Vegas????

[joe_stack20]

I am not sure if this is the correct thread to post this...but here it goes anyways...My wife and i are planning on a Vegas Trip middle of January...We were thinking about staying at the Imperial Palace or the Stratosphere Hotel. Nothing has been set in stone..but we are just thinking something middle of the line..With a pool for the wife to hang out for a few hours. Just wondering if anyone has any input on these 2 hotels or if you have any other suggestions. Thanks for your Help

[DTro]

They are both “decent” hotels. Not the best, and not the worst. They are however located quite a ways down the “strip”.

Have you been to Vegas before? If not I recommend staying on the strip at least once to soak in all the sights, sounds, smells.

For me personally though, I like staying in downtown Vegas. A LOT less walking and seems more entertaining to me. I still like hitting the big strip casinos, but you will spend a lot more to stay at some of the themed ones.

My favorite hotels are:

Golden Nugget (downtown)

MGM (Strip)

You’ll have fun no matter where you stay.

Good Luck!

[jeffreyd]

living so close, i would look at a couple of the others that offer more amenities. you have a ton to choose from, dont settle on the middle of the road if you can afford a bit more. have fun

[jwmiller33]

i went to vegas last spring break with 3 friends and we found a great deal on the Trump hotel. it is practically like brand new, and it is a VERY nice hotel. everything is new in the hotel, pool, workout facility, and the rooms are really nice. it is right (about 2 blocks) off the strip (kind of near the Encore and Wynn hotels).

another one of the upsides of the Trump is that there is NO casino in this hotel.. your in vegas, and can find a casino just about anywhere you look. so when you finally do come back to the hotel to crash for the night, the last thing you want to hear is the casino sounds (sirens, chips/coins falling, people yelling, etc etc).

we drove out there and the total bill for 5 days (gas, groceries, hotel) was right around $300 which is a steal of a deal for college guys

[gregg52]

I was just lookin at some deals out there myself you can get some really good deals right now

ya those to are kinda inbetween now where

i saw the flamingo had good prices and circus cirus but those are not on the 4 star list

downtown had some really good prices golden nugget...four queens..fiztgeralds

not a real big deal to be downtown

you can take a bus to the strip for a couple bucks

i just talked to a gal that got room at manadley for like 650 for new yrs week end thats really cheap for that week end

[lawdog]

I would guess you can find some sweet deals if you are a top notch Price Line Negotiator like Denny Crane!

I love Freemont St. like DTRO, but its not for everybody although everybody should definitely go down there at least once to see it.

Good point by Gregg. Get the all day or multiple ride or whatever it is bus passes they are a real deal! You can go all over the strip on them too it really cuts down on the walking...

[jwhjr]

Golden Nugget is our favorite when we go. You can usually rent a car for less than what you end up saving from a strip hotel. Then you can get anywhere you want. The parking at all of the strip hotels is pretty quick and easy.

[BigWadeS]

I am not a fan of the strip and prefer downtown for the proximity of other casinos and also for the atmosphere. I really am a fan of the Golden Nugget and with their latest addition and renovations it is a top notch place!

[CodyDawg]

I will be staying at Harrah's next week for work. I will have a little time to myself, any recommendations of things to do or not to do? I have never been there, am not a big gambler and I dont have the extra cash to go to the shows (which really dont interest me anyway). Kind of a waste of a trip to Vegas, eh? Is Harrahs downtown or on the stip? Is it nice or a dive?

[CJH]

Do a search and you can find TONS of great deals right now. I get emails from Mandaly Bay all the time (which is pretty nice hotel/complex) and you can get a suite there for about $120-130 depending on the night. Those used to go for around $300.

[DTro]

Yep, lots of deals. I have a drawer full of coupons/mailers with free nights available (even on the weekend). The problem is getting there. Airfare is really high right now.

[TR21]

CodyDawg,

Harrahs is mid strip and a decent hotel. If you're not into gambling or shows just walk the strip and people watch. There are plenty of free shows to watch at each hotel - good house bands and such.

Joe stack 20,

The Stratosphere is a dump and ,as mentioned ,way at the end of the strip. The Imperial is more mid strip and not that bad but there are some phenomenal deals on hotels right now and you could easily upgrade your hotel to something much nicer.

It all depends on what you want to do while you're there and whats important to you. Its cool to stay mid strip - the hot spot is where MGM, Monte Carlo and New York is - lots of activity there. The new City Center is up and running as well.

Go to Vegas .com and you can research everything you need.

[gregg52]

harrahs has a great outdoor bar

and great bands there at night

[bucketmouth64]

It's been years since I been to Vegas. When I was there I went to Coca Cola. That was a cool exhibit to walk through. You can sample all the different flavored soft drinks they make all around the world. Some taste nasty. It was also fun to walk around at night and see all the glitzy stuff and the pirate show. Took a tour to see hoover dam too. Lake Mead you can rent jet skis. You can do a hike at red rock/canyon (something like that).

[steamman]

The Orleans is a nice place. It is fairly priced. You are off the strip but near some other hotels, Palms, and Rio if I recall. They also have a shuttle that will take you to all their other hotels they own. Numerous restruants there. As everyone has said, there are many specails going on now. If you get a chance go to the Spice Market buffet at Plant Hollywood, some of the best food I have ever head. Their evening meal is around $27 a person, but they have king crab, prime rib ect. Do not forget to get your coupon book as their are numerous deals in there. Trying to plan a trip for the wife and me this winter, but too much hockey!

[mnwild]

I have been going to Vegas for many years, I ove staying Downtown. Just like people said you dont have to walk as for to the casinos and if you "BUY" drinks its much cheaper, pretty much VFW prices. The strip is nice for a day, take the bus from DT and its only a few bucks.

[yukon]

It really depends on what you are goign for. People watching, or gambling or shows. I did not think the strat was bad. middle of the road but it is at the far end of the strip. Get your day pass for the double duece bus. the best way to get around from the strat. I think renting a car is a waste of money. I thought the hoover dam tour was also a waste of time and money. When wife and I go back this spring we will be looking to stay mid strip. For just a few dollars more your right in the middle of the action.

[CodyDawg]

Well I was not that impressed with vegas. the sole intent of that place is to part you and your money. Everything and I mean EVERYTHING was expensive. The hotel wanted to charge us $900 per day...yes per DAY to rent a laptop projector (you can buy them new for about $700). Internet? $12 per day. Exercise room? $25 per day. Any calls outside the hotel, even 1-800 numbers, were a charge. Simple breakfast for 2 guys (omelette and juice) was $50. I am glad I experienced it on someone else's nickel. Dont think I need to go back.

[lawdog]

Cody,

Name me one resort/destintation/tourism type place that isn't there for the sole purpose of getting your money. Wisc. Dells wants your money. Valley Fair wants your money. Worlds of Fun/Oceans of Fun wants your money. Disney world wants your money. Treasure Island Casino wants your money. That's what they are ALL there for...

I don't gamble and my wife would tell you I'm not exactly a big spender but I still enjoy Vegas.

[CJH]

You were paying business prices, obviously. They jack it up for conventions and such (been there several times at conventions). Where were you staying? If you are at one of the nicer places, you are right in the ballpark. However you can find lots of deals nowadays.

Vegas isn't "cheap" anymore. They did that, and now that they got a taste of the big money, they are going to do everything they can to not go back.

[DTro]

Where the heck did you stay?

I've actually found things to be CHEAPER in vegas than a lot of other places. Hit the $5 buffet once a day and your good.

You can spend as little or as much as you want.

[CodyDawg]

We stayed at Harrah's. And I know all those other places try and get your money, but in my very limited experience there, I thought it was out of line, over the top greed. Admittedly, I didnt know where the deals were and stuff, I am sure there are better deals to be had. But that was my impression.

[CJH]

Wow, that seems really expensive for Harrah's.......

[DREZLER]

I would still like to see Codydawg and Lawdog duke it out for the top "dog" name!

[bgreen82]

i dont know if this has been brought up yet as i didnt read all posts, but even in vegas, im not sure january is pool weather unless its indoors. correct me if im wrong but the one time i went was early march and it was nippy at night at least.