Las Vegas - My Las Vegas Website

Hello, I am new here but was reading some of the questions and thought I would post a link to my gaudy, kitchy, highly-opinionate website about Las Vegas.

http://dmarkslasvegas.websiteofwebsites.com

There are no ads or anything. Just a project I did for a website design class here at UNLV, but I have put my opinions about Hotels/Casinos, Food, Shows and other tips that might help people when planning to come here.

I have never worked for any of the places I talk about, so I have no axes to grind or grudges...just my opinion as a local. If you have any specific questions, feel free to post them here or email me at my address (on the contact page) and I will try to answer.

This is all just basically the same info I give friends and relatives who are coming to Las Vegas, so hope it is helpful to you!

DMark,

I think opinions from locals (especially opinionated locals like yourself!) can be valuable.

One practical suggestion for your website; I found the "confetti" background (or whatever it was) that extended behind the text made it a little difficult/tiring to read. Don't get trapped in the "form over function" mindset of so many graphic designers today. (At least your text is big!)

Sirecca

Thanks for the comments, Sirecca!

It was originally a project for a website class I took, so it had to be done quickly and I wanted it to be as gaudy and kitchy as possible, and I think I succeeded. Liberace would be proud.

But yeah, I will probably re-do the site sometime in the coming months. Will try to keep the funky flavor, but will also try to make it a bit easier on the eyes.

Thanks again for the comments!

very entertaining - i am a middle aged guy who always wanted to just check out one of the clubs - just to look around and soak it all in - I think you convinced me (and I'm in vegas about 3 times a year to eat, gamble, and see shows) It always looked like just a local college crowd. Nice post. Thanks. (p.s. - I agree about the confetti)

Pretty interesting site. Maybe it's just me, but are there very many places in Vegas that you don't like? Just seems to me that you give every place a thumbs up, so am wondering how accurate your report is. But it's well put together, but I also agree with the above comments on the confetti background, why not go with like a solid pastel color, especially with the larger size font that you used. Pretty good job you've done overall.

I always appreciate the opinions/reviews of locals.

Another suggestion for when you redo the site, besides eliminating the confetti: a list of links for places within each section instead of having to scroll down to see what's reviewed. (I don't like long scrolls.)

I always appreciate the opinions/reviews of locals.

Another suggestion for when you redo the site, besides eliminating the confetti: a list of links for places within each section instead of having to scroll down to see what's reviewed. (I don't like long scrolls.)

That is a GREAT idea linsj! That way I can keep the format, but make it easier to find what you are looking for! You have given me a nice little project - will take some time to do, but now I have a start for the re-do.

Thank!

Pretty interesting site. Maybe it's just me, but are there very many places in Vegas that you don't like? Just seems to me that you give every place a thumbs up, so am wondering how accurate your report is.

Well, to be honest, there are very few places, on the Strip at least, that are truly horrible. Notice I didn't even mention 9/10ths of the hotel/casinos in the Downtown area - musty, dirty, depressing places that are riding on the coat tails of the big casinos. They are only booked when everything else is full, or by a few oldtimers who can ignore the truth and go back simply because that is where they have been going every year since 1958.

Also, I gloss over Frontiers, Barbary Coast, Imperial Palace, Riviera, Circus Circus etc - and I mention they are "older" establishments with basically just a clean room in a good location - period.

Also, as I mention in the first paragraph, a room is a room is a room, and for the most part, you are out and about all day, so what real difference does it make if your hotel/casino isn't the best, as long as it is a clean room in a reputable place, in a decent location.

However, I do list the bigger places - the places that are usually included in those advertised weekend packages. Some of the places I tell you that if you get a good deal, go for it - not exactly a rave (ie Tropicana, Luxor, Monte Carlo, Excaliber,Treasure Island etc.). But other places I flat out tell you are spectacular, or very good.

But as I mentioned, most of the places on the Strip are actually quite good - the real estate on the Strip is wildly expensive, competition is fierce, and unless you are constantly renovating, or tearing down and building anew, a casino won't last long there.

So no, I don't slam any place and say don't ever go there...I think it doesn't take a genius to figure out if your room is $29.95 a night, downtown, you ain't gonna be getting Godiva chocolates on your pillow at night. But for some people, that is just fine for them, so why knock it?

very entertaining - i am a middle aged guy who always wanted to just check out one of the clubs - just to look around and soak it all in - I think you convinced me (and I'm in vegas about 3 times a year to eat, gamble, and see shows) It always looked like just a local college crowd. Nice post. Thanks. (p.s. - I agree about the confetti)


Thanks!

The club scene is really hot now! Most of the big places have spent a fortune on these places and it really shows. Sure, for the most part the crowd is young(er) if for no other reason than the action is really late at night...but at a certain point in the evening, everybody is having a great time and it shouldn't be a problem to hook up with a group, or one or whatever...at least to talk and party. And you are not the only person over 30 who likes to go out and party late at night! I don't think you will regret going.

Just don't show up at 8:30 pm with your golf pants, Hawaiian shirt and patent leather white shoes, and you'll be just fine.

Both on the website and here at FT, you've referred to the dingy hotel across from Wynn as "Frontiers." Last I knew, it was the Frontier (or, more correctly, the New Frontier).

Is "Frontiers" a term used among locals?

Both on the website and here at FT, you've referred to the dingy hotel across from Wynn as "Frontiers." Last I knew, it was the Frontier (or, more correctly, the New Frontier).

Is "Frontiers" a term used among locals?

Wow, great catch! Ya know, I have had lots of friends from Las Vegas read it and not one caught that! Leave to someone from Denver to spot it!

I already went in and corrected it.

Thank you DenverBrian!

(And yes, pretty much everybody I know here incorrectly calls it Frontiers...)

BTW, speaking of the Frontier...the brand new Trump Tower is being built right next door and coming along quite nicely...it is NOT a casino, but I believe it is half condos and half hotel. However, The Donald is quite close friends with the owner of Frontier, and although nothing has officially been said, nobody here in Las Vegas will be surprised to hear the Frontier will eventually be torn down, or totally renovated in the very near future. With the spanking new gold Trump Tower next door, it is only going to make Frontier look shabbier than it already is.

"nobody here in Las Vegas will be surprised to hear the Frontier will eventually be torn down, or totally renovated in the very near future."

I should say no one would be surprised, it was announced MONTHS ago that the Montreux would be going in after the demolition of the New Frontier.

"nobody here in Las Vegas will be surprised to hear the Frontier will eventually be torn down, or totally renovated in the very near future."

I should say no one would be surprised, it was announced MONTHS ago that the Montreux would be going in after the demolition of the New Frontier.

ohh... but once the Frontier is gone, where will I go to play Sigma Derby (http://www.flickr.com/photos/smartbaccarat/162340592/in/set-72057594132910617/) at 5am --- and, I do enjoy the Cowboys at the Dice Tables. :D

Thanks!

The club scene is really hot now! Most of the big places have spent a fortune on these places and it really shows. Sure, for the most part the crowd is young(er) if for no other reason than the action is really late at night...but at a certain point in the evening, everybody is having a great time and it shouldn't be a problem to hook up with a group, or one or whatever...at least to talk and party. And you are not the only person over 30 who likes to go out and party late at night! I don't think you will regret going.

Just don't show up at 8:30 pm with your golf pants, Hawaiian shirt and patent leather white shoes, and you'll be just fine.

Like is said in another post, I think DMark has a fun website. Lots of humour abounds in his opinions. I agree with most of what he says, though not all.

The Club Scene - how can anyone stand these ultra-lounges? The music is so damn loud. I may be out of it, but what now is the definiton of "party" (since it has become a verb), and how does one "party" in place like Lights (Bellagio)? In fact in Caramel (also at Bellagio), I had to order the DJ to turn the music down because my wife and I were trying to hit on this good-looking chick for a threesome. Now that was one wild "party" :D

M8

In fact in Caramel (also at Bellagio), I had to order the DJ to turn the music down because my wife and I were trying to hit on this good-looking chick for a threesome. Now that was one wild "party" :D

not sure if I should respond with an :eek:
or a ^ ^ ;)

though, I must say, if in fact I had the same intentions for the night... the last thing I would be thinking about would be the volume of the music. :)

edit to add : I almost didn't notice --- this was my "800th" post....

ohh... but once the Frontier is gone, where will I go to play Sigma Derby (http://www.flickr.com/photos/smartbaccarat/162340592/in/set-72057594132910617/) at 5am

The MGM Grand has a Sigma Derby, BION!

not sure if I should respond with an :eek:
or a ^ ^ ;)

though, I must say, if in fact I had the same intentions for the night... the last thing I would be thinking about would be the volume of the music. :)

edit to add : I almost didn't notice --- this was my "800th" post....

:D My BS factor is rather high today!

In all seriousness, I find the music just too loud for anything in most of the ultralounges. I mean even for dancing. The live band open lounges at Mandalay Bay are great. The one that Stardust had was really nice too!

M8

The MGM Grand has a Sigma Derby, BION!

THANKS! But, no other casino in Vegas smells quite like the Frontier. :D

IIRC, Luxor also had a version w/ camels; sorry I missed that one.

DMark, great site. As a big fan of Vegas, I read all your information with interest and like the local perspective. I had to laugh at the Bunny comment. Keep it up.

DMark, great site. As a big fan of Vegas, I read all your information with interest and like the local perspective. I had to laugh at the Bunny comment. Keep it up.

Thanks! Glad you like it...and let me know if you run into Bunny during your next visit.
I need to re-design the site - I agree the confetti can be a little annoying after about two pages, so will either drop it altogether, or maybe just keep it on the first or last page. Hope to do some upgrades this coming weekend, so might try to fix some of that then.

Also have to add in the Show section that Prince is going to start performing in Las Vegas (on weekends only) at the Rio, starting November 10th. (Tickets $125!) Don't know if there are any Prince fans reading the site, but further proof that Las Vegas seems to be attracting some major talent who want to plant roots and appear here on a regular basis. A lot easier for them than going on tours.

Nice site. Thanks.

I don't know where Phil Feldman went.
He used to list the LA times Vegas hotel deals.
It would be nice if you could list them.

Don't worry, I won't be running into any Bunnies on any trips that I have planned. Look forward to seeing the upgrades.

Nice site. Thanks.

I don't know where Phil Feldman went.
He used to list the LA times Vegas hotel deals.
It would be nice if you could list them.

Even though I live here in Las Vegas, I often pick up the LA Times Sunday edition and will look through to see what they are offering. The problem is, sometimes those offers are so brief, by the time I read and post them, they might already be gone. Another "trick" is that the prices quoted are often for weekday rates on slow weeks - but will look into it and get back to you on this.

I have heard the best way is sometime to call the property and be real nice to the operator. Ask the regular price first, then say something like, "are there any specials or packages that might be cheaper?" If you don't ask, they won't mention anything. Sometimes (not New Year's Eve!) they might have a special for that week, or within your time-frame - if nothing else, perhaps an upgrade to a suite for the same price as a regular room. Doesn't hurt to ask, but ooze with charm when you call...they get enough nasty callers but tend to go out of their way for someone who sounds nice on the phone. No guarantees, but give it a shot next time.

Nice site mate gave me some great idea's just a couple of Questions

I'm thinking of hiring a limo to pick my g/f and i up from the airport,do you think this is worth it also do all the shows run in january because someone
told me that alot of them might not be running during january due to this month being one of the slower months in vegas(if you can have a slower month there).

Nice site mate gave me some great idea's just a couple of Questions

I'm thinking of hiring a limo to pick my g/f and i up from the airport,do you think this is worth it also do all the shows run in january because someone
told me that alot of them might not be running during january due to this month being one of the slower months in vegas(if you can have a slower month there).

First of all, thanks for the compliment and hope the info on my website helps - should at least give you some idea when you are booking from afar.

Regarding the limo - Las Vegas is one of the few cities in the world where the airport is practically smack dab in the middle of the city! For that reason, a ride to almost any Strip hotel will be short and I don't know if it is worth the expense of a limo to be zipped to your hotel in under 10 minutes. That said, every major casino has their own limos and you might want to at least ask how much they charge for that service - because the distance isn't far, it might not be all that much...a regular taxi will only cost you about $15 to $20, depending where your hotel is. A limo (and they are right there at the airport) will cost about $35 and up, again - depending on where you are going and if you get a stretch limo, or a smaller towncar. Most casinos have a free shuttle from the airport to the hotel that is, well, free.

Regarding shows - yes, some of them do close down for a week, but not all of them, and the weeks vary - some in winter, some in summer. That is another reason I suggest going on-line and asking about show tickets NOW - not only will you find out of the show is on, but by booking in advance, you will guarantee getting a ticket to a show that might normally be sold out, and you will get better seats by booking early. If you want to get tickets to Celine, Elton, or one of the larger Cirque shows, most certainly book ASAP! Go straight to the Casino show box office (avoid Ticketmaster, etc. as they charge an extra fee).

Be sure to hit at least one really good restaurant and/or buffet while you are in town, and see a show, and go to one of the great shopping areas in The Venetian or Caesars, and try to get to a nightclub...then you will have done all the really "Vegas" things, and have some special memories of your own.

Have a great time!