Las Vegas General Discussion Thread (Westin vs. Planet Hollywood?)
Jan 17, 2007, 12:13 am
#16
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Vancouver
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I stayed @ Westin in December and it was gr8
We thought Westin was great and would go again on points but never pay to go there. I was not very keen on the Aladdin when we last visited - really can't put my finger on why though.
Regards, Allen.
Regards, Allen.
Jan 17, 2007, 3:21 pm
#17
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: La Jolla, CA
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Well, Steffo says they didn't offer the dice option during their stay, but my understanding is that everyone gets to roll 1 die, gold rolls 2 and plats roll 3.
You get 100 times the throw or a bonus for rolling 3 sixes.
Perhaps it ended, but it was still in place last July.
Jan 17, 2007, 3:22 pm
#18
Join Date: Jun 2003
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My personal favorite is to do a mattress run if these 4 days are in January - to earn 10,000 West Coast stay bonus for the 4 different night stays and also the Starry Night bonus for 3,000 points.
But if there are no bonus points, Aladdin is centrally located and that is what I like.
But if there are no bonus points, Aladdin is centrally located and that is what I like.
That's our plan. I had actually forgot about Starry Nights until my first 3K just posted.
Jan 17, 2007, 3:24 pm
#19
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Gila, NM, USA
Posts: 1,044
I'm a little miffed that as a plat they did not offer it to me. But not terribly surprised--service at this hotel is just not very good in general.
Jan 17, 2007, 3:48 pm
#20
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Jan 17, 2007, 4:04 pm
#21
Join Date: Sep 2005
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On my last stay, I was not offered the dice roll at check-in. However, when I asked at check-out whether they still offered this promo, they said that I should have been offered it. They gave me the dice to roll, and my bonus points posted within a week or so. If you don't get offered it, ask.
The rules of the dice payouts change sometimes. In my last case, I think that the rule was that if I rolled a straight, my bonus was better. There were two chances, and I rolled a straight on the second roll.
I almost didn't even comment in this thread since the OP didn't give any details about what he wanted from such a trip and yet dared to sort of compare the Aladdin and Westin to the Four Seasons. The OP did not mention whether he intends to rent a car, what kind of budget he's on, whether it's a business or leisure stay, nor what daily or evening activities he is interested in.
I mostly visit Vegas on business on a limited budget. If room prices were equal, I would probably stay at the Westin a lot more for better quality room furnishings, the bonus points promos, and some of the most convenient hotel parking near the Strip. However, the Aladdin has the better on-Strip location, better views from upgraded rooms, and more to choose from in the immediate area for food and entertainment. Only in rare cases do I find cheaper or similar rates at the Westin unless both are out of my budget.
In many cases, I would recommend that visitors stay where they intend to spend the most time. For most leisure visitors to Vegas, this probably makes the Westin a poor match.
Like Steffo suggested, I would NOT recommend that women walk between the Westin and the Strip at night. Even I have felt uncomfortable doing so when returning from dinner. That brings up another problem with the Westin: if I intend to eat at my hotel, I find most of the Westin's dining prices too high for my measly expense account.
Actual Aladdin self-parking miles from hotel rooms: 0.3
No joke. No exaggeration. Not 1 mile.
The rules of the dice payouts change sometimes. In my last case, I think that the rule was that if I rolled a straight, my bonus was better. There were two chances, and I rolled a straight on the second roll.
I almost didn't even comment in this thread since the OP didn't give any details about what he wanted from such a trip and yet dared to sort of compare the Aladdin and Westin to the Four Seasons. The OP did not mention whether he intends to rent a car, what kind of budget he's on, whether it's a business or leisure stay, nor what daily or evening activities he is interested in.
I mostly visit Vegas on business on a limited budget. If room prices were equal, I would probably stay at the Westin a lot more for better quality room furnishings, the bonus points promos, and some of the most convenient hotel parking near the Strip. However, the Aladdin has the better on-Strip location, better views from upgraded rooms, and more to choose from in the immediate area for food and entertainment. Only in rare cases do I find cheaper or similar rates at the Westin unless both are out of my budget.
In many cases, I would recommend that visitors stay where they intend to spend the most time. For most leisure visitors to Vegas, this probably makes the Westin a poor match.
Like Steffo suggested, I would NOT recommend that women walk between the Westin and the Strip at night. Even I have felt uncomfortable doing so when returning from dinner. That brings up another problem with the Westin: if I intend to eat at my hotel, I find most of the Westin's dining prices too high for my measly expense account.
Actual Aladdin self-parking miles from hotel rooms: 0.3
No joke. No exaggeration. Not 1 mile.
Jan 17, 2007, 4:22 pm
#22
Join Date: Jul 2006
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Could be 0.3 miles, but it feels like a mile as it is not a straight line and having to weave in between all the kiosks and shoppers. And, in any case, it is much further than the distance from the Westin parking lot to the hotel.
Jan 17, 2007, 5:18 pm
#23
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the prob is when the place is filled with people walking around, its harder to walk right thru it. But its nicer then teh way you hav eto walk by most of the other Hotels to their self-parking lot which is also a long walk thru pathways and escalators. The Venitian for 1 is a much bigger Hassle as is Paris and The Beligio etc etc
Jan 17, 2007, 5:40 pm
#24
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: La Jolla, CA
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I have to admit that neither the Aladdin nor the Westin are my fav Vegas properties (we get some of our best Cent upgrades at the Bellagio & the Wynn) but for a quick mattress/points run, nothing beats them.
And although my husband disagrees, I kind of liked the low-key little casino at the Westin. We would come home tired at night or on our way out in the morning and sit with *our* blackjack dealer and it kind of felt like having our own, personal blackjack table.
And I wouldn't walk by myself from the Westin, but with my husband I never felt as if it was dangerous.
I liked our room at the Westin-- no view, but modern, comfortable furnishings. The furnishings at the Aladdin were *tired* but we had a great view of the fountain and we were paying $59/night. Our best rate for Bellagio suites is $299/night, so I felt as if all of our meals and shows were free.
My biggest complaint about the Aladdin aside from decor was that as a resort they couldn't (wouldn't) always guarantee late checkout. It was a convenient location.
And although my husband disagrees, I kind of liked the low-key little casino at the Westin. We would come home tired at night or on our way out in the morning and sit with *our* blackjack dealer and it kind of felt like having our own, personal blackjack table.
And I wouldn't walk by myself from the Westin, but with my husband I never felt as if it was dangerous.
I liked our room at the Westin-- no view, but modern, comfortable furnishings. The furnishings at the Aladdin were *tired* but we had a great view of the fountain and we were paying $59/night. Our best rate for Bellagio suites is $299/night, so I felt as if all of our meals and shows were free.
My biggest complaint about the Aladdin aside from decor was that as a resort they couldn't (wouldn't) always guarantee late checkout. It was a convenient location.
Jan 17, 2007, 6:24 pm
#25
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If you are really thinking about points (and stays) you could do as we did last time--
switch back and forth between hotels.
You could use the socal points promotion and really rack them up. We're thinking of doing this again next month.
I personally prefer the Westin-- they also have an added point bonus:
They have you roll dice at at check-in! On our first night I rolled a total of 8 between the 3 dice and they added 800 bonus *points to my acct. The next time I rolled 3 sixes and they added 2300 points-- 6x3x100 + 500 (a special when you roll 3 sixes)
switch back and forth between hotels.
You could use the socal points promotion and really rack them up. We're thinking of doing this again next month.
I personally prefer the Westin-- they also have an added point bonus:
They have you roll dice at at check-in! On our first night I rolled a total of 8 between the 3 dice and they added 800 bonus *points to my acct. The next time I rolled 3 sixes and they added 2300 points-- 6x3x100 + 500 (a special when you roll 3 sixes)
GENIUS!! ^ ^ ^
28thWestin
29thAladdin
30thWestin
31rstAladdin
Now, i have to explain to mrs. psyflyer on why im bouncing around..
Jan 17, 2007, 6:26 pm
#26
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BTW, is there a shuttle between the two?
or else will take a cab. my conference is at the Venetian so dont care really where im staying. As I said i usually stay @ the four seasons where i get a killer rate via my work for 200buck all in. but no points...
or else will take a cab. my conference is at the Venetian so dont care really where im staying. As I said i usually stay @ the four seasons where i get a killer rate via my work for 200buck all in. but no points...
Jan 17, 2007, 9:41 pm
#27
Join Date: Jul 2004
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The size of the casino does matter (whoa...almost went quotes with that)...depending on the person. The Allladin has the Vegas-norm large casino that you have to walk thru & thru to get to/from your room. The Westin has a small one that's really no longer of a walk than a large lobby.
If you want lots of gaming action right at your hotel, then the Alladin is your choice. If you anticipate coming home from a day of play/work and just wanting to get up to bed w/o the jungle of machines & tables, the Westin is your thing.
I found the Westin to be a bit of a "sanctuary" after a day/evening/night out & about in the excitement of Vegas. A nice place to kind of break away from it all in the middle of a trip. As others have said, it's really close to the strip, and not terribly far from cheap eats as well.
If you want lots of gaming action right at your hotel, then the Alladin is your choice. If you anticipate coming home from a day of play/work and just wanting to get up to bed w/o the jungle of machines & tables, the Westin is your thing.
I found the Westin to be a bit of a "sanctuary" after a day/evening/night out & about in the excitement of Vegas. A nice place to kind of break away from it all in the middle of a trip. As others have said, it's really close to the strip, and not terribly far from cheap eats as well.
Jan 18, 2007, 8:27 am
#28
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Mike
Jan 18, 2007, 9:20 am
#29
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: La Jolla, CA
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I found the Westin to be a bit of a "sanctuary" after a day/evening/night out & about in the excitement of Vegas. A nice place to kind of break away from it all in the middle of a trip. As others have said, it's really close to the strip, and not terribly far from cheap eats as well.
Jan 18, 2007, 9:39 am
#30
Join Date: Feb 2004
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just returned 7 nights at Aladdin during CES, greatly improved since June.