The Golden Nugget has a great pool and should be a bit cheaper than the 3 that you mentioned.
For traveling the length of the "Strip" the Deuce bus (double decker) should work for you.

Thanks Tom

I think the Mirage is very well located & gets good reviews.

Have you checked out http://www.lasvegas.com/?

I like the location of the Bellagio mid-strip. We stayed across the street at Bally's, which was nice and extremely reasonable.

The pool at Bellagio is great, and the fountains are wonderful, the Arboretum very interesting, and good restaurants. Aria is next door - and have been there but not to their pool - so either would be fine, as would the Venetian, but the Bellagio location I think is closer to more options on the Strip.

Also like Wynn's - and they have a nice pool too.

Would not recommend staying in the old downtown area - which is sort of seedy - even if there are a couple decent places to stay.

We also like the Flamingo - if you can get a room on say the 18th floor - that has a view of the magnificent Bellagio Fountains, and the same goes for Planet Hollywood, but the Bellagio is definitely nicer than either one of them.

Paris is ok too - and the open air/street level cafe - Mon Ami Gambi is it? - has good French Onion Soup (and other entrees) - and you can look across the street at the magnficient Ballagio fountains. It's also fun to take the ride up the Eiffel Tower - or if you really want a view - go to the Stratosphere.

Some really good rates here. sign up to get the "unlisted" specials.

http://www.smartervegas.com/

My favorite funky website is http://www.cheapovegas.com/

I get my best deals through these guys.

I do agree about the Golden Nugget is and AAA 4 Diamond resort that is downtown.

I do not recommend anything tomsd says, that is, if you can get him to stop his streams of postings.

I went to Vegas for the first time last April. Stayed at Ballys across from the Bellagio. We visited all the resorts on the strip & went to Fremont Street.

I loved staying at Ballys for the price, the location and really large rooms. Though they are really dated they are usper clean.

The Ballagio is a fantastic place in the best location mid strip.

Aria is nice and is a couple of doors down from the Bellagio so still in a good location.

The Venetian is up and across the street from the Bellagio across from the Mirage. Not as mid strip as Bellagio but if you are walkers it will be fine. Really beautiful place with really good restaurants & shops. We spent alot of time at the Venetian & ate at Wofgang Pucks place Postrio - it was extraordinary.

I don't think you can go wrong with any of your choices. You will have a blast. VEGAS IS EXPENSIVE!

Markcw we were in Vegas in October and spent 2 nights at the Mirage and 3 at Paris with a trip to the Grand Canyon in between. Both were nice but we really enjoyed going to Paris's Mon Ami Gabi and sitting on the terrace as we ate our meals. We preferred to eat al fresco in the warm weather rather than indoors. Also with Paris we had a view of the Bellagio fountains from our window.

We caught the Deuce to downtown and the outlet shopping centre but be prepared to stand the whole way as both times the bus was packed. There are buses that stop at all stops or express stops. I think it cost $8 for an all day ticket. There are a number of souvenier shops downtown which have a bigger and cheaper range of bits and pieces to take home than you will find in the casino shops.

The stratosphere has a good view of all of Vegas and there are rides that may appeal to the daredevils in your group. On the 108th floor you can watch the brave (or foolish) having a turn at Skyfall. You cant see them falling but you can watch them breathing fast and fidgeting nervously as they take tentative steps to the edge and jump.

Check for deals though and midweek is much cheaper than weekend rates. Look at maps and get a layout of the strip and what you want to see and go from there. Everyone is walking from casino to casino. Be prepared to get cards shoved in your hands (the males) advertising the lovely ladies of Vegas and time share sprukers wanting you to view a presentation.

Have fun and try to get to a show too.

Another good place for deals (sometimes) is the Rio - which is off-strip - but they have a bus that regularly drops you off on the strip. They have big suites and a nice pool - but I still prefer staying center strip - where you can walk around easily to see the different sights/casinos.

Again, downtown is generally dumpy - even if the Laser Experience is a fun thing to see at night - on Fremont Street. In our dozens of trips to Las Vegas - we did stay once at Main St - and liked it for a couple of inexpensive nights - before we checked into the Wynn - but if you don't have a car - you are stuck. And I/we never even visited the pool at Main St - assuming they have one? http://tinyurl.com/bceh4jm

And along with what October_fun recommended - check out the various deals for shows - such as the Tix4less outlets, - or the Tix4tonight outlets - and check the various tourist mags. https://foursquare.com/v/vegas-tix-4less/4bba473ecf2fc9b6265da102

We love the Cirque de Soleil shows - and the afternoon Magic shows are a great deal too.