Vegas hotel for couple - MGM, Paris, PH, TI
Sep 24th, 2015, 12:20 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Vegas hotel for couple - MGM, Paris, PH, TI
hello! we are a couple in our 30s with no kids. we only have 2 nights (1.5 days in vegas) and it is my boyfriend's first time ever and my first time in about 10 years. we do not gamble and we don't stay out late to party but enjoy a few drinks for sure. we want to walk the strip, see a show or 2, do the necessary cheesy and fun vegas things. we enjoy luxury but aren't spoiled. i found good deals on priceline for some hotels and we have narrowed our hotel to these 4 hotels: Paris, MGM, Planet Hollywood, and Treasure Island. i have read many reviews on each. paris seems to get the best reviews but it is about $26 more per night and wondering if it worth the splurge. which hotel do you recommend for us?
Sep 24th, 2015, 12:58 PM
#2
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,379
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I know the MGM Grand and Paris pretty well; I've only seen the public areas at Treasure Island, and haven't passed through Planet Hollywood yet (but will be staying there for a conference next year). Here's my take:
-- MGM is pure Vegas: flash, glitz, glamour. It's also HUGE, and the vast casino was quite smoky the last time I went there with my husband. If that's an issue, you will at the very least want to ask for a non-smoking room and hope for the best when you go gamble. The location is a bit south of center-Strip, but good. The rooms are very nice and clean, you've got a Cirque show onsite (KA, and some great fine dining choices.
-- Paris is just a bit north of the MGM Grand. The theming is a bit cheesy (over-the-top faux-Paris), but having said that, it's not off-putting and after a few minutes rather charming. The casino is big and not as smoky as the MGM Grand's. The public areas are clean, although they could use a bit of freshening-up. The rooms are perfectly fine: not big, but clean and very comfortable. The dining choices are wonderful (Mon Ami Gabi is a gem, and given its location it's a bargain), so you wouldn't need to go far off-site for a good meal. The onsite show is Jersey Boys, of which I'd heard good things.
I'd readily stay at either property, so it's a bit of a tossup. However, I'd think about spending a bit more and going for a room at the Mirage, which has a somewhat less-smoky casino and somewhat more upscale rooms in general, as well as a center-Strip location. It also has great dining options (albeit pricey), and their Cirque show is killer (The Beatles' LOVE.
Planet Hollywood is between Paris and the MGM Grand, and I've heard really good things about it in general. I think you'd be safe staying there. Their buffet is supposed to be one of the best in Vegas, and you can't get much more "Vegas" than putting on the feedbag at a good AYCE buffet!
Now, Treasure Island is a little different than the others. It's an independent resort, unlike the MGM Grand (part of the MGM Mirage casino family) and Paris and Planet Hollywood (both part of the Caesars family). It does have a resident Cirque show, Mystère, which is a major plus. However, the public areas are chaotic and downmarket, and their onsite dining options are pretty dire (with the possible exception of the pricey Phil's Italian Steakhouse). I don't know what the rooms are like-- the pictures on the website look nice, but who knows? I like the location and the Cirque show, but not much else calls out to me. YMMV.
-- MGM is pure Vegas: flash, glitz, glamour. It's also HUGE, and the vast casino was quite smoky the last time I went there with my husband. If that's an issue, you will at the very least want to ask for a non-smoking room and hope for the best when you go gamble. The location is a bit south of center-Strip, but good. The rooms are very nice and clean, you've got a Cirque show onsite (KA, and some great fine dining choices.
-- Paris is just a bit north of the MGM Grand. The theming is a bit cheesy (over-the-top faux-Paris), but having said that, it's not off-putting and after a few minutes rather charming. The casino is big and not as smoky as the MGM Grand's. The public areas are clean, although they could use a bit of freshening-up. The rooms are perfectly fine: not big, but clean and very comfortable. The dining choices are wonderful (Mon Ami Gabi is a gem, and given its location it's a bargain), so you wouldn't need to go far off-site for a good meal. The onsite show is Jersey Boys, of which I'd heard good things.
I'd readily stay at either property, so it's a bit of a tossup. However, I'd think about spending a bit more and going for a room at the Mirage, which has a somewhat less-smoky casino and somewhat more upscale rooms in general, as well as a center-Strip location. It also has great dining options (albeit pricey), and their Cirque show is killer (The Beatles' LOVE.
Planet Hollywood is between Paris and the MGM Grand, and I've heard really good things about it in general. I think you'd be safe staying there. Their buffet is supposed to be one of the best in Vegas, and you can't get much more "Vegas" than putting on the feedbag at a good AYCE buffet!
Now, Treasure Island is a little different than the others. It's an independent resort, unlike the MGM Grand (part of the MGM Mirage casino family) and Paris and Planet Hollywood (both part of the Caesars family). It does have a resident Cirque show, Mystère, which is a major plus. However, the public areas are chaotic and downmarket, and their onsite dining options are pretty dire (with the possible exception of the pricey Phil's Italian Steakhouse). I don't know what the rooms are like-- the pictures on the website look nice, but who knows? I like the location and the Cirque show, but not much else calls out to me. YMMV.
Sep 25th, 2015, 05:35 AM
#4
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 10,210
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I would choose either Paris or Planet Hollywood. Both have the most convenient, central locations and are decent hotels, with Planet Hollywood being in my opinion the best located of the four.
I'd stay away from MGM Grand, which for me is way too big and too distant, though its restaurants are really excellent and extensive (Atelier Alain Ducasse is one of the best places to eat in Las Vegas and definitely worth the trip).
Paris has better restaurants within the hotel, but Planet Hollywood is more convenient to City Center, which is one of the best places to stay and eat in all of Las Vegas these days.
Treasure Island isn't the best place to stay any longer, which is why it's so cheap, but it's convenient for several Cirque du Soleil shows.
I'd stay away from MGM Grand, which for me is way too big and too distant, though its restaurants are really excellent and extensive (Atelier Alain Ducasse is one of the best places to eat in Las Vegas and definitely worth the trip).
Paris has better restaurants within the hotel, but Planet Hollywood is more convenient to City Center, which is one of the best places to stay and eat in all of Las Vegas these days.
Treasure Island isn't the best place to stay any longer, which is why it's so cheap, but it's convenient for several Cirque du Soleil shows.
Sep 25th, 2015, 08:10 AM
#5
The less-expensive room choices at MGM are very small, and about a half-mile walk from the check-in desk, so if those are the ones you are price-checking, I'd avoid.
There may be some better deals than you're finding on priceline, here, where they list each hotel and current promotional offers:
http://deals.lasvegasadvisor.com/hotels/
There may be some better deals than you're finding on priceline, here, where they list each hotel and current promotional offers:
http://deals.lasvegasadvisor.com/hotels/
Sep 25th, 2015, 09:17 AM
#6
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,379
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Giving a bit more thought to the type of trip and the fact that it's your boyfriend's first time to Vegas, I'm going to finalize my vote to:
Paris Las Vegas, upgrade to Eiffel Tower-view room, with Bellagio just beyond. Glamorous!
One thing I forgot to mention is that Paris is across the street from Bellagio. For your first night, if the weather cooperates (i.e., it's not too cool), reserve an OUTSIDE table at Mon Ami Gabi and make sure you're seated by the top of the hour. The Fountains of Bellagio show becomes a lovely backdrop to dinner; granted, the Strip will be quite busy, but focus on the spectacular waterworks.
Planet Hollywood would probably be a close second given its proximity to City Center; spring for a Strip view if at all possible.
I forgot that the MGM Grand's West Wing rooms are quite cramped compared to their other rooms (which start at a not-too-shabby 446 sq ft). The sheer size of the place makes it a not-great choice for a first visit to Vegas.
I still think you might try to swing something at Mirage (again, with a Strip view). For that matter, the Venetian and the Wynn often have specials (well, mostly Sunday to Thursday), and those are seriously luxurious properties; don't rule them out. Clark's website might have deals worth pursuing.
Paris Las Vegas, upgrade to Eiffel Tower-view room, with Bellagio just beyond. Glamorous!
One thing I forgot to mention is that Paris is across the street from Bellagio. For your first night, if the weather cooperates (i.e., it's not too cool), reserve an OUTSIDE table at Mon Ami Gabi and make sure you're seated by the top of the hour. The Fountains of Bellagio show becomes a lovely backdrop to dinner; granted, the Strip will be quite busy, but focus on the spectacular waterworks.
Planet Hollywood would probably be a close second given its proximity to City Center; spring for a Strip view if at all possible.
I forgot that the MGM Grand's West Wing rooms are quite cramped compared to their other rooms (which start at a not-too-shabby 446 sq ft). The sheer size of the place makes it a not-great choice for a first visit to Vegas.
I still think you might try to swing something at Mirage (again, with a Strip view). For that matter, the Venetian and the Wynn often have specials (well, mostly Sunday to Thursday), and those are seriously luxurious properties; don't rule them out. Clark's website might have deals worth pursuing.
Sep 25th, 2015, 09:53 AM
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
you all have been soooo wonderful and helpful! thank you, thank you, thank you!!! I think Paris will be the best choice. It will be the most memorable and "Vegas-y". Happy travels to everyone 
Oct 7th, 2015, 01:18 PM
#8
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 495
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My friend and I stayed at the Bellagio, end of August for 2 nights. It is still great, then we stayed at Treasure Island for 2 nights. Treasure Island rooms were spotless. The staff was very nice, and we just walked over to The Mirage to gamble and eat. We were celebrating our 73rd Birthday, and couldn't get into the Bellagio for the 2nd two nights. We were very well pleased with our rooms at TI.
