Luxor vs. Planet Hollywood
 

I'm planning a trip to Las Vegas the weekend of Feb. 6-8 - short notice, but my sister and I had been planning to go for a while once she turned 21 last fall, and unexpectedly the schedules just aligned and I'd like to take advantage of it!

I've stayed at the Luxor the last 3 times I've been to Vegas (all with my family - my mother decided she likes it) and they're currently offering some promos (I have a MGM/Mirage Players Club account and so am on the mailing list).

However, I'm also SPG Gold and, if all else is equal, why not stay somewhere where I can rack up some more points?

Currently, best rate for Luxor (kayak.com) = $87/night
Planet Hollywood (the only Starwood property on the Strip) = $109/night

I think $40 (total) is worth it to get some points/stay credits, especially with the bonus promo going on this quarter, but I'm really new at this game - is that a reasonable line of thinking?

Most importantly, has anyone stayed at PH and can report on the experience? We're both pretty easy-going and have traveled at both ends of the spectrum - over-the-top luxury is not necessary, but nice/fun/good service is a must.

There is a very long and detailed Planet Hollywood thread in the Starwood Preferred Guest forum:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/starw...rred-guest-429

If you decide on Luxor, you can save a couple of bucks per night by booking direct with the hotel:

https://reservations.mgmmirage.com/b...904&sub=778002

Definitely PH over Luxor. Besides, PH is more in the middle of the action location-wise.

I like Planet Ho. Having stayed there when it was still branded The Aladdin (but not at the Luxor), I was more than happy with what I got for the $50 rate I found on Travelocity at the time. Since then, I've heard of nothing but improvements. They gave me a nice upgrade as SPG Gold, too, and they have a dedicated SPG check-in that can be a real time saver.

+1. You should definitely go PH and eliminate Luxor completely. If PH is too expensive, try Monte Carlo or even NYNY instead of Luxor.

Will you have a car?

PH has one of the furthest longest walks I have ever done from the garage to the hotel room. And valet takes FOREVER

Stayed at PH Dec 2007 with the wife. At the time, only some of the rooms were reno'ed. We booked the cheapest room we could (~$80 plus a two nights for one offer) and did a $20 trick to get something decent. Ended up in the Winona Ryder room with a very good view of the Bellagio fountains (the Paris balloon obscured the view a bit). We found the room fairly nice and modern but a bit dark due to a lack of lighting. Plasma/LCD tv but I don't recall any HD channels. We liked the decor and bedding. The only blemish was lipstick on one of the glass tumblers in the washroom. No issues with housekeeping.

Of the PH restaurants, we only ate at the Spice Market buffet. Pretty decent for a buffet and they gave hotel guests $5 off.

Found the casino modern looking but a bit disorientating and had a bit of trouble finding which way to the strip exits, to the mall, and to the room elevators. Gaming was ok but it wouldn't be my first choice for a place to play VP as I don't think they have very good pay tables. However, I did find it to be a fun enough environment to play in with adequate drink service. They do have the Pleasure Pit (dealers and go-go dancers in lingerie) with 6/5 BJ (I think) if you want some eye candy. Free daily slot pull.

The attached Miracle Mile mall is nice. However, if you self park, it's a bit of a PITA to walk btw the parkade and hotel as you have to arc around the mall as a think there's a theatre in the middle.
There are time share sales booths/staff by the elevators.

If we could get a decent rate ($109 is ok I guess but there seem to be deals popping up all over particularly the mailers/emails we're getting) we wouldn't hesitate to stay at PH again.

Well,

I vote Planet-Ho... but, more so, because there is a certain evening in June that pops into mind that involves Luxor, LAX, a $3,000+ VIP table, midgets and Patrón Silver... though, I don't think I'll be providing details about that evening any time soon. ;)

You had my interest until you got to the midgets part...:D

oh no worries, nothing bad with respect to the midgets --- it's just the imagery that makes for some weird memories..... I just have these visions of midgets dancing on the table... very odd....

I would choose Planet Hollywood based on location.

When I was there last the BJ tables in the pleasure pit were normal odds, not 6 to 5.....so I was told. :D

Access to the Strip has improved since 2007.

At any rate, it's a much better location, unless you're in love with the casinos down towards LVB and Tropicana.

PH
 

I ate at Trader Vics last Sunday and thought it was pretty good. I bit pricy for what I ordered but I wanted to try one of the cocktails. Service was not steller but Sunday's are a bit laid back. I'd go again but just for the bar.

Correct as of a few days ago. I have never encountered 6/5 at PH, in the Pleasure Pit or elsewhere.