Las Vegas - Resorts near Vegas

It loos like I have to go to a conference in Vegas again towards the end of the year (October).

Will probably roll it into a family holiday (wife & two young kids). Expect we'll spend the time in Vegas either in a suite a the Bellagio (conference veune) or across the street in the Hilton Vacation Club (which we used two years back).

However, once that's out of the way, does anyone have any suggestions for a 3-4 night stay nearby? Last time we drove down to a Marriott Vacation Club in Palm Desert, but that was for a week. This time I guess we need something no more than 2hrs drive away.

Would probably be looking for a nice apartment as opposed to a hotel room.

Many thanks

Go and see London Bridge Just over 2 hours away.

http://www.golakehavasu.com/lodging.html

http://www.londonbridgeresort.com/overview.html

I would recommend the Hyatt Lake Las Vegas, which is no longer a Hyatt but is probably still a very nice hotel on a lake with golf, fishing, boating, and spa.

Thank you both for the above suggestions.

London Bridge sounds a bit too twee TBH, but the Hyatt (now Loews I see) complex looks good.

Ain't nothing "twee"in AZ belive you me ;)
The Ritz is also out at lake las vegas.Also there is a little getaway place called Mesquite that has a few hotel/casinos.And also Laughlin.Thing is-unless the weather is nice the kids are gonna be stuck in a dammned casino for the whole trip-not a lot of fun at these places.Vegas at least has diversions for young folks outside of the casinos.

Both the former Hyatt (now a Loew's) and the Ritz Carlton at LLV are very nice properties, and it is a pretty area, with easy access to Lake Mead, Boulder City and the Hoover Dam as well. Mesquite has more to do than Laughlin, and more "resorty" properties. Another option you might consider would be Death Valley and the Furnace Creek Inn...it's a fascinating area and the Inn is nice. There is actually quite a lot to see and do in DV. Also reasonably close (although a bit more than two hours) would be Prescott, AZ....a very pretty and interesting town, with a fun downtown area and a lot of outdoor activities.

I dunno here Swiss Tony-but a 4 day vacation in any of the above places(including my suggestions)will not be fondly remebered by most families-more like"Yeah and remember when dad had the bright idea to spend for days in the middle of the freakin desert with nothing to do but chase rattlesnakes?"so for the sake of not having that sort of thing brought up every single time there is a "let's remember"segment at holiday dinners then choose wisely ;)

Kids had fun in Lake Las Vegas, 'cause of the beach, pool and water slide.

I dunno here Swiss Tony-but a 4 day vacation in any of the above places(including my suggestions)will not be fondly remebered by most families-more like"Yeah and remember when dad had the bright idea to spend for days in the middle of the freakin desert with nothing to do but chase rattlesnakes?"so for the sake of not having that sort of thing brought up every single time there is a "let's remember"segment at holiday dinners then choose wisely ;)

No problem - the kids are young... very young... (eldest will be just over 2 yrs).

You need to bear in mind that the simple things - like outdoor pools - are a big deal to people from the UK :p. There's no point/need for us to schlep over to LA for theme parks and with the direct flights from London to Vegas (where I need to be) there's again a strong incentive not to venture too far.

A year ago a coworker hosted a family from Ireland here on the Estate during the holidays.They loved the pool and made good use of it even though it was very cold-to them it was a treat.
I doubt evern they would be dipping in the cement pond this winter though-it is very cold here.
Go for Lake las vegas or Mesquite-you will have a good time,

I have stayed at the JW Marriott just oustide Las Vegas (15-20 minute drive). Its not quite a resort (has a nice outdoor pool) and not on the strip (but does have a small casino of its own. Probably not what you are looking for, but we enjoyed it for a 3-4 day trip where we could hang out by the pool, do a little gambling and drive into the strip occassionally when we desired.

I have stayed at the JW Marriott just oustide Las Vegas (15-20 minute drive). Its not quite a resort (has a nice outdoor pool) and not on the strip (but does have a small casino of its own. Probably not what you are looking for, but we enjoyed it for a 3-4 day trip where we could hang out by the pool, do a little gambling and drive into the strip occassionally when we desired.

JW marriott is in Las Vegas. just as much "in" Las Vegas as the "strip"

As long as the kids are so young, my guess it doesn't matter if you stayed at a Motel 6 with a pool. But I would agree that Lake Las Vegas would be your best bet as they have all kinds of boats you can rent - with electric motors or boats you paddle (none with gas motors allowed on the lake) and you could even go on a Segway tour of the lake (without your kids, who are too young for that adventure). Quite beautiful out there, nice little shopping area with some restaurants and three hotels will small casino areas. Plus you are just about 5 minutes from the real Lake Mead and thus far enough away from The Strip to let you forget you are even in Las Vegas. Needless to say, a car is mandatory if you go there.

Lake Havasu is actually more fun and interesting than you might think - beautiful lake, nice touristy things to do, and you can also rent boats or take a leisurely ride on one of the larger boats. Granted, as a Brit it might make you roll your eyes with the lame attempt to be a mini-London, but all in all, certainly worth a few days visit. The weather in October should be ideal.

Laughlin is a little casino town, directly on the Colorado River, with VERY cheap, but nice, rooms and you can rent boats there, or jet skis, or take a leisurely ride on the river - and all of the casinos are withing walking distance and most have a nice pool area. There is also a large shopping mall there, with a multiplex cinema. That is about a 90 minute drive south of Las Vegas.

There is also www.thetrain.com which is a steam engine train that takes you to the rim of the Grand Canyon. Personally, I think it is fun to see the Grand Canyon for about 5 minutes - so I wouldn't put that high on my list, but the option is there if you are interested.

I think what everyone is trying to say is that it isn't easy to find things to do with kids in Las Vegas - even the locals agonize what to do on birthdays, etc. so other than finding the best hotel with the best pool area - that is why people point you towards Disneyland and Knotts Berry Farm and the like.

The easiest alternative would be to check into the new Red Rock Casino - it is right near the Red Rock park, and nearby is Bonnie's Ranch (with a cowboy town and a petting zoo with local animals, as well as other animals you might not want to pet) and the casino itself is quite nice, brand new, and has all the amenities. It is far enough away from The Strip (about 30 minute drive) that you feel like you are away from Las Vegas, and the scenery is quite beautiful.

Whatever you decide, have a great trip!