I need help finding a Casino Hotel for a 4 night stay in August. I stayed at the MGM 10 years ago and I found it confusing to get around. A nice pool is a necessity. I don't want to spead more that $150 a night, it's sun-thurs. thanks

I really like the Golden Nugget. It is not on the Strip but it is a great hotel. The new pool has been completed (finally). I have gotten some great deals on rooms there.

There is an ABC convenience store a couple of doors down. So it is easy to stock up on snacks & beverages for the room.

There is free parking just behind the hotel. The Strip is only a few minutes away. Every hotel on the Strip has free parking. So it is easy to visit the different hotels/casinos.

We tend to go in the winter months (who wants to leave Michigan in the summer?!?) so the pools are usually closed. But I think my favorite place to stay is Paris. And I think we did go to their pool once and it was very nice. The location is great.

Monte Carlo is another great location and usually pretty cheap. I don't know about the pool.

Everyone says that the best value pool on the strip is The Flamingo. It is supposed to be a wonderful pool, but I'm not sure about the rooms.

Actually, I just took their virtual tour on their website and it does look nice!

For Mid-Strip (location) I tend to favor Paris. If location is not so important, I'd opt for Mandalay Bay.

Check out the "Go Luxury" rooms at the Flamingo. Retro, fun, and usually well under $150/night midweek. The Flamingo is well located mid-strip, and it is short walk from the elevator to the exits, unlike the MGM, Caesar's, etc. Nice pool, too.

Any advice for a 2-night stay (mid-week)in late July for two adults and a 13-year old girl? Would like it to be clean, updated, and fun for a teenager, close to where all the action is -- but no more than $150-200/night. Thanks!

Michele - I would urge you to re-think the Vegas w/a teenager trip. It is no place for a 13 yr old, particularly a female.

Daydreamer, Agree the Flamingo is probably the best combination for location, budget and pool, though I don't care for the buffet there. The "GO" rooms are supposedly decent and can be had for like 110 or 120 mid-week. The Mirage sometimes has rooms that drop below 150 and a nice pool. Note you may want to check with hotels before booking since those with big pools are getting into the habit of renting the area out for parties for the 21-30 yr. old crowd. Also, I second the motion about the Golden Nugget providing a decent option for a nice room and pool and cheaper gambling/food than the strip.

MicheleVee, I want to echo Wannabe here. Our experience was when the strip was "Disney-fied" with a water park, amusement parks, and arcades in the early to mid-90s, keeping a 13 year old entertained was easy. Now, that does not hold true. Of course, I can't speak for your child, just mine who swears she wants nothing to do with the place again until she is 21!! Note there is one hotel way off the strip in Summerlin called Suncoast. The hotel has a bowling alley, movie theater and a pool(if tiny) in it. At least, the 13 year may be able to keep occupied in one place BUT an adult must be with them.

MichelleVee

While I wouldn't want to bring a 13 year old with me on a trip to Las Vegas, just for my own selfish reasons that it would make it less fun for ME, I would think that between the pool, the malls, and shows, there is enough to keep a 13 year old satisfied - especially if you are only going for two days.

I would recommend Mandalay Bay for its pool but it isn't necessarily "close to where all the action is." Flamingo is a good option - pool is nice and it is close to many of the hotels. Caesars is close by and I bet your 13 year old could spend an entire afternoon in the Forum Shoppes. Or maybe check out the new Planet Hollywood (used to be the Aladdin).

Whoops, neglected to mention that the Circus Circus has an indoor amusement park that my 16 year old and her 11 year old cousin lost themselves in quite easily. Your child may enjoy that in addition to the pool and stores, etc.

I think I wrote this in another Vegas thread too.

Check the pool hours before you book. Many of the pools close at 4 pm because they want you gambling, not lying in the free sun.

Circus2 is a dump...

Thanks for all the info I'll check out all of the suggestions!

The AAA rep recommended Planet Hollywood, too -- has anyone reading this forum been there?

Michelle V:

Check out the Hilton. It's off the beat just a little. We found it to be a perfect location when we spent a few nights with our DD's. The monorail stops right at the hotel which was nice.

We went to strip when it was convenient for us...and I would definately think twice about going to the strip in the evening.

Good Luck !

ruwithme -- Is is simply called the Las Vegas Hilton or another name? I appreciate all of the advice on this forum -- I think we'll stay off the strip a bit so we can go only when we choose to, rather than being right in the middle of it. We are definitely going to Cirque for the Beatles show, and I think my daughter would like to see NY,NY and the Eiffel Tower at Paris -- otherwise, I don't think we'll be spending a lot of time on the strip with a 13-year old girl!

We haven't stayed at the Westin but heard it's very nice. It's close to the strip but doesn't have a casino atmosphere.

Rio Suites is also close to the strip and has free shuttles constantly going back and forth. The rooms are great and you'd get the Vegas feel without actually staying on the strip. Rio is probably my favorite Vegas hotel and has a fabulous pool area as well, which your daughter would enjoy.

Just fyi, the Las Vegas Hilton is off the strip, but on the monorail route, which takes you along the backside of the strip casinos. www.lvmonorail.com/

If you haven't been to the MGM Grand in 10 years, you might want to rethink - they have the best river pool in LV, and it's something your 13 year old would love. They redecorated the hotel about 5 years ago. But the plus is the pool. I'm don't think anyone else in L.V has a river pool. Please look into the pool area and the mgm grand, I only say that, as you mentioned you're bringing your little one, and the pool alone is something that shouldn't be missed out on.

http://www.las-vegas.cc
http://www.mgmgrand.com

Mandalay Bay and I believe Monte Carlo have river pools. If your 13 year old enjoys pools, I would stay on strip at a property with a great pool area - these include Mandalay Bay, MGM, Mirage, Flamingo.