swalter518

We're thinking about staying at Ballys in February. We've stayed at the Mirage before and liked it but Bally's is significantly cheaper. The reports on tripadvisor are mixed so your input is appreciated.

cyberUK

I assume that you mean Vegas?

swalter518

Absolutely, sorry, Didn't know there was a Ballys anywhere else.

JJ5

Bally's is ok, but it is a little run down. Rooms look like they could use an overhaul, and casino is exposed to outer air and I disliked it. It's only plus is that it has a good location- as most people want to be mid-Strip. But I have stayed there and also at the Flamingo, Treasure Island (all in that area) and much prefer to be more towards the MGM/ Luxor/ Mandalay Bay end than in mid-Strip. IMHO the restaurants and everything else are not as customer worn or harried as in that center part. And as a result you tend to get better casino/ restaurant quality and service.

Bellagio is great, as is Venetian- but they can be accessed just as well from the other direction.

I've also stayed at Caesar's Palace, but that was not recently. Rio's and the new Palm are very nice places and have auto transport. When Vegas is crowded Rio can be a super nice alternative. My stay there was superb.

swalter518

Thanks JJ-maybe I'll check into the Rio-that's where the tournament is that my hubby is playing in, I was just concerned about the locale if I'm on my own some.

P.S. Have you tried the Francesca's in Frankfort yet?

JJ5

Not yet, but love the other one in Palos and have been 3 or 4 times already.

Will look it up and maybe get some friends to try it this week. Sounds delicious right now. Thanks, didn't know it was open.

ltt

the rio gets good reviews. the only downside is you have to rely on a shuttle to get you to and from the strip

jimjim

I must disagree with JJ5. I much prefer Bally's to the Rio. First, Bally's is in the middle of everything whereas the Rio is not. Our rooms have been large and well appointed. It isn't the Bellagio or the Venetian, but it is a very pleasant place to stay and it has a great lounge with excellent drinks and entertainment (no cover). We once had a promotional deal that included a free bottle of wine in their Italian restaurant--a pleasant experience.

I disagree with whoever said hotels mid-Strip are shopworn. Harrah's yes, but most of the big ones--no. Most of them do a great job on maintenance.

AnitaVacacion

"Dammit, jimjim, I'm a traveler, not a doctor!!"

stormygirl

I also really like staying at Bally's. Mid strip, connected to the Paris (great spa!!!), with walkways to both directions of the strip. I've had nice rooms there, ask for the remodeled ones.

Personnaly staying at the Rio wouldn't do it for me. Way to out of the way to the casinos, restaurants and shops that I love to visit on the strip. Especially if you are by yourself, standing in shuttle lines or cab lines while your husband plays. Anyway, just my opinion. Oh and last time I stayed there was last August.

lscott

Have not stayed at Ballys but at Paris last summer. Same owner, connected by walksway so they seem one place. If you don't lose your money fast enough at Bally's. just walk over to Paris which is done up like a (real) Paris street, changing sky, good restaurants, nice casino. We did pretty well on Ballys slots. And just across street by walkway is Ballagio and Caesars Palace.

placeu2

I stayed at Ballys in June for the first time and really liked it. I have stayed at lots of other properties on and off strip in the recent past.

I think JJ is confusing Bally's with Harrahs or Flamingo as far as the casino is concerned. There is no outside air exposure at Ballys.

I thought the rooms were fine. Very large. Not the newest on the strip but our rooms were clean and neat. I liked the room better than NYNY for example. I think the place is a bargain and you would be happy there.

JJ5

As I said in my first post, most people do want to be mid-strip. I do not. It's like being on a crowded cruise ship to me- too many people walking on each other and being forced to walk off sidewalk and into street curbs etc. I did like Paris casino, as it was much less noisy than others mid-strip. But the room/suite itself and shuttle etc. from Rio were so much better than Paris or Bally rooms to me, that it was no contest. And with the MardiGras feature
and Voodoo Lougue etc. right there with the fast transit- it really is not off the beaten track anymore- as much as you may think. In fact, you can get the shuttle to near mid-strip faster than you can walk right next door in Vegas- especially when you get down to the NYNY/ MGM/ Excalibur properties which are huge and placed farther apart than you realize. And tons of people miss the Luxor game/ movie floor and lots of other less visited areas as they are trying to walk on each other in the same 10 spots in the middle. One son of mine had a room in Paris last year
that had so much wind noise blowing through the structure of the building that he couldn't sleep.

But I have heard that if you have that kind of budget that the restaurant Renoir is superb. And don't miss the art at Bellagio.
And I do think Harrah's is the one with mostly open plan, placeu2, you are right, but I know that I really disliked Bally's casino for any hanging. And when I stayed there I thought my room was ok, but glad it was only for 1 night.

swalter518

Well, we've decided on Paris. (I wish it was the real Paris but this will have to do! It actually was $5 per night cheaper than Ballys, so hopefully it won't be too noisy! For as little as we tend to be in our rooms I'm not too worried. Thanks all for your help!

stormygirl

Renoir restaurant closed I think???

JJ5

You'll like Paris better than Bally's and the high end restaurants are very good there. It is one of my favorite two casinos for slots- not as noisy or smokey for some reason.

Have a great time and I hope Paris luck rubs off on you-here I will give you some. SPLAT! Paris was very good to me last time I was there $$$ wise and I wasn't even a hotel guest.

swalter518

Thanks JJ! We discovered their breakfast buffet last time and loved it so that alone is worth it IMO!

Shea

Have at least one meal on the patio of Mon Ami Gabi located in the Paris. Excellent food with a nice view of the Bellagio Fountains. Read their reviews on the Fodors Rant & Raves on restaurants.

placeu2

Paris cheaper than Bally's? That's a no brainer, I'd go for Paris every time in that situation. You will enjoy it...study up on some lite French, the employees will enjoy it. A couple of Merci Beaucou's and Oui's will go a long ways!

jimjim

Please give a report on Paris when you return.