Vegas hotel help
 

I've searched the threads and read the reviews and would now like opinions from some fodorites on a hotel selections for us. We will be arriving on December 26th and only staying for one night. 4 adults and 3 kids age 14,12 & 8. Although we may gamble a little it will not be our focus. I'm assuming it will probably be too cold to swim and most of the pools close early in the off season. Where would be the best place to stay with the kids? We'd like to show them the lights, volcano, tigers and a few other Vegas attractions (recommendations please!) I'm considering the Flamingo...any thoughts?

www.cheapovegas.com

Yes, it will most likely be too cool for swimming. :-( Sounds like you'd like to stay at Mirage, since they have the tigers, dolphins, volcano, etc. Flamingo is good for the pool, but otherwise, it's just OK.

We stayed at the MGM Grand with our two daughters (13 and 11) and it really was great. We had a bungalow queen suite and the room was huge, with living area, 2 Tv's, huge bath with shower stall AND seperate tub with shower and 2 sinks. The hotel is massive, but remarkably easy to get around. Good selection of restaurants, fun shops and a decent arcade, although our kids loved the arcade at NY NY better.

The highlights for our kids were the M&M factory and the Coke store right near the MGM, the lion habitat in the MGM, and they loved the inside of Caesars in the forum shops area as well as the Venetian and the Paris.

Don't miss the "Freemont Street Experience" in old downtown Las Vegas. They've enclosed the entire street overhead with this awesome lights/video show that plays about every hour. Lots of live music along there and just up close Vegas with the lights and everything.

With a family, it wasn't easy to find reasonably priced food anywhere other than hot dog stands, but we had a nice dinner one night at Calypsos in the Tropicana and then at Pyramid Cafe in the Luxor. We also tried the buffet at MGM, but given the price, I thought the selection was a little lacking. The desserts however were fantastic and delicious.

You might like NYNY - it has a great arcade and roller coaster. Plus it is right across the street from M&M world which is always a family favorite.

If you are interested in a low rate on that night - email me. I am a local casino host :)

Enjoy!

Right now there are very few big hotels that won't charge $25-$30 extra for each kid in the room. I'd say the Flamingo is fine, good location for what you plan to see, save your money for the attractions.

I would go with the Mirage as my top pick with kids. The tropical theme is a favorite, and right on the grounds you'll find activities like the Secret Garden (live tigers/lions, nicely done, dolphin pool, volcano. You are near Venetian (gondola rides are fun) and Caesars for more sightseeing.

If they love to shop, Aladdin might be a good choice as well. Even if you don't stay there, you might consider a couple of hours wandering the shopping area---live performers, movie-set like decor to transform the area to look like something out of Arabian Nights, and very kid-friendly restaurants.

If you like aquariums, there is a nice one in Mandalay Bay--it's just not as big as say Monterey Bay.

message: vegasnoir - does NYNY charge for children? When I checked their site it said $30.00 for each additional OCCUPANT. The hotel looked nice.

Have you thought about Circus Circus - they have a fun fair attached to the hotel - very old style Vegas though.

I am also looking for a hotel for Dec. 26 w/ 2 adults,2 children. Most hotels charge $30 to $35 extra per child. Flamingo doesn't but I read a lot of poor reviews of the hotel. I just made reservations at Paris. $129 regular room, $135 for "Passport to Paris" with some extras. I think the pool is heated and the location is cental strip.

I agree with Swimmer... Mirage!
We'd only been to Vegas once (in April) and stayed there... it was everything you're looking for! It's smack in the middle of the strip so it's very convenient. It has the Secret Garden and Dolphin exhibit...WONDERFUL...no one could not enjoy it! After walking up and down the strip, both day and night, I found what I really loved about the Mirage was that it was in the cleanest, least seedy area. Since it's surrounded by Treasure Island, Caesar's, the Venetien and Harrahs, there doesn't seem to be any room for those seedy stores and creepy people handing call girl cards out (yes, I'm sure they do appear there too, but not nearly as much)... the area all around the Mirage is owned by big hotels and nicely maintained. When you walk out at night, it's like you're in a fantasy-like dream... all of those twinkling lights - it's amazing! We had a room of the volcano and strip... you'd LOVE it!!
Have fun!
Lisa

*fun2travel*

$30 per person is charged additionally if the children are over 12 years old.

However, it depends on the check-in agent if they are to assess the fee. Will you be getting one room or two?

Enjoy!

Try Circus Circus although I heard from reviews the rooms aren't great and the service is horrible in the standard room. Try upgrading to a Tower. Circus Circus is great for kids cause of the activies such as the Circus acts and the built in amusement parks. My favourite hotel in Vegas is Orleans - off the strip but cheap clean and large nicely decorated rooms. Everyone i know that has gone to vegas gives it a 5 star.

Don't do Circus Circus. Rooms are notoriously filthy and service is really bad. You could VISIT for the rides, but I think you'd be miserable staying there. Mirage is good, as others have mentioned about the theme and the dolphins, etc, especially if you're only there one night, you'll be right in the middle of what you said you'll be wanting to show your children. Venetian is another good pick, because it is exceptionally clean, right across from the Mirage and has a more sophisticated, upscale crowd usually, so you won't be surrounded by people you don't want your children around! Have fun!!!

Treasure Island is good for kids b/c it has pirate shows and is a theme kids seem to enjoy. Not too much fun for adults though. Other fun hotels are New York, New York; the Venetian, the Aladdin, and Paris. All are fun themed hotels with lots to look at. One warning though is at the Aladdin have had problems with maid services stealing stuff form the room. If you stay there I would recommend not getting the cleaning service unless you are in the room while they clean it.

Treasure Island is no longing pitching itself at the family market. They have refocussed the hotel to aim at the 30 somethings!