Due to location and friends' recommentations, I've narrowed my choice down to Bally's or Bellagio. For 12/14-12/20, the total cost for Bally's is $332 and for Bellagio $844. I know that's a big difference, and I'm deciding if the splurge is worth it--any thoughts?

Think about how much time you will really be spending in your room. That is quite a gap.

You could stay at the brand-new Aria for less than the Bellagio.

You could stay at Paris for $425 those dates - we love that place!

I don't think it's worth the extra for the rooms, etc., at Bellagio. It's a very long walk from your room to the curb, and we don't care at all for the dining there.

You can always stay at Bally's and visit Bellagio...

Bally's is acceptable, Belagio is glamorous. You can have a lot of fun on a trip for the $500. As others have offered, many fine hotels are between in the between price range.

Caesars is $72 a night for a 4.5* and Trump was $80 for a 5* on expedia.com

New is everything.. but if you are set on the two, I would do Bally's and ask for a renovated room..Bellagio is not worth an extra $500 when they are giving really good deals.

That is crazy to spend that when you really don't need to.
Deals are known to go way down right before Xmas.

Check the Wynn Las Vegas..just received an e-mail offer for $109 for a 5* gorgeous hotel with great restaurants.

The Aria won't be open when we arrive.
I don't like the location of Trump and Wynn.
The reviews I read of Caesar's were mediocre, at best.
djkbooks, is Paris enough nicer than Bally's to make it worth the extra money?
Thanks for all you input.

If you're looking to economize, Bally's and Paris are connected, so you can enjoy all of Paris while staying at Bally's.

I've never stayed at Bally's, but based on reviews, rooms are newer and nicer at Paris, so (I think) definitely worth the extra. We've had wonderful experiences at Paris. Many complain about upgrade offers at check-in, but they're a steal compared to booking same initially. And, last time we booked $60 "Friends and Family", we were put in a Red Room (versus the Blue Room guaranteed with the booking) without even any mention.

We just love the decor/atmosphere throughout and dining options at Paris. And, much that we've previously enjoyed at Bally's (lounge acts, etc.), are gone now.

Forget Trump, but if you can book Wynn with a special rate or on Hotwire or Priceline (check www.betterbidding.com), Wynn is just awesome (and we "ran into" Larry King there). Last trip, we split our stay between Paris and Wynn and both were amazing. Location of Wynn is just fine. Though, we planned our activities accordingly for that trip.

If you REALLY want to economize, you can stay at Bill's (on the corner opposite Bally's/Paris/Bellagio) for a mere $265 for your dates. That's where we stayed our first trip (a long stay) and it was just fine. Advantages include spacious, nicely decorated, room, flat screen TV, meticulous housekeeping, coffee maker on request, only steps to the curb! Victorian Room (within open 24/7) has the best inexpensive food on the strip (and great Chinese) - a good place to know no matter where you're staying. And, Big Elvis!

I would definitely take the Wynn over Bally's. It's my favorite hotel in Las Vegas. Also wouldn't spend the extra money to stay at the Bellagio. You just aren't in your room enough to justify the price difference. Have you checked the Venetian? Another one of my favorites.

We've stayed at the Wynn about 7-8 times and you can't even put Bally's, Paris in the same category.
Sounds to me that you want to be at the other end of the strip.
Wynn is in a great location..best rooms on the strip!
Have you been ever been to Vegas?
Where are you getting your info on reviews?
Anyone who would pay $844+ for 6 nights is crazy to pay that on the cheapest week of the whole year before Christmas!

Of your original two choices, I'd hesitate to spend that much more for Bellagio, unless you plan to spend an awful lot of time in your room.

If Bally's doesn't seem good enough, Paris gets you something a little better for only a little more money.

Caesars' cheapest rooms aren't so good. If you can upgrade to at least the Forum Tower rooms for a good price, it's a worthwhile alternative (but I suspect the price will be too high).

While I love Wynn, it's worth noting that its location is its biggest weakness. Wynn is definitely North Strip - about a mile from the center of the action.

We really enjoyed both Paris and Wynn, and were actually a little distressed to leave Paris. But, Wynn is, indeed, outstanding and the location is just fine - across from Fashion Show Mall, Palazzo, Venetian. We had planned our stay around show tickets, so we could walk to shows and dining easily.

I want the location of Bally/Paris/Bellagio.
Have no interest in being where the Wynn or Venetian are.
Even though I tried to be very specific in my original question, I know that whether a splurge is "worth it" or not is very subjective.
I'll call Bally's and Paris to ask about prices.
The cheapest rates I've found were on i4vegas--$294.67 (with tax) for Bally's and $425.43 (with tax) for Paris. That's only $22 per night more, so we'll consider it.

Bally's is now on expedia for $44 a night for 6 nights..it states with tax included...if you really want that area, that is a good deal.
The week before Xmas is always the cheapest throughout the whole year.
For us a splurge is dining at French Laundry for $1k which we don't do everyday but enjoy it but with these hotels, they are pretty much the same.
Paris is nice because it reminds me of the city.
Sometimes hotels will match expedia prices..not always but worth a try.

Bally's is yucky. Bellagio is nice. Vdara, connected to Bellagio is now open.

Thanks to everyone.

That $332 price is for the south tower at Bally's. What you want is the north tower where the rooms are nicer and would be worth the upgrade at an all in price of $399 for your dates.

And if you are going to play then you will find that the table minimums are lower at Bally's and the Total Rewards program is outstanding.

Only you can decide if Bellagio is worth it FOR YOU. I prefer to spend less on a hotel and would stay at Flamingo - I don't like that Bally's is tucked in, and if their "people mover" is not working, it's a longish walk from the strip.

In your case, if this is only a choice between the two, I would choose Bally's and use money for tours or shopping or restaurants.

I don't know if you are still making up your mind . . . but I've stayed in a renovated room in the North tower at Bally's and the rooms are just as nice -- indeed maybe even nicer than the rooms at the Paris. The Bally's room definitely felt more "modern" in decor than the Paris room and may have been a tad bigger.

I prefer the Paris hotel and casino more overall (the casino and dining options are better), but staying at Bally's feels almost like staying at Paris because the two are connected and there is no need to go outside to move between them. So I stay at Paris when the rooms are close in price, but would choose Bally's if it were much cheaper and I could be sure of getting a north tower room.

I would not pay twice as much for Bellagio, because I'd rather use the money at the craps table.