THORPEM

Hi - I asked this a while back but has anyone any info on the best way to spend 4 Days in Las Vegas. Whats the best way to book hotels - directly on-line through the hotel or through a tour operator ? Any tips on good hotels but not too expensive...
Advise on flights as well ?
Is it expensive to eat on the strip ?
Lastly is there much to do in the day time?

Cheers Guys any info would be great.

tonybooth

Flights can be expensive but hotels shouldn't be.

Try

www.airnet.co.uk
www.priceline.co.uk

for flights and/or hotels.

I stayed in the Mirage, but next time I want to stay in the Venetian Hotels sometimes do good deals direct as there is often more hotel bedrooms than punters in Vegas. There are also a good selection of cheaper motels just off the strip at the Airport end.

4 days is about the right amount of time to go for. Worthwhile is shopping (couple of good malls) Hoover Dam (Hard Hat Tour) is well worth doing, as is the Grand Canyon. There are also some excellent golf courses round and about. You could also go see a show - there are enough to choose from.

Restaurant prices vary from very expensive to free (if you are gambling in their casino at the same time)

It is one of those places that you will love or hate - I loved it and I never even spent a dime gambling as its just not my thing.

Cheers

TONY


[Edited by tonybooth - 1/8/2004 1:27:14 PM]

chinnybloke

For the whole trip try expedia or flights from expedia then book the hotel direct from the hotels web site.

All of the hotels are really nice and cheap. Try to get one on the strip though so you are within walking distance of everything.

I've stayed in Circus Circus before which was cheap and ok. Its a killer flight and if you are thinking of upgrading, go to LA then book your own internal flight from LA to Vegas. Business class/Club World/Premium Economy are ridiculously expensive direct to Vegas but really good value to LA.

It really doesn't stop. It doesnt matter if its 4pm or 4am there is always something to do. The shows at night are pretty good. I've seen a few magicians which was good (Penn and Teller, Lance Burton and Copperfield).

The stuff to do is really shops, walk around some of the biggest hotels you will ever see, gamble, drink, eat. I loved it.

Food is very very cheap. All you can eat buffets for next to nothing and even better value now the dollar has gone so much in our favour. It's not everyones cup of tea there but I think it is an excellent place.

Evil6

Got a top gun range just off the strip as well and all you need is your passport and you can shoot just about anything... Short muzzle M16 was my favourite

rallycol

iTrader: (4)

Just got back a couple of weeks ago ,booked hotels direct ,got a deal at the MGM Grand for 60 dollars a night for the room ,and a free upgrade just for asking,check all the hotels own sites for offers,but there are a few I would'nt stay in such as Circus Circus it's gone down the pan over the years,hire a car for a couple of days and get out to Lake mead and the Hoover Dam tour ,dont bother driving out to the grand canyon,it's a bit far but take a small plane or if you can afford it a helicopter tour ,theres a lot of firms doing this so haggle a bit,if you need any hotel names e-mail me for a list ta |Colin PS forgot flights KLM had an offer on £220 plus taxes from Manchester on there website (not direct)

[Edited by rallycol - 1/8/2004 7:12:57 PM]

gareth123

The Venetian is the place to stay, the Del Monico restaurant there is not half bad. Peak nights are Fri and Sat, so if you can stay Mon thru Thurs you can get excellent rates. Call the hotels and ask for their current Los Angeles Times deals - there are websites that put these up for people outside the paper's circulation area.

*Sonic*

Hard Hat tour is no longer being run, due to security increase since Sept 11

we always stay in the Sahara, as its cheap, and have become 'regulars' in there

Came back a few weeks ago, had a great time, bt we flew to San Fran, and drove across to Vegas, via Lake Tahoe & Death Valley

DjacK-uk

One idea..

We booked a helicopter ride to the grand canyon, was amazing, flew over the hoover dam on the way there, the pilot landed us right at the bottom of the canyon for a couple of hours and we had a picknic then flew back, well worth it. There are a few companys that do this sorta thing over there, best asking at your hotel reception for details on the various ones.

Edited to say didnt read posts before posting myself, my ideas allready been said, but i can tell you, well worth it.



[Edited by DjacK-uk - 1/8/2004 11:03:38 PM]

Pitch Black

I'll be going in 4 weeks for my Stag Do! I always book long haul trips through 'Trailfinders'. They seem to have deals available when they match hotels to flights.

We've got 5 nights at the Monte Carlo and flights for £465.00

KarlosFandango

Agree with the 'driving to Grand Canyon' bit. Thought I'd be a smart *** and drive to the north rim as the guide book said it would be quieter and have better views. Trouble was upto April its closed because of snow. Pah, snow in the desert, I thought I knew better and went for it........ Result was a 300 mile drive in a Hyundai Accent Auto!!!!! to within 5 miles of the North rim to be told it was closed. Spend next 2 hours driving arooouuuuund the Grand Canyon to get to the south rim. Oh, and then there was the small matter of driving the 300 miles back to Vegas. Hyundai <shudder>, but at least petrol is cheap.

Cost wise. I went in April 2001 for two weeks with my wife to be and it was £500 each. Accom,flights,taxes,transfers. Stayed down town in the Plaza which isn't the best but was more than adequate. If you go make sure you visit Freemont street (bus service is excellent and very easy to use). This is the original part of Vegas where you will find the Golden Nugget, Plaza, Binions horseshoe, Four queens etc and a very understated light show . The area is more of the old style Vegas and quite different from what you will see on the strip. If you are around Downtown then try the Mainstreet casino Buffet (mmmmmmmmm, wipes drool off keyboard). At the time it was one of the best.

Hope you have a good time.

Just remembered that we used the Lonely planet guide for Las Vegas, booked it out from the library and it was spot on, highly recommended.

Karl

iDLe*

I've stayed at the Luxor but it's sposed to be bad luck for gambling, pyramids are restings places for the dead which does not give you the vibes required for winning big! We stayed on the casino level which was nice but took a sloped lift to a higher floor, not scared of heights but that place too the p*ss - think some Jap dude jumped off after and killed himself after a big loss!

I'd like to stay at the Mandelin Bay next time, classy hotel with sweet waitresses!

During the day you should sleep, never seen Vegas daylight...save all your energy for the night!

THORPEM

This is great guys.. Any other tips?

I'm 26 so not an issue for me, but a friend was asking what the laws are regarding Drinking and gambling in Vegas.. Do you have to be 21 for both ?

Fangoria

iTrader: (1)

Just been there over xmas for 4 days

Stayed just off the strip in the Rio - but this has a 15 minute free shuttle bus to Harahs........ typical cost of £35 a night with about double for xmas

There are essentially 2 main areas to the Strip - the North bit.......... which is Bellagio/Venetian/Paris/Harrahs/Rio/Flamingo

and the South Bit - MGM/Luxor/Excalibur/New York/New York

I've missed some but hey

Having looked at just about every hotel on the strip within the time you should definately go for the Northern area - it has the most going and has the newer hotels

Most of the Casiono's/food are the same (IMHO) and theres a huge selection at differing prices - yeah I'd say its expensive - but you can choose to eat at the Buffets........ these are much cheaper, excellent value for money - but the queues to get into them are enormous........ best to go at about 9pm when the queues die down

You need to book a show and you must do this a few weeks before you go out - the best show on the strip at the moment is the Cirque de sols - O - a huge show with water - ticketrs are about $100 each but can go up to $150 each depending on times/where you sit

Best Hotel all round we found was the Paris one - unless you are old dont go to Bellagio/Venetian as we found these to be fairly stuffy, expensive, dull and full of the richer folk...... but maybe this was an exception

Do a search on Vegas strip hotels - theres a few websites with peoples opinions on the Hotels - the opinions on the site confirm that Paris is regarded as one of the best all round hotels

Book - I looked over loads and to be honest found Expedia to be about the best - just do it with them you wont save much elsewhere

Re trips - Hoover Dam and the West side of the Canyon - by Helicopter plus a trip to the Dam properly

You'll be busy the rest of the time looking at the various hotels -were comfortable shoes and clothes as you'll do hours of walking!!!

The casinos themselves are a mugs game - just admire the views and dont waste your money

Any more detail mail me

Rgds

ps - btw do not go to the Imax cinema in Luxor - it is totally pants and crap..... the Imax in Sydney wasd far, far better

mkyboy

Going back soon!!!

Went last Feb and loved it!!!

Must go for a beer at The Shadow Lounge in Caeser's and rent out a Viper!

You'll need four days holiday when you get back as you'll be doing 18 hour days, all fun mind you!

Have fun!!

Darren

rotty

Take care if booking a canyon trip , a lot go to the "west rim" as they call it , actually the west canyon , this is not the real grand canyon but a "side canyon" .

You need to visit the north or south rim

A quick way to tell is if the helicopter lands at the bottom than that is the "west canyon" , they are not allowed to land at the bottom of the main canyon

workshy_fopp

4 days isn't very long for America, but it's long enough for Vegas. Book hotels online through www.hoteldiscounts.com. We paid about £60 a night for the Luxor, which is all you could want, very big rooms. It's very cheap to eat there, most of the casinos do an all you can eat buffet from about $10, though do yourself a favour and splash out on a $15 one, lots of prime rib, snow crab etc. Don't fill up on rice, potatoes and all the cheap stuff, leave room for the expensive stuff
It doesn't matter if it's day or night in Vegas, a few casinos have painted on skys and stars which are pretty convincing.
If you have time, rent a car and head east to Red Rock Canyon, well worth a visit. You can hire ANYTHING in Vegas, Ferraris Vipers the lot. Make sure you go to the car museum on the fifth floor of the Imperial Palace Hotel about halfway down the strip. Some choice vehicles in there.
Oh and finally, make sure you gamble, drinks are free for you and your partner if you gamble and about $7 for a JD and coke if you don't so it just about evens out of you can sit at a gaming table for a couple of hours. Assuming you don't win


[Edited by workshy_fopp - 1/9/2004 4:29:53 PM]

mkyboy

OH YES!!!

1$ Blackjack and the free drinks!!!!

1$ game + 1$ Tip = Cheaper than the bar and fun to if you win!!!

rotty

$1 blackjack is rare , I was there in August and $10 was the standard min at night , some crappy places do have $3-5 though

mkyboy

Try the just done up SAHARA!

1$ tables!!!

juan

went in November. Stayed at the luxor. all the hotels are pretty good value except at weekends when prices can go up.

watched the Roy Jones Junior world title fight at Mandalay bay. His first cr@p fight in 50. Gutted. Tarver was robbed and everyone knew it.

The grand canyon was great but I wish we'd had more time as I think you must fly over it in a copter or fixed wing plane. If I go again that'll be first on my list. there's a bunch available from the local airstrip.

Didn't like Vegas itself though. Couple of malls are ok. but I can't see the appeal of the place at all to be honest. I won't be going back there.

San Francisco is nice if you get the chance

*Sonic*

Did San Fran & Vegas, but much prefer Vegas

Main reason for San Fran was so we could go to Alcatraz

Sharah yes $1 roulette & blackjack, we won 260 dollars from ten dollars

Freemont street is very good for the light show, and if you like your roller coasters then try the new ride on top of the stratosphere



Also if your lucky the brand new Monorail should be open (they were testing it when we went) stops at most hotels on the strip

gareth123

There is no way you'd ever get me on that ride! You have to walk through the Stratosphere to get to it. Shudder.

Another vote for the helicopter landing in the GC.

SlowBoy

iTrader: (1)

Rooms are much cheaper during the week than at weekends. Stayed at Alladins and found Expedia gave competetive rates. Each hotel is like a mini city of it's own, with enough restaurants to keep you busy for a week. Another vote for Cirque du Soliel. Buffets were excellent (Mandalay Bay, Bellagio), excellent steak at the 24hr cafe at Luxor, nice Japanese restaurant at Bellagio.

Pitch Black

The 'Blueman' show at the Luxor is worth going to see!

[Edited by Pitch Black - 1/11/2004 12:53:46 PM]

NotoriousREV

For cheap rooms try Bally's (the old MGM Grand, next to Paris) we were paying $30 a night there and the rooms are fantastic (we also stayed at Circus Circus which was a dive and Excalibur which was OK).

peter_bailey11

just how long does it take to fly to vegas from the UK ?

rotty

about 10.5 hours there and 10 hours back on a direct flight

peter_bailey11

If we are in Vegas for 4 nights would we need a car (most things seem to be in walking/bus range)?

or

if we do need a car (but only for a day or so) should I just rent a 'posh' motor (Ferrari Viper etc) ??