Weekend trip to Las Vegas

[v.t.]

Another couple has asked us to go to Vegas for a weekend. We have not be in over 10 years. Any suggestions as to where to stay, eat, etc. DH would probably gamble some, but not the reason for the trip. We would like to see the sights, maybe a show or two. Where are the best, affordable places to stay and eat?
TIA!

 

[chalee94]

to qualify for the budget board, you'd have to go to vegas from sun-thurs and not on the weekend. weekend hotel rates are about 2-3 times as high as weeknights...

there's actually a forum on the DIS devoted to vegas trips - you'd probably want to check it out:

http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=175

a cheap but adequate place to stay would be the imperial palace - old/dated furnishings but great location on the strip. bally's and harrah's are also slightly better choices.

there's an earl of sandwich in the planet hollywood mall and lots of fast food options on the strip.

but a lot depends on your personal cost/quality tradeoff scale.

 

[v.t.]

to qualify for the budget board, you'd have to go to vegas from sun-thurs and not on the weekend. weekend hotel rates are about 2-3 times as high as weeknights...

http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=175

there's an earl of sandwich in the planet hollywood mall and lots of fast food options on the strip.

The only way I'd go is if were paid for by the company. We are just trying to keep cost down so we don't appear greedy!

Thanks for the links!

 

[winterman]

The Las Vegas eqivalent of the disboards:
www.travel2vegas.com

Have a great trip

 

[kaytieeldr]

The Las Vegas eqivalent of the disboards:
www.travel2vegas.com

Have a great trip

I respectfully disagree www.everythinglv.com

 

[Green-bay]

I second the Earl of Sandwich for eating - great sandwiches and good prices. Lots of good deals in Vegas, even on the weekend. Check out the vegas sites for up to date deals and ideas. There are places downtown (cheaper and more like "old Las Vegas") that are downright cheap -even on weekends. But if you want to stay on the strip, check out some of the older casinos and see if they have some deals going -- Most of the casinos hotels are nice rooms and if you are on the strip you can certainly walk to check everything out. You can also find deals for food at Resturant.com if you want to plan ahead. Lots of deals in Vegas and you should be able to get by reasonably - both on food and a place to stay, just check out some vegas sites and do a search. Have fun - one of the new fun places to see is the Mob Experiance at the Trop and it is actually quite good and interesting. ENJOY!

 

[bettymae1121]

Check out rates at the Paris Hotel, sometimes you can find some good deals and you can't beat the location, plus it's a pretty nice resort!

 

[owenbyd]

Check out rates at the Paris Hotel, sometimes you can find some good deals and you can't beat the location, plus it's a pretty nice resort!

And if you get a chance, dine 'late' for their breakfast buffet (breakfast cost, some lunch items and to die for!!!)

 

[#1hoosierfan]

Honestly, I found some of the best entertainment was free..... the fountains at the Bellagio, the lions in MGM, and walking around the forum shops at Caesers.

The last time that we went, we stayed at the Flamingo. It was reasonably priced, in the middle of the strip, and had a great pool!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Also see www.cheapovegas.com for tips.

 

[v.t.]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I knew y'all would steer me in the right direction.

 

[japajsm]

check out http://www.smartervegas.com/

 

[nilseks]

Short answer: TROPICANA!

The Trop has a bad rep for being an older, run down hotel. But they just remodeled the entire thing and it has an amazing pool area. We just booked a girlfriends' trip to Vegas for late August. We have 4 girls who have been scouring the sites, and the Trop is the best deal for something decent on the strip. One of my friends just arrived there last night and she says it is beautiful and everything is fresh and new.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Good point, nilseks. I haven't been in the rooms - but if you'd blindfolded me and plunked me in the middle of the casino last December, I would NOT have rcognized the Trop from the year before! It's stunning. If they've done half as good with the rooms...

 

[DizneyDogs]

the disney outlet store is fun to go to too, I have found some great deals there

 

[mybestieismickey]

We like to get vouchers from tix 4 tonight for the Rio carnival buffet. Half price and our favorite buffet . They also do same day tickets to shows. There are several locations around the city

 

[jgates]

I was referred to this board several years ago by someone here:

vegasmessageboard.com

And as well I have referred tons of people back here LOL! The one compliment I can give that board is you virtually never get 'snarked' at- which you often will on some of the others (not picking on any in particular).

IP is pretty plain but one of the cheapest you will be able to get that is still in the heart of the strip. Trop is near the south end, but you can still access everything with taxi, deuce/SDX bus, etc. Flamingos basic rooms will be a good rate, right at center strip but will be pretty basic - equate to a mid-level Super 8 or along those lines. However, I have read several reviews lately that said the rooms were clean & beds were comfy. Ballys is also a good choice. Not sure on trop, but the other 3 are Ceasar's props & have no resort fees.

I would avoid the Riv because it is a bit more isolated & I haven't really read good reviews on it lately. Circus Circus freaks me out with that big clown sign. I had a girlfriend stay there & they thought it was fine, but others can't stand it.

Which brings us to the matter of when selecting a hotel, make sure you are calculating any resort fees into the final price so you know what you are paying for.

Cirque is having a Summer of Cirque special again - you can get 2 tickets for $100 (plus ticketmaster fee) to many of their shows. You can view schedules & pre-purchase online. Try to read reviews of some of the shows - personal taste can be the deal-breaker. I love LOVE (Beatles Cirque show), Mystere is good, etc. Chris Angel gets AWFUL reviews. Terry Fator has a great show (at Mirage). Human Nature is an awesome show (at IP).

Other freebies - the volcano show at Mirage - the gardens to stroll thru behind Flamingo (& memorial to Bugsy Segal), the chocolate fountain behind the Bellagio Conservatory (as well as of course the conservatory!).

 

[klacey1]

Stay at a Harrah's property. No resort fees. You can also get a buffet pass-- $40 for 24 hours at any of the Harrah's hotels. Caesars is the most luxurious, but Bally's and Paris are great, too.
We loved the Red Square restaurant at Mandalay Bay. Moderately priced by Vegas standards.
The best part about Vegas is just exploring the strip and the different hotels! Don't really need to plan too much at all.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Harrah's properties are now Caesar's properties Same company, new name. Another option with some really good deals is the Rio. It's off the Strip, but there are shuttles to Harrah's and, I think, Bally's. One-room suites with a sitting area, fridge, some other stuff I forget...
Oh, and if you have a car and some spare time, and want to see Penn & Teller for a really good price - check with the Box Office, but they frequently run a special. Donate a pint of blood at United Blood Services and get two free tickets to the show . Yes, the Bell Captain at my hotel thought I was crazy - but free is free.

Which brings me to my brother's best tip: always ask about a discount. That's how I found out about this one; the worst that can happen is they tell you there isn't one, right?

 

[ashleyasiegel]

We stayed at Planet Hollywood Jan 2010 and the rooms were nice and clean. Nice location on the strip. We would definately stay there again.