We just got back from an 8 night/9 day trip to Las Vegas.....much too long for Vegas, but the first 5-1/2 days were business related. We stayed at the Mirage on the company's tab. The room size and amenities were okay, but I hated everything about the bathroom. They're small, have very bad lighting, and are poorly designed. However, the pool area is really awesome. They have a large meandering pool with bridges and waterfalls all set in very tropical surroundings. There are two oversized hot tubs and tons of lounge chairs. That said, there are other hotels on the Strip that are a better value than the Mirage.

We spent our last two nights at the Venetian. Now this is a primo hotel. It's much more upscale than the Mirage (but of course it costs more!) We got a great rate of $119 per night, and they gave us a room with a good view of the Strip and the pool. Their pool area is not nearly as impressive as the Mirage, but their rooms (all suites) are exquisite. The bathroom is all marble and mirrors with a separate enlongated tub and glass shower. The vanity area has a lighted make up mirror and there is a separate toilet room with phone. Next is the bedroom area with a big comfy bed and a nifty neck roll. There is an armoir (TV and safe inside) and a lighted closet with robes. Two steps down and you're in the living room area where there's another TV, phones, fax and a big picture window. We asked for a mimi fridge and it was delivered pronto free of charge. Everything about this hotel is deluxe. We checked out via the TV and the bill printed on our fax machine moments later. The bell and valet staff were always super quick and pleasant. We really loved this place!

SHOWS - We saw two shows (compliments of my vendors) while there.....Mystere and "O". They are similar in many ways, yet very different. We all liked O better than Mystere, but they are both VERY GOOD shows. "O" costs considerably more ($121 vs $88).

DINING - We had dinner at Emeril's New Orleans Fish House (MGM) and it was a huge disappiontment. The service was slow and snobby, and the food was mediocre at best. In fact, I complained about my tuna and they took it off the check. My lobster bisque had a "skin" on top when it arrived and the meal overall was just uninspired.

We had a great dinner in Paris at La Provencal? which is located just behind the neat little crepe place (which is great for a quick & cheap meal). Our dinners were delicious and quite reasonable at $12.95 for rigatoni with sausage and mushrooms and $14.95 for the pork chop with apple chutney, carrots and asparagus. We also split the escargot (very good but could have used a litttle more garlic) and the baby spinich salad with portabellas and walnuts, which was awesome. We were too full for dessert, but I would order one of the yummy crepes if we had room!

We also had dinner at Zefferini's (or is it Zefferelli's?) in the Venetian. It was quite good, but a bit overpriced. Luckily a vendor was paying for that meal!

Great report Lenore. Would you stay at the Venetain again even if you couldn't get such a deal there?

I would definitely stay at the Venetian again, but only if I got a good deal. We stayed at Paris the time before this trip and were upgraded to a suite there. If the price and view were identical at the Venetian vs Paris (suite)....I would probably pick Paris. Paris had really awesome bathrooms (yes, two!) and their location is a little more central. Both are quite nice though.

liz