Vegas Hotel

Old Jul 7th, 2014, 05:55 PM
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Vegas Hotel

My husband and I will be in Las Vegas for a week in September. I used to travel to Vegas at least twice yearly when I was younger (1972-1999). I haven't been there in 15 years and I know things have changed. We both like to gamble, and not get ripped off and we are pool people.
We always used to stay at the Golden Nugget and LOVED it BUT I'm hearing some negative things about down town being "sketchy" and the pool at the Nugget is now so over the top that it's almost impossible to get a seat there. I'm just afraid that the strip hotels are too hectic.
I guess my question is where is a fair casino with a nice pool that you don't need the body of a super model to go to yet still feel comfortable. All the twenty-something pool party ads are freaking out this 50 year old!
Thanks!
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Old Jul 7th, 2014, 06:32 PM
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Green Valley Ranch, technically not Las Vegas but twenty-thirty minutes from the airport and very nice.
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Old Jul 7th, 2014, 06:43 PM
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The MGM Grand has a great pool complex with a lazy river and 3 or 4 different pools. There is also a "party pool", and although you can hear the music while at the other pools, you don't hear or see the rowdy crowd and the look-at-me nonsensicals. There are usually lots of older folks and tons of kids, but in September you shouldn't have to worry much about the kids.
The Wynn/Encore would be another good choice, look for deals here, pay attention to the $20 to $30 per day added "resort fees" at all the hotels: http://deals.lasvegasadvisor.com/hotels
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Old Jul 7th, 2014, 07:28 PM
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Google away to find your best deal - at a nice resort on the center/south strip.
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Old Jul 7th, 2014, 08:53 PM
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Check out smartervegas.com for deal codes.
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Old Jul 8th, 2014, 07:36 AM
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The OP is not asking for deals; she is asking about a hotel with a great pool that will feel comfortable for her. (Note to Tom: Those responses advising people to "Google away" are not always very helpful.)


I would suggest the Bellagio. I was there during the winter and felt very comfortable at the pool even though my super-modeling days are now, sadly, behind me. The main pool is very large and, for this serious swimmer, an excellent place for lap swimming.

Remember, for every super model, there are probably 20 hangers on!!

Having said that, hopefully someone will respond, who has been at Bellagio in early fall.
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Old Jul 8th, 2014, 09:58 AM
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Last time I went swimming in southern Nevada was in Lake Meade about 100 yards from Hoover Dam. I swam from a boat that DS had rented at the marina. Several of us got sunburned.
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Old Jul 8th, 2014, 11:11 AM
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One googles for the best deals that are available. Simple.

Most of the resorts along the strip have good pools.

Among the best are the Tropicana, Bellagio, Wynn, Mirage, Flamingo. Venetian - and on and on. Can't really think of a bad one at the larger resorts.
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Old Jul 8th, 2014, 11:34 AM
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Tom- I agree with ekscrunchy. 'Googling away' is a given and I am sure the OP has already gone that route.
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Old Jul 8th, 2014, 11:35 AM
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I certainly did not confine my research to "googling away" for the "best deals" when I was planning my visit to Vegas.

Is that how you would advise someone to plan for a visit to Paris, too?

Every person has a different idea of what constitutes a good pool. And a good hotel.
I have different criteria than the OP. The Bellagio was the best pool for me at the time I took my trip.

Did you bother to read the OP's original query?


I've noticed that "Google away," or some variation of that, is one of your stock responses to questions on this forum. Maybe helpful for people who have not yet heard of Google.

When are you taking that great hunting trip to slay African game? Will you be making plans based on the info you find by "Googling away?"
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Old Jul 8th, 2014, 11:50 AM
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The OP also noted that she's interested in the casino. Depending on what you play, I find that the MGM Mirage properties have fairly tight slots. I'm not sure how tight the table games are, but I tend to have lousy luck in the casinos, so there you go.

I will also say that I like the MGM Mirage properties' general level of amenities and overall choices. My husband and I enjoyed the MGM Grand a lot this past Xmas, despite the huge smoky casino (we're ex-smokers). We usually stay at the Mirage, but we got a sweet deal at the Grand, so....

The pools at both properties are great. We will be staying at Bellagio the next trip to Vegas (we just want to be pampered and pretend we're rich); its pool area is quite lovely as well. Mandalay Bay is known for its wonderful pool area, but I don't like the south Strip location (no real reason other than I prefer center Strip). One of these days, we're going to try Caesar's for the hell of it-- and their pool area is pretty great.

If you don't mind being WAY off-Strip in Summerlin, the JW Marriott has a lovely pool and is overall a very nice resort with an onsite casino (Rampart)-- it's been years since I've stayed there (I had to fly there last-minute from a Tucson meeting to speak at a conference), but it was lovely. Still, you're off-Strip. If that's OK with you, it's a nice choice.
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Old Jul 8th, 2014, 11:56 AM
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MY husband has always stayed at Golden Nugget when ever he goes to Las Vegas. He likes is just as much as he did in the past; his only complaint is that the prices have really increased. He prefers the downtown casinos and area, finds the strip too "flash Vegas" (what ever that means!) I know he often will go to the strip for an evening, but he still prefers Downtown and the Golden Nugget. He was there just a month ago.
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Old Jul 8th, 2014, 12:47 PM
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Downtown Vegas seems to reek of smokers.

And I have stayed at the resorts and the pools I mentioned and liked all of them.

As for Africa - have been researching going there my whole life.

eks - go pound sand, ok? And if you were once a world class model - which world?
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Old Jul 8th, 2014, 12:48 PM
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And the reason you google - for those slow on the uptake - is to get the best deals, and find out a lot more yourself about the various resorts - rather than just rely on what someone in here says.
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Old Jul 8th, 2014, 12:53 PM
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And as for slots - all the strip casinos are tight. The "loosest" slows are off-strip, but even there - don't get your hopes up about the "one armed" bandits.

A good off-strip property is the Rio - big suites - and they have regular shuttles over to the strip.
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Old Jul 8th, 2014, 01:19 PM
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Are you now doubting that I was once a super-model?

Seriously, Tom, if the only researching you've done on dreamed-of-Africa trip is to "Google away," no wonder you've not been there yet. I'll give you a few more years and during that time, please feel free to ask questions on the Africa board; we will try to help.
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Old Jul 8th, 2014, 01:20 PM
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We are not gamblers so pay little attention to the tables and slots but just stayed at Treasure Island for 3days and noticed they have a lovely pool area that is quite large. Ask for floors 15 and above for the best views. The only thing I did not like is that they do not have in-room coffee!
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Old Jul 8th, 2014, 01:46 PM
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Treasure Island pool is a party pool and quite small so one can't get away from the lookatme people. Bellagio is a nice pool and not too rowdy. Four Seasons has a lovely pool too. Do your research first on the major strip hotel pools as most seem to have gone all party pool mad. Wynn and Encore are the worst ones for loud party/club nuisance. We left after one night due to the pounding beat from the night club which could be heard on the top floors. Oh how I would have loved to have stayed in Vegas in the 60's when the Rat Pack ruled not the Frat Pack that now seems to be the norm.
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Old Jul 8th, 2014, 02:43 PM
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eks - if you were a super-model - I have already bagged the Big Five in Africa.

And thanks for the advice - but I have met with several concessionaires/tour guides from Africa (at various travel shows and Safari Club conventions) - and have MANY friends who have traveled there extensively (one makes the best videos of their 6? trips - all over Africa) - and another friend went on a horse safari with his wife - to Botswana.

Plus - our high school exchange student from my senior year was from Rhodesia (that was 50 years ago - after they gained their Independence from Britain) which as you know - is now Zimbabwe. We had some great discussions about Africa - circa 1964 - when you what - about 5 years old - not even dreaming of becoming a super-model.

Late - we have stayed at Wynn - a number of times - but are fortunate to usually be pretty high up - 50th floor or so - and have not heard the club scene - which yes, can get raucous.

Shame if they (Wynn and Encore) have turned their pools into the same crazy scene.

Thought Wynn had two pools - one more "reserved" than the other?
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Old Jul 8th, 2014, 02:55 PM
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Gee, Tom, you win. Imagine that, you are older than me!! I never would have guessed!!

Imagine, I've managed to pack in 8 trips to Africa in my scant years on earth. (Although it is quite out of character for me to brag about number of trips taken, I cannot resist here.) But I'm sure your friends who grew up in Rhodesia 60 years ago will offer much better advice on the entire continent then the people on the Africa forum on Fodors. Silly me for suggesting otherwise!!!!!

Zimbabwe did not become independent until 1980, hardly 50 years ago. Slipped up on your facts, once again, Old Boy! Ever read anything on Zimbabwe?
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