More Vegas questions

[beckyb29]

Hi everybody! My husband and I are talking about taking a trip to Las Vegas in May(either during the 2nd or 3rd week for 3 or 4 nights). He's been so nice about going to Disney with me, he deserves to go on his choice of a vacation! We have never been, and I am a bit overwhelmed by all of the information I have found so far. We know we want to stay on the strip, to experience the "feel" of Vegas for our first trip.

We also don't want to spend too much on the room, since we probably won't be in it too much. In other words, I would love to be able to afford it, but we don't want to spend $250+ on a room for this trip. However, I'm picky, and it needs to at least be clean! Any suggestions?

Also, would you recommend renting a car? I've read that traffic can be a problem...

We have looked into flight/hotel packages on orbitz and travelocity sites...is this the best way to get good rates?

Thanks in advance for all of your help!!!

 

[casaazul]

I think 4 nights is too long. I can't wait to go after 2 nights, but that is just me. We have stayed at Bellagio, Treasure Island, Monte Carlo, MGM, Excalibur, Ballys, Circus Circus and Orleans. Places I want to stay are Wynn, Venetian, Mirage, Luxor and Mandalay Bay.

Moneywise, you probably will be able to get a good deal at MGM, and also have quite the trip. This was one of our favorites. We never rent a car, just too much hassle and now that the monorail is running, it is much easier to get from the south Strip to the north Strip.

Visit the different hotels websites and check out prices on the travel websites. If you have Southwest airlines at your airport, also check their vacation packages. We have gotten some great deals!

Hope this helps some.

 

[DisInsider]

Gee, can you believe I don't even remember which end of the strip is north and which is south. But let me say that the end where MGM, New York New York, Caesars, ect is good. The end where Circus Circus, Stratosphere, etc is bad. Except for Wynn, which is close to that end. I have stayed at MGM many times, also The Mirage and Excalibur. Of those 3, Excalibur is probably the cheapest. MGM is my favorite because it has everything, including a Monorail station.

The thing about Vegas is that you shouldn't spend all your time gambling there, especially on the strip. You will go broke very quickly there. But you have to see all of the resorts, and it's is doable in 3 or 4 days. Take in all of the free entertainment like the fountains at Bellagio. Each resort is so amazing. They all have incredible features. You have to see all of the malls in the big ones, especially the Forum Shops at Caesars, The Desert Passage at The Aladdin and the Canal Shops at the Venitian. Ride the Roller Coaster at New York New York and both rides on top of the Stratosphere. There's also a coaster at the Sahara, but I haven't done that one yet.

You shouldn't need a car unless you are going to leave town to see places like the Outlet shops outside of town, or the Outlets in Primm, NV. (which also has some cool rides including the Desperado roller coaster at Buffalo Bills. Then there's hoover dam. Another neat resort is Green Valley Ranch, which I believe is in Henderson.

If you want to gamble and have fun, then you need to go downtown to Fremont Street. That's where the original casinos are. They are smaller and more friendly. Also cheaper, and you could even win. Strip casinos are huge and you can lose anywhere you play. Besides the "Fremont Street Experience" is a cool light show that you won't want to miss.

All this Vegas talk has me really wanting to go. Thanks alot.

Bottom line;
MGM, Mirage, New York New York, T.I., Aladdin, Venetian, Paris, Bellagio, Luxor....GOOD So is Mandaly Bay, but it is far.

Circus Circus, Stratosphere, etc...BAD (But you have to see the tower)

Food? Most buffets are very good.

If you are going in mid-may, you will probably be there during the Academy of Country Music awards time. Not sure if this is your music or not, but it usually takes place at the MGM or Mandalay Bay. There will be a lot of country fans and stars there for most of that week.

Have fun.

 

[ScooterL]

I've stayed at Paris and it was nice - clean, and we got a good rate...through Orbitz, I think, but I checked Travelocity, Orbitz, and Expedia. I'd LOVE to stay at the Venetian - it's an absolutely gorgeous hotel, but it's expensive. I think a car is more trouble than it's worth, unless you want to drive outside of Vegas and go to Hoover Dam or Valley of Fire.

 

[pittypat]

We stayed at the Luxor and got a really good rate for during the week. It went up significantly over the weekend. It is a beautiful hotel. The only reason you'd need a car is if you would like to see anything outside of the strip/gambling area (Hoover Dam, Red Rock Canyon, etc.). Depending on how much time you have, those places make a nice day trip.

 

[casaazul]

We have also toyed with the idea of renting one of the high end cars, corvettes, hummers etc for a few hours and driving around Vegas. Never have, but maybe next time...

 

[sharoncity]

We've stayed at Venetian and Bellagio. Go to their sites and register - we get great offers by email all the time. I've stayed at the Venetian for $75/night and the Bellagio lakeview for $149/night. There are also some great sites out there (similar to this forum..... ) that will steer you to all the special promo's. PM me if you'd like the link.

We stayed for 4 nights both times we went. Hubby and I REALLY enjoyed ourselves. What a wonderful "grown-up" trip. We rented a car for a day and went to the Hoover Dam - took the "Dam" Tour. And then we went out to Las Vegas Speedway and hubby did the Richard Petty Drive along experience. He can't stop raving about that. We are not big gamblers, but found Plenty to do for 4 days. We also renewed our wedding vows with Elvis!

 

[eduk8r26]

We stayed at the South Point this weekend. It's on Las Vegas Blvd., but about 5 miles from the real "strip". It has a shuttle that runs back and forth. I really liked it--plasma tv's, nice pool area, not very smoky, great rooms. I'd stay there again. Go to their website--Southpointcasino.com and you can get some great rates for midweek.

 

[soxnation]

I am leaving for Las Vegas in under 24 hours!!!! my first time staying at the MGM for 3 nights with tickets to see LOVE i will come back with my thoughts on MGM since we got an AMAZING rate for weekend stay. sign up for all the hotel's email promotions they will send you codes for discounts on rates and specials!!!

 

[woody73]

. . . We also don't want to spend too much on the room, since we probably won't be in it too much. In other words, I would love to be able to afford it, but we don't want to spend $250+ on a room for this trip. However, I'm picky, and it needs to at least be clean! Any suggestions? . . .

Room rates -- even at the same hotel -- vary widely depending on season, day of the week, and what conventions are in town. Sign up for hotel e-mail specials.

Woody

 

[Disney owl]

We stayed at the Luxor in February for 5 nights & didn't find that too long.

The Luxor was a reasonable price & very clean. It is down towards the bottom of the strip but this wasn't a problem for us. It is connected to the nearest 2 hotels by a free monorail.

We didn't have a car but walked or used the monorail or the trolley bus. None was a problem. As we only left the strip twice once to go to the Grand Canyon ( helicopeter) & once to the outlet shops (taxi) We wouldn't have used a car enough to justify the cost.

 

[almacdonald]

Choose a couple of hotels you'd be interested in staying at, make reservations for each right away through the hotel itself. Sign up for hotel email promotions. By booking through the hotel itself, you can modify your reservation up until 72 or 48 hours before check-in. Lots of times there will be last minute deals or packages that have 2 for 1 tickets or a dining credit.

I wouldn't reccomend renting a car because the traffic is horrible and the parking garages are usually WAYYYYYY at the other end of the hotels making for a long walk. Also, if you're driving, someone will have to abstain from the tastey margaritas which is no fun for anyone!

We stayed at the MGM and really loved it. The beds were super comfy and it's right on the monorail so after you walk all day, it's a quick ride back to the hotel.

If you're set on seeing a particular show, book tickets in advance, if you're easy going that way, try the Tix for tonight or half-price ticket booths for some discounted tickets. Oh, and have fun!

 

[Walbern]

I found the MGM way over priced for the accomadations. This is a 14 yr old hotel and the rooms are starting to show their age. I have had two friends who recntly stayed at the Imperial palace. The rates were cheap and the rooms were clean and recently updated. You don't spend much time in the room anyway. As far as a car I would be lost without one. Valet parking is free at all hotels, I usually tip $1 going in and $2 going out. It is very easy to get around Vegas and there are still alot of places off strip that you won't see if you don't have a car. The Rio, Palms and Hard Rock are all off strip and are great places as well.