Las Vegas - Harrah's, Aladdin, Luxor or Flamingo?

I'm planning a trip to Vegas in late July with my wife and my mother (visiting from India- her first time in Vegas). The following are hotels that fall within my budget for the two nights that we plan to stay there.

Harrah's: The hotel reservation websites rate it quite highly but I don't know much about it except that it seems too far south on the maps. Some pretty good deals here though.

Aladdin: This one was being constructed when I was there last and seemed pretty grand. I know the location is great, but this one is the most expensive from amongst my choices.

Luxor: I have ZERO idea about this one.

Flamingo: I knew of this one from "Bugsy", but was quite unimpressed by the sight of it when I was there. However, I didn't step inside so can't judge. The one advantage I see with this one is that as a HH Gold VIP, I might be able to get a room upgrade.

My wife and I have been to Vegas once before but my memory about the hotels, their location etc. isn't half as good as some of the LV "experts" who post here, so I beg your indulgence.

We are not big casino goers but like to play a couple of hours a visit on low stake card tables. Theme of the hotel and it's location on the strip is important. We stayed at NYNY last time and found it just a little too north. The place that I really wanted to stay was Paris (also because of my HH status), but nothing is available for out first night there.

Thanks much in advance http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif

Luxor is by far the best hotel of those you mention.

QL

Harrah's and the Flamingo are right next to each other and, IMO, on a nice location on the strip directly across from the Mirage. Also, if you want low-stakes card games try the Casino Royale (tucked in between the Venetian and Harrah's). It is a very small casino and they have several $5 tables as well as a $2 BJ table.

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"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety
deserve neither liberty nor safety." -- Ben Franklin

[This message has been edited by tazi (edited 06-11-2003).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by QuietLion:
Luxor is by far the best hotel of those you mention.

QL</font>

It has the best deal of the four that I'm considering. How is it regarding location?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by knit-in:
It has the best deal of the four that I'm considering. How is it regarding location?</font>

Almost at the very south end of the strip. Here's a link to a nice map of the hotels on the strip:

http://www.vegas.com/map.html


btw, I think you have north and south mixed up http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif

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"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety
deserve neither liberty nor safety." -- Ben Franklin


[This message has been edited by tazi (edited 06-11-2003).]

Personally, I would choose the Aladdin. It is the newest of the four. I would prefer a central location and it is the closest to that. It has a really nice shopping mall in it. There are many choices in restaurants and some are very nice.

I have not visited Harrahs in many, many years. Last time I did, it was dirty and outdated.

The Luxor has a nice pool, but I have been disappointed in the food. It is on the far south end of the strip.

The Flamingo is also quite old. It has been remodeled. The location is good.

I've stayed at all but the Aladdin, but I can't stand being in the place. It's bankrupt, so expect a new room and that's about it.

The Luxor isn't my favorite, but it might be the best for you. A lot of people do like it, though. Unfortunately, it's at the far South end of the stip.

Flamingo had a newly re-done room when I stayed there last, and I like the casino. Location is great, as you are in the absolute middle of the strip, near all the good stuff (Ballys/Paris, Ceasars, Bellagio, Mirage). I like it because it reminds me of "old Vegas" without trek'ing downtown. Consider this one. (I was there for some R&R--ok jetlag--and found myself in bed early each night....so I also like the fact that the Flamingo had more TV channels than the norm for a hotel-casino.)

Harrahs is my favorite, but that's mainly cause they offer me the most free rooms. The rooms are nice and clean with everything you would expect in that price range. It too is close to the middle of the strip, across the street from the Mirage. I like the casino because it's fun, though it's not lavish by any means.

Have fun! I'll be there next week. Viva!

I have not stayed in any of the rooms at these hotels, as I am a local. So, I can not speak as to the quality of the rooms, only the casinos and restaurants...

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by tazi:

btw, I think you have north and south mixed up http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif

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And here I was thinking the sun was rising in the west in my new apartment... http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif oops!

That's a lot of useful info folks, thanks again!

What's this about Aladdin being bankrupt though?

For folks from out-of-town, much less out of the country, I would choose either Luxor or Alladin. I stayed at Alladin last month, and liked it for the quality of room, the central location, and the adjoining shopping mall. The mall could be a big plus if your wife & mother (in-law?) want to shop. (or, a big minus if they have your credit card!) The biggest downer is, if you drive, it is a long, long walk from the car park to the hotel.

I've been in the Luxor, but haven't stayed there. The novelty of the place will be attractive to your guests, and while it is on one end of the strip, you can use cabs, a car rental or the monorails to get around.

All that said, Alladin gets my nod by a little.

JP

Since the temperatures will likely be over 110 degrees, you probably won't be doing a lot of walking with your mom, so I don't know if the location issue is so important.

The MGM-Bally's and Bellagio-Monte Carlo trains are closed for construction.

QL

As was pointed out, your North/South was backwards. I used to make the same mistake by assuming downtown was South.

My choices in order would be:

1) Alladin - new, good location
2) Flamingo - good location, good pool although decor is a little cheesy.
3) Harrah's - good location, casinos are fun but noisy
4) Luxor - Not centrally located, it seems like it takes a half hour to get from the casino to the room - maybe I just had a bad room.

Follow QL's reasoning on not walking around too much during the daytime if it is too hot. Many people think they will walk the strip then just hop in a taxi if they get tired. It is actually tough to get a taxi if walking the strip; you need to catch one at designated areas of the hotel/casino (the designated area is usually off the strip).

Tazi has some good advice if your staying at Flamingo or Harrahs and the table stakes are too high. Also, if you stay at one of these two, take the free shuttle from Harrahs to RIO. It is a nice place (Carnival atmosphere). If you go up to the VooDoo Lounge, you will have a great view of LV.

with the Gold HHonors card, have a good chance for upgrade @ Flamingo. Also, at Flamingo, Ballys, Las Hilton, Paris, can check in @ airport and avoid long lines.

Flamingo (and Las Hilton off strip) have been running good rates recently. I'd go for either of them.

I have stayed at all four of these places, and it is hard to recommend one over the other without knowing your needs, so here is my breakdown of the four (going from North to South on the strip):

Harrahs - Used to be a Holiday Inn, so you will get Holiday Inn style/size rooms. Some have nice views, some have views of other rooms. Awful pool, no shade, simply a rectangle of water on the parking deck roof. This is a great place for the guys (loud, especially in the party pit) and pretty good drink service in the casino. Probably would not recommend this for your mother or a first time visit to Vegas.

Flamingo - By FAR the best pool of the four you have listed. Can be hard to get a lounge chair on the weekends. It is possible to get some fantastic views from this place, ask for one overlooking the Bellagio fountains. Food/Buffets not all that great.

Aladdin - Bankrupt, but so what? You're not buying the place are you? They aren't going to close their doors without notice. Has two acceptable pools with plenty of chairs and pretty good service. Has a spa if you or your mother are inclined. Has the biggest rooms of the four hotels you have listed. Pretty easy to get upgrades too. Check on pricing for "resort rooms" they are larger and have a very large bathroom (women like that). Across the street from Paris and Bellagio. Can get some really great views here too. Aladdin also has a shopping mall attached to it. Mainly higher end, more expensive stores, but still nice to look at.

Luxor - Pyramid Hotel, something a first timer will remember for ever. Others will tell you the tower rooms are larger/better (and they are) but when are you ever going to stay in a pyramid again? The elevators inside travel upwards at an angle, another oddity. Luxor has 4 (maybe 5) pools, so it should be pretty easy to find some shade. Luxor will have monorail service to/from Excalibur and Mandalay Bay, so it will be easy to see at least those two properties without going out in the heat.

I would probably choose the Aladdin unless it were significantly more expensive, but the Luxor would be a close second. Particularly if you wanted something memorable.

Good luck!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by QuietLion:
Luxor is by far the best hotel of those you mention.

QL</font>


I agree. Apart from the location, it is my personal favourite (out of the hotels mentioned).

UPDATE: Decided to split the two nights. First night at Luxor and the next at Paris.

Thanks all for your helpful inputs. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif

Paris has a big problem with rooms not being ready at check-in, so you may want to go over early without your luggage and attempt to check in. They'll give you a time and you can come back with luggage.

QL

Thanks for the tip. I have requested early check-in, which they didn't say no to. So let see.... http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif

I have stayed at the Flamingo as an HH Gold card holder and was very clearly informed that although the Hotel does award points for the stay it does NOT recognise any other benefits of the HH programm. Definitely no room upgrades. The best you can hope for is complimentary access to the gym or some similar, virtually valueless benefit. The Flamingo is not a Hilton in the classic sense, it is merely affiliated very loosely due to Hilton owning a part of it in the past. I think they may not even have any connection what so ever nowadays.

Apart from that, the Flamingo really needs to be extensively re-modelled, the decor is very out dated and tired looking. I had a terrible stay there despite the fact that I had booked and paid for a junior suite.

I go to LV anually for a conference. I have stayed in two of the four, and visited all of them. The Flamingo is a very "old style" vegas hotel. Velvet carpets, etc. I expected to see the ghost of Sammy Davis Jr. every night lurking in a dark corner. The Luxor is my #1 favorite hotel in Vegas. The egyptian theme is very cool, plus Blue Man performs there nightly (a RIOT of a show)!

If you are restricted the four choices, LUXOR beats them all hands down. There is also a monorail that picks up at the luxor and stops at the Mandalay Bay & others. Easy walking distance to the MGM and NY-NY.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Pointfreak!:
If you are restricted the four choices, LUXOR beats them all hands down. There is also a monorail that picks up at the luxor and stops at the Mandalay Bay & others. Easy walking distance to the MGM and NY-NY.

</font>

Totally agree with this post. However, my only beef with the Luxor is that if someone's not staying in the pyramid itself (and I would guess that a really good rate is not a pyramid rate), then they're staying in the towers...and my recollection from my last towers stay was that it was a fairly long hike to the room from the main facility (casinos, restaurants, checkin, etc).

Definitely the Luxor.

Not Harrah's. Its rooms, if you ask me, aren't up to snuff with the base level Strip casino standards.

I haven't seen the rooms at any of the other three.

d