You people really know this city. The last time I was there I stayed at the Dunes which is no longer in existence. I have a few simple questions that will make my stay much easier and hopefully cooler. First, I am planning on staying at the Luxor, but need to get to Fremont St. daily for my confernece. Will there be a city bus available, shuttle or do I have to take a taxi? If so, how much can I expect to pay. Second, If staying at the Luxor, will we be able to use the other hotel's pool areas? I've heard that Mandalay bay has an awesome beach area. Finally any restaurant suggestions would be appreciated for this family of four.

Just got back from Vegas with our teens yesterday. Don't know a heck of alot about transportation there beyond taking a cab or the shuttles/trams. We never took a bus but there are buses that run the strip. A cab from Mandalay to Treasure Island cost us 7.00 one way to give you some idea. Maybe someone else can give you ideas as to total cost. No, you cannot use other pools...there is security at all the entrances of the pool areas and you have to use your room key. Restaurants..Luxor now has a food court I believe. If you have never been to the Rainforest Cafe anywhere I think I would take my family there(MGM). We always ate a light breakfast, then the lunch buffet at about 2-3 and that would keep us going. Maybe an ice cream or hot dog or whatever at night.The Mandalay lunch buffet was pretty good and cost 10.50, the Caesars Palace one was 9.99. They always included beverages so that helped.

Steve, me again...you really out to post this question on the board that really knows their stuff re:Vegas...either lvol.com(forum board) or vegas.com(message board)...you will get a ton of kind information.

You picked a hotel on the strip that is about as far from Fremont St. as you can get. Is there any particular reason for staying at the Luxor? I would strongly consider the Golden Nugget which is right downtown on Fremont St. It is a very nice place.

Your options to get downtown are basically take a city bus or taxi. There are city busses that run along the strip to downtown. Some folks do like taking the bus as sometimes there are some unsavory characters riding the busses. A taxi will be fairly pricey if that is a concern. Probably in the $25 dollar range each way.

No, you cannot use other hotel's pools. However not all of the places have security at the pool areas. The Flamingo Hilton ( beautiful pool area ) has nobody watching you. You would have no problem using their pools other than the inconveneince. I personally would not do it simply because it is not right. You have to decide what is right for you.

I made a mistake in the previous posting. I meant to say that "Some folks do NOT like taking the bus...."

I stayed at the Luxor last year and loved it! But.....You will be really far from your conference area. I started out taking taxis but ended up just jumping on a bus on the strip to hop from one hotel to another. It was really no big deal!!! I never use public transportation in my hometown,Atlanta, but this was easy....no transfers, etc. Just a short ride down the strip. As far as entertainment goes, Cirque Du Soleil was fabulous and so were all the other 'obvios' choices. HOWEVER, I really enjoyed La Cage Faulle (spelling?) at the Riveira. It was SO funny and not expensive. $40 I think. A tip(20) to the head honcho will get you a seat near the front.

rita misread Steve's original post I believe.
I can't imagine anyone using the phrases "just a short ride down the strip" and "it was really no big deal" to describe commuting from the Luxor to Fremont Street by city bus. It is NOT a short ride and time-wise it IS a big deal. Pace of traffic can be snail slow or worse.
LVLarry's question is a good one. Why are you staying on the strip (esp south) if your meeting is downtown? Stay at the Golden Nugget and buzz down to the strip in the evenings. This would cut down on travel stress as your PM's would be leisurely and you could walk to the meeting.

I would NOT stay downtown with a family...you have 1 commuting and 3 sightseeing. Okay, stay a little closer..at the Treasure Island...good for kids and you are just a little bit closer to your conference.They have midweek rates of $50.

Hey annemarie, didn't you just return from LV? Did you stay at Paris? I think I remember you stating you got some great rate of $39 or something. How was Paris? Pros, cons, would you stay there again?

Steve,
I would recommend renting a car. Parking is free and the daily rate will be paid for in the cost of two cab rides from the Luxor to Fremont. We took a cab from the Mirage to the Golden Nugget and I think we paid about $12 plus tip. If you reserve in advance you should be able to get a decent rate or you can try priceline.com. If you decide to bid look at this forum at ezboard, it will help you decide what to bid.
http://pub4.ezboard.com/bpricelineandexpediabidding

NO you cannot use the pools are other hotels - they are for guests only, just as the one at the Luxor is for Luxor guests only. If you are interested in the Mandalay stay there but for heavens sake don't try and crash other hotels pool areas, you would not do that at home would you?

Cam...thanks for remembering...yes we just got back on Friday morning. We thought Paris was great. Don't know if we were influenced by the rate at 38. 90, and 100(Thurs, Fri, Sat) but they were charging people off the street 199.00 for Thursday. We were thrilled. Rooms are very well done, quiet, bathrooms lovely, people friendly, pool was large, pretty conservative.i.e., not wave pools, etc, but then also no crowds. TI has a four diamond award for its rooms and they are nice but Paris is definitely better. Perfect size, location, no food bargains to be had but good qualiy.