^

It is always best to listen to my advice. Just ask Mrs. 787.

I enjoy the spectacle. It's something that you and your wife could do on a random weekend that isn't busy. If you shoot for the shoulder times (late April into May or Sept/Oct), you can usually find good plane tickets and good hotel rates that make it a much cheaper trip than Europe and it's only a 3.5 hour flight.

unrelated: as a foodie and chicagoan, you should post your favorite places in the chicago forum...

I thought I'd hate Vegas -always planned to see it sometime but only on the way to or from somewhere else. I don't do clubs but I do like shows -and people watching , and seeing crazy buildings and a little bit of gambling and a nice pool (avoid the hotels that advertise a wild pool scene-it just gets annoying ;) ) and I *love* Vegas :)

sorry but admitting you watched a terrible movie more than once lowers the credibility of your rant.

I am not fan of the "strip scene" but Vegas is exactly what you make of it. For people like me who would rather not spend time at a pool party, there are numerous opportunities for shopping, hiking, museums, day-trips (e.g., death valley), etc.

I am planning a trip to USA in 2012 and we want to go to Vegas for the reasons you have stated (apart from the gambling :) ). We want to stay at a hotel that is really nice and a bit "over the top". Price isn't a major issue, we can afford to splurge for a few nights. What would the recommendations be? It would be myself, Mr FM and the youngest (20 year old) Ms FM.

Also would there be restrictions on what a 20 year old can do - I have this vague idea that you can't drink in the USA until you are 21, but would that stop her going to shows etc?

Most shows in Las Vegas are open to all ages. Even those listed as "adult" usually define that as 18+. The sightseeing and restaurants are there for all to enjoy. However, the gambling, drinking, clubbing, etc. will all be off-limits to her, which might be frustrating. Then again, a 20-year-old with her parents will probably be operating a bit differently than a 20-year-old on her own.

I think most FTers choice for nice hotels would be Wynn/Encore. Ms FM cannot drink, gamble or go to clubs, but everything else should be fine.

I'd say the WynnCore is mid-tier. Since FM wants "over the top" and "can afford to splurge for a few nights" there are plenty of choices far superior to the WynnCore. And depending on how old Ms FM looks, not to mention how maturely she acts, she can absolutey drink, gamble, and go to clubs. While technically against the law, PLENTY of things are allowable in Vegas if one has the cash and is willing to behave within certain limits.

Wynncore as mid-tier? Perhaps you should provide your definition and example of "over the top".

Sounds like great advice. :confused:

Thanks for the reponses :)

Ms FM is and acts quite maturely, but drinking and gambling is not a priority, so don't mind sticking to the rules. Really keen to go to some shows, so good that she will be able to.

As far as accommodation goes, have come up with some we like

Bellagio - love the fountains
Prestige at The Palazzo (husband likes the gondolas)
Encore
Caesar's Palace - historical?
Skylofts - my favourite but I think Mr FM will feel it is the sort of place you can book anywhere and not Las Vegas enough?

Any comments on these?

Also I find the whole tipping thing very difficult. I understand you tip around 15 to 20% for meals. What do you tip porters and taxis? You are supposed to tip hotel room maids, but how do you do this when most of the time you don't see them? Do you tip a Concierge and if so how much - anyone else?

You don't really tip much in Australia apart from restaurants and that is usually 10%.

I wouldn't go THIS time of year unless you LOVE to broil outside, hindukid. ;)

Let's see....assuming better weather:

1. Do you like the desert?
2. Do you like to go hiking in the red rocks?
3. Would you want to tour the Hoover Dam?
4. Do you like to smoke most anywhere you go?

If any of these interests you, why not go. Not sure what you do for a living, but you might end up there if you attend conferences or conventions.

I find Vegas to be boring.

Yes! Preferably a Davidoff Grand Cru No. 4 cigar! (with a cognac, of course!)

Tipping: 15% is the bare minimum (for dismal service) and in Vegas tipping up front goes a long way; this means $20 or $100 to the maitre d' depending on where you are and where you want to sit. Tipping front desk at check-in gets great upgrades at some hotels (and nothing at others).

Your list is ok, but pretty mainstream. For more of a Vegas vibe, try the Palms. Their fantasy suites are quite impressive (but start at thousands, and goes up to $40,000 per night). http://palmsfantasy.vegas.com/hef/hef.html

Otherwise the nicer suites are under casino control for the most part, so you often cannot rent them; they are reserved for whales. From your list I'd pick the Palazzo, room quality is ok but not over the top, but nicely done gondolas as you say (of course you can get that without staying there). Last time I stayed at Encore and was very disappointed (it cost almost million dollars per room, but little of that shows in terms of room furnishings or build quality, must be the cost of the land -- have stayed in better suites at the Westins in Melbourne and Sydney!!!).

I have to disagree that 15% is the minimum for dismal service. Zero is the minimum for dismal service, and probably a conversation with a manager. 15% is the standard for acceptable service.

As for tipping front desk and restaurant attendants, that is absolutely discretionary. I've not once in my life tipped a maitre'd, but then again I guess I don't really care whether or not I sit in the paparazzi's favorite table.

Other tips are customary and expected. In addition to the aforementioned tip to your restaurant server, it is common to tip bellstaff $1-$5 per bag for getting them to your room, bartenders as well as cocktail waitresses at the gambling tables a few bucks per drink, cab drivers a few bucks, valet parking attendants $5-$20 (depending on the speed and courtesy of their service), and housekeepers $5 or so per day (left conspicuously in the room for them perhaps with a note so they know it is a gratuity). If a concierge gives particularly good advice or goes out of their way to arrange something, anywhere from $20 on up is customary.

As you might expect, tips go up depending on the financial status of the transaction involved. If the valet guy is schlepping your rental Ford Focus, then $5 is fine. If you want him to take care of your Bentley, tip more. If you're drinking Budweiser then $1 a bottle is a nice tip; if you're downing Cristal by the bottle then 20% of the amount you paid for the booze is appropriate.