lemidi

Hello
For a 4 night Vegas trip in January I thought I had decided on the Venetian based on posts here as well as the hotel's website.

But, I now just read in my paper's travel section about these two newer properties located off the strip and they are both given a very favorable write up. Supposedly the Green Valley is where the celebrities stay...Now I am considering the Ritz Carlton Lake Las Vegas as well since these others are off strip. Wondering if they are worth considering.

My priorites are: great service (as much as one can get in Vegas), fabulous room, lots to do at the hotel besides pool since it is January. Great food is important but I know good restaurants are abundant in Vegas so does not have to be right in hotel. I am ok with the contrived, Disney atmosphere of some of these hotels because it is Vegas after all and part of the fun. I tend like activity around me and am wondering if staying away from the strip may be too quiet for 4 days.

Has anyone stayed at either the Red Rock Station or the Green Valley Ranch and if so how would you compare them to the better strip hotels.



Thanks for your help.

Lori

Off-Strip just does not compare to being on the Strip. We have not stayed at either GV or Red Rock, but we have visited them (casino and had lunch at each). Red Rock is very pretty but it is what is known in Vegas as a "locals casino". It's in "suburbia", lots of new houses around. It is extremely attractive tho, lots of red color used and beautiful chandeliers. There are a number of restaurants and a food court. Two Starbucks if I remember correctly, also movie theaters.

GV is nice enough, but I was not really impressed. Again, it is in suburbia (Henderson). We were curious about it as it had been featured on a TV reality series (American Casino I think it was called). "The District" shopping mall is adjacent to GV and there are several restuarants just outside the resort itself as well.

We have also been to the Ritz several times, usually driving out there from the Strip and having lunch. It's very nice, but 17 miles or so from the Strip. There is a "shopping village" adjacent to the hotel and the Hyatt is down the street. I think the Ritz would be more a place I'd "stay" at, i.e. not run back and forth to the strip.

Basically, of the 3 you mention I'd stay at the Venetian, but then again I love the strip.

jetset1

lemidi~ hello.. yes, my husband and I had an amazing stay there as I recently posted on Starrsville Vegas question. Click on my screen name and it should come up.
It's nice and quiet, and not all that far by freeway to the action if you choose.. good luck, J.

Dukey

I'm sorry but as far as I am concerned even the Rio is "too far" off the Strip!!!!!

IMO I think you need to be in the MIDDLE of everything in a place like Las Vegas..save the "out of the way" vacation for some other city.

vegasnative

I think if this was your first trip to Vegas then I would stay on the Strip. From what it sounds like, it is not, so maybe try something different??? I live about 8 minutes from Green Valley Ranch. It is a great place. As already mentioned, The District (shopping) is attached to it, with plenty of restaurants in The District and in the hotel itself. The hotel also has movie theaters, along with the usual very treny bars/lounges. The area surrounding the hotel, Henderson, more specifically Green Valley, is beautiful, with even more restaurants. Red Rock Station is the newest of the ones you mention, have not been myself, but have seen it on the TV and have heard it is great. To me though, it is just so far from everything, it is further from the Strip than GVR. GVR is a short ride on the 215 then on the 15 and your in the heart of the Strip.
If you decide to stay on the Strip, I have to recommend that you take a drive out to Henderson and eat at a "local" restaurant called Ventano's. It is TERRIFIC! Great views of the Vegas Skyline, the food (Italian) and atmosphere is to die for and it is very close to GVR so you can check that out if you decide against it.

vegasnative

If you decide to head my advice...take the I-15 south, I-215 East towards Henderson, exit Green Valley Pkwy to the right (south), GVR is on the right. Keep going on Green Valley and make a left on Horizon Ridge and on the corner of Horizon Ridge and Arroyo Grande is a Shell station, slightly behind it is Ventano's....well worth the little drive from the Strip!
Or if you opt to try Red Rock station, there is Rosemary's in Summerlin that is another "local" restaurant that is also terrific! We took my mom there last year for her 60th b-day and she loved it. Very nice, intimate place. The owners (husband & wife)were once excutives to Emeril Lagasse in NO, reservations needed here for sure. Rosemarys is on W. Sahara...not to be confused with Rosemarys inside the Rio, completely different place. I had never heard of Rosemarys before, then I read about it hear several times and thought I would try it....very, very good!
Have fun!!

lemidi

Wow, you are all giving me very clear advice and great info. Either I asked my question very well or you can all read my mind very well. Thank you, thank you.
I'm feeling more comfortable with my original thought of Venetian mainly because of what Dukey says. Being in the middle of everything is why one goes to Vegas.
Jetset, your description of GVR sounds great and is still tempting but I am worried I might get antsy away from the strip. I do like the "no fanny packs, bellies etc"...and that sounds like our speed. I will definitely check it out if I don't stay this time around.
Vegasnative, we do love to wander and explore so we will definitely try either Ventanos or Rosemary's if not both. I like the idea of the skyline view from the restaurant. I'll let you know how we make out.
Thanks to everyone.

lemidi

Also, I forgot to mention Lori who along with Dukey reminded me that the strip is the place to stay in Vegas. Thanks.

westie

Let me add a few comments as well. I agree witht the suggestion of Rosemary's, but the Rio location closed awhile ago. Should you decide to go to the Sahara location, there are a couple of offers you may want to take advantage of. 1) Restaurant.com $25 gift certificates may be purchased for only $4 through 8/31 by using code 78022 at checkout, 2) wine on Sundays is 1/2 priced, 3) a $20.06 3-course weekday lunch is offered by using a printable coupon from their website and 4) Wednesday is Ladies Night Out where the food portion of the bill is 50% off for women.

Ventano's is an very good Italian restaurant offering a beautiful night time view of the LV Valley. Restaurnat.com gift certificates are also available. Portions are large, but save room for the creme brulee.

Since you have a car, I highly recommend Todd's Unique (again offering restaurant.com certficates). This an owner/chef restaurant where the owner actually cooks.

westie

Let me add a few comments as well. I agree witht the suggestion of Rosemary's, but the Rio location closed awhile ago. Should you decide to go to the Sahara location, there are a couple of offers you may want to take advantage of. 1) Restaurant.com $25 gift certificates may be purchased for only $4 through 8/31 by using code 78022 at checkout, 2) wine on Sundays is 1/2 priced, 3) a $20 3-course weekday lunch is offered by using a printable coupon from their website and 4) Wednesday is Ladies Night Out where the food portion of the bill is 50% off for women.

Ventano's is an very good Italian restaurant offering a beautiful night time view of the LV Valley. Restaurant.com gift certificates are also available. Portions are large, but save room for the creme brulee.

Since you have a car, I highly recommend Todd's Unique (again offering restaurant.com certficates). This an owner/chef restaurant where the owner actually cooks.

My last food recommendation is the 3-course $18.80 weekday lunch at Commander's Palace. During this lunch you can purchase martinis for only 25 cents each or, if you prefer, take advantage of 1/2 priced wine specials.

westie

Sorry for the double post. Here is the latest luncheon menu specials from the Commander's Palace website:

1880 Lunch Specials - 3 Courses for $18.80 Monday, Aug 21, 2006 - Friday, Aug 25, 2006

Appetizers

Caesar Salad
Romaine lettuce tossed with anchovy-garlic emulsion, garlic roasted French bread croutons, marinated white Belgian anchovies and shaved Farmstead Serena cheese

~ or ~

Shrimp and Grits
Buttermilk marinated and cornmeal fried Gulf shrimp served
with jalapeño grits and charred green onion coulis

Entrées

Andouille Posolé Stew
A hearty stew of roasted andouille sausage, hominy and tomatoes in a thick chicken, chipotle & honey sauce
~ served tableside with Louisiana popcorn rice

~ or ~

Ling Cod “a la Plancha”
Griddle seared Ling Cod with our housemade rémoulade
and a jicama, green apple and jalapeño slaw



Desserts

Banana Nut Slice
A light banana nut slice with graham cracker crust
and cream cheese frosting ~ served with caramel
sauce and vanilla bean chantilly

~ or ~

French Quarter Beignets
Traditional New Orleans bite size beignets dusted with powdered sugar ~ accompanied by warm café au lait sauce

jetset1

>)Sure westie.. I rev up the fitness goals(after summer indulging and a few too may mai tais shared with new Fodor friends),and decide that I'm going to be ho ho hoing in style by Christmas and you post that menu.. I nearly coated my poor mouse with warm maple syrup and cinammon. sigh.................

cherie1

A couple of comments.

First, be careful with the Restaurant.com certificates. Many have restrictions (days, hours, limits), so read carefully. Second, I tried to use a few certificates at dinner at a restaurant last weekend, and they said only one $25 cert per visit. So don't buy them in bulk. Just some tips to keep in mind.

As far as the resorts go, we had a wonderful stay at the Ritz a few years back. But the trek to the Strip is about a half hour, so it's best to go to the Ritz if you are pretty much going to stay around there. You can shop, have dinner there and at the Hyatt, golf and hang out at the pool (weather permitting), visit the spa and workout facilities, gamble (there wasn't a casino at the Ritz yet when I went, but the nearby Hyatt has one), relax, etc. The Ritz is really lovely and the service and property is excellent. But for me, it's not the typical Vegas trip. For that, I would stay on the Strip for sure (my favorites are the Four Seasons, Bellagio, and Wynn, but the Venetian is cool too). To have it all, why not do what we did: a couple nights at the Ritz followed by a couple nights at a Strip resort?

vegasnative

westie~great suggestions, especially for the creme brulee at Ventano's!! It is the BEST!! Also, like Todd's Unique, the owner of Ventano's is the chef (co-owner) and he does cook, and we have been their twice when he has come out into the restaurant and asked how everything was. The chef's name is Arnauld Briand, and like I said he is co-owner with a business partner. http://www.ventanoitalian.com/
westie~also, I think (if I remember right) you asked awhile ago if the Hawaiian restaurant was still open on Eastern....it is not, it did close. That is now a PT's Pub.