Las Vegas Hotels

[spudqueen]

There's a small group of my female friends thinking of going to Vegas next year to celebrate the 50th birthday of one of us. We're thinking of a hotel on or very close to the strip - any recommendations?

[Maydup]

Believe me, they are all amazing. Stay on The Strip, don't via off, and just go for the most your budget can stretch to. Everyone has a casino, several restaurants, shops, bars and unique attractions. Some more amazing than others. I couldn't chose for you as I don't know what you'd prefer, so have a good google. The lower the cost the further down the strip you'll be, but its not a problem because you can walk it most of the time or take a bus/taxi. Buses run regularly and cost very little or if you're out late, grab a cab.

[Cloverjo]

Treasure Island was good when I went a few years ago.
As Maydup says, anywhere on the Strip will be good. Downtown will be cheaper, but a lot seedier.
Have fun.

[Hymie]

Last time I was out there, I stayed at the Hilton, although not on the strip (it is the next street along), I would recommend it as something to consider. I was paying less that £60 a night (double room) for a 4* hotel.

But there are very good deals to be had on Vegas hotels, since most of their money comes from gambling, which subsidises the room rates.

Check out the prices on hotel web sites (expedia etc), also consider flight & hotel deals that might work out cheaper than booking the items separately.

[Baby_Sham]

We stayed at Caesars Palace. Lovely hotel, but personally I hated the whole Vegas 'thing'. I think you either love it or you hate it, and for me it was, sadly, the latter. I think you have to be a certain type to like Las vegas, and that just wasn't me.
As I say, the hotel was pretty amazing, specifically the food, which was out of this world. There's SO much choice!
We used Trip Advisor and Expedia when choosing our hotel as there are literally thousands of reviews - good and bad.

I wouldn't advise staying off the strip, though. Some friends of ours did and taxis were quite expensive to ferry them around. Our hotel had free parking, so it might be worth looking into that, as Las Vegas has more to it than just 'the strip', which can become a bit overbearing.

[Maydup]

I thought Las Vegas was an amazingly over the top experience, but yes, I had had enought after about 3 days. I do think everyone should go and decide for themselves though and you cannot fail to be wow'ed by something.

Thinking about it and if money were no object I'd go for The Venetian Hotel. Its a holiday in itself.

[Zacs-Master]

There's a program on telly about tithe Venetian at the mo. 7000 rooms!

[Baby_Sham]

We went for a whole week! :-( Like you say, two/three days and it would be fun. I'd had enough by day 4 though.

Definitely an 'experience', though - I just wouldn't go back.

[Maydup]

...and 2500 slot machines at The Venetian!

[FredPuli43]

Agree with the 3 or 4 days; 3 full days is enough, but the Grand Canyon is within reach, and the desert to the East is quite interesting if you can stand the heat !

[Baby_Sham]

Fred, hence me mentioning the car hire. Definitely agree with what you've said, try to limit the strip to 3/4 days and see the other sights, which are well within reach.
We didn't go to the East. OH wanted to. I was far too hot and bothered at this point and tensions were high! :)

[Baby_Sham]

Just had a thought... FriedGreenTomato is a pro when it come to all things Vegas. If I remember correctly, she's been there upteen times. She's your lady to ask.

[pekae-uk]

My wife and her BFF (do 50-somethings have BFF's ?!) did this for BFF's 50th two years ago and stayed at the Venetian and had a great time. She's in agreement with Baby_Sham though - 3/4 days is more than enough and definitely do the sights too - Hoover Dam, etc.

[Tilly2]

We stayed at Planet Hollywood. It takes a while to get used to all the fake splendour everywhere.

When you do go, be sure to book a helicopter flight over the Grand Canyon. That is an experience.

[mikey4444]

Be careful of going to Vegas in high summer. It will be so hot that you will be running from one air-conditioned building to another. April, May or September would be nice. As people on here have said, 3 days and you will have seen everything that a place like Vegas has to offer. More of the same doesn't mean better. Also it so in-your-face that it is hard to get away from the constant noise and hurley-burley.

Get out and see the surrounding area, like the Hoover Dam. Car hire is cheap and petrol almost free !

[LCDMAN]

Be aware that rooms prices rise and fall according to if there is a big convention in town. Google Las Vegas Convention Centre for details of the major show dates (Like CES in January, the worlds biggest Electronics show/convention) and avoid those times for the best deals. I go to a few trade shows/conventions out there and room prices on show days can be twice those of days before/after the delegates/visitors hit town. Smaller conventions use the hotels own convention areas (like The Venetian which holds are 15000 people!) so it's handy to check the larger hotels sites too.

[BlueToffee]

You'll be hard pressed to find better than this....


www.bellagio.com/

[spudqueen]

Thanks for that guys. Blue Toffee (an Evertonian I suppose!), I think my choice would be the Bellagio, but it's not my 'do' - just trying to get ideas to put to the rest of the 'girls'. Personally I fancy about 5 days there as that would give us time to do the rest of the stuff - Hoover Dam, Grand Canyon etc. All these answers certainly gives us something to think about, thanks guys!

[puzzled54]

Stayed at the Luxor, and I was very pleased with it. Visited most of the hotels, and really they all looked good so just see what offers are around. While you are there, have a look at some of the wedding chapels, they looked amazing - no I didn't use one, but was just interested.

[BlueToffee]

Through and through spud queen!

[spudqueen]

How did I guess toffeeman?