Hi all,
Travelling to Vegas for the first time this September and am looking for some advice on hotels please. I have looked at TA reviews, but would welcome a final opinion from Fodorites please!

My husband and I (early 30s, no kids), will be spending 2 nights there at the beginning of a Grand Circle road trip, and 1 night at the end. The Flights from the UK and our accommodation in Vegas is being paid for by my company so I have no movement on budget. They have however given me a choice of a few 3 star places, and I've found an alternative that I may also suggest to them as it is a similar price. My company are also covering cost of dinner at the hotel, so varied choice of dining options is also a consideration. Any comments on any of the following would be gratefully received thanks!

South Point - pros: Good TA reviews, varied dining options, has pool (although this is not necessarily a must). Cons: not on the strip (as we're only there a few nights, we'd probably want to be in the midst of the action!).

Stratosphere - pros: Possibily good strip views, varied dining, pool. Cons: seems quite 'isolated' on the north end of the strip, not very good TA reviews.

Excalibur - pros: looks like a decent location, varied dining options, pool. Cons: not very good TA reviews.

And now for the curve ball that I've found myself:

Bill's Gamblin' Hall - pros: very central location, excellent TA reviews. Cons: no pool (not a deal breaker), and I've never heard of it!

So, I know I've put most of the pros and cons down there - I'm leaning towards either Excalibur (more amenities, restaurants etc) vs Bill's (better reviews & location but no pool and fewer restaurants). Would be really grateful for any feedback if you've stayed at either

Thanks in advance!

Out of the not so great choices, I would go with the Excalibur.
You want a pool in September..its still hot.
Have a great time!

Another vote for Excalibur.

I don't know anything about South Point.

The Stratosphere is very far from the rest of the strip, and while the views from the tower are spectacular, I doubt the room views are that great.

Bill's Gamblin' Hall used to be called Barbary Coast. From what I've heard, it's not a bad place to stay. Like you said, the location is great. It's an older hotel and has a relatively small and smokey casino. The hotel itself doesn't have a lot to do, but there's plenty of places nearby. Also if you want a pool, I'm pretty sure guests have access to the pool at the Flamingo which is right next door.

Excalibur is pretty good. You won't be blown away by it, but is a good choice for your budget. There are plenty of quality food and party places near by. Part of its negative reputation is because it tends to draw kids/families. If you're there mid-week in September, this shouldn't be much of an issue since most kids will be in school.

I agree, Ex is the way to go. The Strat is probably nicer, but the location IS horrid.

We stayed at Bill's and it was just fine - with a PERFECT mid-strip location. The walkways at that intersection are convenient for the Deuce buses in either direction. No need to worry about restaurants...the Victorian Room within has excellent food at low prices. And, the Bellagio, Caesar's Palace, Paris are on the opposite corners with dozens of restaurants of all sorts, with the Miracle Mile shops just beyond Paris with restaurants and a food court.

Hotel location is our primary "pro". If you've never been to Las Vegas, know that looking at hotels on a map is very deceiving - distances are farther than they appear - and those properties are enormous!

It's best if you can walk to as many places as you plan to go (for shows, dining, etc.), as the Deuce is very slow, with buses often mobbed and not at timely as promised. Taxi fares can really add up, especially with the traffic.

How did you compile your list?

Take a look at SmarterVegas and FatWallet for significant discount codes.

Depending on your September dates, you can stay at Paris for as low as $60/night - much nicer than Bill's or Excalibur.

Last trip, we split our stay with a few nights at Paris (discount code) and a few nights at Wynn (for a ridiculously low rate with Hotwire).

I love the Cheapo Vegas site and their map that gives you access to all the Strip websites. Here is their take on Bill's.

http://www.cheapovegas.com/vegas_cas...?hotel_id=1004

And here is the whole map. NOT TO SCALE. Do not be fooled. As I said, each hotel's own website can be accessed from the map, as well as their own cutesy, but funny, reviews of the places. Have fun!

http://www.cheapovegas.com/vegas_map.php?map=strip

Just noticed this about Bills from "Casino Boy".....

"How's the Pool? There is none. They do let you into the Flamingo next door with your key, though. And that's a pretty good pool."

The Flamingo has a really nice pool!

Look at the Gold coast. they have a shuttle day and night to Bill's, and the rooms are more recently renovated. Should be same price range or lower. Easy to get to off freeway 15, and lots of dining choices nearby as Rio hotel is next door and The Palms is across the street.

www.goldcoastcasino.com

South Point is very nice and your newest choice -- if you have a rental car. I've never stayed at Bill's but love the cozy and friendly casino. Definitely would book that out of your list of hotels, I think pools in Vegas are generally so overcrowded, I avoid them.

Thanks everyone for takinf the time to reply.

I know our choice seems basic and very limited, but as it's my employer who is paying for our hotel (and our flights from the UK too) beggars can't be choosers! I'm just grateful we can go at all!

I think hubby & I have just about decided on Excalibur, and to be honest, we're not in Vegas for that long and don't plan on spending much time in our hotel, so even if it's quite basic I'm sure it will be fine for us. The main part of the trip for us will be the Grand Circle road trip (expect more questions from me on that soon!!)

Thanks once again

both the strat and excalibur would be the best choices. both are located along the strip. the excalibur being on the southern end where all the newer casinos are at, the strat being up in "old vegas".

dont worry about the distances between the two casinos, as long as you are along the strip, the deuce bus connects them all. for just $5.00 it buys you an unlimited rides pass for 24 hrs.

if youre looking for decent souvenirs at a very reasonable price to take back to the UK, try shopping at the Hawaiian Marketplace, youll find shotglasses and keychains there priced around $1.00, and shirts priced around $3.00. Its located on the strip, on the eastern side, north of Tropicana and south of Flamingo (I forget the exact location..but youll see it)

food there is pure bliss, youll eat like youre the queen of england out there. ...and youre not relegated to only eating at wherever it is youre staying at, youre free to eat at any place you find. Youll find many places offering "all you can eat" buffets. some even offering porterhouse steaks, lobsters, shrimp, filet mignon, etc.

Another vote for South Point, we have stayed there numerous times, they have great rooms which are very large and newer than the Excalibur rooms. The hotel is not as old as most strip hotels. Have seen good reviews of Bill's Gambling Hall as well. Some friends of ours stayed at Excalibur but hated it due to there being too many kids running around in the casino area and hallways. If I was going for the first time though I think I would pick Bill's as it is right on the strip and close to the other casino's.

One time we stayed in an 'over budget' room & paid the difference ourselves. Is this an option?

Thanks again everyone.

Olesouthernbelle - technically this could be an option. However the highlight of this trip for us will be our road trip of the National Parks of the Grand Circle which is at our own expense and we'd rather save our $$$ for that (sadly that killjoy the global recession has eaten into our personal budget a bit!).

Thanks again for responses - we keeping swinging between Excalibur and Bill's! Have about 12 hours to make a decision so think we'll need to sleep on it!

well, its about 12 hours later. im curious as to what youre decision was. lol.

im betting since youre from jolly ole england, you went with ye olde excalibur. would i be correct, your majesty?

osakaorchid - we went for Excalibur in the end. I'm sure that as we we're from England it'll be like being home from home....after all, I've heard that Parisians, New Yorkers and Venetians alike all flock to their namesake Vegas hotels because they are so authetic and they don't want to suffer the culture shock of being in the US of A ;-)

You're going to have a blast!
Report back..we want to hear all the juicy 'what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas' details!

Our room at the Orleans on a recent stay was spacious and well appointed with two double beds and a small sitting area. There is a nice pool complex. It was $38.00 a night before taxes and fees. It's off the strip, but if you have a car, you can get to everything else quickly.