Your favorite vegas hotel

[snoopy]

I am vegas for the first time on a work trip. I'm staying in planet Hollywood because the price was right. Been in Caesars and Bellagio for work meetings - both very nice. Haven't stopped into any others yet. Which hotel is your favorite and why?

 

[nubka]

The Mirage. It has a fantastic HUGE aquarium in the lobby. I could watch the fish in it for hours.

 

[Vash01]

Bellagio for me, though I never stayed there

 

[julieann]

Cosmopolitan or Treasure Island

 

[slicekw]

For gambling? Red Rocks, but it's a drive out there.
I think the Bellagio is in dire need of a refresh, the awnings and other furnishings look dated, dusty and tired. But the Conservatory is a must-see, as is the water show.
Also, go to Caesar's mall for the big show.
And I find the fake-Venice in the Venetian to be relaxing.

 

[all_empty]

It totally depends on your budget and interests.

I find Ceasar's location central, and it's shopping, rooms and restaurants to be generally above average. Prices are generally reasonable. For something more expensive, try the Wynn.

I agree that the Bellagio has some wear and tear.

If you want modern, you can't beat the Aria or Cosmo.

 

[PrincessLeppard]

My sister's house. It's free and there are two cats to keep you company.

I can find out what she would charge you to stay there, if you enjoy enormous orange cats who just want to sit near you and purr.

 

[peibeck]

I love they Wynn, it's fabulously over the top in a garishly tacky way that I just love.

 

[GarrAargHrumph]

The Bellagio, for the art. When you get into the lobby, look up.

 

[cygnus]

I like the Aria-it's newer than the others and has higher ceilings, so it's not so smoky. Mirage is my second favourite, followed by the Bellagio.

 

[overedge]

Last time I stayed there, we were at the Elara, which I really enjoyed. It's just off the Strip, so it's relatively quiet; it doesn't have a casino, so the lobby is quiet and relaxed; and it's 100% non-smoking, which is *very* rare in Vegas. And it has a Starbucks in the lobby with free wi-fi (so you don't have to pay the ridiculous hotel Internet rates).
And the workers are unionized. (You might want to look at the union's list of hotels that are unionized, if that's important to you: http://www.culinaryunion226.org/act/las-vegas-union-guide)

 

[Marge_Simpson]

I've stayed at the Mirage twice in the past year. The rates are reasonable and it's in the middle of the strip, plus they have the cool volcanic eruption s in the evenings.

 

[alchemy void]

I absolutely loved the Venetian / Palazzo but not how long it took me to pay off the credit card bill. The pool is gorgeous and pristine but d-bag central. It's fun for an hour or so but then you start to lose brain cells.
I've stayed at Planet Hollywood several nights.... as a guest.... and really enjoyed it, especially for the price. It seemed clean and modern (to the best of my recollection).

 

[Really]

Last time I stayed there, we were at the Elara, which I really enjoyed. It's just off the Strip, so it's relatively quiet; it doesn't have a casino, so the lobby is quiet and relaxed; and it's 100% non-smoking, which is *very* rare in Vegas. And it has a Starbucks in the lobby with free wi-fi (so you don't have to pay the ridiculous hotel Internet rates).
And the workers are unionized. (You might want to look at the union's list of hotels that are unionized, if that's important to you: http://www.culinaryunion226.org/act/las-vegas-union-guide)

I've stayed at the Elara too. It was nice.

 

[TOADS]

Stepping into the wayback machine for a moment, when I was 14 back in 1960, we stayed in Las Vegas for a week. We stayed at Wilbur Clark's Desert Inn which was a sprawling complex no more than 2 stories high with pools, and walkways. It was great for my brother and I since we couldn't gamble.

I remember watching my parents in the casino. In those days, the dollar slots used real Morgan silver dollars. I gave my dad a dollar and told him to play it. He won 20 silver dollars which I still have to this day.

There were very few tall buildings in Vegas in those days.

 

[snoopy]

Thumbs up on Wynn. Eating breakfast at the terrace room. They give you free wifi anywhere on site even if youre not a hotel guest. I can catch up on COC videos before my flight home.

Elara looks like a good spot - but it looks on the strip to me. I'm not a gambler so no casino is a plus.

 

[skatesindreams]

I love they Wynn, it's fabulously over the top in a garishly tacky way that I just love.

At the Wynn, you also have access to the services/restaurants at the newer Encore.
There is a catwalk which leads to the huge Fashion Show Mall attached to both hotels.
Call and get on their e-mail list for specials.

No one forces anyone to gamble.
I don't; and find plenty to do.
I've been going every year since 1997.

 

[peibeck]

@snoopy Groupon and Living Social both offer a lot of specials for off-strip non-casino hotels in Vegas if those interest you. I'm assuming maybe you opened this thread because you may have to be traveling back for work?

 

[overedge]

Elara looks like a good spot - but it looks on the strip to me. I'm not a gambler so no casino is a plus.

It isn't directly on the strip - the main door faces on Harmon Avenue, just behind the Miracle Mile shops attached to Planet Hollywood. That door is about a three-minute walk from the intersection of Harmon and Las Vegas Blvd. There's also an entrance in the Elara lobby that goes directly into the Miracle Mile mall - you can go through that to get to the Planet Hollywood lobby and go onto the strip.

 

[snoopy]

@snoopy Groupon and Living Social both offer a lot of specials for off-strip non-casino hotels in Vegas if those interest you. I'm assuming maybe you opened this thread because you may have to be traveling back for work?

I don't think I will be back for work, the conference i was there for changes location every year. I was thinking id go back for fun. The weather is nice, I love that you don't need a car, great places to eat, and the shopping is insane. Plus I wanted to hear everyone's opinion on the different hotels.

Thanks everyone for sharing!

 

[Rob]

I am going for a reunion April 30-May4. Staying at the Bellagio. We got a group rate so should I get a regular king room with fountain view on a high floor or the least expensive suite?

Which Cirque du Soliel show should I see? O is in the Bellagio, but the first night we will be on our own so I wouldn't mind going to a different one just in case some people want to see O later in the week. Other shows?

Restaurant recommendations?

We also want to take a helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon (I've never seen it) and a Hoover Dam tour. Do you recommend any particular tour operators? Is the Skywalk worth it?

 

[taf2002]

We stayed at the New York New York last time & had a really good time there. They don't have big name stars but their shows are really good & it is right in the middle of the strip. I want to stay at the Mirage next time though.

 

[skatesindreams]

Should I get a regular king room with fountain view on a high floor or the least expensive suite?

See if you can find out where the suite would be and what view you have.
You might enjoy the extra room in a suite since you will be there for several days.

 

[snoopy]

I heard O is very modern and abstract - it didn't get the most rave reviews from people I know who attended but if that is what you like (abstract) it could be a different story.

Rock of Ages got lots of positive feedback. There was a show called zombie burlesque. Even though we hit peak zombie a few years ago, I'd consider seeing that for the camp.

A view wouldn't be my top priority so I'd pick the suite.

My fav restaurant was actually the breakfast place in Wynn. They do other things beside breakfast but one morning I really wanted a great breakfast and it didn't disappoint.

We at olives in the Bellagio and at Picasso. Both of them were good but didn't wow me. My brother always recommends Mario Batali's restaurant Otto in the Venetian mall. I think the Venetian mall looks the most promising for food. There is also a steak house downtown that I've heard people love.

 

[Marge_Simpson]

Rob:
For Cirque du Soleil, I'd go with "Love", the Beatles show. It's more dance oriented and has less of a plotline than most Cirque shows, but I found it the most emotionally moving - I've already seen it twice and will happily see it a third time if I go back to Vegas.
My second choice would be "Ka", which I've also seen twice.
Restaurants: For breakfast, Hash House a-Go-Go (at the Quad) was fabulous. When I went, the line was spilling out the door, but I got seated right away because I didn't mind sitting at the bar. Each breakfast is enough to feed a family of four, so order accordingly. I remember telling my waitress I felt bad because my breakfast was delicious, but I just couldn't finish it, there was so much food. She told me all their food waste was sent to a nearby pig farm. I answered, "Those must be some happy pigs!"
i did the gospel brunch at Mandalay, and it was really good....tons of food, all delicious, and the singers were fantastic. You need to reserve it in advance.
For lunch or dinner, I liked Lavo, in the Palazzo (traditional Italian, a bit formal) and Five Fifty, at Aria (casual Italian, very yummy pizzas)
I did the sunrise hot air balloon tour through Viatour and had a blast.

 

[skatesindreams]

I tried "Olives" several times and have always been disappointed.
The variety of choices at all price points at the Wynn/Encore is very good.

 

[Vash01]

I am taking the Cheapo route and staying at the Luxor for my upcoming trip to Vegas. I had stayed at the Luxor years ago when it was new and a sensation and liked it a lot. It has been overshadowed by new and big hotel casinos. Most of them are out of my budget (Venetian, Bellagio, etc.). I wanted to stay center strip but even with discounts the hotels were around $100 a night (we will need two rooms so everything gets doubled, including the nightly resort fee that gets added to the room rate). So $48 (plus $30 per night resort fee) per night for a tower de lux king room at the Luxor was very tempting. Earlier I had booked the pyramid rooms for $38 each, but thought the tower rooms would be better. It was probably not a wise decision, but I have never stayed in the pyramid rooms so I don't know the difference. Luxor had a 3.7 approval rating on hotels.com, which is not bad, but I usually prefer 4.0 and up.

I could still cancel the Luxor rooms by 6 pm tonight and go for a Mirage or Treasure Island room for $85-99 plus resort fee ($35 per night), but the price difference is just too big. I know that transportation is not a problem in Vegas, so the transportation costs won't justify spending more on the hotel. I can use the money saved on hotel toward an entertainment program. Some day though I would love to stay at the Bellagio and Venetian (I can afford the Mirage, etc. at another time; just not this one). Vegas is not that far from Phoenix, and some people here do make many trips to Vegas. In summer and on week days the hotels are less expensive, that's why I got the $48 rate at the Luxor.

 

[skatesindreams]

I love they Wynn, it's fabulously over the top in a garishly tacky way that I just love.

Wynn or Encore.
Staying at one gives you "privileges" at the other.

 

[Vash01]

Wynn or Encore.
Staying at one gives you "privileges" at the other.

Is it slightly off the strip or is it directly on the strip?

 

[skatesindreams]

On the strip; connected by a walkway to the Fashion Show Mall.