Going to Vegas Dec 17-21 and narrowed down choices to Mirage, Imperial Palace and Alladin.

Would welcome all comments. prices ranging from $70 a night so that's not a problem. Don't know about Imperial. Help welcomed.

I'll be in vegas from 12-14 Dec. Have been looking at hotels and other ppl's opinions on hotels in vegas. From what i've gathered, Imperial Palace is a dump and Mirage is a really nice place to stay at. don't know about alladin...

did you get your prices from websites?

sarahtor's most of the way there. Mirage is the class act of the three, and pretty well-located. Aladdin is middle of the pack vis-à-vis quality, and location is good too. Imperial Palace is smack-dab in the center of the Strip, but is a hellhole. Only Circus Circus is worse among the big Strip resorts.

Between Mirage and Aladdin, Mirage; but Aladdin isn't bad either. Note that Aladdin is in Chapter 11 protection, and is in the process of being re-badged as a Planet Hollywood resort. Yucch.

In terms of location the Mirage and Impereial are the best. Choosong between the Mirage and the Imperial, the Mirage wuns hands down.

Imperial Palace--no way. (that place is going down hill). Aladdin is definitely my first choice ( has lots of shops and restaurants so you won't go hungry or if you get tired of gambling you have ...shopping). Great property. Mirage...stayed once (one time way too many)...small rooms...and as i always say (like the staff says) the owners don't care about you just about their dollars...i don't care to stay where they don't care about how i like their place...so thumbs down to the Mirage.

I would choose Mirage. I loved the mall right next to the Alladin but the rooms weren't quite as nice.

Hi all, against my better judgement, i just booked a 2 night stay at imperial. It's so much cheaper than all the other hotels and the location is great. I mean, it can't be that bad right? All we need is just a bed.. ...

We loved the Mirage! Although the lobby is extensive, enjoyed the tropical gardens and orchids! Also, there are several onsite bonuses: several great restaurants and the coffee shop is very good, if you just want something quick. Also, Sigfried & Roy's Tiger habitat! Rooms/service were great, pools are nice. The best of the three!

sarahtor: Good luck to you. I wouldn't stay at Imperial Palace myself-- under any circumstances (and that includes them paying me)-- but I've had bad experiences in Vegas, and I'll gladly pay extra to avoid those mistakes again. I'm anxious to hear if things have gotten better there. In any case, have a great time!

Scabies and lice are both treatable.

Sarahtor,

I'm with rjw_lgb_ca: Imperial Palace IS a dump and I wouldn't stay there if they paid for my room AND gave me gambling money (by the way, they did this once and I still left!). The place literally and figuratively stinks.

But, you pretty much knew this and booked there anyway. I have to admit, I admire your sense of adventure!

Let us know if all the bad press has motivated them to change.

Al

A client of mine just came back from staying at the Imperial Palace and he said that place needed to be torn down and rebuilt...surely they will eventually. He said they had it rated a three star but he said "maybe" a 2 star at best.

lol
seriously guys, it can't be that bad! i don't mind old and tacky. as long as the rooms are clean and habitable... i'll still be shopping around for other alternatives..

rjw_lgb_ca, what bad experiences did you have?

sarahtor: I live in southern CA, and when I first moved here I'd do stupid things like drive to Vegas late on Saturday nights without reservations, and hope to find something. First time: Rodeway Inn, just off the Strip. A dump. Second time: Circus Circus. Horrific. The next time I went, I stayed at Lowbrow Luxo Central: Harrah's. Next door is Imperial Palace. I floated over to take a look, and found it supremely awful.

Since then, I've managed to stay at nicer places like Aladdin and Mirage (my favorite so far)-- and plan to get a stay at Mandalay Bay or Bellagio. But I also plan in advance, and ONLY fly to Vegas now. I can't take that long drive any more.

Check out www.cheapovegas.com they didn't even like the place and they like the Golden Spike.

My hubby and myself booked a room at Aladdin for xmas day through the 29th for three hundred sixty dollars. Now if you book it's nine hundred and some odd dollars...it pays to book early and straight through the hotel itself!

Mirage is definitely the way to go. Stayed there a few months ago for the first time and it was great--huge, but great. Ask for a room overlooking the volcano.

"...it pays to book early and straight through the hotel itself!"

Sometimes. Hotel rates in LV fluctuate wildly. Sometimes the early rates are not as competitive as the 1-2 week advance rates. It depends on how quickly the hotel is filling. If it's filling faster than the computer models predict that it should, rates will go up. If not, they'll hold or drop.

Best strategy is to book the first decent rate you find, then keep checking back and re-book if it drops.

I agree that often the hotel's website and/or toll free line often have the best rates.
Occasionally I've seen a rate at Expedia or similar which is better than what's offered at the hotel website, but that's unusual. And the package deals at Expedia/Travelocity etc usually aren't good deals at all.

Hello all,

Due to overwhelming response advising me against imperial palace, i have cancelled my booking. Booked at flamingo instead for $7 extra per night. not a lot more for peace of mind...

thanks for sharing, guys!

Hey, let us know what Flamingo is like to you if you would. Have a great time!