Tansy

Have stayed at Mirage many times, love it, especially the pool. Am going to Vegas in September and have a room reserved at Mirage, but am hearing and reading great things about Green Valley Ranch. My traveling companion and I love to spend days by the pool, and the GVR pool and cabanas look fantastic. One problem at Mirage is that most cabanas seem to be in the shade; I like sun all day, my friend likes a combo of sun and shade. Hard to get both at Mirage when we want to sit together and dish. The GVR cabanas seem like the answer to our prayers -- sun, shade, private plunge pools, etc. etc. Can anyone give some firsthand info?

Of course we worry about being too isolated at GVR. And the GVR room rates are quite a bit higher than Mirage for our dates, plus we'd be cabbing to the Strip at night.

Your wise words are needed. I'd love to hear from anyone who has stayed at both places and is also a pool fan.

gplimpton

Your assessment of the pros and cons is very accurate. It really boils down to whether or not the pool/cabana advantages of GVR outweigh the isolated location. GVR is not in a pretty setting. It's not close to anything worthwhile. It's a hike from the strip. It has none of the LV buzz/feel about it.
You know what the Mirage is like. To me, half the fun of staying in LV is being on the strip and being able to wander out of the hotel and up and down the strip, then back up to the room as I please.
Only you know if that's really an important issue for you or not. If you don't really need to be on the strip to enjoy LV, by all means give the GVR a shot.

cruisininsocal

We stayed at the Green Valley Ranch last summer. The only problem we had was the noise. Apparently there's a club that doesn't close down til around 3am and though we were three floors above, we could still hear the bass and thumping of every song. Not very relaxing. We did eventually get a break on the tab, and it was recommended that we ask for a mountain view room next time, as it is much quieter.
I highly recommend you eat at Bull Shrimp- the prime rib and garlic mashed potatoes are to die for.
The pool is beautiful, but the cabanas aren't as private as at the mirage, but I would still choose Green Valley because there is less of a crowd. My favorites for pool atmosphere will always be the Mandalay Bay, and their spa can't be beat! Hope you have a great time!

jetset1

Tansy:
We ended a weeklong trip(the strip two nights and Laughlin for two) at the GVR. IT was wonderful, and is a resort, extremely relaxing. Your idea about the pool and your friend are quite compatible. They have everything from loungechairs in the water, partial shade, under misters, to elevated platforms with mattresses and pillows. The only disappoinment for us was that a private wedding reception took away the use of the pool from 7pm on, and this was on a Sunday
The shopping mall down the hill was very nice, good restaurant choices, and only about 15 minutes from the airport to return the rental car. It all worked out. Also, the room was heavenly, double door to an enormous bathroom, scale, soft rug, separate toilet, speaker from tv, good jetted soaking tub, and clean, very clean. Turndown service, choice of free morning papers, Do Not Disturb light switch for maid, etc. First class, and yes, we will return next spring.

Tansy

I just wanted to post a follow-up here, since people were so helpful way back in August.

My friend and I kept our reservation at the Mirage, but went to GVR on our first day in Vegas. After seeing the pool, seeing a room, and being offered a good rate, we LEFT the Mirage and moved to GVR. We plan to spend our entire trip at GVR this September.

jetset1

Tansy, Just out of curiosity, what sort of rate did you get? I ask because I'd love to spend my April b-day there. It is a classy place, we loved the separation of the hotel and the casino. Our hall was quiet. In fact, we may return with our kids sometime.

Tansy

Our rate was $129, that was for a Sunday night.