Hotel Rec''s Las Vegas

[katebar]

Dh DD (15) and me are off to the US in September. Go US!!!. We are going to fly into San fran stay for 4 days then probably go to Las vegas then LA and then Hawaii on the way home. DD and I went to LA and Hawaii last year and loved it. But my husband is a very cautious traveller so i need some rec''s for first up a great hotel in Las vegas that we can totally experience the whole LV scene

. Husband wants to do the Grand canyon as well and is taking about a helicopter trip that we take from LV. What shows shopping etc would you guys recomend for this leg of our trip.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

I think your DD would enjoy New York, New York or Paris. They are both fun. I actually like Paris''s casino b/c it is smaller. Bally''s actually has nice rooms and ususally very cheap. It is also a great location on the strip. DH loved the MGM. And I think Ceaser''s has a cool pool. Honestly as long as it is on the main strip you cannot go wrong. Try to get tickets for "Love." It is AMAZING!

 

[Skippy123]

The Grand Canyon is awesome

Quite the natural beauty. Sounds like a great trip! You have all the best chef's in Vegas

Also, all the Cirque du Soleil shows are great.

I agree w/Tacori. . . as long as you stay on the strip you will be fine. I like the Venetian, MGM, Mirage and the Flamingo.

 

[iheartscience]

The Hotel (part of Mandalay Bay) is really nice. Regular Mandalay Bay rooms aren''t that great but there are a lot of great restaurants there. However, Mandalay Bay recently renovated some of the rooms at the regular Mandalay Bay and those are supposed to be nice.

 

[iheartscience]

And whatever you do, steer clear of the Luxor unless you are trying to stay for super cheap. I hate the Luxor!

 

[TravelingGal]

IMHO the best area of the strip starts at Bellagio on one side of the strip and Paris on the other to the Venetian/Mirage.

I just came back from Vegas today. Paris is OK...I have stayed there many times on business and also stayed there last night. The rooms are worn. They have redone 4 floors worth of rooms but they say they save those for VIPs. If you are lucky perhaps you could get one of those. If you stay in Paris, ask for a higher floor, regardless of what views they give you. The rooms on one side of the hotel are above the generator and it is NOISY.

Bally''s, Paris and Flamingo usually have good deals. Flamingo is OK, especially their rennovated rooms and consistently is one of the better values in Vegas. Check their website (all are owned by Harrahs which also owns Caesar''s and Paris) and you can look at a map of "hot dates" for cheaper rates.

The Venetian is nice, rooms are bigger but it''s too far down the strip for me. Likewise, NY/NY is also too far down the strip. A nice hotel is THE hotel at Mandalay Bay....great pool but unfortunately is the first major hotel on the strip and I never hang out on that end.

Bellagio is great if you can afford it. Caesar''s is also well located. They have new towers and a couple of very old ones. Not sure what the rooms in the new towers are like but the old is hit or miss. The free fountain show at the Bellagio is worth a look. Goes every 15 minutes as long as the wind conditions allow it.

Great places to gamble on the strip (Downtown tends to be cheaper)if you want lower minimums are: Harrahs, Flamingo, O''Shea''s, Barbary Coast.

Good buffets are Bellagio and Rio.

Restaurants I like are Bradley Ogden, Mesa Grill (both at Caesars). There are a ton of high end restaurants in town, and I can hardly keep up with them.

I''ve seen two cirque shows in Vegas. O, which is fab and Ka which is so so.

Below is a map of the hotels in Vegas. It''s a little outdated, as I think Aladdin is now turning into a Planet Hollywood. Let us know what you decide!

 

[Molly1024]

I have to put in a plug for Harrah''s & Caesar''s Palace- my uncle managed the Forum Shops and also worked for Harrah''s in the CEO department, so I''m a bit partial.

 

[katebar]

Date: 6/18/2007 10:09:39 PM
Author: Tacori E-ring
I think your DD would enjoy New York, New York or Paris. They are both fun. I actually like Paris''s casino b/c it is smaller. Bally''s actually has nice rooms and ususally very cheap. It is also a great location on the strip. DH loved the MGM. And I think Ceaser''s has a cool pool. Honestly as long as it is on the main strip you cannot go wrong. Try to get tickets for ''Love.'' It is AMAZING!

Thanks Tacori R-ring. I have almost decided on paris paris after visting the Trip advsor so thanks for that and Love sounds great. PS your gorgeous soon to be baby is lovely

 

[katebar]

Date: 6/18/2007 10:45:48 PM
Author: Skippy123
The Grand Canyon is awesome

Quite the natural beauty. Sounds like a great trip! You have all the best chef''s in Vegas

Also, all the Cirque du Soleil shows are great.

I agree w/Tacori. . . as long as you stay on the strip you will be fine. I like the Venetian, MGM, Mirage and the Flamingo.

Skippy i was hoping you would chime in you traveller you. I would love to spend more time exploring the Grand canyon but realsiticly I think the helicopter trip is all we can fit in this time. have you done this?

 

[katebar]

thanks thing2thing. I know you are a slightly older than my DD and know a thing or two about shopping .ANy heads up for LV in the fashion front?

 

[Harriet]

We like the Four Seasons. It's tucked away, and thus quieter. It has its own pool, but you'll have access to the facilities of Mandalay Bay. I loved that lazy river. Oh, and the Four Seasons has no casino.

 

[katebar]

Date: 6/18/2007 11:36:10 PM
Author: TravelingGal
IMHO the best area of the strip starts at Bellagio on one side of the strip and Paris on the other to the Venetian/Mirage.

I just came back from Vegas today. Paris is OK...I have stayed there many times on business and also stayed there last night. The rooms are worn. They have redone 4 floors worth of rooms but they say they save those for VIPs. If you are lucky perhaps you could get one of those. If you stay in Paris, ask for a higher floor, regardless of what views they give you. The rooms on one side of the hotel are above the generator and it is NOISY.

That''s awesome info Travellingal. I really appreciate your opinion firstly cos you just been there and secondly because your practically an Aussie so you understand our sensablilites!
Nervous husband will want to go 4 star or plus he is not into budget anything. Would the Bellagio be too adult for my daughter?

 

[katebar]

thanks Molly1024 heading over to Tripadvsor to check out Caesar''s now.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Date: 6/19/2007 12:08:39 AM
Author: katebar

Date: 6/18/2007 10:09:39 PM

Author: Tacori E-ring

I think your DD would enjoy New York, New York or Paris. They are both fun. I actually like Paris's casino b/c it is smaller. Bally's actually has nice rooms and ususally very cheap. It is also a great location on the strip. DH loved the MGM. And I think Ceaser's has a cool pool. Honestly as long as it is on the main strip you cannot go wrong. Try to get tickets for 'Love.' It is AMAZING!

Thanks Tacori R-ring. I have almost decided on paris paris after visting the Trip advsor so thanks for that and Love sounds great. PS your gorgeous soon to be baby is lovely

ahhh...thanks Kate! You are so sweet! We love Vegas. One of the reasons I suggested Paris and New York, New York is I think your DD would like it (since she can't gamble). The fake city stuff is really cool (I think). Paris is a fairly new hotel. I didn't find the rooms worn but maybe we just got lucky. The pool is nice too (my Bally's complaint is the pool is blah). And I like the location. We ususally take cabs pretty much everywhere. The hotels seem close together but they are really, really far so anything farther than a few hotels away DH insists on a cab.

I have seen "O", "Zumanity" and "Love." "Love" was our favorite, then "Zumanity" but that is not good with a 15 year old. It is their "adult" show. Buy tickets for any shows you want to see NOW. One the day of you can also go to the coke bottle and buy discount tickets for that night. DH and I do that when we have nothing else planned b/c the entertainment there is really good.

Also you MUST visit The Chocolate Swan (in the Mandaley Bay) if you have any sort of sweet tooth. It used to be in Wisconsin (where I am from) and she moved out to Vegas). It is HEAVENLY!

If you or your DH are like to gamble I would sign up for the hotel points card (they are called different things). DH is pretty into it so we usually get stuff for free. Last visit he charged all our food to the room and they took care of the charges which is fun!

We just went there is April. I guess with the baby it is my last vegas trip for awhile

ETA: There is shopping EVERYWHERE! You will find no lack of ways or reasons to spend your money!

 

[TravelingGal]

Date: 6/19/2007 12:14:03 AM
Author: katebar
That''s awesome info Travellingal. I really appreciate your opinion firstly cos you just been there and secondly because your practically an Aussie so you understand our sensablilites!
Nervous husband will want to go 4 star or plus he is not into budget anything. Would the Bellagio be too adult for my daughter?

Ha, funny you should say that. I took my sister in law who is visiting, as she wanted to check out Vegas. She loved the Bellagio.

I don''t think Vegas is really the best place for kids. How old is your daughter? However, I think the Bellagio would be fine...it has the fountains which anyone of any age would love.

The Four Seasons (at Mandalay Bay) would be a step above as far as Vegas hotels go, but I really do think it''s just too far down the strip. I don''t think your husband would be disappointed with the Bellagio...IMO it has the coolest lobby...pretty while not being over the top (as far as Vegas goes). When you see the other lobbies, you''ll see what I am talking about. I have never stayed at the Bellagio, so I can''t vouch for the rooms, but visit the conservatory - it changes and is neat to see. Currently there is a Route 66 theme that isn''t that impressive but I''m sure they will do something different for September.

The Wynn hotel is also understated and lovely...but again, a bit too far down the strip for my tastes.

Don''t forget, we Americans are tip happy...and nowhere more so than Vegas. If you need tips on tipping in Vegas, let me know...my husband was absolutely confounded by it all.

 

[iheartscience]

Hahaha! I am definitely a serious shopper, katebar. It''s my job, I can''t help it! (Or at least that''s what I tell my fiance!)

The Wynn has sick shopping! Man oh man...Chanel, Cartier, Graff, Dior, a lot of the big names. And the Forum Shops at Caesar''s Palace are nice, too. They have Bvlgari, Gucci, Harry Winston and others.

For more normal (less expensive!) shopping I like the shops at Mandalay Bay. Your DD probably would like those, too. There''s an Urban Outfitters and Fornarina there. The Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian are more affordable, too. They have Banana Republic, bebe, Kenneth Cole, etc.

I hope this helps! It sounds like you''re going to have a lot of fun!

 

[Mara]

i love THE hotel at Mandalay Bay...definitely my favorite right now. hotels go stale so quickly in LV...every few years a new one pops up and is better etc. The Wynn and Four Seasons are supposed to be quite nice still (Wynn is more recently built I believe). If you stay more middle range, The MGM is actually quite decent for cost and is the biggest hotel in LV as of right now, and Hard Rock is fun (but lots of partying and it's off the strip) as well. in terms of where on the strip to stay...i just stay wherever i want to stay and then either walk or cab it wherever i want to do. i have stayed off the strip at Hard Rock a few times and just cabbed it onto the strip or wherever for dinner etc. i think overall the cost difference is not that much.

it's so funny to me that all these hotels have like regular mall stores in them...i always walk around there thinking...if i wanted to go to banana republic or something, i'd go to the mall right? not las vegas! i wish that the hotels got more boutique with their offerings for stores, sometimes they do (aka in MGM they had this super cute boutique that had a bunch of brand names i see in local stores around here but it was a one off store rather than a banana or jcrew or whatever)....it's fun to walk around bellagio and see Prada and ... what is the other one? Neil Lane? I think we went into that one.

show wise, we loved blue man group and 'O'...i have seen i think 5 cirques and 'O' is my favorite hands down. for dinner, i like aureole, nobu, smith and wollensky, delmonicos and circo.

 

[katebar]

Date: 6/19/2007 12:29:16 AM
Author: TravelingGal

Date: 6/19/2007 12:14:03 AM
Author: katebar
That''s awesome info Travellingal. I really appreciate your opinion firstly cos you just been there and secondly because your practically an Aussie so you understand our sensablilites!
Nervous husband will want to go 4 star or plus he is not into budget anything. Would the Bellagio be too adult for my daughter?

Ha, funny you should say that. I took my sister in law who is visiting, as she wanted to check out Vegas. She loved the Bellagio.

I don''t think Vegas is really the best place for kids. How old is your daughter? However, I think the Bellagio would be fine...it has the fountains which anyone of any age would love.

The Four Seasons (at Mandalay Bay) would be a step above as far as Vegas hotels go, but I really do think it''s just too far down the strip. I don''t think your husband would be disappointed with the Bellagio...IMO it has the coolest lobby...pretty while not being over the top (as far as Vegas goes). When you see the other lobbies, you''ll see what I am talking about. I have never stayed at the Bellagio, so I can''t vouch for the rooms, but visit the conservatory - it changes and is neat to see. Currently there is a Route 66 theme that isn''t that impressive but I''m sure they will do something different for September.

The Wynn hotel is also understated and lovely...but again, a bit too far down the strip for my tastes.

Don''t forget, we Americans are tip happy...and nowhere more so than Vegas. If you need tips on tipping in Vegas, let me know...my husband was absolutely confounded by it all.

My daughter is 15 going on 25 lol. She a fab kid and likes the finer things in life so she probably is in to shopping food and a few theme park sort of things. What about the MGM any thoughts on that.
The tipping advice I will definatelt come back to get fom you. My husband is English and is confounded by tipping here even if the service is good.

 

[katebar]

Date: 6/19/2007 12:38:35 AM
Author: Mara
i love THE hotel at Mandalay Bay...definitely my favorite right now. hotels go stale so quickly in LV...every few years a new one pops up and is better etc. The Wynn and Four Seasons are supposed to be quite nice still (Wynn is more recently built I believe). If you stay more middle range, The MGM is actually quite decent for cost and is the biggest hotel in LV as of right now, and Hard Rock is fun (but lots of partying and it''s off the strip) as well. in terms of where on the strip to stay...i just stay wherever i want to stay and then either walk or cab it wherever i want to do. i have stayed off the strip at Hard Rock a few times and just cabbed it onto the strip or wherever for dinner etc. i think overall the cost difference is not that much.

Thanks for that Mara. I will check out the Mandalay later today. The MGM looks good and the beds get a good rating for comfort something that is important for my husband lol. Plus he wants to stay right in the the thick of things.
I guess the whole big hotel thing might be good for my daughter who obviously can''t go near the casino but can get a sense of it by staying

 

[chiefneil]

Date: 6/19/2007 12:14:03 AM
Author: katebar

Date: 6/18/2007 11:36:10 PM

Author: TravelingGal

IMHO the best area of the strip starts at Bellagio on one side of the strip and Paris on the other to the Venetian/Mirage.

I just came back from Vegas today. Paris is OK...I have stayed there many times on business and also stayed there last night. The rooms are worn. They have redone 4 floors worth of rooms but they say they save those for VIPs. If you are lucky perhaps you could get one of those. If you stay in Paris, ask for a higher floor, regardless of what views they give you. The rooms on one side of the hotel are above the generator and it is NOISY.

That''s awesome info Travellingal. I really appreciate your opinion firstly cos you just been there and secondly because your practically an Aussie so you understand our sensablilites!

Nervous husband will want to go 4 star or plus he is not into budget anything. Would the Bellagio be too adult for my daughter?

I''m like your hubby, when I travel I never want to risk a disappointing experience with a hotel, so I usually look for the nicer ones. I go up to Vegas once or twice a year, sometimes on business and sometimes with the family. Generally we stay either at THE Hotel at Mandaly, or at the Venetian.

THE Hotel has great rooms and linens, but it can be a hike to the pool. The pool was actually a bit disappointing to me the last time I went as it was totally mobbed, they charged like $15 for a tube for the lazy river, and there was hardly any shade (umbrellas) to be had. They really need a separate pool for THE Hotel, but right now you have to share the regular pools with the rest of the Mandalay guests. Mandalay is indeed at the far end of the Strip, but you can just take the monorail up to the Luxor and you''re in business, or just catch a cab.

I like the Venetian rooms because they''re little mini-suites. If you''re sharing the room with your DD, you''ll appreciate the extra space. The rooms are starting to get a bit worn - they could stand some new carpet, but they''re still nice. Downstairs you have the whole fake Venice thing with grand canal, gondolas, and shopping. If you decide on the Ventian, sign up for their player''s club online to get special offers - they send me discounted room offers pretty often. In fact that goes for any of the Vegas hotels; I never pay full price there due all the offers I get through the player''s clubs.

I stayed at the Bellagio once and I remember being underwhelmed by the rooms. That was when they first opened, so it was many years ago. The lobby is awesome and the casino crown is high-end. One of my favorite Vegas restaurants is there - Michael Mina in the conservatory.

Surprisingly, MGM has been having a rennaisance with its previously lame restaurants. They now have perhaps my favorite restaurant in the world, Robuchon. Fantastic food if you favor modern French cuisine. I''ve heard great things about MGM''s new high-end section, MGM Signature, so you may want to check it out. I wouldn''t recommend the regular rooms, though, just the Signature section.


For shows, I''ve seen just about all the Cirques and liked them all. The Blue Man Group is also a great show, completely different from anything you''ve ever seen.

 

[bee*]

We stayed in the hotel NY,NY-we loved it. We didn''t stay at any of the other hotels so I can''t comapare, but our rooms were huge, there were plenty of places to eat, it has a great roller coaster going over the pool-the only negative that I can think of is that the pool was very shallow

 

[Krissie]

I LOVE Vegas and was there 3 times last year!! September should be a great month, and you''ll get to use the pools, etc. The pools in Vegas are so fun and extravagant!!

I recommend anywhere mid-Strip (Bellagio, Paris, Venetian, Caesar''s, Flamingo, just to name a few). I''m a big walker, but even my feet get tired after strolling up and down the Strip. I have stayed at the Paris twice and really loved it - I thought that it was as tasteful as a Vegas hotel can be, but still had some "upper-class kitsch" if that makes sense. The pool area is gorgeous, as well ... quite nice to float around under their model Eiffel Tower!

The shops at Caesar''s are to die for!! Also, you must browse some of the fine retailers at the Bellagio...

 

[sunshine14]

Ooooh Vegas! Fun! I was there in February and had a great time! We stayed at the MGM Grand, and you are right Katebar...the beds ARE super comfy! All in all we had a great stay there, but it is a little far for my liking...in the sense that at the end of the day when you are shopping at Caesar''s, its a decent hike to get back there. If you look at that map above, you can see where it is. I think part of the reason it felt so far is because it is so darn HUGE! It literally spans an entire block!

There are great restaurant choices there though. THe buffet is so so, and strangely enough I found it to ''shut down'' kind of early (the restaurants anyways), however, we were there during the week so maybe that explains it.

Depending on how many days you are going...The Hotel at Mandalay Bay (though far), would be neat for your 15 year old because it has that HUGE pool complex which includes a beach! I think that 2 days is plenty to investigate the strip and after that with a non-gambler, you''d have to do some other activities.

Also if you are trying to save a little, MGM does usually have pretty great rates, and if that is something that interests you, I would definitely recommend it. I felt like I had a very good deal for what we were given there.

We also saw the Cirque show at the MGM called "KA". It is a little different than traditional Cirque shows, but still just as incredible. It has a moving stage that moves up and down and on its side...so if you or your DH are into mechanics/marshal arts, it may be a good one. I thought it was incredible! But if it was my first time going ot a cirque show, I''d maybe go to a more ''traditional'' show, like "O". (of course not that that is traditional! haha)

Anyways...I also toured around the Bellagio, and like the above posters mentioned, it is beautiful! the lobby is incredible and elegant, the restaurants look wonderful, and the location is to die for.

Have fun!

 

[jcrow]

we stayed at the paris a couple of years ago & LOVED it. great price. great location. rooms were just what we needed.
i''m not a big buffet girl, but the breakfast buffet at the paris rocks! and it was so nice to just come down and it be right there. people came from lots of other hotels to eat the buffet at the paris.

oh how i''d love to go back!

 

[Skippy123]

Date: 6/19/2007 12:10:11 AM
Author: katebar

Date: 6/18/2007 10:45:48 PM
Author: Skippy123
The Grand Canyon is awesome

Quite the natural beauty. Sounds like a great trip! You have all the best chef''s in Vegas

Also, all the Cirque du Soleil shows are great.

I agree w/Tacori. . . as long as you stay on the strip you will be fine. I like the Venetian, MGM, Mirage and the Flamingo.

Skippy i was hoping you would chime in you traveller you. I would love to spend more time exploring the Grand canyon but realsiticly I think the helicopter trip is all we can fit in this time. have you done this?

I am sorry I haven''t; I did see the helicopter vendors all over the strip. It didn''t seem crazy expensive and I considered it. I think they take you over Hoover dam and Lake Mead in the flyer they handed me. All I know is that Grand Canyon is about 2 1/2 hours away from Las Vegas. Sorry I couldn''t help you on that one.

Also, I saw Jcrow''s post on the good break buffett at Paris and I have to agree. . . it is super yummy!!! In fact my friends hubby won big so he bought us all breakfast at the Paris to celebrate. hehehe

Sounds like you will have a wonderful time

 

[AsscherGirl]

We stayed at the Bellagio in June 2005 & I was really disappointed. We waited to check in for over an hour, and there was no one to help us with our bags, show us where our room was, anything. My parents had been there before, so they knew where to go, but otherwise I definitely would have gotten lost! At check-in, they tried to give us smoking rooms, even though we had specifically booked non-smoking rooms. After some arguing, all of a sudden, non-smoking rooms showed up!

.

We had 2 rooms, my room had at least 3 broken items. We called to have them fixed, but the hotel staff never came the entire time we stayed. The room was nice, and we overlooked the pool (high enough that we didn''t hear the noise). They were doing construction while we were there, but it was not bothersome.

The staff was not very pleasant - no good mornings, no smiles when you walked by (you would expect that for such an expensive place to stay). One night we tried to go to a bar, but nobody would take our drink order, so we left!

At check-out we had a shuttle to the airport which was over an hour late....

It wasn''t a terrible experience and we still had a great time since it was Vegas, but I definitely expected more for the money!

 

[Alienor]

Ha, I went to Vegas last week and going back tomorrow.
I stayed at the Bellagio and it is very nice. I recommend. The bellagio buffet is good.
Tomorrow, i am going to the MGM so i will tell you then.
My boyfriend went to the Mandalay Bay many years ago and he loved it.
According to him (he lived in LV for years), stay away from the Tropicana and Excalibur unless you are really budget-concerned.

There is an outlet mall off the strip that you must see. Fashion Show across from Treasure Island is not bad either, but it looks very similar to the other mall across America.

 

[TravelingGal]

Date: 6/19/2007 1:49:47 PM
Author: *~*Danielle*~*
We stayed at the Bellagio in June 2005 & I was really disappointed. We waited to check in for over an hour, and there was no one to help us with our bags, show us where our room was, anything. My parents had been there before, so they knew where to go, but otherwise I definitely would have gotten lost! At check-in, they tried to give us smoking rooms, even though we had specifically booked non-smoking rooms. After some arguing, all of a sudden, non-smoking rooms showed up!

.

We had 2 rooms, my room had at least 3 broken items. We called to have them fixed, but the hotel staff never came the entire time we stayed. The room was nice, and we overlooked the pool (high enough that we didn''t hear the noise). They were doing construction while we were there, but it was not bothersome.

The staff was not very pleasant - no good mornings, no smiles when you walked by (you would expect that for such an expensive place to stay). One night we tried to go to a bar, but nobody would take our drink order, so we left!

At check-out we had a shuttle to the airport which was over an hour late....

It wasn''t a terrible experience and we still had a great time since it was Vegas, but I definitely expected more for the money!

Welcome to Vegas. IMO, it''s one of the least classy places in the world, yet people expect that it should be. Hotel staff are totally jaded, and everyone in Vegas always has a hand out to accept tips.

By the way, the airport is very close to the strip. It''s worth it to go out to the front of the hotel and catch a cab. The fare should be about $12-15 from mid-strip (where the bellagio is) plus tip.

Katebar, MGM has done a lot to go upscale. I remember years and years ago, I thought it was pretty ick. But as mentioned, don''t let the map fool you...it takes quite a while to walk from hotel to hotel since they are so enormous. For a first timer, I really would recommend the mid-strip area because a lot of the best shopping and restaurants are located there. Depending on what is going on in town (convention, etc), the cab lines can be VERY long.

That being said, the restaurant that Chiefneil mentioned, Robuchon, is supposed to be one of LV''s best. I have not been there (as I never head down that way) but my friends who love fine dining said their experience blew their experiences at other LV restaurants out of the water, and they have been to many of the high end restaurants.

There is plenty of great dining to be had in Vegas, which is why I can tolerate the town.

 

[AsscherGirl]

Date: 6/19/2007 2:09:54 PM
Author: TravelingGal

Date: 6/19/2007 1:49:47 PM
Author: *~*Danielle*~*
We stayed at the Bellagio in June 2005 & I was really disappointed. We waited to check in for over an hour, and there was no one to help us with our bags, show us where our room was, anything. My parents had been there before, so they knew where to go, but otherwise I definitely would have gotten lost! At check-in, they tried to give us smoking rooms, even though we had specifically booked non-smoking rooms. After some arguing, all of a sudden, non-smoking rooms showed up!

.

We had 2 rooms, my room had at least 3 broken items. We called to have them fixed, but the hotel staff never came the entire time we stayed. The room was nice, and we overlooked the pool (high enough that we didn''t hear the noise). They were doing construction while we were there, but it was not bothersome.

The staff was not very pleasant - no good mornings, no smiles when you walked by (you would expect that for such an expensive place to stay). One night we tried to go to a bar, but nobody would take our drink order, so we left!

At check-out we had a shuttle to the airport which was over an hour late....

It wasn''t a terrible experience and we still had a great time since it was Vegas, but I definitely expected more for the money!

Welcome to Vegas. IMO, it''s one of the least classy places in the world, yet people expect that it should be. Hotel staff are totally jaded, and everyone in Vegas always has a hand out to accept tips.

Haha, I see what you''re saying. Las Vegas is not the most classy place, but I definitely experienced the worst service at the Bellagio compared to the other places we visited. Maybe because they were trying to get our money, and the Bellagio already had our money!

 

[katebar]

Date: 6/19/2007 1:17:35 AM
Author: chiefneil

Date: 6/19/2007 12:14:03 AM
Author: katebar

Date: 6/18/2007 11:36:10 PM

Author: TravelingGal

IMHO the best area of the strip starts at Bellagio on one side of the strip and Paris on the other to the Venetian/Mirage.

I just came back from Vegas today. Paris is OK...I have stayed there many times on business and also stayed there last night. The rooms are worn. They have redone 4 floors worth of rooms but they say they save those for VIPs. If you are lucky perhaps you could get one of those. If you stay in Paris, ask for a higher floor, regardless of what views they give you. The rooms on one side of the hotel are above the generator and it is NOISY.

That''s awesome info Travellingal. I really appreciate your opinion firstly cos you just been there and secondly because your practically an Aussie so you understand our sensablilites!

Nervous husband will want to go 4 star or plus he is not into budget anything. Would the Bellagio be too adult for my daughter?

I''m like your hubby, when I travel I never want to risk a disappointing experience with a hotel, so I usually look for the nicer ones. I go up to Vegas once or twice a year, sometimes on business and sometimes with the family. Generally we stay either at THE Hotel at Mandaly, or at the Venetian.

.

Chiefneil thanks you pretty sumed up my husband in that sentence. DD is liking the Bellagio as the rooms seem bigger. I wish we could budget for 2 rooms as my daughter is a late night owl and the thought of sharing a room with her wanting to watch TV for 14 nights is a bit of a worry. I will check out the Venitian too. We are going in early October so the pool area won''t be a concern cos'' I expect it will be quite cool at this time is that right?