Senior's Choices

Hi. I have seen a few posts re people in their 20's asking where is the best place to stay on the strip.

Well, I am at the other end of the spectrum - 65 years old. By the reading I have done, seems that places like PH or Cosmos wouldn't be the best for someone my age who might like somewhere not quite as robust. Perhaps I'm getting the wrong message about the two I mentioned above.

What would your recommendations be? I do want to be on the strip. Maybe I need something to reduce my age by 40 years!!

 

Bellagio, Venetian, Wynn, Palazzo, Caesars on the more expensive side of things. Paris, Bally's, on the less expensive side.

 

Well, I take my mother who is 81. We are going to try The Orleans this time around. It's not on the strip but there is a shuttle that takes you from their location to Bally's ( on the strip). We spent alot of time there in February. and we both liked the atmosphere. It has a feel of the olden days casino's. We usually rent a car when we go so location isn't huge for us. We also really like gambling at the Wynn and Encore.

 

I assume you aren't looking for a library; just something a little less crazy than the big party casinos. If so, I think Snidley has given you some good suggestions. My top picks would be Venetian and Palazzo (Palazzo being the quieter of the two, but they are connected - essentially one big property if you aren't familiar). Neither are party places. And the clubs that are there are very segregated from the rest of the property, unlike at smaller places like Cosmo or Encore.

There is still plenty of stuff to do and see at V/P though - shopping, bars, canals with gondoliers, a handful of shows, dozens of restaurants, etc. So, despite the lack of "action", it is still very "Vegas". Venetian and Palazzo are my 65 year old father's favorite places to stay.

(If you are looking for extreme quiet and calm, I'd argue that you won't find it on the strip.)


Edit to add: you're assumptions about Cosmo are mostly correct. It has one of the most popular nightclubs in town and definitely gets pretty loud at night. But don't let that keep you from checking out the place during the day because it really is a great property that someone from any age group could appreciate, IMO.

 

Many of the choices being offered to you can be very expensive (especially weekends)...you didn't mention your budget. Wynn/Encore and even Venetian can be a big hike to mid strip. We are in our 50s but like more sedate surroundings. MGM Grand, Monte Carlo, Paris are also decent options for your age range....and are usually less expensive than the options you have been given. Depends on whether or not you want 5 star or 3/4 star accommodations. Whatever you choose, have fun!

 

It's more than an age thing. Other factors are price sensitivity, desired atmosphere, dining options, etc. just like it would be for any other age bracket. Some seniors want smaller hotels with easy strip access because of mobility issues, others want the best of anything. Cosmo and PH are usually mentioned for the younger set because they are so focused on the club set that they don't do much to change gears enough for others to feel comfy as well. They do have fans of all ages, though. Other hotels are pursuing that same demo but in ways that others don't feel so excluded. Bally's, Paris and TI are three that come to mind that seem more focused on the middle price bracket and appeal to older folks - for now.

 

We're 71 and we often stay at PH and Cosmo. However, we are of the "early to bed and early to rise" set so we miss most of the nighttime craziness. If you are of the same ilk, you will be fine staying anywhere. I agree about Paris or Wynn if you want a quieter location.

 

Same age bracket as you OP. I like all of them. Not usually up much past midnight; I'm tired after a long hard day of gambling.

As suggested, if you have mobility issues, it would be better to choose a hotel that is Center strip. Also if going in the heat of the summer, don't expect to be walking far outdoors. Price plays a big part in your question too. If you check out some hotels and would like an opinion on specific ones, ask away.

 

I like Wynn but Encore Beach can be loud and bothersome, not a problem at Palazzo or its sister property. If your budget is higher than Palazzo/Wynn/Bellagio, you might consider Four Seasons at Mandalay Bay or Mandarin Oriental. Another less expensive option would be the Westin just East of Cromwell/Bally's but a short walk to the Strip. Again, if mobility and distance from the Strip are not a 100% factor, consider Signature at MGM. I think you should also take a look at Hotel32 at Monte Carlo but only if you don't care about the pool - not senior friendly. 32 is quiet, away from the maddening crowds and I think Monte Carlo is a very easy hotel to navigate around. 52 here.

 

Well, I'm not 65 yet, but quickly catching up, unfortunately.

I don't feel as old as I am, and I enjoy a good time, but I don't identify at all with the current crop of twentyboppers, which is what I believe the target audience of both Planet Ho and Cosmo is.

Planet Ho is about the only CET property I've never stayed at. (And a preposition is a good word to end a sentence with.)

I would suggest Paris, Bally's, or Flamingo for someone over 50 who is still active and wants to kick back. For the most part, the 20-something (d-word) types seem to avoid these places and all three of them have fun casinos. The lounge at Paris now seems to have a band most evenings and gets a good mixed-age crowd. I know the lounge at Bally's is changing, but it used to have a band as well. Margaritaville at Flamingo is a good all-ages party place. One of my fave people-watching spots is on the railing just outside of Margaritaville.

Planet Ho used to have a decent band most weekends on the stage toward the north end of the casino but the past few times I popped in there it was more off than on.

The buffet at Paris is excellent and I prefer it to the buffet at Planet Ho. The line seems to have been tolerable on the past few trips. I think the buffet at Flamingo is quite under-rated. It's consistently good for breakfast, although not cheap. (Yes, yes, I know it was like totally 144 fer shure a few years back, but it's quite decent now.)

Those are my quick comments and suggestions.

 

Places like Flamingo and Bally's can have a lot of levels and steps within the casino floor and walkways. Maybe just 3 or 4 steps, but they can be difficult for some. These places were built before the accessible rules came into play. There are ramps which were added later, but they can be out of the way and hard to find. Also, Paris has the dreaded "cobblestones" in the walkway to the rooms, buffet, and Bally's.

Choose a newer hotel for the ease of getting around.

- bcc

 

Bally's, Paris, Flamingo are good for our (baby boomers also...lol) age group and are all mid-strip, mid price range. Lots of great restaurants also.

 

Not every senior has mobility issues. And most hotels opened after Paris will be more expensive. I don't think the ramps in these three casinos are hard to find. My granmother stayed at Bally's in her late 70's with no problems. Bally's wouldn't be a first choice for someone with a mobility problem with the long trek to the strip but Flamingo was one often mentioned as a good choice by people who did.

 

Ballys & Paris are perfect! You can go back & forth between the 2 & there are several places to eat.

 

Being a tailend boomers (67), Caesars fitted our needs perfectly. We have no mobility issues (knock on wood) and we functioned quite well this week at that enormous hotel. Another that I was impressed is the Cromwell. It reaks of senior class.

 

i wonder why nobody suggests the mirage.

 

Because it's a lot more cramped and loud than it used to be.

 

I think it is Vegas if you want to hang with twenty somethings go for it. Last year one of the best nights of our trip was when we met 2 guys and a girl in their upper 20's at the fountains of Bellagio. We are both just south of 60 , but we started talking around 8:30 and the next thing we know it was midnight. We asked them during that time frame if they wanted to leave and go hang out with people their own age, we would not be offended. They said no they were actually really enjoying just talking. They were great and couldn't believe we were that old. In Vegas age is just a number. So do your research, and don't necessarily let demographics be your deciding factor. We stayed at PH 2 yrs. ago and the only thing I didn't care for was the really loud music, so we went next door and the band at Paris was just loud, LOL. As for our preference, Caesars is one of our favorites.

 

Hmmmm ... if you mean the casino background music at PH, I didn't think it was that terribly loud.

The band at Paris is usually loud but, in my not so humble opinion, live music is supposed to be loud. It's the thump-thump of that overly loud nondescript recorded house music that annoys me.

I know a couple of years ago at Paris they put a lot of padded thingies around the lounge area. I'm sure they got complaints about it being too loud in the casino.

 

Burdog makes an excellent point. In Vegas age is just a number. Everyone does not age (either mentally or physically) at the same rate and stereotyping based on the number of birthdays is very simplistic. Some individuals on this board tend to categorize people and make broad assumptions about lifestyles based only on a chronological age. But if you aren't a stereotypical 65 year old, such advice may not be the best fit for your mindset and lifestyle.

Have a great trip!