h. krischel

There's a choice to be made, i am going to vegas for the first time with 3 other generation-Xers in september and would appreciate any input on others experiances at these hotels. none of us are big gamblers, we're looking more towards stuff to do in and around either hotel and for good customer service. thanks!

gerda

Answer: Last year we spend a view days in Las Vegas. The first days we stayed in the New York, New York Hotel an the last 3 days we stayed in the Excalibur.
The Excalibur is a nice hotel with clean rooms. They hve a great buffet. Breakfast 3,99, Lunch 4,99 and Dinner 5,99.
They have 2 pools, 1 with Slide.
We didnt stay at the Luxor because every time when we tried it was booked.
But there is a big difference between those hotels: the price. In Excalibur you can get a room for 39 Dollar plus tax. In Luxor the prices start at 99 Dollar. In Luxor they have more for entertainment.
When you are in Las Vegas don't miss the Dinner World-Buffet in Rio for 9.95 Dollar.
It is the best I ever saw. The Rio is behind the Caesars Palace across the Interstate. They have a great "Show in the sky". Its for free.
Enyoy your visit.

MCT

Spent long weekend there last fall, also not big gamblers but had a ball seeing the sites. The Excaliber is closer to the mid-strip area and you should go to Ceasar's for the shopping mall "experience" (sky changes; statues "come to life", etc.) Take bus to Old Strip and walk about -- one casino even has antique penny slots still being used. We enjoyed the half-day tour out to the dam.
We also went to the top of the needle -- fantastic overview of the city/desert.

Ceasar's buffet is more expensive than those quoted in message 1, but excellent. Do select and enjoy an evening show. And see the pirates show! Enjoy

LVLou

First message did NOT quote price for buffet at Caesar's. It mentioned the Rio which is another place.

David

The Excalibur is a better place for kids, but since you're GenXers, go for the Luxor. It has a more adult atmosphere and nice, good size rooms. The Luxor is generally a little more expensive, but often only by $10 or so a night. You can book through their website for $59/night most weekdays: www.luxor.com. Note: on weekends, the price goes up a lot. (And stay away during Comdex--November 16-20 this year.)

If you stay in the Pyramid, most of the rooms don't have bathtubs, only showers. If you stay in one of the new towers, though, they are supposed to have tubs as well. (Don't know if that matters or not.)

As for location, the Luxor and Excalibur are right next to each other, joined by a moving walkway. You're only looking at a short walk between then, so don't worry about that. Right across the street are the New York, New York and the MGM Grand, both of which you'll probably enjoy.

The pool at the Luxor might be a little nicer...neither one of them is very fancy. The food at the Luxor is better, though.

Hope that helps. Have a blast!

Sally Burke

Always wanted to go to Vegas and got the chance to go on business during the National Association of Broadcasters conference in April - stay away from Vegas then it is crazy busy with conference goers. The Excalibar would have been a choice of mine if I had never seen it. It was loaded with small children and their families and was cheaper and looked it from the other hotel/casinos. I bet you would love the Rio or try the Luxor if you want to be at the end of the strip. The middle of the strip has Treasure Island which was fun and had a great location. The buffets were all about the same, lots of food, never more than lukewarm, and nothing cooked the way you wanted it. Also go to the old Vegas which has the overhead show each night and eat in the Four Queens (which looks awful but has an excellent restaurant downstairs called Hugo's Grille, probably the best meal I had in Vegas). Enjoy!

Joe

Been to Vegas many times. THe Luxor is the better hotel. Stay in the towers. Much better rooms.

The Rio is an all suites hotel with a fantastic buffet. All of the locals eat there. For more upscale, the Mirage and the new towers at Ceasars. THey are right in the middle of the strip. It al depends on what you are looking for.

Excalibur is loaded with kids as is Circus Circus. By all means you want to visit those places but not stay there. The Belaggio opens in October and is really upscale, but mid week specials are very reasonable. Lots to choos from. Make sure you see as many shows as you can.

Cirque de Solei is at Treasure Island and a must see. Have fun!!!

val

We (5 40+ adults) stayed at Excalibur and enjoyed it very much. We strolled over and checked out the Luxor, but all agreed that it seemed cold and uninviting whereas the Excalibur has a warm friendly ambience. Wherever you stay, be sure to take in the Danny Gans Show at the Rio, it's a great show!

Michelle

We stayed at The Luxor while the rest of the wedding party stayed at Excalibur. So, needless to say, we spent alot of time at both hotels and I can tell you (as a gen-xer) you would like The Luxor better. Too many little kids running around Excalibur, plus the atmosphere is really dark & depressing (unless you get into the Middle Ages look). The Luxor is much more sophisticated. As far as entertainment, Luxor has it's own I-Max theater and a sushi restaurant (which we loved). Another hint, we hired a limo one night so we could see the strip and the lights of Fremont Street - was cheaper than you might think - I highly recommend doing it!

P. Jernigan

Excalibar and the Circus Circus are geared to children. Both Casinos are very crowded. Kids are running around the lobby. When we walked through some of the other Casinos down the strip, you could tell it was definintely a different class of people. It was a lot quieter and more relazed. Search the web and you can get the prices of all the casinos.

tj

The Excalibur and Luxor are next to each other. I have been to Las Vegas many times and have seen all the Hotels. The Excalibur is a run down place meant for low budget people who still want to stay at bigger hotel. Kid oriented too. The Luxor is newer, cleaner and better ran. (Proper English?) Why not stay across the street at the The New York, New York? You won't be disappointed.

EMMA THOMAS

I HAVE VISITED VEGAS 3 TIMES OVER THE PAST YEAR AND A HALF, I LIVE IN ENGLAND AND MY FRIEND LIVES OVER THERE SO I VISIT HER AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE.
I HAVE STAYED TWICE IN THE SAHARA HOTEL AND CASINO AT THE BOTTOM OF THE STRIP, BUT NEXT TIME I GO HOPEFULLY IN OCTOBER I WILL BOOK UP AND STAY AT THE MIRAGE.
IT IS THE MOST CENTRAL HOTEL FOR VISITING THE SHOPS AT CAESARS PALACE AND WATHCING THE BATTLESHIPS AT THE FRONT OF TREASURE ISLAND.
OUT OF THE TWO HOTELS THAT YOU HAVE CHOSEN I WOULD PREFER THE LUXOR BECAUSE THE EXCALIBUR IS MORE FOR FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN.
BUT IF I THINK YOU SHOULD ENQUIRE ABOUT THE MIRAGE BECAUSE YOU GET EXCELLENT SERVICE THERE FROM THE STAFF AND ALSO THE BUFFET IS GREAT.
PLEASE HAVE A DRIVE ALONG HARMON AVENUE TO THE HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO AND SAY HELLO TO MY FRIEN WHO IS THE CHEF IN MORTONI'S RESTAURANT, HER NAME IS BECKY SMITH TELL HER EMMA SAY'S HELLO!
WHICH EVER HOTEL YOU CHOOSE HAVE A GREAT TIME IN LAS VEGAS.

marlene

Have been to Vegas twice, first time at the Luxor, next time at the Mirage. What I liked most about the Luxor was NOT having to pass throught the casino to get to the room. I'm not a big gamler either and the flashing lights and noise can be more than a little annoying if you have to pass it every time you leave your room. Decent pool and health spa. Can't say my stay there was typical as it was over New Year's their first year open which was the same year Barbara Streisand was at the MGM and the Luxor had high security in place for "special" guests. Toured the Excalibur but didn't care for the atmosphere as much being 30ish and single - too many kids there. Good itailian restaurant at the Excalibur, though. Very good fine restaurant at Treasure Island.

Terry

Luxor. Best Gen-X place to stay is Hard Rock Casino and Hotel. For real expert advice, put your exact queries to the discussion board on www.lvol.com