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Excalibur for a weekend in September?

Discussion in 'LV Strip Hotels' started by herder, Aug 9, 2014.

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  1. herder

    herder Low-Roller

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    Okay so we finally finalized travel plans and am heading into Vegas sept 12-19. We are debating of staying at Excalibur for the 12-14 (weekend) because it will be a lot cheaper and plus we won't be around the hotel as much during the first few days. I just don't know if saving some money is worth staying at Excalibur and is it worth packing up and changing hotels mid trip?

    I read a lot of trash talking about Excalibur but don't know much about it. I have walked through a few times, nothing great but not worried about the casino floor. Was hoping the pool is okay, however will only be able to use it on Saturday morning. I forgot about what type of food they have, I just remember the DQ and the arcade. Will there be a lot of kids during a weekend in September?

    Excalibur is the only hotel I can book with my Vegas during the 12-13. Plus the cheaper rates makes it quite a bit cheaper then Mirage or even Monte Carlo. We are planning on Mirage or Monday to Thursday but debating if we should just spend the extra money and go to Mirage the whole week. I think the difference will be around $500 Canadian split among 2 people.

    Normally I would pay the extra money, we are spending a lot on this trip anyway so I don't want to risk it if the Excalibur its really that bad. However, we are flying in late Friday night and we will not even be in Vegas for most of the day, Sunday.
     
  2. Auggie

    Auggie Dovahkiin

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    If you read the threads on Excalibur here there is a pretty common theme: the people who have actually stayed there generally thought the place was OK, the people who have never stayed there or even been in the property are the ones that do most of the complaining about it.

    For food: they only have a couple of restaurants, but they do have a pretty big food court (renovated 2 years ago, lots of new places), but at that area with NYNY and MGM Grand both just across the way there are plenty of dining choices if you are looking for something other than fast food.

    Rooms: the rooms in Tower 2 are the newer and more recently renovated rooms. They'll have flat screen TVs, pillow top mattresses on the beds, newer furniture. If your reservation is for a basic room (Tower 1) then at check in they will likely offer you the option to upgrade to Tower 2 for an added charge ($20 per night, I think it is). I would probably go for the upgrade.

    Kids: you won't see kids hanging out in the casino - the way some people describe it you would almost expect to find kids playing tag or hide n' seek amongst the tables and slots, but that doesn't happen. If there are kids at the hotel for your weekend then most will be down in the "Fun Dungeon" or out at the pool.

    Pool: its a pretty basic pool area. A large part of the Excalibur customer base is young college students so there is usually music cranked up and lots of people that age out there. During the summer there is definitely a lot more families with kids, but for a weekend in September it'll probably be more kids than what you would find at most places in Las Vegas, but not that much more.

    For changing hotels: some people hate switching hotels mid trip, some don't mind, some like it. If you have never done it before I would suggest trying it at least once. My wife and I like switching hotels mid trip, especially for something like what you are thinking (staying south strip and then north strip) because it gives you a different perspective and different things to see and do for each segment of your trip.
    If you are going to do it, a suggestion I have for making the switch easier: pack with a hotel switch in mind. If you are bringing along a suitcase then put something like a smaller bag in your suitcase or something that will separate what you need for the first part of your stay from the things you need for the second part so that when you get to the first stay you don't have to unpack everything or shift everything around looking for something. We bring a Las Vegas bag that we bought years ago that when we get to the first hotel we just need to open our suitcase and take that bag out and then zip the suitcase back up and everything we need for the first part is in the bag... then after the first stay is over the bag becomes a dirty laundry bag and anything that we didn't use the first part of the stay (or things like toiletries, shaving kit, etc) that we need for both parts goes in to the suitcase so when it comes time to pack up and check out we are pretty much done in just a couple of minutes.
     
  3. RockyBalboa

    RockyBalboa Front Line Winner

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    I have never stayed there but keep in mind that the Mayweather fight is on the 13th...so if you're going to book do it quick before the rooms fill up or get even more expensive!
     
  4. MrPogi

    MrPogi Tourist

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    My wife and I stayed in a Jacuzzi king. While the room was a bit dated, the service was good, the room was clean - and sitting on the edge of the tub looking out the window at the strip was awesome.

    Not the best rooms on the strip, but a good value. I would stay there again.
     
  5. herder

    herder Low-Roller

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    Yeah I've already realized money mayweather is costing me money. I assume that's why myvegas rooms are all blocked out for that weekend.

    As long as the rooms are okay and clean then it shouldn't be a problem. Now do we want to make a mid trip change is a tougher question.

    Tower 1 rooms don't have flat screens?

    Also any shade by the pool? We probably will only be there Saturday morning. Then off to watch some college football. I also assume the sportsbook is lacking.
     
  6. chonglosaxon

    chonglosaxon MIA

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    Thats right, I remember getting out of MGM and walking to the strip entails going through the Excalibur when the cab line is to kingdom come after the fights end at MGM. Its like a bunch of rats running througha maze. I never knew people stayed there.
     
  7. paperposter

    paperposter MIA

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    ive stayed there , and found it gross thats my first hand opinion , but you pay for what you get if all u want is a bed to crash its fine
     
  8. Ty

    Ty ?

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    We haven't stayed at Excalibur in years but I like the feel of the casino, but I might be biased because it was the first place we stayed in Vegas. I would give it a try, if you like it you can return in the future and save more money. If you don't like it you have the comfort of knowing you will be moving. Staying at Excalibur will also have the advantage of a southern home base if you want to check out Luxor, Trop, MB, etc.

    As Auggie mentioned they have a big food court upstairs.
     
  9. the nuts

    the nuts VIP Whale

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    Pretty low end hotel. As mentioned above, you get what you pay for. I have stayed there many times and promised myself to never go back once I started getting offers from other hotels.

    The good:
    Location is ok
    Gambling is ok
    Upgraded rooms are ok

    The bad:
    Food choices within the hotel
    Smells old
    The crowd
     
  10. herder

    herder Low-Roller

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    Thanks for all the info guys. Even though I think it will be okay, I am getting some bad feedback from here and another site. I'm not going to risk it.

    I kinda was liking the thought of staying two different hotels. Maybe a MC/ Mirage combo. I can still get good rates at MC.
     
  11. paperposter

    paperposter MIA

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    definatlty a better choice

    also im not a fan of the luxor the pyramid rooms suxs yes my opinoin but if u can get a good deal on the tower rooms there thats cheaper than mc/ mirage thats could be an option
     
  12. dhlamar

    dhlamar Low-Roller

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    I have stayed in Tower 1 twice and yes they had flat screens.
     
  13. herder

    herder Low-Roller

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    No Excalibur for us. It will be Monte Carlo.

    One thing I do need is queen beds at the MC. They say its not guaranteed but what are the chances? We are checking in late Friday, 11pm or so. They did tell me they do have more queen rooms then king.
     
  14. paperposter

    paperposter MIA

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    nobody guarentess anything its just there normal disclamer.

    so you need 2 queen beeds instead of one king is that your problem.

    if so i see your checking late , then its pot luck . try calling the night before or day off and see if the can block out a 2 queen bed room for you otherwie the will have to put a rollaway in the room
     
  15. smbrink11

    smbrink11 Newbie

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    Get down to Vegas two or three times a year. Mainly to bet college football and March Madness. The Excalibur in my opinion runs a solid sportsbook. The rooms are always nice, but only use it to get sleep at night.
     
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