Las Vegas - Please advise on a hotel, (List inside).

Hey,

I have complied a list of the hotels that I am prepared to pay for. I know the list extensive but I have a very limited knowledge of Vegas hotels.

My dates of travel are the 18-21st of January.

Any advice on which is the best hotel in terms of location, facilities and just general cool stuff will be much appreciated.

I assume staying on the strip is first prize?

1. Paris
2. Flamingo
3. Bally
4. MGM Grand
5. Hard Rock Hotel Las Vegas
6. Luxor
7. Mirage
8. New York New York
9. Bellagio but at $160 per night, which is more than I want to pay, just because the others are so cheap, but is the Ballegio worth it:?
10. Treasure Island
11. The Palms is the same price as the Bellagio.

You don't give any specifics as what you want to do while you're in Vegas, but since you indicated "strip is first prize" then the following would be best as they are located more or less center strip, in the following order since you have a preference for price.

1. Paris
2. Mirage
3. Bally
4. Flamingo
5. Bellagio
6. MGM or Treasure Island

With all these options you can drop Luxor and NYNY unless they have an extremely low rate that you may be attracted to.

Palms and Hard Rock are not on the strip.

- wynn resort $159/$179
- encore resort $169/$189
- four seasons $186 after 3rd night free
- wynn tower $249/$269

- wynn resort $159/$179
- encore resort $169/$189
- four seasons $186 after 3rd night free
- wynn tower $249/$269op's mentioned $160 at bellagio was out of his/her range so those are way way out.

op, i suggest you first need to go straight to those you've listed and compare prices for your dates. sometimes they have better rates than yahoo travel, expedia, etc.

also look here http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/travel-deals/704925/ . i've it book marked so i know where the vegas hotel deals are each time i wanna go.

Considering ambiance, food, LOCATION, Paris is probably your best bet. You should be able to get great rates for those dates. Enjoy!

9. Bellagio but at $160 per night, which is more than I want to pay, just because the others are so cheap, but is the Ballegio worth it:?
11. The Palms is the same price as the Bellagio.

i would think wynn/encore or FS (or offstrip - palms place - also $159) would be more worth it, and the difference between them and bellagio/palms is pretty small.

wynn/encore, FS, bellagio are all virtuoso/FHR.

sure, wynn tower is probably not worth it to OP, but i included it for sake of completion/comparison.

Also consider Monte Carlo, center strip. Better option quality-wise than Bally or Flamingo. Can get great rates through Travelzoo.com, $59/night plus buffets.

Although I'd definitely want to hear what your interests are, what you want to experience in Vegas, etc, before giving you a proper response, here's what I'd recommend for "generic traveler A":

- Forget about Bally, MGM Grand, and Luxor. For the deals that can be had now, it's not worth staying at Bally/Luxor (low quality), and if you stay at MGM Grand you'll have to walk a ways to get to the heart of the Strip.

- Unless you are in college or really want to hook up with a college girl/guy, throw out the Hard Rock. It's off the strip and in the middle of a big renovation, and besides, even though I'm basically right in their target audience (I'm 23, recently graduated, enjoy drinking, and was in a fraternity) I think it is a little sleazy.

- If the room cost at the Bellagio is worrying your budget, it won't be worth staying there. It feels classier and higher-quality than the others on your list, but everything within the hotel will be more expensive too. Table limits will be higher, food will be more expensive, etc.

So I'd really recommend Mirage, Paris, or Flamingo. Check the rates, and pick whichever one looks like more fun to you. Mirage is classic, being the hotel that really started the modern era of Vegas. Paris is romantic, has a nice ambiance, and decent bars. Flamingo is the cheapest of the three, but is smack in the middle of the strip. I love the Flamingo, but for strange and personal reasons that are illogical :)

Just wanted to first reiterate kingalien's comments to the OP about the limited details around the OP's selection process.

I think the Paris is a good bet for a first-timer. One of my sisters went to Vegas for the first time last year, staying at the Paris, and loved it.
- It's themed
- It's pretty central strip
- It's connected to Bally's
- You might be able to get a room with a great view of the Bellagio's fountains.

I stayed at Bally's for my first two trips a while back and found it ok. Nothing special. It's not my first choice when looking for a place in Vegas.
Sister-in-law stayed at the Flamingo and thought it was starting to look a bit tired. A buddy stayed at Luxor in the spring and also thought it was just starting to show it's age. They're staying at the Monte Carlo during our trip in a few weeks and similar to kingalien, would recommend it as an option.

With the OP's limited time in Vegas, it's probably preferable to stay on the strip (vs Hard Rock or the Palm that they mention).
The higher end hotels (eg. Bellagio) are very nice but if the OP's has budget concerns, they probably won't get value from it (save maybe getting preferred access to the hotel's restaurants) but it might be worth the splurge if it's a very rare visit to Vegas.

It isn't so much out of my price range, just paying a lot more when such cheap rooms at other places are available seems crazy to me.

Is the 4 Seasons worth it, plus tax etc it comes to $202 per night, is it that much better than the Bellagio and others?

It isn't so much out of my price range, just paying a lot more when such cheap rooms at other places are available seems crazy to me.

Is the 4 Seasons worth it, plus tax etc it comes to $202 per night, is it that much better than the Bellagio and others?

FS is worth it, especially at that rate. However, it is at the far south end of strip. You'll need to taxi or drive to anywhere else. It's a non-gaming property so you'll need to walk to Mandalay Bay for gaming.

If price is not a significant factor then there are plenty of other options including Wynn and Venetian/Palazzo which may be the same or little more than Bellagio.

Omitting the Bellagio as it is out of your range (although it is my favorite property on your list)

1. Mirage
2. Paris
3. MGM
4. TI

Skip the Four Seasons, great hotel in horrid location.

FS is worth it, especially at that rate. However, it is at the far south end of strip. You'll need to taxi or drive to anywhere else. It's a non-gaming property so you'll need to walk to Mandalay Bay for gaming. .

It sits on top 4 floors of the Mandalay Bay.

It isn't so much out of my price range, just paying a lot more when such cheap rooms at other places are available seems crazy to me.


Isn't that the definition of out of your price range?

A cheaper alternative to the Four Seasons would be THEHotel at Mandalay Bay. This is a separate entrance property on the Freeway side of Mandalay Bay. Great rooms and service, and the casino is about a three minute walk.

Depending on the days chosen, rooms are running in the $120-150 range. Try www.smartervegas.com for deals on this hotel, and others on the original list.

op, like i suggested b4, you need to do some research yourself on the price range for 5* hotels, 4* hotels, 3* hotels, etc. then you would know if you are willing to pay that amount or not.

also, don't expect 5* hotels like bellagio, wynn, palazzo, venetian, etc. to have rates less than $150/nite. cheaper deals can be had, but you need to do a little work on yourself with smartervegas (recommended by craig6z) and the fatwallet i listed earlier or other websites. i'm sure you will find what you are looking for.

we all have our own favs. and they're all different, you're not going to get the answer you need from us.

Thank you for the replies. This is a first time trip for my self and Ms.747-444 to Vegas and we won't be heading back there soon at all. We are young and so staying way out of town is a bad idea it seems.

I have narrowed it down to:


Mirage $96
Bellagio $159
Caesars Palace $105

If there is little difference between the Mirage and Bellagio I will go for the Mirage but if you chaps say it is head and shoulders above the others I will go for the Bellagio.

Mirage is the pick of that litter if everything but Bellagio is the same price. Four Seasons is excellent but I doubt it's the same price as Mirage, and it's at the far south end of the Strip.

QL

It sits on top 4 floors of the Mandalay Bay.

FS elevators are at the far south end of the property. You need to go to the FS lobby, walk through a connecting hallway and through the MB lobby in order to access casino.

FS elevators are at the far south end of the property. You need to go to the FS lobby, walk through a connecting hallway and through the MB lobby in order to access casino.As I recall the 4S elevators stop on the casino level and there is a door right by the elevators that takes you straight to the casino. The door can only be opened with a 4S key from the casino side (to keep the riff-raff out).

code = RHHED07

provides rates at Encore or Wynn for $149 or $129 respectively during the month of January 2009. Apparently the rates are also being honored during the CES dates as well...

code = RHHED07

I just used this code for the Friday during CES. Encore's price is now showing $179, but this is still excellent.

OK, thanks for the help.

I just booked the Wynn for $129 per night.

Where does the Wynn rank in terms of the hotels in Vegas? How much better is the Encore?

How much better is the Encore?

I think we'll get a good number of opinions, as soon as the property opens on the 22nd of December. ;);)

How much better is the Encore?

I think the quality of Encore will be determined by this function, with the inputs varying based on personal preference

Encore Value = (How cool you feel staying in newest, hottest hotel on strip) x (How much you like the original Wynn resort) - (Longer walk to rest of strip) - (View from very north end of strip) + (How much you love Frank Sinatra) - (How much Danny Gans annoys you)

Of course, as baccarat_king mentioned, I won't be able to test my algorithm until it opens in 5 days. (Actually, others will have to test it for me since I won't be in Vegas until Feb)

OK, thanks for the help.

I just booked the Wynn for $129 per night.

Where does the Wynn rank in terms of the hotels in Vegas? How much better is the Encore?Wynn has the only 5-star and 5-diamond rating in Las Vegas, albeit for the Tower Suites. I would rank it at or above the level of Bellagio.

Encore should be essentially the same finish level as Wynn, slightly larger rooms, but not true suites.

Wynn for 129$, can you let me know the deal and where I can sign up please.

try reading the thread...

Or...welcome to FT! And do try reading the thread; the code for Wynn is within this thread.

Now Ballys at $49 a night is great value in my opinion

A few days ago, I read on betterbidding.com about a trick. So, the idea is to request a 5-star north-strip hotel room in Vegas. Only 3 hotels available on PL apparently satisfy that requirement: Venetian, Palazzo, and Trump.

I bid $70/night and got a counter-offer for $99. Seeing that it's gonna be one of those three abovementioned hotels, I clicked 'OK.' Sure enough, I got the Venetian.

I'll add in the $50-trick and see how that goes.

-cmhsieh54

PS. I'm guessing that if the $50-trick works for me here, that I got a deal comparable/better than Virtuoso/FHR?

A few days ago, I read on betterbidding.com about a trick. So, the idea is to request a 5-star north-strip hotel room in Vegas. Only 3 hotels available on PL apparently satisfy that requirement: Venetian, Palazzo, and Trump.

I bid $70/night and got a counter-offer for $99. Seeing that it's gonna be one of those three abovementioned hotels, I clicked 'OK.' Sure enough, I got the Venetian.

I'll add in the $50-trick and see how that goes.

-cmhsieh54

PS. I'm guessing that if the $50-trick works for me here, that I got a deal comparable/better than Virtuoso/FHR?

Considering that Venetian rooms are going for as low as $139 on their website, the $99 rate is no surprise. The problem with bidding, is that you could get stuck with Trump, which is definitely NOT comparable to Venetian/Palazzo.

As has been discussed in other Venetian/Palazzo threads on FT, don't get too excited about the $50 trick, as Venetian/Palazzo has turned upgrades into a revenue "enhancement" scheme... and has a negotiable price chart for upgrades. Some of the upgrades are very good, such as a Siena Suite or equivalent for $100/extra per night (rate chart is $200-$250 IIRC), but definitely more than just a flat $50 to move up to a largish 1200 sq/ft++ suite.

I stay in Vegas a lot and in order of prefernce I would go Bellagio then maybe TI. Not worth trying Priceline for Trump or Venetian?

Caesars is available for $75-$100 a night for your dates and you couldn't get a better location and $20 trick has always worked for me there, check out the Augustus Tower Rooms. Caesars in class of your list, I would only rank Bellagio as above it.

The problem with bidding, is that you could get stuck with Trump, which is definitely NOT comparable to Venetian/Palazzo.




you're right; the rooms and service at the Trump are a lot better than the V...for people who do not spend hours at the BJ table, the Trump is a great deal.

you're right; the rooms and service at the Trump are a lot better than the V...for people who do not spend hours at the BJ table, the Trump is a great deal.

I've heard varying reports with regard to Trump, so I'd say service is YMMV at best.

Venetian/Palazzo are still full service resorts; with a plethora of dining, shopping, cocktail, pool and spa options (not to mention, that casino thingy.....).

With regard to spending hours at the BJ table, I would much prefer to squeeze fresh lemon juice on a fresh big a** paper cut, than spend countless hours playing blackjack... Personally, blackjack is one of my least favorite casino games, for numerous reasons. ;)

I've heard varying reports with regard to Trump, so I'd say service is YMMV at best.

Venetian/Palazzo are still full service resorts; with a plethora of dining, shopping, cocktail, pool and spa options (not to mention, that casino thingy.....).



Fair enough, but the V has not kept up with other properties in regards to service IMHO. I don't see any reason why one would opt for the V if Palazzo or other top places are available.

Trump has a feel of an intimate hotel, like Four Seasons (although not at the FS service level). Service at Trump has exceeded our expectations; the Venetian is basically tourist class these days.

Palazzo is very very nice. Plus it has the best self-parking on the strip.

Venetian is basically tourist class these days.

Palazzo is very very nice.

Interesting comment...although I've only stayed at the Venetian, most people I've talked with that have stayed both places say that Palazzo is basically a shinier extension of the Venetian, but otherwise the same.

Now you make me want to check it out for myself :D

Fair enough, but the V has not kept up with other properties in regards to service IMHO. I don't see any reason why one would opt for the V if Palazzo or other top places are available.

Trump has a feel of an intimate hotel, like Four Seasons (although not at the FS service level). Service at Trump has exceeded our expectations; the Venetian is basically tourist class these days.

Palazzo is very very nice. Plus it has the best self-parking on the strip.

I avoid Venetian, and almost always book Palazzo as I prefer the layout, and the very short walk to Wynn World ;). I've had excellent success with a specific concierge at Palazzo, who is tech-savvy and takes care of all requests via email, following up with immediate PDF confirmations. She'll also handle my requests for Venetian, though it is more rare that I'll book into Venetian, unless there is a COMP room issue at Palazzo for a specific stay.

The concierge level at Palazzo is also excellent, and the expedited check-in (which avoids the front desk, invited guest, or VIP check-in areas) is super-speedy, and "intimate."

I'm still not convinced that the "intimate" hotel angle of Trump, is enough to justify the stay; unless there are other hotel/resort facilities and services I'm not aware of.

Interesting comment...although I've only stayed at the Venetian, most people I've talked with that have stayed both places say that Palazzo is basically a shinier extension of the Venetian, but otherwise the same.

Now you make me want to check it out for myself :D

Palazzo just has better feel, IMO. In addition, the concierge lounge is very convenient being on the 23rd floor of the Palazzo tower; so it is close to all of the suites.

I really like the casino floor @ Palazzo. It's a simple layout, that just works for me. In addition, it always seems a "bit" less crowded than Venetian, which tends to be a positive thing in my book.

My only gripe, is that they tend to keep their big baccarat game at $500/minimum bet, even at times when you can easily grab a $100 big game at Wynn.

I don't see any reason why one would opt for the V if Palazzo or other top places are available.

Trump has a feel of an intimate hotel, like Four Seasons (although not at the FS service level)

have you stayed at skylofts, wynn tower, palms place?

one reason to go with venetian would be that venezia has ~ 1000 rooms, and concierge floor only has ~ 100 rooms.

considering trump has ~ 1200 rooms, i find values a lot worse than wynn/FS.
ah, i see they FINALLY reduced rates, for full calendar. ^
:eek: @ last week in jan - rooms from $109 > $309.
penthouses are now from $900/$1200/$2500.

have you stayed at skylofts, wynn tower, palms place?

one reason to go with venetian would be that venezia has ~ 1000 rooms, and concierge floor only has ~ 100 rooms.

considering trump has ~ 1200 rooms, i find values a lot worse than wynn/FS.
ah, i see they FINALLY reduced rates, for full calendar. ^
:eek: @ last week in jan - rooms from $109 > $309.
penthouses are now from $900/$1200/$2500.

The Venetian is really not what I would consider a luxury hotel, except for the concierge floor. Plus having to hike 5 miles through a casino to get to an elevator is not enjoyable. That is one reason I like the Palazzo; it has the convenient self-parking and easy to get into and out of the hotel without smelling like an ashtray.

I'm still not convinced that the "intimate" hotel angle of Trump, is enough to justify the stay; unless there are other hotel/resort facilities and services I'm not aware of.

I've only stayed in the rooms at the top or near the top of Trump and it sure felt like more personal service than anytime I've stayed at any type of room at the V. Trump also is home to one of just 15 or so michelin star restaurants in LV.

I would not consider it on par with the FS or Wynn (I've not had a chance to try Encore yet), but I've been pleasantly surprised by the Trump (as someone who really does not care for the hotel's namesake). I would pick Palazzo or Bellagio over Trump, ceteras paribus. If the quality of the room and service matters Trump is a better option than many other properties.