Vegas - Where to stay and when to book

Berty

Hi All,

I finally choose Cancun-Mexico and paid a deposit yesterday on it. The agent picked the Luxor hotel, for price and my parents once stayed there.

The Luxor is not set in stone until I pay the full holiday in full anyway so I can change it and as Vegas has so much damn choice I'm left in a pickle.

The Luxor is coming in around €258 for 4 nights(one night being free) in a standard room and I might try get an upgrade on arrival($20 sandwich trick).

I'm then considering the MGM because it has a better reputation and you can check in whilst waiting for your bags to arrive off your flight(only hotel that does this). I'm flying in on a Saturday evening so it's going to be bananas anyway either in the airport or hotel.

I've checked the likes of Trivago, Lastminute.ie and with the likes of Tour America, American Holidays and who I booked with Topflight.

Should I consider leaving the Luxor alone, try to book one of the current offers on Lastminute/Trivago and try to upgrade on arrival or WAIT until closer to the time to book the Vegas hotel?

I haven't been to Vegas before so......

kupus

Beer Baron wrote: »

Hi All,

I finally choose Cancun-Mexico and paid a deposit yesterday on it. The agent picked the Luxor hotel, for price and my parents once stayed there.

The Luxor is not set in stone until I pay the full holiday in full anyway so I can change it and as Vegas has so much damn choice I'm left in a pickle.

The Luxor is coming in around €258 for 4 nights(one night being free) in a standard room and I might try get an upgrade on arrival($20 sandwich trick).

I'm then considering the MGM because it has a better reputation and you can check in whilst waiting for your bags to arrive off your flight(only hotel that does this). I'm flying in on a Saturday evening so it's going to be bananas anyway either in the airport or hotel.

I've checked the likes of Trivago, Lastminute.ie and with the likes of Tour America, American Holidays and who I booked with Topflight.

Should I consider leaving the Luxor alone, try to book one of the current offers on Lastminute/Trivago and try to upgrade on arrival or WAIT until closer to the time to book the Vegas hotel?

I haven't been to Vegas before so......

To be perfectly honest they are nearly all the same, where one hotel starts another finishes and once in the casinos you wont even tell the difference.... Plenty of things to do there if your not into losing money, eg stratosphere, roller coasters, sight seeing, fountains water display etc...go into the pawn shops to pick up class second hand bargains off the main strip. day trip to hoover dam or heli trip to Grand canyon among other things.

Berty

kupus wrote: »

To be perfectly honest they are nearly all the same, where one hotel starts another finishes and once in the casinos you wont even tell the difference.... Plenty of things to do there if your not into losing money, eg stratosphere, roller coasters, sight seeing, fountains water display etc...go into the pawn shops to pick up class second hand bargains off the main strip. day trip to hoover dam or heli trip to Grand canyon among other things.

Well I'm there 4 nights so would like something with a seating area but DAMN I'm going to pay for that by the looks of it. :rolleyes:

Zaph

Not sure you'd have much chance of getting an upgrade on check-in at the weekend tbh. It's going to be busy anyway, so they'll probably save the upgrades so they can comp people who are gambling a lot. However what I would suggest is looking at a map of the strip and choosing a hotel a bit more central as the Luxor is down towards the far end of it and it's a bit of a hike if you just want to wander around and see the sights.

Berty

I'm looking at prices but there are large differences in prices. Oddly the hotel seems to be cheapest to book with(MGM) than online price comparisons. Usually other way around.

Oh well, most hotels have 1,000s of rooms so no rush.

kupus

if you can wait till mid week prices are usually cheaper, and yeah walkins are sometimes cheaper. Luxor is towards the end but vegas is not a big place anyway everything you want to see is within walking distance, Outside the strip vegas is a kip dont go wandering around there late at night or even daytime hours for that matter.... If you gamble more than 5000-10000 a night you get an upgrade no problem first class....

Berty

kupus wrote: »

if you can wait till mid week prices are usually cheaper, and yeah walkins are sometimes cheaper. Luxor is towards the end but vegas is not a big place anyway everything you want to see is within walking distance, Outside the strip vegas is a kip dont go wandering around there late at night or even daytime hours for that matter.... If you gamble more than 5000-10000 a night you get an upgrade no problem first class....

I can't wait till Mid Week. If I choose Vegas first and Cancun second I would still arrive on a Saturday night.

And If I gamble 5000-10,000 a night.......................LOL I might throw maybe 20 bucks in a slot machine. I'm not bothered by winning or losing money, I'm happy just to see it all.

adox

Disagree with the poster who said there isn't much difference between the hotels, there is a huge difference.

Have you checked SmarterVegas.com for your dates? They have links to all the special offers the hotels have on, a lot of which aren't readily visible on the hotel websites.

If you book direct with the hotels you can cancel up to a couple of days beforehand, so you could book more than one until you decide which one you want, or if the room rate drops you can cancel and re-book.

Berty

Tried that site and most others as well. I just think I'm looking too far into the future for Vegas. I booked the rest of the trip already with the travel agent so wanted it out of the way.

I'll wait till the room I want, MGM One bed suite, has come down to my maximum at least.

Beefy78

There's no need to rush a decision on hotels. Prices don't really change much, and if anything they actually go down a little closer to the time.

Luxor has a slight reputation for being towards the cheaper/tattier end of the market but I stayed there for three nights over New Year and I was quite impressed. There's a good atmosphere there, the Aurora bar makes a cracking mojito and there's something to be said for staying in a pyramid!

A room upgrade at Luxor would be to a Tower room. From what I gather these aren't significantly better than the pyramid rooms, are further away from everything and lack the uniqueness of staying in the pyramid itself. Personally I'd be inclined to save my $20.

There are definitely better hotels in Vegas (I got a fantastic upgrade using the $20 trick at Caesars in January to a room which was so much nicer than the room at Luxor) but Luxor does what it needs to do. I'd stay there again.

jsn.peters

Have been a few times & only stay in the MGM, have fun.

InTheTrees

We just booked three night in the Luxor over Halloween.

It was slightly cheaper than the other alternatives. And its connected to all the other hotels anyway. We plan on doing a lot of walking!

CaliforniaDream

Outside the strip vegas is a kip dont go wandering around there late at night or even daytime hours for that matter

That's a bold statement to make. It's pretty clear you haven't spent a lot of time there.
Some of the nicest parts of Vegas are off the strip. Perfectly safe during the day and night. As with any place you're not familiar with use common sense but don't be afraid.

Big Nasty

I stayed in the MGM last November. Fine hotel but bars and restaurants are expensive. There's a Hooters across the street and a round of drinks was half the price. Bro-in-law stayed in the Luxor and said it was fine but it's at the far end of the strip. Friend stayed in Circus Circus before and said it was cheap and cheerful but also very central. Do the helicopter tour over Grand Canyon and take a trip to the Las Vegas Speedway. Also the Imperial Hotel hosts the worlds largest classic car showroom with an entire floor dedicated to it.

Beefy78

Circus Circus isn't central. It's on the arse-end of the strip a little up from Stratosphere.

Big Nasty

Beefy78 wrote: »

Circus Circus isn't central. It's on the arse-end of the strip a little up from Stratosphere.

It's hardly out in the sticks now is it?

Beefy78

It certainly feels like it is when you're down there. Nothing but building sites, waste-land and homeless people. It's only a couple of miles from the bright lights of the middle and south-end of the strip but it feels a lot further than that.

That map is a little out of date as several of those places aren't around any more.

rossie1977

yeah circus circus isn't central, the north end of the strip is gone to the dogs last 5-6 years, when i first visited vegas 14 years ago it was decent but stardust, sahara, frontier and many other establishments are now gone, i would not recommend a first timer to stay up there

Savman

Most of the hotels on the strip are much of a muchness, it has to be said. There are still some I'd avoid however, Circus Circus as previously mentioned is poorly located unless you want to ride the freak show that is the Deuce to get anywhere. I don't think I'd stay on the north end of the strip personally, apart from the Stratosphere it is not the same vibe as it is on the Central and South parts.

Hooters is actually a nice compromise if you can tolerate the glorious tackiness, and for 25c chicken wings after midnight, it'd be rude not to

Berty

I'll tell you what I'm interested in (applying my budget to it).

MGM Grand Tower Spa or Tower One Bedroom
Luxor Grand Suite
Flamingo Go Deluxe or Go Suite
MGM Signature Suites One Bed Balcony

I had considered the RIO because it was just off strip and had a balcony and was a suite but then again we both smoke and you cannot even smoke on the balcony. We would never smoke inside anyway. $500 if you smoke on the balcony. That's out.

Anyway, I'm watching the deals come and go on Smartervegas.com so they will get better closer to the time. I'm asking my travel agent to confirm her price. I though she was saying €524 for the Tower Spa in the MGM but now it looks like she is saying it's a supplement so on top of €254 already quoted for the Luxor. If so, booking direct is the only way to go.

Booking direct, I was informed by others, means that If I see a better offer I can get the hotel to reduce my price(only have to pay one nights fully refundable deposit) or I'll cancel. So If I see a new promotion they can convert the booking into the new promotion for fear of losing your business.

With each hotel having upwards of 3000 rooms each they cannot afford rooms to be empty I guess.

jack presley

InTheTrees wrote: »

We just booked three night in the Luxor over Halloween.

It was slightly cheaper than the other alternatives. And its connected to all the other hotels anyway. We plan on doing a lot of walking!

And you will do a lot of walking!

The Luxor, while not a bad hotel is at the end of the strip so to get to the heart of the strip you'll either have to walk or get the monorail. And the monorail stations are at the back of the hotels further up the strip so you end up walking for ages to get to them.

InTheTrees

jack presley wrote: »

And you will do a lot of walking!

The Luxor, while not a bad hotel is at the end of the strip so to get to the heart of the strip you'll either have to walk or get the monorail. And the monorail stations are at the back of the hotels further up the strip so you end up walking for ages to get to them.

We went for New York New York instead. Its another older casino (80's?) but it was cheap too. $130 a night.

Izy

Stayed in planet Hollywood 2 years ago for 8 nights. There was a few of us and we stayed in the rooms very little. Soooo much to do and soooo much to see. All we ended up doing is sleeping in the rooms for a couple of hours a night or day or whatever time it was went for 2 days not even being in the room for longer then 10 mins to change and go again.

There is something to see all over the strip so you end up walking a bit no matter what

Check out a show from circuis de solei... Deadly stuff

Beefy78

Just booked my third trip to Vegas a few minutes ago. Going for a suite at THEhotel at Mandalay Bay. I know it's right up one end of the strip but I quite like the walk and the monorail down to Excalibur is easy enough. Plus the deal was great.

Expedia are doing some very good flight + accommodation deals at the minute. Plus if you book on the UK site instead of the Irish one you can split the payment so that you don't pay for the accommodation until much later anyway.

Berty

Beefy78 wrote: »

Just booked my third trip to Vegas a few minutes ago. Going for a suite at THEhotel at Mandalay Bay. I know it's right up one end of the strip but I quite like the walk and the monorail down to Excalibur is easy enough. Plus the deal was great.

I don't know if I want to be down that far, especially for a first visit. I had considered the Luxor because it was the option presented by Topflight and a great price and we could try and upgrade or pay for it but then I decided that I would like a nicer room(to chillax in) in a better location.

Beefy78 wrote: »

Expedia are doing some very good flight + accommodation deals at the minute. Plus if you book on the UK site instead of the Irish one you can split the payment so that you don't pay for the accommodation until much later anyway.

We are booked on BA already so no flight and hotel deals to be done there. I have been watching Americanholidays.com site as well because you can buy the hotel through them and their deals are good. Still waiting on a better deal though.

I'm currently down to a Tower Spa Suite or One Bedroom in the MGM, One Bedroom Balcony in the Signature or Go Mini Suite in the Flamingo. All coming in on my max budget of about €600 (Includes a Sat night you see).

Beefy78

Beer Baron wrote: »

I don't know if I want to be down that far, especially for a first visit. I had considered the Luxor because it was the option presented by Topflight and a great price and we could try and upgrade or pay for it but then I decided that I would like a nicer room(to chillax in) in a better location.

Absolutely. Sorry. I was just excited about having just booked.

Of those options I'd be inclined to go with MGM. Personally I don't like the casino there. I find it too manic and hectic and big and confusing even by Vegas standards but my friends who have stayed there rate it as a hotel. I've got a friend who raves about Signature but I think as a first time visitor I'd recommend you stay in one of the main hotels themselves rather Sig which is a bit set back from the strip. I think it would be a second visit location.

I've read some mixed reports about the Flamingo. It's obviously very historic and has the best location of the options that you mention but to me it seems to be showing its age. But then I've not stayed there.

Any chance your budget stretches to Mirage? I always think that that is the perfect first Vegas trip location.

Berty

Beefy78 wrote: »

Any chance your budget stretches to Mirage? I always think that that is the perfect first Vegas trip location.

Where does it stop though? I started off in Cancun with a Standard Double and ended up with a Honeymoon Suite, I'm considering upgrading the seats on BA and upgrading our choice of hotel in Vegas.

If I think of the Mirage then I'll only end up considering Caesars or even go mad and try to find money for the Venetian.

I could take my chances, book a standard double and go looking for an upgrade but I will be arriving to the hotel at 9pm on a Saturday night so best not be disappointed with a room overlooking a car park or the wall of something.

I'm maxed out at €150 a night so we'll see what happens as we get closer to the dates as the offers get better.

I'm waiting on Topflight to come back to me tomorrow with a "on request price" for the MGM One Bedroom. Their agent doesn't float prices so far off for the upper end of the rooms apparently.

keano007

I've been to vegas a couple of times now and have stayed at a few different hotels. I would highly recommend the Flamingo for numerous reasons, including cost, ease of getting an upgrade to a go suite, it's also the most central hotel and the pool and hot tub are also great.

Other hotels are good too, in fact all hotels mentioned on this thread are fine. Alot better than you'll fine over here. I'd suggest going with what you can afford and enjoying yourself after that. After all trust me you wont spend much time in the room.

Berty

keano007 wrote: »

After all trust me you wont spend much time in the room.

Ah no we will. Long Term Illness of the OH means that the days can be tiring very quickly and we like to have something bigger to relax in.

I'm leaning towards the MGM Signature now. Still waiting on Topflight to get me an updated price list on my current selection.

Beefy78

Beer Baron wrote: »

Ah no we will. Long Term Illness of the OH means that the days can be tiring very quickly and we like to have something bigger to relax in.

I'm leaning towards the MGM Signature now. Still waiting on Topflight to get me an updated price list on my current selection.

Hadn't realised that mate. In which case personally I'd steer clear of the main hotel at MGM which stresses me out let alone someone not at 100%.

As I said the other day, I've a friend who raves about Signature and won't stay anywhere else.

keano007

Beefy78 wrote: »

Beer Baron wrote: »

Ah no we will. Long Term Illness of the OH means that the days can be tiring very quickly and we like to have something bigger to relax in.

I'm leaning towards the MGM Signature now. Still waiting on Topflight to get me an updated price list on my current selection.

Hadn't realised that mate. In which case personally I'd steer clear of the main hotel at MGM which stresses me out let alone someone not at 100%.

As I said the other day, I've a friend who raves about Signature and won't stay anywhere else.

+1 on the signature. Great hotel and while I haven't stayed there some friends of mine have and they loved it

Berty

keano007 wrote: »

+1 on the signature. Great hotel and while I haven't stayed there some friends of mine have and they loved it

I love the idea of a One Bedroom Suite so its a toss up between the MGM Grand and Signature because the best price wins frankly. Both are coming in slightly above budget but neck and neck. I'll wait till they drop a little.

MadsL

Beer Baron wrote: »

Ah no we will. Long Term Illness of the OH means that the days can be tiring very quickly and we like to have something bigger to relax in.

I'm leaning towards the MGM Signature now. Still waiting on Topflight to get me an updated price list on my current selection.

If it is the amount of walking that concerns, mobility scooters can be rented for approx $45 a day. Superb value.

My mother's ankles were very swollen after her flight - this saved the holiday, despite her initial reluctance.

Berty

MadsL wrote: »

If it is the amount of walking that concerns, mobility scooters can be rented for approx $45 a day. Superb value.

My mother's ankles were very swollen after her flight - this saved the holiday, despite her initial reluctance.

Ummmm I not gonna suggest that to her. She'll hop off me. She's only 33. She'll just want to go back to the hotel for a nap and I'd like my own space to watch TV in comfort rather than sitting next to her trying to sleep.(or sneak out and ogle birds on the strip) either or.

jack presley

Don't be fooled by the Monorail either. it looks on the maps that it's very convenient and goes from hotel to hotel in a jiffy. You've got to remember that these hotels are huge and the stations are at the very back of them and sometimes it's actually quicker walking down the strip and you'll be door to door with less walking than had you walked to the metro station, take a ride and then walked back out to the strip.

Berty

We weren't going to bother with the monorail, monorail, monorail(sing it) except we had a booking in the Luxor(still have the booking mind you) but we are well used to walking and the amount of distractions we are expecting will be mind boggling.

Just showed her the Youtube of Statosphere "Sky Jump"

"You won't do it"
*Challenge Accepted

Big Nasty

Beefy78 wrote: »

Hadn't realised that mate. In which case personally I'd steer clear of the main hotel at MGM which stresses me out let alone someone not at 100%.

As I said the other day, I've a friend who raves about Signature and won't stay anywhere else.

The Signature is part of the MGM Complex no?

In fairness the Signature suites have their own balconies which is good and also private pool areas. I stayed in the MGM itself and after travelling on a plane for many hours (aircon) plus spending a fair bit of time in the casino (aircon) plus staying in a suite in the MGM (aircon) the skin on my face started really drying out after a few days (aircon absorbes moisture / humdity).

Also it's a fair hike from the signature to the main casino.

MadsL

MCMLXXV wrote: »

The Signature is part of the MGM Complex no?

In fairness the Signature suites have their own balconies which is good and also private pool areas. I stayed in the MGM itself and after travelling on a plane for many hours (aircon) plus spending a fair bit of time in the casino (aircon) plus staying in a suite in the MGM (aircon) the skin on my face started really drying out after a few days (aircon absorbes moisture / humdity).

Also it's a fair hike from the signature to the main casino.

Nothing to do with being slap bang in the middle of a desert! Average humidity in Vegas in the afternoon is below 20% - aircon is probably helping you...

Big Nasty

MadsL wrote: »

Nothing to do with being slap bang in the middle of a desert! Average humidity in Vegas in the afternoon is below 20% - aircon is probably helping you...

Point I was making is that the combination of aircon on the plane and in the casino and suite over a period of days had my skin drying out due to lack of moisture (and lots of alcohol). This is why I think a suite with a balcony would be a good idea.

Beefy78

MCMLXXV wrote: »

The Signature is part of the MGM Complex no?

Also it's a fair hike from the signature to the main casino.

That's kind of my point. They can enjoy the nice big rooms at Signature without being almost forced to pass through the MGM Grand casino floor which I would imagine someone would find very stressful if they're not able to walk long distances without getting tired.

I know that pretty much all casinos on the strip are big and packed and wild and mazy but that one takes the biscuit, IMO.

youcancallmeal

Going in February for 3 days midweek, first time. Was hoping to stay in the Wynn but cheapest room is coming in around $330 a night. I think we'll probably end up the Flamingo or MGM as they are located in the heart of things and they are the same price for 3 nights as one night the Wynn is!

rossie1977

there is alot of construction going on next door to and directly behind flamingo atm (project linq) and will continue right through 2013 so keep that in mind