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jebjeb · Apr 8, 2005, 12:03 PM

Hey guys,

Well my wife and I have just decided to go to Vegas for 4 or 5 nights in the last week of the month.

First thing - theres no bloody direct flights from London to Vegas. Damn US hub system!

Next thing - what hotel to stay in. Looks like Circus Circus (�500 inc flights each for 4 nights) is the best value for us. 50 quid more each for the Excalibur. Then places like the Mirage and Bellagio are a fair bit more (�628 and �743 respectivly). In a place like Vegas, is it worth going for a nicer hotel as I guess we can spend our time in any of the casinos/hotels and then just go back to our hotel to sleep. For that matter, is it worth staying on the Strip?

Also, I am trying to remember the last minute type sites for booking hotels. I remember there was one where you put in hom much you were willing to spend per night and a star rating and it would book you in. Any ideas?

Will probably have some more questions on Vegas itself later so for you gamblers out there, get ready to answer the call!

starman · Apr 8, 2005, 12:09 PM

Excalibur is MUCH closer to everywhere you want to be. Pay it.

Go see Blue Man Group at the Luxor.

Take a trip to Red Rock Canyon and Hoover Dam. You can do both in one day and only pay for a few hours for a car rental.

As for restaurants, well, there are so damn many of them. There's one we ate at which was in the Mirage I think. The balcony was literally on the water where the water show is. I'll have to dig up the name of the place. MGM has some nice restaurants in it.

We ate at the Stratosphere one night. Make sure you book your reservation JUST BEFORE sundown. This way you eat while the sun sets and it'll be completely dark by the time you finish.

Mike

Kilbey · Apr 8, 2005, 03:30 PM

Originally posted by starman:
Take a trip to Red Rock Canyon and Hoover Dam. You can do both in one day and only pay for a few hours for a car rental.

2nded!!! If you go to Vegas and don't go to Red Rock or Hoover you are really missing out on a great time.

The Monte Carlo and the Flamingo are nice "budget" casinos. Both have nice rooms and VERY nice pools. But I have been to Vegas three times and have vowed to stay at Mandalay Bay the next time I go. Best pool by far in Veags.

I also advise renting a car while you are there. Parking is free and everywhere. If you stay off the main drag and use the side streets you can get anywhere fast. Vegas is big and if you want to see all of it you need a car. Plus I like to go to the out of the way, more native people's places.

budster101 · Apr 8, 2005, 03:34 PM

Ditto.

And watch out for gang-bangers. They have all seemingly moved from LA...

anthonyvthc · Apr 8, 2005, 08:58 PM

OK, as a resident of Vegas I have a lot that I want to share, but I probably won't think of it all at once (I'll update as it comes to me). First of all, both Circus Circus and the Excalibur are kind of trashy. You do make a valid point that you will basically just be sleeping in the hotel, so I guess that doesn't matter. However, most hotels will not let you use their pool unless you're staying at the hotel (the Luxor is an exception, I'm sure there are others). If you want to save a few bucks, you might look into staying at the Orleans or the San Remo. The San Remo is just behing the Tropicana, so it is basically a strip hotel with cheaper rates. The Orleans is about 2 blocks off the strip, but it is a very nice casino with reasonable rates. Cab fare would be about $10 (or less) down to the strip.
There is a monorail system up and down the strip, but I have heard nothing but bad things about it.
If you rent a car and you are trying to get up and down the strip quickly, there is a street that runs parallel with the strip called Frank Sinatra Drive. There are hardly any stop lights or traffic. This is like a locals secret, so don't go telling everybody.

It will save you a ton of time/frustration.
As for restaurants, it all depends on what kind of food you like. The Luxor and the Stratosphere both have a Japanese restaurant called Hamada which is very good. There is a great Italian place at the Venetian (can't remember the name). I've been told that the Circus Circus has the best buffet in town, but I can't verify that.
Try to take a cab to Green Valley Ranch. It's my favorite casino. It's about 10 minutes from the strip. If you do go there, give me a hollar. I live about a mile away.
That's all I can think of right now. Email me, or respond here, if you have any questions.

anthonyvthc at hotmail.com

iLikebeer · Apr 8, 2005, 09:16 PM

Originally posted by anthonyvthc:
First of all, both Circus Circus and the Excalibur are kind of trashy. You do make a valid point that you will basically just be sleeping in the hotel, so I guess that doesn't matter. However, most hotels will not let you use their pool unless you're staying at the hotel (the Luxor is an exception, I'm sure there are others).

My friend's bachelor party was booked at Circus Circus. Their pool is tiny, the hotel is dirty and nasty, and it is way far from the good part of the strip. Spend the extra money, it's worth it. I've heard the Hard Rock Hotel's pool is really nice.

Cab fare would be about $10 (or less) down to the strip.
There is a monorail system up and down the strip, but I have heard nothing but bad things about it.
If you rent a car and you are trying to get up and down the strip quickly, there is a street that runs parallel with the strip called Frank Sinatra Drive. There are hardly any stop lights or traffic. This is like a locals secret, so don't go telling everybody.

It will save you a ton of time/frustration.

If you go anywhere off the strip, don't use taxis. They are extremely expensive between waiting time and high prices for distance. Only use them for short trips up or down the strip. Try to use the hotel and mall shuttles whenever you can. Ask the concierge about tours going to the Hoover Dam. It's spring break time of year here, and lots of people are crossing the dam to go to Lake Havasu, Vegas, St. George, or Mexico. 3 weeks ago it took 1 1/2 hours to cross the dam because they stop lots and lots of cars to check for bombs or something.

There is a great Italian place at the Venetian (can't remember the name).

It starts with a Z. Zorrettis or Zonado or something like that. Very good food. Prices are steep, but worth it.

Also, go see "O" at the Bellagio. It's a water/acrobat/dramatic Cirque du Soleil show and it is amazing.

alligator · Apr 8, 2005, 09:47 PM

I stayed at the Mirage. Nice place, but my eyes burned after being in the smoke for so long. Bring eye drops.

Randman · Apr 8, 2005, 10:23 PM

I lived in Vegas for a couple of years and have gone back regularly to vacation.

Try and book your show tickets early. The Las Vegas Review-Journal or LV Sun are the newspapers and have good listings. The R-J has an annual Best Of, Worst Of guide that's pretty good. Think it's online still these days.

Circus Circus is a terrible hotel in a not-so-great area anymore. Look elsewhere.

Plan on how much you can afford to lose gambling each day and stick to it. NO EXCEPTIONS!

See some of the surrounding areas. In Vegas proper, some things to do are riding the roller coaster at New York, New York, visiting the Stratosphere, checking out the Bellagio and its art show.
I hate Ceasars with a passion but the surrounding Forum shops are great for window-shopping.

Drinks on the rooftop of the Rio is nice. Hard Rock, Sands and Mandalay Bay are all great casinos, places to check out.

Try and get away from the Strip if you can. There's a minor-league baseball team if they have day games.

Main Street Experience is over-rated. Worth a night but not the best area.

jebjeb · Apr 9, 2005, 04:31 PM

Thanks very much to everyone that responded. Unfortunately, we have worked it out and it is going to be pretty damn expensive for just 4 or 5 nights away. I guess it to be about 2000 pounds for the both of us inc flights, a decent hotel (not Circus Circus by the looks of it!), food, sights, day trip and of course some gambling dosh.

So we are thinking that we may just do it as part of our next trip home to Australia. For just a bit more we can get get a low-stop round the world fare rather than the UK-Australia return. Will probably pop in to Aus for my mates wedding and then cruise over to Vegas and live it up.

Just have to wait until September now!

Thanks again for the advice. May resurrect this closer to the time.

Hmmm, where to go in the mean time. Going to drive up to Scotland at the end of May and then might pop over to Germany.

wdlove · Apr 9, 2005, 07:36 PM

Just don't gamble anymore than you can afford to loose.

Link · Apr 9, 2005, 09:56 PM

And if you DO end up at circus circus, don't end up in the circus manor

What side are you on Anthony? We're (kinda) in southeast

iDriveX · Apr 10, 2005, 01:36 AM

Get the cheapest room at the Venetian, you won't be sorry. What a beautiful hotel. Stay away from the Luxor and Circus Circus

Randman · Apr 10, 2005, 02:26 AM

Arizona Charlie's.

anthonyvthc · Apr 10, 2005, 03:06 AM

Originally posted by Link:
And if you DO end up at circus circus, don't end up in the circus manor

What side are you on Anthony? We're (kinda) in southeast

southeast as well, just off the 215 (green valley ranch area). Been here for almost a year now. It's definitely a change from New England!