Las Vegas Wedding + CA Honeymoon
 

We are planning to fly out from England to get married in LV next July, followed by a honeymoon driving up the California coast, and have a couple of (well, quite a few!!)questions before we come out. <BR> <BR>1. We are looking at going for dinner at a vineyard in Red Rock Canyon after our wedding (as part of the package). Has anyone been there for dinner - if so, what was it like? 2. We want somewhere where we will have stunning scenery in the background for our pictures - is it nice out at Red Rock or would it be worth us going to the Grand Canyon instead? <BR>3. Which is the nicer (and more romantic!) hotel - Caesars Palace , the Venetian or Bellagio? <BR>4. Our travel agent has told us not to stay overnight in Cambria or San Simeon as they aren't very nice places - but we need somewhere to break up the journey from LA to Carmel. Are there better places to stop along the way? <BR>5. Has anyone stayed in the Westin St Francis in San Francisco and what was it like? <BR>Thanks! <BR>Katie <BR>

Katie, ask about Red Rock Canyon at www.lvol.com discussion board. Someone will have an opinion. As to the hotel, Bellagio is the classiest...and I suppose the most romantic - ask for a room overlooking the lake. The fountain shows are spectacular! <BR>

Congratulations, Katie. <BR>LV will be a switch for you if you've not visited. Very warm in July, as I'm sure you know. Lots of days over 105 F (over 41 C). Evenings are beautiful, however, with warm dry breezes and great colorful sunsets. <BR>I've visited all the places you've mentioned except Red Rock Canyon. <BR>It sounds as though you have many of your plans set. Are they at the suggestion of a travel agent? Is it an agent very familiar with the southwestern USA? (I'm very skeptical of agents. I can usually put together better packages on my own). What price range are you looking at for hotels and travel expenses? Will you have a car in LV? Renting in LA for the drive to SF? <BR> <BR>I've lived in the southwest for many years. If it were completely up to me, I'd do the following: stay at Bellagio in LV. Get a view of the lake....make sure to inform them that it's your wedding. Everyone asks for a lakeview rooms and only one third of the rooms overlook it. They should accommodate you. I'm guessing Caesar's is not what you're looking for. You'll see once you're there. It's more 'old Vegas' with plenty of mirrors, chrome and a bit of a plastic feel to me. Venetian has nice rooms. Not quite the same ambience as Bellagio, a half notch below in my book. The Four Seasons also has outstanding rooms and access to the nice (but very crowded) pools at Mandalay Bay. <BR>Red Rock Canyon is a short drive from LV and the scenery is nice I'm sure, having driven through those mountains in the past. <BR>If a drive to the Grand Canyon is not out of your range of consideration, I'd do it for 2 reasons. The GC is much, much more impressive than the scenery around LV, and you could go on to Sedona for the night. Sedona is real Red Rock country, with scenery much prettier than around LV as well. There is considerable vegetation around Sedona giving a much more stark contrast to the rock formations, and a less austere feel. There are some very nice, very romantic, very highly rated resorts in Sedona: L' Auberge de Sedona, Enchantment (and Canyon Villa B&B). The combination of the scenery and the very nice resorts would be more than worth the trip in my opinion. They are very busy in the summer in Sedona as the cooler temperatures (compared to the low desert) draw residents of Phoenix, LV and California. <BR>Can you get 50 more miles beyond San Simeon on your Highway 1 drive? If so, Big Sur has an amazing resort called Post Ranch Inn. An amazing place. Pricey, with views worth the splurge. <BR>The Westin SF in SF is nice. What are you looking for in SF? Location, value, base to do day trips from, luxury? Are you leaving out of SFO? <BR>Let us know and I'll provide additional details. Good luck on your plans. It should be a great honeymoon.

I would stay at San Luis Obispo ( between Los Angeles and Carmel ). It is a nice place with lots of choice of accomodations. <BR> <BR>I would stay at the Bellagio in Las Vegas for sheer elegance and class.

The Venetian has "nice rooms?" The Venetian actually has OUTSTANDING standard rooms (700 sq. ft.) which are quite SUPERIOR to the Bellagio. As a matter of fact, the entire hotel is superior to it -- PERIOD!!

Katie: Your travel agent is correct about San Simeon, but incorrect about Cambria -- it's gorgeous! I would not recommend the particular hotel we stayed in in Cambria because it was a budget option, but the town has lots of romantic little bed and breakfasts and inns. Moonstone Beach Drive is a road just outside of town that runs along the ocean, with a rocky beach (full of seals and tidepools -- lovely) on one side, and lots of accommodations on the other. The town itself also has wonderful restaurants. We had an incredible dinner one night at a place called Robin's -- very romantic, in front of the fireplace, with wonderful food. Check out the website www.cambria-online.com for more info. <BR> <BR>However, if you don't want to stop in Cambria, then there are two truly outstanding hotels in Big Sur that you should consider: The Post Ranch Inn (mentioned by someone earlier) and Ventana. They are pricey but absolutely unique, especially the setting (we stayed at Ventana one night in July). Check out their websites at http://www.ventanainn.com and www.postranchinn.com <BR> <BR>Also, if you do a search on this forum using the words "California coast" you will find a bunch of threads that may be helpful, including one I wrote in July entitled "Trip report: Just back from California coast!" which tells all about the places we saw that we loved the best, restaurants, etc. <BR> <BR>Best wishes on your wedding and good luck planning the trip!

Bill: <BR>Opinions always welcome on these forums. <BR>But...if you look at the majority of posts about Venetian vs. Bellagio, you'll find B is the favorite. <BR>I've stayed at both and my opinion is only one in the crowd, but Venetian has many shortcomings in my book, as a luxury property. For one, it's still being completed. It still has growing (read staffing) pains. It is more 'standard Vegas' than Bellagio, and to me very clearly lacks the bit of 'class' that B has over most LV hotels. Yes the rooms are nice size. I've stayed in 2 suites at the B which will rival anyplace in Hawaii, NY and Chicago by any measure except view. (Together with the fact that outstanding service really doesn't exist at any LV hotel in my book, compared to NY, SF, Hawaii, etc.). <BR>Some say Michelangelo's David is plain and a letdown. Others say they've wept upon first seeing it. Beauty is in the eye.....

Hi, Katie, Congratulations! Have been to Red Rock Canyon, but not Grand Canyon. Frankly, I was not impressed by Red Rock. I expected more I guess, but I found nothing stunning about it. It's pretty, but pales miserably in comparison to GC judging from the pictures I've seen of it alone. I would not recommend it over Grand Canyon. If you really are choosing between the two, I'd have to say that Grand Canyon wins hands down, but it is quite a bit further from LV isn't it? Oh, well, best of luck with your plans.

Caryn: First of all, the "majority" of opinions about anything on these boards means NOTHING to me as I still find it astounding how the "majority" and myself differ quite immensely! Second, it's funny that you mentioned Hawaii because that was the first thing I said to myself when I walked into the Bellagio: "This hotel could NEVER measure up to many of the 5-stars I've stayed at in Hawaii!" And believe me, it CANNOT!! Even the lobby in the MGM Grand is actually more beautiful and impressive in my opinion! Also, that cheap looking glass sculpture in the ceiling is worth a laugh and a half as well!! True, the suites are large and beautiful (I MOVED to one from their claustrophobic and unimpressive standard room), but who wants to pay THOSE prices when you can get a 700 sq. ft. STANDARD room at the Venetian for much less?!? And as for the Venetian being "standard Vegas" I wholeheartedly disagree once again! While the hotel does have a "theme" of sorts, the hotel is most decidely NOT cheap and cheesy like many of the "standard Vegas" hotels you are referring to! It is one CLASS ACT, indeed!!!

Hey guys - both the Venetian and Bellagio are excellent properties. I just returned from a stay at the Venetian and was thoroughly impressed. It is definitely a perk knowing that you are guaranteed suite when staying at the Venetian. I have to disagree, though, with Bill's comments regarding Bellagio. Although I have not stayed there, I have seen it and gambled there. I think the lobby (and the conservatory) is amazing - MGM is not in the same league. Anyway, in the words of a (semi) famous American -"can't we all just get along?" <BR>

The lobby and the conservatory at the Bellagio are TWO SEPARATE areas! The lobby itself is not that large or very impressive at all, and, once again, that HIDEOUS, OVERPRICED glass sculpture in the ceiling is a JOKE!! And to think that someone was actually PAID Big Bucks to place it there! Now, perhaps the MGM Grand is not in the same league in some respects, but in TWO of them it's a definite standout: Again, the lobby IS very big, beautiful and very "grand," indeed, compared to the Bellagio's; it makes quite a first impression, I can assure you! (You can also walk into the lobby of ANY Four Seasons or Ritz-Carlton and be far more impressed with the lobby as well!) And second, the size, architecture and exterior color of the MGM building itself are all superior to the Bellagio. Now, even with that said, I would choose to stay at the Bellagio over the MGM because it is more luxurious and the casino is more beautiful as well, definitely, but what I have stated above I still hold to be quite true -- in MY opinion!!

Boy some folks just get plain hostile when discussing a matter as simple as what hotel to stay in. <BR> <BR>Bill, I suggst that if you feel so strongly against the Bellagio than stay away from it. However your tirade against the Bellagio must have more to it than just not liking the hotel. In any event, enjoy the Venetian because it may not be around next year. It has some pretty serious financial problems and pretty poor management. <BR> <BR>Which hotel to stay at is a matter of opinion. There are some that I wouldn't set foot in but there are many very good ones. One person's opinion is no more valid than another.

To Bill: your attitude comes across extremely strongly in your notes. What's up with that? It's so biased it's almost like you have a job at the Venetian and you're afraid of losing it in case the place goes under. <BR>I'll point out some errors in your notes just to see if I can get you lit up any more (maybe you'll respond with a note ENTIRELY IN CAPITALS). <BR>The standard rooms at Venetian are 700 sq ft. At Bellagio (the standard room that was so 'claustrophobic' that you claim you had to be 'moved to a suite'), the standard room is 640 sq ft. 8 feet squared difference is enough to produce a panic attack? <BR>And if 'ANY Ritz or Four Seasons' lobby is dramatic and impressive, you haven't been to many of these. Try the Ritz Philadelphia, Ritz Phoenix, Ritz Houston (no longer) or 4 Seasons Santa Barbara. They're all fine, always understated and tastefully done, but I don't think the first words that pop into your head are 'impressive'. <BR>I wouldn't be surprised if Bill is actually a troll who has never even been to these places. <BR>

Wow--such negativity! Bill, if your opinions differ so much from the other people on this board why do you keep coming back? <BR>Venetian is not completed and the stores are not yet opened. Stay at bellagio!!~

Hey Mr. Bill, you sure are fixated on size. As long as everything is big its impressive to you. You know what they say about guys who feel the need to impress other people by accumulating big possessions, don't you?

Hey y'all, if you don't quit it, this lovely English couple will change their minds about honeymooning in this petty-minded corner of the USA. ALL the above hotels are fine; the big attraction of LV is LV!! <BR>

Brenda: My attitude comes across quite strongly because I AM very opinionated! Also, you are VERY, VERY WRONG with your sq. footage number regarding the Bellagio. The standard rooms are 500 sq. ft. (you can confirm this through Reservations), and I personally DOUBT that THAT is an accurate no. as well and is misleading since I feel the room is most definitely LESS than 500 sq. ft. (beautiful bathroom, though, I won't deny that much)! Of the three Ritz-Carltons you mentioned, I have only been to the one in Phoenix and can MOST ASSUREDLY say without hesitation that their lobby IS more beautiful and impressive than the Bellagio's! Ditto for the 4 Seasons in Santa Barbara -- far superior! Also, I don't appreciate being called a Troll as I am most definitely NOT one, but what else can one expect from a low-class hussy such as yourself?!? <BR> <BR>Don: Your comment is ludicrous and hostile! I'm NOT trying to impress ANYBODY and I don't consider the Venetian a "possession" as so stated! <BR> <BR>LVLarry: Sorry to disappoint you, but the Venetian will be around for a VERY LONG TIME, INDEED!! SO GET USED TO IT!! <BR>

Hey Bill, <BR> I am quite aware that the lobby and conservatory are TWO SEPARATE areas. I think both are QUITE IMPRESSIVE and I STRONGLY disagree with you position regarding the imported glass in the lobby. I find it to be VERY cool. I think we all get the picture - YOU DON'T LIKE Bellagio. There really is no need to get so hostile, though.

I agree with your travel agent about Cambria, but in 2/98 stayed at the Best Western Cavalier Oceanfront Resort at San Simeon and thought it was great. We had an oceanfront room with fireplace and wetbar, and was priced $95-100 American. <BR> <BR>But I also really love Santa Barbara and Carmel. Katie, the entire coast is beautiful and it will be great wherever you go. <BR>

Some of you need to grow up!!##$ Stop embarrassing yourselves in public. It must be nice to have enough money to argue about such trivial crap. Wake up and look at the suffering in the world. <BR>If you have the time and money to be this rude.....keep it at home. Most people would be thankful just to be able to go to Las Vegas. Try no holiday at all whiners$#% English folks, Vegas is great. My bet is on the Monte Carlo! <BR>