Vegas peeps..

[Hedy]

Do you book hotel/air/tix separately, or do you book a package? Back in the day we used to get packages, but nowadays I don't know. Part of the problem(?) I guess is that I'm *hopefully* going with a friend, but she'll be leaving from ORD, where as I'll be leaving from BOS.

[m4travels]

Dude has always booked separate but he's also been able to get REAL low flight costs as SW and Dude are joined at the hip. Most people get Ding fares on their computers but Dude just snaps his fingers and gets dinged!

Oh, wait.... maybe Dude is just dingy???

Are you going to be seeing Bette? Dude will be EXTEMELY jealous..........

[SunshineGirl]

Dude, did you see the Youtube video of Cindy and I seeing Bette???

We usually book our separately. But I am a real stickler for getting good deals on the strip. I always work directly with the hotels, usually through the frequent guest programs. Are you a member of any of those or can you become a member?

[Hedy]

Dude, did you see the Youtube video of Cindy and I seeing Bette???

We usually book our separately. But I am a real stickler for getting good deals on the strip. I always work directly with the hotels, usually through the frequent guest programs. Are you a member of any of those or can you become a member?
I joined Harrah's and Planet Hollywood's.
Dude has always booked separate but he's also been able to get REAL low flight costs as SW and Dude are joined at the hip. Most people get Ding fares on their computers but Dude just snaps his fingers and gets dinged!

Oh, wait.... maybe Dude is just dingy???

Are you going to be seeing Bette? Dude will be EXTEMELY jealous..........
I['m not sure. Depends on what friend wants to do.

[m4travels]

Dude, did you see the Youtube video of Cindy and I seeing Bette???

No, I missed that one!! I'll have to track it down!!

Hedy, I get about 3 or 4 e-mails each month with deals from MGM, Ballys, Monte Carlo (though I wouldn't stay there as the fire they had WAS preventable and it was just a poorly put together system!) New York New York and others. Weekend costs are horrendous, but if you're there during the week you can get rooms right now for $69 - $89 on the strip.

There was some talk with our taxi driver on our way back to the airport about the thoughts for the summer vacationers. With the dollar the way it is they are really banking on the European travelers to swoop down on Vegas this summer.

It's down the road a few years but when the high-speed train connects L.A. to Vegas....................:D

[SunshineGirl]

I get really good deals through Harrahs. We've stayed at Harrah's, Caesar's Palace, Rio, Bally's, and Paris. Depending on how much time you plan to spend in your room, there is a HUGE difference between them but you can get some good deals. Like M said, midweek prices can be REALLY great. Weekends tend to be harder to find good deals for.

[SunshineGirl]

No, I missed that one!! I'll have to track it down!!



Wait! It wasn't youtube. It was on TMZ!!!

[Hedy]

Yeah..a package won't work. Looking at the tentative dates I gave the friend, PH is booked (:(), but there are great rates at Ceasar's, MGM or Paris.

[Hedy]

So, we're booking this weekend. :cooldance::cooldance: What are your thoughts on:
NYNY (they have an awesome special)
Mirage
MGM Grand
Caesars

[disneyforever]

So, we're booking this weekend. :cooldance::cooldance: What are your thoughts on:
NYNY (they have an awesome special)
Mirage
MGM Grand
Caesars

I have stayed in all these hotels except for Caesars. It kind of depends on
what you want to do in Vegas. NYNY and MGM Grand are both at the south
end of the strip - across from one another. The Mirage and Caesars are more
mid-strip. My favorite hotel is the Mirage. If at all possible, I try to stay there.
However, it can be expensive. I also really like NYNY. You have to be careful
which room tower you stay in because depending on the room you can sometimes
feel the vibrations (and hear the people yelling) from the roller coaster. If the
price is really good, then go for NYNY. I have stayed at MGM Grand twice and
frankly, I won't stay here again. The rooms are so far back from the strip. It takes
forever to walk from your room to the main entrance of the hotel.

A couple other hotels I like to stay at are Paris or Planet Hollywood. I usually try
to get a Bellagio fountain view if possible. Sometimes the upgrade price to those
rooms isn't too much. All you have to do is ask. :)

One last thing - I do agree with what the others posted. If possible, go mid week,
it's WAY cheaper!!

[Hedy]

Yeah, it's kind of hard to pick, as my friend isn't sure where on strip she wants to stay. NYNY is non-refundable, and I kind of want to get a refundable one b/c I'm hoping for a better deal. I might go with Paris, I wanted to stay at PH but it's too expensive.

[Hedy]

I went with the Mirage...for now. LOL. ;)

[RDGCJK]

Leaving for Vegas on Tuesday - first time. Any last minute tips anyone could share? We're staying at Bally's and have tickets for Elton John, Cher, Cirque: Love, and day trip to Grand Canyon. It's our 10th anniversary trip so I'd like one really nice dinner (besides the buffets we'll be doing). Our plan is to wander around the different hotels, go to the old strip one night for the night show and eat some good food! Thanks for any tips!

[m4travels]

The next time I'm up there and Partner Dude is with me I'm going to be insisting that we go to Olives at the Bellagio. I was at a conference with Boss Man in early March and a coworker suggested this place as a possibility. We had lunch out on their terrace and while it was warm because of the sun (actually kind of hot) the dancing fountains started.

Food was excellent, water show was great (it would be better at night, I bet) and the service we had was excellent. It's a small outside eating area so that might not be available but I'd try for it.

You can check it out here: http://www.bellagio.com/restaurants/olives.aspx

The dining in Vegas has become spectacular. It's not just a buffet town anymore.


ETA: Just realized that while it's a pretty picture of the restaurant there is no menu listed. I'm searching for the one that I found and will post that, too.
And here you go: http://www.lasvegasrestaurants.com/menu.cfm/restaurant/1086/Olives

[RDGCJK]

Hey - thanks for the link! Now I'm even more hungry..

[daninyc]

I signed up for the mailing lists for all the hotels before our trip. I ended up getting an awesome rate for Bellagio and it was amazing. I ate a chocolate souffle crepe every day. I also gained 6 pounds that week :rotfl:

[Hedy]

The friend I'm travelling to Vegas with wants to go to a "spa in the desert." Does such a thing exist near Vegas, or does Vegas pretty much have the market cornered on spas? Part of the problem is that I'm 24, so we can't rent a car.

Alternately, anyone know any good tours out to the "desert" part of Vegas?

[Hedy]

ANyone have an airport to hotel preferred Method? I'm thinking a shuttle might be a good idea....

[SunshineGirl]

I almost always take the shuttle.

[Hedy]

I almost always take the shuttle.

Any preference on a company?

[m4travels]

We always use a taxi from airport to hotel. After picking up luggage you walk out the door and there are taxis lined up waiting to take you. You get in a Disney-like queue and BAM, you?re on your way. I don?t remember the cost because the boss picked up the last tab, but it?s not that long of a drive to any of the casinos/hotels from the airport.