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

[VladtheImpaler]

Originally Posted by East Coast Flame

Thanks for all the tips! Got a lot of options to choose from.

One other question - any ideas when the pools shut down for the winter? Staying at the Mandalay Bay flying in October 15th.

Isn't Mandalay Bay the one place with an indoor pool?
Dinner-wise, Mario Batali's B&B at the Venetian. Excellent, and pretty reasonable price-wise (compared to Calgary and some of the other places in LV).

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

Craftsteak is great. Not cheap, but very excellent place.

The Cut is the best place I've ever been to in Vegas (luckily I wasn't paying )

I just wanted to come in and also profess how impressed I was with Craftsteak. Not cheap, and maybe not what I'd pick for a super romantic night out, but it was fantastic!

I also really enjoyed Mesa Grill in Ceasars. This was a couple of years back now, and it was good for a nice date night, but I'm sure there are more romantic spots out there.

[calgarywinning]

Le Cirque is unforgettable. B&B is always wonderful to go to.

[Buff]

I stayed at Mandalay Bay in 2007 and the pool was still open during the first week of November. In 2009 I stayed at NYNY during the last week of October and the pool was supposed to be open, but due to high winds and cold only the hot tubs were opened for use, but staff was on hand to monitor the winds, if they winds died down then the pool would open. I also stayed at Bellagio in 2012 during the last week of October/first week of November and the pool was also open there.

So, for a trip on October 15, all the pools should be closed... oops. I meant to say open.

[Buff]

Originally Posted by VladtheImpaler

Isn't Mandalay Bay the one place with an indoor pool?
Dinner-wise, Mario Batali's B&B at the Venetian. Excellent, and pretty reasonable price-wise (compared to Calgary and some of the other places in LV).

Mandalay Bay has the beach club. Outdoor pools. I wasn't aware of an indoor pool on the property. If they have one, where is it?

[YourMother]

I'm trying to set up a bachelor party for next summer and I'm curious about suites. I've seen you can get suites for around 8 people and they can be pretty affordable with that many. Any recommendations/info?

[blankall]

Originally Posted by YourMother

I'm trying to set up a bachelor party for next summer and I'm curious about suites. I've seen you can get suites for around 8 people and they can be pretty affordable with that many. Any recommendations/info?

Suites are always a great deal, plus it's nice to have the couch setup for the small amount of time you are in the room.

I typically just go through Bookit.com. You can see the different types of rooms available at each hotel when you do a search. You can typically find a quite for about $200/night at some very centrally located hotels.

[rubecube]

Going to be in Vegas from Feb. 6th - 9th for Super Bowl weekend. Last time I was there for Super Bowl, I went to the LVH and watched the game on the huge screen in their theater. Will probably do the same this time unless anyone has a better recommendation. Staying at the Stratosphere. I know it's a bit of a ways down the strip, but there's a big UFC fight on as well as the Super Bowl on that weekend, so the even the cheaper hotels on the strip were way too pricey (especially factoring in the weak $), so I'm perfectly happy to take some drunken Deuce trips.

[rubecube]

*BUMP*

Any other CPers heading down for the big game? Turns out that we lucked out and apparently the Stratosphere also has a pretty wicked set-up for football.

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2015/08/prweb12924938.htm

Stratosphere Casino, Hotel & Tower brings back their popular Pro Football Headquarters inside the Stratosphere Theater every Sunday starting September 13, 2015 at 9 a.m. throughout the regular season. Pro Football HQ has been called the ‘Best Sunday Football Experience in Vegas’ and offers fans big screen action, live blackjack, betting stations, free Wifi, weekly drawings for exciting prizes and food and drink specials. Admission is free.
With nine huge screens in Stratosphere’s remodeled “copa-style” theater, this 7,776 sq. ft., smoke free venue elevates the Sunday football experience to the next level; putting fans exactly where they want to be— in the middle of all the action. “It’s like a big tailgate party inside the theater— surrounded by all the action with great views from every table,” said Ed Malinowski, Director of Race & Sportsbook.
Guests can enjoy live Blackjack tables featuring beautiful entertainment dealers and betting stations dedicated to football bettors. “No other sporting venue on the Strip compares. Just ask the sports fans and bettors who enjoyed the March Basketball Tournament HQ in our Theater or fans who have come here from other football showrooms. Once you experience Pro Football HQ at Stratosphere, you’ll want to be here every Sunday,” added Malinowski.
Fantasy Football players will love Pro Football HQ as well. Laptops are welcome, so guests can view updates and keep tabs on the competition—because the Stratosphere offers free Wifi in the Theater every football Sunday.
Hungry fans will be able to order delicious Breakfast dishes including the Ancho Chili Turkey Breakfast Burrito or Breakfast Ciabatta Sandwich from 9a.m. to 11:30a.m. Lunch dishes include appetizers, oven roasted Ciabatta Melt Sandwiches and freshly baked Pizzas from 11a.m. to close. Cocktail Servers will deliver $14 pitchers of Bud & Bud Light, $16 pitchers of Margaritas or Bloody Marys, $3 Jäger shots, $6 Fireball shots, or your favorite cocktail directly to your table—in the only football theater on the Strip to offer table seating. That beats cramped theater-style seats any day.

Does anyone have good recommendations for cheap eats on the Strip? I have a few go-to staples (Mexican place in the Venetian's food court is gangbusters), but open to other suggestions.

[rohara66]

My go to is Earl of Sandwich in Planet Hollywood

[Northendzone]

a friend of mine was recently commenting on how the hotels in vegas were going to start charging for parking - i was stunned to hear that they even provided free parking.

anyone have any further insights?

[spetch]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

a friend of mine was recently commenting on how the hotels in vegas were going to start charging for parking - i was stunned to hear that they even provided free parking.

anyone have any further insights?

MGM is going to start charging for parking at most of there hotels in Vegas this spring. Pretty much alienates any sort of local presence coming down to the strip, however there wasn't too much anyways. I see the other two big players (Ceasers and Wynn) doing the same once the backlash dies a bit.

At least this will spark a new parking garage at Excalibur which will be needed for better access to the new arena

[rubecube]

I hadn't seen this, but I would imagine parking would still be free for guests staying at the hotel. Honestly, if you're on the strip it's usually faster to take one of monorails or walk anyways.

[Leeman4Gilmour]

Originally Posted by rubecube

Does anyone have good recommendations for cheap eats on the Strip? I have a few go-to staples (Mexican place in the Venetian's food court is gangbusters), but open to other suggestions.

Regardless of where I am on the strip, heading over for a reuben at Greenberg's Deli in NYNY is a must stop for myself.

[cracher]

Originally Posted by YourMother

I'm trying to set up a bachelor party for next summer and I'm curious about suites. I've seen you can get suites for around 8 people and they can be pretty affordable with that many. Any recommendations/info?

The MGM mansion was the most ridiculous thing I've ever seen. There were stripper poles in the 800 sqft bathroom. No clue what it takes to book (they may be comp-only for high rollers). There is a chef and a natural herb garden right outside. Was only there for an evening as a guest of a friend of a friend. I can only imagine a full-out bachelor send-off at this place.

As for food, I was just in vegas the last few days. Caught the entire rainstorm. Cheap strip food? That mall attached to PH (Mile Mall??) has a bunch of rudimentary food places (chipotle, jamba juice, $5 mexi breakfasts). Not sure if they are $-inflated for the area, but they have to be cheaper than all the gord ramsey joints on the strip.

[Buff]

Originally Posted by rubecube

I hadn't seen this, but I would imagine parking would still be free for guests staying at the hotel. Honestly, if you're on the strip it's usually faster to take one of monorails or walk anyways.

Everybody pays for parking. I didn't read the specifics on how the fees work, but even guests pay for parking. Staying at Aria? Do all your gambling there and hopefully get your parking comped.

To me it is no big deal. I don't drive in Vegas but there are a lot of Vegas regulars who love to drive to Vegas or get a rental car who are quite displeased with this.

[Buff]

Originally Posted by cracher

The MGM mansion was the most ridiculous thing I've ever seen. There were stripper poles in the 800 sqft bathroom. No clue what it takes to book (they may be comp-only for high rollers). There is a chef and a natural herb garden right outside. Was only there for an evening as a guest of a friend of a friend. I can only imagine a full-out bachelor send-off at this place.

As for food, I was just in vegas the last few days. Caught the entire rainstorm. Cheap strip food? That mall attached to PH (Mile Mall??) has a bunch of rudimentary food places (chipotle, jamba juice, $5 mexi breakfasts). Not sure if they are $-inflated for the area, but they have to be cheaper than all the gord ramsey joints on the strip.

The Mansion is by invite only. You have to have a certain amount of money in play per hour to earn an invite. In other words, you have to be filthy stinkin' rich and have nothing better to do with your money.

[Buff]

Originally Posted by Leeman4Gilmour

Regardless of where I am on the strip, heading over for a reuben at Greenberg's Deli in NYNY is a must stop for myself.

I love Greenberg's Deli.

Actually, a lot of those "quick eats" places in NYNY are pretty good. There is a decent Burger Bar, and I NEVER E-E-E-EVER miss getting some pizza at Sirrico's Pizza.

Tom's Urban at NYNY wasn't super cheap but it wasn't expensive. I only ate breakfast there but you get mega sized portions for what you order. I didn't finish my meal, which is very rare for me, and for lunch and supper that night I could barely eat anything I still felt full from breakfast.

You can find a lot of quick and inexpensive places to eat in Vegas. A lot of places have a small food court, like MGM, Monte Carlo, Excalibur quickly come to mind. There is also a few McDonald's along the strip.

Earl of Sandwich, while I haven't tried yet, is supposed to be very good and not very expensive either. I've had a few friends recommend it but I just didn't make it there when I was in Vegas in September.

I also like to go to Gonzalez Y Gonzalez at NYNY at least once per trip.

BLT at Mirage is pretty good. More price for a burger but you're not paying for a celebrity chef to make your burger.

Oh, and I also always visit Cheeseburger Paradise which is in Miracle Mile Mall.

I look to eat on the cheap when in Vegas and it isn't hard to find an inexpensive place.

I was also told that Mon Ami Gabi at Paris is pretty good. I didn't try it but check out the menu and see if it interests you.

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by Buff

Earl of Sandwich, while I haven't tried yet, is supposed to be very good and not very expensive either.

BLT at Mirage is pretty good. More price for a burger but you're not paying for a celebrity chef to make your burger.

Earls and BLT are both great (and yes, Earls is pretty cheap).

The deli in Mirage is pretty good too.

[spetch]

Originally Posted by Buff

Everybody pays for parking. I didn't read the specifics on how the fees work, but even guests pay for parking. Staying at Aria? Do all your gambling there and hopefully get your parking comped.



To me it is no big deal. I don't drive in Vegas but there are a lot of Vegas regulars who love to drive to Vegas or get a rental car who are quite displeased with this.

No parking is free on the strip. Now do they add something I the resort fee to cover this, quite possibly, but if you aren't staying at a strip hotel and have a car u can park in the parkades for free.