zhuzhu
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Las Vegas Recommendations?
- Thread starter zhuzhu
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zhuzhu
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zhuzhu
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noelwr
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yay! I loooooooove Las Vegas.
you have to plan your days around what's near each other because the strip is way too long to walk it all.
I would start at the Venetian which has the loveliest set up of shops and then walk through the hotels and make your way to the fountain show at the Bellagio (best seen at night).
The Blue Man Group show at the Venetian is fantastic.
The Stratosphere is far away but it's got a great view (during the day) over all of Las Vegas, but if I remember correctly you have to pay to get to the top of the tower. maybe do this before you leave town.
MGM Grand is much further south and has the lions, but you could go to a zoo to see lions. the other hotels around here are Excalibur, Luxor, Mandalay Bay, New York New York but are very theme-related and we were never into them. across from the Bellagio you have Paris Las Vegas so if you really need to hit a theme hotel you can find it there.
you have to plan your days around what's near each other because the strip is way too long to walk it all.
I would start at the Venetian which has the loveliest set up of shops and then walk through the hotels and make your way to the fountain show at the Bellagio (best seen at night).
The Blue Man Group show at the Venetian is fantastic.
The Stratosphere is far away but it's got a great view (during the day) over all of Las Vegas, but if I remember correctly you have to pay to get to the top of the tower. maybe do this before you leave town.
MGM Grand is much further south and has the lions, but you could go to a zoo to see lions. the other hotels around here are Excalibur, Luxor, Mandalay Bay, New York New York but are very theme-related and we were never into them. across from the Bellagio you have Paris Las Vegas so if you really need to hit a theme hotel you can find it there.
Bleed Burnt Orange
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The Burger Bar in Mandalay Bay...go hungry!
Mesa Grill at Cesars.
If you''re into nightclubs, all the hotels on the strip (the major ones) have really nice ones. I''ve been to Pure at Cesar''s where there is the Pussycat dolls lounge, Jet (I forgot exactly which one, Cesar''s or Monte Carlo) and the Bank (at the Bellagio). All very nice. Pure gives you a chance to go outside.
Any of the Cirque du Soleil shows...except Love maybe.
You can''t go wrong just going into one of the BIG hotels on the strip and looking around. You''ll find a really good restaurant or something to see.
To me, one of the biggest attractions in Vegas is walking up and down the strip. Seeing all the hotels, the architecture, the styles.
Mesa Grill at Cesars.
If you''re into nightclubs, all the hotels on the strip (the major ones) have really nice ones. I''ve been to Pure at Cesar''s where there is the Pussycat dolls lounge, Jet (I forgot exactly which one, Cesar''s or Monte Carlo) and the Bank (at the Bellagio). All very nice. Pure gives you a chance to go outside.
Any of the Cirque du Soleil shows...except Love maybe.
You can''t go wrong just going into one of the BIG hotels on the strip and looking around. You''ll find a really good restaurant or something to see.
To me, one of the biggest attractions in Vegas is walking up and down the strip. Seeing all the hotels, the architecture, the styles.
meresal
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zhu- When you say downtown, you understand that you will have to drive to the strip from your hotel, right?
Bellagio is a must... the fountain and the changing of the flowers. I *believe* you can call and find out what time they switch them, it's really neat to see.
Venetian shopping is great... Ceasar's is huge, and can take an entire day (or 2) to walk thru, but it has some of the best stores. If you pick out the ones you really want to go into, then you can minimize your time there.
Wynn- They have a light show at night on their water wall. It's pretty fun to see if you are eating dinner there. Again, you can call and find out how often they run it.
We are pretty fit, but anytime we are in Vegas, we wake up, eat breakfast, and then walk the strip. There is so much to look around at, you won't even notice how much you have walked.
Bellagio is a must... the fountain and the changing of the flowers. I *believe* you can call and find out what time they switch them, it's really neat to see.
Venetian shopping is great... Ceasar's is huge, and can take an entire day (or 2) to walk thru, but it has some of the best stores. If you pick out the ones you really want to go into, then you can minimize your time there.
Wynn- They have a light show at night on their water wall. It's pretty fun to see if you are eating dinner there. Again, you can call and find out how often they run it.
We are pretty fit, but anytime we are in Vegas, we wake up, eat breakfast, and then walk the strip. There is so much to look around at, you won't even notice how much you have walked.
noelwr
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TravelingGal
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zhuzhu, if you really mean DOWNTOWN instead of the strip, I would highly, highly, HIGHLY recommend that for your first visit to Vegas, you cancel and book a hotel on the strip, pronto.
The area you would want to be around for your first time visit is around the following hotels:
Nicer:
Caesar''s Palace
Venetian
Bellagio
Mirage (although some think this hotel should be in the next category
Other hotels right there, but not as swank are:
Paris
Flamingo
Bally''s
There are more wedged in around there, but I can''t remember them all (nor have I stayed in them). Also nice but a bit further up the strip are the Wynn and Encore properties.
There is great window shopping in Caesar''s Forum Shops (one of the longer standing casino shops in the area), Bellagio, and Venetian.
What you have to understand is that even though a hotel might be two hotels down from another one, these properties are HUGE and take awhile to walk through. Downtown hotels are older, not as swanky, but gambling is a bit more affordable in terms of minimums...or at least they used to be. However, everything you see in Vegas in the movies this days are of the strip.
Visit Bellagio''s lobby and they always have a changing display right off the lobby (I forget what that area is called). It''s amazing. Also the fountain show at night is free.
I second Bobby Flay''s Mesa Grill. It''s not going to be the most highly rate restaurant in town, but I''ve eaten there a couple of times and everything is very flavorable and with a twist on the usual steak, chicken or fish. If you want to sit outside, Mon Ami Gabi actually has outdoor dining where you can see the Bellagio Fountains. The food there is decent, but nothing to rave about. It''s french bistro stuff.
I also loved Bellagio''s O Cirque show.
Just know that everyone has their hand out in Vegas for tips. Also, don''t mess with the minibar in your fridge, or else they''ll charge you (at most hotels I''ve been to, this do this anyway). Even if you just take something out to look at it, it''s all on sensor.
I would say, unless you really are going to stay in downtown, don''t bother with the stratosphere for such a short visit. That hotel is depressing.
Down the strip you have the hotels noelwr mentioned. The Mandalay Bay (and adjoining hotels) is a nice property, but the others are older and really, not as much to see (although MGM holds some upscale restaurants). IMHO stay in the area surrounding bellagio...there is much to see there in your short time.
The area you would want to be around for your first time visit is around the following hotels:
Nicer:
Caesar''s Palace
Venetian
Bellagio
Mirage (although some think this hotel should be in the next category
Other hotels right there, but not as swank are:
Paris
Flamingo
Bally''s
There are more wedged in around there, but I can''t remember them all (nor have I stayed in them). Also nice but a bit further up the strip are the Wynn and Encore properties.
There is great window shopping in Caesar''s Forum Shops (one of the longer standing casino shops in the area), Bellagio, and Venetian.
What you have to understand is that even though a hotel might be two hotels down from another one, these properties are HUGE and take awhile to walk through. Downtown hotels are older, not as swanky, but gambling is a bit more affordable in terms of minimums...or at least they used to be. However, everything you see in Vegas in the movies this days are of the strip.
Visit Bellagio''s lobby and they always have a changing display right off the lobby (I forget what that area is called). It''s amazing. Also the fountain show at night is free.
I second Bobby Flay''s Mesa Grill. It''s not going to be the most highly rate restaurant in town, but I''ve eaten there a couple of times and everything is very flavorable and with a twist on the usual steak, chicken or fish. If you want to sit outside, Mon Ami Gabi actually has outdoor dining where you can see the Bellagio Fountains. The food there is decent, but nothing to rave about. It''s french bistro stuff.
I also loved Bellagio''s O Cirque show.
Just know that everyone has their hand out in Vegas for tips. Also, don''t mess with the minibar in your fridge, or else they''ll charge you (at most hotels I''ve been to, this do this anyway). Even if you just take something out to look at it, it''s all on sensor.
I would say, unless you really are going to stay in downtown, don''t bother with the stratosphere for such a short visit. That hotel is depressing.
Down the strip you have the hotels noelwr mentioned. The Mandalay Bay (and adjoining hotels) is a nice property, but the others are older and really, not as much to see (although MGM holds some upscale restaurants). IMHO stay in the area surrounding bellagio...there is much to see there in your short time.
elle_chris
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If you mean Downtown as in the Old Strip, I gotta agree with Meresal and TGal- Rebook to one of the nicer ones recommended. It''s an interesting place to visit (has a very old feel to it, and I thought depressing), but you don''t want to stay there.
I love the Bellagio. Great hotel, great service and location. The others are nice too but Caesers, Venetian, and Paris are all themed- it would drive me crazy if I had to spend too much time in them.
LabRatPhD
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FI and I have been to Vegas a couple of times. We have stayed at the Bellagio, THEHotel at the Mandalay Bay, and the Four Seasons. Out of all three, the hotel we liked the most was the Four Seasons. It is VERY quiet and the pool is fantastic. It is on the end of the strip so it is hard to get to the rest of the strip, which is a big downside. The Bellagio is very pretty and a great location to be central to everything. I have heard that the Venetian is very nice too.
There is shopping everywhere in Vegas so definitely depends on what you are interested in.
The restaurants we really liked were Tao and Bouchon at the Venetian, L''Atelier de Joel Robuchon and Joel Robuchon (main restaurant) at the MGM Grand, and Picasso in the Bellagio. Picasso is great because it overlooks the fountain and if you get seated for dinner at the right time, you will get to catch the fountain show. Joel Robuchon is insanely expensive but really good, and Bouchon has a great brunch.
I will say that FI and I do not gamble at all and basically go to Vegas for eating, shopping, and occasionally the shows.
There is shopping everywhere in Vegas so definitely depends on what you are interested in.
The restaurants we really liked were Tao and Bouchon at the Venetian, L''Atelier de Joel Robuchon and Joel Robuchon (main restaurant) at the MGM Grand, and Picasso in the Bellagio. Picasso is great because it overlooks the fountain and if you get seated for dinner at the right time, you will get to catch the fountain show. Joel Robuchon is insanely expensive but really good, and Bouchon has a great brunch.
I will say that FI and I do not gamble at all and basically go to Vegas for eating, shopping, and occasionally the shows.
panda08
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Oooh, we''re gonna be in Vegas this weekend too!
I second (or 3rd, I think), the suggestion that, if you can, stay at a hotel on the Strip, preferably in the middle of it. Downtown isn''t horrible but for your first time in Vegas, I think the strip is the way to go. You can get good rates on Hotwire or Priceline.
The Bellagio lobby should be great, as it is probably decked out for Chinese New Year/Valentine''s Day.
The Cirque shows (and most good shows, for that matter) are pricey. I''ve seen Mystere, O, and Love and enjoyed Love the most. If you like the Beatles, see Love. Check out www.goldstar.com for discount tickets for Vegas shows. I took a quick look and they have discounts for Zumanity (a Cirque show), Blue Man Group, and others you may be interested in.
For a good view, get a drink at Mix in the Mandalay Bay Hotel, Voodoo Lounge in the Rio or Ghost Bar in the Palms.
There is a WIDE range of restaurants in Vegas, from very cheap to very $$$$$. Check out the reviews on Yelp.com for help sorting through them.
If you have a hankering for Asian food, take a short drive on Spring Mountain Road, west of the I-15, off of the Strip. There are many Chinese, Vietnamese, Japanese and Korean restaurants, at affordable prices.
I don''t really shop on the Strip but there is a decent outlet off of the North end of the Strip, after Desert Inn Road. The Fashion Show Mall is a typical mall. Window shopping is good in the Bellagio and Caesar''s Palace, as there are many high end stores in there.
Have a great time!!!
I second (or 3rd, I think), the suggestion that, if you can, stay at a hotel on the Strip, preferably in the middle of it. Downtown isn''t horrible but for your first time in Vegas, I think the strip is the way to go. You can get good rates on Hotwire or Priceline.
The Bellagio lobby should be great, as it is probably decked out for Chinese New Year/Valentine''s Day.
The Cirque shows (and most good shows, for that matter) are pricey. I''ve seen Mystere, O, and Love and enjoyed Love the most. If you like the Beatles, see Love. Check out www.goldstar.com for discount tickets for Vegas shows. I took a quick look and they have discounts for Zumanity (a Cirque show), Blue Man Group, and others you may be interested in.
For a good view, get a drink at Mix in the Mandalay Bay Hotel, Voodoo Lounge in the Rio or Ghost Bar in the Palms.
There is a WIDE range of restaurants in Vegas, from very cheap to very $$$$$. Check out the reviews on Yelp.com for help sorting through them.
If you have a hankering for Asian food, take a short drive on Spring Mountain Road, west of the I-15, off of the Strip. There are many Chinese, Vietnamese, Japanese and Korean restaurants, at affordable prices.
I don''t really shop on the Strip but there is a decent outlet off of the North end of the Strip, after Desert Inn Road. The Fashion Show Mall is a typical mall. Window shopping is good in the Bellagio and Caesar''s Palace, as there are many high end stores in there.
Have a great time!!!
zhuzhu
Ideal_Rock
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1st of all. Thank you ALL SO MUCH for the helpful suggestions and insights! I am very thankful for your kindness!
We are staying at the South Point Hotel, Casino, and Spa because of its excellent reviews and a special discount price. It has its own casino and is about 15 minutes drive to the strip. Maybe I will look around some more to see if those "strip hotels" offer comparable rates.
I am making a copy of all your suggestions as my "tour guide". Please keep them coming and I will surely report back with blingy pictures to share!
XOXOOXXO
We are staying at the South Point Hotel, Casino, and Spa because of its excellent reviews and a special discount price. It has its own casino and is about 15 minutes drive to the strip. Maybe I will look around some more to see if those "strip hotels" offer comparable rates.
I am making a copy of all your suggestions as my "tour guide". Please keep them coming and I will surely report back with blingy pictures to share!
XOXOOXXO
TravelingGal
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zhu, it''s a 15 minute drive in no traffic, but I assure you, Vegas has some. It''s taken me 10 minutes to drive a mile on more than one occasion.
Again, for your first trip to Vegas, I firmly urge you to stay on the Strip closer to the Bellagio. I checked your location and you are neither downtown nor really on the strip. The hotel is on the "south strip"...that is quite a bit further down on the strip (looks like about 4 miles south?) Either the 15 or the drive down Las Vegas Drive can be really bad on weekends. The nearest major strip hotel is Mandalay Bay. If you drink and gamble, you don''t want to be driving. And cabs are crazy on weekends (long cab lines at hotels.) Whatever the cab costs you, might make that discount price not look like much of a discount at all.
I don''t see any conventions going on at the LVCC, but this weekend IS president''s day weekend and Valentine''s day weekend. I hope you are making reservations at restaurants NOW, otherwise you may be well and truly in for a rough time.
zhuzhu
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mariel
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TravelingGal
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Paris, although I will warn you that the rooms aren''t that great unless they have very recently redone them. Ask for a room higher up, that gets some light and away from those loud whatever they are''s (generators). You can hear them even 4 or 5 floors up.
I stay at Paris every year for work...going again in April. Great location and since you are there for one night, the meh room won''t kill you.
zhuzhu
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LAJennifer
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Smart girl! Paris is the best location and they have an amazing crepe stand. My favorite restaurant is Fix at the Bellagio (a little more casual than others). Shows - I recommend "Jersey Boys" at the Venetian.
Don''t know what your husband is into - but Caesar''s has a really cool Cigar Shop/Bar. I always go in there and sit for few and catch whatever game is on.
noelwr
Brilliant_Rock
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I''ve stayed at Paris, and we didn''t find the rooms that bad. however, the maids with all the chattering woke us up many times. I remember also constantly hearing something like a gun going off, and then we realized it was the Bellagio fountain show! it was quite a long walk for the lifts to the casino floor. anyway, you will enjoy being in the middle of things.
hope you have a great weekend and please do share your pics when you come back.
hope you have a great weekend and please do share your pics when you come back.
TravelingGal
Super_Ideal_Rock
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It''s not that it''s really *bad*, but it''s not that good. Even in regular chain hotels like Marriott, etc, these days you find plush beds with fluffy comforters. Paris has thin blankets and those horrid floral covers you find at motels. Blech.
I haven''t been to that hotel for 2 years, so I''m hoping it''s changed.
However it''s clean and totally fine for a night...you''ll have fun Zhu!
meresal
Ideal_Rock
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Zhu, you are going to be SOOOOOOO glad you switched hotels.
Yes, South Pointe may be newer, but it is at least 15 mintues away from the strip and there is NOTHING else around it, except for local neighborhoods. My sister used to live about 2 exits away from this place, and I watched it being built. They are the only casino around except for one across the highway that is attached to a Bass Pro Shop.
Paris, may not be the best hotel on the strip, but it is going to give you a real chance to have the "Vegas Experience". Much more so than you would have experienced at SP. You are only in your room to sleep. Honestly! Drop you stuff off at the hotel and get to walking! You are going to have a blast!
Re: the Wynn water show: We were eating at the SW Steakhouse and walked out to see it, but there is a restaurant/bar where the seating is outside on a patio called Parasol Up Bar. (You have to walk into the casino and go downstairs to get there) Looks like the show runs about every 30 minutes.
http://www.destination360.com/north-america/us/nevada/las-vegas/lake-of-dreams
Yes, South Pointe may be newer, but it is at least 15 mintues away from the strip and there is NOTHING else around it, except for local neighborhoods. My sister used to live about 2 exits away from this place, and I watched it being built. They are the only casino around except for one across the highway that is attached to a Bass Pro Shop.
Paris, may not be the best hotel on the strip, but it is going to give you a real chance to have the "Vegas Experience". Much more so than you would have experienced at SP. You are only in your room to sleep. Honestly! Drop you stuff off at the hotel and get to walking! You are going to have a blast!
Re: the Wynn water show: We were eating at the SW Steakhouse and walked out to see it, but there is a restaurant/bar where the seating is outside on a patio called Parasol Up Bar. (You have to walk into the casino and go downstairs to get there) Looks like the show runs about every 30 minutes.
http://www.destination360.com/north-america/us/nevada/las-vegas/lake-of-dreams
zhuzhu
Ideal_Rock
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[Happy dance happy dance!!!!!]
Our tentative plan for the 1st day is to have brunch at Bouchon, and have dinner at the Fillipi''s. In between I look forward to the thrills rides (though DH seems VERY nervous, LOL!)and the famous Vegas evening lights.
The second day we will have the crepe (I LOVE crepe) and hopefully some good shopping before heading home.
A short trip, but hopefully it will convert me into a Vegas regular!!!
XOXOX to you all!!!
Our tentative plan for the 1st day is to have brunch at Bouchon, and have dinner at the Fillipi''s. In between I look forward to the thrills rides (though DH seems VERY nervous, LOL!)and the famous Vegas evening lights.
The second day we will have the crepe (I LOVE crepe) and hopefully some good shopping before heading home.
A short trip, but hopefully it will convert me into a Vegas regular!!!
XOXOX to you all!!!
zhuzhu
Ideal_Rock
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panda08
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Past, Present, Future: The Meaning of Three-Stone Engagement Rings
Past, Present, Future: The Meaning of Three-Stone Engagement Rings - 04/14
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