For those familiar with Las Vegas...

[pittsburghmom]

We are planning a trip to see my in-laws next month. We are flying from Pittsburgh to Las Vegas, then taking a flight from Las Vegas to Mammoth Lakes, CA (my in-laws live about 40 minutes from Mammoth Lakes and will be picking us up from there).

We plan on flying in the night before our flight leaves from Vegas to Mammoth Lakes. There is only one flight per day to Mammoth and it is at 5:50 pm.

Questions: Where would be a good (and budget friendly) place to stay in Vegas that night for a family of 5? We have 3 kids ages 9, 5 & 2. Also, we were hoping to leave our luggage with bell-services the day of our Mammoth flight so we can explore a bit. I have no idea of things that we could do to keep the kids occupied for the day until we need to be at the airport again. It looks like most of the hotels have outdoor pools. An indoor pool would be nice LOL Any insight would be appreciated =)

 

[CalDisneyMomof2]

Just got home from Vegas literally two hours ago. My husband and I stayed at The Orleans and vowed to never stay there again without our kids. (It was a free room) It's off the strip but only a five minute drive. Inexpensive and has lots to do. They have a bowling alley, movie theater and kids club. They even have an arena and depending on when you're there could have a show for your kids. (Next weekend the circus is in town). You could always do Circus Circus too which is at the end of the strip but to me it's a little more run down.

 

[squeegee]

I've gone to vegas twice over the past two years, for a few days each time. I spent my evenings "resort hopping" up and down the strip. I don't gamble, so entertained myself with the sights.
If you can swing it, I'd recommend staying on the strip, especially since it's such a short stay. The strip itself is quite long, and being right on it is so convenient.

Get a bus pass (less than $10/person, I think - there are many options) and head up one side and down the other - there's more than enough to keep yourselves occupied, including an M&M's store and coca cola store, and just wandering around the forum shopping center.

I agree with the previous poster that circus circus is a bit run down, but it has a cute, indoor "midway" with rides and all, suitable for kids.
There's also a neat little 10-minute animatronics show at Caesars palace/forum, with fire and fog and light and all that. It runs every hour or so, for free.

I stayed at harrah's the first trip and at the riviera the second, neither of which are particularly swanky, but both were adequate.

After our disney trip this December, am planning on taking my family for a few days in Vegas and then the Hoover dam/Grand Canyon thing.

 

[SMD]

If you're flying in at night and flying out the next afternoon you'll spend a lot on ground transportation for 5 people to and from the strip. Look into a resort off the strip with a free airport shuttle. Green Valley, Red Rock or M Resort are ones I've heard of.

 

[bearzabout]

Keep in mind that prices are much higher on Friday and Saturday or when trade shows are in town. There are many bargains to be found on other days.

You can rent a car and drive out to Red Rock Canyon. There is a new shopping center near Red Rock resort to explore. Costco can have good car prices if you are a member.

Try Expedia or Travelocity for your date and sort by price. Read reviews on Trip Advisor. Some cheap hotels are really awful so be careful with budget options.

We stay in timeshares to avoid the casino scene (Tahiti Village is our favorite) but pool hours are limited.

 

[IamJBo]

An on-strip hotel I would recommend would be Treasure Island (TI). I havent been to Vegas since 2011 but we stayed there and it was very ideal in terms of price, cleanliness, and family friendly.

We avoided the hotels with the popular night hotspots and the strip is right out the door so we avoided taxi's.

I know some people are tempted to capitalize on the price of Circus Circus but I would only add it to the list of hotels to hop and visit - not actually stay at. Well that and the fact that even though it is on "the strip" I felt like it was quite a walk aways. (Trumps failed hotels stood between Circus Circus and the majority of the strip as a reminder of the construction market of 2007.)

Keep in mind this was in 2011 so things might've changed. I think TI went through a re-branding but I dont think they've changed much.

 

[kaytieeldr]

The Orleans is great and convenient.
Tropicana has, or had, an indoor/outdoor pool.

 

[KKB]

The Orleans is great and convenient.
Tropicana has, or had, an indoor/outdoor pool.

Unless you have a car or wait for a shuttle.

 

[pryncess527]

I'll be the dissenter and say I prefer to stay downtown. I think downtown might be more fun for the kids too, but have never given that much thought. Almost all the downtown hotels have free shuttles to the strip, so you can still see those sites -- I just preferred the atmosphere downtown.

We do like to gamble, and are barely in our room when we go, so stay a pretty cheap places. I kind of like the Fremont.

 

[KKB]

I'll be the dissenter and say I prefer to stay downtown. I think downtown might be more fun for the kids too, but have never given that much thought. Almost all the downtown hotels have free shuttles to the strip, so you can still see those sites -- I just preferred the atmosphere downtown.

We do like to gamble, and are barely in our room when we go, so stay a pretty cheap places. I kind of like the Fremont.

Not much more to do for adults (except gamble) for more than a day.

We have taken our oldest twice(once stayed DT, once at Rio)...really nothing for him downtown beyond the zip line, the Fremont Show at night. And it has become a major freak show at night--quite obscene characters. Not child/teen appropriate.

No hotels have direct shuttles to the strip. I believe there is one to Sam's Town that then goes to the strip, but I doubt many do that. Bus is cheap but slow (20-45 min), taxi is fast but costly ($20-25 each way)

If gambling is the pure focus, I do recommend downtown or off strip properties--much better odds for nearly all games.

 

[sheetz]

Most of the strip casinos charge resort fees and extra person fees so the costs can add up. I'm not even sure how many allow 5 people in their rooms. I would suggest looking into a rental car and staying a little off strip like at a residence inn where you can get free breakfast.

 

[pittsburghmom]

Thank you everyone for all the helpful input. We are leaning towards Treasure Island via the taxi from/to the airport. From what I've read, taxis can take up to 5 passengers, so that should work for us. Right now, Expedia has TI for $58/nt + resort fees. I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that there is a walking bridge to the Venetian and the Bellagio is within walking distance. So I figured we could go see the fountains and check out the gondolas/atmosphere of the Venetian for a bit and grab lunch somewhere before we need to head over to the airport again. On our return, we are looking for a cheaper (maybe 3 star?) resort or one of the few that offer a free airport shuttle (like the Palace Station or South Point) for around $30-40/nt.....?

 

[malibuconlee]

With 5 passengers you will most likely need a van and they are available, but can be a bit of a wait especially at the hotels so leave extra time when transferring back to the airport in case one isn't readily available. It will be especially important with all the luggage and car seats I assume you are bringing.

The kids would probably enjoy one of the Station casinos as some have bowling alleys and movie theaters to entertain the kids.

 

[sheetz]

Thank you everyone for all the helpful input. We are leaning towards Treasure Island via the taxi from/to the airport. From what I've read, taxis can take up to 5 passengers, so that should work for us. Right now, Expedia has TI for $58/nt + resort fees.

Just letting you know, TI charges $30/per extra person (the fee shows up when you check out on Expedia), with max number of 4 people for each room. So you'll basically have to smuggle the kids into your room.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Unless you have a car or wait for a shuttle.

It's five minutes further from the airport than Tropicana/Excalibur/MGM/New York New York. For the one night with kids it's great.

 

[squeegee]

I've always taken the shuttle from the airport - $7 or $8 person, plus a tip. There's sometimes a bit of a wait, but they can definitely accommodate more than five people.

 

[KKB]

I've always taken the shuttle from the airport - $7 or $8 person, plus a tip. There's sometimes a bit of a wait, but they can definitely accommodate more than five people.

A cab will run you about $15-25max anywhere on the strip for MUCH faster than the shuttle (even if there is a lengthy cab line). I once spend 90 minutes on that shuttle--NEVER AGAIN.

So the shuttle is really only cost effective for 1--and that is arguable if you figure the time factor.

 

[pittsburghmom]

A cab will run you about $15-25max anywhere on the strip for MUCH faster than the shuttle (even if there is a lengthy cab line). I once spend 90 minutes on that shuttle--NEVER AGAIN.

So the shuttle is really only cost effective for 1--and that is arguable if you figure the time factor.

Yes, we are planning on a taxi vs. shuttle. Told my husband that planning a Disney trip is much less stressful lol. Gotta love the Magical Express