cybersecretary

can anyone recommend or unrecommend hotels central vegas strip?

also, could do with knowing a really good hotel reservation search page that i can use to get best prices etc etc.

Helpful dos and donts would be appreciated.

Havnfun

Are you flying or driving to Las Vegas? If you are flying we use usairwaysvacations.com and book a package with both air and hotel included (we fly out of Orange County not LAX).

My favorite central strip hotels would be The Mirage and Treasure Island the Flamingo is also OK and should be cheaper than the other two.

If you are driving and just want to book a hotel I always find that I get the best price if I book it directly with the hotel. Look for a "specials" link on each hotel webpage.

TruBrit

Bellagio no probs or Wynns if you really want to splash out and book direct with the hotel, always the best policy imo.

sambapink

We went this past weekend L... stayed at the MGM Grand.. very nice.. Bellagio would probs be my choice though.. oh and the Paris Hotel is gorgeous!! Remember.. sit at a table or slot machine and drinks are free.. had a bloody blast i did!!!!

cybersecretary

oooooo - sounds like you had fun.
we will be driving there as there will be a car full.
just wondering about location - looking on t'internet location options seem to be: bellagio; mirage; mandalay; cesars; venetian; MGM?
does anyone know if these are all central hotels?
getting prices from www.orbitz.com and will then phone the hotels direct to see what deals they can do, so looking for hotel location details and stay recommendations!

Sarah

The Venetian is beautiful - its the one with a canal in the middle of it.

Jerseygirl

The Bellagio would be my first choice...lovely hotel...central location. Next would be Wynn or Four Seasons but the location is not quite as convenient IMO. The Venetian and Paris look good...good location too.

Edit: There have been several threads about Vegas in the past...including tips on how to upgrade the hotel room...don't know if they work though.

Kate2112

Of those you've named Bellagio is probably the most central to all and definately the nicest ie stinks less of cigarettes and has lovely bed linens.

RoadWarriorFromLP

Avoid Circus Circus like the plague, regardless of budget. Your budget will determine your options, but many of the major casinos of recent construction are OK.

I would probably stay toward the southern end of the Strip, around Paris, Planet Hollywood (Aladdin), etc. Do use "promotion codes" to try to find better room rates. If you search carefully around the internet, you can find some very good deals.

Absolutely try to avoid driving there from Southern California on a Friday evening or returning by car to California on Sundays. Traffic can be absolutely horrendous, and the Sunday drive can be a bit frightening. (It is not ideal to be driving adjacent to harried folks hurrying home who are pissed off because they've lost a fortune.) Flying can be a better bet; you won't need a car in Vegas for a brief visit.

If you've never been before, stay on the Strip, rather than in the downtown area. The glitz and silliness are best experienced there. For a short trip, don't feel compelled to go downtown, there should be enough on the Strip to amuse you for a day or two.

Rete

They are central hotels. MGM is at the top of the strip and the others down from it. There is a tram that takes you from one to the other. Personally I always stay at the Rio. My chose of poison and then take the shuttle to the main strip.

penguinsix

Bellagio is very very nice, but I *strongly* recommend Paris across the street. Make sure on your reservation to get a 'view' room as you'll be able to see the Bellagio fountains (for about 1/2 the price it would cost you if you were in the Bellagio). I agreed Circus Circus is lowend, as is that castle one whatever the hell it is called. Wynne is supposed to be nice, a bit on the North End of the Strip.

Couple points:

1) The strip is very very long. It doesn't look long, but when you start walking between casinos from one end to the other you'll be like 'f#$% hell, this sucks'.

2) The pirate ship fight in front of Treasure Island is neat to see. As are the volcanos at the Mirage, and the fountains at the Bellagio. Also, take a drive to 'Old' Vegas (i.e. where they filmed Diamond are Forever and many other films). Take a look at the 'Frontier Street Experience' (which is a huge video screen two blocks long). Also, some of the casinos have better odds (better rules on some games) in an attempt to draw people off the strip.

3) Never ever ever bet the same damn amount on every single hand. It is a mathematically guaranteed way to lose your money (fwiw, I was part of a card counting team in law school, he he he).

4) Slots are for losers. Avoid. Just avoid at all costs. 21 is good, if you know what you are doing (google 'basic strategy' to start). Craps can offer the best odds, if you can figure it out.

5) The cheapest food is 1 mile off the strip in basically any direction. Reasonable normal prices at different places. On the strip can get pricey, unless you like $15 buffets (note: you get what you pay for, quality wise).

6) Off strip I recommend Red Rocks Casino, and Rio (which is only slighty off the strip).

7) http://www.vegas.com/ is a good site that searches across many hotel's websites.

8) Best time to go is mid-week when there is no major convention. Hotel rooms that cost $100 mid-week can shoot up to $300 on a weekend with a convention in town.

Good luck.

(p.s. go rent '21')

cybersecretary

thanks for all the info everyone, spent ages on internet getting prices and looking at reviews. We arent going for the gambling, just to see the spectacular that is Vegas, visit the Grand Canyon etc. Unfortunatley we are going at Thanksgiving - and yes, driving back on the Sunday - eeeeeeek

cybersecretary

Been trawling through internet this afternoon, looking rate, room layouts, locations, deals, offers, reviews, prices............ feel like I am Vegas'd out and I have never set foot in the place.

mayhemuk

We found Treasure Island was very good value for money.
We also had dinner at the top of the world 'Stratosphere' which was very good too. IS worth a jaunt even to spend an hour in the bar on your way to Fremont Street.
Have fun!

HoosierDaddy

It certainly does work:

$20 upgrade in Vega$
On that link you'll see the success rate on the right of folk who have reported back on their experience. Cash is king for folk at the front desk

From the same site:

1. When you go to the front desk to check into a hotel, they will ask for a credit card or driver's license.
2. Put a $20 bill between or under your driver's license and credit card.
3. Ask the clerk if there are any complimentary upgrades.
4. Most clerks will know to give you back the money if they cannot offer you the upgrade

A friend of mine from Scotland used the trick last year to get an upgraded room at Caesar's. When I went in April, I wasn't able to do it as all the rooms were essentially the same (HGVC on the Strip)

Far too many to mention. Oh well.....

- grab a sandwich at the Stage Deli in the Forum Shops at CP
- Ellis Island is a great off-strip location for a cheap meal & beer
- sign up for any and all Frequent Player clubs
- check out BiddingForTravel before you go if you wanna bid on a Priceline hotel room, although it seems Vegas really needs occupancy in these slow economic times
- ditch the car and take the Duece for Strip travel
- take a bottle opener with you if you happen to buy beer at liquor stores on the Strip. Screw-top bottles are about 50c dearer

Have you checked out CheapoVegas ?