Rooms and Pools in Las Vegas
 

We've been to Vegas before, so I'm aware of where everything is on the strip, so this time I'm looking specifically for how the rooms compare at these places. We don't need fancy or huge, but updated and clean are a must! Plus, their pools, I'll probably be lounging by them a lot while my husband attends a conference.

- Monte Carlo (we've stayed there before, loved the beds, but it's been years!)
- MGM (also stayed there before, but in "The West Wing." Didn't care for it much, but would be willing to try a different section if the price was right.)
- The Mirage
- Treasure Island
- The Flamingo
- Tropicana
- New York, New York (very interested because of the location, but worried about roller coaster noise)
- The Venetian (if we can make the budget work since it's more than the others)

Side note: we are considering taking our kids (ages 1 and 3). Yes, we are crazy - or no? Would there plenty to do? I'm thinking the pools and just walking (me walking, them stroller riding) would be pretty entertaining. Plus, a day trip to Red Rock or Zion?

Again, it's been about 5 years since we've been, so just looking for some current advice. Thanks in advance :-)

A few others I want to add:
- Planet Hollywood
- Paris
- Vdara or Cosmopolitan (these are new since we've been, how's their location?)

(If these seem scattered, it's because I'm looking at two budgets: my husband's work budget and our own, so some I've increased the work allowance and okayed a "splurge" on our end.)

Thanks!

Your best bet is probably a hotel in your second round of choices. The first group of hotels are among the older properties on the Strip, and I'm not confident that (aside from The Mirage and perhaps the Venetian) you'll find the rooms "updated" though I'm sure everything will be clean.

I think it's not even remotely a good idea to take young kids. There's too much smoke, and none of these hotels is particularly kid-friendly. That's not that you won't find plenty of kids in LV, but I think it's a huge mistake. Pools in LV have become party scenes, and many of them are just not even remotely child-friendly or welcoming. And not all rooms in LV have two beds, so keep that in mind. I'm not sure about the hotels you've identified, but particularly among the newer hotels, one king is not at all uncommon, though rooms tend to be large.

If you want to take the kids, then consider staying off the Strip and renting a car. Red Rock Resort is great, though even its pool isn't particularly kid friendly with lots of loud music.

Thank you for the huge reminder on the smoke! I'm so not used to that where I live, so I'm glad you mentioned it. I HATE that part of Las Vegas and will cancel any thought of bringing the kids.

If you ignore the "updated" part of my request and pick a hotel based on just cleanliness and pools, which one would be at the top then? Maybe "updated" isn't the right word anyway... I just don't want really outdated... If that makes any sense :-)

<i>Thank you for the huge reminder on the smoke!</i>

The Vdara is a smoke-free property.

The Signature at MGM is also smoke free and there are good deals to be had at:
http://smartervegas.com/hotels/the_s...onalcodes.aspx

Sign up for the unlisted deals[ up in the top right hand corner of the page above] for best deals.

We stayed at The Signature in January and it was really nice.

I've only stayed in Aria recently, and it was outstanding, though even those rooms show some small signs of wear already. But I love the City Center location in Mid-Strip, so either Cosmopolitan or Vdara may be a good choice.

The Golden Nugget has a pool with a slide that goes through a shark tank. I remember a good buffet with windows overlooking the pool area. Don't know about the rooms.
Plenty going on on Fremont Street.

I used to go to Vegas a lot for business. Have stayed at both Paris & Planet Hollywood. PH is dark - dark colors, bad lighting in hallways & rooms, and I frankly didn't care for it. Paris is a little better, but not by much. The Cosmo has great rooms, but if you care about actually sleeping in your room, absolutely demand a room away from the pool area. They start blasting rap music (IMO a contradiction in terms) about 10:30, and it goes all night. It's pretty poorly run, and from what I saw/heard, the pool areas get crowded quickly. Haven't stayed at Vdara, but out of the others on your list, I'd definitely pick the Venetian. But, IMO, the rooms at Bellagio are just a smidge nicer than Venetian.

And as far as kids, I am solidly in the camp that Vegas is most definitely NOT for kids!