Ongoing Las Vegas 'pro-tips' thread - Advice on all things Vegas

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by fundmark19

Hey guys if anyone needs Limo Service in Vegas I have the best driver. She took us to Vegas to Anaheim for game 5 and back and without her the trip would have been a huge dud.

How much did this cost?

[fundmark19]

Originally Posted by rubecube

How much did this cost?

Vegas to Anaheim we got stuck in a lot of construction traffic so ended up being around $2700.00 should have been around $2000.00. With a bad driver this would have been horrible.

She also gave our group a free ride to the airport since we took so long to get home

From Race Track to Strip is normally $200.00 she got someone to do it for us for $150.00

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by fundmark19

Vegas to Anaheim we got stuck in a lot of construction traffic so ended up being around $2700.00 should have been around $2000.00. With a bad driver this would have been horrible.

That's both ways? Did it include tip?

[fundmark19]

Yes with Tip well I didn't give her any additional tip and she is still talking to me so I think it was fine!

[VladtheImpaler]

Anybody ever use babysitting services in LV provided by the resort? I have heard that Four Seasons has the best in this regard - anybody have any experience/thoughts? And, yes, I know I can call the girls on the hockey cards and see if they'll babysit.

[fleuryisgod]

Anyone have any recommendations for a lower end poker tournament? I will be heading there Tuesday PM - Saturday next week and would like to find something in the $50-$100 range that would have anywhere in the range of 15-30 people typically enter.

Thanks!

[Fire]

Originally Posted by fleuryisgod

Anyone have any recommendations for a lower end poker tournament? I will be heading there Tuesday PM - Saturday next week and would like to find something in the $50-$100 range that would have anywhere in the range of 15-30 people typically enter.

Thanks!

There are a ton of tournaments like that near the $50 range. Usually any of the smaller poker rooms will have multiple tournaments like that on daily basis. Where are you staying? I wouldn't go out of my way to play in one of these smaller tournaments, because one is pretty much like the other.

[fleuryisgod]

Originally Posted by Fire

There are a ton of tournaments like that near the $50 range. Usually any of the smaller poker rooms will have multiple tournaments like that on daily basis. Where are you staying? I wouldn't go out of my way to play in one of these smaller tournaments, because one is pretty much like the other.

We will be staying at Paris. I'm just hoping to find one that is a little more popular cause I know in the past I've found some that get 6-10 people and then some end up closer to 30.

[itcrossedtheline]

Originally Posted by fleuryisgod

We will be staying at Paris. I'm just hoping to find one that is a little more popular cause I know in the past I've found some that get 6-10 people and then some end up closer to 30.

Just use this and put your criteria in (Buy ins, locations, times, etc...)

http://www.pokeratlas.com/poker-tour...evada/upcoming

[VladtheImpaler]

Originally Posted by fleuryisgod

Anyone have any recommendations for a lower end poker tournament? I will be heading there Tuesday PM - Saturday next week and would like to find something in the $50-$100 range that would have anywhere in the range of 15-30 people typically enter.

Thanks!

Best bang for the buck is the 7pm Venetian tournament but I think that's 130. If you don't want to spend that much, Harrahs possibly. Binion's used to have the best cheap tournaments, bUT I am not sure if that poker room is even open now. You can check out the 2+2 poker forum - I am sure all your questions will be answered there.

[Fire]

Originally Posted by fleuryisgod

We will be staying at Paris. I'm just hoping to find one that is a little more popular cause I know in the past I've found some that get 6-10 people and then some end up closer to 30.

Planet Hollywood might be your best choice near by. $80 buy-in tournaments four times a day. Flamingo seems to have decent number of players playing as well. Bally's would have tournaments as well but I'm not sure how active they are.

[Boblobla]

I am taking the Mrs. to Vegas for her 30th birthday and I need to tap into the CP hivemind. I have taken a look through the thread and some of the links are out dated and I a few more specific questions. I have never been before and I want to make sure it goes well.

We are going from Sept. 30-Oct. 5 (Wednesday to Monday). I am looking for recommendations on hotels to stay at and good sites to book through (I checked out vegas.com and totalrewards.com, is those the best?) I am thinking it would be best to stay at a nicer hotel the Wed/Thurs and maybe Sun nights and move for the weekend to save a bit of money.

I am planning on having a limo pick us up at the airport, anyone have any recommendations for a limo service?

Neither the Mrs. or I are big gamblers but I know she is excited to take in a show or two and do some shopping. Where is the best place to shop? I don't want to end up at the ####ty mall I have heard about that you take a bus to.

She also wants to lay by the pool. From the few hotels I contacted it seems like all of their pools will still be open on the dates we are going, does anyone have any anecdotal stories of when the pools shut down?

Thanks in advance.

[Northendzone]

^ the last time we went to Vegas I booked thru Expedia. Based on what I could see at the time the price for the same trip was very similar on a few of the typical travel websites (trivago, kayak etc) - the only word of caution is that when we left vegas our flight was scheduled to leave at around 8 pm - when i booked the flight i thought we would check out, hang by the pool and then leave - we decided we wanted to clean up and whatnot before we left, so we inquired about staying in the room until it was time to leave for the airport - and we had to pay ($60) - the guy at the front desk told us if we had booked directly thru the hotel we likely could have stayed in the room and gotten a late check-out. Of course who knows what that does tot he entire price of the trip.

we have stayed at the bellagio and the monte carlo - in thier standard rooms - which were fine. in the monte carlo i opted for a room with a view of the strip - sort of a waste as we got a little more noise from the guys on their harley's.

i'd like to stay at ceaser's as it seems to have a better vibe than the other two, and it seems to have better restuarnts and direct access to shopping.

if you want to go the outlet route, i like the outlet mall that is on the opposite end of the strip as it is an outdoor mall - so it can be nice to get some fresh air while shopping - of course you will have to deal with the heat. i think some folks make arrangements to get out of town to the otehr outlet mall (~40 minute drive), i have never been there so can't comment.

personally, i have found vegas to be somewhat expensive to eat (mid range restuarnts will run you about $80 for a meal for the two of you plus a drink or two) and the prices to drink poolside are atrocious (i am sure i had some kind of cocktail for $30) - but perhaps i have not figured out how to get deals there.

enjoy, it is an interesting place where you can make almost anything happen with enough cash.

[Derek Sutton]

^^ I would recommend against moving hotels after two nights, it'll just be a pain in the butt. You can always reutrn another time and stay at a fancier place if you want.
You will also want to make sure of the resort fees when booking, you could very well have to pay them at check inn as I don't think the booking sites include them, nor do the flight/ hotel packages you can book. While you are there pick up a Ceasers and an M Life rewards cards, these are the ways to book rooms in the future.

The outlet malls are not that ####ty, they are however over rated IMO and the pricing isn't great, especially at 22% exchange. Planet Hollywood (Miracle Mile) and the Fashion show mall have good stores/ selection etc,, but not the best prices.

The pools are not heated though you should still be okay as it'll still be qutie warm the first week of October. And staying on the strip gets expensive; morning coffee, meals drinks and snacks add up fast, you will spend more on food then you expect to.

[Voodooman]

^^^ Going to Vegas with the spouse is a significantly different experience than going with the fellows. Spending a little bit extra, and taking a little more care in where you stay is going to make all the difference.

When I took the Mrs. a couple of years ago, we stayed at Vdara, and it was great. She's not a huge gambler, so not having a casino in the hotel was no big deal. As well, the rooms are all suites, so you get some extra space, and a full kitchen, which may come in handy on a 5 day trip. Not saying that you'll cook meals, but it's nice to have a place to store some water, beer and wine that you can pick up at Walgreens, right in front of Aria. As well, Vdara is non-smoking, and just generally quieter overall, which my wife greatly enjoyed. And it's a 2 minute walk across the courtyard and you are in the back of Aria, which has all the amenities you would need. You're also connected by monorail to Bellagio, Aria & Monte Carlo. It also has a nice, albeit fairly quiet pool, and I would recommend splurging for a cabana for the day.

As for pricing, I've found that packages through Hotwire or Expedia are often the best value. I just plugged in your dates, and Hotwire gave a package price of $1,550 all in, including direct flights both ways on WestJet (You'll have to pay the $30/day resort fee to the hotel at check-in). There were also good deals for Bellagio or Wynn at the same price if staying in a casino hotel is a deal breaker. Or the Mandarin Oriental, which is super high end, for less than $2,000.

The Fashion Show Mall is right on the strip, within walking distance from Vdara, and is fairly upscale. There are a couple of outlet malls, but they are pretty low-end from what the wife told me. As for shows, chicks love the Cirque. Not generally my cup of tea at all, but we went to Love (the Beatles themed one), and having the huge musical component made it enjoyable for both of us.

Lots of other great shows and restaurants. One of our favourites from Hawaii is Roy's, and they have a Vegas location just off strip that I would recommend. And on the other end of the spectrum, no trip to the Southwest is complete without a stop at In-N-Out Burger.

Finally, I would actually recommend renting a car. They are generally dirt cheap down there, and parking is free at all the hotels and downtown. Just makes it easier if you decide to do some off-strip exploring.

[billybob123]

Originally Posted by Voodooman

And on the other end of the spectrum, no trip to the Southwest is complete without a stop at In-N-Out Burger.

The In n Out that is opposite side of I-15 from the strip is the 'easiest' to get to from the strip hotels; but it's always busy and the lines can be quite long. If one has a rental car it's far easier to go to the In n Out that's near the UNLV campus - it's about a 5 minute drive but I've never had lines there other than Friday nights during the school year, and even at that the line is far shorter than the other one. They're both just off Tropicana Blvd.

[Boblobla]

What is the likelyhood I get a deal booking closer to the dates we travel? Is it is risk I should take?

EDIT: I have the flights booked already.

[Derek Sutton]

Originally Posted by billybob123

The In n Out that is opposite side of I-15 from the strip is the 'easiest' to get to from the strip hotels; but it's always busy and the lines can be quite long. If one has a rental car it's far easier to go to the In n Out that's near the UNLV campus - it's about a 5 minute drive but I've never had lines there other than Friday nights during the school year, and even at that the line is far shorter than the other one. They're both just off Tropicana Blvd.

Well depending on where you are staying, as there is one on Sahara just west of the strip which is not as busy either and is the closest if you are staying at Wynn/ Encore etc....

[Northendzone]

Originally Posted by Boblobla

What is the likelyhood I get a deal booking closer to the dates we travel? Is it is risk I should take?

EDIT: I have the flights booked already.

what kid of pricing are you getting today - if it is an amount you are comfortable paying then i would say book it - if it is more, then you could take your chances.

i'd assume that whatever the case, you'll always be able to find a room in LV - especially if you are willing to stay someplace that is not on the strip - but since it is your first time, that is likely not a preffered option.

[Derek Sutton]

Originally Posted by Boblobla

What is the likelyhood I get a deal booking closer to the dates we travel? Is it is risk I should take?

EDIT: I have the flights booked already.

I can't say where the magic tipping point is, but as the rooms fill up the prices go up. If you can book now at a place that has a no fee cancellation I would do that then just check in now and then and see if prices drop. Or you could just book something, be done with it and never check the prices again.