Sudden unexpected desire to go to Las Vegas

Wynn or the Encore are gorgeous new hotels on the strip..
Restaurants are some of the best in Vegas..
5* luxury for around $100+..Vegas is cheap right now!
Check Expedia and direct for the best prices.
Have fun!

www.wynnlasvegas.com
www.encorelasvegas.com

Las Vegas is indeed different from the east coast, no question. In fact, it's not a lot like anyplace else.

Staying on The Strip is a good idea, especially if you're a Vegas first-timer. Many of the most striking casinos are there, and it's interesting to walk past and inside them.

Agreed, the Liberace Museum is a must. Red Rock Canyon is from all reports a great spot near the city for hiking (did not have time to do this when I went). Seeing Downtown Las Vegas is worthwhile (going in the evening to see the Fremont Street Experience, an overhead light show, is pleasant enough). The Antique Car Museum at the Imperial Palace casino is excellent, as is Siegfried and Roy's Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat at the Mirage -- and the indoor conservatory and botanical gardens at Bellagio are pleasant. Some of the indoor shopping areas at strip casinos (especially the Venetian, Caesar's Palace, Paris Las Vegas, and Planet Hollywood) are well worth a visit. It's also fun to see the choreographed fountains outside Bellagio and kitchy fun to see the erupting volcano outside the Mirage.

Further afield, there's Hoover Dam, Death Valley, and the Grand Canyon, all reachable via day trip or less.

The hotel rates are on par with any large city hotel rates. On occasion, they are a great deal more, especially during a large convention or a special event, other times they may offer cheaper rates, but overall I would not expect the $29 a night rates from the old days. Same for restaurants. Each hotel still offers reasonably priced buffets, but good restaurants charge the same as in other city.

In the old days, the casino supported the much smaller hotel operations and that was what made them inexpensive. These days, the 5K+ rooms need an army to operate and the casinos just can't support the hotel ops any more. The charge the going rate. That said, if you are willing to stay off the strip in a regular chain hotel, like Embassy Suites or Hampton Inn then it may be somewhat cheaper when compared to other large city.

The upscale restaurants are run by the same big names that own and run the same name restaurants in other cities. Wolfgang Puck, Smith & Wolensky, etc. etc. The same chefs also opened restaurants with new names so although you may not recognize the name, rest assure that it's run by some celebrity chef, not literally perhaps, but it's their menu, their ideas, and in most cases they own it. Restaurants in the big hotels are usually never owned by the hotel/casino, they just lease the space based on a mutual agreement between the 2 parties that the theme, the menu is satisfactory to both. So once again the mid to top end restaurants are just as expensive as anywhere else.

There are tons of cheap eats up and down the strip, but if you want a special evening out be prepared to pay.

Check out www.lasvegas.com

Have fun planning!

Las Vegas reminds me more and more of South Beach. It has really grabbed on to that minimalist cool vibe.

The Wynn is the coolest hotel. I'd stay there.

LV is very cheap, especially on weekdays.

Checking Expedia for say 9/14-9/18, the Golden Gate at Downtown LV (Freemont St) is $14/night. Even strip hotels like Stratosphere is $26/night, Circus Circus or Sahara $27. Even the Luxor is only $56.

Best bet for the lowest hotel rates is to check the convention calendar and plan accordingly. You can also just check the flexible dates calendars on various hotel websites. Have a look at TravelZoo for hotel deals. And, as you're browsing the web, keep an eye out for promotional codes/links. I found a terrific link on MSNBC ahead of our trip for Paris - $70/night, plus $30 for upgrade to Premier Eiffel Tower room. The first night, we were offered $90 upgrade to LeMans Suite or $135 for Calais Suite - we took the latter for one night, so rate was $235 for a room that typically goes for $500-600 or more per night. Room for other nights turned out to be a Red Premier room.

Normally, I wouldn't use Priceline or Hotwire for Las Vegas, but did recently stay four nights at Wynn for $114/night (lower than any other resource), which would have been $109 if I'd booked sooner. (See www.betterbidding.com before using Priceline or Hotwire.) Our room assignment was fantastic - next to top floor panoramic view room overlooking the golf course and pools (our preference versus a view of the Strip).

Also, check the web for coupons. I found a free admission for two coupon for the Antique Autos at the Imperial, but it would have been well worth the price for admission. Amazing collection!

We very much enjoyed the Liberace Museum last year. The afternoon show is well worth planning. See the website for free shuttle pickup locations to/from the Strip.

As for dining, many of the world's top Chefs are represented as noted. Prices are not so outrageous (compared to other cities), and all sorts of bargains are available right now - "Taste of...", "Date Night" menus, pre-theater menus, a variety of special prix fixe menus (some restricted on times or days of week). Check the hotel websites for dining specials, particularly Wynn, MGM, Mirage... We enjoyed a magnificent two course meal at Daniel Boulud on the terrace by Lake of Dreams at Wynn last week for $36/person. Choices were exceptionally appealing. Three courses were priced at $42, but we didn't have room for dessert. There was also an appealing three course menu for $48, but we preferred the options on the "Taste of..." menu.

There are also many fine restaurants with bar/lounge menus, and/or where there is comfortable bar seating and you can order as you please from the regular menu.

I think LV often has much cheaper hotel rates than other large cities, at least lately.

During some high-demand times, sure, the prices can shoot up, but lately it's been easy to find some really low rates at good strip hotels. Like $69 or even less for well-located hotels like the Flamingo and Bally's and not much more for higher end places. I don't think I've seen those kinds of rates for good hotels in NYC, SF or LA, not anytime recently.

no offense to you rkkwan but I wouldn't advise anyone to stay at Circus Circus or Golden Gate at whatever cheap rate they offer..

www.cheapovegas.com. I concur w/ksu + the Strat is off Strip, Luxor would be a consideration._

It is indeed a great time to visit Las Vegas! I would recommend early October for prime weather conditions, but it would be worthwhile to check if the pools are still open at that time. They should be as the temps can range from the 70's to the 90's during the day.

As for interesting places to visit, I highly recommend the Valley of Fire. Yes, red rock canyon is interesting, but the valley of fire is so much more. There are easy hikes and roads throughout the park allowing you easy access to the beautiful rocks and sights. As I previously mentioned, it still might be a bit hot so water is a must. If you want something less hot, Mt. Charleston is a short drive and generally 20 degrees cooler than the Las Vegas valley.

One place I have always enjoyed is the Secret Garden at the Mirage. It's a smallish animal park with dolpins, lions, etc. It's pleasant to visit and interesting to watch the dolpins interact with the trainers and audience. Hoover Dam is also awesome, but do the tour for a better experience. Last but not least, Boulder City is a unique place to visit, especially if you go to Hoover Dam. They have no casinos or gambling, but the main part of town is filled with antique shops, boutiques, and cafes. It's not a bad way to spend an hour or two even if you don't go to the dam.

As for hotels, there are many promotions and deals going on. Check out www.vegas.com as they have been running a lot of promotions. Of course, you can always check directly with the hotels as well. Also, here is a link to the convention calendar: http://www.lvcva.com/meetings/convention-calendar.jsp.

Happy planning!

We went to Vegas for the first time last summer. It's definitely different from any other city I've visited!

The best advice we got when planning our trip was to stay on the Strip...and make sure you look at a map to see WHERE on the Strip the hotel is located. For instance, places like the Bellagio, Mirage, Planet Hollywood are in the heart of it all, while other hotels are at the south or north ends. Just depends whether you want to be in the middle of everything, or walk a little ways to get there!

We really enjoyed the Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay. http://www.mandalaybay.com/entertainment/sharkreef.aspx

Also, we liked visiting the Bellagio...such a beautiful lobby, complete with Dale Chihuly blown glass on the ceiling.
http://www.chihuly.com/installations/bellagio/

You mentioned going to the pool...we stayed at the MGM and thought the pool was nice. It wasn't crowded during the week, but got pretty busy by Saturday.

October is not as hot as September, but make sure there are no large conventions when you're there.

Wow! Great information so far. Thanks!
As far as hotel prices--no I'm not expecting $29 rooms, but looks like with good planning, really nice places can be booked for $100-150. That's rare for most east coast cities, so it seems like a good deal. High end restaurants are not high priority either. As someone pointed out, many of the best restaurants are operated by the same people whose places I can visit much closer to home. Buffets are not my thing either, so "middle range" casual places are what I'd be looking for. And yes, I'm willing to drive for at least some of my meals

ksucat - No offense taken. I won't stay at those places either. I paid $80 for my room at the TI in January through PL. Just pointing out that <$30/room is still available. Hehe...

If you want to experience a blast from the past and spend only 6 quarters, check out the Pinball Museum Hall of Fame. It's off the strip by a few miles. If your lucky the owner, Tim Arnold might be there fixing up one of the machines and he's awesome to talk to. Here's a quick link to get a sense of the place. Hope you can make it there.
http://www.studioreddot.com/podcasts/dlep16.html or same on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dM5HrAQkyC0&feature=channel_page

i just arrived from Vegas. I didn´t gambled because i was with my daughter ....

but i was totally surpreised by the amount of thing we can do in a strip.....

i recomend the show Ká by circle de soleil......super!
i recomend the visit at night at the top of stratosphere and do the skyshot in to space......super! )also you can do there the photos of your life(with a tripod)......no humidity, sky clear....super!
i recomend a trip in helicopter to see the Grand Canyon )i did with Maverick and it was......plus than super!
I recomend to stay in the Bellagio (if you want luxurious......) but don´t miss the belagio´s fountais shows.....super......super......square super!

And in Hotel Luxor (almost everYthing happens in the huge hotels.....) see the Titanic museum with discovered memorabilia, like forks, coal of the engines, jewels etc, etc. You can even by little pieces of coal to remember....

I was 4 nights.....not enough......and i didn´t play.......

VIVA LAS VEGAS......VIVA LAS VEGAS (ELVIS PRESLEY MHITIC SONG

Have a nice trip.

If you need any answer, please ask.


Paulo

nyer -
One local restaurant I would recommend is Nora's. It's 10-15 minutes from the strip driving (longer on the bus) and it's easy to find. It's a local's staple when it comes to Italian food, but they are always packed so call ahead if you want to go. I also recommend Garduno's at the Palms - New Mexican cuisine with a twist. They're both low-mid price restaurants that will give you some different tastes.

You all have given such good advice, it was a pleasure to read & also answered some questions I had as well. I was thinking of "the Palms" I think thats the name It's the one with spa facilities with ultra hip stainless furnished suites. Has anyone been & is it worth "all that money" ...lol

We LOVE the Palms..they upgraded us to a $5k suite last year and I will forever love them for that..besides that, the gambling is generous and fun time with a younger hipper crowd without being too young..
We are Wynn people but can't say enough what the Maloof brothers have done to this first class hotel/casino!

Hi rkkwan..glad you didn't take offense..you are a great man!

I decide when to go based I want to see.
I check
http://www.insidervlv.com/entertainment/showrooms.jsp
http://www.lasvegas-nv.com/showsh.htm

For example, Fleetwood Mac was just there and three Dog night is there only on Sep 6. Or you might want to see Elton John or a particular comedian. For hotels, I like the Mirage. I just submitted a trip report called "Las Vegas Trip Report (for non-gamblers)" that might give you some ideas. I enjoyed writing it, and hope you will take a look at it.
If entertainers are secondary, another strategy would be to call all the better hotels: (Wynn/Encore, Venetian, Bellagio (owned by MGM) and Mandalay Bay (also owned by MGM) and ask when you best can take advantage of promotional room rates.

I think Elton John's "run" is over. If you are on the east coast and haven't been to Las Vegas, and probably won't go again, or won't go for a long time, I'd try to stay at one of the nicer places, Wynn, Encore, Venetian, Ceasar's Palace etc. I think if you can get a decent rate, it would be worth it and add to your experience.

Keep in mind it is a long way between hotels, even if they are next to each other. They are so huge and the grounds are so big that there is a lot of walking involved so take good shoes. Also, there is a lot of hard surface floors, tile marble, so you legs can get pretty tired.

I've stayed at Palms Place, the Palms new condo/hotel. Very hip, and chic -- their 1200 sq. foot 1 bedroom suites are something else, especially if you like very modern decor. We got an amazing rate on one about a year ago ($199) a night. It's not walkable to the strip though, and for me, the MGM Signature, another condo hotel, is even more comfy, and
better located.

The Palms is not on the strip. This is a BIG deal. I strongly recommend that you stay on the strip. I like the Mirage.

Do people really spend time in their rooms when they are in Vegas ?? I don't get spending a couple of hundred bucks on a room that you rarely use (of course I typically get comped). Still....