Best Vegas hotel, pool, shows but no gambling

[Rhonna]

So I looked into a Vegas trip a few years ago but we went to disneyland instead. We may consider a Vegas trip in the next year. We do not gamble. Just my sister and me - middle aged. The main draw would be the cirque shows. We know we want to see 'O' and LOVE. The gardens/animals at Mirage and Bellagio. AND a nice pool with a lazy river and a lot of palm trees - we love the two water parks at WDW. We don't want super trendy/sexy Playboy type resorts where all the celebrities hang out. Prefer to stay on the strip where we can walk to everything, no car.

In the past I had narrowed it down to Bellagio and Mirage (possibly Mandalay Bay) but they aren't high up in ratings on tripadvisor. I originally picked them mostly because of the pool areas and because a lot of what we want to see are at these two resorts.

So what are the recommendations?

Is the Bellagio water fountain show still running? What about the pirate show at Treasure Island? Any other free shows like those that I'm not aware of?

I guess I'll ask best time of year in another thread -weather and deals. I know they run specials in the heat of the summer but we can't take the intense heat and we don't want to be there during blackout/time off for the cirque shows.

Thanks everyone!

 

[StageTek]

In the past I had narrowed it down to Bellagio and Mirage (possibly Mandalay Bay) but they aren't high up in ratings on tripadvisor. I originally picked them mostly because of the pool areas and because a lot of what we want to see are at these two resorts.

So what are the recommendations?

My recommendation for you, specific, needs would be Mandalay Bay. But you don't want that one. So MGM is most likely the hotel for you

Is the Bellagio water fountain show still running? What about the pirate show at Treasure Island? Any other free shows like those that I'm not aware of?

Yes and yes. There are two free "shows" in the Forum Shops, the Freemont Street Experience, the Wildlife Habitat at the Flamingo, the Volcano at the Mirage

 

[RSWA2]

If I were you, I would pick Bellagio or Wynn. Mandalay Bay would be too far to walk to what you want to see.

Mirage would be cheaper, but I've never stayed there, so I don't know about their pool or room quality.

I've stayed at Bellagio before and it's very nice and the pool area fits what you want. You may also want to check out the ones at City Center, it's next to Bellagio so you'll still be able to see the Conservatory and O.

 

[Rhonna]

My recommendation for you, specific, needs would be Mandalay Bay. But you don't want that one. So MGM is most likely the hotel for you

Thanks for the reply.

I'm not ruling out the Mandalay Bay. What specifically do you like about it? (edit: I may rule it out if it's out of the way from all we want to do.)

My top three (from a few years ago when I was researching) were: Mirage, Bellagio and Mandalay Bay - mainly because of the pool areas. Lazy river, palm trees, etc. But I'm open to looking into other resorts. There may be new ones or refurbished ones I don't know about. I just would like some ideas so I don't have to look at ALL the vegas hotels online.

Btw, why did you mention MGM?

 

[Rhonna]

If I were you, I would pick Bellagio or Wynn. Mandalay Bay would be too far to walk to what you want to see.

Mirage would be cheaper, but I've never stayed there, so I don't know about their pool or room quality.

I've stayed at Bellagio before and it's very nice and the pool area fits what you want. You may also want to check out the ones at City Center, it's next to Bellagio so you'll still be able to see the Conservatory and O.

I didn't really think about the locations but I should. Is there a map of the strip that would help me get oriented in my head?

What hotels are at City Center? Is there a website? (edit: I found the official city center website.)

I looked a little at the Wynn website. I am a little confused about the pool areas. One is prettier than the other but I think it's the one they allow topless sunbathing and that really doesn't appeal to us. The grounds of the one European style pool are really beautiful but I don't see if there is a lazy river or slide or anything fun. My sister won't just lay and sunbathe - it bores her. A lazy river would be top on our pool list.

Thank you for your help.

 

[Rhonna]

Is there a better vegas website than going to tripadvisor?

 

[Judy from Boise]

How about the DIS ?http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=&f=175

The only resorts with lazy rivers that I am aware of is Mandaley Bay, Monte Carlo, and MGM. For location I would go Monte Carlo

 

[jazzkitten]

Just throwing out this suggestion to you... The Golden Nugget in downtown las vegas has a pool with a water slide that goes through a giant fish tank. I havent been on it, but it looks pretty awesome. I know you'd like to stay on the strip, but downtown has the free panoramic light show and a zip line going through downtown. I think they also have a monorail that takes you to the strip. I believe there are a few stops along the strip.

 

[jennib5426]

Have you looked at Venetain/Palazzo resorts?
There is 7-9 pools between the 2 hotels that are all very nice and you can choose one with a crowd that looks your style. There is no lazy river but it has a great spa, restaurants and good shopping. Some rooms have a view of the Mirage volcano or treasure island shows.

 

[cruella23]

Prefer to stay on the strip where we can walk to everything, no car.

Thanks everyone!

There is a shuttle bus that runs up and down the strip. I didn't realize how far it is from one end of the strip to the other. The monorail only runs part of the way. The shuttle bus goes downtown too if you want to see Fremont street. We stayed at the golden nugget the last time, and I would definitely stay in the strip instead of downtown. We felt like we wasted a lot of time getting from downtown to the strip.

We saw KA, which was an incredible show, but they are just returning to production after the tragedy they had a few weeks ago.

 

[sonnyjane]

How about the DIS ?http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=&f=175

The only resorts with lazy rivers that I am aware of is Mandaley Bay, Monte Carlo, and MGM. For location I would go Monte Carlo

Was about to say the same thing. Bellagio and Mirage both have awesome and large pools, but no lazy rivers. I have a friend that works for MGM/Mirage so I get good discounts and stay pretty much exclusively at Mirage or Bellagio with at least a dozen stays between those two places alone. Mirage is more affordable and is were I stay with girlfriends. Bellagio is more luxurious and is for trips with the hubby. Mirage and Bellagio have superior locations to MGM and definitely to Mandalay. Those are far at the of the strip while most action is in the center.

My favorite shows in Vegas are Le Reve at Wynn (seen 3 times) and KA at MGM (twice). Would see all of those again. I did enjoy Love as well. A lot of times if you stay at Mirage you can get a deal on Love tickets. The same rarely applies at Bellagio with O. O just isn't discounted very often.

Prices are slashed if you stay Sunday through Thursday. Then room rates can basically double, so if you can, go during the week.

 

[CPT Tripss]

Is there a better vegas website than going to tripadvisor?

Two come to mind.

Www.cheapovegas.com

Www.travel2vegas.com

 

[halfmonkey]

So I looked into a Vegas trip a few years ago but we went to disneyland instead. We may consider a Vegas trip in the next year. We do not gamble. Just my sister and me - middle aged. The main draw would be the cirque shows. We know we want to see 'O' and LOVE. The gardens/animals at Mirage and Bellagio. AND a nice pool with a lazy river and a lot of palm trees - we love the two water parks at WDW. We don't want super trendy/sexy Playboy type resorts where all the celebrities hang out. Prefer to stay on the strip where we can walk to everything, no car.

In the past I had narrowed it down to Bellagio and Mirage (possibly Mandalay Bay) but they aren't high up in ratings on tripadvisor. I originally picked them mostly because of the pool areas and because a lot of what we want to see are at these two resorts.

So what are the recommendations?

Is the Bellagio water fountain show still running? What about the pirate show at Treasure Island? Any other free shows like those that I'm not aware of?

I guess I'll ask best time of year in another thread -weather and deals. I know they run specials in the heat of the summer but we can't take the intense heat and we don't want to be there during blackout/time off for the cirque shows.

Thanks everyone!

Generally speaking, Mandalay Bay is known for their pool as it's more of a "resort" style pool area with lazy pool and such. I'm not sure about the other lazy pools hotels that were mentioned by another poster but generally, if you ask SoCal people, they will say Mandalay Bay.

As far as Bellagio, it's a high quality hotel and the fountain show is still running. The top tier hotels are Wynn, Venetian/Pallazo, Aria, Ceasar, and Bellagio (not necessarily in that order.) Monte Carlo is not really a top tier hotel but they're remodeling and it looks like they're trying to up their image.

The main "show" in the form shop is currenly under construction as they're updating it. We were there 3 weeks ago and bummed to find out that they're updating especially during summer time vacationer schedules.

Treasure Island doesn't have the pirate show anymore. It's now a "sexy" siren show.

As far as shows go, Mystere is a good classic one. "O" from Bellagio is awesome. I've seen the Elvis one in Aria and although I do enjoy his music, I'm not a die hard fan so the show was ok to me. There's a new Michael Jackson show but I can't remember where it's located.

Summer time heat is intense. Like I said, we were there about 3 weeks and it was intense. Started at about 103 with about 40%. That level of humidity in Vegas is unheard of during the summer. It's usually a super dry heat like 5% humidity. By the time we left, the temp got up to 110 and the humidity dropped back to about 10%. Winter time is cold. It can get below freezing and the days don't get very warm (at least for us Southwest folks.) Spring and fall will have the mildest weather so that may be your best best. Of course, if you're looking to make use of a lazy river, you'll want to check a national weather service to get a guage of the weather and the temps to find a time that best suits an enjoyable weather for you to be in the pool.

 

[TBLaube]

The pool at Wynn is gorgeous and big. There is a bar which separates the topless pool from the main pool. You cant see unless you try because it is blocked and out of the way. It is very private and discreet. The rooms at Wynn have the most comfortable beds ever and the resort is beautiful. It is very expensive though. I believe it was $16/17 for a mixd drink. However, La Reve is one of my favorite shows even though not technically a Cirque show...has the same feel for sure.

 

[laurab84]

we stayed at the Mandalay bay and loved it! it's the most gorgeous hotel we've ever stayed in. yes it's at the end of the strip but we didnt have a car and we walked everywhere! ewe even walked the whole of the "golden mile" from the Mandalay to the stratosphere and back in one day! the only negative was rhetoric pool. we went height of season and couldn't find anywhere to leave our towels. it was heaving! Xx


Posted from DISboards.com App for Android

 

[mr.bungle]

Walking in Vegas is an optical illusion. "Oh yeah, that hotel is just over there, I can see it from here." 30 minutes of sweat filled walki later, you reach our destination.

Your best bet is to buy a monorail pass or deal with cabs. The hotels in city center (Aria, Vdara, Cosmopolitan) don't have gambling. Cosmo might. I don't recall. Those hotels are expensive. Wynn is at the *** end of the strip but its nice. I like to stay on the strip and for less money so I do planet Hollywood or harrah's but they're just OK. I can't comment on pools because I've never been to any of them.

O is a great show and the MGM is a nice hotel with a lot to do and in a good location.

 

[SnowWhite09]

Walking in Vegas is an optical illusion. "Oh yeah, that hotel is just over there, I can see it from here." 30 minutes of sweat filled walki later, you reach our destination.

This is so true!

 

[J0HN]

Not certain if you are still looking for a hotel, but my suggestion is the Four Seasons in Las Vegas. The Four Seasons is located on on floors 35-39 of Mandalay Bay and has a separate pool area (with cabanas/shade - first come first served), and also has access to the Mandalay Bay pool area. They offer complimentary treats evey hour at the pool (snow cones, chilled fruit, etc.). You can access the casino at Manalay Bay through a private entrance, but otherwise do not need to step foot in the casino.

You can also get center strip by taking the tram from Mandalay Bay to Excalibur and then taking the bridge from there to NYNY and MGM. You may want to check out the smartervegas (do a web search-can't add link) website for show discounts and if you do book the Four Seasons use Virtuoso or Amex Plat (if you have it) for additional benefits.