I know that I am planning far ahead, but I always think that is half the fun We won't be going to Vegas until the last week of April. I am having a hard time figuring out where to stay. These are the main things I am looking for: 1. decent size rooms that are very clean and nice but don't need fancy, hoping to get a strip view 2. relaxing pool area with not a lot of kids or loud music 3. maybe something either newly renovated or newer.
Also, one other question is about restaurants, are there decent restaurants with good food where you don't have to dress up? My hubby and I are just not into that, we prefer places where you can where nice shorts and nice shirt and not feel like your out of place, but still get some good food that isn't a buffet. Any recommendations are appreciated, thank you.

I thought it might help to add that we are both around 50. This will be for my 50th birthday, so that brings me to one other question: Any nice places to have drinks and listen to music that might be better for people that aren't in their 20's or 30's?

If you have a taste for good beer, try the Hofbrauhaus.
http://www.hofbrauhauslasvegas.com/
My DW and I had Christmas dinner there even though we didn't drink any beer. The stein holding contest was interesting.
Where else can you hear polkas and the alpenhorn played?
There are many restaurants that are not buffets. I like the ones along the Fremont Street Experience. My favorite buffet is at the Golden Nugget before 3PM.
The only place I ever stayed along the Strip was at the Luxor. Not a very good view as I recall.

You might consider the Flamingo. Great location on the strip and could meet your requirements.

I would pick Mirage, Caesar's, Bellagio, Venetian, or a Wynn property. Lots of places to eat at all price/attire levels.

Here is a link to dicounts codes for Las Vegas:

http://www.smartervegas.com/

Also, check trip reports for recs.

Places we ate a few years back: Olives at Bellagio, Mon Ami Gabi at Paris, and the coffee shop-type place at Bellagio. All were pretty casual.

Thanks for the ideas, I especially like the idea of the Hofbrauhaus, I think we will try that Keep the ideas coming!

Stay mid-Strip at places like Caesar's or Bellagio if you want to spend a lot of money or a place like Bally's if you don't.

You can eat in most places wearing very casual clothes--jeans, etc. It is easy to spot the restaurants where you will be more comfortable if you are dolled up.

Eating in Las Vegas can be expensive. At Olives (mentioned above) dinner entrees range from $29 for chicken, to $38 for striped bass, to $51 for beef tenderloin.

HTTY

Thanks for the information, yes I guess I should have said good food and casual for no more than 20.00 per person, I don't even know if that is possible other than buffets, but if anyone knows of anything in that range that would be great? and more ideas on the hotels and quiet pools would also be great.

Kids and loud music are at every pool. However, I'm 50 and found it can make you feel young again :-0

any other ideas?

We really like the Bellagio. If you don't stay there, try to go by and see the fountains. We liked Mon Ami Gabi, Olives, and the Burger Bar for casual spots. The Burger Bar has great burgers and shakes and a good beer selection.

This may not be what you are looking for, but it's on my list when I go to Las Vegas -

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...a.html#REVIEWS

I'm not a fan of big conference hotels and I like what I've heard about this place. I don't think the walk to the Strip would be a problem.

DH and I were just in Vegas earlier this week, and we played at Tuscany one afternoon. Their slots were the loosest of all the casinos we played at, and the blackjack was just $5 a hand! The casino was nice, and the grounds were absolutely beautiful.
However, Tuscany is too far from the Strip to walk. I would estimate it is at least a mile just to get to the Strip! Remember, things in Vegas often appear to be close, but in reality, they are quite a distance away!

Stay at the Wynn - purely awesome. You can prob grab a good deal from here too:

http://lasvegashoteldeals.org

I stayed at the Bellagio before that and can honestly say that Wynn surpasses it in almost all aspects

I stayed at Harrah's for the ridiculously low price of $150 for FOUR nights (total, not each night). It's very central location and rooms (I had to have the cheapest ones at that price) were huge and very nice. I have never come close to staying in that nice a room for that price - anywhere. That's because they expect you to spend your money in the casino, but you certainly don't have to. Their pool was boring compared to many of the others, but it was also quieter and less crowded. And other than the pool, you can go to restaurants, etc at any of the hotels, not just the one you are staying at. So the fact that Harrah's is kind of boring compared to the Venetian or Bellagio is irrelevant.

I liked the Venetian best, it's the least tacky of the big hotels. There's a cafe there, Tintoretto, that had wonderful coffee and almond croissants to die for. Their food court (fast food) was also the best one. It's almost next door to Harrahs.

I'll be posting a trip report in the next day or so, so click my name in a few days to find it. But here are my photos - http://www.pbase.com/annforcier/vegas