Paul

Without going to the expense of Venetian, Bellagio etc may I have suggestions please for a 4* hotel which has really nice (new or recently refurbished) bedrooms for my fussy but lovely wife. Just checking out a few websites Mirage, Treasure Island and Luxor appear to have attractive rooms with nice furnishings. Any comments anyone about any of these three hotels and their value for money? We've never visited Vegas before so would like to be fairly centrally located but, unless you think otherwise, we're not insistant about being on The Strip necessarily. We are not big gamblers and so the attached Casino is not particularly important to us but we would however like to stay in a 'classy' hotel without spending a fortune. Perhaps 'Vegas' and 'classy' are mutually exclusive but you know what I mean. Any suggestions, thanks.

Mike

I'd be kinda surprised if you can get Mirage for much less than Venetian. When are you going? As for the hotels you listed, Luxor is no 4*. Mirage is clearly the best and TI is kinda nice too. If you want to impress your wife, I'd seriously shop rates for Venetian, Bellagio and Mandalay Bay. We stayed at Mandalay in July for $79/nt, Venetian occasionally offers $99/nt, and Bellagio can be tougher to get but regularly goes for $159.

The best rates are had at the websites of the hotels themselves. Check out the specials and sign up for the newsletter. If you're looking for cheaper yet classy rooms, Monte Carlo, to me, is a wannabe Bellagio. Don't get me wrong, it's not in the same class, but I just got an offer for $49/$59 per night and I think it's arguably the best stip property in that price range. Also consider PAris. I regularly get offers forunder $80/nt and that usually includes some breakfast/spa treatment deal of sorts. List your budget and dates and we might be able to find some deals.

Lenore

Paul - Your post is somewhat contradictory. You say you want to be centrally located, but not necessarily on the Strip. In order to be in the middle of it all, you MUST stay on the Strip. In fact, I'd only consider hotels between Treasure Island and Venetian to the North and Aladdin and Monte Carlo to the South. The best of these being Bellagio and Venetian, but they are also more expensive.

We've stayed at both TI and Mirage. The Mirage has a great pool area, but I thought the rooms were rather disappointing and the lighting in the bathroom was horrible. Also, you have to walk through a very congested casino path to get the the guest elevators.

The two times we stayed at Treasure Island were both so long ago, that I don't recall anything (good or bad) about the rooms.....sorry!

I've never stayed at Luxor, but I've heard that it caters to families. I wouldn't stay there for that reason alone, plus it's too far down the Strip for me. Have you priced Caesars or Paris? We got a great deal on the Venetian last June for $119 a night. All their rooms are suites and are quite deluxe. It was worth every penny. Have fun!

Gary

Mirage is ALWAYS less than Venetian.
On busy weekends it's about $150-175 less than Venetian.

Tye overhead at Mirage is much lower and it's much older.

Kim

Paris and Aladdin are the best values among the newer hotels, and they're both central.
Aladdin has a big shopping center inside, which would be a plus for your wife.

don

Gary, when you put "always" in capital letters it makes it sound definite. Last April I had reservations at th Mirage, which I cancelled because I was able to get a room at the Venetian at a cheaper rate. Even at the same rate, it would have probably been a better deal considering that the standard room at the Venetian is a suite.

amore

I have stayed at the Tropicana (never again), the Monte Carlo (great for parents due to small lobby and less walking), The Aladdin (cheaply built, crappy insulation & junky furniture), and the Paris. The Paris room was charming and warm. The bathroom vanity was beautiful mosaic tile. Best of all, we had a view of the Bellagio Fountains. Just my 2 cents (which is all I have left after 4 trips to Vegas).

Lenore

The Mirage is USUALLY cheaper than the Venetian, but you get what you pay for. There is NO comparison between the Mirage and the Venetian. Even if the Venetian is $30-$40 more per night, it's still worth it. The level of service, the size of the room (suite) and its amenities and just the overall experience is far superior at the Venetian. The one and only thing that may be nicer at the Mirage is their pool area.

Paul

Thanks everyone for your comments. If I could get the Venetian for $99 I'd jump at it, no question! However their quoted rate is $199/$279/$279 for the three nights I am looking for from 20th April through to 23rd (or 21st through to 24th) for a standard Luxury suite.
I hear good things about Mandalay Bay but their rooms look a liitle 'ordinary'. Can anyone tell me otherwise? The Luxor is loads cheaper of course but the rooms (Tower Rooms) look more 'upmarket' than the price charged. Considering the price is it not good value for money? Thanks.

vegaslocal

Since you said that you do not insist on staying on the strip consider these two properties.

The Golden Nugget - located downtown. Consistently awarded the AAA four diamond award. Rooms are well appointed and prices generally run under $90.

The Rio - all-suite hotel with free shuttle service to the strip every few minutes. Rooms for those dates seem to be running around $125.

You didn't mention whether you would have a car or not, but having a car would definitely free you up, geographically speaking.

Mike

I wouldn't pay more than $59/nt for the Luxor unless it was one of the rooms with the jacuzzi right in front of a strip view window. Also, it's not at all centrally located.

I think the Mandalay rooms are pretty nice and the property is fantastic.

If you book Paris, request a "P" room at check-in. They are the corners and are significantly nicer for the same price if you can get one. You can't simply book one, you have to ask when you're there.

Also, don't think that you will easily walk to see the sights. Everything looks close on a map but the place is really mammoth. It can be a hike just to get from your hotel room to the strip sidewalk, seriously. I didn't realize it until I first went there, and I'm a middle distance runner! I wouldn't hesitate to stay at the Rio or Hard Rock and rent a car. I drive everywhere in Vegas, easy to get to other hotels, free parking.

As for April, you're booking a little early to get the discounts. Make sure get a fully refundable deposit wherever you book because it will probably be cheaper about 2 months ahead of time.

Robnit

I have had lovely stays at both the Treasure Island and Bellagio in the last couple of years. For the price, Treasure Island seems like the best deal on the Strip - the rooms are well appointed, attractive and comfortable. The staff was all wonderful, particularly the dealers, who were very pleasant and chatty, and willing to let a newbie learn. At the Bellagio, everything is cranked up a notch or two from the Treasure Island - more classy, more comfy, but less patient and a teensy bit stuffy. Don't expect a Bellagio dealer to put up with much guff. FWIW, I have stayed at Bellagio midweek for $129 per night. You should really make sure to check out the internet discount travel sites and check with a travel agent who cen get you the best deals. Never pay the full rack rate.

Paul

Treasure Island seems to be considered good value. I found a rate of $129 for their Petite Suite for the 3 nights I need. Most negative comments seem related to the size of the pool. Is there any chance that guests at Treasure Island can use the pool facilities at the Mirage or is that a ridiculous question?

darvy

No pool hopping is allowed between the two properties. I've asked many times.

I've stayed in that suite before at TI. It's nice. Great value. Request a view and she'll love you even more.

But if she's a pool person, she'll hate TI. So go with Mirage if that's the case.

don

Paul, when checking out the Venetian, did you sign on to their guest list. If you do, they usually send you notice anytime they have special rates.

smb

I want to agree with the poster who said you are booking too early. Unlike regular hotels, these places are so huge that they rarely sell out. As the dates near, they drop the price, sometimes substantially. We made that mistake last time. Definitely wait until the last minute.

As for staying in the middle of everything, its interesting that people say the Luxor is not in the middle and then recommend Mandalay Bay. Mandalay Bay is further south. However, DONT stay at the Luxor. The rooms suck. Mandalay is much nicer.
My comment on Rio is that it is a party atmosphere, so only stay there if you are into a rio/mardi gras type atmosphere with lots of noise. I found it too loud and hectic. Vegas is claustrophobic enough.

I'd stay at Paris or Monte Carlo. Also, check out cheapovegas.com for some great insights. I loved their web page for its humorous honesty.

kay

Hey 'smb', you can always book early, cancel if rates drop, and immediately rebook. You never get shut out that way.

smb

Kay:
Not really. When you book on the internet, your card is charged the full amount. You have to pay to cancel, and by then you aren't saving any money.

Jacxkie

Smb, You will not always pay a cancellation charge if you book on the hotel website. There are rates on hotel websites that are "internet specials only" they usually require full non refundable payment. However, most bookings on hotel websites work the same as if you picked up the phone to make your reservation. In any case, rules for change or cancellation are clearly stated on site.

That said, the rooms at the Mirage and Treasure Island have been completely remodeled and are quite nice. Treasure Island has a petite suite that includes his and her marble bathrooms. Hers comes with Jacuzzi tub, (most women, myself included, love a great tub when on vacation), floor to ceiling views of the strip and pirate show and a great central location. They also have one of the best shows on the strip, Mystere. The best thing though is the price, can't be beat for what you get. Check their website for great deals.

speedo

Paul, Other respondents have given you some pretty good advice provided you can sift through it all and make sense from it. But a couple of points: 1- ignore most references to the hard-to-believe room rates quoted as many of those are special deals for LV regulars (eg: I'll be there next month, 2 nights Rio & 2 nights Bally's, both free); and 2- don't limit the extent of your research. (kay's suggestion to book late is a good one, and I might add to book directly with the hotel with a clear understanding that you can cancel w/o penality). For good rates try also cheapovegas.com, and check also the LA Times. (Travel12Vegas.com)thru cheapovegas.) And as kay points out, you'll want to check often as your departure date nears. Late can be very good for room offers)

All said, for my 2 cents, I've stayed at the 3 hotels you reference. Mirage will rate higher on the overall consensus "quality scale", yet I found the room there to be aging and otherwise plain. TI's room albeit smallish, was very well appointed, on an upper floor with a 2-directional view - very nice. I found Luxor to be perhaps the best value of the 3 - well appointed, clean and quite pleasant rooms. Mirage will be the most centrally strip-located of the 3. I would second Mike's suggestion on Paris - their "p" rooms are superb, and Paris is center strip.

Ask your wife to please check her "fussiness" upon arrival, and your LV experience can be great no atter which hotel you end up with...Enjoy!