Another Vegas thread...

[HotCarl]

So me and my girl are planning a trip for june 26-29. Weve been looking at several travel sites the best deal i came across was 3 nights at Circus Circus for 115$ total.

 

ive never heard of circus circus but ive also never been to vegas. from what i understand older hotels are cheaper and honestly i dont mind if the hotel is older as long as im on the strip.

 

Any suggestions/comments on where to stay and where to look for deals? We tried to go that mon-thur but she couldnt get the time off work. We'd like to go to at least one show (maybe pirates?) and have a nice (read:expensive) dinner once but after that i wouldnt care if we ate buffet food the whole time.

[Kevin R.]

After returning we had always wished we ponied up and just paid for a nicer place while maybe I could have gambled $100-2 less and paid for the difference.

 

We stayed at Monte Carlo when we went. Definitely not a bad hotel -- just an older crowd and the pool sucked. I wanted Spring Break action. We should have stayed at Caesars or something along those lines for a couple hundy more.

 

I don't know about shows or dinner -- I was drunk the whole time. You'll have a blast no matter what, just depends on what you want out of the trip. If you just plan on sleeping in the hotel and then being out all day then it doesn't matter. I would wake up and drink at my hotel most of the day, go out and do shit, then come back late night and gamble/run around. So, surprisingly I was in the hotel quite a bit doing stupid shit.

[CRed05]

I've always gotten the cheapest rates at expedia.com. Remember if you do a package deal, flight+hotel it turns out much cheaper. I also think its worth staying in a bit of a nicer hotel. We stayed at Ceasars and it was great, they even gave us a free room in a 2X upgraded room because we missed our flight, and even came and picked us up at the airport in a limo for free.

 

Staying somewhere on the strip I would recommend. Excalibur and Mandalay Bay are a bit cheaper and are right on the strip too. But it all just depends on what time of year you are going, and if its a busy week and whatnot.

 

The Ballagio has a bunch of nice restaurants, we ate at a place called Olives and the food and service was excellent. There is also a good restaurant in Ceasars called Nero's, awesome steak. We had the buffet at The Flamingo which was cool, and we wanted to try the buffet at the Ballagio (i think) but the line was ridiculous.

[Supplicium]

TI I think has the best value

[Mark1647545493]

Remember if you do a package deal, flight+hotel it turns out much cheaper. I also think its worth staying in a bit of a nicer hotel.

 

I agree with both these statements. The wife and I went last Sept. and stayed at the MGM. The flight and room was $512 for both of us for 4 days.

 

We walked the strip until we got tired then rode the mono rail back to the MGM. If you don't feel like walking, buy a day pass for the mono rail and it'll take you to or close to about anywhere you want on the strip.

 

Have fun!!

[AWW$HEEET]

I want to stay at that pyramid looking hotel.

[CRed05]

I want to stay at that pyramid looking hotel.

 

Its not that great, I was very disappointed. Granted I didnt stay there, but just visiting was enough.

[Dr. Pomade]

There's a good reason why Circus Circus only costs $115 for three nights for two adults: because it's fucking awful. Seriously, ghetto. You couldn't pay me to stay there. I'm not kidding.

 

There are some people who don't mind staying in crappy hotels. When I say crappy, I mean like Howard Johnson crappy. No offense to Howard Johnson, but, well, no, please take offense Howard Johnson - your hotels are crappy. Anyway, some people don't mind that. If that's you, then, by all means, stay at Circus Circus.

 

Cue someone saying here: "But, Johnny Awesome, besides having great abs and wonderful hair, don't you think that hotels in Vegas are overrated? I mean, do you really go to Vegas to stay in a hotel room?"

 

True, ideally, you don't go to Vegas to stay in a hotel room. After all, it's Vegas - you go there to see the sights and live the dream and be all playboy and shit. However, remember, with a hotel, you're not only paying for your actual room, but also the casino that it's in. And, I'm telling you, you'll likely be sorely disappointed by Circus Circus. It's old and it was build way back when Vegas - and this is not a lie - actually tried to market itself as a "family oriented" place. Back in the early 80s, Circus Circus was the place that parents took their kids on a family vacation to Vegas because Circus Circus had a bunch of lame ass shit for kids. Yeah, notice how well that shit caught on? Vegas eventually wisened up and was like, "WTF? We aren't family friendly. Fuck families. We're all about sin and debauchery and silicone and high heels and strip shows. Fuck kids and family hugs and all that nonsense." And Vegas has never looked back. However, you still have that dinosaur Circus Circus, which now is able to lure in patrons only by offering dirt-cheap hotel prices. With Vegas - as in most things in life - you get what you pay for. By the way, Circus Circus isn't really on what I would consider "The Strip." Rather, IIRC, it's tucked kind of back and away - and definitely not in close proximity to the real "Strip."

 

So, my advice is to pay the extra cash and stay at a nicer hotel, many of which have been named already in this thread. Like Kevin R, I've stayed at Monte Carlo (twice, actually) and can attest that it's a fine casino.

 

What do you want to do when you're in Vegas? I realize you said you wanted to see a show and go to a nice dinner, but about the rest of your time there? Do you want to gamble? Sightsee? Walk the Strip? Go to strip clubs? Get and stay wasted? Knowing that would help us tailor our suggestions, I think.

 

For instance, Kevin R said he wanted a spring break type atmosphere. If that's what you want, then I'd suggest staying at the Venetian, Caesar's, The Palms, or the Hard Rock. They cater to a younger crowd and have absolutely outrageous pools. You'll be there in late June. It'll he hot as fuck. And I'm telling you the best place to be will be at a really nice pool, especially if you want to party. This might sound crazy to some, but some of the most fun I've ever had in my entire life has been at pools in Vegas. It's just complete fucking debauchery at its finest.

 

kickass mentioned the restaurant Olives, which is at the Bellagio. I cannot offer a better recommendation for a dinner in all of Vegas. Yeah, it's a little pricey - think something along the lines of a Hyde Park or Martini's - but it's not too "stuffy" and it allows you to see one of - IMHO - greatest spectacles in Vegas - the fountains at the Bellagio. During the day, the they do a fountain show every 30 minutes and, at night, it's every 15 minutes. It is one of the most amazing things you'll ever see. Fucking huge streams of water being shot 200 feet in the air = jaw-dropping awesome. Olives has a patio where you can eat outside right over the water and see the fountain show. Also, even if you're not eating outside on the patio (which might be a little uncomfortable in the Vegas heat), you can still just walk outside and watch the show when it's on and then walk back inside and finish eating. We were just in Vegas a month ago and Olives was one of the few things on our "must do list."

 

I realize that in all of my rambling that I might be coming across as a bit elitist. However, I guess, when it comes to Vegas, either you go big or you shouldn't bother going. Shit there isn't exactly cheap, and trying to manage your pocketbook in Vegas just seems so, well, wrong. This isn't to say you can't go there and have a good time for pennies. It's just that I can't do that.

[AWW$HEEET]

i just wanna party

[AWW$HEEET]

actually i wanna go to get off the plane, go directly to the liquor store, walk around w a bottle of jack in my back pocket. gamble a little bit, go to the bunny ranch, get a nut, go to the buffet, drink more and pass out. pool partying too is something i want to do.

[AWW$HEEET]

triple because circus circus sounds like a fag casino and i heard it has candy slots.

[CRed05]

BTW, if you're looking for a place to rent a car at the last second. MGM has an avis that will let you do that, all the other places wanted shit booked in advance.

 

Mr Johhny awesome abs () summed it up nicely. The Palms and Rio are pretty nice just from going to the casino's there, not quite on the strip, but close, within walking distance or short cab ride.

[AWW$HEEET]

I also heard if you are getting a cab, might as well just get a limo. Cheap as fuck and also baller status. My friends befriended a limo driver who would cater to them all the time, anytime. IE pick them up, trips to the liquor store, provided good advice, and ended up being just as cheap as a cabbie.

[CRed05]

I also heard if you are getting a cab, might as well just get a limo. Cheap as fuck and also baller status. My friends befriended a limo driver who would cater to them all the time, anytime. IE pick them up, trips to the liquor store, provided good advice, and ended up being just as cheap as a cabbie.

 

They were a little more, but they are free if you take them to strip clubs, plus the limo driver can get you anything you need, they have the hookups....and i do mean anything.

[Mark1647545493]

If you plan on using a cab to get around, don't try to flag one down on the street. They aren't aloud to pick up on the street so just walk up to the closest hotel and grab one.

 

The Luxor is a cool hotel and you can get good rates there but I too was a little let down when I walked inside. The Excaliber is cool looking from the outside too but again I wasn't impressed at all on the inside. Hooter's was a huge waste of time walking to and it's across the street from the MGM. Seems like all the REALLY nice hotels are in the middle of the strip and a couple on the North end.

 

If you do want to go to a show DO NOT pay full price. Go to the giant glass Coke bottle across the street from NY NY by the MnM store. You can get tickets to about every show in vegas there for usually half price. We sat in the front row of the Blue man group for $49 each which is normally about $120 each.

 

If I remember right it's about a 40 minute cab ride out to the Bunny Ranch.

[Sully]

The girl and I are going to Vegas June 19th - 23th. We're staying at Harrah's.

 

I've never been to Vegas, so I can't offer up any advice.

[SpaceGhost]

If I remember right it's about a 40 minute cab ride out to the Bunny Ranch.

 

Did you just type that in public?

[coltboostin]

Circus Circus is a dump these days. Seriously. If your looking to save up-go to The Golden Nugget-best pool, best Casino, best rooms of any cheaper Casino-period.

 

 

I have intentionally, and unintentionally stayed at almost every casino on the strip cant recommend a place until I knew why you were going. Get away? Party hard? Play hard? Get laid? Play huggie bear kissy face?

[Richard Cranium]

It's been a while since I've stayed in the hotels out in Vegas. I've stayed at the Luxor, Rio, NYNY, Excalibur, Stratosphere, and few others. Most all of them are decent. Circus Circus was GREAT .... when I was 12 and it was still relatively new. Rent the Bond flick "Diamonds are Forever". They used Circus Circus for part of the movie.

 

It looks like the Venetian is running a special, the room is a little pricey, but the comps would make up for some of it.

 

http://www.venetian.com/pagesif.aspx?id=5301&CMP=VENGoogleQ22010&ONL004&ef_id=2197:3:s_41bf272dd7a58de215504d61b5b5b2f5_5303012884:S-qsPdBbricAAFxDJ74AAARA:20100524164133

[Mark1647545493]

Did you just type that in public?

 

A manager I reported to 10 years ago told me that. He went there every time he went to Vegas. lol

 

I guess I need to think more before I type..

[Doug1647545489]

MGM is decent value. You can usually find deals for 25 bucks a night. I stayed at circus circus for free in 2005. You couldn't pay me to go again. I also stayed at the imperial palace a year ago. Great location but a shithole too. If I went back again I'd probably try planet Hollywood. In the middle of the strip and looks fairly clean.

[Dr. Pomade]

It's been a while since I've stayed in the hotels out in Vegas. I've stayed at the Luxor, Rio, NYNY, Excalibur, Stratosphere, and few others. Most all of them are decent. Circus Circus was GREAT .... when I was 12 and it was still relatively new. Rent the Bond flick "Diamonds are Forever". They used Circus Circus for part of the movie.

 

It looks like the Venetian is running a special, the room is a little pricey, but the comps would make up for some of it.

 

http://www.venetian.com/pagesif.aspx?id=5301&CMP=VENGoogleQ22010&ONL004&ef_id=2197:3:s_41bf272dd7a58de215504d61b5b5b2f5_5303012884:S-qsPdBbricAAFxDJ74AAARA:20100524164133

 

Ashley and I have stayed at The Venetian the last two times we have been to Vegas, including about a month ago. I would wholeheartedly recommend staying there, especially if you can get a deal. It's this-shit-is-bananas awesome.

[HotCarl]

What do you want to do when you're in Vegas? I realize you said you wanted to see a show and go to a nice dinner, but about the rest of your time there? Do you want to gamble? Sightsee? Walk the Strip? Go to strip clubs? Get and stay wasted? Knowing that would help us tailor our suggestions, I think.

 

1. I understand you get what you pay for, especially in vegas, HOWEVER i want to spend as little on my room (while still being a nice place) so i can spend more on the drinking and debautchery you speak so highly of.

 

2. FUCK WALKING THE STRIP! seriously it will be the end of June when we're there, there's no way in hell im walking the strip in the middle of summer. I would like to see the town but only at night when everything's bright and shiny and causes my ADHD to kick into high fucking gear.

 

3. I (well, me and the girl) wanna eat some shrooms and see cirque de solei (spelling anyone?) at Treasure Island (cue the knocked up reference's). While we may not be the biggest shroom eating hippies, we do wanna see cirque de solei, and she wants to see the pirates vs hookers show (i think its literally called the pirates vs sirens, but im sure they'll be hot sweaty bitches running around with sharp objects no matter what)

 

4. One nice, quiet dinner where people address me by my last name and dare not mispronounce it and i have more silverware than i can count on two hands.

 

5. After 4 is done, as much drinking, partying and hot sweaty sex we can fit into the rest of our vacation. If we happen to find a nice, good looking girl with daddy issues we can persuade to join us.... all the better.

 

6. Hit up a strip club or two. I work at one here in town and my girl is cool about it so im sure she wouldnt mind if we went to "sight see" or just get wasted.

 

7. play blackjack, she loves slots.... slot machines.

 

After shopping on expedia I really like Treasure Island. It was fairly cheap (like 69$ a night average, our trip it would cost us 200 and change) Seem's nice and adult-ish. Has both of the shows we want to see and a really nice pool (only saw the pictures on their website though). However flight prices were fucking rediculous (maybe b/c its only a month away?) so i went to Airtran.com and found decent flights prices, around 300$ round trip per person. However from looking at the map TI looks like its on the far end of the strip (even though circus circus is farther) and out of all the hotels you mentioned none of them were TI so whats wrong with this place?

 

Oh and as for a budget, I have 2grand for 4 days. I understand thats not anything in a city like vegas but i figured i could have a pretty good time with that, no?

[HotCarl]

If you plan on using a cab to get around, don't try to flag one down on the street. They aren't aloud to pick up on the street so just walk up to the closest hotel and grab one.

 

The Luxor is a cool hotel and you can get good rates there but I too was a little let down when I walked inside. The Excaliber is cool looking from the outside too but again I wasn't impressed at all on the inside. Hooter's was a huge waste of time walking to and it's across the street from the MGM. Seems like all the REALLY nice hotels are in the middle of the strip and a couple on the North end.

 

If you do want to go to a show DO NOT pay full price. Go to the giant glass Coke bottle across the street from NY NY by the MnM store. You can get tickets to about every show in vegas there for usually half price. We sat in the front row of the Blue man group for $49 each which is normally about $120 each.

 

If I remember right it's about a 40 minute cab ride out to the Bunny Ranch.

 

Awesome! thanks for the advice, see i wouldve never known that and especially the thing about flagging down a cabbie.

 

Another point about staying at Treasure Island, they have the shows we want so if im there gambling and they offer a comp thats the first thing im going to ask for. But i wonder where Blue Man group is doing their show?

[Kevin R.]

I agree with with the Bravo that a hotel in Vegas is way more than a hotel. I would not go cheap just because you have the Ohio view of "it is a place to sleep, I won't be there".

 

You will be there. Your view changes the minute you get there. There is tons of shit to do inside of a good casino.

 

Here is probably the best value recommendation I can make. Stay at the Monte Carlo, Bellagio, or the new City Center hotel (name escapes me). I guarantee Monte Carlo will be cheapest -- however -- you have a tram that goes back and forth between all three until 4 in the fucking morning. Also, definitely book a package with airfare. We used Expedia. Your rate will be higher because you are going in the summer months.

 

Tram saved me from having to walk everywhere when I wanted to make random drunk trips. I would leave Monte Carlo at random times to go with people to Bellagio to gamble, come back and chug my own booze, then go wherever the fuck I pleased. Trust us when we say a good hotel will make or break your trip. Vegas is not the place to be frugal.