Please can some kind soul assist me. We're coming from England to Las Vegas in August 04 as a 21st Present to our son. I've read nearly everything I can about the hotels and can't decide on Bellagio/Venetian/Mandalay Bay or Caesars. Which rooms are the nicest and which pool area. I don't dislike children (having been one myself once!) but would prefer a more adult surrounding esp. by the pool. Is Mandalay full of children in August? Any info would really help. Want to make the trip special and relying on your local knowledge and repeat Vegas visitors. Any comments and information on hotels would be great. Thank you so much.
Rapunzel in England

I have stayed at Mirage, Flamingo, Venetian, and Mandalay Bay, and my favorite so far is Mandalay. The rooms at Mandalay are very large, clean, and "new" looking. We also liked that we could get to the hotel elevators without having to walk through the casino (Venetian, on the other hand, is a LONG walk through the casino before you reach the elevators). Mandalay has very "hip" things for a 21 year old to do - House of Blues restaurant/nightclub is there, as is one of the coolest nightclubs in town called "Rumjungle." The pool compound at Mandalay is also frequently touted as the best in Vegas - absolutely wonderful.

As for kids being around in Vegas - there aren't necessarily more/less kids at any of the casinos...there are just more people in general. Kids may gather more around the wave pool at Mandalay, but there are also "regular" pools which may be less crowded.

Only negative to Mandalay: LOCATION. It's at the end of the strip...just means you will get more exercise.

I have only stayed at the Venetian and have nothing but raves for their rooms. Really it is one of the top hotel I've ever stayed in, and the rooms are just grand, really fun in a Las Vegas kind of way. I stayed in the brand new tower(the Venezia) this summer, which was very very nice. The Bellagios public areas felt incredibly crowded when we visited, and I was happy to get outside. The biggest complaint I hear about the Mandalay is its location, away from the middle of the strip, but people love their pool area, and the restaurants sound fun, too. So it may depend on what's important to you. For the best room, the Venetian. Best location, Bellagio. Best pool, Mandalay Bay. (The Four Seasons Hotel is also in the Mandalay Bay.)

I was in Vegas 3 weeks ago and I stayed at Caesar's. The temp averaged 105 everyday I was there so the pools were being used. The Venus pool is off to the side and it's strictly for adults only because it features European style bathing. The main pool in the center of the area is round and is used for literally walking around it. The water is waist high on most adults. At the center of the pool are columns and a statue. Beyond this pool is another one where I saw people swimming laps. There are also 2 whirlpools off to the side but for the life of me I couldn't understand why someone would want to immerse themselves in boiling water when it was well over 100 degrees! My room was in the Palace Tower and it was very large but standard in design. The bathroom was also very large and the toilet area was alone and there was a sliding door to separate it from the double sinks and shower tub combo. The tub was very high and narrow if that matters to you. Some members of my family stayed in suites in the Forum Tower and they were very nicely appointed with a livingroom and media room with comfy couches. Nice views too. I think Caesar's is a good property to stay at if you want to avoid children. I saw very few. Take your son for a drink at the VooDoo Lounge at the Rio Hotel. Great views, good drinks, live music. We also tried the buffets at the Aladdin (we arrived at noon for lunch and everything was fresh and hot, great selection), Sunday night dinner at the Bellagio buffet was excellent, and breakfast at Cafe Lago at Caesar's which was horrible.

Those are all excellent choices. I think that you'd be happy at any one of them. Regarding Caesar's, however, you must get the Palace Tower for the room to be comparable to Bellagio or Venetian. Palace Tower rooms are quite large - over 500 sq. feet, great marble bathrooms with separate shower and a jacuzzi. Venetian rooms are all suites - sleeping area with two queens or one king, and a few steps down, a living area. The bathroom is also quite large and all marble with double vanities. Mandalay Bay's room is nice but nothing extraordinary. It also has a nice large marble bathroom with oversize tub and separate shower. I've never stayed at Bellagio, so can't compare that one but I am sure it's rooms are very good.

Pool area - my favorite pool area is at Caesar's Palace. It's really quite cool - three separate pools, one of which is European (topless). Not many kids, pretty adult feel to it.
Venetian pool has improved since the hotel first opened but still nothing great (using Vegas standards). Mandalay Bay has the largest pool area, with a "beach,", river pool, etc. It has a tropical feel to it. I liked it a lot but was a littled annoyed with all of the kids. Wasn't nearly as relaxing as Caesar's pool.

Although Mandalay Bay falls a little short in the room category and pool category (if you're looking for an adult feel), it is a great hotel for a 21 year old at night. Cool restaurants and nightlife, lots of good-looking young people.

You really can't go wrong with your choices but each place is different.

Mandalay - Average rooms, best pools, lotsa kids, good dining, poor location

Caesars - decent pool, few kids, good rooms (palace), great shopping, great dining, great location

Bellagio - average rooms, decent pool, few kids, great food but pricey, great location

Venetian - great rooms, good dining, great shopping, good location, I haven't been to the pool so can't comment on kids

Overall, I think I'd suggest Caesars. I find Venetian to be very mobbed with people staring at the ceiling and not looking at where they are going and at one point were bombarding guests with timeshare salesmen at the door - very tacky!

The big drawback I find with Caesars is that it is humongous and easy to get lost. I spent a week there once and it was frustrating for the first couple days but then we got the hang of it... If your son is coming with a bunch of friends then Mandalay would be worth considering for the clubs but if it's a family affair then I doubt you guys will be out dancing until 5AM.

Caesar's if you can get the Palace Tower Rooms.

Mandalay, definitely too many kids in August.

Loki summed it up pretty well. I have just one thing to add.

Mandalay Bay has just added an adult pool area called Moorea Beach. This is an area where topless bathing is allowed, and the miniumum age is 21. So, if you don't want to be around kids, this would be one place to find refuge.

For my taste, Mandalay Bay is by far the "coolest" hotel. I find Caesars, Bellagio, and the Venetian too stuffy to be enjoyed much by a 21 year old (although I enjoy all of them.) I think Mandalay Bay would be the one that would most impress your son.

wow! topless bathing? Really? Now I have to make sure my husband doesn't make reservations to stay there! !