Hi all,

I've been reading the forums and hotel reviews online. They seem to be all over the map. This will be my first trip to Las Vegas. I want the best bang for my buck, but I'm on a limited budget. Currently, these three hotels are running specials that put them in my price range:

1) Luxor ~$70/night
2) New York, New York ~$70/night
3) Mandalay Bay ~$110/night

I will be staying 5 nights. My girlfriend and I (both late 20s) like kitsch and glitz but we also like (affordable) luxury. We'd like to use a pool if possible (I understand Mandalay's main pool is under construction right now though). We're not gamblers. Help me choose the best hotel. We will see the sights, walk the strip, do some thrill rides, and probably take a day trip or two. This is a surprise trip for my girlfriend's birthday at the end of Feb. I really appreciate any advice you can give to help make this trip special. Which hotel should I go for? My girlfriend likes Egyptian stuff but I've heard Luxor is a little on the old side now.

I'd pick New York, New York. It is a nice property and the location is good, more to the middle of the strip. $70 a night is a good buy for the Ny,NY!

Yes, I would pick NYNY. My only concern and suggestion, would be to ask for a room away from the roller coaster.

It's our first trip and we are booked in at the Flamingo for $80/night. Who know's how longer it'll be around. And it supposedly has a decent pool.

Cheers,
S

Thanks, I really appreciate your quick replies. For anyone that's stayed at Luxor: would you say it's best to stay somewhere else nicer (say, New York New York) then just visit Luxor to check out the kitsch?

Correction to my first post: New York, New York is $89/night but that's not significantly more than $70 so I'm ok with that.

Sorry to reply to my own post again, but one more question for seasoned Vegas visitors. I have a 5 night, 4 day itinerary planned. Do you think it's a good idea or a bad idea to split up the hotels over those days. For example, 2 days a Luxor then 3 days at New York, New York or something like that. Has anyone here done something like that? It seems like it would feel a bit hectic to move hotels but there are advantages like getting both hotels 'bonuses' from their offers, plus getting the experiences of the different hotels. Any thoughts?

The issue with Luxor and Mandalay Bay is their location: the very southern end of the Strip. You're quite off by yourself at these properties. New York New York isn't my favorite (by a long shot), but its location is marginally better.

The Flamingo is much closer to center Strip and has old-Vegas glitz in spades. And a great pool. I like Mirage as a resort better, but it's quite a bit pricier. Look into the Flamingo.

I'd go with New York, NY. It is a convenient location with lots to do in the hotel. You'll have easy access to all the other hotels from NYNY.

The roller coaster is pretty wild - I had to crack my neck to get it back in place - but I loved it because I am a roller coaster nut.

I actually like the Luxor, but make sure to get a room in the new tower (not the pyramid) if you choose that hotel. Are you renting a car? If so, don't worry about location--the Strip can be crowded to drive, but parking is easy and free at all the casinos.

Luxor is connected to Mandalay Bay and Excalibur so you can check those out while you are there.

A note: The pools may not be open at the end of Feb.

In answer to ultracat, I would not waste time and effort moving from one hotel to another. You waste alot of time you could be doing other fun things Stay in one place, visit all the hotels/casinos is my advise.

Thanks Lori, that's the way I was leaning too and it's good to have that reinforced. Still having a hard time deciding on my hotel though...

You might check casino/hotels on the other side of the strip. If you want to travel along the strip, the monorail is behind the MGM, Paris/Bally's etc. on that side.