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spartytraveller Jun 23rd, 2006 07:57 AM

Bally's Opinions
 
My wife and I are planning a trip to Vegas in July but don't want to spend a fortune on the hotel room. We want a room that is clean and moderately sized. We'd rather spend our money on entertainment.

Has anyone stayed at Bally's recently? Were the rooms clean and the service staff friendly?

Pumpy Jun 23rd, 2006 05:40 PM

We're staying there next month (for price & location). While I've not stayed at Bally's, I would expect it to be much like these other Strip hotels I've stayed at: Flamingo, Luxor &/or Excalibur. I'm sure the rooms are ok but nothing fancy. However, I've stayed at the Paris and Venetian and was not all that "Wowed" by either. Both are nice but nothing spectacular (IMHO).

Here's my take on all vegas hotels (I've been in most of them). The rooms are not meant to be so nice that you want to just sit in the room and kick back. If you'll notice, a number of hotels offer only basic cable and not HBO, etc. They want you out spending money, not camping out in your room, Obviously this does not apply if you're a high roller and in a suite. Enjoy!

Lori Jun 23rd, 2006 05:51 PM

I agree, no hotel in Vegas wants to wow you too much with the room, they want your down in the casino/club/bar/whatever spending MONEY :-) I have to admit I get a kick out of the people on TripAdvisor.com who complain about the lack of coffee pots in Vegas hotel rooms ... come on now, do you think they want you drinking coffee in your room !!!

Anyway, Bally's is OK - sort of a middle of the road kind of hotel, not horrible and not great. Super location tho, you cannot beat that. Over the years we have stayed at most of the Vegas hotels but not Bally's lately.

JSLee Jun 23rd, 2006 06:00 PM

Have not stayed there for a while. I was very disappointed in it, so never went back. I like to lay around a pool during the day, and theirs was very poor. Paris is not much better for pools. Balleys location is a very good.

I have also stayed at the Flamingo, and disappointed. The last time I was in Vegas, it has been upgraded and looked very nice, and the pool area is supposed to be nice.

lunabug Jun 24th, 2006 07:28 AM

We stayed at Bally's last January. I think it is one of the best values on the strip.
The rooms we had both had geat views and were just standard rooms. One of them gave us a 'side' view of the Belagio fountains. The rooms are the largest I have stayed in on the strip, too. They are definitely eighties style decorating and the furniture looked like it was older than that but the rooms were clean. No problems with the staff we dealt with at all.

happytrailstoyou Jun 24th, 2006 05:01 PM

We like Bally's for its large rooms, large windows, and for its perfect mid-Strip location.

lenleigh Jun 24th, 2006 05:20 PM

I think most if not all of the rooms have been renovated. I have stayed there twice, most recently in Jan 06. For the money it's not bad but I don't think I will stay there again. The rooms however are decent sized, fairly comfy bed and clean. I never really spend much time in Ballys Casino and their restaurants are not the best. Last time we stayed there we didn't eat there once. I'm going to try Mirage next time. Ask for a room with a view of the Bellagio Fountains if you can. First time we had a least a nice view but last trip was a view of the inside towers.

Gekko Jun 24th, 2006 05:38 PM

The rooms at the Wynn are incredible and definitely in the "wow" category. I'll never stay anyplace else on the Strip (both for the rooms & atmosphere, the Wynn is the best).


trippinkpj Jun 24th, 2006 05:42 PM

I was there 2 years ago, so not that recent. Anyway, we liked it because of location (connected indoors to Paris), large and clean rooms. The pool was nice although not as large/ elaborate as a lot of pools in LV. No service or staff issues, although I don't recall any special service.

spartytraveller Jun 26th, 2006 06:35 AM

Thank you for the input.

I'm looking for an event to wear my tux while we are in Vegas. I'll check vegas.com and ask at the hotels, but does anyone know of any events where most of the people attending are dressed formally? Even though we'll be there in July, I hope there will be some formal events in the evening.

Lori Jun 26th, 2006 07:55 AM

Tux = Wedding maybe ??? I go to Vegas alot and have to say the only people we ever see "really dressed up" are wedding parties ... and not even all of them, trust me on that :-) (we've seen bridal parties in shorts and barefeet too)

There are formal events in Vegas but you need to be invited to them, the public does not "just go". By this I mean charity dinners, various foundation functions - that sort of thing.

Everyday "going out" would not require a tux, in fact you will see people dressed in all sort of clothes.

BTTRFLY13 Jun 26th, 2006 08:03 AM

I just stayed at Bally's in Feb this year and I loved it! The room was extra large and extremly clean. The hotel is centrally located so easy to get around the Strip. I think it's the best hotel in my opinion becasue it's location. I have stayed at the Luxor, The MGM, and Treasure Island and so far Bally's was my favorite and cost me the least. Enjoy your trip !


rjw_lgb_ca Jun 26th, 2006 08:08 AM

Other than weddings, I've NEVER seen anyone in tuxes in Vegas (other than dealers or other hotel staff). It's just not that kind of town any more.

Bring stylish clothes to wear in the evenings to the better nightclubs. Leave the tux at home. Especially in July.

manduss Jun 26th, 2006 01:47 PM

I stayed at Bally's in April and will be back there in October and for New Year's. The rooms were clean and the staff was friendly. The rooms are larger than average and have a nice loveseat and coffee table. The quality of the furnishings is above average, but nothing frilly. IIRC, it had a funky single cup coffee maker.

When I'm back in October, I'm treating my parents to their second trip to Vegas. Bally's had the right mix of quality and affordability. The location was a big factor, too. There is a free shuttle from Bally's to the Rio where you can find many more dining and entertainment options.

I wish that there was more to do at Bally's itself, but with Bellagio, Caesars and the Aladdin nearby, we can find enough things within easy walking distance.



diann Jun 26th, 2006 02:32 PM

LV is very casual just returned in several weeks ago. Even the shows in p.m.people are very casual. Even jeans and a dressy top. Black is very popular. Don't over dress you will feel very out of place.


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