Viva Las Vegas.......help!!!
 

Planning an impromptu reunion in vegas..2/20 for 4 nights..........recommendations on hotels......mirage vs bellagio.......shows Celine vs. O and whatever looks good out there. Yes I will explore this forum, but looking for up to date reviews of what would make this a remarkable trip to vegas. Our last trip, the end of our honeymoon 12 years ago, we stayed in the original Bugsy Flamingo wing, with all the trimmings....alas that wing is gone and much has changed. We also love great food experiences, so any help breaking thru and cutting down the massive celebrity chef list.......we figure 808 is a must as true hawaiin travelers and fans of JMJosselin. But, wow there are 10 must do places....help with your favorite gourmand experience, show, hotel.......
Mahalo, I know I am asking a lot!
gyppielou

You might get as many responses as there are opinions, which will probably be diverse. My opinions ...

Regarding Cirque choices: If you've already seen Cirque live, I suggest O. If not, I suggest Mystere.

I'd love to see Celine, and if there is anything that gets my wife to Vegas it will be doing that.

Those would be my three favorite shows of those that are there year-round.

If money is no object, I would stay at the Venetian.

If it is a large group, you might want to consider the Mandalay Bay because of the central (easy to find) location of the casino lounge. That makes it convenient for some to gamble while others simply chat over a drink. It's easy for the gamblers to find everyone else once they're done or if they run out of money earlier than expected.

Have a great time!

Thanks Mike, I will definately add Venetian and Mandaly for consideration. And yes, it was years ago when I first experienced Saltimbocca so "O" is the one for me.

ttt

gyppielou:

Try Hugo's Cellar at the Four Queens downtown for a special, non-celebrity chef dinner. A great experience from start to finish. I don't want to spoil the surprise by telling you anything about it, but it really is special!

We stayed at the Venetian in October and loved it. If you're into spa experiences, the Venetian has the largest spa in Las Vegas, and the Venetian has specials that include a suite and spa package. Check out their website at www.venetian.com.

If you're one of us Hawaiians that love buffets, the Mirage has a huge buffet in a remodelled dining room.

Also discovered a place called Buffet@Asia on Rainbow Blvd. at Sahara (in a little shopping center) that had a big Asian buffet (most Chinese, but other stuff too). Lunches are only $6.59 per person and dinner are $10.99 on weekdays, and just a tad higher on weekends! Great variety and mostly hot food.

Are you shoppers? The Las Vegas Premium Outlet Mall is about a year old, I think. It's quite large, and right downtown. I think I got the coupon for the discount books for most of the big malls at the Las Vegas Vistor and Convention Center website (www.lvcva.com) under "shopping". Just take the coupon to the customer service desk or office at each participating mall to pick up the discount booklet.

Have a great time!

Is there some sort of budget or goal for the cost of rooms and shows? Have others in the group been to Vegas in the last 5 years or has it been more than a decade for most?

At any rate, stick to the strip. If you give us a bit more direction, the help will be more specific.

Thanks for the replies. Placeu2, I thought that the hotels and shows I was considering and inquiry of celebrity chef dining would insinuate that money is not my first concern. I don't know how I could be more specific. Thanks everyone!

Just wanted to tack on to the spa at Venetian.....Leburta went there for the spa treatments, but my sister-in-law and I went there for workouts and classes. The spa has nutrition classes, yoga, pilates, free weights & machines, and cardio machines. Whatever you like to do to work off that buffet food, it's there for you. We spent 3 hours in the spa trying as much as we could because it was sooo nice. (Unfortunately, the spa cafe service was not so good, so just skip that.)

I also enjoyed the Mirage buffet. We ate at Olives at the Bellagio, which was very nice. And I agree, Hugo's is usually very good, I do like eating there.

Just as an alternative feeling for the spa scene in Vegas. I thought the Venetian spa was not at all worth the $$. The amenities are nonexistent, the features very basic and locker room like. We went to the Mandalay Bay spa the next day and were blown away by the difference - very lush and calming, tons of amenities, worth the $$ and more!

Here are some additional thoughts without much regard to money or size of group:

If you want a party place consider: Mandalay Bay or NYNY or Hard Rock if you are 20's to mid 30's types. If you want center strip consider Paris or Bellagio. The dueling piano bar at NYNY is lots of fun for a group (even a small one). Also at NYNY, Rita Rudner's show is good married adult humor.

I second the opinion earlier for Mystere although I have not seen "O". I also have enjoyed an "old fashioned Vegas" show...like Follies Bergre or Jubilee. I am not a fan of an individual show like Celene except for Danny Gans...just me. We really enjoyed the Scinta's at Rio though.

Have a great time!

So much great info. Thanks everyone. Hugo's sounds like something to consider. Happily for me Celine will be off. The dualing piano bar or Dan Gans sound better! Any word on that Frank,Sammy ratpack show? Good times!