trip planning - Las Vegas

[linnan]

Just booked for vegas for me and my hubby august 2006,hoping for switxerland or austria for xmas ,lanzorote march.Booked circus circus in vegas anyone with any info on hotel area and available trips to go on grand canyon , hoover dam,indian reservation, cowboy country?

[Rio]

Circus Circus is right at the end of the strip and although the rooms were clean, the hotel is shabby and very dated.Theres also a Mc Donallds on the top floor and the circus acts are nice to watch.
They have good restaurants in there, the Pink Pony and the buffets were very nice.
We walked down the strip from there but caught a taxi back one night and the monorail another night(10 minute walk to hotel from nearest stop).
My friend had driven us from Anaheim to Grand Canyon(stayed there 2 nights) and then drove to Hoover Dam where we stayed a couple of hours before going on to Vegas so not sure about trips.
We didn't do the helicopter trip, but I have been told that Vegas at night is worth seeing from the air. Emily wouldn't go in a helicopter and I wasn't doing it on my own.
The show at Treasure island is very good and go to Roy and Siegfrieds secret garden at the Mirage hotel, they have white tigers, white lions and dolphins and its beautiful.
We only had 2 days there, but we really enjoyed it and hope to return one day.
Love Rio

[linnan]

Do you know what the luxor and the new york new york are like

[ukdiva]

We visited Circus Circus and it was full of screaming kids everywhere!! The location is the north end of the strip which is not as picturesque as further south where you have the majority of the high end hotels. Out of the three hotels you mentioned, New York New York is probably the most central. The Luxor is at the south end of the Strip, and the last stop on the monorail i believe.

We did a helicopter tour over Lake Mead, the Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon, and they landed in the canyon and we had a picnic champagne lunch, it was one of the best things i've ever done, i highly recommend it.

[Flo]

The Luxor was very nice but did not live up to my expectations. New York would be the next one I would like to stay in, great location, great hotel.

Visited Circus Circus once to look around and that was enough. If you can I would find the cost of upgrading, we stayed in the Excalibur opposite New York. It was good value for money and a good location.

[Cinders Mum]

I have to agree if you can change your hotel, then personally I would. The New York New York is fab, next to it is Excalibur, then the luxor and finally the Mandalay bay... so location it is perfect in my opinion.

Val
xx

[signtalker]

Would have to agree about changing the hotel, its right at the end of the strip and not very central, we drove past it a couple of times and I agree with Val it looks very shabby compared to the others.

We stayed in treasure Island, Luxor, and had the penthouse suite in Mandalay bay, for style and location mandalay bay is the best(their pool is used on the actual las vegas programme on Sky if you watch it!).
Luxor was very nice, cant say anything bad about it, not as fantastic as we were hopeing it would be(being in a pyramid room), but you have to go here to look inside!.

We did our own tour over 3 weeks, and did the grand canyon North Rim, staying in a canyon view cabin, so cant help with any tours, again the same with Hoover Dam we drove there ourself.

Jules

[linnan]

Thanks for your advice on vegas hotels have now booked the luxor.

[Claire_L]

For an idea of trips from Las Vegas I would look at Keith Prowse (http://www.keithprowsetickets.co.uk/usaandcanada/NevadaandArizona/index.php)?
Claire :wink

[Cinders Mum]

Seligo also offer a variety of excursions..... the rates are all very similar to the prices we were being offered in resort, so no real benefit of waiting until you are there

Val
xx

[Pino_Spetzberg]

We split Las Vegas this time - staying at THE Hotel Mandalay Bay at one end of the strip and the Golden Nuggett in Fremont Street.
This worked well as we were able to enjoy Fremont Street Experience and walk around the older casinos downtown - real Las Vegas to many people.
Then we were able to investigate all the newer places along the strip whilst staying at THE Hotel.
If you seeking opinions regarding Circus Circus then have to say we wouldn't choose it - but if you can't change it - don't worry about it.

[ukdiva]

www.viator.com also has a variety of tours available. I'd probably pre-book tours if i wanted them just so i'd know how much i have left to budget with moneywise.

Pino - What was the Golden Nugget like?

[Pino_Spetzberg]

" When the Golden Nugget casino opened in 1946 it was the classiest joint in town, with a Barbary motif, carpeting, and large nudes gracing the walls. It was actually remodeled in the mid-1980's to recapture this original beauty. See the largest golden nugget in the world, located just across from the California Pizza Kitchen. While you are there, taste one of 26 varieties of gourmet wood-fired pizzas. If you are not in the mood for pizza, choose from four other dining extravaganzas: there is Stefano's, which is set in an Italian countryside atmosphere complete with singing waiters. Lillie Langrty's offers genuine Szechuan and Cantonese cuisine, or the Carson Street Cafe, which boasts an outside sidewalk cafe with one of the largest menus in Vegas. "


Remember Diamonds Are Forever - when Sean Connery drove his Ford Mustang Mach 1 up on two wheels along the sidewalk in Fremont Street - past Golden Nuggett ? The casinos around this area are very nostalgic, you can just imagine Sammy Davis Jnr walking around with the Rat Pack !

We particularly wanted to see all the hourly shows along the Fremont Street Vista Vision lightshow roof - each one is different -the final one at midnight is a montage of USA scenic highlights accompanied by a full orchestra and choir performing God Bless America - brings a tear to the eye !
This time we stayed out way past 2.00am and the area was still buzzing, it was filled with street entertainers - also a young couple just married - made their way through the crowds to visit Golden Gate Casino - with many people asking for a picture alongside her in her wedding dress - and a kiss, I wondered if this was an act but in fact they were from Montana and had genuinely just got hitched.
The rooms have recently been refurbished and are very plush - no plasmas tvs - but old style nice - and very clean. You can pick a room in the South Tower to be close to the free self-parking garage or pick a room in the more expensive North Tower - the rooms are slightly more swish. In either the North or South Tower you can have a view of The Strip - it depends whether your room is facing it - so ask at reception.
George Benson was playing at The Golden Nuggett Theatre whilst we were there - a popular venue apparently.
To be honest - we expected the Golden Nuggett to be a little shabby but were surprised how good it was - and how cheap - $69 + tax for a deluxe suite near the top floor - facing the strip.
Best part is the way you can walk around downtown and step straight into the safety of your hotel at the end of the night.
The area surrounding Fremont Street is a little frisky late at night - so it was good not to be waiting for a cab or a bus.

http://www.goldennugget.com/home/virtual_tours/

http://www.cheapovegas.com/vegas_casino_full.php?hotel_id=1019

[sumacdo]

When we were in Vegas last month, they were advertising Circus Circus on tv and it has apparently had a big refurb and is no longer shabby.

I still wouldn't recommend staying there if you don't have kids though.

[Trinkle]

One of the best excursions we did that wasn't mega expensive was rafting on the collerado river, it is not white water and very safe. You go on a coach from Vegas and take the raft (a large inflateable type with an engine )from the Hoover dam and spend a few hours sailing down river and stopping for a picnic lunch on the banks, it is so calm and the air is so fresh, I had sinusitus at the time and felt so unwell but not long after boarding the raft all the pain went but came back soon after my return to vegas. You can see a selection of wild animals and birds and beautiful cliffs and scenery.

Glad you changed hotel! you should be fine at the Luxor, Mandalay bay next door has a aquarium type place where you can walk through a glass tunnel and have sharks swimming around in the water, they have a large variety of fish incl stingrays you can stroke. There is a fee.

Flamingo gardens are great with flamingos, penguins, ducks etc, free of charge you can see them feeing the penguins.

My favorite place is Mirage gardens with dolphins and white tigers. small fee i think around $10 or $15 for adults..

[britbarbara]

we stayed at circus circus in 2001 and it was ok. no complaints. They had upgraded our room when we got there. Mind you it was just after 9/11 and nobody was flying anywhere. The buffet was good but if money wasn't a consideration it would be the Venetian or the MGM for me.

[IFMC]

Originally posted by linnan
Thanks for your advice on vegas hotels have now booked the luxor.

If you are staying at the Luxor make sure that you cross the bridge to NYNY. Not stayed there but had a great visit to the piano bar there and the very brilliant Irish bar.

Going back in March and can't wait.

Irene xxx

[Hellie]

On our last visit we did a great tour, which was for a whole day. We were picked up from our hotel to the airport flew to the GC, and flew over Hoover Dam. Landed at the GC got into a helicopter flew over the GC and then down to the base were we then went white water rafting down the Colorado River.

We then had lunch (which was gross, Native America Food, I was nearly sick) then we flew back to Vegas. It was a really good day and I think it was about $275 each, but well worth it.

We also went pony trekking which was a good day out and we have lunch on a ranch.

The New York New York is a fab hotel, but the rooms are a little small. They have a bar called Coyote Ugly and this is a brilliant night - just don't ask for water!

[coombsyl]

The Luxor is nice - it also has a moving walkway to the Excalibur. You will be very central there. Easy to get to NY,NY and MGM Grand.

We had a meal in the restauraunt at the top of the Stratosphere tower which revolves. We started our meal late afternoon in the daytime but, by the time it did a complete revolution, it had got dark and the lights on the strip had come on. It was a wonderful sight (you should try the roller coaster at the top of the Stratosphere for a bit of a thrill too).

[TiggerTails]

The Excalaber Hotel was one of my Favorites when we visited.......We stayed at The Westward Ho! cheap and huge! we had a three bedroom two bathroom suite, for next to nothing. It came in really handy for getting ready for my son's wedding. Yes, he was Married by Elvis!!!:cool2:

[Flo]

Stayed in the Excalibur, great location and looks terrific lit up at night. I went shopping in one of the casino malls, possibly Ceasars and met Elvis, have a personally signed photo to remind me and also met his younger self, the same week, opening the new family feud slots at MGM.

[S'mE]

Would have to agree with Trinkle about the raft ride. We combined a morning helicopter flight with an afternoon floating down the river below the Hoover Dam. Concensus was that this was the most relaxing treat after the hustle of Vegas. A great outdoors experience as we pulled into shore for a swim and snack half way down. Well recommended.

[Norn Iron]

If you are staying at the Luxor make sure that you cross the bridge to NYNY. Not stayed there but had a great visit to the piano bar there and the very brilliant Irish bar.

Going back in March and can't wait.

Irene xxx

stayed here last year what a holiday:spin: :spin: the atmosphere was fantastic the dualling pianos and the irish bar:drinkbeer :spin:

[ukdiva]

This thread is from 2005!

[Norn Iron]

:erm: :erm: :erm: :erm: :d:

[Heather1957]

This thread is from 2005!

I know - I think it's great that someone searches old threads as it does save repeats - I've only been a member for 4 months and I'm amazed by how many times the same question gets asked. Don't get me wrong I'm probably as guilty but I do now search before asking a question. :grin:

[diannepoxon]

Hi we went to LV in November, and the best trip ever is the Helicopter over the dam, must do it,
Went and had a look round cc, it looks fine, but all the hotel are good, its lv.
Also went to see mam mia, great show, another must do.
Regards,
Dianne

[disney owl]

If there is just 2 of you going I wouldn't recommend Circus Circus. We've just been to Vegas for 5 nights & found Circus Circus rather shabby & full of kids! Saying that we didn't see the bedrooms.

We stayed at the Luxor which we enjoyed & have just seen you have changed your booking to.

The Luxor is connected to the Mirage & Excaliber by both a monorail & internal walkways. The luxor is in the middle.

W eflew to the Grand Canyon with Sundance helicopters on their Sunset trip & had a brilliant experience. I can throughly recommend it.

[BB139]

I've searched and searched through reviews etc for hotels. I provisionally booked TI (but can cancel) and It is between the Westin Casaurina and the Hilton Grand Vacations Club (2650 Las vegas Blvd) not to be mixed up with the other two Hiltons in Vegas. Good size rooms with facilities, and good reviews for both.

Don't know which one to go for.

Kaz