July trip to Las Vegas

Old Jan 24th, 2007, 09:22 AM
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July trip to Las Vegas

We are planning a week long trip to Las Vegas in July, leaving from Ft. Lauderdale

We are flexible with the dates to get the best package. We can travel any dates between July 5th and 19th, as long as we are home by the 19th.

We want to stay at one of the nice hotels on the strip (MGM Grand, Paris, NY, NY, Venetian, Bellagio, The Palms, etc.) Whichever has the best rates.

We prefer a package that has airfare, rental car, hotel, show tickets, and some meals, or at least breakfasts included.

Can anyone help us out? There are too many options!





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Old Jan 24th, 2007, 09:46 AM
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Out of your hotels The Bellagio is the nicest. The Palms is not on the strip.

You don't really need a car in Vegas but then again in July my ass wouldn't be walking anywhere.
 
Old Jan 24th, 2007, 09:50 AM
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We prefer either Paris, Mirage or Bally's as they are very centrally located on the strip. In July, you can probably get a pretty good package deal, unless they are hosting a convention.

A week is a long time there - we usually stay 4 or 5 days. I would suggest that you rent a car so that you can leave the city for a couple of day trips.
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Old Jan 24th, 2007, 10:10 AM
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First of all I hope you know July is hotter then hell in Vegas...think 110 degrees. Dry heat it may be, but it is HOT, you cannot walk around comfortably outdoors in that weather. (I know, I live in similar climate in AZ and go to Vegas alot). Yes, I know FL is hot, but you have not felt hot until you go to Vegas in July !!!

I'd choose Center Strip if I were you and by that I mean Paris, Bellagio, Venetian, Mirage ... whatever your budget fits. MGM Grand is NOT my favorite by a long shot so I never recommend it, also it is kind of far down the strip to be cental. The Palms is off strip and not convenient to other hotels. It rather caters to a young crowd as well, so unless you are in your 20's/30's it probably would not be a good choice. NYNY is kind of tacky in my opinion (I guess it's that rollar coaster out front that makes me feel that way ). Bellagio is great and in July you will probably be able to get some good rates there. Food is expensive at the Bellagio tho so realize that while the room may be a bargain nothing else will be. Venetian is lovely, good sized rooms and lots of food options in the hotel itself from food court to high end.

We stay at the Mirage alot, we just like the location and facilities. It's convenient to most everything. Treasure Island is another of our favorites as well, and summer rates there will be reasonable ($79-$99 if they follow last years pattern).

I rather doubt if you will find a package that includes show tickets and meals .. I never saw/heard of any like that. You can get air/hotel packages from Southwest Airlines, but frankly I think you are better booking your own hotel. Monitor the summer rates and take you choice. Keep monitoring, if the rates goes down further call the hotel and they will adjust it for you.

Breakfast are available all over the place, all day long in every hotel coffee shop. There is also a Denny's and McDonald's on the strip if you are thinking budget. Buffet breakfasts are avail. in all hotels as well. Sometimes you might get a "food credit" ($25/$50)when a hotel has a slow time going on, i.e. we were at the Mirage the week before Xmas and our room rate included a $50 food credit. Occasionally you will get a 2 drinks for 1, or something like that voucher - it depends on the hotel. Just don't expect hotel/food packages, it's not going to happen.

For 1 week I'd stay center as I said and I'd rent a car for about 2 days. Rent it at the hotel, it's more convenient. Dollar has offices at most hotels. You can then go to Valley of Fire, Red Rock, Hoover Dam or where ever and get out of Vegas for a bit. It makes for a nice break from the intensity of the casinos.

Cabs from the airport to center strip are about $15 (approx) plus tip. There are also shuttle buses at the airport but they do stop at different hotels, they cost about $5-6 per person, so actually a cab can be cheaper.

As for shows -- go to the hotel website of the show you are interested in and check prices. I always get our show tickets either via web or calling their number. There are also some 1/2 price ticket booths on the strip, however, you will not get the "big" show (i.e., Love, Phantom, etc.). You get a voucher and then go to the theater to redeem it. Personally I do not do this, book ahead for what I want, standing around in line for the 1/2 price booth to open is not a good use of my time (just my thoughts, we are all different).

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Old Jan 24th, 2007, 10:12 AM
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Hi Claudette,
A week in Vegas...that is a looooong time..we go alot and if I went longer than that I would be in rehab and gambling anonymous..
I usually stay at the Wynn which is stunning..rooms are new and wonderful but we just stayed at the Palms and was very impressed but off the strip.
its a younger crowd but the rooms had great pillowtop beds and duvet with great linens..
Bellagio is a wonderful hotel too!
It is very hot in Vegas in July..most hotels have free valet but you do have to tip but it is so worth it.
Have you tried places like Expedia for the air/hotel/car?
Doubt you will get show tickets and breakfast included but they might have a special going on..
 
Old Jan 24th, 2007, 10:56 AM
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A week in Vegas is not too long IF you take some side-trips. Day trips can be easily done without the hassle of checking in/out of hotels. Of course, you can also take your rental car and go to the Grand Canyon (about 5.5 hr drive) and stay overnite there to break up the Vegas action.

One day trip we always enjoy is Mt. Charleston - it's pine tree country and considerably cooler then down on the strip.

I guess I just want to say 1 week is not too long if you break it up somewhat with side trips. There are also many things to do in Vegas besides gamble You can visit the wax museum (Venetian), Siegfried&Roy's Secret Garden (tigers, lions, dolphins) at the Mirage, shopping at the various malls, visit the Liberace Museum, the Ethel M candy factory, lay around a pool, go to a few daytime shows (there are a few, they are not bigtime shows, but they can get you in out of the heat and entertain). We usually stay in Vegas 4-5 days and we are never bored, but we do rent a car and get off strip a bit too.
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Old Jan 24th, 2007, 11:36 AM
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You may be able to do a package through Expedia, air, hotel, then add-on car and shows or tours.

I don't know of any packages with meals included.
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Old Jan 24th, 2007, 05:20 PM
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For a whole week I'd have to go with the Venetian. I love those two rooms so I can sleep while my husband watches TV!
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Old Jan 24th, 2007, 06:50 PM
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A week is way too long in Vegas. Four days is perfect. Do not rent a car except on the one day you do a side trip. You could rent the car at your hotel and do the Hover Dam with a stop at the Red Rock canyon on the way back in. We have stayed at both the Bellagio and Venitian for about $160/night, once in January and once in June. You might price it out a la carte. If you have a platinum AMEX then you get lots of freebies thrown in at both of these hotels. The rooms facing the fountain at Bellagio are worth it. The music is piped in through the TVs. We prefered it to the Venitian although the Canyon Ranch spa was great at the later hotel. If you want to splurge on one meal try Nob Hill in MGM. We saw Danny Gans and he was great. So was O if you like Cirque de Soliel. Elton John's concert is also good.
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Old Jan 25th, 2007, 09:19 AM
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Thanks everyone for the suggestions. First, we grew up in Florida and the heat doesn't bother us. We expect to relax by a nice pool during the day,and maybe do some shopping to escape the heat. Second, we plan on taking day trips out of Vegas which is the reason for the rental car.

Which are the best sites to book the whole trip? air+car+hotel? I am determined not to overpay..

Claudette
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Old Jan 25th, 2007, 09:53 AM
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I like Expedia..
 
Old Jan 25th, 2007, 10:03 AM
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just to chime in on the heat. We were in Vegas in early September last year with my brother-in-law and his wife, who live in Florida, mid-coast. They like the heat too, and he works construction outdoors. They are in their late 30s. They took one 45 minute walk down the strip, and REALLY wished they hadn't. So it seems true that at least for some people, you cannot necessarily compare Vegas heat with Florida heat. (And btw, we were there for 3 days and thought that was plenty of time!!) Have Fun!
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Old Jan 25th, 2007, 10:10 AM
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My nephew got married in Las Vegas in July a few years ago and I was in Vegas on Labor Day 2006 - The heat is unbelievable! It was 115 degrees the day my nephew got married. My feet were burning through my strappy sandals LOL.

You really have to be prepared for this kind of heat. It is difficult to be outdoors for any length of time. Almost impossible to sit by the pool in the heat of the day. You will fry like an egg.

I would recommend Bellagio, Wynn, Venetian, and Paris for atmosphere and location. I've never stayed at MGM because it's just too big and I don't care for the location as much.

Whatever you decide, have fun!
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Old Jan 25th, 2007, 10:17 AM
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Claudette, Check Southwest Airlines for air/hotel packages. If you belong to the Auto Club you might be better off booking separately tho. Some (NOT all) hotels give a 10% discount on regular rates (not promotions or specials). We stay at the Mirage and TI alot and if the rate is not a special (i.e. $79/Mirage the week before Christmas) they will give you 10% off. You must show your card at check in tho.

I'd rent a car at the hotel, it's simpler/more convenient. All hotels have free parking (or valet parking with tip). You pick up the car/return right at the hotel desk, very handy!!

For a nice pool I'd vote for the Mirage. It's very tropical/Hawaiian looking with waterfalls, etc.

There is a huge difference between FL heat and the desert heat. Unless you are super human you will not be able to walk outdoors for more then 5 min.
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Old Jan 25th, 2007, 10:42 AM
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Lori..Unless you are Super Human..LOL

We were there when LV broke all records of 122 degrees and it was so bloody hot..have you thought about going 2 different places?
Maybe come to San Diego for 3 days and 4 days in LV..you can do multiple destinations on Expedia and I am sure for other travel websites too..
A week in blazing HOT Vegas in July will get real old, real quick in about a day!
There is no laying around the pool during the day..Unless..You are Super Human!
 
Old Jan 25th, 2007, 01:02 PM
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ok, i think everything has been said. but, i will add my two cents. i would definitly pick a hotel that is center strip because you won't want to walk more then a few blocks without getting into an air conditioned casino/hotel.
next, i would check out hotels that have some decent shade around their pools. otherwise, you might get really sunburnt.
most hotels have access to rental cars there. i personally wouldn't rent a car for a week. they are relatively cheap (especially in summer) so i'd just rent on a daily basis. that way, you can just wake up and decide if you feel like a road trip or just hanging out at the hotel/strip.
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Old Jan 25th, 2007, 02:26 PM
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I was in Vegas in July in 115 degree heat. It was hot but I knew it would be hot. We stayed at the Venetian so it was easy to get places. My husband and I spent the morning at the pool. At that hour, the sun and heat weren't so bad. In the afternoon, we walked down the Strip ducking into places every five min or so. We found it amusing that you could feel the AC flowing out of places and onto the sidewalks.
I would rent a car for the shortest number of days possible because you will have to pay to park it and deal with it in Las Vegas.
For a package deal I would check out Expedia, Orbitz, Travelocity.
Although, I have found really great hotel deals for off times in Vegas by going straight to the hotel websites.
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Old Jan 25th, 2007, 02:44 PM
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Not sure where that last poster was parking his rental car, but hotels offer FREE parking. You can valet park and then tip, of course, but all the major hotels have parking which is free. One good thing is that 99% of the parking is in indoor garages. As long as you stay away from the top floor it's fine and the car will not be an oven

I also recommend making a reservation for a car, not taking a chance on them having one. Even in the summer things get booked up.
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Old Jan 25th, 2007, 02:53 PM
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I agree with Lori - parking at the hotels in Las Vegas is free - even valet parking. Of course, if you use the valet, you will have to give a tip.
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Old Jan 25th, 2007, 03:53 PM
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Try SW Airlines or look in your papers Sunday Travel section. However, having done this many times, I believe you'll find it less expensive to book yourself. Since the airlines don't own the hotels or rental cars, it doesn't save you any hassle of checking in or picking up the car.
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