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Anyone on this list ever been to Vegas?  If so, any recommendations regarding a very good hotel?  I've been thinking of a few...Luxor, Monte Carlo, Paris, Madalya Bay and Bellagio.  I want to impress my wife (and me to!) with the choice...it's kinda' like a 2nd honeymoon.

Thanks,

Stevo

... in response to Las Vegas recommendation, posted by Stevo on Aug 13, 2002

Stevo,

I have been to Vegas many times. You really can not go wrong. The choice of place becomes personal taste.

My experience is pricing does vary from hotel to hotel and definitely depending on traffic. In off season you can negotiate your price sometimes. I upgraded to a suite for the price of a room on one trip.

If your lady likes to sun bathe and swim pick a place with a great pool. The Mandalay bay wins hands down with several pools and a great wave pool and stream you can float on with flotation device. They have a spa just for the women that costs $20 for as long as she wants to stay that includes beverages that will make her feel like a queen. Price includes hot tubs, cool tub, dry sauna, steam room, furniture to relax on or take a nap towels etc.

On my last trip, I could not go to the show called O mentioned because I was not staying at the Bellagio. For shows like Sigfried and Roy - at the Mirage (been there a long time) excellent show with wonderful magic show with an Elephant and Exotic Tigers - you get first choice of seats when you are staying at their hotel.

One time, I took a lady to Vegas just to do shows. I booked us at a different hotel several nights just to be able to get the seats that I wanted for the shows.

Also, for shows like Danny Gan who imitates other people and considered one of the best shows in Vegas - there is no way that you will be able to go unless you book tickets way in advance of your arrival. I have not been to that show so can not comment.

Greg

... in response to Re: Las Vegas recommendation, posted by thesearch on Aug 14, 2002

LOL

... in response to You always have such excellent posts, posted by greg2 on Aug 15, 2002

LOL

... in response to So do you n/t, posted by thesearch on Aug 15, 2002

asd

... in response to I think you're both nuts!     n/t, posted by MarkInTx on Aug 15, 2002

beer nuts are $1.79 a pound and deer nuts are just under a buck.

... in response to Las Vegas recommendation, posted by Stevo on Aug 13, 2002

ggg

... in response to Las Vegas recommendation, posted by Stevo on Aug 13, 2002

Every hotel in las vegas costs about the same and if you get one that's more than 2 stories tall, you'll do ok, and she'll be impressed.

If you want a black jack system, contact mark, she probably won't be impressed; (but take his advice on steak and beer  :-)

If you want to really impress your wife...  try them flip things under the sheets with her that all the dudes with hair always make a joke about us guys with no hair.  She will be impressed.

lol.

... in response to Re: Las Vegas recommendation, posted by BrianN on Aug 14, 2002

ggg

... in response to What are 'them flip things' under the sh..., posted by Stevo on Aug 14, 2002

asd

... in response to Las Vegas recommendation, posted by Stevo on Aug 13, 2002

That I've used a lot and so do other people, find 5 or 6 hotels that any of which would be acceptable. Go to a travel agent and say "Any of these places is fine, and my dates are flexable, who's got a special comming up any time soon?"....the prices change often, depending on some wholesaler couldn't unload his block of rooms, so he'd rather sell one of them to you at cost than eat it, ---this hotel is having a convention (generaly, prices up, but wait, convention organizers promissed them 2000 people, so far only 200 have actualy reserved rooms and the convention starts in 3 days, prices WAY down) ---there's a big prize fight in town, prices way up-- etc. etc.  But once your travel agent locks in a low price for you, the price can't rise. If she can't find a low price, try again two days later, prices will have changed. Using this method, you can often save $300-500 on your trip and still stay in a great hotel.

... in response to Las Vegas recommendation, posted by Stevo on Aug 13, 2002

My favorite get-away spot...

OK... for impressing, all things being equal, you can't go wrong with the Bellagio.

No kids? The reason I ask is that Bellagio really doesn't want kids. If you have a room there, you can get a pass for your kids. But if you are visiting (like walking through to another Casino, or taking the Tram from Monte Carlo) they won't let kids in!

A reason to stay at the Bellagio is that by staying there, you can buy advance tickets to "O" which is the Cirque Du Soliel show there. You are allowed to book the tickets earlier there than if you stayed somewhere else.

If you want to impress DEFINITELY take your wife to see "O". It is the most stunning show in Vegas. It is just a visual feast. Tickets are about $100 apiece, but worth it!

I have never stayed at the Luxor. It is older than the other casinos you mentioned, but I have heard it's not bad. (The nightclub there, RA, is supposed to be highly "sexy: at night.. never been... yet...)

Paris is OK. I have never stayed there, but I have been there. However, the little French Resturaunt there is GREAT! You can go in the evening, and get a nice romantic table outside, and have the best seat in Vegas to watch the Bellagio fountain show (which is across the street.)

Mandalay Bay has the best pool in town. And if you can afford it, there is a Four Seasons IN the Mandalay Bay (a hotel within a hotel.) It doesn't seem as convenient as the other ones... but still more convenient than the Rio which is way off strip.

I love the Monte Carlo, mainly because the show there (Lance Burton) is a great show. (I love Magic shows -- one of the reasons I love Vegas...) And I have some fond memories there.

You really can't go wrong with any of the places you mentioned. Once you get out of the casinos, and into the rooms, all Vegas rooms look pretty much alike (unless you get the suites.) But that's not a bad thing... they have nice carpet, marble in the bathrooms... it's usually very nice.

The Bellagio is probably the nicest room I had, but it is a marginal thing.

Do you want advice on shows?

Ceasar's Magical Empire is kinda neat... if you like Magic, of course. It is a dinner theater. The food is pretty good. The magic varies. (It is mostly close up magic...)

Danny Gans is considered the hot ticket in town. He sells out every night so book in advance. He is a singer impersonator, and puts on a very good show. And VERY clean. (He's actually a fine upstanding Christian who has put out a Christian CD... though he doesn't do any of it in his act.) He is at the Mirage.

Also at the Mirage are Siegfried and Roy... $100 a ticket. It is a dazzling show, but I didn't like it as much as I like Lance Burton.

If you like Comedy Magic, check out Mac King's matinee at Harrah's. He's hysterical (zany but FUNNY!).

Another good matinee is Rick Thomas. I'm drawing a blank on where he is... an older Casino -- I want to say the Tropicana... He has a pretty good show (though the theater is showing its age) and he even has white tigers -- so some of S&R at a fraction of the price. I think I paid $20 a ticket to see him.

I already mentioned that "O" is fantastic. If you can't get tickets (they sell out constantly) then you can try Mystere at Treasure Island. It's also Cirque Du Soliel... but not quite as amazing as "O".

Other random Advice:

Take her to the M&M Factory. It's cute, and on the first floor they have that sinfully rich and expensive chocolate. Women seem to love it. (Though I have always taken AWs there... maybe M&Ms don't have the same effect for an RW) It's free and includes a funny 4-D show.

The lions at the MGM are worth a walk. (It's free).

S&R's "Secret Garden" at the Mirage is not worth the price (IMHO).

The Gondola Ride at the Venetian is not as romantic as you would think (you go through a mall and everyone is staring at you).

A better cool and romantic thing is to take a bicycle rickshaw through the Alladdin shops. It is surprisingly romantic.

There is a palce called: "Red Square" which features somthing like 120 different brands of Vodka. I've never been there, but KenC has, and can tell you more...

Stay off of the roller-coaster on top of New York, New York -- It really jerks you around. I like coasters, but it is really expensive, and you come off hurting.

Treasure Island's show is a BIG attraction (where the ship gets sunk). Best bet if you want to see it is to book a reservation at the restaraunt there, and schedule it so you can see trhe show from there. The sidewalk gets REALLY crowded.

DON'T get a rental car. Not worth it. By the time you fight traffic, and park -- a half a block from the Casino -- you will discover its just a pain.

DO take taxis. The desert has deceptive distances. EVERYTHING looks close ... NOTHING is. Yeah, I know... the RWs like to walk... but its a frigging desert! And NO ONE likes to walk in 110 degree heat!

BTW, Just heard this: National Airline (based in Vegas) is offering tickets for $1 to Vegas on 9/11. (one way). Such a deal, huh?

If you need a blackjack system, let me know! I have one of those too!

Did I mention that I love Vegas???

... in response to Las Vegas recommendation, posted by Stevo on Aug 13, 2002

Mandalay Bay is my favorite.  I feel Mandalay, Bellagio and the Venitian are probably the most upscale..  Mandalay has a couple of beautiful wedding chapels and some very good (reasonable) wedding packages.  My girl and I will likely get married there.  I also think Mandalay has the nicest pool of all of them.  People like Julia Roberts will rent their entire pool for special parties and such!
Many people like Cesars Palace but it seems kind of dated to me in a lot of places inside, kind of 70's-ish!  They do have the coolest indoor mall in the world though.  Whether you stay there or not, you have to take your girl in there!  I also feel Luxor is kind of dated.
My sis and her husband just stayed at Paris last month and said they liked it a lot, it's nice, but it isn't as upscale as Mandalay, Bellagio or Ventian.

Just my thoughts.

... in response to Las Vegas recommendation, posted by Stevo on Aug 13, 2002

Oh, I've been maybe a couple of times (ha ha).

Of the ones you mentioned, I'd go with Paris, Bellagio second choice. Mandalay Bay is too isolated, but the big fish tank (Shark Reef, I think they call it) is worth going to at least once. I've never been to Monte Carlo (opps, how could I have missed one?) and you either love the Luxor or hate it.... I personally don't go there.

You didn't mention Mirage, Ballys and Venitian (hire a gondola and have him serenade her), all of them super luxury.  My daughter likes MGM, It's very nice, but it is huge, you night get lost in it.

Don't miss the Stratosphere and the car musuem at the Imperial Palace (see them, don't STAY there, if you're trying to impress her).

Now, if you want a good GAME, go downtown. Go downtown at least once anyway, preferbly at night, see the light show on Fremont street.

... in response to Las Vegas recommendation, posted by Stevo on Aug 13, 2002

Stevo,
We like the Venitian alot.  Try the resturant in the very front of Paris.  It is wonderful and many Russians feel a real kinship to France.  I know the Bellagio is also very nice too.
KenC