Help with Child-Friendly Hotels
 

I know that people are generally very sceptical about anyone taking their children to LV, but we have been invited to a wedding in August and would love to go. Only problem is that we have 2 kids - one 2.5 and the other 14 months. We have not been to LV before, are not really interested in gambling but we're really keen to go to LV at least once in our lives - -particularly for a friend's wedding. We live in London so probably won't get over there too often!

Can anyone suggest a hotel that offers child-care facilities, or good childcare activities? Remember our children are very young so video games simply don't appeal. We know it is likely to be extremely hot in August so a good children's pool would be great too. I know many of you will think we are insane for even thinking about going but, as I am sure you will understand, the opportunity of celebrating a good friend's wedding does not come up every day. However, obviously the enjoyment and safety of our children is paramount and we need to be sure that childcare is either available through a hotel or via a reputable agency (assuming they exist) before we go. Any help would be greatly appreciated as we will need to make a decision soon!

Thanks in advance. Peter

I would suggest asking your friend (assumming they live in Las Vegas) for help in finding a sitter. He/she might have a neighbor/coworker/church member/etc who would be willing to babysit. I know how hard it is with little ones...and finding a personal reference for a sitter would probably make you feel much better.

I'm not aware that any of the hotels have official children;s progrms and I would really hesitate before leaving children that young with a strange sitter. I would definitely organize with the people whose wedding you are going to to use someone they know to sit.

Although some of the hotels supposedly have activities (rides etc) for older kids I have heard they are very used/worn/unpleasant. And none would be appropriate for kids that young. Beyond that they might enjoy looking at the various fountains/fireworks on the strip briefly. Perhaps you could find a short-term rental that would have a backyard/pool.

I was cruising the internet and found this website:

http://www.vegas.com/resorts/childcare.html

Also click on "family vacation tips" on this web site. Maybe you could use this as a start and get more information by contacting hotels mentioned or asking more specific questions on this board about these hotels.

Good luck!

I wouldn't use a stranger either. Can you bring a local teenager or friend with you? The New York, New York was good for my daughter at that age. Next time I might would go to Mandalay Bay because of the pool.

Do not know specifics of a LV hotel, but many hotels in US limit group child-care activities to those over age 3 or 4 who are not in diapers. That would limit you to hotel-listed babysitters, if such a list existed. I also would not use someone from such a list - I assume you use more care than that in choosing a child care person for your kid at home - be at least as careful while vacationing.

We were in LV for one night last summer - saw people hauling little kids around at all times of day and night - it was sad. I would try to be real creative - even though your friends are busy preparing for a wedding, maybe they can think of some teenager who you might be able to pay to stay in hotel room with your kids while you are out.

A few of the Station hotels (i.e., Palace Station) in Las Vegas used to have group child care for really young kids (I believe even less than 2 yrs old). Do a web search.

I echo the suggestions about getting help finding a sitter through a friend. As far as a hotel, Flamingo is right on the strip and their pools would be pretty good for kids, I think. They also have some resident penquins that the kids would like. You don't have to go through the casino to get to the pool or your rooms there, either, which is good. It's going to be VERY VERY hot in August, and you should be at the pool the minute it opens because that will be the only time of day you can possibly enjoy it. Also, it gets really crowded so if you get there early you can grab some deck chairs.