Las Vegas Strip resorts

[_19disnA]

I never found smoke an issue in most casinos. Most seem to have taller ceiling and one of the reasons the AC was always set on max was to filter out the smoke. Smaller casinos with low ceilings can have a smokey odor and we avoided those places. If going to Vegas for the first time plan to wear a sweater indoors even if 100+ outside due to AC situation.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

We are going to LV in Nov/Dec to see U2 at the Sphere (reviews are phenomenal!) . I'd love to stay at the Venetian since it is connected but holy moly...way out of my price range. For now I've settled on The Mirage since we will also see Love while we are there.

We saw Love back in late 2018. It's a really great show! Even better if you're a big Beatles fan.

 

[_19disnA]

We also saw that Love show at the Mirage. Not particularly a Beatles fan so some of the show didn't mean very much to us. It was more about the music/dancing/acrobatics much like many other Vegas shows. Was just OK but wouldn't see it more then one time.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

We also saw that Love show at the Mirage. Not particularly a Beatles fan so some of the show didn't mean very much to us. It was more about the music/dancing/acrobatics much like many other Vegas shows. Was just OK but wouldn't see it more then one time.

A lot of those type shows are similar. It is for this reason that I don't suggest the ones built around a particular band or artist unless you're a fan.

 

[longboard55]

Considering how verboten smoking is elsewhere around the country, you'd think Vegas and Atlantic City would do a little more to help out the non-smokers. @Miffy I can only assume you are allergic or react negatively to smoke and can understand the trepidation over attending a conference there. It is hard to escape the smoke, but I think there might be one or two hotels on the strip that are smoke free, I'm honestly not sure. Aside from literally running through the lobby/casino to avoid the smoke, I really wouldn't know how to avoid it. The convention centre itself is smoke-free.

The issue with smoking is most habitual gamblers smoke. If they stopped allowing smoking they risk losing their best customers. Most people in vegas do not smoke, you will only find maybe one floor out of 10 that is a smoking floor

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Wynn/Encore property is our fav place to stay. It's downside is not being immediately connected to a tram or monorail with it being very close to the end of the Strip. We prefer Encore however as the Wynn refurb rooms weren't quite to our liking.

We've stayed at Excalibur, Bellagio, Aria as well plus the Hilton Grand Vacations on Paradise (which a few mins walk to Westgate next door gets you on the monorail). I've also stayed at Mandalay Bay many years ago, my husband at the STRAT years ago as well. He's also stayed at the Tropicana when he's been there for work.

Weed is absolutely 100% in your face and very prevalent now in Vegas. I actually don't smell the smoke as much but weed is just about everywhere and it's annoying.

With Vegas just know that the hotel pricing doesn't follow a seasonal track really. You'll have during the week rates and Friday/Saturday rates but much of what drives the rates are the events that occur in Vegas. If there's a high priced night for just a standard room you can bet that some event be it a concert or otherwise is behind it.

We did not like the Resorts World property, the rooms sure probably are quite nice but felt the casino was very blah and the ambience of the particular shops and dining options to be out of place with the high end aspect to the hotels above it. Tried it out several times in terms of visiting it and just decided nope not a place we'll spend any amount of time there.

Kinda interested to see how FontaineBleau turns out given just how long it's taken to get built.

The Sphere is pretty neat and even better obviously at night but I dislike how it forced the hand on free parking ending. I was glad to hear though that Wynn/Encore did not opt to charge parking for hotel guests.

Last time we were at Encore over Labor Day weekend we had a partial Strip view and a Sphere view




Things are closer IRL than when you see in the photos but if you're talking about walking then it's the opposite, things may look close together for walking but that's not the case. You'll want to wear comfortable shoes. Vegas has pedestrian walkways built up over the roads and sometimes you'll have to go out of your way to get to your destination just because of how the walkways are built.

 

[kdonnel]

If going to Vegas for the first time plan to wear a sweater indoors even if 100+ outside due to AC situation.

This was taken June 14th 2019 in Paris. It was over 100 degrees at the time.

The inspiration for my idea for a line of heavy summer coats.

 

[Lord Manhammer]

The issue with smoking is most habitual gamblers smoke. If they stopped allowing smoking they risk losing their best customers. Most people in vegas do not smoke, you will only find maybe one floor out of 10 that is a smoking floor

I partly agree with this, but I wonder if the casinos took a stronger stance on smoking, if it would encourage younger gamblers to spend money at the tables/slots. A minuscule percentage of my students smoke cigarettes (weed is another story) and are very put off by the habit.

I was once speaking to someone who worked in Vegas and they also offered this bit of insight: Vegas used to be wicked cheap because the casinos wanted you to spend your money gambling and that's what the crowds did. But younger generations don't gamble as much so Vegas had to raise prices elsewhere to make up for the difference (shows, restaurants, etc) and have more things like pool parties. Whenever I've been to Vegas recently and walked the casino floor, 90% of the folks I see gambling look older than me and I'm in my mid-40's.

 

[_19disnA]

I was once speaking to someone who worked in Vegas and they also offered this bit of insight: Vegas used to be wicked cheap because the casinos wanted you to spend your money gambling and that's what the crowds did. But younger generations don't gamble as much so Vegas had to raise prices elsewhere to make up for the difference (shows, restaurants, etc) and have more things like pool parties. Whenever I've been to Vegas recently and walked the casino floor, 90% of the folks I see gambling look older than me and I'm in my mid-40's.

I think everyone has their own opinion of what works/doesn't in Vegas to keep generating revenue. I recall a number of years ago they tried to market Vegas as a 'family' destination when in reality there really aren't many things for those under 21 to do. Parents still can't loiter in the gambling areas with their small children even though I have seen a few clueless people try to do that. Security soon appeared and asked them to move on. I actually saw someone underage playing a slot machine and won a hand pay jackpot. Security and the casino employees soon appeared trying to figure out how to deal with that. We left before it got resolved so not sure what actually happened. Treasure Island was renamed TI and tried to have more of an adult appeal.

My view is that Vegas has a LOT more competition all over the USA now compared to awhile ago when if you wanted a gambling destination it was basically Atlantic city or Vegas. So it is less about appealing to a certain age group vs. recognizing they have competition all over the country. Vegas will continue to be a weekend draw for those in the area or from someplace like California. Charging for parking was a silly move since the whole effort is to get people into YOUR casino where they will clearly spend way more then they did for parking. Someone in the eastern part of the USA now has a LOT of other choices for casinos vs. flying several hours across the country to get to Vegas. Even international travelers now also have a lot of other places to gamble. I think Vegas will continue to struggle to find the right balance of what will continue to draw the crowds and allow them to be profitable.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Whenever I've been to Vegas recently and walked the casino floor, 90% of the folks I see gambling look older than me and I'm in my mid-40's.

Slot machines maybe (that's what I do although I'm in my mid-30s) but tables I see more younger people (and some of those tables have high buy ins). Stadium blackjack which is what my husband does I see almost always younger people, video poker which is what my husband does I see older.

I agree with you about pool parties but I think that's more the evolution of Vegas. Day and night clubs are usually frequented by younger people no matter where you go and in Vegas that became more wanted.

 

[Lord Manhammer]

I think everyone has their own opinion of what works/doesn't in Vegas to keep generating revenue. I recall a number of years ago they tried to market Vegas as a 'family' destination when in reality there really aren't many things for those under 21 to do. Parents still can't loiter in the gambling areas with their small children even though I have seen a few clueless people try to do that. Security soon appeared and asked them to move on. I actually saw someone underage playing a slot machine and won a hand pay jackpot. Security and the casino employees soon appeared trying to figure out how to deal with that. We left before it got resolved so not sure what actually happened. Treasure Island was renamed TI and tried to have more of an adult appeal.

My view is that Vegas has a LOT more competition all over the USA now compared to awhile ago when if you wanted a gambling destination it was basically Atlantic city or Vegas. So it is less about appealing to a certain age group vs. recognizing they have competition all over the country. Vegas will continue to be a weekend draw for those in the area or from someplace like California. Charging for parking was a silly move since the whole effort is to get people into YOUR casino where they will clearly spend way more then they did for parking. Someone in the eastern part of the USA now has a LOT of other choices for casinos vs. flying several hours across the country to get to Vegas. Even international travelers now also have a lot of other places to gamble. I think Vegas will continue to struggle to find the right balance of what will continue to draw the crowds and allow them to be profitable.

I think that you are 100% spot on with this. Even in my home state of Massachusetts, there are tons of places to gamble whether you are in Boston or Springfield (opposite ends of the state), and we just legalised sports betting. And while you can't smoke in the casinos here, I don't think that is really hurting their business and may, at least for the clientele out here, help it.

 

[NotUrsula]

Not to hijack the thread, but there seem to be a lot of Las Vegas regulars here, so I hope it's OK to ask a tangential question, mostly for advice on where NOT to go if we can help it. My only experience of Las Vegas is overnighting there because of a flight cancellation (we arrived at 11pm and had to be back at the airport at 6 am.)

My DD's national competition final will be held there early next spring, and I'm wondering how to handle our lodging. We often stay where the team does (except when it's overpriced or a dump), but in this case the teams will be required to stay at the Orleans as part of the agreement for the rink use, and they are pretty sure there will not be extra rooms available (The event involves about 1200 athletes from age 6 through adult.) So, we will need something that is relatively convenient to the Orleans.

We have no interest in gambling, so that's not important, but I'd pay extra to avoid encountering smoking. A pool with generous hours would be nice, given that it will still be cold at home that time of year. Our free time will be mornings and evenings after 9.

 

[Lord Manhammer]

Not to hijack the thread, but there seem to be a lot of Las Vegas regulars here, so I hope it's OK to ask a tangential question, mostly for advice on where NOT to go if we can help it. My only experience of Las Vegas is overnighting there because of a flight cancellation (we arrived at 11pm and had to be back at the airport at 6 am.)

My DD's national competition final will be held there early next spring, and I'm wondering how to handle our lodging. We often stay where the team does (except when it's overpriced or a dump), but in this case the teams will be required to stay at the Orleans as part of the agreement for the rink use, and they are pretty sure there will not be extra rooms available (The event involves about 1200 athletes from age 6 through adult.) So, we will need something that is relatively convenient to the Orleans.

We have no interest in gambling, so that's not important, but I'd pay extra to avoid encountering smoking. A pool with generous hours would be nice, given that it will still be cold at home that time of year. Our free time will be mornings and evenings after 9.

The Orleans is about a 10 min drive from the strip, so unless you have a car, you'll want to say somewhere around there. I'd honestly do a trip advisor search in the area and call hotels to see if they are non-smoking if that's important to you. Vegas in early spring can get QUITE chilly, so I'd check for an indoor pool.

 

[longboard55]

Not to hijack the thread, but there seem to be a lot of Las Vegas regulars here, so I hope it's OK to ask a tangential question, mostly for advice on where NOT to go if we can help it. My only experience of Las Vegas is overnighting there because of a flight cancellation (we arrived at 11pm and had to be back at the airport at 6 am.)

My DD's national competition final will be held there early next spring, and I'm wondering how to handle our lodging. We often stay where the team does (except when it's overpriced or a dump), but in this case the teams will be required to stay at the Orleans as part of the agreement for the rink use, and they are pretty sure there will not be extra rooms available (The event involves about 1200 athletes from age 6 through adult.) So, we will need something that is relatively convenient to the Orleans.

We have no interest in gambling, so that's not important, but I'd pay extra to avoid encountering smoking. A pool with generous hours would be nice, given that it will still be cold at home that time of year. Our free time will be mornings and evenings after 9.

Rio would be close. The strip traffic can be nasty so I would avoid strip hotels.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Not to hijack the thread, but there seem to be a lot of Las Vegas regulars here, so I hope it's OK to ask a tangential question, mostly for advice on where NOT to go if we can help it. My only experience of Las Vegas is overnighting there because of a flight cancellation (we arrived at 11pm and had to be back at the airport at 6 am.)

My DD's national competition final will be held there early next spring, and I'm wondering how to handle our lodging. We often stay where the team does (except when it's overpriced or a dump), but in this case the teams will be required to stay at the Orleans as part of the agreement for the rink use, and they are pretty sure there will not be extra rooms available (The event involves about 1200 athletes from age 6 through adult.) So, we will need something that is relatively convenient to the Orleans.

We have no interest in gambling, so that's not important, but I'd pay extra to avoid encountering smoking. A pool with generous hours would be nice, given that it will still be cold at home that time of year. Our free time will be mornings and evenings after 9.

The Orleans is the other side of I-15 from the strip about 10 minutes away from the strip. There are three or four non resort hotels over there within a block or two of the property. A couple more are closer to the freeway. The Palms is about 5 minutes north. The Rio is slightly further in the same area of the palms. But I'd certainly try to find a place on that side of the interstate rather than the strip.

 

[cabanafrau]

Not to hijack the thread, but there seem to be a lot of Las Vegas regulars here, so I hope it's OK to ask a tangential question, mostly for advice on where NOT to go if we can help it. My only experience of Las Vegas is overnighting there because of a flight cancellation (we arrived at 11pm and had to be back at the airport at 6 am.)

My DD's national competition final will be held there early next spring, and I'm wondering how to handle our lodging. We often stay where the team does (except when it's overpriced or a dump), but in this case the teams will be required to stay at the Orleans as part of the agreement for the rink use, and they are pretty sure there will not be extra rooms available (The event involves about 1200 athletes from age 6 through adult.) So, we will need something that is relatively convenient to the Orleans.

We have no interest in gambling, so that's not important, but I'd pay extra to avoid encountering smoking. A pool with generous hours would be nice, given that it will still be cold at home that time of year. Our free time will be mornings and evenings after 9.

I would recommend one of the casino hotels if you are attempting to stay off strip towards the Orleans, even if you don't have any interest in gambling. No idea where the Rio will be in their renos at that point, but it would probably be my first choice in your circumstances. Haven't heard much about the Palms lately, but my understanding a few months back is that it was quite often a ghost town and many of the dining locations were closed.

If Rio didn't work out I'd honestly bite the bullet and book on the strip and contend with the travel logistics. To minimize traffic hassles as much as possible I would select Mandalay Bay/Delano, Luxor, NYNY, Park or Aria simply by virtue of location and being able to exit those hotels directly onto S. LV Blvd and then making the right on Tropicana down to Orleans. Not super convenient for sure, but should remove some other concerns also.

It may not be likely you will find pool weather, possibly not even open pools in early spring -- or want to swim. LV casino hotels typically close pools by around six p.m. even in summer -- aside from paid pool parties.

Check the LV travel forum on TripAdvisor for more info and ideas.

 

[_19disnA]

The strip traffic can be nasty so I would avoid strip hotels.

Our experience has been that during the day was no big deal to drive on the strip. It seems most people are out late and then sleep in the next day. Evening is when the traffic on the strip is wall-to-wall cars and takes forever to get around. I would rent a car since it is way more convenient, cheaper then any kind of taxi if making several trips and gives you options on things to do if the competition doesn't require you to be there 100% of the time. As others have suggested regarding Orleans, see what other hotels are in the area. Driving one/two freeway exits regardless of time of day is no big deal. If you have no interest in gambling, I would look for other regular hotels in that general area.

 

[hertamaniac]

I would still take a flyer to see of Orleans has any rooms. It's a fine hotel with a plethora of non-gambling activities. The rooms are large as compared to many other hotels (especially on the strip). We did a split stay there years ago and enjoyed it. The Rio is close, but unless you are seeing the refurbishment being actually done, I wouldn't recommend it for a stay based on YT vids I've seen.

 

[StageTek]

Visiting Las Vegas for the first time can be an exciting adventure, especially in your 50s! With numerous resorts to choose from, it's natural to feel overwhelmed. To help you narrow down your options, consider a few factors.

What factors should you consider?

 

[TippyThomas]

What factors should you consider?

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