Vegas hotels - the good, the bad and the ugly

[Alyson]

We have stayed at the Luxor, Stratosphere and in 2011 The Cosmopolitan. We enjoed all of them.

The benefit of the Cosmo is that it's an all suite hotel and all rooms have a balcony. We had a great view of the Bellagio fountains from our balcony which was wonderful to sit out there on an evening and watch the sights and sounds of the strip

In my trip report below, Viva Las san Di Frisco, there are some photos of the hotel

[Diamonddog2801]

a) Who is going (ages etc) and for how long? me & DH staying for 3 nights (may be 4) end of Oct/early Nov
b) What would be your likely low and top end budget? up to $500 for the 3 nights. It does look as though weekends cost more than midweek
c) Will you have the use of a car and/or would you mind walking long)er) distances?No car, prefer to be fairly central as we don't want to walk miles
d) What is important to you - room facilities, pool area, eateries, entertainment etc etc? would like a nice room with a view. Decent restaurants/things to do outside of the hotel, again within reasonable distance.


That's good Denise!

If you're looking at between $125-$170 dollars per night, you should be able to easily manage something within your budget.

A few suggestions (many of which replicate those already given) :

Certainly at the Tropicana end of the Strip you should be able to secure MGM Grand, NYNY, Monte Carlo and probably Planet Hollywood too. Of those, my love of the MGM is well known. In terms of facilities, it has it all. The Monte Carlo would be an attractive choice - I'm sure you could get a really good rooom for that price, and you're just a little bit further north on the Strip. If you could secure a room at PH that overlooks the fountains (and I think that may be within budget) that may be your best bet, actually. The pool area is not good, but - at that time of the year- it may not be a great concern?

As you get to the Caesars/Bellagio part of the world, your choices will fall. For two reasons - price and building works. I would avoid Flamingo, Quad (Imperial Palace) because of the work on the Linq Project. Within your budget... I think Treasure Island, maybe The Mirage, Ballys would be doable. You may even stretch to a cheeky suite at The Venetian/The Palazzo - I'd certainly sign up to their emails (you regularly get offers around $120 per night). If you could get a Palazzo/Venetian room - don;t think twice. Book it. A gorgeous hotel, great facilities etc. I'm no expert on The Mirage/TI, I think they'd be safe choices. Ballys is a bit in need of an overhaul, but you may be able to get a fanastic upgrade, with a fountain view, within your budget easily. Definitely one to consider. But no buffet...

I think they would be your realistic choices - the rest I think would be out of your price range (although just check Aria, if you fancy a new hotel) or not suitable. Just remember resort fees when you're comparing prices as well.

[Guest]

Originally Posted by daytonababe

I've been passed Desert Rose many times,you could easily manage without a car stopping there,its not far from the strip at all. It looks very nice.

I also agree with Karen G about the Riveria , i'd not stop there.. we did visit it last year for a event and omg what a dump.. it seriously needs a complete renovation.

Scotsman i think we've said this before but if we could pick up the Strat and move it up the strip i'd stop there.. the only thing that stops me is the location.. being there would mean using the car all the time and we don't want to do that.

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Thanks, was going to try to do without a car if we can then pick one up when we leave - driving to LA and up to San Francisco form there.

[kirmat]

I returned from a 5 night stay at MGM Signature Suites this weekend. I loved it. We stayed in Tower 1 as we had friends staying in the MGM Grand and had been told Tower 1 was closest to walk to them indoors. There are 3 flat esculators to use that connect the MGM Grand to the Signature and it took us about 7 minutes for us to get from our room on the 35th floor to the MGM casino. I have no complaints whatsoever about our room or the service we received. We plan to stay there again in 2015. I have read the posts on here regarding Circus Circus. I stayed there in 2005 so it may well have changed since but my room at the time was spacious, clean and comfortable. The only downside for me was the distance from the main strip. Happy to answer any questions about The Signature if I am able. Enjoy your holiday wherever you choose to stay. I love Vegas.

[hayes37]

We stayed at Harrahs and for the price we cound'nt fault it.The room was basic bit tired but was large and clean,but the best thing about Harrahs was the location right in the middle of the strip.
Also stayed at the Cosmo for 2 nights terrace room with a view of the fountains if you can get at right price would recommend.

[Guest]

Originally Posted by Diamonddog2801

I'm no expert on The Mirage/TI, I think they'd be safe choices.

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The Mirage is a nice hotel (with small bathrooms) and some great dining options, much like the MGM Grand in that respect but I actually think that T.I. is one of the worst of the major resorts on the Strip. My Brother stayed there when it was still owned by MGM/Mirage and apart from being the smokiest casino on the Strip, I found the rooms very disappointing certainly compared to hotels in a similar price range. I found that the service levels were high under MGM/Mirage but under K Hotels when we visited last year I found it grubby and the staff were distant, it tends to get forgotten about when we talk about Vegas hotels and I think for a good reason, there are way better options.

Definitely the Mirage though. I had an offer of $77 + tax and resort fee last year S-T and it lost out to a $50 + tax and no resort fee at Planet Hollywood. It was tempting but with the resort fee (I think it was $25) at the Mirage made it a no brainer to stay at PH. In the end I got the Bellagio Fountain View room for nothing as well which made it even better, despite the dirty windows spoiling the views.

[Guest]

We stopped in the tropicana in october and after walking in and around the hotels i think there would be two that we would choose if the price was right
Mirage and wynn although i have to say we loved the tropicana it was fantastic and the nicest smelling casino ever
When we walked round all the other hotels they just smelt old especially the bellagio i realise that i have not stopped in the rooms of any other but the old saying first impressions count
From the minute we walked into the tropicana we just knew we had made a good choice here with help from people on the dibb
And agree with circus circus however they get to call that a hotel surely it is under the mis-selling of goods act

[florida girl]

We have stayed at the MGM Signature 3 times and highly recommend it. Junior suite or 1 bed suite depending on how many are going. Most suites have a balcony. Also like the fact it does,nt have a casino so it is a sanctuary to escape to .

[marlouwrig]

Originally Posted by hayes37

We stayed at Harrahs and for the price we cound'nt fault it.The room was basic bit tired but was large and clean,but the best thing about Harrahs was the location right in the middle of the strip.
Also stayed at the Cosmo for 2 nights terrace room with a view of the fountains if you can get at right price would recommend.

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We also stayed at Harrah's last year. The room was large and I think we were lucky to have been on a floor which had just been refurbed because the decor seemed quite new and fresh albeit the furniture was quite heavy and more traditional than contemporary.

The location, centre strip was excellent. Would definitely stay there again.

[Cabbie]

1st Visit, Luxor: stayed not long after it first opened, enjoyed my time there, however, even though it's not the most southerly of the hotels it can be a hike to the central strips area especially in 100 degrees of summer heat.

2nd Visit, The Venetian: more central, great suite. The theming is fantastic complete with gondola rides. Not the cheapest but you pay for what you get.

3rd Visit, Bellagio: cannot beat the central strip location. Had a high floor fountain view room with views to die for. However, as already mentioned it's a little overpriced and was begining to look a little tired.

Last Visit, Mandarin Oriental: currently No 1 on trip advisor and not difficult to see why. It's a non gaming hotel situated in the new City Center development but within close reach to most of the central strip hotels. Not cheap but managed to get a good deal.

May visit again in September because I'll be in LA. Been looking at MGM, Aria or the Encore, really cannot decide

-Steve