I am considering suprising my husband with a trip to Las vegas for his 40th birthday. We are not gamblers, but do enjoy great restaurants, shopping, and sightseeing. I have looked into Bellagio, Mandalay Bay, and the Venetian. Because the casinos aren't important to us, what do you think? We would be travelling toward the end of Feb., from Thurs.-Sun. Also, where do you find the best rates? Thanks for your help!

Carol,

Since you're going to be traveling in February, I'm going to assume that pools will not be a factor in your decision. That fact combined with your relative age and the fact that you're not gamblers and I would suggest staying at either the Bellagio or Venetian.

You see, since you won't be gambling, you're going to want to be in an area that provides you with many other distractions. Of the hotels on your list, Bellagio has the best location (center strip, right next to Caesar's Palace) and the Venetian has the second best (still center strip but just a bit farther up). Mandalay Bay is much farther out, caters to a younger crowd and is water themed for summer.

Both the Bellagio and Venetian have fabulous rooms. They also have great restaurants, great shopping, attractions, museum quality art, and are within walking distance to many other places with restaurants, shopping, etc.

If you visit their web sites and sign their guest books, they will send you periodic specials on their room rates. Recently, I have been offered rates of $99.00 per night at both properties. I also recommend using travel agents for Vegas. I don't use them for many other destinations but if you can find one who specializes in Vegas, they can be worth their weight in gold. Especially when you have time to plan (as you do) and are looking at specific dates.

Good luck,

DJ

Hi Carol:

Last year we stayed at Bellagio and thought it was great -- As Jim said, the location was amazing. The Venetian also is supposed to be wonderful.

We are not gamblers either ... We actually spent a day hiking (about a half hour away). A couple of things -- it may be easier to get tickets to "O" if you're interested, if you stay at Bellagio (Personally, I'm not a Cirque fan -- I've seen them a ton of times here in Toronto, but "O" was worth every cent and blows every other Cirque show "out of the water" - pun intended!!)

We booked thru hotel discount network -- the only problem was the Saturday night. We paid $150 the other nights, but they wanted $330 for the Saturday, so be prepared! I understand that this is a problem with most of the hotels.

Also, book restaurants in advance. We ate at Spago (amazing), Chinois and Border Grill.

Mandalay Bay is nice, but definitely not central.

Have fun!

There's is no 1 answer on how to find the best rates in LV. These rates change all the time. You have to check and compare. Call hotel directly, ask about any discounts (AAA), check hotel website, check booking sites (Expedia.com, etc.). We did this for the Mirage in March. The best rate came directly from hotel (with AAA discount). After we booked prices dropped. We were able to change our reservation to the lower rate. After that they shot up. Expedia rate held the steadiest while the hotel site's rates changed almost daily. From what we could tell, we got the best rate available from time of booking to actual trip. You just have to compare and periodically re-check. I think any of those hotels would be great. Mandalay is towards the end of the strip so not as close to other hotels. The other 2 are in the center of things.

Hi carol;
I recently got back from Las Vegas. I booked through National Airlines Vacations. www.nationalairlines.com I could not beat their prices and believe me I looked everywhere.
I posted a trip report titled "countdown to Las Vegas" or something similar.
We are not gamblers either but we found that Thursday-Sunday was just not enough time. Looking forward to our next trip.
I wanted to caution you about Mc Carran Airport on a Sunday. It is a madhouse. We needed two and half hours to check in and get through security.
We stayed in Paris. Directly across the street from Bellagio. The location is great. Mandalay Bay is at the end of the strip. Both were amazing inside. We checked out the lobbies of as many hotels as we could.
Hope you enjoy your trip and wish your husband at least 40 more!

I stayed at MB recently and loved it but I wouldn't recommend it for Feb because the pool will be closed.

Spent a lot of time at Bellagio and Venetian, I would recommend Venetian if you're not gambling. I think the location is alot better to walk to other casino's, Bellagio does have tram to Monte Carlo but I don't think it's a big advantage oif you're not gambling (I like BJ at MC). You can spend a lot of time at the canal shops in Venetian and you can easily get over to TI and tram to Mirage. I think Venetian rooms are nicer than Bellagio.

Best Rates: Travelaxe.com allows you to compare all the travel websites at once. Also check the hotel/casino website for package deals.

Go to the venetian the rooms are great, and generally much more affordable than bellagio which I think suffers from "exclusivitis". Bellagio tries to put off this air of exclusivity which just doesn't fly in Las Vegas where everyone is white trash anyway. definitely eat at commanders palace in the aladdin. the italian place in the mall at venetian (it's in the mall upstairs, i forgot the name) is very good as well and reasonable.

Bellagio all the way. Great restaurants: Aqua (in the Bellagio) and Andre's (French in the Monte Carlo). Venetian's rooms are larger, but not as nice in my opinion. We got a corner room at the end of the hallway and had windows on two side and a big picture window along the bathtub.

More casual is Mon Ami Gabi across the street in Paris Las Vegas.

Set up massages in the spa.

Enjoy

Bellagio is the way to go! I book through travelocity.

Restaurants: Aqua and Prime at Bellagio.

Even if casinos are not your interest,they do impact the rest of the hotel,since you will have to walk through the casino to go to the elevators to your room.A better hotel/casino is just plain better!
We have stayed in a few hotels in LV.
Althought the Four Seasons is nice as far as rooms,exclusivity and not having their own casino,it is a little away from things, and I thought a touch stuffy.
I did love staying at the Bellagio,a few months ago.The restaurants are wonderful,it is a beautiful lobby,casino ,the shopping and the rooms are great! We had a room on a high floor overlooking the fountains,which also gives you the Eiffel Tower outside your window! A view that is amazing at night.And you will look at your husband and laugh and say "Only in Las Vegas!"

I was reading the following website and they claim the only 5 star hotels on the Strip are the Bellagio and Venetian. You might be able to snag a great rate from Priceline with a little patience.

http://www.biddingfortravel.com/

Mike Honeycutt

Thank you very much to all who replied. I will periodically check all the sites mentioned for rate changes. I used a travel agent last spring when I turned 40 and went to New Orleans with friends. The package rate she put together beat anything I could find. I must say, we just reurned from our family vacation, my 10 yr. old just returned from camp in Maine, and I'm already planning Las Vegas and Spring Break with the kids. Vacations are great!