Las Vegas - Help with hotel choices

Thinking of going to Vegas for the first time with the wife during president's day weekend. Would check in saturday 2/18 and out on tuesday 2/21. Best hotel prices I have found including tax and resort fee are:

Paris Luxury room $105
Paris Red Room $135
Trump via Hotwire $160
Caesars Roman Tower $150
Caesars Forum Tower $180
Caesars Augustus Tower $225
Wynn Encore $275

Was thinking that Paris gets decent reviews and is well located and is cheap. For a long weekend it seems really cheap. However the pictures of the rooms look pretty drab. I'd probably go with the drab rooms and try and tip my way into a red room though I don't love the red room either.

Have thought about booking the cheapest Roman tower at caesars and handing the clerk a $50 when I check in but not sure if that will work. The roman tower does not look any better than Paris. Forum Tower looks pretty modern. Augustus tower looks very nice but now is more than double the cost of Paris and at that point should I just go to Encore? Wouldn't book trump yet because I want a refundable rate.

For a first time visitor, of those choices, I would recommend the Caesars Augustus Tower. Checking in on a Saturday, you're unlikely to get an at-the-desk free upgrade since most folks already arrived on Friday night.

Stay away from the older Caesars towers.

Paris Red Room would be good as second best.

I looked at Bellagio lake view rooms for thos dates and much more expensive. That would have been my initial thought for you. Incidentally, those rates make the Caears Augustus Tower look like a really good deal.

Wynn is too far down the strip for first timers. Same with Trump (although I've never been in there).

Caesars Family (includes Paris) doesn't charge resort fees. Are you a Total Rewards member? Are you booking through totalrewards.com, you may get better rates. I see slightly better rates but is based on my login.

When booking on totalrewards.com, when you are booking the room you will sometimes be offered an upgrade to another level room at a discount. This happened to me, I booked one room for November and it asked if I wanted to upgrade for $20 night (was originally $40 night difference).

I also received an email yesterday offering me an upgrade to Palace tower for $25 per night, or Augustus Tower for $60 night.

You might also be offered an upgrade for an additional fee at check-in. In March Augustus tower was $30 night more at check-in (I took it), whereas it was way more had I booked it originally.

Caesars Family (includes Paris) doesn't charge resort fees. Are you a Total Rewards member? Are you booking through totalrewards.com, you may get better rates. I see slightly better rates but is based on my login.



Interestingly enough right before I booked at Paris, I signed up for TR. Then when I tried to book using the 2 nights 20% off code advertised at caesars.com it would not let me. I simply signed out and then I was able to book with the 20% off code.

I was able to go back into TR and add my reservation to my profile but I see no option to upgrade rooms.

Interestingly enough right before I booked at Paris, I signed up for TR. Then when I tried to book using the 2 nights 20% off code advertised at caesars.com it would not let me. I simply signed out and then I was able to book with the 20% off code.

I was able to go back into TR and add my reservation to my profile but I see no option to upgrade rooms.

The upgrade offer showed up before completing the booking. You might still get an email offer closer to your date. Mine came about 1.5 weeks prior.

Trump doesn't have a casino floor does it ?

Trump doesn't have a casino floor does it ?

nope

Don't stay at the Trump then :D

Selecting between the choice of rooms that you allready looked at, I would select the Paris Red room. The luxury rooms are outdated but the red rooms are pretty nice. Make sure you ask for a fountain view high floor room for the best view... since it's the first time for your wife she will love the view ;-)

PS : have dinner at Mon Ami Gabi, they have great steaks.

As a first timer I wouldn't recommend Trump - it's off the strip and the commute to/from the strip will take up valuable time you can spend enjoying the sights and sounds of what makes Vegas Vegas.

Wynn is too far down the strip for first timers.Maybe a few years ago, but these days you have direct walkway access to Venetian/Palazzo and easy access to TI. Along with Encore and Wynn, that's five venues right there. Plus Fashion Show Mall.

As a first timer I wouldn't recommend Trump - it's off the strip and the commute to/from the strip will take up valuable time you can spend enjoying the sights and sounds of what makes Vegas Vegas.

It's also not that good of a hotel -- form over function and poor service.

Also keep in mind that Caesars' new Octavius Tower opens in early January - check for any possible promotional rates.

Found a promo rate of 149 at Wynn or Encore. I think I am going to go with Encore.

Found a promo rate of 149 at Wynn or Encore. I think I am going to go with Encore.

Good rate - you won't be disappointed there.

Good rate - you won't be disappointed there.

+1 Especially if you're getting that rate for the Saturday night

If you are a Marriott member, have you checked rates for the Cosmopolitan on Marriott's own site (which are lower than on Cosmo's site)?
It's a fantastic location, center of the Strip.

Otherwise, if you are a Priority Club member, check out the Venetian/Palazzo for promotional rates.

I, too, am going to Vegas for my first time albeit with my wife and three sons (6, 10, and 12). We'll be there Jan 4-7, 2012.

I dont know much about the hotels there but figured staying on the Strip was essential. Room size is a bit of a concern as there are 5 of us but I want to experience the Vegas experience so leaning towards big casino hotel.

I'm currently holding a 'Bungalow Room' at MGM Grand for $118/night ($90, $90, $265 plus fees). And I'm considering getting 5 tickets for KA which is held within the hotel.

Does this seem reasonable? Should I consider another location that is more kid friendly but not dated etc?

IF you have any must-do's for kids while there, please do mention that. We are flying into Phoenix, hitting the Grand Canyon then Hoover Dam prior to arriving in Vegas. Trip of a lifetime for all of us!

Thanks!
LAR

I, too, am going to Vegas for my first time albeit with my wife and three sons (6, 10, and 12). We'll be there Jan 4-7, 2012.

I dont know much about the hotels there but figured staying on the Strip was essential. Room size is a bit of a concern as there are 5 of us but I want to experience the Vegas experience so leaning towards big casino hotel.

I'm currently holding a 'Bungalow Room' at MGM Grand for $118/night ($90, $90, $265 plus fees). And I'm considering getting 5 tickets for KA which is held within the hotel.

Does this seem reasonable? Should I consider another location that is more kid friendly but not dated etc?

IF you have any must-do's for kids while there, please do mention that. We are flying into Phoenix, hitting the Grand Canyon then Hoover Dam prior to arriving in Vegas. Trip of a lifetime for all of us!

Thanks!
LAR

Pretty good choices for a first timer. I'd probably stick with the MGM and the larger room will be nice. There's also some more kid-oriented stuff across the street at Excalibur. (But if it were me, I'd rather stay at MGM.)

As to other hotel alternatives in that price range, you could check out the cost of two adjoining rooms at one of the lower-end Harrah's/Caesar's properties (no resort fees), but I frankly don't think you'll save much if anything overall and it probably will be a downgrade from the kid's perspective. Just don't get suckered into staying at Circus Circus, which among things is way off the beaten path.

Regarding other kid-friendly activities on a 3-night stay, there is a zip line downtown that might appeal to them. And if you have a car you can maybe do a bit of hiking kids at Red Rock or something like that if the weather is nice.

PS : have dinner at Mon Ami Gabi, they have great steaks.

I would tell OP to skip it, because he can get that here in Chicago. It's part of Chicago-based Lettuce Entertain You group and there are locations in Oak Brook and Lincoln Park, the Lincoln Park one is very nice.

There are about 40 world-class steakhouses in Las Vegas.

There are about 40 world-class steakhouses in Las Vegas.

I've generally come around to the view that pretty much all LV restaurants are over-rated. I trace it to too many one time visitors.

I've generally come around to the view that pretty much all LV restaurants are over-rated. I trace it to too many one time visitors.QuietLion is an ocean away from a "one time visitor."

QuietLion is an ocean away from a "one time visitor."

Oh - that was no comment QuietLion or his judgment.

With kids in tow, I would suggest looking at one of the condo hotels, particularly MGM Signature, Vdara, or Planet Hollywood Westgate. For location, Vdara is hard to beat.

Cosmopolitan is great. Get a high floor room overlooking the Bellagio fountain.
Mon ami gabi is best for lunch. Try the steamed mussles with a white wine.
Best steak (not overated) is the bone in ribeye at Emerils' Delmonico at the Venetian. Best served at the bar (usually no waiting).

There are about 40 world-class steakhouses in Las Vegas.

Hardly. About 30 of those are chains that run the gamut from ordinary to very good but hardly world-class (such as a Mortons, Donovans or Ruth's Chris) There aren't 40 legitimately world-class steakhouses in the entire United States.

It's doubtful that there are more than 2 dozen legitimately world-class restaurants of all types combined in Vegas.

Unless, of course, one considers a place where a highly regarded chef licenses his name to an indifferently run place that is nothing more than a standard high end hotel dining room as world class. There are easily 3 dozen of these types of restaurants in Vegas.

Hardly. About 30 of those are chains that run the gamut from ordinary to very good but hardly world-class (such as a Mortons, Donovans or Ruth's Chris) There aren't 40 legitimately world-class steakhouses in the entire United States.

It's doubtful that there are more than 2 dozen legitimately world-class restaurants of all types combined in Vegas.

Unless, of course, one considers a place where a highly regarded chef licenses his name to an indifferently run place that is nothing more than a standard high end hotel dining room as world class. There are easily 3 dozen of these types of restaurants in Vegas.

While I completely agree with you on the above, just out of curiosity, what restaurants in Las Vegas would you believe to be truly world class? I am going there this weekend and would like to go somewhere special.

thanks!

While I completely agree with you on the above, just out of curiosity, what restaurants in Las Vegas would you believe to be truly world class? I am going there this weekend and would like to go somewhere special.

thanks!

In all honesty, my statement about no more than 2 dozen genuinely world class restaurants in Vegas was more a function of how many places with outstanding reputations there are in Vegas that I HAVEN'T eaten in. Because I have only had 3 meals in Vegas in my life that I would consider world class, and two of those restaurants no longer exist (Charlie Trotters formerly in the MGM Grande, and Wolfgang Puck's Chinois formerly in the Forum Shops at Ceasars) And while I had one great meal at Chinois, I also had a few that were merely above average but not truly special. The other really great meal was at Michael Mina's in the Bellagio, but that was a while ago, and I have subsequently been very disappointed by Mina's new American Fish in the Aria.

Frankly, for my money nowadays in Vegas, I would probably choose to eat in Roy's, but Roy's is merely very good, not quite "world class". But at least you know what you're getting, and it's priced reasonably for the quality, and the food and preparations are interesting and the wine list is thoughtful and well priced.

For me, the Vegas restaurant scene is littered with famous chef's names, but on restaurants that are nowhere near the level of the places for which those named chefs earned their reputations. A case in point would be Emeril Lagasse. I have eaten at his Delmonico in the Venetian, and also his Emeril's and Delmonico in New Orleans. The Las Vegas Delmonicos is a pale shadow of the two places in New Orleans - decent, but lacking the genuine intensity of seasonings that his New Orleans establishments deliver - definitely either tamed for middle-American Palattes, or simply uninspired by a lack of Lagasse himself being fully involved with the place beyond licensing his brand.

I think the situation with Michael Mina is similar. When he had 2 restaurants in San Fran, and one in Vegas, he seemed to keep the Vegas establishment at a high level. But now he has no fewer than FIVE places in Vegas, and perhaps 25 others in various cities, and the newer Vegas establishments are clearly nothing special.

At least the Roy's in Vegas is consistent with the quality of the better Roy's establishments in Hawaii - and superior to some of the others on the mainland (such as the disapointing Roy's in my own home town of San Diego).

I'm not sure I know what world class means but I've had very good meals at Delmonico's (but haven't been to the original so no basis for comparison), Bradley Ogden, Craftsteak and Mesa Grill. Have also had mediocre meals at Craftsteak and Mesa Grill.

Just stayed at cosmo and loved it. Don't forget to give your Mariott number there. I also love the palazzo. For food, nothing beats the fountains brunch at the bellagio.

..... What restaurants in Las Vegas would you believe to be truly world class? I am going there this weekend and would like to go somewhere specialIn order:

1) Twist by Pierre Gagnaire (Mandarin Oriental)

http://www.mandarinoriental.com/lasvegas/dining/twist/

http://www.kevineats.com/2009/12/twist-by-pierre-gagnaire-las-vegas-nv.htm


2) Joël Robuchon (Mansion at MGM Grand)

http://www.mgmgrand.com/restaurants/joel-robuchon-french-restaurant.aspx

http://www.kevineats.com/2008/01/jol-robuchon-las-vegas-nv.htm


3) Restaurant Guy Savoy (Caesars Palace)

http://www.caesarspalace.com/casinos/caesars-palace/restaurants-dining/restaurant-guy-savoy-detail.html

http://www.kevineats.com/2009/06/restaurant-guy-savoy-las-vegas-nv.htm

Just stayed at cosmo and loved it. Don't forget to give your Mariott number there. I also love the palazzo. For food, nothing beats the fountains brunch at the bellagio.Cosmo offers a chance to double dip, as you can earn both Marriott REwards points (and receive Marriott elite benefits) while also earning points in Identity, Cosmo's in-house program. And the Palazzo is now an Alliance member of Intercontinental Hotels/Priority Club.