Hotel Rec''s Las Vegas

[aljdewey]

Hubby and I have been to Vegas twice - once during our honeymoon in 2004, and then again last July.

For honeymoon, we stayed at the Venetian. The accommodations were superb, and the staff was VERY accommodating. We had a 1450 s.f. suite, and it was HUGE. At that time, they didn't have a buffet (or a poker room). Grand Cafe was AWFUL on the night we went, so we ended up hiking to the Bellagio for meals.

Last summer, we stayed at the Bellagio. Meals were fantastic, as always. Accommodations were quite comfortable, but not quite as elegant/posh as the Venetian.

If I'm reading right, Kate, you want a balance of upscale, food, and things for daughter to do. Based on that, I'd suggest the Venetian. I think that location offers more promixity for activities for your daughter while fulfilling all your other requirements.

Madame Tussad's wax museum is located right at the Venetian; most teenage kids find that very cool. Also, Venetian is directly across the street from the Mirage, and the Mirage has two things that may interest her: The dolphin habitat and the white tiger habitat...both outdoors. She'd probably also get a kick of hanging out at the indoor canal watching the gondolas....which are convenient located right outside the shopping! LOL

I'd consider the Bellagio, Venetian, Wynn's, and Mandalay as the more "upscale" options (possibly Paris, too). With no children, hubby and I prefer the Caesar's/Bellagio/Paris triangle area of the strip. For you, though, I think the Venetian end is more family friendly with more options for your daughter.

People are right - scale IS huge there, and you don't want to spend your time hiking back and forth from end to end. However, you can still get to the other end of the strip via the monorail or cabs, but unless you want to spend your entire trip shuttling back and forth, it makes more sense to stay on the end with more to offer YOUR needs.

If your daughter is into marine life, the Mandalay Bay has a fantastic aquarium. I think, though, that there are more things for her to do at the Venetian end of the strip.

Venetian is also close to to Wynn's as well, which I hear has great food also.

Good luck; let us know what you choose and how it goes!

 

[katebar]

Thanks Bee*,Krissie and Sunshine14. Walking is not a big problem but I do think that being right in the middle of things is the way to go. As we are going in early October it really won''t be that warm am I right? So the pool thing may not be too much of an issue.
JCrow I''m not much of buffet girl either and my tiny eater daughter is certainly not. Dh on the other hand LOVES a buffet so I guess will have to mix it up.
Danielle the Bellagio also gets mixed reviews on Tripadvisor and I certainly know how inconsistent hotels can be. I just think we will work out where after we have budgetted for our 3 other stops.
Alienor I look forward to your report on the MGM.
Thanks for all this helpful info. My husband looks so perplexed when I tell him how my friends at Pricescope are ''helping'' with our holiday

. But I gave up trying to explain this community to him some time ago. He jsut does''nt understand. Anyway he sure is grateful for your input and insights.

 

[aljdewey]

Date: 6/19/2007 7:09:23 PM
Author: katebar

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?

I havne't stayed at the suites in the Bellagio (we had a standard room there), so I can't comment on their suites, but I agree with Chiefneil that I was underwhelmed by their rooms. I thought the accommodations at the Venetian were plusher, to be honest.

The Venetian suite didn't disappoint, though. 1450 sq. ft., two bathrooms, dining area, living area, TVs in bedroom and living room, PLENTY of room.

It really depends on what your priority is, but based on what you've said, I'd say the Venetian would be the best mix for all of you.

 

[Skippy123]

I am w/Alj I like the Venetian! lots of room!

 

[TravelingGal]

Yes, the standard room at the Venetian is a nice size. Maybe I wasn''t the only one who wasn''t totally impressed with it, but I went when it opened, and obviously their cleaning standards weren''t up to par. When I came back to my room one afternoon, there was a men''s pair of scungy tighty-whities laid out on my bed. I went through a moment of panic as I thought there must be some strange guy in the room. But no, housekeeping told me that they thought it was the current occupant''s underwear because they founded it wedged between the headboard and the mattress and just laid it back out. Lovely, I was sleeping next to dirty underwear all night!

Also, I don''t know if this was fixed, but it was so windy when I was there that the entire hotel whistled as wind came through the cracks of the door.

That being said, it''s a nice hotel. Rooms are definitely better than Paris, which has the worst beds, pillows and linens from all the "upscale" Vegas hotels. Worse than motel beds. Hopefully their rennovated rooms will be better!

 

[JohnQuixote]

Great advice in this thread.

I've stayed at Harrah's (on business) and The Venetian (on playtime). Both are great locations.

Harrah's is priced modestly by comparison. If you go that route request the Mardi Gras tower; it was recently redone with large flatscreens and hi-speed internet in the rooms. The Venetian is a more upscale experience; suggested if you're planning to spend quality time at the hotel.

 

[diane5006]

Hello...we just got back from Vegas...were there Mem Weekend...we stayed at the Hilton Grand Vacations Club (on the Strip) it is at the North End just past Circus Circus...in the past we had stayed at others near the center...but recent reviews had many complaints about the noise...from nearby construction

We Love the Hilton...we had a suite (for much less than lesser hotels were charging for that weekend)...it had a huge bedroom seperate spa tub and sink and shower/toilet area...it had a nice living room, with a dining table an pull out couch and chair...and it had a full kitchen stove, sink, oven, micro, dishwasher, and washer dryer...and there is a little mini-food store in the basement...

What I like best was no casino...no ding ding ding al night long no half mile trek through the smoke filled haze to get to either the elevator or reception...Vegas has gone partially smoke free (restaurants) but not the casinos

We were able to take buses and cabs (and the monorail once) all around to where we wanted...

They also have a nice pool

Also we were able to get last minute tickets to Spamalot...which was great...we also saw ''O'' which I love...

It may not be what you are looking for...but I thought I would mention it

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Hilton is REALLY far down Kate. If you guys want to walk around and tour other hotels I would stay in the middle. There is a nice shopping "mall" next to Paris as well. Ceasars has an upscale shopping forum too. M&M and Coke both have a "museum" type thing which would be cool for your daughter to see. I think they show how it is made and have a gift shop and stuff. It might still be warm enough for the pool when you go. We went once in Sept and it was still hot. Every hotel has a pool so I really wouldn''t worry about that.

 

[Sundial]

We go to Vegas a couple of times a year and have stayed at several different places: Four Seasons, MGM Grand, Mirage, the Venetian, and more but our favorite is The Wynn Las Vegas. Their standard rooms are quite nice with plasma TVs and large bathrooms and they have wonderful shopping and restaurants at the same property.

 

[katebar]

Thank you aljdewey your suggestions are spot on and who new things like this existed in Las Vegas

Thanks too Sundial JohnQuixote and diane5006. All your comments and suggestions have been so helpful. I have checked out the Ventian and looks amazing but they are quoting over $400 a night which is a little excy. Just to confuse things more what about the Signature at the MGM Grand. The bed for my daughter would be a sofa bed in the living area and this might work with her late night tv watching.
I still need suggestions from you guys on plalces to stay in San Fran and LA. I think we have got Hawaii covered but I post these questions properly another time

 

[chiefneil]

Date: 6/20/2007 12:26:36 AM
Author: katebar
Thank you aljdewey your suggestions are spot on and who new things like this existed in Las Vegas


Thanks too Sundial JohnQuixote and diane5006. All your comments and suggestions have been so helpful. I have checked out the Ventian and looks amazing but they are quoting over $400 a night which is a little excy. Just to confuse things more what about the Signature at the MGM Grand. The bed for my daughter would be a sofa bed in the living area and this might work with her late night tv watching.

I still need suggestions from you guys on plalces to stay in San Fran and LA. I think we have got Hawaii covered but I post these questions properly another time

Hmmm, I don''t think I''ve ever paid more than $150/night for the Venetian. Right now they''re offering $99/night on select nights for their player''s club members. Be sure to check it out as you can sign up online to be eligible for those offers.

Oh, for San Francisco I like the Westin St. Francis right on Union Square. Be sure to ask for the new tower as the older section isn''t as nice. They have a great Michael Mina restaurant there in the lobby as well, but be aware that they require business casual dress (at that restaurant only).

 

[chiefneil]

Date: 6/20/2007 12:26:36 AM
Author: katebar
Thank you aljdewey your suggestions are spot on and who new things like this existed in Las Vegas


Thanks too Sundial JohnQuixote and diane5006. All your comments and suggestions have been so helpful. I have checked out the Ventian and looks amazing but they are quoting over $400 a night which is a little excy. Just to confuse things more what about the Signature at the MGM Grand. The bed for my daughter would be a sofa bed in the living area and this might work with her late night tv watching.

I still need suggestions from you guys on plalces to stay in San Fran and LA. I think we have got Hawaii covered but I post these questions properly another time

Oh, and although I like the Venetian, I certainly wouldn''t pay $400/night to stay there

 

[Skippy123]

I really like the Westin St. Francis for San Francisco too!!! They have the heavenly beds and steps away from wonderful shopping and you can hop on the trolley right out front! I also liked the the Grand Hyatt too, it is one street over and up from the St. Francis.

Also, if you join the Venetian''s email list they send you info on when the Venetian is in the low $100''s.

 

[katebar]

Date: 6/20/2007 10:17:33 AM
Author: chiefneil

Date: 6/20/2007 12:26:36 AM
Author: katebar
Thank you aljdewey your suggestions are spot on and who new things like this existed in Las Vegas


Thanks too Sundial JohnQuixote and diane5006. All your comments and suggestions have been so helpful. I have checked out the Ventian and looks amazing but they are quoting over $400 a night which is a little excy. Just to confuse things more what about the Signature at the MGM Grand. The bed for my daughter would be a sofa bed in the living area and this might work with her late night tv watching.

I still need suggestions from you guys on plalces to stay in San Fran and LA. I think we have got Hawaii covered but I post these questions properly another time

Oh, and although I like the Venetian, I certainly wouldn''t pay $400/night to stay there

I had no idea that October was such a busy month so there is''nt any deals yet.

 

[katebar]

Date: 6/20/2007 1:27:20 PM
Author: Skippy123
I really like the Westin St. Francis for San Francisco too!!! They have the heavenly beds and steps away from wonderful shopping and you can hop on the trolley right out front! I also liked the the Grand Hyatt too, it is one street over and up from the St. Francis.

Also, if you join the Venetian''s email list they send you info on when the Venetian is in the low $100''s.

Thanks for this Skippy123. i want to stay and are more quaint and quintessential SF hotel but DH needs the modern cons. We have looked at the westin too so thanks for your headssup as well.

 

[TravelingGal]

katebar, are you going on a weekend? Weekday? Vegas pricing can be tricky...if there is a big convention in town, prices will shoot up. Weekends are always pricey. Go look at the "hot dates" calendar for any of the harrahs family of hotels (caesars, paris, flamingo, etc). Not sure if they are showing October yet, but they should by August. Then you will be able to get an idea of price for any given time that month.

 

[katebar]

Date: 6/21/2007 12:39:24 AM
Author: TravelingGal
katebar, are you going on a weekend? Weekday? Vegas pricing can be tricky...if there is a big convention in town, prices will shoot up. Weekends are always pricey. Go look at the ''hot dates'' calendar for any of the harrahs family of hotels (caesars, paris, flamingo, etc). Not sure if they are showing October yet, but they should by August. Then you will be able to get an idea of price for any given time that month.

Thanks TravelingGal this is a great tip. Only up to August so I will bookmark it and check it out next month

 

[autumngems]

I was just there last month and stayed at Ceasar''s, awesome. I have also been to the Mirage, Bally''s, Excaliber and Luxor. So far Ceasar''s was the best. I have a friend going this week to the Venetian which I have wanted to stay in but haven''t yet. I hear it''s an experience. Go eat at P.F. Changs in Planet Hollywood, it''s awesome. Also the Venetian has Wolfgang Pucks.

 

[scarleta]

I also like Mandalay Bay and the pool is so cool.They are all great as said above, but so far Mandalay Bay is the best one for me.This time we are going to stay at Planet Hollywood ( was Aladdin before)
Anyone experienced Planet Hollywood?

 

[katebar]

Thanks autumgems and scarleta I have narrowed it down to a few but now my daughter has talked to her girlfriend who says "You have to stay at the Bellagio!" so she with the experince of a 15 year old is pushing for his

 

[aljdewey]

Date: 6/26/2007 9:36:40 PM
Author: katebar
Thanks autumgems and scarleta I have narrowed it down to a few but now my daughter has talked to her girlfriend who says ''You have to stay at the Bellagio!'' so she with the experince of a 15 year old is pushing for his

One note on that.....the Bellagio isn''t terribly ''kid-friendly''; children are only allowed if they are guests of hotel or there for a show, which means you''ll be asked to see your room key A LOT.

As long as you''re not annoyed with that, it''s a fine option.

I can understand the ''coolness'' factor for your daughter......wants to be able to say she stayed at a well-recognized place.