We're planning our first trip to Vegas and while we're very excited, I'm a little leery about staying in a hi-rise hotel. I've always been concerned about fire evacuation etc., but now there is the added fear of terrorism.

Is there such a hotel that is centrally located, good pool etc. but may have different levels of stories? My hubby would like to stay at the Flamingo....

Please don't tell me to get over it or that I shouldm't live in fear as I do not. However, I'm pragmatic enough to realize these thoughts will certainly occur if I'm on the 25th floor!

Thanks in advance for understanding and for any help you can offer.

-em

If you are really that afraid, why don't you consider looking for someone's condo to rent or perhaps a time share? They are always advertised on ebay. You would probably need a car if you do that, but I think you would be more relaxed. Some of the time shares I have seen are gorgeous.

Look into the Barbary Coast Hotel. It si right on the Strip.

http://www.barbarycoastcasino.com/

The lowest rising centally located hotel that I don't consider a dump is Barbary Coast. The catch is, there's no pool. Do you also fear being in a low floor in a tall building? If not, I'd be surprised if you can't get something low just by requesting it at checkin. The higher rooms are generally more sought after.

Dear Emmeelee,
The only hotel I can think of on the strip that has some rooms not in a high rise is the Tropicana. It has a pretty good pool, but the rooms not in the tower aren't very good. Perhaps you can stay somewhere downtown like the Golden Nugget. Other suggestions are staying off the strip at something like a Residence Inn by Marriott. You wouldn't have a pool like you were probably looking for, but it would be a low rise property.

There are other hotels on or near the strip which aren't high rises, but unfortunately they aren't on the level of the Flamingo. The Barbarry (sp.) Coast and the Gold Coast come to mind.

I understand your fears about fire. I was a guest at the Las Vegas Hilton when it burned back in February 1981. It took me a long time to get over what happened. While I've been back to Vegas a few times since then (mostly for business) it took me 20 years to stay at the Hilton again. I'm glad I did, but it sure was hard. While I will never forget what happened that day, I can honestly say that it has not stopped me from staying in high rises, although I am much more concerned with fire evacuation etc.

Have a good trip. Vegas is so much fun.

That is another reason that the Desert Inn was so nice..they really should build some more hotels like that, long and low, wandering walks with gardens.

Why don't you just ask for a room on a low floor? I'm sure they could accomodate this. Most people prefer to be higher.

I think I saw a couple of small low-class motels (I think a Travelodge and/or Howard Johnson or similar) right on the Strip. But the public that stays there looks and behaves pretty scary. I wouldn't worry about fires and terrorism - just enjoy your vacation on the top-most floor of a high rise hotel

Emmeelee, sometimes I travel with a woman who has only one problem - a fear of high floors. So far it's been no problem (including Las Vegas) to stay on lower floors. Most tourists prefer higher floors for better views.

Thank you for your replies and ideas. We usually ask for lower floors, and that has always worked well...until 9/11....which of course raises new concerns in us all.....

Still unsure what we'll do, but again, thank you for your replies. This board is wonderful.

May God bless America!!

try cheapovegas.com and click on hotels...and orbitz,travelocity and call some and ask