celtic71

My family and I are travelling from Australia and spending 5 nts in Vegas at the end of Sept and finding it difficult to make a decision on accomodation. Our boys are 13 & 16 and we have been checking out the pool areas of most. Our short list is MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay or Bellagio - any thoughts or comments would be most welcomed????

Also, when selecting the '2 queen beds' option in the online booking, is there any reason I have to declare more than 2 adults as I notice many of the hotels now bump up the costs considerably when I put in 2 + 2 (usually for the exact same room)

taitai

Do you have plans for those 5 days in Vegas? There really isn't a lot for your sons to do other than hang at the pool. Even some of the pool scenes can get a little rowdy.

Mandalay Bay always seems to find its way to the top when talking about pools so I would research that one a bit.

Have you looked at any of the off-strip resorts? They tend to be a bit more family friendly and have lots of amenities.

You pay for the room based on occupancy. So, 4 people in a room will cost more than 2. That is why the price goes up.

tom42

I think the boys would enjoy Mandalay Bay. They have a pretty elaborate pool area - river pool and a manmade beach with waves. The only drawback is that Mandalay Bay is at one end of the strip so it isn't as easy to walk to a lot of the other strip hotels. I haven't stayed at MGM so can't really comment on that one other than to say it is huge. Bellagio is very nice but I think the pool at MB would be more enjoyable for your kids.

You may have to let the hotel know that there will be four of you. Last time I stayed at MB, each person had to show a room key to get to the pool area. So you would need 4 keys. I'm not sure that they would ask the kids to show a room key if you were with them but they may.

tom42

One more thing - there are things for the kids to do in and around Las Vegas. Here is a good website for some tips on keeping teenagers entertained in Las Vegas:

http://www.vegas.com/traveltips/guide/teenager.html

ksucat

Mandalay Bay has the wave pool that the boys would love.
You should put the correct number of people in the check box.
They also have security to check you when you go to your room with a card key.
I do understand you want to save money but you will only get the towels for 2 people and the cleaning staff will alert the front desk.
It shouldn't be that much since it's pretty cheap to stay in Vegas.
Mandalay is one of the furthest from the action on the strip.
I like the Wynn and they have it all.

Frank

I agree that MB is best for the pool, but the location isn't great since it's at the end of the strip and will require long walks or rides to see the other hotels. Bellagio is centrally located and is a favorite of ours, nothing quite like it in our opinion. I understand the rooms are largest at Palazzo and the Venetian.

nytraveler

Yes - you need to declare that there are 4 of you - if you expect linens, towels or to use any of the facilities. To do otherwise would be cheating the hotel - and could be embarassing if you try to sneak 2 extra people into the room.

tom42

another reason - in many of the hotels you have to show your room key to the guard before getting on the elevator. If your kids are going up to the room without you, they may need to have their own keys.

celtic71

Thanks all for the feedback and advice, it sounds like MB is the go however I am a bit concerned about the location, I'll check out the others. Anybody been to MGM Grand recently, how was it? Thanks Tom for the link to the what to do, the kids will enjoy researching that one.

djkbooks

MGM Grand is about as distant as Mandalay.

For a short visit to Las Vegas, it's really better to stay mid-strip, or close to shows you plan to attend/hotels you plan to visit.

Agree that there's plenty for teens in Las Vegas. The Cirque du Soleil shows are incredible, Terry Fator is hilarious, and Jersey Boys is a terrific show. A ride up the Eiffel Tower for the views is also worthwhile.

Las Vegas is one of the few places where kids don't stay free. Most properties charge extra for the third and fourth person. And, you should declare everyone because that's what you should do. At some hotels, everyone needs a room key to get to the elevator. And, you definitely need to show room keys for access to the pools.

tom42

I really wouldn't worry too much about the distance. You are going to be there 5 days. That is a good amount of time. I am pretty sure that there is a tram that will take you down the strip - it's not like we are talking 20 miles here. It is just somewhat less convenient than staying midstrip where you can walk to a number of hotels including Bellagio, Caesar's Palace, and the Venetian.

I haven't stayed at MGM Grand but I believe that it also has a pretty elaborate pool area. Hopefully, someone who has stayed there will give you more information about it. Close to MGM are Monte Carlo, NYNY and Luxor.

garyt22

I agree with tom42... pick the best pool at Mandalay and you will find your way up and down the strip...your kids won't be allowed in the Casinos... at the worst, all the casinos have parking and you could drive and park for exploring the opposite end of the strip... there's also a Monorail behind MGM that runs behind the strip... have fun

Bill_H

Anybody been to MGM Grand recently, how was it?

We were at the MGM in June one night to dine at Joel Robuchon restaurant, great rate on a suite.

Some of the things at MGM that looked like they would be appealing to teens would include the Lion Habitat, where they have a few lions with their handlers (the lions actually live at a large ranch outside town and a few are shuttled in every couple days for this exhibit).

Also there is the "CSI Experience", based on a US television show, where you are shown 'clues' to a crime and have to try to figure out who did it. My wife likes this TV show and wanted to do this but we didn't have time.

Also the TV network CBS has a setup where you can review and rate proposed new TV shows, which might be interesting.

Here are links to these (you don't have to stay at MGM to do them):
http://www.mgmgrand.com/entertainmen...xperience.aspx
http://www.mgmgrand.com/entertainment/lion-habitat.aspx
http://www.vegas.com/attractions/on_...isioncity.html

As for the distance from the rest of the strip, the monorail stops right outside the MGM complex and provides quick access to many strip hotels and downtown, but the per-person charge might mean it would be cheaper to take a cab.

http://www.lvmonorail.com/

Dunno about comparing the pools. My impression is it's more adult-oriented at MGM, you might be better off at a place with waterslides etc. http://www.mgmgrand.com/amenities/gr...l-complex.aspx

djkbooks

The Monorail is expensive, and, generally speaking, a very long walk to/from stops.

You can travel up/down the Strip, and to Downtown, on Deuce. But, they don't run nearly as frequently as promised are are more often than not jam packed crowded, so much so that you often have to wait for the next one, or even the one after that.

Taxis are an option, but you usually can only grab one at one of the major hotels. Fares are substantial, due to traffic, all depending on where you're going. Getting one at dinner/show time - well, good luck with that.

Just my opinion, but how much of your five days will the pool be so important? If you're planning activities other than a pool, it's truly more prudent to be located within walking distance of those activities.

And, things look much closer together (which they are) on a map, until you discover just how vast the areas of all those places!

If you're not planning to stay mid-Strip, you may as well stay at Southpoint, where there are plenty of activities for the teens.

eeyorelvr

We were at the MGM Signature in May. They are three tower buildings located just behind the MGM grand, and although it was a walk through the hotel to our tower from the strip it was worth it. We were very close to the food court and some shops, the MGM pool, yet we were on a quiet end of the strip and hotel. They have multi bedroom units as well, so this might be a good option for you. We did not notice that the MGM was mostly adult, we saw plenty of young adults and some in your childrens age rang. Everyone is alowed to walk through the casino's (I think I only saw a sign in Excalabur saying no one under 21 was allowed in the casino) and that is mostly because the resturants are located in and around the casino's and you have to travel through the casion to get in and out of the hotels. You have to be 21 to gamble, but I saw a lot of young adults that didn't look 21 gambling, and never saw anyone asked them for ID. I didn't go to the pool while I was there, but did see the pool and the lazy river and it looked fun for kids.

In addition to the Deuce bus, they now run another called the Ace, please someone else correct me if I am wrong, but I understood it that you can ride either after you paid for the day, $7.00 and it was cash only. The Ace makes less stops, the Deuce stops at almost every hotel, and shared pickup locations. The monorail behind MGM was 23.00 for a day, and it runs from MGM to Sahara, they may have a pass for more than a day. When we were in a hurry one night we took a cab from The Signature to the Mirage to a show and it cost $8.00+tip, to the airport it was $11.00+tip.

I have to say that during this trip we stayed several days at all ends of the strip...the first three nights we stayed at the Golden Nugget off Freemont St. The next three we stayed at the Hilton on the strip by Sahara and the last three we stayed at MGM Signature. With the excpetion of when we were at Freemont, we were all over the strip no matter where our room was, a lot of walking or bus riding, but very doable. On a visit two years ago, we stayed at Treasure Island and although it was centerally located, we never made it the Stratospher or the Luxor ends.

Another side note, if you do plan on going to the Titanic Museum, CSI, Body, Roller Coast at NYNY or any of those type things, for something like $55-$65 you can do three attractions, if you pay for each one seperate they are more like $30-40. The kiosks to buy the combo tickets were at/or close to each of those attractions.

japw82

The kids might enjoy Circus Circus. Not to stay but to enjoy the carnival atmosphere. If heights aren't an issue, the rides at the top of the Stratosphere are quite a thrill. The Mirage has a tiger exhibit. I think the Wynn has live bronze statues. Kids love to try to make them move or smile. Pool time was minimal for us. There was too much to see and do in a short period of time.

celtic71

Thanks everybody for all the great info, I think we need to rethink this part now with all this new info. We certainly don't mind walking and it sounds like there are plenty of transport options anyway. None of us are interested in the casino's so that part is ok, we'll more than likely take trip to Hoover Dam and the canyon as well. Also hoping to take in a football game schedule permitting. In relation to the shows, what are the must see's (with the kids)