I agree with Jodiebug. That "corner" of the strip is where I usually stay. The Flamingo is older, but has been renovated. I have been happy there. And the pool is very nice. I stayed at Harrah's this last time, because I got a free room there. (Harrah's has a casino in my town, so I have earned comps, which can be used at their other locations.) My traveling companion and I thought the free room at Harrah's was perfectly nice. (Harrah's has also been updating.) I have no idea if Harrah's even has a pool. (That wasn't on my "needs list" this time.)

l thought I read that Ceasar's lets the public use their pool for an entry fee.

My thought is this: what will be the focus of your trip? I never spend much time in my room, so what I look for in a hotel is a nice, clean, comfortable location, close to where I will spend most of my time (so that I can walk, rather than wait on a bus or pay for a taxi). I tend to try to save money on the room, and then visit the restaurants or attractions I want to see at the other, more expensive hotels. Having said that, if money were no object, I would definitely choose the Bellagio. It is, in my opinion, the most beautiful hotel on the strip. I'm sure every aspect of a stay there would be perfect. But, it is probably the most expensive stay, as well. So far, I have had to be content with enjoying the Bellagio's beauty by visiting the Conservatory (free), the art gallery (cheap), "O" (Cirque du Soleil's show there, expensive but worth it) and the fountains (free...and my favorite thing in Vegas).

Central location and reasonable price range, without a ton of kids: Flamingo, Harrah's, maybe Bally's.

I would also recommend the spa at Mandalay Bay (for a relaxing splurge) ...and the lunch buffet at Mandalay Bay was just incredible. (The dinner buffet is probably just as good.) We tried it, just because we didn't feel like waiting on a table at one of their other restaurants, and we were extremely surprised and happy with the excellent food there. Not your typical buffet at all. Very high on my list.

Hope this info helps.

Thanks to everyone for their replies. After extensive research including phone calls as well as internet, I found that Bellagio, Venetian, Mirage, Caesars and Mandalay Bay each had at least one night they were sold out for my dates (6/24-28) due to a convention. I ended up booking the Pool Party Package at Flamingo. I don't think I can beat the location, pools, etc for the rate! I also checked with a few employees and they insist you have to be a guest of the hotel to gain access to the pools (or tropical paradise as they refer to them). Now, does anyone who's been there lately, have any opinion of the type or location of room to request? I know they've built towers and many rooms since I was last in LV and don't know which rooms are nicer/larger/quieter/better view.
Also, any restaurant recommendations? Something between hotel buffets and Nobu! You know, maybe between $25-$50 per person! Thanks again everyone!

Spago's at Caesar's Forum Shops. Try the Asian chicken salad.

Karen:

What dates did you get the Pool Party rate for? I checked for next month and it was $140 per night.

Thanks.

Deborah - How does $55 per night sound for Tues/Wed/Thurs and I think somewhere around $150 for Friday (amazing how much more they're able to charge on the weekends). My husband booked it over the internet - there's a special section marked Pool Party Rate.

I'm not a fan of the Flamingo. It's pretty trodden. The rooms are subpar. And that pool has the potential to be GREAT, but it falls short and I rate it a C+. But if the others are booked up, then I guess that would be my last resort too.

For pools, here's my ranking:

Mirage: A+
Bellagio: A
Mandalay Bar: A-
Caesar's: B+
Treasure Island: B
Venetian and Paris: B-
Flamingo: C+
MGM, Ballys, Aladdin: C
Luxor, LV Hilton: C-
Anything else...don't bother when it comes to Vegas pools.

Mirage doesn't get that many children, because the rates tend to scare those families to the Flamingo, Monte Carlo, etc.

-Darvy, the travel gal

Darvy, thanks for your input. I have been trying the other hotels all week (because you never know when a cancellation will open something up) but to this point, other than Mandalay Bay (which wanted almost $500 for Friday night) your other top-rated hotels are still booked for at least 2 of the days we'll be out there - and we're not flexible on dates (grandparents watching the kids). I know Flamingo has older and newer rooms and maybe we'll get lucky with a nicer one.

Not to steal your thread, karen, but Darvy, how would your ratings change if you were taking teenagers along?

Check out www.lvol.com for lots of
Vegas info.

Spago in the Forum Shops?
Yech!!
Based on some (bad) advice from this forum I ate there last spring. What a waste. Bad cheesy pseudo-atmosphere, OK food (definitely not better than good food from a mall food court) and with so many other nice restaurants in LV, I ask, why would anyone choose Spago?

Also, for a special occasion the Flamingo would be a downer IMO. But budget must always be considered.

Because they make an amazing Asian chicken salad!!!

Maybe you just had a bad Spago day? or the dish you chose was not so good?
We always have good lunches there, dinner was only not so great because of the crowds and noise.

Rwilliams...must have been an unfortunate 'bad' Spago day. I've eaten there numerous times (out on the "sidewalk" area for the better pricing and atmosphere) and always had good meals and several that were exceptional.

I liked beachbum's question to Darvy_Kuntz. How would the pool ratings change (if at all) if teenagers were included? Darvy? Anyone?

karenvk -
we stayed at the Flamingo last September and thought it was a great value. There were no children at the pool but it was Labor Day week so I suppose they were back to school. Our room had been recently renovated. We liked the Flamingo Room for dinner - ended up eating there twice actually. The food was very good and the prices reasonable. We're going back again this Labor Day and got a great rate of $39 a night using our player card. Can't beat it!

Pegoode, thanks for the positive vote for the Flamingo. I think the pool situation will certainly be a crap shoot (no vegas pun intended). With temps above 100, there might be no one or everyone at the pool! Keep those restaurant recommendations coming!

Karenvk - it is no crap shoot - there will definitely be a lot of people at the pool. I've been to Vegas in the summer several times and there are always a good number of people at the pool (even when it is 105).

Hey Karen:

Unfortunately, I am going on a weekend to Vegas and the pool party rate goes up to $140 rather than $55. I have a good friend that goes to Vegas a couple of times a year and said she and her husband went by the pool at the Flamingo and said it has been renovated very nicely. The casino is also in a good location on the strip (very central to a lot of things. It may not be the newest, but the weekend rate is decent (not pool party, but AAA rate). Thanks.

Deborah, thanks for your post. You're right...the location is great. I used to live in LA and come to Vegas frequently (but before all these mega hotels were built) so part of me really wanted one of these newer places but between some being sold out and the rates at the others, I just couldn't justify it. The Flamingo is just fine (although I heard not a great place to gamble - fine with me - I'm sure they'll take my money anywhere!). Does your friend have any good restaurant ideas?

I'm a bit angry now because I found out the gym costs an additional $20 a day at the Flamingo. I'm not happy and may not stay there now. My rate is over $100 a night as it is. As for restaurants, yes, they like Cafe Lux at the Venetian, Cozymel (on Flamingo), PF Chang, Cheesecake Factory at Caesar's and say there is a good brewery at the Monte Carlo.