Curious

This hotel was intriguing to me since it received very few comments on the many Vegas posts on this site and others.

I wanted a hotel that was "nice" and in the center of the action. Bellagio seemed a little pricey and also had mixed reviews. Possibilities included The Venetian, Mirage and Mandalay Bay (which is certainly not in the center of the action).

I was browsing early in January for an April 20/21 reservation. I also wanted more than the "standard" room. The Aladdin had a rate on their Resort Vista Suites for $119.00/night. It looked like a great deal.

A week or two prior to our arrival, their website now listed the room for $99.99 for Sunday and $109.00 for Monday. I called the hotel and they were more than happy to adjust the price.

Upon arrival, the very friendly reservation agent told us were were being upgraded to their Strip Suite. SUPER!!!!!!! This was just done.....no request, no magical $20.00 bill, no anniversary, etc. This was in the South Tower on the 33rd floor.

What a room!!! When you enter, on the left was a living room with couch, matching large chair, coffee table, Amoire containing a 27" TV and room safe. Ahead was the bedroom area. On the right was a desk with a computer and keypad. I believe for $9.95 you received 24 hours of internet access. The room had a King size bed, a chest of drawers with another 27" TV and floor to ceiling window overlooking the Strip and the Bellagio fountains. Not too bad!!!!!

Then the bathroom......you enter and to your immediate left is the tiled shower. Just past that is the huge round bathtub. It was large enough for 4 good friends! Just past that was the water closet with the required telephone.
Best of all, the vanity covered the entire wall that had another floor to ceiling window overlooking the strip! There was a sink at each end. You could walk around nude, check out the strip or the Bellagio fountains and nobody could see you. Great room!!!!!!!

TiminLA

Thanks for the report. I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed your stay. I just booked a room there for two nights this week and was hoping that I made the right choice.

Curious

Aladdin trip part 2.

We ate twice at the Aladdin. Dinner at Tremezzo and lunch at Zanzibar. Both excellent food and service. Another night we had dinner at Mon Ami Gabi at Paris. Also excellent.

I have never like to gamble in Vegas (used to be part of my territory when I was on the road). I play blackjack. They only pay 6 to 5 on black jacks, as do most of the other casinos. Rip off!

The Bellagio fountains are ok. Some people think they are the greatest thing they have ever seen. I wonder what they have seen.

After 3 days and two nights, we were "themed out". Even though our room was great, we have no desire to return. Too many other places to see and things to do.

While there, we visited Bellagio, Paris and Bally's. The casino at Bally's looked like your standard casino in Reno.

The Vegas airport is a real PIA. We had an early morning flight out on Tuesday. At our security checkpoint, we faced the longest line I have ever seen (I fly a lot). It looked like the line for the most popular ride at Disneyland. Might just been a lot of people.

I do recommend The Aladdin. They treated us first class, and I had never stayed there previously.

Curious

ezmark

Thanks for the update. I am starting to plan a trip(April 2004)and I am trying to narrow down the hotel choices. I seemed to like the variety of rooms at Alladin and now I have some first hand info.
A couple of quesions for you Curious. The couch in the living was it a pull out or big enough for someone else to crash on??? Another question is my dad who walks with a cane did you find the location of the rooms far away from the casino or restaurant area???
Thanks Elaine

AAFrequentFlyer

Don't forget, Alladin was just sold to Planet Hollywood(restaurants) group, and it will be run by Starwood(Sheraton,Westin,etc..). The rooms will not change that much, but Planet Hollywood is/will change the theme of the property to reflect it's own image.

gplimpton

Wall Street Journal said last week that the sale must be approved by bankruptcy court prior to completion.

Also, I'm a little "curious" about "Curious's" comment that he/she thought Bellagio was a questionable choice because of mixed reviews (and price). The price part is understandable. It costs more than Aladdin. But the quality of Bellagio is so much better than Aladdin that the two hardly belong on the same list of considerations.
I find that the people who whine about Bellagio are the same ones who whine about places like the Four Seasons Maui. They think that because they're paying more that they should be stepping into the king's palace, receiving complimentary foot massage every hour and free butler service. People who haven't stayed many nice places and who save all their pennies for a splurge at a Bellagio or FS tend to have distorted expectations.
There are two issues when ranking a hotel: the quality of the hotel, and the value factor for the price paid. If you find someone who thinks Aladdin is nicer than Bellagio, let me know. Something's missing in that equation.
Lots of people think Bellagio's not a great value. That's completely subjective. For people with large travel budgets, it's not a limiting factor. For people on tight budgets, it can actually ruin their stay.

Curious

ezmark,

I'm not sure if the couch was a hide-a-bed, but it was a full size couch and certainly large enough for someone to "crash" on.

The elevators are close and convienient to the casino. You have to remember, however, that just about everything in Vegas is a fairly good jaunt.

gplimpton,

I never said the Aladdin was equal to the Bellagio. If you check out the many posts on this board and others, many feel the Bellagio has lost some of it's luster. Apparently it has changed hands and the new owners have let it slide a tad. It is probaly still the #1 hotel in Vegas, just not what it used to be.

One other thing I forgot to mention: In walking around the various hotels mentioned and checking the outside menus, many of the more upscale restaurants discourage children under 5 years of age.

Curious

Branv

Thanks for the post, I will be staying in the Aladdin in a week, so this gives me hope for a good stay

What I've heard from friends and read, the problem with Bellagio tends to center around a decline in personnel professionalism: ranging from incompetence, to careless attitude, to downright rudeness. What my cousin specifically told me after her visit was that, the rooms itself were so "standard" compared to the rest of the hotel. I wouldn't mind staying here, but since all I only stay in the room to sleep, I'd rather pay less for a clean, safe, dependable resort that's close to everything I need (i.e. cheaper room, higher gambling budget).

My own take on Bellagio was that it looks good. But, I personally am not fond of the dealers, I don't need a chatty overly friendly person, but attitude I don't need...even if it's directed at someone else at the table. Ruins the mood.