DJ_Iceman

I really, really like the Renaissance for all the reasons others have mentioned. I stayed at the Marriott Suites once when it first opened, and it was acceptable but once you walked in the front door you might as well have been in Peoria or wherever. At least the Renaissance has a unique Vegas vibe to it, subdued though it might be.

PaladinUA

OK, so I'm going to go against the grain here:

I've been to vegas probably 5-6 times, and have stayed at a Marriott one of those times.. (the vacation club off of harmon), I haven't stayed at the JW, but my wife has, she enjoyed it very much, however it was a cab ride to get to the strip for her (I don't complain, I care more about her safety than a few bucks).

That said, I think you'll probably feel a little disconnected when you're staying at the Luxor... I don't know how things are with the new CityCenter down the street, but it used to be that if you wanted to get to what I'd consider "center strip" (Caesar's, Bellagio, Paris, etc) it was a long walk, with a kind've deadzone b/w the montecarlo and Planet Hollywood/Bellagio....

If I were to offer a recommendation, I'd see if you could find a Vegas style hotel -- The Planet Hollywood was cheap last time I was there... you'll be right in the center of things I'd say that way... also consider the notables, including Mirage, TI, Venetian, if your budget can go for it.

If you want to be kind've disconnected from the strip, the JW is good, but be prepared to do walking, whether you have a car or not... last I recall, most of the hotels (sans Harrahs for some reason) had free parking, but you'll do a lot of walking to get from the parking lots to the strip, its the nature of Vegas, you don't think that its that far, but really, it is.

Either way, if I could leave one last suggestion -- go to Paris Las Vegas' Buffet -- and get there at or before 0900.... they have $1 mimosa's, and if you get there before 0900, you can probably avoid some of the lines.... its my personal favorite buffet, and a reasonable value.

-Pally

SkiAdcock

I like the Ren & will be staying at the Marriott in a week, but what is this unique Vegas vibe that you speak of, other than the martini olive chocolate at check-in, or is that it? Cuz really the Ren was just another higher end hotel to me like many others in warmer climes or close to convention centers. (Note: the chocolate in the shape/color of a maritini olive tastes pretty good )

If the OP wants points & a concierge lounge open on Thursday, then Ren is the main choice I would think. And yes, ask for a view overlooking the Wynn golf course. OP's Sat & Fri stay lounge won't be open, so then it becomes a wash btwn Marriott & Ren. Marriott offers free brekkie I think 7days & free i-net. Both are close to monorail which will take OP to the strip.

If the OP wants to be in the heart of things, then a strip hotel would be the answer, but that's giving up 3 nights of points & bonus points. And - right now there's a Western US promo that if you stay at Marriott properties for 3 nights, you qualify for 3,000 points. Both the Ren & the Marriott qualify as participating properties (the JW might as well; I didn't check that).

Cheers.

cw082350

Hi all

I have stayed at all three properties several times. And a great deal depends on what you are looking for. If you want to be close to the strip of the two I would perfer the Ren to the Marriot. The hotel is more modern I would agree the marriot rooms are tired though clean and nice. But the free breakfast is a plus. The ren lounge food is good but no food on weekends. Though it was opens for soda's etc..
The JW is a very nice resort..The pool area there is great...But it depends on how much time you think you will be at the resort...or mainly on the strip. No free breakfast when I was there last year as platinum. One plus a small casino is attached if you just want to pop down for a bit. Overall most times I perfer the Ren..

MemphisQueen

SAtayed at both the Ren and the full Marriott Suites inthe past couple of weeks and loved 'em both. Ren is like most Rens - modern and nice without the stuffiness. Had a fabulous (but normal) room and easy walk to the monorail (right next door literally).

The Marriott suites has the bonus of being an alls uite property. so there we had a one bedroom suite with closed door bedroom and separate living room (he can watch sports while i doze off!). very small lobby (nonexistent really) and no lounge so breakfast was free but full service in the restaurant - note this was on saturdya and sunday.

so if you're going for weekend between the two i'd choose the suites. it's a block more away from the monoral but you get a suite and free breakfast. during the week i'd choose the ren. better hotel overall and close to monorail (and during week free bfast in the lounge plus evening service).

SkiAdcock

Greetings from the Marriott Suites, er, Las Vegas Marriott! I checked in last night & will be here through next Thursday; attending a large trade show at the convention center. I'll do a more extensive 'trip report' with pictures later, but recap 'til now...

Check-in was quite easy. Plat status acknowledged; check-in staff very friendly. Offered choice of Plat gift. Picked wine/cheese over points since I'll be here for a week. But I was so exhausted & knew I wouldn't be up late, so I asked if I could get it the next day & the clerk said no problem, do you want us to send it up at a set time or just call us when you're ready, and we decided on the latter.

Also I was told that as Plat internet was free; it's hard-wired in the room. They said to accept it when it asks for room/charge, but that it's handled internally & will be free. Since I have a Boingo account, just automatically hooked up.

Hm, I'm blanking a little, but I think check-in clerk said breakfast on weekends is from 6:30am-12pm, and on weekdays from 6:30am-10:00am (can't remember on the weekday end time). I'm headed down for breakfast in a few minutes.

As MemphisQueen mentioned, all-suite. The only dif in the rooms is if you go w/ the french doors or not. I chose the french doors separating the rooms not due to others watching telly, but figured it was one more barrier noisewise if any of the trade show folk get noisy in the hallway. Currently the old-fasioned tvs (not flat screen) are in the rooms, but I spoke w/ someone connected to the hotel that said by the end of summer all tvs in the property will be swapped out for flat screen. There is a small fridge (dorm size) underneath the end table so you can store food, wine, soda.

I was meeting some friends for a quick drink before us all calling it a night, as we all came in from UK, east coast, etc, and were tired. While the bar/restaurant isn't large, it's quite nice & full service (am meeting some FTers on Wed eve for drinkies here). Again, bar staff quite friendly. We ended up ordering some appetizers, which were full-size (one had cheeseburger sliders w/ fries & the other the chicken quesadilla-both were good; decent pour on the wine), and the overall menu was provided which looked good. Bar is open until 11pm. I was pleasantly surprised (not having stayed at a Marriott Suites before) to find out that there is room service. While I'll be out at biz events, there are times when I just want to crash in the room & not go out. Also, don't know if all Marriott Suites have bars, but it's nice to have one if you want to meet someone for a drink & don't really want to go off property.

The convention center complex is quite large (I think it's 2million sq ft) and the Renaissance is literally next to the south hall. The Marriott is 1/2 block from the North Hall. I've not taken the monorail in years, but probably will this trip or at least 1x because I have to be at the MGM. The pick-up spot is a bit closer to the Ren than the Marriott but not a huge overall difference.

Hmm, need to find out if there's a biz center on site or if I'll end up using the Kinko's at the convention center.

That's it for now. Cheers.

usafa

Ski, you probably already know, but the restaurant next door, Piero's is FANTASTIC. Great meal, or if you just want to have a glass of wine at the bar.

SkiAdcock

Yes, been there before. Nice place & a 30-second walk from the hotel.

The bkfst offerings here are full brekkie or buffet. Quite extensive. Waitress asks for room number or if you're 'on the list'. If you answer the latter, when the bill arrives it's marked 'elite - breakfast included' & you just sign. So my bill was only the tip.

After being at the conv ctr all day, had drinks w/ client in bar again & ordered something to eat - the Asian/Chinese chicken salad (think it's called that) is really good.

There is a biz center onsite, although I didn't use it yet. From the info book in the room, printing & copying up to 20 copies is free.

BTW - don't know if we're allowed to mention names, but Wendy at front desk & Steve the bartender are great.

Cheers.

qazw1

Whenever I go to Vegas and check the Marriott rates, they were extremely high. Always feel that if I am going to pay that kind of money, I might as well stay on the strip at one of the higherend hotels.

SkiAdcock

Well if you're not into earning points then that probably makes sense for you. For those of us who are into points & are Marriott elite, we tend to stay at Marriott properties when in town

I know the Marriott properties are pretty high when there's a convention in town - such as the one I'm attending - since Marriott properties basically ring the convention center. But I've read plenty of posts saying people get really cheap weekend rates, and often Vegas properties have promos going that get you extra points, or BBs or meals free etc.

Cheers.

SkiAdcock

Meant to mention this before. If you stay at this property, ask for a room on the Wynn side of the building. You'll get a view of the Wynn golf course - not quite as great as one from the Ren & definitely better on the higher floors, but still a decent view. If you're on the other side (which I am), you get a view of a LVCC parking lot & a lot of tall buildings just past it - not quite the same

Cheers.

bigguyinpasadena

That has not been my experience at all on weekend stays.Maybe some of the dumps on the strip might be lower in price on weekdays but even the dumps are often +$100 on weekends when the Ren' is usually under $125 for a much nicer property.
And those of us actually having to work in Las Vegas appriciate not having to deal with the noise/smoke/crowds of the casino hotels-and walking right to the valet from the elevator and have your car brought to you in under 15 minutes-a JOY!

ross123

I am going against the grain here, but you also might want to check out the 3 marriott properties on Russell. Yes, they are the lower end (Residence, Courtyard, Fairfield) but nice clean hotels, free Wifi, normal non-FS breakfast options, BUT.... easy in and out, free shuttle to Mandalay (and then tram to Luxor/Excalibur if you want) or very short drive to either Mandalay or Silverton (fun little locals casino) through the back on the other side of I-15.

In Vegas, especially for work mixed with play, a clean room and easy parking beats most of the perks the full service Marriotts can offer.

bhatnasx

Those hotels all have pretty decent pool areas as well with water features (small waterfall) - definitely good options if you want to be on the South side of town and great for the Mandalay Bay convention center - not as useful if you're looking to be near Sands Expo or Las Vegas convention center.

I've stayed at the Residence Inn a couple of times and the Fairfield once & have always enjoyed it there. They drop you at the airport, but the shuttle doesn't do pick-ups, FYI...

bigguyinpasadena

I stayed at one of those prop's OFF Russell and I would probably not do so again unless staying for work and then only if one of them was much cheaper than the other choices in Las Vegas.
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