Rachpilaw

Young couple going to Vegas for three days/ two nights in January (mid-week). We're looking for a nice hotel (full of the Las Vegas glitz!) on the Strip under $120.00. We don't want anything dumpy, but not as ritzy as the Bellagio. Mostly need to be near the excitement and get the feel of Vegas in our short trip. Casino isn't that important, more the atmosphere and fun stuff to do. Also, wondering if we'll be able to do any swimming since if it will be January. Do they have heated pools or indoor pools? Thanks!

tracys2cents

Hmmm...not sure if there are one or two places that keep the pools open year round.

Depends on what week in January, since there are some conventions at that time of year that raise the room rates...but I'd shoot for Caesar's Palace (get a room in the Palace Tower).

Rachpilaw

We'll be in Vegas January 11-13. Pools aren't that important I guess, seeing as we'll have limited time to see everything we want to. Price and location and a decent hotel room are more important.

wanderluster

Not sure if its full of 'glitz' but we like the Flamingo for its moderate rates and CENTER strip location. Right in the middle of the action, can virtually walk anywhere.
First read about it here, seems to be popular among Fodorites looking for same thing. Request newly renovated room and a view, most people are granted their requests. Rates are good, especially for access to everything in Vegas. Have fun.

Little_Man

check out fodors hotel ratings and reviews in their Las Vegas hotel section...
Treasure Island gets a lot of good reviews, and often has very good rates...
My favorite is the Venetian. Sign up on Las Vegas hotel websites, and they will periodically send you notices of special rates...

Rachpilaw

My boyfriend and I have been reading on this site, and so far have narrowed it down to Flamingo, Bally's, NYNY and Tropicana. We'd like to maybe stay in two (one each night) to get the most out of it. Anyone have opinions on these? They all seem to be in about the same price range.

jkgourmet

By comparison, I think the Trop is a bit dumpy, the Flamingo is aging, but a great bargain. If you are under 35, NYNY will please you, I suspect. I also think it's nuts to schlep your luggage all over the place just to sleep in a different room. . .

lvk

I agree with JKGourmet. The rooms in most of the hotels (especially the $120/under ones) pretty much look the same. Why waste any of your short time standing in check-in lines, repacking, and hauling your luggage around? The "personality" of the hotels is in their casinos and attractions, not in their standard rooms.

Of your 4 choices, NYNY is the newest. Bally's & Flamingo were remodeled not too long ago and are more centrally located. I would cross Tropicana off the list -- rundown and not centrally located.

GoTravel

Unless you want to swim indoors or in a wetsuit, it is too cold in Las Vegas in January. Pools will be closed.

I would book a cancelable backup and start stalking discount websites.

Hotels in Las Vegas discount at the last minute. Reason being is that groups, which is the majority of hotel business, have 30-45 day cut offs for room blocks and that is when unused rooms get put back into reservations circulation.

CarrieK

I second Treasure Island...they are offering very good rates under $100 and it is a very nice hotel for the price. It is also a good location on the strip kind of in the middle. Believe the only pools are outdoor...don't know if they are heated.

Rachpilaw

Hmmm...Reading this, I guess we should maybe stay in NYNY for the two nights. That does make more sense. It was my boyfriend's first pick. (I had my heart set on Paris, but it was out of our price range...) NYNY seems the best choice for location and price and atmosphere. Can I pick anyone's brain for great dinner places? We're thinking one great buffet Tuesday night and a nice dinner place Wednesday night. (Nice as in under $100.00)

1Travelfan

I got an email message from the Mirage in LV today or yesterday advertising 99$ rooms in Nov and Dec--might carry over to Jan--I did not look am not interested in going back in near future since will be there next week--but you might check the hotels' calendars on their websites--if they are running specials--that is as cheap as you can get a room if you are booking rooms separate from plane fares

Little_Man

I'd definitely check out Mirage or Treasure Island over Flamingo or Bally's, NYNY. You are not, IMHO, choosing the best places...
Or maybe check out Aladdin?

Rachpilaw

I think that Mirage and Alladin are a little over our price range. And I've read, not so great things on here about Treasure Island. Not that I'm an expert on Vegas, but that's what I've researched so far. Anybody?

CarrieK

T.I. remodeled recently...I stayed there a few months ago. It's not the like the bellagio, but very nice still.

iceeu2

Rach, just plugged your dates into travelaxe and found the following thru Orbitz:
MGM Grand - $99
NYNY - $110
TI-$89
If you can get these deals thru Orbitz it is likely you will find as good of deals on the hotel's websites.
Sign up for their email alerts.

placeu2

Rach,

Go with NYNY, you will be very happy there. Take in the piano bar and Rita Rudner if that is your style.

Please avoid the Tropicana on this trip. If need be a second choice would be Flamingo. Might consider MGM for that big time Vegas feel if it fits the price situation. Monte Carlo is a nicer Hotel IMHO but may not be the loud glitzy atmosphere that you are desiring.

Rachpilaw

Thanks for the vote of confidence in the NYNY Placeu2, as well as the suggestion of the MGM. I hadn't even checked their price since I figured they would be well out of our price range. What a dilemma! Now I can't decide! Haha

Lori

NYNY is not my first choice. I like the Mirage but it may be more then $120 but check their website. I was just there a few days ago as a matter of fact. I also like Treasure Island alot - their bathrooms in standard rooms are larger then those at Mirage. TI is nicely decorated and very convenient to everything, including the big mall across the street. Mirage and TI are connected by a tram (free) that takes about 3 min. I would vote for either of these places over NYNY anyday. The Flamingo is also center strip, as is Bally's so you may get good rates there too in Jan. Check all their websites. The Aladdin is very nice and has nicer bathrooms then the Bellagio in my opinion but it may be over your range. Very convenient location as well. We go to 'Vegas about 4 times a year and we've stayed in almost every hotel up there. While we have never stayed at Imperial Palace I'd avoid it at all costs (we visited a friend staying there just the other day and it is really not very nice).

troyrobt

Definitely avoid:
Imperial Palace
Tropicana
Ballys
Excaliber
Harrahs

Would recommend:
TIsland
NYNY - but far down on the strip
Mirage
Flamingo -old but okay if your not picky
Alladin
Paris - YOU can get a good rate,keep looking!

Good luck!