Las Vegas Strip resorts

[kdonnel]

We own a timeshare at polo towers which is right in the strip across from Aria And between Planet Hollywood and MGM. While not a strip hotel or casino, it Does rent rooms out at a reasonable rate, the rooms are either studio, one bedroom or two bedroom, it’s close to everything, there’s a rooftop pool. We like it there because of location and it’s quiet. But others may want the excitement of being in a casino hotel.

I always confuse the Polo Towers with the Jockey Club.

I was going to ask you how you liked the Cosmo destroying the views.

But instead I guess I need to ask what do you think of the Tilman Fertitta resort that might be going in on the old Travelodge site next door? I think the Polo Towers will not be as adversely affected like the poor Jockey Club. Instead you might see an increase in value just tearing down the Travelodge and Hawaiian Village Marketplace as replacing with just dirt would be an improvement.

 

[RoseGold]

If you aren't picky, Vegas strip is one of the places Hotwire blind shines last minute -- especially weekdays!!! You can usually figure out what hotel it's at by comparing to the not blind listings. You'll be within a few hotels because of how narrow the Hotwire blind is on the strip. I usually book weekends ahead of time, because it can book and get crazy. But weekdays I don't book until day of, even when I'm landing.

I go to Vegas a lot, because I have family there. I've stayed everywhere. I like the MGM Park. Good central location, and very reasonable price. I also like Vdara, which pops up in this a lot and is cheaper than the Aria while being connected to the Aria. If you're in the mid price range, it will all be nice. Competition is strong.

If you want to go off-strip for a more resort-y thing, the Red Rock is new and gorgeous, but it will be more expensive and not on the strip with all the shows and such.

I've considered Redweek and staying in the timeshare properties, but I just don't think the value is there when hotels in Vegas are so good. I don't want the kitchen, and I can figure out laundry and stay somewhere newer and nicer for less. The Vdara is the middle ground, you can get a timeshare unit there with laundry/kitchen that will be nicer than the aging sketchy timeshares all over Vegas.

 

[_19disnA]

It used to be that if you wanted gambling, only choices were LasVegas or Atlantic city. Now there are many casinos all over the country. Another choice might be a day trip (or stay overnight) at a casino near where you live. OP shows they are in MN and not sure of what casino choices may be in your area. For those living in the eastern part of the USA, it takes a long flight to get to Vegas and while fun to see if you have never been there, many other choices now exist if your main interest is to spend a few hours gambling along with having good restaurant choices.

 

[hertamaniac]

It's sort of a shame that the Golden Nugget Rush Tower isn't an option. The pool there is incredible.

I've stayed on/off the Strip many times, but not in years. I would aim for "not too expensive" as TI, Luxor and Flamingo. Off-strip, I've always liked Orleans and the shuttle service they had to the Strip.

 

[cabanafrau]

We haven't been in several years, but our daughters stayed last year at Park and were quite satisfied. Rooms seem a bit small for me, but they felt they worked just fine. Even if not staying there they highly, highly recommend their food area for great selections, many at quite good deals for Vegas.

You didn't mention when you're looking at going, but honestly I wouldn't recommend it until at least mid December at this point. Vegas has been endlessly prepping for months to host a race that will traverse the strip, I believe next month, and construction has been a real mess. They're currently building grandstands out over the Bellagio fountains. Definitely not what I'd want for a Vegas experience, especially a first.

There's a really good video on YouTube, I think it's actually two parts, about staying in every resort on the strip. I highly recommend as a one-stop(two-stop?) look at the strip resorts. I found it enjoyable to watch even without an upcoming trip to plan.

 

[Boopuff]

Been to Vegas many times. Stayed at Treasure Island (no!), NY, NY (rooms are sooo small), MGM (it's ok), Ceasars (great location, big casino). Venetian (enormous rooms). Linq, (nice for adult only trip), Haven't been back since Covid, but there used to be a Hottix location on the strip by what was Ballys (they offer steep day-of discounts for shows, meals etc.) Not sure it still exists. Have a blast!

 

[jimmymc]

To narrow down your search, go with one of the big resorts between Mandalay Bay and Resorts World. You could also look at Sahara. It's not close to the others, but you can take the monorail down to the strip. Just don't walk north of there.

The only place off the strip I would consider is Red Rock. You would need to take a cab over to the strip, but the resort itself is amazing and

Venetian, Bellagio, and the Delano are good high-end choices. Mandalay Bay, Caesars, and Paris are good moderately priced resorts, and I like Luxor or New York New York on the lower end.

None of these are particularly cheap, but unfortunately Vegas has gotten very expensive in recent years. Cheap rooms and buffets are tough to come by unless you gamble a lot.

 

[Lord Manhammer]

My wife and I are in our 50’s and have never been to Las Vegas. We really don’t know much about it and wonder what are some good choices of resorts to stay at? Nothing really expensive and would just be us two. I have looked a little and it’s pretty overwhelming with how many places to stay there is to choose from.

I go to Vegas every year for a conference and I stay at Harrahs without fail. It's reasonable and the location is great. I don't really gamble so that's not a draw and the Vegas shows are sub-par in my opinion (but I live 3 hours from NYC, so I can see Broadway anytime I want so I have high expectations). I love exploring the food scene there though. It's always something new and interesting. Have a great time.

 

[tzolkin]

My wife and I are in our 50’s and have never been to Las Vegas. We really don’t know much about it and wonder what are some good choices of resorts to stay at? Nothing really expensive and would just be us two. I have looked a little and it’s pretty overwhelming with how many places to stay there is to choose from.

Thanks for the timely thread. We just booked plane tickets for early December and now need to figure out where to stay. Our preferences are similar to yours. First trip, couple only, not overly picky or extravagant.

We are planning to stay probably 4 nights on the strip and then rent a car a stay at a family member's condo for 3-4 additional nights while we explore surrounding area, hiking, etc.

We have never had much interest in Vegas and never researched it before. What prompted us to finally try it was on a recent trip to Santa Fe my spouse decided that we now need to check out all the other Meow Wolf locations-- Vegas, Denver, and Texas.

 

[Lord Manhammer]

Thanks for the timely thread. We just booked plane tickets for early December and now need to figure out where to stay. Our preferences are similar to yours. First trip, couple only, not overly picky or extravagant.

We are planning to stay probably 4 nights on the strip and then rent a car a stay at a family member's condo for 3-4 additional nights while we explore surrounding area, hiking, etc.

We have never had much interest in Vegas and never researched it before. What prompted us to finally try it was on a recent trip to Santa Fe my spouse decided that we now need to check out all the other Meow Wolf locations-- Vegas, Denver, and Texas.

Take some time and just walk through some of the casinos (Venetian, Bellagio, Caesars) as they are a sight to behold.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

You are correct, it is The Horseshoe. It was newly renamed when we went in January (when it was booked it was still called Bally's) and I still can't not call it Bally's. It took me forever to say Cromwell instead of Barbary Coast. I guess I am set in my ways.

lol real old timers still call it the MGM grand. And timers older than them call it the Bonanza. HAHAHA.

It used to be that if you wanted gambling, only choices were LasVegas or Atlantic city. Now there are many casinos all over the country. Another choice might be a day trip (or stay overnight) at a casino near where you live. OP shows they are in MN and not sure of what casino choices may be in your area. For those living in the eastern part of the USA, it takes a long flight to get to Vegas and while fun to see if you have never been there, many other choices now exist if your main interest is to spend a few hours gambling along with having good restaurant choices.

Yeah but going to Metropolis Illinois or Tunica Mississippi doesn't have the same pizazz as going to Las Vegas or Lake Tahoe.

To narrow down your search, go with one of the big resorts between Mandalay Bay and Resorts World. You could also look at Sahara. It's not close to the others, but you can take the monorail down to the strip. Just don't walk north of there.

The only place off the strip I would consider is Red Rock. You would need to take a cab over to the strip, but the resort itself is amazing and

Venetian, Bellagio, and the Delano are good high-end choices. Mandalay Bay, Caesars, and Paris are good moderately priced resorts, and I like Luxor or New York New York on the lower end.

None of these are particularly cheap, but unfortunately Vegas has gotten very expensive in recent years. Cheap rooms and buffets are tough to come by unless you gamble a lot.

If it's a first trip out there, I would probably do the strip. But if you're looking for a change, M is also a good choice off strip. And they have a shuttle to the strip. Unfortunately Vegas best affordable buffet, Studio B, is permanently closed. BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! Instead they have lobster buffet for brunch on Sundays inside the steak house. Very expensive. But 30% less than the Sterling was and better if you'd like to splurge. My vote for best buffet in Vegas. YAYYYYYYYYYYYY!!! They also offer several restaurants. Note however, they sponsor the Raiders and are very expensive relative to what you can get there at other times when the team is in town because as part of the deal, they rent 300 rooms for the Raiders. By the way those that have a car and want to go to the brunch, NO PARKING FEES. YAYYYYYYYYY!!!. But do make your reservations early. They are almost always fully booked by the day of.

I agree the larger hotels nearer the airport are all great choices. However, they are generally much farther apart then they appear so having a rental car gives you more flexibility when driving around. A few are convenient to each other so look at a map of where they are so you know where you will be located. We haven't been since covid, but some friends went last year who used to like walking the strip said it has gotten way worse with homeless people begging for money & other sketchy people approaching them selling drugs who have gotten quite pushy/obnoxious. If you go in the summer, it is SO hot outside that it feels like you have walked into an oven when you simply walk outside. Another good reason to rent a car to get around.

The main strip gets to be wall-to-wall cars in the evening moving very slowly due to all of the traffic. We found it way faster to take that freeway the runs parallel to make better time driving around. Taking any sort of taxi can get expensive if you want to travel around a lot. During the day, the strip is a convenient way to get from one hotel to the next. Explore the various hotels since they are worth seeing and you will likely have your own idea of what you like best.

Where to stay is mostly a matter of personal preference much like staying at Disney. Everyone has their own preference about things such as theming and all of them have several restaurants in a range of prices. We went downtown once and would NEVER do that again. WAY too many homeless/sketchy people to deal with (even during the day), tiny casinos and very limited parking. Would avoid staying at any of those hotels.

Depending how much you gamble, many places will offer you free rooms (i.e. comps), food credits, etc. so something to consider. MGM & Caesar's own most of the largest places, so a good idea to get a player's club card to use when gambling. All of the larger hotels are worth seeing since each has its own theme.

Agree with the statement regarding distance. Note that it is 5.2 miles total from the north end of the strip to the southern end. It takes 10-15 minutes to walk just from one side of Caesars to the other. Oh it's just 3 hotels up. Uh yeah, that could be short or could be a long hike depending upon how big the resorts in between are. And if it's hot, it feels twice as long. But it's a dry oven....... But note they do have the bus that just goes up and down the strip as well as the express buss that makes far fewer stops on the strip but is faster and goes downtown/fremont st. Also if you want to bus over to the palms, or any of the casinos over there, you can catch that one just outside Caesars.
RE downtown: If you've never seen freemont st. in all its uhhhhhh "glory" and you don't have kids ok. YOLO. But don't stray away from there or the casinos downtown or it gets sketchy. And be prepared for a lot of smoke in any of those casinos. They're older and though their AC units have been upgraded, they haven't been designed from the ground up to be less smoky.
Re the free stuff. You're not going to sit there, pretend to gamble, or gamble real slow and get enough free drinks to get plastered. They actually have the technology to track your play even without a card. Yup. The machine you're playing lets the cocktail waitress know when you've fed it enough to give you a drink. It's not that Vegas got more tight wadded. It's just that when the mob owned everything, non gambling revenue couldn't be skimmed and thus didn't matter.

 

[jimmymc]

lol real old timers still call it the MGM grand. And timers older than them call it the Bonanza. HAHAHA.


Yeah but going to Metropolis Illinois or Tunica Mississippi doesn't have the same pizazz as going to Las Vegas or Lake Tahoe.


If it's a first trip out there, I would probably do the strip. But if you're looking for a change, M is also a good choice off strip. And they have a shuttle to the strip. Unfortunately Vegas best affordable buffet, Studio B, is permanently closed. BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! Instead they have lobster buffet for brunch on Sundays inside the steak house. Very expensive. But 30% less than the Sterling and better if you'd like to splurge. My vote for best buffet in Vegas. YAYYYYYYYYYYYY!!! They also offer several restaurants. Note however, they sponsor the Raiders and are very expensive relative to what you can get there at other times when the team is in town because as part of the deal, they rent 300 rooms for the Raiders. By the way those that have a car and want to go to the brunch, NO PARKING FEES. YAYYYYYYYYY!!!. But do make your reservations early. They are almost always fully booked by the day of.


Agree with the statement regarding distance. Note that it is 5.2 miles total from the north end of the strip to the southern end. It takes 10-15 minutes to walk just from one side of Caesars to the other. Oh it's just 3 hotels up. Uh yeah, that could be short or could be a long hike depending upon how big the resorts in between are. And if it's hot, it feels twice as long. But it's a dry oven....... But note they do have the bus that just goes up and down the strip as well as the express buss that makes far fewer stops on the strip but is faster and goes downtown/fremont st. Also if you want to bus over to the palms, or any of the casinos over there, you can catch that one just outside Caesars.
RE downtown: If you've never seen freemont st. in all its uhhhhhh "glory" and you don't have kids ok. YOLO. But don't stray away from there or the casinos downtown or it gets sketchy. And be prepared for a lot of smoke in any of those casinos. They're older and though their AC units have been upgraded, they haven't been designed from the ground up to be less smoky.
Re the free stuff. You're not going to sit there, pretend to gamble, or gamble real slow and get enough free drinks to get plastered. They actually have the technology to track your play even without a card. Yup. The machine you're playing lets the cocktail waitress know when you've fed it enough to give you a drink. It's not that Vegas got more tight wadded. It's just that when the mob owned everything, non gambling revenue couldn't be skimmed and thus didn't matter.

That brunch buffet looks amazing!

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

That brunch buffet looks amazing!

$100 a pop is in fact a lot of cabbage for me. But again that's less than the Sterling was, Further, I just went to the website of a nice steak house where I live and by the time you pay the a-la carte price for surf and turf, a sauce, a side, soup, salad, and desert, and alcoholic beverage, you're up to $150.

 

[jimmymc]

$100 a pop is in fact a lot of cabbage for me. But again that's less than the Sterling was, Further, I just went to the website of a nice steak house where I live and by the time you pay the a-la carte price for surf and turf, a sauce, a side, soup, salad, and desert, and alcoholic beverage, you're up to $150.

I will get $100 worth of lobster, prime rib, and lamb. A cut of steak and lobster tail alone in Vegas is probably $90. The crab legs and everything else is just a bonus.

Edit: a single bowl of lobster bisque from this place is $16, so two of those before your meal and you're already doing well.

 

[tzolkin]

I will get $100 worth of lobster, prime rib, and lamb.

This is why we will need to do some research on food options and pick out places to eat in advance of our trip. We are vegetarian so most buffets and places our friends and relatives suggest for dining will likely not be the same value to us if we aren’t eating any of the meat or seafood.

 

[StageTek]

My wife and I are in our 50’s and have never been to Las Vegas. We really don’t know much about it and wonder what are some good choices of resorts to stay at? Nothing really expensive and would just be us two. I have looked a little and it’s pretty overwhelming with how many places to stay there is to choose from.

For "nothing really expensive" my suggestion is The Flamingo.

It still has some old-school-Vegas feel, it's center strip and it's usually not too expensive.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Lots of great options. Just recently enjoyed an excellent stay at Park MGM - a redo of the old Monte Carlo. Great pool areas and very nice staff. Centrally located on the Strip. And if anyone cares one way or another - still a non-smoking casino and resort (even the pools!!). That was a significant plus for our group. Hope they don't change that! Also agree with looking into Ceasar's, Bellagio, etc - depending on what kind of deal you can find!

 

[Miffy]

I have not been to Vegas in many years, but the thing I remember the most is the pervasive cigarette smoke, even in nonsmoking areas.

Is this still the case? One of the reasons I'm asking is that the OP may not be aware of this, if it still is the case. Of course they may not care. Just wondering.

 

[kdonnel]

This is why we will need to do some research on food options and pick out places to eat in advance of our trip. We are vegetarian so most buffets and places our friends and relatives suggest for dining will likely not be the same value to us if we aren’t eating any of the meat or seafood.

You might enjoy Crossroads at Resorts World.

https://www.rwlasvegas.com/dining/crossroads/

 

[Lord Manhammer]

I have not been to Vegas in many years, but the thing I remember the most is the pervasive cigarette smoke, even in nonsmoking areas.

Is this still the case? One of the reasons I'm asking is that the OP may not be aware of this, if it still is the case. Of course they may not care. Just wondering.

Yes, unless you're in somewhere that is specifically non-smoking, expect to be exposed to smoke everywhere. I smoke and even I find that it's a little unbearable at times so that's one Vegas tradition that hasn't gone away.