trip to vegas... hotel suggestions for 1st timers??

Hi everyone! My husband and I will be making our first trip to Vegas in June for our 10 year anniversary. This is a HUGE deal for us because we have never been anywhere without our 3 kids.....not even a honeymoon 10 years ago!
So, I have a ton of questions. I'll start with the most important, where should we stay? I've done some research and all I can conclude is that we should stay in the center of the strip for a first visit. We want to avoid renting a car, so hopefully staying in the center of everything will benefit us.

Any and all suggestions are appreciated.

 

You are def on the right track!! Stay center strip, you can stay at a mid-range property like Bally's if you don't want to spend a lot on your accomodations, or you can splurge for Caesars Palace or Bellagio.

Since it is a special occassion, you may want to think about what kind of room you want. Bally's basic room would be much like a nice hotel in any major city, Bellagio or Caesars will have rooms that are much nicer, and much pricier.

I have stayed at Caesars and Bally's, and about 12 other properties on the strip, and their acccomodations and themes can vary greatly!!

Good luck, ask away, you are on the right track!

 

Well, you will get tons of different opinions on this, but I'll have a go at it. Definitely a first timer will enjoy staying on the strip as opposed to elsewhere. Smack in the middle isn't that big of a deal, but anywhere between MGM and Treasure Island is better than the far ends. I would cross off Quad or any place that doesn't have a casino and then see what fits your budget. I like the middle of the road places like Monte Carlo, Treasure Island, NYNY, but am not against springing for something nicer if the notion strikes me. Do some checking and throw some of your finds out there and I'm sure they will get critiqued until you won't know whether to wipe your butt or wind your watch.

 

Congrats on your 1st trip! Very exciting and know you will have a great time. It can be overwhelming to a newbie but wear comfy shoes and take your time just wandering around to take it all in. If you stay somewhere that is truly mid-strip, you will be near the Bellagio fountain show...many of the hotels in that area provide fountain view rooms. There is something magical about just looking out your window at night to all the lights and buildings but it is very special if you can also see the fountains. Post any and all questions you have that you might want suggestions on and the vets on here will be happy to help.

 

1. Comfortable shoes. You WILL walk a lot. Heck, just walking through MGM is a lot of walking.
2. Drink LOTS OF WATER. The air is dry, you can get dehydrated quickly and alcohol doesn't help.
3. That hotel is not as close as you think. We've all done it, stood on the strip, and said "That hotel doesn't look that far, I think I'll walk." Trust me, it's farther than you think.
4. Light colored, light weight clothes...BUT, maybe carry a light sweater/zippered sweat, as casinos can tend to be very cold. It can be blazing outside, but feel like a freezer inside some casinos.
5. Hotel rooms have safes, use them. There is no need to carry all your cash all at once.
6. If you take a picture with one of the street people, be prepared to fork up some cash, like a buck or two. They're not doing it for fun.
7. If you are offended by partial or near nudity, and/or the concept of prostitution, DO NOT take the flyer that guy or gal is about to hand you.
8. Contrary to popular legend, prostitution is NOT legal in Las Vegas
9. But walking down the street with your beer/drink is legal in Las Vegas, but not in traffic.
10. The cops have seen and heard it all, and will usually give you a break, as long as you're nice. If you're a nasty drunk, you go bye-bye. If you're a happy drunk, your friends will likely be able to take you to your hotel.

 

Thanks for the replies so far! I've been pricing rooms at nyny, Paris, MGM, Treasure Island, PH, and the Hard Rock. What are your critics/recommendation's for theses properties?
BTW, can you really get free upgrades if you mention to the front desk clerk while checking in that its your first visit or your honeymoon?

 

Help us help you. How long will you be there? Weekend or weekday? What's your budget for a hotel room?

 

Avoid the Hard Rock for your first trip. It's not on the strip.

 

That's a minefield of a question.....

Being a first timer, you'll like them all, but let me offer you another way to look at it....

Hard Rock is off the strip and you do not want to walk to the strip from it, it's like the desert island of LV hotel/casinos

NYNY/MGM is at the south end
PH/Paris is mid-strip
TI is a more northern end of the strip hotel/casino

For location alone, I would recommend mid-strip....PH/Paris/Ballys/Bellagio/Caesars/Flamingo
That makes walking to other casinos much easier and less physically taxing, especially if hot out...like in June

 

Give us your budget per night, total including taxes and resort fees and I'm sure you will get some more precise recommendations. Its easy to recommend Bellagio fountain view, but if your budget is under 150 total/night, that will change it!

 

MGM and NYNY aren't really south strip...They're kind of mid south. I mean, MGM is right next door to PH, so to classify one as mid and the other as south is kind of semantics.

 

True....but MGM is so damn big, then you also have the strip stores/Fatburger/Coca-cola/M&M place between them.

 

I think I woud disagree. After spending a week at NYNY in Sept. and walking up to PH/Cosmo daily, I def didnt feel "Mid-strip". The way the pedestrain layout is constructed its also kind of a pain for all the more distance it is. I classify both as South Strip properties.

 

You should stay at Cesar's Palace, without a doubt. No single better location, best accomodations you can find at that location. So much to see on that property alone, so much to do, you don't have to leave the property. But obviously you want to, so that makes it better than anywhere else. Case closed. Lock it up.

 

I got upgraded to a view room last week by telling them it was my birthday. It's always worth a try And yes, it really was my birthday week!

There are so many helpful people on this board your head will definitely be swimming with ideas soon!

I booked a package deal last week and honestly regretted it. Unless it's a package with Bellagio or Paris that's super cheap I don't think I'll do that again. Room prices change drastically sometimes. I like booking directly with the hotel (sometimes several) and then watching for price drops. It's not unusual to change where we're staying 2-3 times before I leave for the airport!

Honestly, it depends. I like to come back to a nice room but I spend most of my time out sightseeing and gambling in different places. I'd rather spring for a nice dinner out than a fancy room. If you plan on spending a lot of time in your room then I would go with Caesars or Bellagio. I've always been too cheap to stay there but I've heard they are very nice.

 

1st trip to vegas.....hotel suggestions for 1st timers??

You will want to watch out for Resort Fees when you choose your hotel. Almost all of the properties have them. It is a mandatory, per day, fee that typically covers some amenities. Which ones and how much they cost varies from hotel to hotel. The Hard Rock is the only hotel/casino on your list that is not on, or within walking distance of the strip. You'll probably want to cross this off your list for a first trip. As others have said, bring the most comfortable shoes you own. There is a lot of walking to do in Vegas. Enjoy your first trip! You've come to the right place to start planning.

 

Unless you have money coming out your....

You do not need one of the top of the line hotels. Some place like Paris is above average and will not break the bank. Save your money for drinks, eating (expensive) and shows.

Paris, PH, Monte Carlo, NYNY are all just fine.

 

Well...different strokes, I suppose. Caesars is the one place I'd recommend against. Lol. Way too expensive for what you get, IMO.

For the same money, you can get Aria or Bellagio (both put CP to shame, for my money), which would be my picks for the high end center-strip properties (along with Cosmo if you don't mind being surrounded by twenty something hipsters).

At the mid-tier price point, I'd go with Paris, Mirage or MGM Grand.

For more budget-friendly options, I like Monte Carlo, Treasure Island and Bally's. And while I've never stayed there, a lot of folks seem to rave about the service at Harrah's.

 

Contrary to what some people have said MGM/NY/NY is south strip and Hotels around Flamingo Blvd are mid. I would stay at Paris or Planet Hollywood. Great restaurants and about 10 hotels from Planet Hollywood-Mirage. You may be upgraded at Paris/PH because of your anniversary. Also, the fountains of Bellagio are across the street to enjoy/and view from Mon Ami Gabi at Paris. I will post this video of a Vegas local walking the Strip from Tropicana up to Wynn, to gauge the distance.
http://www.lasvegasadvisor.com/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=17&threadid=319348

 

Hotel advice here is good from the members.

So whats left to say. . . . . Congrats and Have a wonderful time