Vegas Trip

[Tulsa]

Okay the wife and I are going to spend our anniversary in June in Vegas.

I've stayed at Bellagio's and Treasure Island. What other places do you fine folks think is a good place to stay?

[Bilko44]

Well, I always had a rule of thumb to never stay at the same place more than once, because the second time the new has worn off.

We have been coming to LV since 1982 and have stayed at:

The Sands
Ballys
MGM Grand (old)
Luxor
The Golden Nugget
Excalibur
Monte Carlo
Mirage
Riviera

Only one hotel on the above list have we liked so much as to stay at more than once. Which do think it was?

If you picked The Golden Nugget, you were correct! Now, I'll tell you why.

The Golden Nugget is a beautiful hotel with gleaming crystal chandeliers and polished marble floors. It is the crown jewel of the downtown hotels and offers everything the strip has as well as being within walking distance to 13 other casinos.

Downtown offers a glimpse into the naughty past of Las Vegas and a spectacular overhead light show that changes every hour. Ask for a room in the North tower facing the mountains.

The walking on the strip in June is just plain He** and the hotels are so far apart. Downtown gives more variety of new and old slots with higher payout than the strip.

Rent a car and you're within easy driving distance of the out casinos, Henderson, and the Valley of Fire State Park. You can't even get in and out of strip casinos anymore in a car because it's such a hassle. Use valet parking at the Golden Nugget and a space is Always available for hotel guests.

As we age out, we find the closeness of the casinos to be a great plus for us. We will be heading back again, soon. Where will we stay? It will be The Golden Nugget or maybe Sam's Town.

Sam's Town offers the whole package under one roof including a movie theater, bowling alley, lots of slots and even a doctor's clinic that offers plastic surgery!! The downside is that if you plan to stay 5-7 days, you will tire of the place quickly and start driving to other casinos. We usually talk ourselves out of Sam's Town---The western theme is not our thing.

Wherever you stay, inquire about construction on or near the property as this could greatly affect your rest and view from your room.

Have Fun!!

[slotter]

I've stayed at MGM Grand and Circus Circus. Both class acts. :lol:

[logicprobe]

What Bilko said.
We love the Nugget!
The Golden Lady of the Downtown... outclasses ANYTHING else down there! The parking is great, like he said... just a couple of blocks off the major highway, and pull right into valet. Never had to wait. The valet guys will run their butts off for a couple of bucks. And we never had to wait more than 5 minutes for our car to come down, either! Doormen that actually hold doors... at entrances and elevators! The place simply has class.
But, it usually attracts an "older" crowd. We didn't mind. :-P
Freemont Street is absolutely awesome at night... where you want to be when the sun goes down! It's like a carnival!

We've also been to the MGM, too. Nice there at the end of the strip with NYNY across the street, and more at the corners. But anything on the strip is going to be high $.

Never stayed at Sam's... never wanted to. I did REAL well at Terribles... but, don't think I'd stay there either. They are more "local" joints.

Nah... if you like to walk around at night, pop in and out of places, and grab a few HUGE drinks and shrimp cocktail cheap (and steak and eggs in the morning), and watch the crazies... go downtown. And if you stay downtown... Nugget it.

[azlew]

I agree with Bilko and Logic that staying downtown offers a lot more than on the Strip. We love it down there and if you stay there = don't forget to hit La Bayou and get the tall with the extra shot...doesn't make any diff what flavor as after the 3rd your in heaven !!

[Tulsa]

Thanks for the responses guys! 8-) Any other opinions?

[wmas1960]

Will be going again in June myself. Toward the end of the month. I go out every year for a bowling tournament. For the last 8 years we have stayed at The Orleans. That is where the tournament is held and where the sponsors put us. It is off the strip by a couple miles or so but that isn't a problem. They have FREE shuttle buses that take you back and forth from their sister property, Barbary Coast, which is at the corner with Bellagio, Caesars, and Ballys. It is easy walking distance from Mirage, Aladdin, NYNY, Monte Carlo, Paris, TI, MGM, Venetian, Flamingo, Harrahs... Or, you can take a shuttle to Gold Coast and go across the street to Palms or RIO. RIO is a little tough as you have to walk up to a corner to cross or take your life into your hands by crossing mid block. If a little walking doesn't bother you, you can walk it OK.

By the time I get there in June the Monorail should be running again, if it isn't already back on line. That would make MGM to Sahara that much easier.

I love The Orleans and have no problem going back again and again. Reasonable rates and a great value. Good restaurants and a lot of stuff to do. Some of the better Blackjack and Video Poker I have played. One of the best poker rooms I understand. They don't have much shopping though, at least not last time I was there. They have movie theaters, bowling center, child care, a really nice pool and a spa that is supposed to be pretty good. They are a young property, opened in January of 97 I think. They are in growth mode as they have been constantly for the last 8 years. Every time we go there, there is something new. They also have showroom with top name talent, an arena that can host anything from boxing to concerts.... They have had Ringling Brothers Circus there one year when we went out and are the home for the Las Vegas Wranglers (???) Hockey Team.

They just merged with someone. The company that owns Stardust, I think. Is it Boyd Gaming? I highly recommend them. Check out The Orleans at www.orleanscasino.com

I have also stayed at RIO which is now part of Harrahs. I stayed there once about 9 years ago when they were independent. I have been there to gamble and eat at the buffet and other restaurants and they are OK but not the same since Harrah's took over. The buffet at RIO is, or was Excellent, last time I ate there. They also have good restaurants bars and clubs. One of my favorites is American Grill. They also have good shows including Penn and Teller etc. Find them through Harrahs.com for more information. They aren't the value that they used to be when I stayed there but their rooms are very spacious and well appointed. I would recommend RIO also. Every room has a couch, table and chairs, a separate dressing room and bathroom shower area. In room safes... and a window that looks out of the shower into the suite. Very Nice.

Orleans is a New Orleans theme and RIO is a Carnivale theme. At RIO they have a Mardi Gras parade that runs periodically with floats that run on tracks suspended from the ceiling. Last time I was there they also had a small parade of musicians and others strolling through the casino. Along with their Hostess, RIO Rita, who can be found in her colorful costume greeting guests in the casino.

[azlew]

Yep the Rio and Aladdin seemed to have the newest slots the last time we were in Vegas but we couldn't wait to get back to downtown. Just to much hassle getting from one casino to the next on the strip. But if you haven't ever been to Las Vegas then I would say yeah hit the strip and see all you can as it is a Disneyland there (yep you will see ton's of kids and babys as they have tried to make it a family environment...yuck!). We hop from Downtown and see shows etc on the strip and then get back downtown and do our partying under the downtown experience canopy light show and hit 20 casinos in 2 hours plus a few tall ones with extra shots .....yeee hawww !!! :twisted:

[wmas1960]

First, Harrahs link didn't come up in my last post. Here it is again, www.harrahs.com

I would have to agree and disagree regarding the suggestion about down town. I think it would depend on what you want to do and see. There is so much not to miss on The Strip. I haven't seen the new show, Sirens of Treasure Island or TI as they call it now. They replaced the old pirate show with a more racy kind of show including, I understand, scantily clad woman as well as the pirates. There is the Volcano at Mirage that is good but a little blah compared to some of the other attractions. Definitely, especially if you are going for something romantic like an anniversary, go to The Fountains at Bellagio. If you are lucky they will be playing Andrea Bocceli and Sara Brightman(?) rendition of Con Te Partiro. It is a truly moving performance. Go in the evening hours as it gets a little darker out. Not only will it be cooling down a little as the sun sets but the lights of the fountains are far more effective as it is getting darker out. There is a scale replica of The Eiffel Tower at Paris and the Arc de Triumph. I think it is a 1/4 scale replica of The Statue of Liberty also, at New York New York. While the walking on the strip can be quite a bit, going in the evening after dinner and segmenting your journey, say Flamingo to Tropicana etc. (Bellagio to NYNY or Ballys to MGM) or from Excalibur or Tropicana to Mandalay Bay... or maybe Caesars to TI and over to Venetian and back.... can be quite manageable.

As for downtown, I don't intend to discount it. I love going down to Fremont Street whenever I go. A bunch of us will usually get a cab, or limo from the hotel, if our play in the casino is sufficient to get one comped and go down to Fremont Street. The Fremont Street Experience with the lighted canopy with light shows periodically through the night is a sight to see. As was mentioned, you can go to a lot of different casinos, do some souvenir shopping or just people watching with little walking. Whenever we have gone down there it was a sort of street fair environment. Live Music in one of several band shells or street musicians. One of the best last summer was a group of Mexican musicians playing guitars, trumpets and flutes on the back of a pickup in front of Fitzgeralds, I think it was. Grab a tall frosty drink at one of the casino bars and just stroll up and down and take it all in. There are artists and vendors with kiosks up and down the mall selling all kinds of art and souvenirs... Not to mention the numerous other jugglers and other street performers. Definitely, if you do stay on the strip, take a day and spend it down on Fremont Street.

If I were to go down there to stay, I would, probably agree with the recommendations so far and stay at Golden Nugget. It has changed hands a couple times in the last few years, from Steve Wynn and Mirage to MGM to some other owners who completely redid it and, from what I understand, have now sold it again. It is one of the classiest places I have been into, downtown. It has the feel of someplace that should be on the strip. I have heard people say that if not for Golden Nugget, and Fremont Street Experience, there may not be a Downtown today.

[Davis]

I stayed at Ballys last time, and enjoyed the casino, I dont liek the long walk to anywhere you want to go though, and the tram was down wheni was there. If youve been to Vegas and stayed on the strip, then head downtown and stay at the NUgget, its really the place to be!

[azlew]

I dont liek the long walk to anywhere you want to go though, and the tram was down wheni was there. If youve been to Vegas and stayed on the strip, then head downtown and stay at the NUgget, its really the place to be!

Again I agree :!:

[Tulsa]

The wife is merely wanting to stay somewhere they have a nice pool. She's not much of a gambler. This Vegas trip is her idea and I really have no clue why, since she's not a gambler, she wants to go to Vegas? :-?

So do these downtown locations have decent pools?

[azlew]

Tulsa I would have to say that Downtown doesn't come close to matching the nice pools on the strip and I won't even try to say they do. Based on that then you might want to consider the Tropicana or Mandalay Bay or Caesars Palace the last two have topless pools also (in case she is so inclined).

[Bilko44]

The Golden Nugget pool is snuggled into the center of the property surrounded by cabanas and misting sprayers to keep you cool while sunbathing. The pool is small by comparison to the beachlike offerings at the Mirage and Mandalay Bay.

[Utopia1dc]

Topless! Did he say...Topless! Well then, that should narrow it down for you (It did for me)! :lol:

[azlew]

If you are looking for the better topless pool venue I would lean towards the Mandalay Bay as it has a lot younger crowd and over all newer facilities. Plus their separate pool (non topless) with the waves and beach is something to behold.
The only problem with these properties is that if she wants to be out in the pool areas and you want to gamble you will have a great distance apart from each other as these places are huge !!
If the topless part is important to you or her be sure to call and verify as these things do seem to change. The Tropicana used to have a great pool for that also but the last I heard no go there.
You might want to consider the HardRock Hotel also as that time of year the pool area will be offering some great sights to be seen and it seems the pool area is a bit closer to the casino action.

[wmas1960]

I have never stayed ON the strip or Downtown. I do have to agree with many of the sentiments that others have expressed about them though. The Strip can be busy and long walks to get around. It is said that MGM, for example, can be a mile walk from your room to the street. Many of the other hotels might not be much better.

Fremont Street, (Downtown), offers a lot of activity with much less walking around. It is a festive place to go and with The Golden Nugget a an option can be a nice place to stay. However, as much as I like the Fremont Street Experience, all the street fair atmosphere... and the shorter walking distances, (something that I definitely recommend for part of your trip) most of the area doesn't seem to be that appealing to me as a place to STAY. Golden Nugget could be an exception though. But that is me. I just got finished with a discussion on my chip collecting board on a similar subject where GN was mentioned as being strip quality and out of place on Fremont while Barbary Coast, on the strip, seems an atmosphere more conducive to downtown. That said, if I did stay on Fremont Street I would definitely stay at Golden Nugget.

I am not that big on huge crowds, as a whole, and can see the issues with staying on the strip. However, there is so much more happening there, especially if gambling isn't your thing. Lots of shopping at Forum Shops at Caesars, Canal Shops at Venetian and Desert Passages at Aladdin. Then there is a mall on the other side of the street from TI (Treasure Island). Many Shows and attractions, Some shows are really expensive but there are many of them. From Blue Man Group to Danny Gans, All the stage shows and so much that I can't even list them all. If I were to stay on the strip, and considering the wish for a good pool, I have thought of wanting to stay at, Mandalay Bay. That has a big wave pool, I think with a beach, which is supposed to be amazing. That might be a good place to go. Other places that might fit your bill would be Venetian or Ballagio if price isn't hugely and issue. Caesars might be good also.

I personally like to stay OFF STRIP. That can range from a couple miles off strip to WAY off strip. Don't know your ages but Hard Rock might be a place that would be appealing. They supposedly have a good pool area. A mile or so Off Strip to the East, behind MGM, Aladdin, Paris.... The other direction, West would be The Orleans, where I usually stay. Out of the way, more quiet yet busy enough to be an exciting place. Clean, Safe, festive and nice. There is a good spa there if your wife, or you would like that. They have top name entertainment in a nice showroom. Also a major arena that hosts boxing, rodeos, Ringling Brothers was there a couple years ago, Las Vegas Wranglers Hockey..... Orleans is a favorite among locals rather than tourists. Bowling Center, Movie Theaters, Great Pool, lots of restaurants and the FREE shuttle to their other properties so you can get around to other places or things to do. Take the Shuttle to Barbary Coast and take a stroll along the strip, see the fountains at Bellagio, have a nice dinner at one of the other maga resorts or see a show... The shuttle runs about every 15 to 20 minutes and is about a 15 minute drive, even in traffic. Catch a cab (not too expensive) or meet the shuttle back at Barbary for a free ride back to the slower pace of The Orleans. I think the shuttle stops running around midnight.

Other Off Strip options that I would consider are Palms, Also a good Pool Place, I think, and RIO. Another hotel with good restaurants, festive atmosphere and a great pool with waterfall, last I knew. I stayed at RIO about 10 years ago. RIO and Palms are popular night spots with clubs and entertainment and fine restaurants. They can get crowded, especially in the evenings. RIO also has shuttles from the hotel to the strip if you want to get out there for a walk, etc. as mentioned above.

The Orleans is at Tropicana Blvd, (NY NY, Tropicana, Excalibur and MGM) and is a little on it's own. At Flamingo Blvd, (Caesars, Barbary Coast, Ballys and Bellagio), about the same distance, WEST off the strip is RIO, Gold Coast and Palms.

The mentioned OFF STRIP locations I mention could be decent options for a compromise between Downtown and The Strip. Close enough to the strip to be accessible if you want a taste of some of that but far enough off strip to be out of most of the traffic hassles and crowds. Rent a Car and stay Off Strip and you are easily accessible to I-15 which can take you to many day trip locations or Downtown.... I have never taken a day trip but if you were so inclined, Valley of Fire, Red Rock Canyon, Lake Mead and The Dam are all popular destinations. Or, if you don't want to rent a car, the off strip locations are not expensive cab rides to downtown and there are bus trips that you can take to the above mentioned day trips.

I would definitely recommend looking at all your options and checking out their websites.

http://www.orleanscasino.com
http://www.coastcasinos.com (orleans, gold cost and barbary coast)
http://www.mandalaybay.com
http://www.mandalayresortgroup.com/ (mandalay bay, excalibur, luxor)
http://www.venetian.com (not coming up as I write this but is the listed link)
http://www.mgmgrand.com
http://www.bellagio.com/
http://www.palms.com/
http://www.hardrockhotel.com
http://www.harrahs.com (harrahs, RIO)
http://www.goldennugget.com/
http://www.mgmmirage.com (Mirage, Bellagio, TI, MGM Grand, NYNY, Boardwalk)[/url]
http://www.aladdincasino.com
http://www.caesars.com

[Tulsa]

You guys and gals are great. This is some good info. As far as the topless part goes. Not really our style. I was in Jamica and the Dominican where they had topless and all I saw was things I didn't really ever want to see. :-?

[logicprobe]

True... probably not a good choice for an anniversary.
Besides, you wouldn't get as much gambling in with all of the sightseeing.

[wmas1960]

Just checked the link to Venetian again and it is now working. Check my post above for the link. A thought came to mind. As this is your anniversary, The Strip should be something to keep in mind, if not just spending a day out there. Some highlights would be seeing the fountains at Bellagio in the evening. Go after it starts to get a little dark. The lighting for the fountains is more spectacular then. Venetian offers gondola rides with a gondolier (sp?) (the guy who operates the gondola), who will sing romantic songs to you. Some of them actually have quite good voices and project well throughout the entire mall. The gondolas operate in the mall as well as outside in the square out front of the hotel. I have been inside both Venetian and Bellagio and they environments that ooze romance.

If you are willing to spend some, also look for the finer restaurants around. If you ever watch Food Network, there are several celebrity chefs who have opened restaurants in Las Vegas. Emeril Lagassi is one but there are others who's names escape me. Las Vegas is becoming known for having some of the finest restaurants in the world.


Here are some photos that I have taken over the years that I have been going. At least since I had a digital camera and could take pictures to my hearts content without having to fear the cost of film and processing....



Paris LV, taken from Bellagio, The Arch de Triumph at Paris LV, Bellagio's Fountains



The Exploding Volcano at Mirage, Fountains in front of Caesars Palace, Ceiling Painting in entrance to The Canal Shops at Venetian



Ceiling Painting in entrance to The Canal Shops at Venetian, Fountain in front of Paris LV, Eiffle Tower at Paris LV - Taken from Fountains at Bellagio



Sphinx at Luxor, Strip from bridge over The Strip at Flamingo Blvd, Fremont Street Experience



Some Kites that were hanging in a display at Bellagio.