Las Vegas - Seeking "Wow Power" in Las Vegas hotels in July

OK, from Oz and first trip to the States.

As part of a 1 month trip (July), I'm going to do 3 nights in Las Vegas.
Where else in the world can you do 5* for the sort of prices I'm seeing ?
I'm not a big gambler. No car - flying in and out
The odd hair in a basin or grumpy bellboy are not factors - nor is $20 bucks either way on price.
I'm chasing the wow factor - hotel setup, layout, view, entertainment, sheer American glitz at its best.

Your thoughts and guidence please.

There are a bunch of good resources out there for Vegas. I'd particularly recommend orienting yourself with this conveniently organized map of Strip casinos: http://cheapovegas.com/vegas_map.php?map=strip

For classic elegance, your best bet is probably the Bellagio. (Even if you don't stay there, plan at least one stop at their buffet during your trip.) For a more modern and stylish experience, you can't go wrong with any of Aria, Wynn/Encore or Venetian/Palazzo.

Any of those are located fairly centrally on the strip - Bellagio and Aria probably have the better locations, Wynn is getting a little far north.

If elegance or stylish sounds less attractive than pervasively cheesy theming, then you should probably investigate the over the top absurdity of Caesar's Palace.

For the rest - just take a day or two and walk up and down the length of the strip, exploring each casino. They all want your gambling money, so they're all more than happy to welcome you in free to explore - so pick a centrally located hotel with the level of service you desire, then walk around for entertainment and to experience the various themes.

None of them will give you the sheer American glitz you seek, though. For that, get a cab and go downtown to the Fremont Street Experience - where the wild west seediness of old Vegas is still partially preserved. I wouldn't recommend staying down there, but it should definitely be on your itinerary (and the gambling limits are low enough you might actually be able to give it a try, rather than the overpriced situation on the Strip where everything's above my tolerance level.)

I hope you enjoy America as much as I enjoyed my brief visit to Oz last year. Make sure to let us know if you have questions about other areas of the country - and please promise not to judge us entirely on the basis of Las Vegas ;)

I heard the Venetian is something else. Look on www.tripadvisor.com.. I would definitely research if you are looking for glitz, glamour and wow!

in2it54, welcome to FlyerTalk. Since you're looking at Las Vegas, with a thread title edit, I'll move this to the Travel->Las Vegas forum. Ocn Vw 1K, Moderator, TravelBuzz.

I'm chasing the wow factor - hotel setup, layout, view, entertainment, sheer American glitz at its best.


Based on your preferences, in the following order:


Encore/Wynn
Palazzo/Venetian
Caesars Palace
Bellagio

Agreed w/ Kingalien. The Wynncore properties come first. I'd rate Bellagio as last on any list, as it's become just another MGM machine.

If you can swing it, also look into Skylofts or perhaps the lesser-priced Hotel 32 within Monte Carlo. Hotel 32 is, imo, seriously tacky, but it is glitz on the most extreme level. I consider the term 'glitz' to mean form over function in some ways. If service is important to you, go with Wynn/Encore.



BN

Agreed w/ Kingalien. The Wynncore properties come first. I'd rate Bellagio as last on any list, as it's become just another MGM machine.

If you can swing it, also look into Skylofts or perhaps the lesser-priced Hotel 32 within Monte Carlo. Hotel 32 is, imo, seriously tacky, but it is glitz on the most extreme level. I consider the term 'glitz' to mean form over function in some ways. If service is important to you, go with Wynn/Encore.

BN


2 cents:

Don't even consider Hotel 32 over any of the hotels listed. Bellagio, although maybe not what is used to be, would be higher on my list for a first timer. It's got a big wow factor, perfect location, shops, food, fountains... If you were going with a woman I'd push it even higher.

Pay to get up high facing the strip.
Decide on the type of food you want to eat, then scope out a restaurant or two.
Cab/walk to the places listed you don't stay at.
Consider something crazy like a helicopter tour of the strip or Grand Canyon.

I am loving the Cosmopolitan right now for glitz and glamour.

This is not directly a response to your question about which hotel to stay at for a wow factor, but be sure to see the free Bellagio water fountain show, preferably after sunset, because it is truly a wow experience. You don't need to be staying at the Bellagio. Just stand anywhere on the Strip in front of the Bellagio. 8:00pm to midnight the shows occur every 15 minutes. 3:00pm to 8:00pm they are every half hour.

I heard the Venetian is something else.

It is something else, but I wouldn't recommend staying there. It is an enormous convention hotel. Not terribly glamorous or glitzy. Just filled with whoever is attending that week's convention.

First time in town? Bellagio with a view of the fountains (eastern / Strip side of the hotel). You'll know you're in Vegas.

It is something else, but I wouldn't recommend staying there. It is an enormous convention hotel. Not terribly glamorous or glitzy. Just filled with whoever is attending that week's convention.

Not to mention that Venetian and Palazzo scent all their public areas with some godawful florals that are torture for people like me with scent allergies. I like the Venetian, but I could never stay there again.

...I'm going to do 3 nights in Las Vegas.
Where else in the world can you do 5* for the sort of prices I'm seeing ?
I'm not a big gambler....Much better and cheaper 5* in BKK, Bali, etc. ... really no comparison. The lavish suites in Vegas are only for whales, you can't rent them at any price (and they are incredibly lavish, I had a 3000 sq. foot "1 BR" suite at the Mirage years ago -- bigger than most houses, and much nicer). The rentable parts of the Mirage are a pale shadow of that. More recently I've stayed at the Encore, for USD 100 per night, nice but nothing special really and more 3* than 5*.

Not to mention that Venetian and Palazzo scent all their public areas with some godawful florals that are torture for people like me with scent allergies. I like the Venetian, but I could never stay there again.

Yes it is bad but still a whole lot dang better than the constant smoke smell they had previously. It was like they were pumping cigarette smoke into the casino.

... More recently I've stayed at the Encore, for USD 100 per night, nice but nothing special really and more 3* than 5*.

But you get what you pay for there. You paid a ridiculously low price for what was likely a basic room or low level suite. If you had stayed in a villa, an apt or duplex, you might have another view of Wynncore. I think Wynn still runs the best larger-format resort in the city.

Until you've really explored all that Wynn and Encore have to offer, saying that it's a three-star at most is absolutely ridiculous.



BN

Some great input here - thanks heaps.

I'm a bit stunned that no-one threw up the Trump !
I know it's not on the strip and that you have to haul ... to get in amongst it, but is there any bang for your buck with this establishment ?

I've listened: at this time, I'm thinking Wyn/Encore = wow + location.

As for the Grand Canyon, it's definely on my bucket list.
I was thinking of a day trip via chopper, but I have heard that will not include the Hoover Dam.
It's a bit off the Vegas topic, but I'd love your thoughts. Anyway of doing them both in a day trip (without 8 hours in a bus) ?
Or, just forget Hoover ?

As for the Grand Canyon, it's definely on my bucket list.
I was thinking of a day trip via chopper, ?

IMHO your priorities are askew.

Skip Vegas/Hoover Dam and do this for Wow.

http://www.oars.com/grandcanyon

I'm a bit stunned that no-one threw up the Trump !


It's just a hotel. Not much glitz and as you said, it's out of the way. No casino. Stick to the strip.

But you get what you pay for there. You paid a ridiculously low price for what was likely a basic room or low level suite. If you had stayed in a villa, an apt or duplex, you might have another view of Wynncore. I think Wynn still runs the best larger-format resort in the city.

Until you've really explored all that Wynn and Encore have to offer, saying that it's a three-star at most is absolutely ridiculous.



BN95% of Encore and Wynn is 3-star, 4% is 4-star and <1% is 5-star but you can't pay to stay in that part -- it is comped by the casino. I do know, because I have stayed in all 3 parts, and the difference is palpable. My point is don't expect the same kind of service as you would get in Asia or Europe in a 5-star, or even in NYC. "Wow power" is expensive on the strip. I've heard the Golden Nugget has some suites that are old-style wow and cheap to rent. Encore did spend a ridiculous amount building the hotel (over $2 billion so about $200,000 per room) but it is in badly designed technology, poor ergonomics and shabby furnishings for the 5* price point. Even the villas are very badly furnished compared to a nice hotel, say Peninsula in HKG.

95% of Encore and Wynn is 3-star, 4% is 4-star and <1% is 5-star but you can't pay to stay in that part -- it is comped by the casino. I do know, because I have stayed in all 3 parts, and the difference is palpable. My point is don't expect the same kind of service as you would get in Asia or Europe in a 5-star, or even in NYC. "Wow power" is expensive on the strip. I've heard the Golden Nugget has some suites that are old-style wow and cheap to rent. Encore did spend a ridiculous amount building the hotel (over $2 billion so about $200,000 per room) but it is in badly designed technology, poor ergonomics and shabby furnishings for the 5* price point. Even the villas are very badly furnished compared to a nice hotel, say Peninsula in HKG.

I totally understand what you're saying in comparison to what gets a 5* rating in other places. BUT keep in mind what he mentioned:

I'm chasing the wow factor - hotel setup, layout, view, entertainment, sheer American glitz at its best.

Your thoughts and guidence please.

The Wynn or Bellagio will have a very unique view, entertainment, and "sheer American glitz". The layout and hotel setup ain't all that bad either. ;)

He'll have a blast.

Another vote for the Wynn. Count me in the group that thinks the Bellagio isn't what it used to be.

<< I'm chasing the wow factor - hotel setup, layout, view, entertainment, sheer American glitz at its best. >>

If you're there on a weekend, be sure check out the Hard Rock casino around midnight or later on a Friday or Saturday night.

It's still a scene that should be.....seen.....at least once.