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

[Dan02]

Originally Posted by rohara66

Just checked westjet vacations and expedia for May 26-May 29th and prices are $1651 on WJ and $1687 on Expedia for planet Hollywood.

Thats after selecting the same flights on both.

Expedia always sneak in 'lower prices' but when you get to the select flight page they default you to layover flights sometimes. Which on a Vegas trip is stupid.

Just looked at flights for those dates and it's only $387, what hotels are you planning on staying at?

[Maccalus]

The strip is noticeably less busy weeknights versus Fri-Sat as the california weekend crowd comes in the the weekends. The overall experience isn't much different though as the majority of people who are on the strip are tourists anyway. Vegas on weeknights is still a great time though, especially if the club scene isn't your thing.

[NuclearFart]

Originally Posted by cracher

You know that scene at the end of Shawshank Redemption where Andy is in the sewage pond, arms raised and looking up to the sky?

Imagine that while being motorboated by 2 dime-piece strippers while a 3rd is squirming in the lap to the sound of Eminem's 8 mile song.

Doxycycline 100mg PO BID x7d

Tenofovirb 300 mg PO QD + Emtricitabineb 200 mg PO QD

Acetaminophen 1000 mg PR q6-8h PRN

[Machiavelli]

^ I don't see IM bacillin on your list

[rohara66]

Originally Posted by Dan02

Just looked at flights for those dates and it's only $387, what hotels are you planning on staying at?

That was 2 minutes of searching and picking default flights to compare WJ Vacation and Expedia prices. And it was for Planet Hollywood.

[NuclearFart]

Originally Posted by Machiavelli

^ I don't see IM bacillin on your list

I forgot about the Syphilis come-back!

[Looch City]

I've got a Vegas trip booked for July long weekend with 8 other guys. We booked a bunch of rooms at Flamingo.

Gonna be fun but hot as #### haha. Any of you guys into the pool parties? Heard the Flamingo's is pretty good actually.

[Language]

Originally Posted by Iggy City

I've got a Vegas trip booked for July long weekend with 8 other guys. We booked a bunch of rooms at Flamingo.

Gonna be fun but hot as #### haha. Any of you guys into the pool parties? Heard the Flamingo's is pretty good actually.

I've been to Vegas many times in the summer, and can't say I've ever heard of the Go pool at Flamingo, especially if you're with a group of 8 other guys. It certainly wouldn't be at the top of my list. I suppose if you're staying there you can check it out one day.

I'd look at Encore Beach Club, Marquee, Drai's, Wet Republic, etc. If you're not getting a table then go online and pre-purchase the tickets to the pool party.
Can also check out http://christopherhornak.com/ and get free guest list. But that probably works better if you're going with a pretty even girl/guy ratio, which you're not.

[Weitz]

Flamingo has a great happening pool without the ridiculousness of the pool party spots mentioned above. (Paying for tables. Not having a good ratio)

Both are good but staying at the flamingo will give you free access. We had an absolute blast there.

I'd say the opposite of above. Hit one of the other pool parties one day then just hit the flamingo.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Originally Posted by Maccalus

The strip is noticeably less busy weeknights versus Fri-Sat as the california weekend crowd comes in the the weekends. The overall experience isn't much different though as the majority of people who are on the strip are tourists anyway. Vegas on weeknights is still a great time though, especially if the club scene isn't your thing.

Yeah, I think clubs and maybe more concerts during weekends but if you're a little past the club scene (or long past it like me ) then weekdays are just fine. Still lots of shows and things to do. I actually prefer going on weekdays.

[getbak]

With all the talk about the pools, I realized that in all the times I've been to Vegas, I couldn't even tell you where the pools are in any of the hotels I've stayed in.

I think one time I was looking for the tigers at the Mirage and wandered past the pool there, but that's the closest I've ever come to visiting a hotel pool in Vegas.


I can tell you where the Poker Room and Sports Books are in each casino, though.

[Fuzz]

The only pool I could tell you where it is is the one in the Circus Circus RV park, because we backed our camper van up to it. Best $10/night camping I have ever had. What a sweet deal that was.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by Language

I've been to Vegas many times in the summer, and can't say I've ever heard of the Go pool at Flamingo, especially if you're with a group of 8 other guys. It certainly wouldn't be at the top of my list. I suppose if you're staying there you can check it out one day.

I'd look at Encore Beach Club, Marquee, Drai's, Wet Republic, etc. If you're not getting a table then go online and pre-purchase the tickets to the pool party.
Can also check out http://christopherhornak.com/ and get free guest list. But that probably works better if you're going with a pretty even girl/guy ratio, which you're not.

Didn't Marquee pool burn down? I know of them did in and around cosmopolitan/aria.

[wontondestruction]

Bare, the adults only pool was closed Monday to Thursday. I'm not sure if that goes for all the adult only pools, but something to think about, if you're into hanging out with a bunch of guys waiting for some random chick to take her top off.

[billybob123]

I found best hotel deals are by signing up for e.g. Mlife (mgm resorts) or Total Rewards (Caesar's group). They discount for club members and often have sales as well. Still haven't found the $8/night Flamingo deal again.

As for things to do, I don't gamble, and now that I have kids and take them to Vegas with me, I don't drink anymore there either. I found the most enjoyable things for me to do were hiking in Red Rock Canyon, Valley of Fire, and random spots on the highway past Searchlight. Unreal landscapes and scenery. Death Valley is 3 hrs away, which is a long drive. Don't do any of these during afternoons in the summer. Way too hot!

[Fuzz]

You can also swing by area 51, but be prepared to have an armed escort out of there. Apparently they don't do sightseeing tours, and will be less than happy to see you drive up to the gate.

/yes, my 18 year old self watched to much A&E and thought it was open to the public.

[VladtheImpaler]

Not knowing your budget, it's hard to tell you what to do. We went in early January (to see Celine for my wife's birthday ) and stayed at MGM Signature, and it was really cheap. During the week will certainly be cheaper. I think you just need to check Expedia every few days, as prices dip and dive all the time.
You can go nuts and hit Joel Robuchon, and it's a fantastic meal experience, but you will pay through the nose - even if you navigate the menu wisely, and minimize alcohol, you are looking at $450 USD minimum. D&B (Mario Batali's Italian restaurant at the Venetian) is great IMHO and much cheaper than Joel. For cheaper experiences, take a ride on the High Roller - it seemed cheesy to me, but was actually great. Go in the middle of a weekday - you can probably have the whole pod to yourselves, don't buy their booze, and take some great photos. Go for brunch at the revolving restaurant on top of Stratosphere and have the prix fix lunch - the hotel is a dump, but the restaurant is actually very good, and not that expensive. Great views, and you can see people fly by the window when they jump off the roof. The Mirage has two of the best value eateries - Hollywood Pizza and Carnegie Deli. Both are very good, and very reasonably priced. Treasure Island right at the dog leg of the strip is actually a very nice hotel and is usually significantly cheaper than the Venetians/Bellagios/etc. You can go to the Sigfried & Roy zoo at the Mirage too - another cheaper experience - they have a bunch of dolphins in several pools and white cats. There are many things to do, depending on your budget and interests - Vegas has really made a concerted effort to get away from "seedy" and cater more to (upper) middle class couples.
I think I am heading down for a week in July to play the WSOP main event. I can only imagine the heat...

[Knut]

My wife and I are staying at the Mirage tues-Saturday next week. We have found the bang for your buck at the Mirage is great and it is about as central as it gets.

We like gambling at the Cromwell. They have very quick and efficient drink service. Throw $20 in a machine, slow play and have a new drink every 10 mins. Give a $5 tip to start and you are tipping more than 95% of people.

[longsuffering]

Originally Posted by VladtheImpaler

I think I am heading down for a week in July to play the WSOP main event. I can only imagine the heat...

Awesome. That's on my bucket list. Good luck if you do it. Be sure to send updates.

[VladtheImpaler]

Originally Posted by longsuffering

Awesome. That's on my bucket list. Good luck if you do it. Be sure to send updates.

Update - out after 3 hours $10k well spent.