We are staying in LV from 1-6 September, 3 girls aged between 25-28. We are coming from London and staying at the aladdin. I am wondering if anyone can provide me with some help for planning our trip?

Aladdin - Anyone tell me if its any good, Ive heard mixed reviews but we got it for a really decent price $785 for Sun-Sat.

Trips - We are looking to go to the Grand Canyon (helicopter preferably), can anyone recommend a good tour company?

Restaurants - Couple of the more expensive restaurants (traditional food), buffets and any nice italians?

Casinos - Looking for some friendly casinos, only tend to play roulette or the slot machines. Somewhere with the late twenties/early thirties age bracket?

Shows - we are thinking of going to a couple, but which ones?? Could anyone recommend reasonably priced magic shows, illusionists, hypnotists or if anyone knows of any singers that will be there on these dates?

Bars/Clubs - any good dance clubs or bars, which nights are best to go? How much do entrance fees & drinks tend to cost?

Spas - which are the best spas to go to? Do you have to book in advance? How much do they tend to cost?

Whoa! I think I've remembered everything here, if there is any other must-sees or if you have any other recommendations, they would be greatly appreacited!

If you got more then one room for that price, that was a good deal. If that is what you are paying for one room, you got screwed.

Do a search for Las Vegas clubs. I think it was just recently discussed with some good ideas.

We got one room and there are 3 of us in it. The thing is the prices really go up of a weekend.

These questions have all been addressed at length. Just do a search and you will find a wealth of info. That sounds a little pricey for the Aladdin. The casino is o.k., maybe a little slower then most but there is a good shopping area connected to the hotel.

I wouldn't pay that rate to stay at Aladdin. You can get a room at Bally's for about 1/2.

Restaurants - Picasso at Bellagio, Bellagio buffet, were excellent, MB buffet was mediocre

Casino - Mandalay might be geared toward the age range you are looking at, depends on the night and what's going on, definitely younger crowd Fri/Sat

Shows - If you get a slot card at harrah's you get 2/1 passes to Mac King and Ron Lucas, both good afternoon shows, magic/ventrilloquist. Also, on Harrah's website they had coupons to get $15 tickets to CLint Holmes, which is a night show at Harrah's, singer/band, some covers some originals, somewhat geared for older audience but enjoyable.

Mandalay Bay had a very nice spa, runs about $100/hour for services, $30 entry if you don't get a service and just want to use the weight room/jacuzzi and stuff. You can book when you get into town.

I just back from trip with my girlfriends to Vegas. We are in same age range.

Nightclubs we enjoyed were: Tuesday night at RumJungle at Mandalay or Studio 54 at MGM, Wednesday go to RA at Luxor, Thursday and Friday will be more crowded everywhere. These nights we LOVED the bars at the Palms- Ghostbar and the club Rain, Hard Rock Casino- Baby's was pretty fun, Bellagio go to Light, Drai's at Barbary Coast is a blast for after hours, and do not gforget Voodoo Lounge at Rio!!! There will be huge lines at most places. Single women are a minority in Vegas, so go right up to the bouncers and ask them to let you in! You will most likely still have, sometimes as much as 20 dollars to get in.

I would say anyplace you stay will be fun!I do not know much about Alladin except that it is in good location.

Gamble at Hard Rock and Palms for a younger crowd! Spend an afternoon at Venetian walking around and having lunch. Some restaurants we loved were Aureole at Mandalay, Prime and Aqua at Bellagio, Nobu at Hard Rock.

We thought the Bellagio had a great crowd at their bars and on floor. There were a lot of people in young 30's- and a much classier crowd than other places.

Feel free to e-mail me with any other ?'s.

Two words: TEXT SEARCH

Thanks ever so much for these recommendations. FYI doityourself, I have also been doing searches, but I did have some specific questions.

I know have a comprehensive list of things to do and see. My only concern is that a few people have said that $785 for a room at aladdin is too much. If anyone could give me an idea of what I could get for that price, that would be great.

Thanks

Your last question - $785 does indeed, appear to be a high rate. Given the time of year (Labor Day) however, it may not be all that bad. You can expect rates during that time to be higher than other times. You might check at travel12vegas.com (LA Times), for special rates. (Aladdin is currently listed there at $69 through Sept 30; and the rates are available to everyone - not just Angelenos). My recommendation is to also check directly with the hotels for their best rates. Another option is to book your quoted rate (provided it is w/o a cancellation fee), then keep checking to see if something better becomes available. As a Las Vegas regular and with some research for the same period, I would expect to find a total lodging price of around $500-$600, at Aladdin or another comparable hotel.

In sum: you seem satisfied with your quoted rate; you have garnered good ideas from respondents; and your messages infer a degree of Las Vegas excitment and anticipation. Seems to me that all the essential ingredients are in place. So, check those sour attitudes upon arrival, and enjoy your trip!

Your specific questions have been others specific questions at one time or another. Do a search and you will find info about spas, clubs, rates, tours and restaurants.

Geez people, get off your high horses on doing a search. Some of you just can't hold back and telling everyone to do a search.

She did that and still wants to get some additional feedback. Just because someone asked a question in the past doesn't mean someone can't ask a similar or the same question. New experiences, new people, answers changes or different opinions are expressed. If no one posted a question that someone asked once, there'd no new responses and updates.

If you don't want to respond because you saw an answer to a similar question, then don't. Obviously you have no additional information to provide. But respect that others do!

As far as room price, check the price you were given against the price offered on Expedia.com (and maybe some other booking sites), the hotel website and calling the hotel directly. Prices vary alot and change frequently for LV. Even after you book check the prices occasionally, if they drop you may be able to cancel and rebook at the lower rate. We did this (booked directly with hotel).

There's a very nice Italian restarant in the shopping level at Ceasar's, I think called Bertolini's. It's like being in Italy.

That's not a bad price for 6 nights with 3 in the room including a holiday Sunday, especially if it is for a "resort" room which is one of the larger rooms at the Aladdin.

The buffet at the Aladdin will suit you just fine, it is one of the best in town. Other good restaurants to try nearby include Wolfgang Puck Cafe at MGM, Brew Pub in the Monte Carlo, Il Fornaio Italian in NYNY, Chin Chin Chinese in NYNY and Market City Cafe in Monte Carlo. Cafe Bellagio is nice when you are center-strip, also try California Pizza Kitchen in the Mirage, and Cheesecake Factory or Bertolini's Italian in the Caesar's Forum Shops.
The Dueling Pianos lounge in NYNY is always a fun place to go.

Danny Gans at the Mirage and Clint Holmes at Harrah's are both enjoyable singers. Legends in Concert at the Imperial Palace is a fun show too.

For casino fun, the Aladdin has one of the more laid-back and spacious casinos and everyone is quite friendly.

i did a quick search and got a quote of $518.40 at the imperial palace which is in a good location but an oldeer hotel. however, if you are departing on a saturday (the 6th) then you may be restricted. some hotels will only take reservations for the entire weekend.

Ah, thank you so much for all the help you have provided, I am now it the process of putting together a full itinerary to ensure that we miss nothing! I will post up a trip-report when I get back. SK x

SK:

Couple of recommendations....

Restaurants/Shows - you get what you pay for. I highly recommend a cirque de soliel show if you havent seen one. O at the Bellagio and Mystere at Treasure Island and you will need to get the tickets in advance. Mandalay Bay has some great restaurants, if you like Chinese food, the Shanghai Lily was really good!

Buffets - You DO NOT always get what you pay for. I think they are all about the same from the $8 ones to the $28 ones. I think the Rio is supposed to have the best seafood.

Spas - most are open to their hotel guests only, so keep that in mind. They are all good but if you are looking for a bargain...the Golden Nugget has very reasonable prices. You may be able to use the spa of "sister" casinos that are owned by the same people.

Have a great time and take a portable water bottle and moisturizer...its really dry out there!

Sally:



I just went to aladdinresort.com and checked Sept 1-7 and got a rate of $564



I don't think $785 is competitive.

A resort room is $684 for Sun-Sat 9/1-9/7 according to Aladdin's website.

Thanks for this, I will definitely try to change my booking! I can't seem to get into the site www.aladdinresort.com - is this the right URL? SK

Ooops!
www.aladdincasino.com
Sorry!