Las Vegas

[shadowspy]

anyone here who can recommend a nice affordable hotel in las vegas?

[runningbull]

Hey shadowspy, did you go on your Vegas trip? Sorry I somehow only saw this thread now.

 

This is so late, but just incase here's some tips: Depending on when you're going to Vegas (if it's not peak season), you can actually get good rates for the top rated hotel-casinos when you book early and if there is no major event in the area (like a boxing match, a big concert, or if it's NASCAR weekend).

 

Weekday rates in these hotels can also come down to 50% of the published rates compared to weekends. Make sure to get hotel casinos that are on the "New" Las Vegas Strip. The Old Vegas strip for me is already sleazy. Just vist that place for a tour but not to stay there. Check out prices online and compare when you're booking. The better ones I've tried is Belagio, MGM Grand, Monte Carlo and NY-NY. The smaller ones and cost a little less but still nice is Tropicana, Hard Rock Hotel and there's also a Hooter's Hotel (which I haven't tried).

Edited August 29, 2007 by runningbull

[shadowspy]

yeah i was able to go last month. as luck would have it, it was the peak of summer so hotels were quite expensive! we initially planned to stay at the venetian, but it was too pricey! we settled for hooter's hotel for one night and flamingo hotel for two nights. hooters was okay, close to mccarran airport but a bit disappointing since not all of the girls working there are busty as advertised.

 

flamingo hotel is a good hotel at the center of the strip (right in front of caesars). we were able to watch lani misalucha and the society of seven at the flamingo.

 

we're planning to go back next year. hopefully we can get to stay at the venetian. that hotel is amazing! though if you have been to venice, it's not that glamorous. i was telling my wife that the layout of the piazza san marco at the venetian was wrong.

 

some tips for future travelers

 

1) to get around the strip, use the Deuce...a double decker bus from downtown to south of the strip. it runs 24/7 and an all day pass (valid for 24 hours) costs only $5. Individual rides cost $2.

 

2) for budget travelers, cheapest way to get to the strip from mccarran airport is take the 108 (or was it 109) from mccarran to the south strip terminal (around $2) then ride the deuce from there. beats paying the taxi which can be quite expensive during traffic!

 

3) go shopping at the las vegas outlet store! my wife enjoyed this. though i told her nyc is the best shopping experience.

 

4) buffet galore! we only ate once a day and it was enough! lunch buffets are cheaper than dinner. we only tried 2 buffets when we were there. I recommend the Carnival World Buffet at the Rio Hotel (off the Strip!). Best buffet we ever tasted! Walking from one end of the buffet to the other takes about four minutes (brisk walking, and yes we timed it!)

[runningbull]

Good for you, bro.

 

I agree, the Venetian is pretty nice. Flamingo is quite ok too, but a bit old. I think it's the same as Tropicana and the Treasure Island. Thanks for the tip on Hooter's Hotel. I think I'll just hop in there to peek, and not to stay.

 

The day ticket on Deuce Bus is a good idea and I tried that too. It can take you all the way to Las Vegas Outlets (Bells). You just have to trasfer to a different bus when you get to the station. There's also a newer Factory Outlet Store which is bigger. The prices there are amazing! On my last trip, I ended up buying 4 pairs of shoes from Rockport and Florsheim, 3 jeans from CK and Levis, etc. Sheesh, I almost went over baggage on my way back!

 

And yes, the buffet at Rio is known as the best buffet amongst the hotels.

 

I'm glad you had a good trip, and seems you knew where to go. On your next, try catching a Cirque du Soleil show on a few hotels with different themes. They have one at the Bellagio called "O", at the MGM is called "Kah" and an erotic commedy version, called "Zumanity" at NYNY. Great shows! :cool:

[shadowspy]

Good for you, bro.

 

I agree, the Venetian is pretty nice. Flamingo is quite ok too, but a bit old. I think it's the same as Tropicana and the Treasure Island. Thanks for the tip on Hooter's Hotel. I think I'll just hop in there to peek, and not to stay.

 

The day ticket on Deuce Bus is a good idea and I tried that too. It can take you all the way to Las Vegas Outlets (Bells). You just have to trasfer to a different bus when you get to the station. There's also a newer Factory Outlet Store which is bigger. The prices there are amazing! On my last trip, I ended up buying 4 pairs of shoes from Rockport and Florsheim, 3 jeans from CK and Levis, etc. Sheesh, I almost went over baggage on my way back!

 

And yes, the buffet at Rio is known as the best buffet amongst the hotels.

 

I'm glad you had a good trip, and seems you knew where to go. On your next, try catching a Cirque du Soleil show on a few hotels with different themes. They have one at the Bellagio called "O", at the MGM is called "Kah" and an erotic commedy version, called "Zumanity" at NYNY. Great shows! :cool:

 

i agree the flamingo is a bit old. but the location makes up for it. yeah the outlet stores were great! levis pants costs only like $20-$25! We went to the factory outlet on the south though...not the one near downtown. Weplan to see Zumanity when we get back..if it is still showing by then.

[id6230]

i agree the flamingo is a bit old. but the location makes up for it. yeah the outlet stores were great! levis pants costs only like $20-$25! We went to the factory outlet on the south though...not the one near downtown. Weplan to see Zumanity when we get back..if it is still showing by then.

 

This was eons ago but I remembered the Seafood Buffet at Rio was extremely delicious. I think I paid $30.0 at that time.

[pitbull69]

We stayed at Tropicana and Imperial when we were in Vegas last month. Tropicana is nice. Imperial... old?

[Seyer95]

In Vegas I've stayed at Stratosphere & Rio.

I eat steak at Teribles - it's cheap.

[kanski]

More info on the outlet stores please. What are their names? their location?

 

And another question: Would it be possible to take a day trip to the Grand Canyon

in Arizona and return to LV in the evening? Just trying to maximize my stay here.

[ink]

i just got back from a five-day trip to vegas last week. stayed at caesar's palace for the first 2 nights. i was just disappointed that my room smelled cig smoke despite my prior specification for a non-smoking room. i had to be moved to another room-- apparently onto another tower at 10 pm! my 3rd night i stayed at flamingo, and i agree it's kinda old, but it still is value for money. treasure island on my 4th night was okay bec of two things: the buffet at TI, and tangerine lounge where crowd's very much a-okay. loved the hotels since they're all within the strip. hopefully i cant try the more costly venetian and bellagio the next time....

 

flavors buffet at harrah's was good, naumay lang ako looking at the choices their crab salad was really good. where to go? there's this small thai resto near stratosphere that serves good food. i forgot what the street was tho ... and yes, nanay gloria's filipino buffet at the east side.

 

i enjoyed the hoover dam aerial trip, a five-minute tour is $59. bitin nga lang, but okay na rin for somebody who wants to experience riding a heli and take good aerial shots of the dam.

 

zumanity is one thing you shouldn't miss when in vegas. it was a really good show.

 

for those who wish to go to strip bars, try going to treasures. it has a professional-like atmosphere outside kaya hindi intimidating unlike Sheri's Cabaret. but well, kahit pa upscalish yung treasures, yun pa rin makikita. strippers. but girls at sheri's are better pole dancers. inggit ako sa galing

 

unfortunately, i didn't enjoy the outlet stores. nothing really caught my fancy. i ended up buying CK undies para lang masabing may nabili ako. mas nag-enjoy pa nga ako sa fashion mall which has this connecting bridge towards TI. i particularly enjoyed the oxygen bar and the quick fix massage.

 

one word of advise though, always have a bottle of water handy. if you're somebody from the east coast, medyo irritating ang init.

 

with regard to the poster above's question about taking the grand canyon tour, posible naman. kakapagod lang since that will be about 5-6 hrs drive. i refused the trip because it will eat up one whole day. that leaves minus one day for all my plans while in the city. you can research on the net about tours kasi from what i heard, there are also helicopter tours.

Edited November 8, 2007 by ink

[kanski]

with regard to the poster above's question about taking the grand canyon tour, posible naman. kakapagod lang since that will be about 5-6 hrs drive. i refused the trip because it will eat up one whole day. that leaves minus one day for all my plans while in the city. you can research on the net about tours kasi from what i heard, there are also helicopter tours.

 

was planning to spend a day to drive to and from the grand canyon.

computed distance of travel from google earth and had the same result- 6 hrs travelling at 60mph.

 

no question on whether i want to do this if i was alone.

but i will be travelling with my young kids.

have to re-think plan.

 

thanks.

[id6230]

More info on the outlet stores please. What are their names? their location?

 

And another question: Would it be possible to take a day trip to the Grand Canyon

in Arizona and return to LV in the evening? Just trying to maximize my stay here.

Yes, you can. If you leave like 4AM, you can be in the north rim before lunch. It is around 7 hours driving.

[kanski]

Yes, you can. If you leave like 4AM, you can be in the north rim before lunch. It is around 7 hours driving.

 

scouted tour sites as suggested by ink and most offered 11-12 hr tours from las vegas departing at 7:30 am.

these listed lunch at or near the grand canyon despite stops at hoover dam and somewhere else.

 

still have to research exactly what part of the grand canyon would i want to go to (though that part with the

platform with a transparent floor looks the most attractive) but i think drivetime would be less than 7 hrs if

driving conditions allow you to drive at 60-70 mph.

[dakine48]

stay downtown in the old strip. hotels there are more affordable and they usually have really cheap package deals.

[id6230]

I agree that off the strip hotels are cheaper and since you have access to the internet, you can generally get a source of info. If you are adventurous, try hotwire.com. You won't know the hotel not until after you pay.