So I am going to Las Vegas...

[Flash Walken]

The wife won a trip to Vegas, so it looks like we'll be going at the end of March.

We haven't settled any of the details yet, but are looking to stay at Caesars Palace, Mandalay Bay or The Mirage, but really haven't a clue. This is the first time either of us have been to Vegas.

Please help us with suggestions of where to stay and what to do. Oh, and hilariously, neither of us gamble. I am sure I will play a blackjack hand or two, but neither of us have any interest in more than that.

Thanks in advance.

[Pinner]

I hear the absolute hottest women hang out at Caesar's so DO NOT stay there. Know what I mean...

[Ice]

I really like The Forum Shops at Caesars. I'm not much of a gambler or drinker so I usually take in a show and kill a couple of days shopping. In March the weather is nice so you can spend a day Red Rock Canyon. There are several hiking trails to choose from and the weather will be 70ish. The Hoover Dam is an easy drive from Vegas, if you've never seen it, its quite a sight.

[Mango]

Mandalay Bay is at the end of the strip and although it seems close, it's a very long walk. If you're going to doing a lot stuff on the strip, I suggest a more central hotel. I highly recommend Planet Hollywood. The hotel is clean, not over-priced and has a great location.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Mango

Mandalay Bay is at the end of the strip and although it seems close, it's a very long walk. If you're going to doing a lot stuff on the strip, I suggest a more central hotel. I highly recommend Planet Hollywood. The hotel is clean, not over-priced and has a great location.

Hmm, clean eh?

We are just looking at it now, but is there anything fun to do there that you would suggest?

[GreenTeaFrapp]

Mandalay Bay has the best pool area on the strip. Caesar's has the best location of the hotels you listed. The Mirage is nice but it's not the best at any one thing.

Does the trip your wife won include the hotel and those are the three option? If so, I'd go with Caesar's just because of the location.

My first choice for Vegas would be Bellagio though. Best location on the strip. Fantastic hotel. Nice pool area. But it won't be the cheapest.

[blankall]

In terms of quality, planet hollywood is really a step down from the others listed.

There are a ridiculous amount of things to do in Vegas. Go to a cirque show, go on a helicopter tour of the grand canyon, visit the restaurants in old vegas, the outlet shopping, shoot automatic weapons at a firing range, gourge yourself on king crab legs at a buffet, go on amusement park rides 50 stories up on the roof of the stratosphere, or you could just walk around the different casinos and admire

The clubs there are also amazing. If you want to go with your lady in a fun, safe, and high energy environment the clubs cannot be beat.


I could litterally go back to Vegas 10 more times and have a different trip every time. Once you get there you will not have trouble finding things to do.

[Mango]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Hmm, clean eh?

We are just looking at it now, but is there anything fun to do there that you would suggest?

In terms of quality, planet hollywood is really a step down from the others listed.

Really? I loved it there. However, I barely spent any time in my actual room. We were also on the go.

The pool is great, especially in the evening. The hotel is newly renovated. I believe it was the old Aladdin hotel? The buffet is the best I've had in Las Vegas and has one of the best shows in Vegas: Peep Show. Although I saw it with Mel B and Kelly Monaco, I'd recommend it. It has it's own mall as well.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by Mango

Really? I loved it there. However, I barely spent any time in my actual room. We were also on the go.

The pool is great, especially in the evening. The hotel is newly renovated. I believe it was the old Aladdin hotel? The buffet is the best I've had in Las Vegas and has one of the best shows in Vegas: Peep Show. Although I saw it with Mel B and Kelly Monaco, I'd recommend it. It has it's own mall as well.

Really depends on what you are looking for I guess. If you want to be social, meet people etc, you are actually better off at planet hollywood, which is one of the better middle quality hotels. Like you said depending on what kind of trip you are goign for, you might not spend any time in the hotel anyway.

Places like the Belagio, Wynn, and Ceasar's Palace are a lot nicer. Planet Hollywood is more of 3.5 star, while the others are a 4 or a 4.5 depending on what kind of sweet you get.

[Mango]

Originally Posted by blankall

Really depends on what you are looking for I guess. If you want to be social, meet people etc, you are actually better off at planet hollywood, which is one of the better middle quality hotels. Like you said depending on what kind of trip you are goign for, you might not spend any time in the hotel anyway.

True enough. It really does depend on the kind of trip you're taking.

One thing I'll pass along is there is a bed bug issue at the Bellagio. I've heard from 4 people that they all had troubles while staying there this last year, the most recent one being two weeks ago.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Mango

True enough. It really does depend on the kind of trip you're taking.

One thing I'll pass along is there is a bed bug issue at the Bellagio. I've heard from 4 people that they all had troubles while staying there this last year, the most recent one being two weeks ago.

Huh.

We just got back from Jamaica and had them there. Luckily we are seasoned with dealing with them, but still a pain. Good info.

[Flash Walken]

Also, we are very big into food, anyone have recommendations?

[GreenTeaFrapp]

Originally Posted by fotze

Go to the Thomas Kellers restaurant. Bouchon at the venetian.

I agree with this. I went there for breakfast and it was really good.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by fotze

Go to the Thomas Kellers restaurant. Bouchon at the venetian.

That is definitely on the list.

I assume we'll go to Mesa Grill as well, but I cringe at the cliche.

[Sample00]

thats the neat thing about Vegas, there's something for everyone.
and everyone will tell you their way of doing it.
There has been many threads started about going to Las Vegas and everyone has an opinion of the things you should do.
As a former travel agent, if you are a first timer, stay somewhere central on the strip, so thats its easy walking for you for wherever you want to head to. Most people in Vegas will cab it to this or that hotel and the cabs are relatively cheap. They are also an experience all on their own.
I am sure you already know about Hoover Dam and Freemont Street, so those might be good starting points for you.
There's tons of shopping, a show in every hotel and gaming galore.
Throw in a few million people and you can not have a bad time. IMHO.
I search www.vegas.com for the shows that are going to be there and then I buy my tickets on the first day that I am there. There's also discount boothes on the strip for shows. Take advantage of them.
Many of the TOP END shows will not be offered at this discount shops, so you will either have to order them online or order them the minute you get there.
If I may make one suggestion, take a cab from the airport to your hotel. This way you dont have to stop at every hotel to get to yours. And the cost will probably be no more than 10 or 15 bucks. I really hated those airport shuttles. again JMHO.
Have a great time. Vegas really is a fun fun place.

P.S. In 15 years of marriage, I have been to Vegas 24 times with my wife and another couple. I have yet to see the Hoover dam, its just not somehting that interests me. My point being, is that everyone will experience vegas differently. Just like Chevy Chase said in vegas vacation, you'll want to experience Vegas on your own.

[Winsor_Pilates]

Budget for hotel?
Of the 3 you mentioned, Mirage isn't in the same class as the other 2, which are both nice. Bellagio, Venetian/Palazzo, and Wynn/Encore are all very nice on the higher end of hotel if you're willing to spend.
Stayed at Palazzo last time, and it was very nice.

Personal favorite is the Trump hotel, which has no casino or smoking in it. I liked this because I found it nice to be able to get away from all of the noise and smoke when it's time to come back to the hotel and sleep. Higher end clientele, nice pool area, and less obese/smelly/smokey people than most of Vegas.
Just off strip, by Wynn and the Fashion show mall. Easy walk back to the strip to check out all of the other hotels.

[Winsor_Pilates]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Also, we are very big into food, anyone have recommendations?

Budget heavy for good restaurants. Cheep to midrange food in Vegas is all horrible greasy junk. Finding good food has always been the most difficult activity in Vegas for me.

[Sylvanfan]

I stayed at Mandalay Bay once for a convention and it's a really nice hotel, but it is pretty isolated and you likely will be needing a cab to get to the other end of the strip, even taking the tram from the Mandalay to the Luxor to the Excalibre you're still a long ways from a lot of the action. Whereas Caesars is pretty central.

Vegas is fun though, but I'm pretty poor when I get to Vegas and I have to head straight for places like O'Sheas or those dive establishments on Freemont street to see my type of people! Last time I went I think I had like 10 of the foot long subs from Subway as it's about all I can afford there.

[DuffMan]

I also, might be going there in March, but don't see myself gambling for 4 days. Here's something I came across while trying to find out what else to do.

http://govegas.about.com/od/attracti...thingstodo.htm

[flamesfever]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Also, we are very big into food, anyone have recommendations?

We had someone on the way down to Vegas recommend Yollies Restaurant - off the strip at Restaurant Row. However, we never had time to get to it. I think he said it cost about $ 25.00 per person.

In general, we also found most restaurants fairly pricey, however we didn't stray much beyond the MGM Grand. The buffet at the MGM was reasonable - $ 25.00 per person and had a good selection...as someone said, all the cold crab you can eat.