Las Vegas

spartybride3 · July 2013

My husband and I would like to go to Vegas for our 1st anniversary next month...he grew up there & I've never been. He really wants to stay at Cesar's, but I am not tied to any hotel. I keep looking at hotels & room descriptions, but there are not always pictures to match & I don't really know what's what! I don't know what we will do there, but I wouldn't mind sitting by a pool, shopping, going to nice dinners, maybe shows. We're not big gamblers, so that will not be a huge thing for us.

Thoughts on where to stay and what to do? I would like to be in the center of where everything is. Also, I always hear about people getting rooms comped, but I feel like they must be spending tons of $$ in the casino for that to happen. Has anyone had success in getting any upgrades, etc for a honeymoon or anniversary? No one cared when we were on our honeymoon, so I doubt anyone will care this time!

Thanks!

mckenzie915 · July 2013

We've stayed at many hotels in Vegas and love Bally's. It has a nice location on the strip for walking, shopping and dining. The pool is awesome and it's very affordable. Caesar's is nice too. You won't be disappointed. We were only upgraded once at Paris for our anniversary and usually go to Vegas for our anniversary. Haven't had much luck other places.

Pepper6 · July 2013

Upgrades and comps are usually reserved for frequent guests, not first timers, but you can always try! Summer in Vegas is a little slower because of the heat, so you never know what kind of upgrades you can get if you ask, but don't plan on it.

As for where to stay on the strip, it's not as important since the busses are pretty cheap and easy to use, but Cesars is a good choice...and it's pager friendly!

itzMS · July 2013

We always stay at the Venetian. The rooms are awesome and it feels "high end".

dazyabbey · July 2013

I agree that it is going to be really really hot. I think going during the spring or fall would be much better. I don't know a ton about comps but you usually do have to spend a lot to get your whole room comped. We did a little bit of gambling and didn't get enough points for anything at all.

Summer2011Bride · July 2013

If you want to be in the middle of the strip, try Mirage, The Flamingo, Caesar's, Bellagio, The Venetian...just to name a few.

I have stayed at two hotels on the strip--The Flamingo and MGM. I liked The Flamingo better because MGM is at one far end of the strip, plus it's HUGE. It took at least 15 min. to get from the front door to our room because of how large that place is and the number of guests. Having said that, there is a ton to do right in your own hotel (tons of restaurants and basically almost a whole shopping mall), so it is convenient in that regard.

I liked The Flamingo and if I went back, would book a GO room (one of the updated rooms). The pool area is nice but we went in Jan., so we didn't use it obviously.

It will be very hot in the summer (like in the 110s--I have been there in the summer twice before), so even sitting out by a pool may not be entirely pleasant. Having said that, there is plenty to do the A/C like gamble, shop, see shows, etc.

I have seen one Cirque show there called LOVE at the Mirage and thought it was fantastic. I also saw a celeb impersonator show at the Stratosphere that was fun. Check for coupons online before you go or book anything. For instance, we got a BOGO for the impersonator show and a BOGO for the wax museum both online. Vegas has a ton of deals and coupons online if you look for them.

ETA: As for upgrades: one of our friends (guy in his late 20s) went with some buddies to Vegas last year and they stayed at the Flamingo I believe. He said at check-in he offered the woman $50 cash and asked what she could do about a room upgrade and they apparently got upgraded to a really nice Strip-view suite. I don't know that that will always work, but I think it might sometimes depending on who is checking you in.

nicnak22 · July 2013

My favorite hotel is Aria the sky suites and corner suites are absolutely amazing when u look out the window you feel like you are in the middle of the strip. I have been upgraded rooms before and comped (my best friend and I go a lot between the two of us over 30 times probably). I was comped at Monte Carlo in a suite and going in October with a free regular deluxe room and have been upgraded at aria. My friends though went to Vegas for their 3yr anniversary and were upgraded to a suite at aria and had never been before ( tell them its your anniversary and ask!). My favorite hotels though are Aria, Bellagio, Cosmopolitan, and the Venetian. The Wynn is also very nice but on an end instead of more central.

spartybride3 · July 2013

Thanks! They frequently advertise the Cosmopolitan here in Chicago and it looks fun, but my husband says no. I am not opposed to Cesars, but I just feel like there are probably other hotels that are maybe more fun & hip.

If you stayed at Cesars, what is a good room? There seem to be so many options.

itzMS · July 2013

spartybride3 said:

Thanks! They frequently advertise the Cosmopolitan here in Chicago and it looks fun, but my husband says no. I am not opposed to Cesars, but I just feel like there are probably other hotels that are maybe more fun & hip.

If you stayed at Cesars, what is a good room? There seem to be so many options.

There's not really a "bad room" in Vegas. Plus, you honestly spend so little time there.

The reason I love the Venetian is that it feels SOooOOoo high end. DH & I can pretend we're high rollers when we're far from it.

latefortheball · July 2013

Caesar's is actually in a great location strip-wise. If you want to be recognized for a special occasion, I would suggest booking at the Four Season's. It's located to the "far end" of the strip, so it's not as "central" as Caesar's, but you'll get the special treatment you're looking for. It's located IN the Mandalay Bay Resort, so you have access to all of their facilities (lazy river, etc), but you also have your own private pool too, just for Four Seasons guests. It's VERY relaxing!

JB612 · July 2013

I stayed at Planet Hollywood. It was nice. Each room is themed to a different movie.

Be prepared to walk. Do not plan to walk the whole strip at once, it is bigger than it looks, and wear comfortable shoes. I made the mistake and my feet were killing me.

Harrahs's has the best buffet I have ever been to!

gymbugmj2k · July 2013

We did Vegas for our honeymoon last September. We stayed at the Hilton Grand Vacations (there's one up by Circus Circus, and one more in the 'center' by the Flamingo). They were cheaper than the 'signature' hotels, and we really didn't miss much being a bit north of the action. I believe you can even use the Flamingo pool facilities if you stay in that closer one. Our family chipped in and gave us spa credits at the hotel, so we were treated to a nice quiet massage during our trip -- perfect after walking the strip for a couple days!!

If you DO want to stay in a signature hotel, try slipping a $20 or $50 to the check-in desk when you hand over your credit card and ID, and simply ask about any complimentary upgrades that they may be able to offer. I did really enjoy walking through Caesars, Bellagio and Venetian - so you can't go wrong with staying at any of those!

As far as activities, we simply spent about 2.5 days just walking the strip and exploring the hotels. We saw some of the free shows (TI ships, Mirage volcano, etc), and probably stood at the Bellagio fountains for an hour or so each day. By far, my favorite

Entertainment-wise, we are fans of house/trance music and both gymnasts.... so we went to Encore beach club (very overpriced - i'd choose a different one if we could've - Mandalay Bay is supposedly great) to see one of the top DJs, and we also saw Mystere and "O". Personally, if you only see one cirque show - go see "O". It was really fantastic both in storyline and skill. There's a fun piano bar in Harrah's that we enjoyed, too. Was a good place to relax/ have fun for a couple hours with a drink.

We did a nice dinner at Bouchon for our 1 month anniversary, and the next night on my birthday, hubby took me to the Eiffel tower restaurant for dinner (make reservations a day or two before for the first dinner seating, in order to get a table overlooking the strip). Both nights, we were given free desserts. We did the bellagio buffet at one point (get there before 3ish to get the lunch price. I think they switch to dinner at 4? double check this.) Serendipity was a fun restaurant, and cheap, decent eats were at Peppermill (up by circus circus). We did that a couple times as it was convenient to the hotel.

Yes - walking is HOT and painful depending on your shoes. Since our hotel was a bit far, we did the bus pass, and that worked out great for us - 5 minute drive to mid-strip. Was fairly cheap if you do the multiple-day pass.

All in all - I loved it. We could make Vegas quiet and romantic when we wanted (the further hotel helped), and then we could party at a pool or go exploring too. We didn't do any day trips to the canyon or anything. If/when we go back, I'd do a day trip, splurge to stay in one of the central hotels for at least a night, and possibly gamble. We spent so much time exploring, that we didn't gamble at all, which was fine by us!

Las Vegas

Re: Las Vegas

Choose Another Board

Search Boards