Ducati Monster Forum

I'm going to Vegas this fall (November), and I'm shopping for a room to reserve.  Historically, I've liked to stay in the middle of the Strip - Caesar's, Mirage, Bellagio.  I've never stayed at Palms or Hard Rock, but those are near the top of my current list.  Footnote - even though this is a business trip, I'll be bringing Wifey along.  She'll need spa treatments, a nice pool, etc., to keep her occupied during some of the day time.  I like nicer hotels, but I definitely want to keep the rate reasonable (< $200/night)

Where have you stayed when you've gone to Vegas?  What hotel/casino would you recommend and why?

Gratuitous stories of debauchery can be included, if it'll help make the case to stay there.   [evil]  ;)

The Hard Rock sucks.

When I was a contractor working out in Vegas I stayed at the Luxor--in the towers, not the pyramid.  Great rooms, reasonable prices, great spa, nice pool, friendly service, etc.  Oh and their steak house is excellent.

Duck-Stew tells me the Venetian is amazing, but I don't know about the prices.  It looks like there might be some good deals to be had, depending on whether you stay during the week or on the weekend.  The Bellagio is fabulous on all counts, but last time I checked it was a bit pricey.  Not sure how it is now.

Good luck and have fun!   [thumbsup]

Wife and I were happy at the Luxor.   

I've stayed at the Luxor in the pyramid. Long time ago...I had an engineering internship at the Nevada test site working on the Yucca Mountain Project, so I was living in Vegas with my parents for the summmer. A couple college friends came into town. They had a free room (one of them was "entertaining" one of the hotel booking agents  [evil]) at the Luxor...nice one with a jacuzzi in the room.  [thumbsup] After a night of serious drinking we ended up in the hot tub with a couple of their female high school friends who were attending UNLV.  ;D Great time...so I like the Luxor...and the angled elevators are really cool. This was 15 years ago (damn I feel old) though...and the Luxor was pretty new then. Decent location, although it is a bit south on the strip.

A couple of years ago i stayed at the Planet Hollywood Resort (used to be called the Aladdin Hotel). They were in transition from the old Aladdin theme to the Planet Hollywood theme. Despite the construction it was very nice. It's sure to be even nicer now that I think they're finished. This is a Starwood group property (i.e. Westin, W) so it is nice. Great location on the strip! I also have a soft spot for the Aladdin, as I used to go the theater there when I was a kid to see concerts.  [thumbsup]

Caesars is always nice. Great location...classic Las Vegas.

Mandalay bay is nice, godd places to eat, cool club, and a friggin' great pool.  [thumbsup]

Belagio is awesome...also is $$$$. same goes for Wynn, and it's a bit out of the way.

I've never stayed at the Hard Rock, but they have the best pool in town. Well, the pool itself is great...but the scenery makes it super great!!  ;D ;D Be careful if you're there with the wife!  ;) It's also a cool place to go at night, as it has a party atmosphere. The Joint is a cool place to see bands (if you can get tickets). If you and the wife aren't the partying type, then probably not the best place.

MGM is OK...never stayed there but it was always known as a nice place.

Palms is kinda like the Hard Rock...but better, newer. Party atmosphere, but with very good restaurants (Nine steakhouse is good). Location sucks though...it is off the strip.

Anyway...everywhere you listed are nice places.  Some have better locations than others. If you want to be able to walk around, mapquest them and find somewhere on the strip (Las Vegas Blvd)...preferably near Flamingo. Between Flamingo and Tropicana is OK. A lot of the cool places are near there. Sounds like you know the area fairly well though.

Quote from: Statler on June 22, 2009, 01:51:54 PM
Wife and I were happy at the Luxor.   

Too smokey for my taste, but Tacos and Tequila (rest in the Luxor) is awesome. [thumbsup]


Personally I stay at The Orleans. $30 per night. ;D

Agree with JJJ for most part. I liked the Luxor. The MGM is nice. Bellagio..incredible! Loved Hard Rock too even though its a few LONG blocks away from the strip! They had the Ms. Fitness America contest when the s/o and I stayed the first time. WOW!!! The last time we were there, the pro volleyball tournament was being played. Legs for days!!!! ;)

The last time we were at Luxor, a couple prostitutes tried getting me to spend an hour with them.. The s/o broke that up quick when she came down from the room. Those chicks were friggen HOT!!!   Pretty Sad. :/

BTW...never share a room there with another couple who you barely know!!!

Venetian/Palazzo

You can get a nice room for $120 or less/night

Good spa stuff available - great restaurants

If you want great bellman service ask for "V"


Tell him I sent you and he'll charge you double

Quote from: IZ on June 22, 2009, 03:19:33 PM

BTW...never share a room there with another couple who you barely know!!!

why would you ever share a room?  college road trip?

Quote from: Statler on June 22, 2009, 03:52:13 PM
why would you ever share a room?  college road trip?

he needed someone to take pictures. ;D

The Wife and I were in Vegas March 08 (got Married), We stayed at Luxor, loved the place, there was a little bit of construction going on while they were doing some refurbishment, service was good, food was excellent in the Buffet, The Cafe and the Steakhouse was also superb.
We used the Monorail a lot, it's only a 10 minute walk to MGM grand and that got us to or close to where ever we wanted to go.

Quote from: Statler on June 22, 2009, 03:52:13 PM
why would you ever share a room?  college road trip?

No..not a college road trip.

God..where do I start?! 

The s/o and I went with a couple we met from the gym about 5 years ago.  We'll call them "Sam" & "Laura".  They were from NY and turned out to be INSANE!  They wanted to cut costs so we rode up to Vegas with them and all shared a room in the Luxor tower.  They used coupons for everything!  Twice they walked out of restauraunts..after we already sat down and ordered drinks..cuz the coupons weren't valid anymore.  [roll] 

The first night, we met a cool couple at NY/NY on their first date (a lawyer and a stripper from Cheatahs).  [thumbsup] That couple invited us to go with them to a bar on the other side of the strip.  They gave us a ride over to the bar (down by Circus Circus) and when we got there, psycho couple didn't want to spend $20 on a cover charge.  >:(  You know how for the Luxor is from Circus Circus?!  Well, they didn't want to split the charge for a cab or rikshaw. (sp)  I finally got p*ssed and said I was paying cuz the girls aren't walking that whole way in heels!!  >:(

Turned out the next day was their anniversary (which we didn't find out until the day was half way over) so we let them use the room late afternoon for a couple hours while we went down and bought them a card and a bottle of wine.  They friggen slept the whole time.  WTF?! ???   

Oh yeah..they didn't want to go to any clubs unless we had VIP or free passes.  I'm not even getting into that!!  >:(

After 2 days and one more night to go, the s/o and I ended up staying out all night without them and slept on the Luxor monorail for a couple hours as it went to and fro.  That morning when we went back to the room, I found that my razor had been used.  I blamed it on the Sam cuz there was long hairs in it.  I THOUGHT from his beard.  Turns out she shaved with it!   :-X :-X :-X :-X

We talked to them once more after that and then found out months later that they got divorced.

NEVER share a room with another couple in Vegas!!  >:(

Anyway..

Quote from: IZ on June 22, 2009, 06:20:25 PM
The first night, we met a cool couple at NY/NY on their first date (a lawyer and a stripper from Cheatahs). 

FYI that's not a "date"

Quote from: trouble on June 22, 2009, 07:40:02 PM

FYI that's not a "date"

Yeah..didn't I make that obvious when I said Lawyer and stripper?!

Quote from: trouble on June 22, 2009, 07:40:02 PM

Quote from: IZ on June 22, 2009, 06:20:25 PM

The first night, we met a cool couple at NY/NY on their first date (a lawyer and a stripper from Cheatahs). 

FYI that's not a "date"

OK, that's comedy right there.  [laugh]

Quote from: IZ on June 22, 2009, 06:20:25 PM
Turns out she shaved with it!   :-X :-X :-X :-X

what kind of woman would use another man's razor?  :-\

isn't that considered cheating?  :-\

Quote from: DuCaTiNi on June 23, 2009, 02:07:51 AM
what kind of woman would use another man's razor?  :-\

Maybe the yard needed cleaning.

I stayed at the Paris last year. It was really nice. The location is great too.

Do the helicopter ride if you get a chance.

Th Palms and Hardrock are way off the strip and area pain and expensive to get to.

Thanks for all the feedback, folks!  It's fun to read your stories, too. [laugh]   Keep 'em coming.

Since I'll be going to the convention center and Sands Expo, I like the idea of having access to the monorail.  Has anybody used the monorail lately?  It's gotta be more convenient than trying to ride a cab all the time.  The monorail could tilt the balance to a hotel that is near the track - namely the Venetian or MGM.  But I still like Bellagio and Caesar's, too.   I suppose I could also ask my wife where she'd like to stay...  [laugh]

@ gojira - thanks for your offer.  I'll do a little more homework and then get in touch with you.

@ River - why does the Hard Rock "suck"? ???

Stayed at the Encore (Steve Wynn's new hotel) with the wife back in March. Needless to say it wasn't the cheapest, although the off-weekend rate was $130 a night. The room was exceptional, the service was literally perfect and the spa, well...

I have never been to a spa, but our first day the wife and I did a couple's massage which included all-day access to the spa. My take? The Romans had it right. After a couple of hours lounging around and reading, I was totally ready to party like a rock star for the rest of the week.

My boss is a regular Vegas visitor and he stays at TI when the company isn't picking up the tab. He is not the most particular, but he won't stay someplace bad.

Quote from: bluemoco on June 23, 2009, 07:33:51 AM
snip

Since I'll be going to the convention center and Sands Expo,

Not like I get a kickback fro the Venetian - but it's right next to the Sands Expo - you can walk right in without leaving the comfort of AC [cheeky]

i've stayed at the mirage, the strat, and the luxor.

i liked the bars in the mirage even though they were wicked expensive. after going to these bars and the night club there i lost time for the only time in my life. that was not a cheap drinking experience. i didn't like the tables, and not jsut because i didn't win. the atmosphere at them wasn't that great, it just wasn't fun.

the strat was a bit cheaper but far away. they do have a fat tuesday's downstairs that is open by the time you drag your hungover ass out of bed so you can get your hair of the dog (with $1 for the extra shot on top) right away and feel better sooner.  ;D i also loved the way the dealers got excited with you while playing (except for blackjack, those guys never get happy)

the luxor was great. very clean, cheap rooms. i loved the shower/bathtub set-up. tables were alright and the dealers let the good atmosphere grow to a point. the 2 places i ate at in the hotel were good. i didn't drink though because i already had the shakes from 4 straight days of debauchery at the mirage (see the lost time comment above)


my g/f wants to go to vegas. i dont' know that i want to take her. and it's not because of the potential for sin and debauchery. it's ebcause she's going to fall asleep after a few drinks and get me kicked off whatever table i'm at when she does it plus she won't be gambling. she's not what we call a partier. how do i dealw itht hat? send her to circus jerkus and pray she doens't stab a child?

Quote from: KnightofNi on June 23, 2009, 11:50:30 AM
snip

send her to circus jerkus and pray she doens't stab a child?

I think they shut down the "Stab a Kid" attraction ;)

Quote from: trouble on June 23, 2009, 05:13:13 AM
Maybe the yard needed cleaning.

uh...ding ding ding!

:-[

Quote from: KnightofNi on June 23, 2009, 11:50:30 AMmy g/f wants to go to vegas. i dont' know that i want to take her. and it's not because of the potential for sin and debauchery. it's ebcause she's going to fall asleep after a few drinks and get me kicked off whatever table i'm at when she does it plus she won't be gambling. she's not what we call a partier. how do i dealw itht hat? send her to circus jerkus and pray she doens't stab a child?

See if you can send her off with girlfriends so she can do the shopping, spa and show thing.

Quote from: KnightofNi on June 23, 2009, 11:50:30 AM
my g/f wants to go to vegas. i dont' know that i want to take her. and it's not because of the potential for sin and debauchery. it's ebcause she's going to fall asleep after a few drinks and get me kicked off whatever table i'm at when she does it plus she won't be gambling. she's not what we call a partier. how do i dealw itht hat? send her to circus jerkus and pray she doens't stab a child?

Do not bring sand to the beach.

Quote from: KnightofNi on June 23, 2009, 11:50:30 AM

how do i dealw itht hat? send her to circus jerkus and pray she doens't stab a child?

Dude.  Seriously?

Have you ever been to the Circus Circus?

With the families there, it's more likely she'd be getting stabbed by one of the kids.    [laugh]

Quote from: somegirl on June 23, 2009, 05:58:08 PM
See if you can send her off with girlfriends so she can do the shopping, spa and show thing.

you've obviously never met kathy.  [laugh] she's not the shopping and spa type. she'd go to a show, but only if it was a band she wants to see. i honestly think she would just be bored unless we went with other people that she could hang out with while i'm losing money at a craps table.

Quote from: Rameses on June 23, 2009, 10:43:10 PM



Dude.  Seriously?

Have you ever been to the Circus Circus?

With the families there, it's more likely she'd be getting stabbed by one of the kids.    [laugh]

yeah, and i will NEVER go back. but they do have video games. if other casinos would catch on and have a video game floor or section it would rock.

Quote from: MrIncredible on June 23, 2009, 09:27:25 PM
Do not bring sand to the beach.

or in this case, the desert.

Quote from: KnightofNi on June 24, 2009, 05:26:52 AM
yeah, and i will NEVER go back. but they do have video games. if other casinos would catch on and have a video game floor or section it would rock.

If memory serves me correctly, I think the Excalibur does.

Quote from: Rameses on June 24, 2009, 06:04:09 AM


If memory serves me correctly, I think the Excalibur does.

You have recollections from your Vegas trip?

:o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o [laugh]

Quote from: Rameses on June 24, 2009, 06:04:09 AM


If memory serves me correctly, I think the Excalibur does.

i only went there because that's where the western union was.
(my bank shut off my card and couldn't turn it back on so they wired me money to make up for it, which i still had to pay for)

and i'm not staying there unless i have a suit of armor in my room.

Quote from: KnightofNi on June 24, 2009, 05:26:52 AM
you've obviously never met kathy.  [laugh] she's not the shopping and spa type. she'd go to a show, but only if it was a band she wants to see. i honestly think she would just be bored unless we went with other people that she could hang out with while i'm losing money at a craps table.

I actually have met her.  I'm hurt that you forgot. [cheeky]
The three of us mostly spent the evening trading stories about [drink] and [puke].

Well, I have to say, I'm with her.  I'm definitely not the shopping type either, and I'm not a big fan of gambling.  I've been to Vegas more times than I can remember and I'd never go back unless I have to for work.

I was in Vegas a few weeks ago and stayed at the Trump.

Advantages:
-nice pool with a fantastic selection of 20-something singles
-possibly the only non-smoking facility in Vegas
-No casino
-AMAZING rooms for dirt cheap.  I paid ~$200 night for a holiday weekend.
-Great view of the strip

Disadvantages:
-a WAYS from the central strip... or anything for that matter.
-No casino
-I'm on the 43rd floor, why can I hear street traffic?
-The restaurants in the facility are absurdly expensive.

Quote from: painter on June 24, 2009, 06:06:42 AM
You have recollections from your Vegas trip?

:o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o [laugh]

[laugh] [laugh] [laugh]


Believe it or not, I've only ever gotten drunk twice in Vegas.

Most of the time I spend out there is gambling and I want to stay sharp while at the tables.   [thumbsup]

This last time though, I was way down and decided to take a night off from playing blackjack and it happened to be my birthday.

I'll have to dig up the pics later tonight and post them up along with a brief summary of the night.   :-X

Quote from: Rameses on June 24, 2009, 05:34:35 PM


[laugh] [laugh] [laugh]


Believe it or not, I've only ever gotten drunk twice in Vegas.

Most of the time I spend out there is gambling and I want to stay sharp while at the tables.   [thumbsup]

This last time though, I was way down and decided to take a night off from playing blackjack and it happened to be my birthday.

I'll have to dig up the pics later tonight and post them up along with a brief summary of the night.   :-X

That was the trip with Jobu...

right?

I seem to have vague recollections. ;D

Quote from: painter on June 24, 2009, 05:36:46 PM
That was the trip with Jobu...

right?

I seem to have vague recollections. ;D

It was indeed.


Your recollections may be less vague than mine.   [laugh] [laugh]