Post TAM 8 - Vegas Hotels

[Chris H]

I'm spending a few additional days in Vegas after TAM. Can anyone recommend a good hotel, that's nice and central?

Cheers,

Chris

[Horatius]

http://www.lasvegasmaps.com/stripmap.html


By "Central" I assume you mean on the Strip. I'm a bit tired of Strip hotels myself, but if it's your first visit, it's probably a good bet you'll want to stay there.

Now, "Good" is a whole different problem. Most of the ones below Flamingo Road on that map are pretty nice. The ones above Flamingo are probably cheaper, though. Which you choose would depend a lot on what sort of things you like, so we'll need more input to make a good recommendation.

[Dicon]

Find a few of the hotels that interest you, then go to their websites and sign up for their newsletters. One of them will eventually have a deal that will be too good for you to pass up.

But here's my quick take on all the strip hotels we've stayed at:

Flamingo: Old and tired, but you might get some good deals. The GO rooms are a bit more, but they've been refurbished and are actually kind of nice. The pool is awesome.

Bally's: Really seems to cater to an older crowd (that's where my parents always stay) but they also have some great deals (my parents have not paid a penny for their rooms there in years).

Bellagio: Very nice, but pricey.

Venetian: Also very nice, but more reasonably priced than some of the others. Probably my first choice when we want to stay in that area.

Caesar's: Wasn't too impressed with the room the one time we stayed there.

Wynn: Easily the nicest place we've ever stayed in Vegas. If you can catch a deal here, I'd say jump on it.

[HawaiiBigSis]

I loved Luxor (try getting a room in the pyramid, just so you have an excuse to ride the inclinators). Excalibur was fun. Tropicana seemed tired to me. Montecito felt fake to me, in a way Caesar's Palace didn't. MJM Grand was enjoyable as well, and pretending you'd fallen into Oz, or whatever, was fun. Stratosphere was shabby, but very cheap. Bally's was like a place you stayed while you visited the other places. The Mirage is probably my favorite. Lots of free stuff to look at on property, but nicely done rooms, centrally located, with California Pizza Kitchen on site.

I'd love to stay at the Paris; the lobby and mall is so much fun -- I want to know if the rooms are equally done. I feel the same way about Bellagio, and The Venetian. Maybe someday.

I haven't been in The Wynn, nor the newest one that opened most recently -- the city in a city.

[Hokulele]

I loved Luxor (try getting a room in the pyramid, just so you have an excuse to ride the inclinators). Excalibur was fun. Tropicana seemed tired to me. Montecito felt fake to me, in a way Caesar's Palace didn't. MJM Grand was enjoyable as well, and pretending you'd fallen into Oz, or whatever, was fun. Stratosphere was shabby, but very cheap. Bally's was like a place you stayed while you visited the other places. The Mirage is probably my favorite. Lots of free stuff to look at on property, but nicely done rooms, centrally located, with California Pizza Kitchen on site.

I'd love to stay at the Paris; the lobby and mall is so much fun -- I want to know if the rooms are equally done. I feel the same way about Bellagio, and The Venetian. Maybe someday.

I haven't been in The Wynn, nor the newest one that opened most recently -- the city in a city.


The Paris is very nice. It isn't as fancy as the Venetian or the Wynn, but it is definitely a step up from Bally's or the Flamingo. Harrah's is decent and cheap, and close to fun stuff, and the Mirage is a great place to stay. The Mandalay Bay is probably my favorite, but pricier than other strip casinos.

Another option would be to stay downtown. It is quite a bit cheaper, and the bus does make the run between the strip and downtown very frequently. The Golden Nugget is probably the nicest of the downtown hotels.

[Wowbagger]

I'm such a cheap, frugal freak, I might rent a room from one of the cheaper motels just a little bit off the strip, for the non-TAM evenings. (Of course, I would stay at South Point during TAM.)

[HawaiiBigSis]

The Golden Nugget is probably the nicest of the downtown hotels.
Since we agree on so many of the others, I thought I'd comment that I agree with this assessment as well. :)

And while I agree with you to a point, Wowbagger, there's something to be said about staying in one of the high-end properties that have lots of things to see and do built in. Just like why I'll stay at the South Point during TAM, it's nice to be able to stay up until the last possible second, and not have far to go to fall into bed at the end of the day.

[Wowbagger]

And while I agree with you to a point, Wowbagger, there's something to be said about staying in one of the high-end properties that have lots of things to see and do built in. Oh, I know! I've been to some of them. But, I'm just not that picky, most of the time.

[cStyle]

Any recommendations on what to see in the area besides the grand canyon or hover dam?

[Chicken Pot Pie]

Red Rocks Canyon. Short drive from town, and gorgeous scenery. Hat tip to Hutch for that wonderful day!

[HawaiiBigSis]

Any recommendations on what to see in the area besides the grand canyon or hover dam?

Vegas itself is plenty enough to see.

[UNLoVedRebel]

Any recommendations on what to see in the area besides the grand canyon or hover dam?

Dirt

[UNLoVedRebel]

Montecito felt fake to me... Where :confused:
I haven't been in The Wynn, nor the newest one that opened most recently -- the city in a city. I assume you mean City Center. It's a collection of casinos and resorts. Just walked through the Aria two days ago. It feels like walking through a New York art exhibit. The smell is different (yes Vegas casinos have their own distinct smell, they put scented air fresheners through the AC). It's worth a walk through, though I would avoid the restaurants if you're on a budget. It's also kind of tough to get into. It'd be a good idea to park at Monte Carlo, it's a short walk to Aria.

[HawaiiBigSis]

Where :confused:
I can't really explain it, since everything in Vegas is fake. I mean, c'mon, they have a fake pyramid, and a fake circus, and a fake Venice, and a fake Paris.

But even still, Montecito was all glitzy and shiny, but it didn't really seem like a real crystal-studded whatever. The rooms were nice enough, but I just couldn't get a sense of the theme, whatever it was supposed to be.

Not bad, just not my favorite, that's all.

I assume you mean City Center. It's a collection of casinos and resorts. Just walked through the Aria two days ago. It feels like walking through a New York art exhibit. The smell is different (yes Vegas casinos have their own distinct smell, they put scented air fresheners through the AC). It's worth a walk through, though I would avoid the restaurants if you're on a budget. It's also kind of tough to get into. It'd be a good idea to park at Monte Carlo, it's a short walk to Aria.

Yes, I do mean City Center. I couldn't think of the name.

The man who was almost my father was instrumental (he said) in brokering the deal that made that complex possible. I do want to visit it next time I'm in Vegas, though. But if I'm there for TAM, there might not be time...

[Chris H]

Any recommendations on what to see in the area besides the grand canyon or hover dam?


If you're a magic fan, Copperfield has just released his Aril through August dates, and he's playing the MGM Grand before, during and after TAM. I saw him last year in Melbourne, and although he appears to be a little tired, he still puts on a great show.

[UNLoVedRebel]

I can't really explain it, since everything in Vegas is fake. I mean, c'mon, they have a fake pyramid, and a fake circus, and a fake Venice, and a fake Paris.

But even still, Montecito was all glitzy and shiny, but it didn't really seem like a real crystal-studded whatever. The rooms were nice enough, but I just couldn't get a sense of the theme, whatever it was supposed to be.

Not bad, just not my favorite, that's all..Now I'm even more confused. Where and what the hell is Montecito?

[Wowbagger]

Now I'm even more confused. Where and what the hell is Montecito?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montecito_Casino

[UNLoVedRebel]

http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr89/Masamune_Shin/facepalm.gif

[HawaiiBigSis]

Okay, I must have the wrong name...

What's the one that's between Caesar's and Treasure Island?

Montecarlo. Hey, give me a break. I got the first six letters right... Sorry. :blush:

[Wowbagger]

Okay, I must have the wrong name...

What's the one that's between Caesar's and Treasure Island?

Montecarlo. Hey, give me a break. I got the first six letters right... Sorry. :blush:So, this joke wasn't intentional? :confused:
Montecito felt fake to me:dl:

[HawaiiBigSis]

So, this joke wasn't intentional? :confused:
:dl:

Sure. In retrospect, it IS funny!

Wish it had been intentional. :blush:

But no, I really did mean the Monte Carlo, just got the name wrong.

[Dicon]

Maybe you were thinking of this?

http://i.ehow.com/images/GlobalPhoto/Articles/4803507/montecristo-main_Full.jpg

[The Central Scrutinizer]

Okay, I must have the wrong name...

What's the one that's between Caesar's and Treasure Island?

Montecarlo. Hey, give me a break. I got the first six letters right... Sorry. :blush:

Ceasure's Island.

[Dr. Keith]

After working in a casino for a bit my wife has an aversion to gaming, and I really hate the smell of cigarette smoke, so we tend to stay at non-gaming properties. They are a bit pricier and maybe not as much in the flow of things, but more relaxing. The Four Seasons has great deals from time to time and the Signature at MGM was a steal last time we went.

[HawaiiBigSis]

Maybe you were thinking of this?


Thanks, Desktop Icon, I wish I could say I had been!

Nope, I have to admit, I don't think I was thinking at all...

[Wowbagger]

I was going to claim that the Casino Royale felt fake, but then I realized that at least one really does exist: http://www.casinoroyalehotel.com/

[Chris H]

Anyone stayed at The Signature @ MGM Grand? I've got an offer for them for $99 per night, which I didn't think was too bad considering the location.

[KSskeptic]

Anyone stayed at The Signature @ MGM Grand? I've got an offer for them for $99 per night, which I didn't think was too bad considering the location.

I had a reservation at the MGM Grand and was offered a complimentary upgrade to The Signature. It's kind of isolated so it has a more quiet vibe which some may consider a good thing or a bad thing (for Vegas). Access is controlled by your room key so you don't have people walking through the hotel. Taxis are right outside the door. If you are walking, there is a long series of enclosed walkways (with some moving walkways) that lead to the MGM Grand by the pools (there are pools at each of The Signature buildings but you also have access to the MGM pool complex). It's still a long walk through the MGM to the strip. That said, the room was really nice. It was called a suite, but was really more of a large room with a partial divider than a suite. I had a real balconey (not all the rooms do) that you can walk out on which is a rarity on the strip. I had a good time at The Signature, but it was a fluke deal for me. The MGM Grand was really hurting and I had a really CHEAP rate, so I was suprised by the upgrade offer. When I got to The Signature, the guy at reception asked if I had a preference for a high or low room. I think I said something like the higher the better. He gave me a room on the penthouse level. Every time I got in the elevator with other people, I got comments when I pushed PH button. Its the only time in Las Vegas I felt like a high roller. If you are looking for cheaper and something more directly on the strip, you can probably find something else. I'd say $99 for The Signature is a good deal, but it's up to you.

If I see you at TAM, I'll hit you up for a Tim Tam. There is a local store that carries a limited variety, but I haven't had any since I was in Australia almost 6 years ago.

[KSskeptic]

Chris - If you are looking for a cheaper option, you might try this

https://reservations.mgmmirage.com/bookingengine.aspx?pid=LUX&host=promo&code=lrate41

The Luxor is offering $36 nights before and after TAM. After you select dates, they hit you up for an automatic resort fee (hotels are learning from the airlines about adding fees). With taxes and fees it comes to about $55/night which is pretty good. This deal is only good untill the 14th.

[Chris H]

If I see you at TAM, I'll hit you up for a Tim Tam. There is a local store that carries a limited variety, but I haven't had any since I was in Australia almost 6 years ago.


There'll be plenty! I've already bought a dozen or so packets! Grabbing a couple everytime I see them on sale. I figure the only thing I need in my carry on suitcase is my laptop and a book, so I'll fill the rest with Tim Tams (and some Minties for Phil Plaitt!). :-)

Thanks heaps for the advice on the hotels. It is very much appreciated.

[HawaiiBigSis]

There'll be plenty! I've already bought a dozen or so packets! Grabbing a couple everytime I see them on sale. I figure the only thing I need in my carry on suitcase is my laptop and a book, so I'll fill the rest with Tim Tams (and some Minties for Phil Plaitt!). :-)

Thanks heaps for the advice on the hotels. It is very much appreciated.
And some of those Tim Tams are dark chocolate, yeah? :)

[Chris H]

And some of those Tim Tams are dark chocolate, yeah? :)


Only 3 packets so far... ;)

[HawaiiBigSis]

Only 3 packets so far... ;)

Maybe I'll share... ;)

[exarch]

Ceasure's Island.

I think that sounds like another good name for the monstrosity in Desktop Icon's illustration. Very nice in combination with a treasure salad I hear ...

[cStyle]

https://reservations.mgmmirage.com/bookingengine.aspx?pid=LUX&host=promo&code=lrate41

The Luxor is offering $36 nights before and after TAM. .

Thanks for the deal, i think i will use this for the time I am in Vegas before TAM.