Input on Vegas hotels

[GailT]

Ok, I am overwhelmed, there are so many hotels on the strip I am torn as to which one I should book. I would appreciate input on the hotels if you have stayed there? I know it isn'd Disney but I am excited about going, better then not going anywhere at all. TIA Gail

 

[Big Dude]

Depends what your tastes are. I stayed in the Venetian and found it to be very very nice. It has a ton of shops for almost anything imaginable, the gondolas that travel down makeshift canals with the singing gondolears, St. Marks square that has many restaurants, wandering musicians and even "Disneyesque" living statues.

There is a nice bar called the Velvet Room near the top of the hotel as well as a full fledged nightclub on the 1st floor. 5 outdoor pools and a large jacuzzi make up a nice area that includes cabanas and wait service outside. The rooms are all suites with a "step down" living area that has a couch, loveseat, TV, mini-bar and a desk with internet access and printer. The beds are huge and the bathroom has a separate shower and toilet facilities to go along with large bathtub/jacuzzi. It is located directly across the street from Treasure Island and connected with the Sands convention center.

Have a great time,

Adam aka Big Dude

 

[mus muris asinus]

Also depends on what you want to spend.

For a nice, fairly reasonable, center-strip hotel, I would recommend Bally's or the Paris. I also liked Monte Carlo for it's subtle theming. Too far up or down the Strip and you'll have a heck of a walk to the other side of the Strip.

 

[mickey4ver]

Again, price and taste are big factors, but I stayed at the Mirage and loved it, very nice atmosphere.

Another friend has stayed at the Luxor and really liked it, it is at the other end of where the Mirage is. The Mirage is within walking distance of Caesars and the Forum shops, another fun place to take in.

You'll get many different opinions, just like when asking "which Disney resort do you like best".

 

[cati]

I stayed at Mandalay Bay. Loved it. The rooms are so big and spacious. They are beautiful marble. The bathrooms are to die for. We enjoyed the wave pool and music during the day. My DS really liked his stay there also. I truly believe you could not go wrong at most of the big motels. They all looked very nice while we were there. I would not hesitate to stay at Mandalay again. But I would kind of like to stay at the Venetian. Just looked romantic when we were there. Dont know how the rooms are though.

 

[tkyes]

I wouldn't stay any farther down on the strip than Treasure Island or the Venetian.

Location wise I would stay at Ceasers Palace, Bellagio, MGM, Monte Carlo, New York New York, Mirage, etc.

We stayed at the Rio (good price and it was our first time so we didn't know the layout). We didn't like being that far down from all the "action", and it wasn't a very nice hotel.



Tamie

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

So far I've stayed at:
Treasure Island (2 times)
Circus Circus
MGM (2 times)
Luxor

My preference is:
I really like Treasure Island - not the calibur of the Venetian but nice and not too big.

MGM - VERY BIG. Great Pools (better than any of the others we've stayed at. Rooms were nice - but avoid the Emerald Tower - very long walk to the elevators. (I've found you can get rooms closer to the elevator by tipping the desk clerk a couple of bucks)

Circus Circus - getting a little tired. Rooms were o.k. but wasn't impressed by the casino. The rides & circus acts were fun (we stayed here with our two DS's) but I wouldn't stay here again if it's just me & hubby.

Luxor - was disappointed with this one. Had a pyramid room that was very run down. Had housekeeping issues (dead bugs in one of the beds) and the problems were not well handled by the staff.

If you feel brave - I've been tempted to use Priceline for a room next time it's just DH & I going. Check out Biddingfortravel.com - there are some real deals out there on Bellagio (and some of the other hotels) if you know how to work the bidding.

Anywhere you stay will involve some walking. The strip is huge - but they have a good public bus system. $1.50 for a one way trip down the strip. Just study up on the map you can get from the Bellman at the hotel.

 

[Kismetdreams]

I've been to Vegas numerous times and have stayed at Alladin, Mirage, Treasure Island, and Excalibur. I have had a suite at Treaure Island and Alladin. I have also been in just about every hotel that is on the strip.

Excalibur is inexpensive, but very much like a room at Holiday Inn. Alladin was a beautiful room, and is is a pretty good location and has it's own "mall" of stores attached to it. Mirage and TI are probably my favorites, they are both very nice rooms, are attached by a people mover and are easy to get around from.

If you go to Vegas.com you can not only compare prices, but also see maps of layouts in Vegas and compare amenities. I am a huge fan of this site! Once you compare the prices, call the hotels you like and ask for any specials. That is how we got suites for the price of regular rooms, sometimes for less.

I live in So. Cal. and my fiancee and I used to go to vegas about once every 6-8 weeks.

There is so much to do in Vegas and I love it there! If you have any questions, feel free to PM me and I will try to answer.

Also, if you plan to see any shows, Blue Man Group is fabulous and Jubilee is unimpressive. And don't miss the Pirate Battle at TI!

HTH!

 

[Carl]

MGM is very nice and big. As mentioned by someone else, stay at the Grand Tower, not the Emerald Tour.

 

[jsmith]

Another vote for Treasure Island-nice rooms, not so huge, and not nearly as expensive as Mandalay bay or the Venietian

 

[FunFamily]

Without regard to price, the best places to stay in my opinion are Venetian and Mandalay Bay.

The rooms at Bellagio in my opinion is overated, although I would go and visit -- the public spaces are wonderful.

Mid-strip, Paris is a great place as well.

 

[jel0511]

I've been to Vegas 5 times, with my 6th time coming up in Feb. I've stayed at:

Treasure Island
Mirage (twice)
Venetian
Monte Carlo

I will be staying at Paris in February. My favorite of the list there is the Venetian, it truly is beautiful. When we visited the last time, we toured all the newer casinos and my favorite of those was Paris. Not as pretentious at Bellagio, and MUCH more centrally located than Mandalay Bay. I have no desire to visit any of the casinos at the bottom of the strip (MGM, Luxor, NYNY or even Mandalay) so I wouldn't even consider staying there. I much perfer the casinos at the middle to the top of the strip, so I always stay there. We debated between the Venetian and Paris and decided on Paris, because we haven't stayed there, and we really liked the atmosphere when we visited our last trip. The rooms at Paris aren't as big as Venetian, but I'm not in my room much, and if I am I'm usually sleeping!!!!

 

[sgtdisney]

It really depends on your price range. If money isn't a concern, the Bellagio is very nice. Centrally located on the strip and the rooms (especially the bathrooms) are really great. The bathroom was almost as large as the bedroom, all marble with a huge soaking tub (almost big enough for 2) and a walk-in glass enclosed shower. The pool there is very nice.

I never stayed at the Venetian, but it looks awesome. Many of the rooms are mini-suites from what I am told and the casino is elegant. It is a little north on the strip so you may have to walk, or take a cab to some of the southern parts of the strip.

I have also stayed at the Monte Carlo and for the price I really liked it. It is connected to the Bellagio by a monorail like tram and is also pretty centrally located. I really felt comfortable there and it was nice without being overdone. The best part for me (because I always have a car) is that you do not have to walk through the casino to get to the parking lot. Most of the hotels make you walk all the way through the casino to get to your room. The Monte Carlo is set up so you can walk from your car, through the lobby and right to the elevator. I just thought it was a nice set up.

Good luck in your decision.

 

[preshi]

MGM Grand - Spa Suite (DH and I)- Very big room and great jacuzzi tub, good clubs. Hotel is so easy to get lost in though LOL $ (only because we worked for Marriott and we got a discount)

Bellagio - Lakeview Suite (DH and I)- Huge room, excellent customer service, great food, beautiful view, Pools are nice. $$$$

Ballys - (my best friend and I) - Decent size room, easy walk to Paris and to Bellagio, Pool is decent. $

Excalibur - (best friend and myself) - BAD BAD BAD I don't recommend staying there. Even the hotel employees said it was an icky hotel. ? price unknown company paid for it I assume it was a $

New York New York - (best friend and I) - Nice hotel, at the end of the strip, Room was decent size for 2 girls with tons of stuff. $$

Monte Carlo - (best friend and I) - We didn't care much for this hotel. It's ok inside but the room was kind of small for the 2 of us. $$

Orleans Hotel - suite- (best friend and I)- huge room but so off the strip it makes it inconvinent. Again unknown we stayed with friends and it was free because they spent so much money.

 

[huey duey & luey]

Although I have never gone I know where I am going to satay when I finally get there. I am definatlety staying at the Venetian and I have Samantha Brown to thank for it. This hotel looks absolutelty amazing and it seems to be in a good location. I have a friend who goes often and usually stays athe the mirage, she said Mandalay Bay is really nice too but not very convenient. Have fun, Im jealous I cant wait to go hopefully either for my 35th bday or my 10th anninversary ENJOY
Tara

 

[daannzzz]

You really need to research what theme and price combine together to work for you. I have stayed at the Paris ($29 per night), The Venetian ($149 per night) and the New York New York in a deluxe room ($110) per night. Because I am not a frilly, opulent type person my favorite was the NYNY. The Venetian rooms were awesomely huge with a very elegent bathroom but not the decore I am comfortable lounging in. I loved the size of the room. The paris room was average size and not quite as elegant but still a hair frilly. The bathroom wasn't as big but was nice and for the price it was great. NYNY was all art deco and I love that style. The room we were assigned had 8-10 windows covering to walls. There were art deco touches all over and it felt upbeat. The bathroom was very average size though still functional.
Check all the different hotel sites that you can for pictures and choose what you think will make you comfortable and happy.

 

[rascalmom]

I am in the process of getting a trip booked for after NYE with dh and 2 other couples. We are planning on the Venetian. DH & I have stayed there before and also Paris & LV Hilton & Golden Nugget (the last 2 years ago). We chose the Venetian for these reasons:

1) Clean air - the size & newness of this hotel make it less smokey.

2) Lots to do - canal gondola rides, museums (3), & the canal shops & a great Canyon Ranch Spa

3) Great restaurants

4) Location puts in walking distance to other resorts we will visit while there.

5) Big rooms - since we will be traveling with friends, the living room area of the suite will give us a gathering place. We may even watch the Sugar Bowl from our room. Go Sooners.

I have found a couple of websites you might want to look at:

www.lvtalk.com
www.vegas4visitors.com

Good luck!

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

Just an FYI - I haven't noticed a smoke problem in any of the newer casinos. The original strip(downtown) and any of the "Station" casinos, including Sam's Town are all really bad if that is a concern for you.

 

[sgtdisney]

If smoke is a concern, stay away from the Stardust casino. My wife had to have Tony Roma's ribs one night, so we went to the Stardust and the casino (maybe it has been updated since, this was about 3 years ago) is built in the old style with the lower ceilings and you could cut the smoke with a knife there.

 

[GailT]

Thank you for your responces. I am thinking of the Alladin, good price, fairly new, I am just not sure if that is a FANTASTIC location. I am just so comfortable going to disney each yr. that i am scared about going to vegas and I want to make sure I do the right thing.