Las Vegas trip Report
 

I had asked so many questions so thought I would give a quick trip report. We returned home last night. We stayed at the Mirage and it was a great choice for us since we didn't have children with us. The pool at the Mirage was by far the best one. We loved the pool and the tropical feel to the area. The hotel was o.k The pool was the best feature and location. We saw the new Cirque show "LOVE" the Beatles. It was awesome loved it very much. Also saw Mystere and did the dinner combo at the Steakhouse at TI restaurant. It was o.k. not a bad deal. It was $230.00 not including drinks. Mystere was just o.k. In retrospect I wish I would have chosen a different Cirque show. The acrobotatic performances were great. That is all I can say. We also did the rafting down the CO. river. An all day event, and it was totally worth it. I would highly suggest that trip to any first time visitor and of course we saw the Hoover Dam. Went to the top of the Stratosphere. Nice view. We did dinner one night at Bon Ami Gabi at the Paris Hotel. Sorry folks, but it is very overrated. I was not impressed at all. Very $$$ for what we got. I know many will not agree with me, but I was so dissapointed in that place. We did outside dining, the best feature was the onion soup. That was very good. The "fritas" were greasy so my husband claimed. I had scallops that was served with a mashed cauliflower and the 2 didn't compliment one another at all. The fountains are way across the street, you sit on the street with all the traffic. I think inside seating would have been a better option.

We did eat at Bellagio gourmet buffet and it was very good. Difficult to find anything to complain about, very worth the extra Sat. night charge. We also ate at the Wynn buffet. It was also good, but I liked Bellagio desserts. A tad bit better. Mostly did the pool everyday. We went downtown twice, it was a different experience. We rode the deuce quite a bit. I do think a rental car would have been worth it as there is a lot of walking to be done. One would have more options for eating then the strip with a car. Next time. Thanks for all your help.

Tell us a little more about "Love". I have tickets for it in Oct. My friends and I will be 5 rows back, front section. We usually stay at the Mirage and I agree, the pool is very tropical feeling. I'm glad you had a good time.

Lori,

"LOVE" is a musical from all the beatles popular songs. The performers are acting out the lyrics to the song. That is basically the show in short. It is done in a fantastic manner and as I love music, I thought it was just wonderful and inspiring. This was my first Cirque show so I don't have much to compare with. What I liked is that anyone can relate to the music. Unlike Mystere. The "music" got very mundane and old after the first hour. Love is tastefully done, colorful and never a dull moment. I know you will love "Love." The seating is good from any seat section. It is totally in the round so you can see well from anyplace. We were in the $125 seats and they were great. We went to the 10:30p.m. performance. I did have to nudge my husband once as he began to fall asleep. I couldn't believe it!! He did like it however. It is very colorful and upbeat. A great show so I thought. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Thanks, diann, glad to hear the comments about "Love" the Beatles.

I, too, am glad you enjoyed "Love". We have tickets for September.

I'm surprised you didn't care for Mystere. I've seen it three times!

Thanks for the report.

Thanks Diann !! I am not a "cirque" fan but I do like Beatles music so it sounds like I will enjoy this one. My friends and I are also going to a 10:30 performance (but it's just us gals, no husbands so I am sure we will stay awake !! - when I go to shows with my husband we go to earlier ones :-) I am so glad you had a good time.

Mikesmom,

What is about Mystere I didn't get? If I could have gotten it, maybe I would have enjoyed it more. The clown in the beginning was the best part. Very funny. I could go the B&B circus and see almost the same acts. Perhaps I am not a cirque fan?? Not sure. Or else I like LOVE so much nothing else compared? Not sure what to think. Oh well. I wonder if I would have felt the same about "O" or Ka. Now I am wondering. Only way to tell if to go back again. I just think they are a lot of money if you don't enjoy them.

Diann,

I kind of felt the same way about 'O.' Everyone had raved about it so I was expecting to love it--sadly, I didn't love it and got kind of bored about 1/2 way through.

On the other hand, I adored Mon Ami Gabi--isn't it great that there's something for everyone in Vegas?

Sounds like you had a great trip!

Tess,

You are not alone about Bon Ami. When I made reservations at guest relation at the Mirage he said "great choice." A very popular place!! Everyone loves it and it does come highly recommended. Well that is why they make vanilla chocalate and strawberry ice cream. We all enjoy different things. The Bon Ami was crowded as well. Many like it!! I had a great time anyway. The Wynn is jus to die for!!! Such a gorgeous place then again I love flowers!!

Diann:

I'm not sure what it is about Mystere that I like. To be honest, I don't really "get it". I couldn't explain it to you (or anyone). I just think it is very entertaining and I like the music. I've also seen "O" and Ka! - Didn't care for Ka! quite as much as Mystere and "O". I've also seen LaNouba in Orlando and thought it was great.

I guess I'm just a Cirque fan. I'm looking forward to seeing Love. My trip in September is a "girls only" trip and one of the ladies has never been to Vegas nor a Cirque show, so she's in for a treat.

I have to admit, we like Mon Ami Gabi, but we always sit inside. My husband loves their Bananas Foster.

I'm glad you enjoyed your trip.

Well it would seem to my husband and myself there was a "story" going on with Mystere. But perhaps we are not "cultural" enough to have gotten it and that is what we thought when we left. I know it begins with a baby crying in the carriage, so then what? Well you say you don't get it either, I am just thinking there was a story to it. I know in Ka they say something about forces of good and evil. Oh well I shall not ponder it any further. Still and all we enjoyed our stay in LV. It is an awesome place and as for the heat it didn't seem to bother me near as much as the east coast. As they say "It's not the heat it is the humidity." True statement indeed!!

diann, thanks for the TR, was looking forward to it. Did you ever make it to Ellis Island that you inquired about? You actually lucked out with the heat, it hasn't been too bad, only about 90 today **LOVELY**! The heat gets brutal in July and Aug., can be as bad in June, but you picked a not so bad week to come! Sorry you didn't like Mon Ami Gabi (spelled Mon, not Bon by the way), some do like it and others have posted it as overrated like you did...oh well. Next time, yes you should rent a car and venture out to Red Rock or Valley of Fire, tons of great restaurants in the "local areas" also. Also, maybe next time see aomething other than a Cirque show. I liked Mystere, but haven't seen any of the others yet because I say how many CIrque shows can one really see. But I am interested in see LOVE. I highly recommend Danny Gans and Mamma Mia for next time. Thanks again for the TR.

diann - I'm glad you had a good time here in our sinful city! I'm glad the weather cooperated and it wasn't too hot for you. I have to agree with you about Mon Ami Gabi - I couldn't get into the menu and the prices and you don't get much of a view except of traffic and tourists ambling by. Next time go inside Paris and try the cafe - I love it in there for breakfast - I like to sit on the "patio" (even if it is fake) and always order chocolate croissants instead of toast with an omelette. Decadent! Also the creperie and the bakery are great for sinful treats.

I too don't "appreciate" (or "get") the cirque shows. I will give them kudos for being very talented, etc, but I'd much prefer a show where someone talks, sings or dances. Next time you're here try Danny Gans or Clint Holmes - they both put on entertaining shows.

Great hotel review!

I would love to see the Hoover dam!

Thanks for the trip report. We went there in December for a weekend. Saw Mystere, really enjoyed it even though we didn't get the story line (don't think there is one!). Agree with you re: Mon Ami Gabi. Worst food (it was lunch) we had in a very long time.
Sounds like you enjoyed yourself anyway. We did too.
:-)

bashfulLV-you shouldn't have brought up the deserts from the Paris pastry shop....now I am going to have to go down there and get some. I LOVE them, we usually make the trip to get them for special occasions.......oh,oh Father's Day is Sunday...yep that will work...napoleons, cream puffs, fruit tarts, ecalirs...:-d

Nice to hear some negative remarks about Mon Ami Gabi & Mystere, although we liked that better than O.

Mon Ami Gabi is average at best. I would never go back there. I guess there are some posters on this board who don't get out much. They rave about it.

Suerich---isn't it fair to say that everyone has different tastes?

Isn't that what makes everyone unique?

What some people dislike, others find fabulous.

I, for one, am happy that I can find nice and clean and safe accomodations with easily accessible transportation, while others consider the same accomodations shabby or horrid.

Everyone has different tastes, which is what makes everyone unique - and every experience unique. I also believe that most people who post here get out often.

Incidentally, it is possible to have a horrible experience at a restuarant (or hotel, show, whatever) and go back a second time and have a completely wonderful experience.

Vegasnative,

Funny you mention Ellis Island. We walked over there, and could see the place. My husband did not want to go any further. He didn't like the looks of it at all. No we didn't go.He said how can a steak be $4.95. How good can this be?? Have to agree.

Sue...that wasn't nice at all...

We love the pastries a the <b>Le Notre</b> patisserie at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas. We go there every time we visit L.V.

We have been to some of the Le Notre shops in Paris, France. The L.V. location does an outstanding job.

Woody

Tess,

It was my honest opinion of an average-at-best Las Vegas restaurant. I found it highly overpriced &amp; mediocre.

I think this board still welcomes different opinions, is that right?

Sue: It wasn't about you not liking the restaurant. Several of us on this thread said we didn't like it. It's the comment that because one likes it means one doesn't get out much that some thought wasn't very nice. I agree with Tess that it wasn't very nice.

I agree with Tess, it is perfectly fine to dislike a restaurant....it is moreso the comment of labeling the people who <i> do </i> like the restaurant as somehow being less than....