Ronan

My husband and I are going to Vegas 7/2-7/6. We will be celebrating our 20th anniversary, but are going out there for a wedding in Laughlin(Staying at the Aquarius 7/6-7/8). We have never been to Vegas,and the more I try to research hotels (trying to consider all the variables) the more confused I get! Obviously it will be very hot, so a great pool is a must. A great room is also very important, but it doesn't have to be a penthouse suite. My husband is not a gambler, not a fan of big crowds, and likes to stay in a nice hotel but not necessarily one that is overly huge or fancy.(I enjoy the Casinos, but rarely play anything more than the slots.) While the Bellagio and the Venetian were the first ones I looked at, I am wondering if midstrip would be best for us, or if these elegant properties are really worth it. Being 4th of July, I'm sure every place will be crowded. Would we be better midstrip, being our first time (maybe only time)because of location and not wanting to walk miles & miles in extreme heat - or maybe we would be better off staying a little further away from the middle of the craziness. Also if anyone has ever stayed in Laughlin, my other debate was whether or not to head down there on Thursday instead of Friday to have more time to relax there.
This is a list of the hotels I have been looking at: Venetian, Bellagio, Four Seasons
then I went to Mirage, Mandalay Bay, Paris, and Caesars. Obviously I'm confused,also tired of researching. Any advice that could help me answer these questions would be very much appreciated!!

travelkite

The Bellagio and the Venetian are in the middle of the strip. Ceasar's is next to the Bellagio. If you want to walk around and look at the different hotels I would suggest a hotel in the middle. Don't listen to people who say 120 degree heat isn't bad since it's a "dry" heat. If you are not used to those kind of temps it's going to be very hot and uncomfortable. You will feel like you are walking around in the middle of a fire. I would not suggest wearing sandals or shoes with leather soles. They are way to hot in the summer. Rubber soles are the only way to go when walking around outside in the heat. All the hotels you are have looked at are nice and you will enjoy your visit. I think you are over thinking the process. Pick a hotel you most want to stay at and trust your choice. If you want to see Vegas and do things in Vegas you should stay in Vegas. It's not alot of fun getting caught in freeway traffic in 120 temps. If you husband wants to stay away from the crowds the Four Season is a good choice. It also has a nice pool. Good luck with your trip planning!

MaureenB

For hotel specials, try this site
http://www.fatwallet.com/t/63/704925/
We found a good promotion price at The Luxor, that we didn't find easily on their website.

There's also cheapovegas.com, for deals.
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travelkite

I would not suggest the Luxor for what you are looking for. The property is not located in the middle of the strip and would require alot of additional walking. Also, it's not that nice of a hotel compared to the ones you are considering.

MaureenB

Just to clarify, the fatwallet.com website lists promotions at many hotels, not just the Luxor. However, our friends were very happy with the Luxor's tower room.
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tudorprincess

If you want a great pool, stay at The Mirage.

JayZee

We've stayed at the MGM & Mandalay Bay. No comparison... MBay has the better pool, restaurants, rooms, etc. Try to stay indoors during the middle of the day, or in the pool. Most people do their sightseeing in the evening. Also a majority of the hotels are interconnected and walking outside isn't necessary.

Ronan

Thanks for the info. I definitely am overthinking the process. I do believe this will probably be my one visit to Vegas (4 kids, and too many other places I want to see) I want to make the most of it since this will be the trip to celebrate our 20th anniversary, and if my husband were not the bestman at the wedding we are going out there to attend, I think I would be trying to plan a trip to Hawaii. I do like how the Mirage looks, poolside is most likely where we will be most of the day. I'm still wondering if booking the Venetian or Bellagio would be a good idea, or if they have that overwhelmingly big feel,(factory) as I have read.

tom42

Venetian, Bellagio or Caesar's would all be good choices. If Caesar's, try to book into either the Augustus or Palace Towers.

mikesmom

I think Bellagio would be a good choice for you. Location is perfect, hotel is beautiful and the pool area is very nice, as well. Mandalay Bay is very nice, but for your one and only trip to Vegas, the location of Bellagio is much better.

It will be brutally hot. As another poster recommended, do not wear flimsy sandals - it's just too darn hot.

Have fun!

bashfulLV

Ronan - if this is it for you visiting Las Vegas, then I agree with the other posters about staying center strip. There are a bunch of mid-Strip, mid-range hotels that aren't as huge (or expensive) as Venetian and Bellagio. Try the Flamingo - great pools and recently remodeled rooms, the Monte Carlo - very classy place, Paris - nice place mid-Strip but small pool, Mirage - great pool but LOTS of kids.

The poster who said walking outside isn't necessary must have been talking about somewhere other than the Las Vegas Strip - only a couple of the hotels are joined together (like Bally's & Paris, and there's a tram between Excalibur, Mandalay Bay and Luxor, and also a tram between Treasure Island & Mirage)- you WILL be walking out in the outrageous inferno so plan wisely. Be sure to bring a hat if you plan on being out in the heat. Also keep in mind that temps in July sometimes make it even too hot to sit by the pool - it feels more like baking than relaxing.

You might also want to check out Lake Las Vegas - since your husband isn't into crowds or gambling - there are a few very nice places out there (the Ritz, the Monte Lago to name a couple) and there's a nice little village to walk around with cute shops and restautants.

I wouldn't recommend staying in Laughlin in July - it's even hotter there than in Las Vegas!

Ronan

Thanks for the reply. The only thing about this trip that I am sure about is that we are definitely staying in Laughlin,at the Aquarius, due to the fact that my husband's entire family is staying there for his brother's wedding which is taking place on a boat out of Laughlin. Vegas is an add on for us, seeing as we will be out there anyway.

texasjo

Hi Ronan. I'm afraid you'll find they all have the big factory feel and they will all be very crowded over the 4th. But, the Bellagio is beautiful and very conveniently in the middle of the strip. We have stayed at the Paris right across from Bellagio (with a nice view of Bellagio's fountains) and our room was very nice. The pool at Paris is on the rooftop, nice but not as elegant as Bellagio. But you won't be able to be at the pool all day in that heat or it will do you in!
Have fun and happy anniversary!

Laura147

One plus for the Mirage pool in July...there are SOME shady spots around the pool due to the palm trees that surround portions of the pool area.