HELP ME WITH VEGAS HOTEL CHOICE
 

We'll be going to Vegas early March and I have no idea where to stay. I know we want to be on the Strip. It's our first visit, we're in our early 30s, can pay mid-price range-would love to stay at Ballagio but the prices are too steep right now. Any suggestions on favorite hotels or ones to stay away from? Thanks.

P.S. I forgot to mention that my husband is a gambler and I'm not so which hotels would have the most to offer as far as things to do for non-gamblers?

Caesar's Palace. It's centrally located so you can walk to many other hotels (the Bellagio is right next door), and it has the Forum Shops. The MGM Grand is also massive and has lots to do besides gamble. Check out vegas.com as they have lots of good info on hotels.

Exactly what is your price range? When are you going? Mid-week or week-end? Weekend prices are about double or higher. If the Bell is out of your range, Caesars will be, too. Absolutely stay away from Imperial Palace and Circus Circus. Decent hotels that I'd consider to be midrange (~$100 weeknights) would be Mirage, Bally's, Paris, MGM, Aladdin, all with good locations. It really all depends what you plan on doing. As for gambling, I think Ballys and Paris are pretty poor as Park Place has some lousy casino rules. I liked Mirage's casino, never played at MGM. You can always go somewhere else to gamble...

We'll be there over a weekend (Thurs. to Sun.) so I know our prices will be higher. We're looking for around $150 a night tops. Are the theme hotels (i.e. Paris, New York, New York) cheesy or tastefully done. I know it's Vegas but I don't want to feel like I'm in some cheesy movie set.

I agree that Ceasars is a good choice for something to do for a non-gambler. The Forum shops are many and varied, they will definitely keep you busy, although you can probably spend as much shopping there as he can on the tables:)
There are some interesting shops but there are also many typical mall stores, Banana Rep, DKNY,etc.
We are staying at the Bellagio in late Nov..we got great rates but they sent us rates this week at $134 a night with an automatic upgrade to view of the fountains. Is that a good price? I can post the offer # if you like.

I live outside NYC and I find NYNY to be ridiculously cheesy. I've spent some time in France and I find Paris to be moderately cheesy. I've never been to Italy but I find Venetian, Caesars and Bellagio to be tasteful - maybe that will change after going to Italy. Being a weekend, things will be expensive, it also varies from weekend to weekend. Check the ones I suggested, if they are too high, I'd recommend Harrahs, Barbary Coast or Luxor in the next notch down. The gambling at Harrah's is so-so, Barbary Coast is kinda small but has low table limits and good rules. I like Luxor only because it's close to Mandalay Bay and you can walk over there for restaurants and clubs, but it's not very centrally located at the far end of the strip. Ohhhh...I just thought of something, March can be tough because of the "March Madness" basketball tournament. People flock to Vegas, it's like Mardis Gras there. If you're going on the opening weekend, rates can be VERY high. Check some rates and let us know what's in your range and we can recommend which to choose.

Scarlett, if you would post that number that would be great. Or my email is [email protected]. Thanks. I'm getting a rate on expedia for caesars for 947. for airfare from Chicago and 3 nights.

Most of March is high season in LV, lots of conventions & spring breakers.

Caesar's Palace girl! Trust me! Great spa.....the pool, oh my goodness, it's so wonderful. There are many nice shops to explore. Also, the hotel location can't be beat, it's within easy walking distance to Bellagio so that you can walk over and shop there too or go see O. I've stayed in other hotels in Vegas but when I do, I always wish I was back at Caesar's. The rooms are quiet when you do try to actually sleep and they're very nice, big bathrooms. I'm not sure it's classified as mid-price range, but if you can get a good rate.......go for it! Have FUN!

It is a bit out of the way (not on the strip) but the Hard Rock is a really fun place. The casino guys are wonderful, the restaurants a good, the pool is like, a real hot spot...Lots of young people from LA hang out there often. BUT, it is not on the strip, meaning you're going to have to spring for a (cheap) taxi to get there and back. Really - if hubby likes to gamble, the gamblers I know like the Hard Rock.

I think you'd really like Ballys. You can't beat the location or the price. I do find all of the theme hotels "cheesey" - which is why I like Bally's. Also, they've remodeled most of the rooms recently, so that's a bonus. If you don't like the gambling there, walk across the street to Bellagio or Caesars.

Have fun.

My husband and I just stayed at Bally's. You should be able to get a good deal there. If you can't find a good price on the web, call the hotel. That's how we got a price better than any website. Bally's is a little older hotel, but most of the rooms have been renovated. The location is fantastic. It is directly across the street from Bellagio and next door to the Paris. Our room was in the South Tower and our window looked out onto The Eiffel Tower and The Bellagio Fountains.

The Harrahs is centrally located next to the Venetian and across from the Mirage and Treasure Island. I have stayed there a number of times and have never been disappointed. There is so much to see in Las Vegas for the non-gambler. Just walking the Strip and checking out the hotels is really interesting. You also might like the Forum Shops at Caesars as well as the huge shopping are inside the Venetian complete with the trademark canals and gondolas.

Have fun in Las Vegas.

March Madness (NCAA basketball) doesn't start until 3/18/04 (already have the trip planned).

I would 3rd Bally's. We stayed there two years ago just after New Year's, had a great rate, great location and a newly renovated room which was very large, everything was new and nicely decorated. Bally's is older but I never really noticed it. The casino area was so bright, clean and not musty so for the price and the quality it can't be beat if you are on a budget!

Sign up at all of the places to send you email specials. The new Westin has finally opened and is offering killer rates. We just got a $139 offer from Bellagio for selected dates.
You are going at a really high season...so don't expect really great rates...Nascar race is March 5th-8th...then March Madness begins March 18th. Whatever you do, don't stay at Imperial Palace...it was a dump the first time I went to Vegas (18 years ago) and from what I understand it still is.
Download travelaxe.com........they will do the search for you on numerous websites,

My husband and I recently stayed at Treasure Island and paid $129 per night for a Petite Suite with his and her bathrooms and a great view of the strip. It's not the most luxurious hotel on the strip, but for that price and the amount of time we actually spent in the room, it was well worth it.

Thanks for everyone's help-we picked early March so we'd be there for my hubby's b-day but maybe we'll pick late Feb. No offense to the NASCAR fans but I don't want to be there on a NASCAR weekend.