3 new york guys heading to vegas for the first time. All single early fifties thinking of staying at the Stardust hotel. Any insight into the rooms or the pool. Thanks.

First thing: Bad location. North Strip, among the less-desirable resorts (Circus Circus, Stratosphere, etc.). The rooms are fine, the pool-- well, it's wet, otherwise it's nondescript. The clientèle skew much older (lots of seniors), the eateries aren't that hot, the entertainment is pretty lame. The casino is OK, but it's definitely old-school Vegas.

I dunno-- for your first time, you might want something a bit more central. I'd pony up the dough to stay at Caesar's or the Mirage myself. If you're on a bit of a budget, the Flamingo or Bally's.

You can prob stay at Ballys for about the same price and the location is much better. (you will save the difference in cab fares)

The buffet at the Stardust is awful. I was also unimpressed with Stardust compared with all of the other strip hotels. There's not much else to do that far out on the strip.

The only really good thing I can say about the place is that its sports book is one of the best in Vegas, and they set the morning line for most horse races.

One of the smokiest, smelliest, oldest casinos on the strip.
You should be able to find a much better hotel, better location, without investing a lot more $$.

Just for a differing view....

The first time I went to Vegas, my business partner and I stayed at the Stardust. We rather enjoyed it. Friendly folks. 2 for 1 heinekens every cocktail hour. Free drinks delivered while standing in line to check in. What more could you want?? Rooms were very acceptable. Attended a show that is no longer there.

Now this was about 8 years ago so put that into the mix as well.

The area is not bad IMHO, I never felt uncomfortable in the very least...except for too many Heinikens...

As mentioned, the sports book is great. It all depends on what is important to your visit.

OK...now that I got that out, check out the Monte Carlo.

2909 First trip..

Just out of curiosity, you had several posts about staying at the Mirage last year. Didn't that work out? Sounded like a done deal.

No disrespect, place2u, but 8 years in LV is a long time.
Vegas changes sooo fast, 1996 was practically the Rat Pack era.
Think of all that was NOT in LV yet in 1996:
no Bellagio
no Mandalay Bay
no New York New York
no Aladdin
no Venetian
no Monte Carlo
no Four Seasons
no Stratosphere Tower
no Orleans
Desert Inn had not been renovated or imploded yet
Sands still existed
the Hacienda still existed
Continental still existed

Only 8 years.
Hard to believe.

traveleis

No disrespect taken, perhaps I should have been more clear on my experience in sin city. That was my 1st trip. Since then I have been back 6 more times, the latest being 5/03.

We stayed at the Stardust about 3 years ago & it was very tired then. Unless they've renovated since, don't stay there. The Mirage, Paris or Ballys are mid-strip & very reasonable.