Do not do non-refundable. There is still lots of time for prices to go down without locking in at only a few dollars less.

Inexpensive rates can be had at the Golden Nugget, an AAA 4* resort downtown, or the relatively new The Quad.

I generally use www.cheapovegas.com for its irreverant attitude about Vegas.

Agree would not go non-refundable, and hopefully you can get a fairly good deal - to just be locked into something - and then keep checking back to improve upon that.

Still say center strip - somewhere near the intersection of Flamingo and Las Vegas Blvd/The "Strip" - is the best place to be.

There is a free "tram" service from Bellagio - thru the new/huge City Center - down to Monte Carlo - which gets you down to NY NY, etc. http://www.lasvegas-how-to.com/free-tram.php

And the other way - you can walk to Mirage - and a bit further to the Venetian and then up to Wynn - and across from Wynn is a big shopping mall.

And I/we like the Flamingo. They have upgraded some - if not all of their rooms - and we like to try and get the 18th floor or above on the Bally's side - toward the front/Strip - and watch the beautiful Bellagio fountains from there. Usually have a little wine and cheese party enjoying the different fountain shows - before going out for the evening.

Flamingo also has a good pool area (2? of them - one with DJ's - and one that is quieter) - and some birds/wildlife in the area behind the hotel (Wildlife Habitat) - including Penguins usually - and of course - the ubiquitous Flamingos. They even had one of the most beautiful birds I had ever seen - a Chinese Pheasant (hanging out in the shrubs) - which had more colors than just about any other species. http://www.flamingolasvegas.com/things-to-do.html

We've also had rooms at Planet Hollywood with a view of the Bellagio fountains, but believe it or not - never really went to their pool during the two (short) times we stayed at Planet Hollywood - before we moved on to Wynn, or some other place. You would probably enjoy ambling down their mile of shops, and catching the indoor "rain storm". :)

Also - if nothing else - you might enjoy the tasty French Onion soup - or other treats - and Mon Ami Gambi - at Paris - which has a great patio - and view of the Ballagio fountains - directly across the street.

BTW - for Wynn's - I/we have received a free/comp 3 night stay - and other $149 to $199 per night/special offers, and always manage to work it into a high room - with a great view.

These "deals" could be due to the times I/we had stayed at Bellagio (which Steve Wynn also built - as he earleir did the Mirage and TI) and/or - while I usually only bet on sporting events (sometimes go over just for the Super bowl weekend) - perhaps I was on their preferred "list" because I played video poker late one night for a couple hours - enjoying their (good quality) complimentary champagne - and actually was up a nice amount - before dropping back to about even - but again - had plenty of their good/comp champagne :)

Suggest you stop by and sign up for their gambling club membership - and play the penny slots/whatever - and accumulate a few points and maybe - for future reference - you will get some "invitations". :)

Both Bellagio and Wynn have good restaurants - as does the Venetian - but if you stay at the MGM Signature Suites? - MGM also has good restaurants.

Hey - it's your "oyster". :)

Why lock into a hotel baed on wether or not they have good restaurants? All you have to do to eat there is make a reservation and walk to ANY restaurant. Staying there doesn't give you much of an advantage unless you have a credit or comp.

<I>Why lock into a hotel baed on wether or not they have good restaurants?</I>

There is nothing quite as nice as a short trip back to your room after a too-big meal where you drank too much wne.

Thats what taxis are for!

Geesh. The poster wants to stay at a place with good restaurants and you want them to take a taxi?

That's also why I like staying center strip - as you can walk to a lot of the good restaurants.

But MGM has plenty of retaurants to take care of you during a 4 day stay, no Q. In addition to the very fine dining at Joel Robuchon's (pricey) - we also liked Michael Mina's Nob Hill - which reminded us of our San Francisco days.

http://www.bestofvegas.com/Restauran...ure-MGM-Grand/

Did you read my report, Tom? I reported that while we stayed at The Signature, we did eat twice at MGM restaurants but that we also ate at other really good restaurants at other hotels. I was simply saying that with so many excellent Restuarants to choose from, there is no need to pick a hotel only on the basis of what restaurant are in house. So, IF one ventured out a bit, to a hotel a block or 2 away from where a person stays and feels they can't get back under their own steam, they could easily and simply hop in a taxi. No more, no less.

<i>Geesh. The poster wants to stay at a place with good restaurants and you want them to take a taxi?</i>

Hey, just a minute! The poster wrote: "On-site dining options for lunch would be a plus; <b>for dinner we are fine with a taxi.</b>

HTtY

Yeah, I'm a bit baffled at how complicated this is. OP wants to sit at a pool, gamble a little, eat lunch at the hotel and go elsewhere for dinner.

Pick a hotel with a great pool. Location is irrelevant, casino odds are irrelevant, just go for the best pool in your price range.

Location is relevent IMO - especially if you are considering the somewhat seedy downtown area.

And on the strip - you get the worst casino odds - at least wrt the one arm bandits - but they are only a couple percent better off-strip.

And happyt: Who wrote this?

"There is nothing quite as nice as a short trip back to your room after a too-big meal where you drank too much wne."

I couldn't find the source of "There is nothing quite as nice as a short trip back to your room after a too-big meal where you drank too much wine," but I found this:

“I would pour you a glass of wine, but wouldn’t it be more romantic if you sipped it out of my armpit?” ― Jarod Kintz, <i>A Story That Talks about Talking Is Like Chatter to Chattering Teeth, and Every Set of Dentures Can Attest to the Fact That No.</i>

The reply to this question was not reported.

HTtY

htt: Perhaps you didn't look hard enough - or you jest. The original poster updated their preferene about 8 posts above this one.

And not sure to make of your quote.

The Signature has a sale oing on:

https://reservations.mgmmirage.com/b...o&code=R106490

Depending on where you are staying, "hopping in a taxi" may mean waiting in a long taxi line and then sitting in traffic.

I am not an expert on Las Vegas, by a long shot. But we were there last year, for a conference, and stayed at The Cosmopolitan. Hated that place. It is especially UGLY. We went to a Monet exhibit at next door Bellagio, and I really wished we were staying there instead.

Cosmopolitan is not worth the extra money. I wrote a review on it:

Cosmopolitan Hotel, Las Vegas
We were there for just two nights, for a conference. We are admittedly NOT Vegas people, and this visit made that painfully obvious. Blech. Could not wait to get out of there.

The Cosmopolitan hotel is 1.5 years old, and we thought it was about the ugliest interior ever. It is a mish-mash of assorted carpeting, wall treatments, and lighting fixtures that each are more hideous than the last. Nothing even remotely goes together, and I don't mean matchy-matchy.

We checked in around midnight, and had to call again for our luggage after waiting 30 minutes. Seemed they had just forgotten us.

Before bed, I put out our room service order for breakfast, asking for delivery at 9:00. No food arrived, so I called them at 10:00. The operator chided me for leaving the menu on the doorknob! She said people ALWAYS steal them. She said the only way to get room service is to call them. What? So why does the hotel put these order cards in your room and suggest you use them? The good news was the lady credited our room with $50, so we went to their buffet instead.

When I checked out, the friendly hotel operator told me about the client who put her $400 shoes in a bag on the doorknob overnight. Well, guess what-- they were stolen and never seen again. So, why does the hotel give you those cute little shoe bags and suggest you leave your shoes on the door? Sheesh.

I guess what really bothered me most was the whole Vegas strategy of keeping you inside, drinking, gambling and eating. No windows, no clocks. Just finding the door to get outside means dealing with a challenging maze. No comfortable places to sit in the lobby, for instance. The cafe also seemed designed to keep you moving along, so you go gamble some more. I know, I know-- not my cup of tea.

For sure, the Cosmopolitan's brunch buffet was awesome at $22/each, including one glass of mimosa or bloody mary. This buffet lives up to the Vegas reputation for gluttony. I was not complaining, however, as every single thing you would want to eat is offered there, from sliced tenderloin to gelato to sushi. Talk about overeating!

This is not to say that Las Vegas itself could be a good place to live. The area is gorgeous, afterall. And every worker at the Cosmopolitan was very friendly. Maybe the place just needs to get its act together. And re-decorate!
by PeaceOut, 9/18/12

Not sure if you still need info, but I recommend The Mirage. I stayed there the end of Oct, and loved it. This was my first time to Vegas, and found the location of this hotel very convenient. Easy to go for walks to see the other hotels (very handy to The Venetian, Caesars, Treasure Island..and there is a trolley from TI right to the Mirage), a Denny's across the street for a quick breakfast, bus stop just outside to take to go to the mall, and just very central. When we arrived they also gave us a $75.00 coupon off of a number of the restaurants in the resort, so that was pretty neat too.

The pool was lovely..lots of beds , palm trees, clear water with actual waterfalls, and very close to the Seigried and Roy Secret Gardens.

There are plenty of restaurants in The Mirage.. the BLT Burger (I think that is the name) had a delicious burger and fries for lunch (although certainly not the cheapest I have ever paid), the California Pizza Kitchen had some very delicious food and desserts, and the BB King restaurant had an amazing breakfast menu! so delicious.. There were other places too, but not enough time to try them all out.

The size of the hotel was not an issue as far as elevators go..the specialized floors elevators made for a quick ride with little traffic . There was some nice shopping too , although not as large as some of the other hotels. Hotel was quite quiet, although you could hear the booming of the volcano on the hour in the evening, but that was not a hinderance at all. Just noting it for you. The casino itself was good, but like you I was not there to gamble, however I did enjoy the slots somewhat. LOL The beds were deliciously super comfortable! Nice big windows to look out over the strip. The $25.00 resort fee is a pain to have to pay, but pay it we did. The wireless seemed to not be 100% some of the time, but anytime we called the desk they were very helpful. and after all, we were not there to stay inside and click away on our ipad's so we just went with the flow!

All in all, I would definitely recommend The Mirage as a good vacation spot in Vegas. If you watch and can wait for a deal grab it ..you will not be disappointed. Enjoy!!

Thanks for all the thoughts. Still trying to decide and eyeing the deals, so this remains very topical.

I am also going to Vegas in mid May, tg, for a cousin's wedding. We are staying at the MGM because the after party/reception is there and I wanted to be able to just walk up to my room afterwards. I think the wedding itself is at the Wynn.

IMO, the WYnn etc are not worth 450-500 per night. I would do it if I got it for 150 or less. Keep trying priceline and do the 5 star hotel bids if you want to try them out.

I think of the options on your list, I would go with MGM, and Mirage as second, due to location.

For your dining options, in addition to the very high end restaurants you are considering, I really enjoyed Mastro's seafood in the Aria/Cosmo shopping complex. We eat at the bar and make a meal of their sides which are fantastic and enjoy the live music (piano and singer).