Help with Vegas Hotel
 

I'd love a few opinions on LV hotels--I'm planning our 10th anniversary trip (we're both mid-30s) in early November. We actually do spend a good bit of time in our hotel room, so it's worth it to us to have a great place to call home for a few days, but no upgrades unless we can charm our way into one. We went to LV two years ago, but stayed at the Golden Nugget AND I was pregnant, so the trip was a bit of a bust.

So, our criteria are :
Good room--Good linens, stylish, tasteful. Good bathroom. When traveling, I try to stay at Westin, Hyatt, or W hotels, if that helps set the standard.

Fairly convenient--central Strip location.

In-room jacuzzi--Not completely necessary, but it IS our anniversary after all. . .

Our list so far
Bellagio--really worth the extra $?
Venetian--love the extra space, leaning towards it.
Paris--the "Unofficial Guide" seems to love it for romance & luxury. True?
Caesars--Looks like the newer suites are lovely, and have that elusive whirlpool.

So, any insight? Suggestions? Wisdom? Any big early November conventions we should avoid? Many thanks in advance to all you Vegas vets.

I had a similar quest recently, and I decided on the Palace Tower in Caesar's. When we got to the hotel, the desk clerk asked if we were celebrating any special occasion, and we told her that my husband had been in Iraq for the past 6 months. She then upgraded us to a Tower Suite, which had his-and-her bathrooms, a double shower, and the wonderful jacuzzi tub. Oh, it also had a view of the Bellagio fountains and the pool complex, with a comfy couch right by the window to enjoy the view! It was, by far, the nicest room we've ever stayed in, and we really enjoyed it! (The desk clerk even sent us up a Caesar's picnic cooler gift, too!) The jacuzzi tub really came in handy after spending 4 hours standing at the craps tables!

You can't beat the center-Strip location of Caesar's. Yes, there is some construction going on right now, but it is ALL on the outside of the front of the hotel and you will not be inconveniened at all by it.

I've stayed at Bellagio and Paris. I loved Bellagio- atmosphere, service, pools, room, etc. I thought Paris was dark and the room and view were average. The Eiffel Tower restaurant was excellent, however.
J

Since you mentioned linens and beds are important, I'll point out that the sheets and beds at both Venetian and Paris are not luxury quality. Nowhere near W or Westin quality.
Bellagio is closest in this category, Four Seasons even better.
But the total package (if you factor in location, restaurant quality/variety, etc) at Bellagio is better than Four Seasons and the price is more reasonable.
Paris' bedrooms are definitely no better than those at a Courtyard by Marriott. The bathrooms are bigger and nicer. The furniture and other finishings are relatively cheap.
Venetian's bathrooms are large and nice, and the standard room there is about 150 sq ft bigger than Bellagio's standard room. Lots of tradeoffs.

Early Nov. can be tough in Vegas because of conventions.

But here's another vote for Caesar's Palace Palace Tower.

Probably can't go wrong with any of your choices. I happen to like the Paris from the atmosphere, romance aspect. I stayed there in a "P" room which I loved...but no jacuzzi. I am sure they have those in upgraded rooms. I don't think you will get one without an upgrade at any of the properties. I am not a sheet expert, so no comment on that.

While I recongize it is your anniversary, for goodness sake, get out of your room! It is Vegas after all, go crazy!

Well... if location isn't that big of a deal, I would have to say The Hotel at Mandalay Bay is where you want to stay for luxury and service. But, of course, if you want to be centrally located, then I would vote Ceasar's or Bellagio.

p.s. I took my husband to Vegas for our 1st wedding anniversary last year and splurged and stayed at the Mandalay Bay hotel and room service was so helpful... I e-mailed a picture of our wedding cake, and they made a replica of our top tier (same filling... mmm good!) and had it waiting in our room with chocolate covered strawberries & champagne when we returned from our anniversary dinner. Very nice! I also surprised my husband and scheduled a vow renewal ceremony at the Little White Wedding Chapel (the same one that celebs like Britney Spears got married at) for a fun twist on our anniversary. Since paper is the traditional first anniversary gift, we framed our vow renewal as a keepsake. Ok, call me hokey, but ah well....we had fun. :)

Thanks for all the great suggestions!

Christie--good to hear your upgrade story! I'm hoping we can get lucky on an upgrade, but our story isn't nearly as great as yours--sounds like your 'reunion' was fab!

Simone--what a great anniversary story! Maybe that Vegas spirit will strike us while we're there, too.

Based on the responses so far, I think Paris is off the list. Bellagio & Venetian both have better rates than Caesar's right now, so I think I'll book one of them as a 'safety' and cross my fingers for a last minute deal as the date gets closer.

Again, thanks for all your input & help!

If you like Westin, there is one mid-strip about a block away on Flamingo Rd?? I noticed it from Ballys, the walk is around 5 min from the big intersection of strip/flamingo. It look pretty nice but business like from the outside. I like Westin hotels too so thats why I kept glancing that way out the window.

You're referring to the Westin Casuarina. www.cheapovegas.com gives it a pretty bad review. :-(

What was so bad about it? The casino is lousy and food in the 24 hr cafe/buffet is expensive. BUT they rave on and on about how nice the amenities(sp?) are and comfy it is which is what annieg likes as she stated they spend alot of time in their room. Westin fits all their criteria. I dunno if they gamble alot but as the sites states, its close by to alot other great casinos and good buffets (Paris).

It's not as close to the other casinos as it seems. It is a long block behind the Flamingo/Barbary Coast, and is a good walk to the Strip. I wouldn't call it "convenient" especially when compared with on-Strip properties.

Annie also says she is particularly interested in hotels with a good bathroom and a whirlpool tub. Cheapo says this hotel's rooms are small, and makes no mention of any jacuzzi tubs.

DO NOT STAY AT THIS WESTIN!!! If you are looking for the "Westin" experience, the only place it "is" is the bed. The room was SMALL, our AC never worked, the bathroom was tiny, tiny...basically, I couldn't wait to leave!! We moved to Bally's to a suite that overlooked the Eiffel Tower and the fountains. The location was perfect, center strip, but the room was "tired". There was a jacuzzi that sort of worked, and the bed was old and saggy, not very romantic...

We kind of liked the area down by MGM, and those rooms/suites might be worth checking out? Any suggestions? We had fun at "Studio 54" which is in the MGM. This hotel is connected by a walkway to New York NY (i think) and you can walk to many of the hotels on that end pretty easily. It seems to be more "youthful" on that end of the strip. The Venetian, in my opinion was nice, but kind of far from everything. Ceasars does have a good location on the strip.

well thanks for clearing that up! Its good to hear someone has stayed there. **sticks foot back in mouth** 8-*

I got the Westin on Priceline for $60ish a night during the week. I even showed my Starwoods card asking for the "upgrade". Ha. If anyone knows of "Roy's" (Honolulu) there is one about half a mile from this Westin...

I am trying to think of something nice to say about this Westin:
ok. sorry, just the bed...thank God that's where we wanted to be! xoxox