Greetings. We are an adult couple into the finer things in life. We've been all over the world but never to Vegas. We are not big gamblers, but love shows and fine dining. Also opulent hotels. How about some advise on hotels that are first class, and do not require you to walk thru the casino to get to the room. Any tricks to getting tickets to shows. i have heard that many of the shows are free if your smart. > make me smart!!! What rides ( coasters ) or attractions should we not miss. Whats around vegas to see on excursions? Thanks to all who respond.
Caymansreef

I would suggest you visit the lvol.com disussion board and post your questions. The people on this board are very helpful.

I would suggest you post your question on the lvol.com discussion board. The folks on the board are extremely helpful.

The people on this site will make you Vegas-savvy. They have taught me a lot:

http://pub50.ezboard.com/flasvegastalkfrm1

We attended a wedding in Las Vegas last yr. and all of us stayed at The Luxor. NONE of us liked the hotel. I agree that it's overpriced. We moved from a pyramid room to one in the new tower so we'd have a bathtub. We hated the elevator situation too.

I happen to love Vegas, the ultimate adult Disneyworld. The best hotel in my opinion is Bellagio, although you do have to walk through the casino. However, Bellagio is a quiet casino - with the machines turned way down. The websites the other responders gave you will have all the answers. Both sites are now the same discussion board...lvol.com discussion board has moved to the second one, but lvol still has lots of info on LV. I think nongamblers can spend most of their time just staring in awe at the inside and the outside of the different casinos/hotels. That's one of my favorite activities there - just traveling from one to another. The shows are great, and they have some of the best food in the country. You'll have a good time.

You don't have to walk through the casino to the rooms at the Four Seasons. The hotel is atop Mandalay Bay, and has both an independent lobby and direct access to the elevators to 4S via a kind of hidden hallway off the Mandalay lobby.
The best shows are "O" at Bellagio, Mystere at Treasure Island, and Danny Gans.
If you're used to travelling worldwide and stay at 'opulent' hotels why do you need 'free' tickets to anything?
Don't stay if you can't afford to play.

Kurt, We stayed at the Mandalay Bay last summer. It is a beautiful hotel!!! You don't have to walk through the casino to get to your room and I felt it was quiter than some of the others. The rooms are huge and very luxurious. It has a wonderful pool area if that is important. Bellagio is also very nice, but we preferred Mandalay Bay. Looked at the Four Seasons also, but it was a bit too stuffy for us. Good luck with your decision.

Kurt, Kurt, Kurt, Las Vegas exists to separate visitors from their money via gaming (it's not really gambling, folks).
Therefore, if you do not want to walk through a casino to use the other facilities, your choices are very slim.
Perhaps you need to consider off The Strip entirely.
Want to see a show for "free" ?
Then, expect to spend a few hours gambling at the tables or playing $1 + slots and be tracked doing so. That increases your chances of being "comped" for a show or a meal or a room.

I've just returned from first trip to Vegas. My expectations were repeatedly exceded - it was wonderful. I stayed at the Bellagio and highly recommend it. Their pool is like an Italian villa garden with fountains and roses. You basically can't go anywhere in Vegas without walking through casinos. Don't dwell on it and you'll get accustomed to it. The Four Seasons at Mandalay would be a good choice as well. These are both very upscale.

I went to see Cirque du Soleil's "O" at the Bellagio. I find it hard to imagine any show topping it. The tickets are expensive, but worth it - I would have paid more. Check out Vegas.com and click on attractions for great details, prices, times. The Secret Garden at the Mirage and the fountains at the Bellagio were my favorites. At night walk through the Bellagio's casino to the Fontana Bar and ask for seating outside on the balcony. Have a drink and watch the fountain shows with the illuminated Eiffel tower in the background - fabulous.

Try Zagat.com and a search under Las Vegas for restaurant reviews. Make reservations in advance before you go - you can always decide to cancel them and you will not be able to get into many places without them. My best meal was at Emeril's fish house at the MGM Grand. Vegas.com also has information on the free trams that connect many of the hotels if you click on transportation.

Have a great trip!!

I'd say go with the Venetian or Bellagio hotels. GORGEOUS "upscale" hotels.. You'd loved them!

Good Luck!