Vegas newbie..Clarion Hotel?

[cepmom]

hi there
thinking about planning a trip to Vegas for this January. DH has some free flights and a bunch of Choice hotel points to use up so I was looking at staying at the Clarion hotel near the convention center (near the north end of the Strip?) Is that generally a safe area? Close to things to do? Never been to Vegas before so I don't even know really what exactly we want to do or where we want to go, just trying to get an idea of where is a decent, safe place to stay. Thanks!

 

[skiingfast]

It's safe as anywhere else.

FWIW, It is just beyond where I would stay because of the location. You will walk quite a bit more because it's not near the best attractions. But either way you should expect to be walking a lot in LV and not using a car unless you are leaving the city.

Just consider that if I wasn't going to a convention which is why the hotel is there I would only pay $50 a night. So is it worth using you points for this Clarion?

 

[RC Fan]

The Clarion used to be The Greek Isles property. The reviews on TripAdvisor are fairly favorable. It won't be an ideal location for exploring The Strip, but otherwise it looks OK.

 

[cepmom]

thanks for the responses...I was also wondering baout using the points for this particular hotel. This trip is a "bonus" trip for DH and I simply because we can fly for nothing and he has the hotel points to use...I know we'll spend a bit on entertainment here and I was hoping to spend as little as possible for the trip so that's why I was looking at using points. Maybe I can find a good deal somewhere else closer to the action and save the points for another time though. Any good suggestions on where to find some great hotel deals? I'm all about Disney planning but when it comes to planning trips other places I'm lost lol!

 

[RC Fan]

What sort of hotel do you like? Do you want fancy, or clean and decent?

 

[cepmom]

clean, decent and cheap! Would love fancy too but cheap is the important part! (but not cheap and gross...Dh went a few years ago with a freind and the hotel he stayed at was gross...can't remember which one it was; he gets things in the mail every so often but I just toss them out)

 

[RC Fan]

In that case I recommend Bill's Gamblin' Hall and Saloon. It is mid-Strip across from Bellagio and Caesar's. It is much smaller than most of The Strip properties, which is great because you can be out on The Strip in a couple of minutes. I think the best rate can be had directly from Bill's.

 

[everylastbreath]

I would suggest Harrahs or Flamingo, excellent locations and reasonable rates & clean rooms. You can't beat the location- center strip!

 

[KKB]

Vegas hotels are CHEAP--you can stay midstrip for not a whole lot of money, generally. If it is a weekend, you expect $100/nt. But if you stay at the Clarion you will have to spend quite a bit on taxis...
Ballys is my fav midstrip hotel, followed by Harrahs. Bills, Flamingo & Imperial Palace are all solid, well priced w/ great locations.
Put those dates out--I will do a bit of research! (I am the deal finder!!!)

 

[Danibelle]

In that case I recommend Bill's Gamblin' Hall and Saloon. It is mid-Strip across from Bellagio and Caesar's. It is much smaller than most of The Strip properties, which is great because you can be out on The Strip in a couple of minutes. I think the best rate can be had directly from Bill's.

This location is great but the restaurants at Bill's charge top dollar. You would probably be eating somewhere else. You will be able to walk to many casinos from this place.

 

[jksgrammy]

Check out prices/discounts on lasvegasadvisor.com It will at least provide you with which casinos/hotels are providing discounts.

I always check hotwire and priceline for prices also. As previous posters noted, Vegas accommodations are really cheap right now because of the economy.

 

[KKB]

This location is great but the restaurants at Bill's charge top dollar. You would probably be eating somewhere else. You will be able to walk to many casinos from this place.

While Bill's isn't necessarily the cheapest place to eat on the strip, I would NOT call it "top dollar"--pretty average prices (comparable to any chain, say Applebees or Chilis), and they do have various specials running at various times of the day. They offer a $14.99 prime rib meal 24 hrs/day and $4.99 steak & eggs from midnight to 8AM. They also have a $9.99 all you can eat Chinese food deal. (all at Victorian Cafe)
I have not eaten at the Steakhouse...and frankly haven't heard many who have. Steakhouses in Vegas aren't known for being cheap...

 

[Danibelle]

Vegas hotels are CHEAP--you can stay midstrip for not a whole lot of money, generally. If it is a weekend, you expect $100/nt. But if you stay at the Clarion you will have to spend quite a bit on taxis...
Ballys is my fav midstrip hotel, followed by Harrahs. Bills, Flamingo & Imperial Palace are all solid, well priced w/ great locations.
Put those dates out--I will do a bit of research! (I am the deal finder!!!)

I stayed at Imperial Palace in 2009 and there were a lot of very strange characters hanging around the rooms and the casino. My DD and I were a little bit uncomfortable around the parking garage and entering the hotel at night. I would recommend Bill's or Flamingo over Imperial Palace.

I haven't stayed at Bill's for a long time so I guess the food prices have gone down as the economy has really suffered in Las Vegas.

 

[cepmom]

Vegas hotels are CHEAP--you can stay midstrip for not a whole lot of money, generally. If it is a weekend, you expect $100/nt. But if you stay at the Clarion you will have to spend quite a bit on taxis...
Ballys is my fav midstrip hotel, followed by Harrahs. Bills, Flamingo & Imperial Palace are all solid, well priced w/ great locations.
Put those dates out--I will do a bit of research! (I am the deal finder!!!)

we're pretty flexible with the dates...looking to go in January,after the New Year stuff dies down, maybe the 6th, but really can be anytime between the 3rd and the 23rd. Weekdays fine, weekends fine. Let me know if see any great deals!

I stayed at Imperial Palace in 2009 and there were a lot of very strange characters hanging around the rooms and the casino. My DD and I were a little bit uncomfortable around the parking garage and entering the hotel at night. I would recommend Bill's or Flamingo over Imperial Palace.

I haven't stayed at Bill's for a long time so I guess the food prices have gone down as the economy has really suffered in Las Vegas.

My Dh stayed at Imperial Palace! He said it was kind of sketchy

 

[KKB]

IP is the lowest end hotel on the strip. If it were located anywhere else, I would never recommend it. But it's location improves the safety issue--and I have seen weirdos ALL over the strip
I looked at January dates...if you avoid MLKDay weekend, rates are pretty cheap. I looked at Harrahs resorts...plenty of good deals. (I almost always stay at Harrahs as they usually comp me) BUT Monte Carlo is the BEST value on the strip right now. Weekday rates around $50, weekend around $100.
Be sure to book directly with the resort & not thru another party (tho you can cancel w/o fees on expedia these days...probably a few others). I say book NOW at the cheap rates...but keep your eyes open. I have been known to change reservations several times before a trip to secure the best deal.
http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/travel-discussion/704925/?start=2760
This forum is the most comprehensive of current deals in Vegas that I have found. But January dates probably won't begin showing up for another month or so. You never know what you might find!
Good luck!

 

[pfeifferdcat]

My DH has gotten good rates using Expedia.

 

[cepmom]

we're booked for Vegas for 1/9 - 1/12 at Harrahs! I think we got a good deal....$35 a night so I'm saving those Choice Hotel points for another trip. Thanks for the help everyone!

Now I'm looking into a show, maybe Ka, and possible a PInk Jeep tour to the Grand Canyon West Rim. Any thoughts on those?

 

[KKB]

But KA is the least popular Cirque Show.
If you have not seen a Cirque show, Mystere at TI is the classic choice. O at Bellagio is the second most popular 'traditional" Cirque show.
If you are a Beatles fan/not sure of Cirque, LOVE is your choice. Nearly everyone who sees it really likes it.
You will be happy with Harrahs; my renovated rooms was nice, if small--GREAT location. Request a room NOT overlooking Carnival Court, tho--music goes to 3AM nightly (well, it did in summer...maybe not in winter)--and I knew the words to every song they played even through the closed door. Earplugs, a few cocktails & a pillow over my head--finally able to sleep.

 

[cepmom]

But KA is the least popular Cirque Show.
If you have not seen a Cirque show, Mystere at TI is the classic choice. O at Bellagio is the second most popular 'traditional" Cirque show.
If you are a Beatles fan/not sure of Cirque, LOVE is your choice. Nearly everyone who sees it really likes it.
You will be happy with Harrahs; my renovated rooms was nice, if small--GREAT location. Request a room NOT overlooking Carnival Court, tho--music goes to 3AM nightly (well, it did in summer...maybe not in winter)--and I knew the words to every song they played even through the closed door. Earplugs, a few cocktails & a pillow over my head--finally able to sleep.

thanks...I did end up getting tickets to LOVE instead..not a huge Beatles fan but I'v heard good things about the show and I found discounted tickets for the night that we wanted to go!