What's wrong with CircusCircus?
 

Can anyone provide more specifics about why people don't like Circus Circus? I have seen advice, here and elsewhere, saying not to stay at Circus Circus in Las Vegas - that &quot;it is a dive&quot;. However, it is also on many lists of top &quot;kid-friendly&quot; hotels. <BR>We are arriving late on a Saturday night in July, planning to take one day to check out the various hotel attractions that my kids will like (ages 10, 12), stay Sunday night and then leave for the rest of our two week road trip (Utah, Colorado).<BR><BR>The appeal to Circus Circus was the price and that Aventuredome will probably be one of our stops on Sunday.

Dear hotdogz, If someone told me that this hotel was a dive ,common sense would say, turn and run far away from it!Do not ruin your vacation with a bad hotel. It is not worth it.Do some research and find a better hotel.

Although I have stayed there, I have friends who have, and they did not like it at all. My main problem with the hotel would be the location, which is a bit run down and far away from all the various hotel attractions that you will want to see.

I'm trying to figure out what makes anyone have a bad opinion. It seems there are so many fancy, luxurious hotels on the Strip, and if this one doesn't live up to standards of a luxury hotel, that's o.k. with me.<BR><BR>Clean, comfortable, safe is all we are looking for. Luxury and gambling don't factor in. Location is a plus, but we'll have a rental car.<BR><BR>2nd choice with similar price, but off the strip location might be The Orleans.

Old, dirty, North end of the strip but I could prob handle one night of it if price was a big factor. The &quot;Steak House&quot; inside CC is one of the best steak houses in LV.

There are a lot of bad opinions out there on Circus Circus. Because of that, we were really worried when we were meeting friends in Vegas and they insisted we stay there. Our friends promised it was the perfect place for our families to meet up.<BR><BR>They were right. I don't know if they pulled any special strings with the mgmt, but our room in one of the towers was lovely - clean, well decorated, and the beds were comfy enough. <BR><BR>Our kids loved the Adventuredome. They were 15,13,12 &amp; 11 that summer and enjoyed the feeling of being independent (the amusement park seemed very well supervised). <BR><BR>We didn't try the buffet or the restaurants - except McDonald's for the kids. All of the restaurants had endless lines. <BR><BR>The only other downsides were the lobby and check-in procedure. The lobby was a little tired looking and check-in was a mob of harried parents and impatient kids. Once we checked in though, it was a great stay. <BR><BR>Do consider what activities you want to do while you're there -- it is not well located for strolling the sites. We were only staying overnight and it worked well for us. We waited for the Adventuredome to close then took a drive along the Strip so the kids could see all the lights. <BR><BR>They didn't really get the whole Vegas experience but, at their ages, I didn't think that was very important. It was a fun, affordable stopover on our road trip.

Feel free to convince yourself otherwise (read your own posts objectively and you'll see that's what you are doing), but this place is NOT where you want to stay for one nite. There are pos/neg reviews with every hotel, and with this one the negatives overwhelm the positive ones by a wide margin, so you are trying to convince yourself that it's &quot;ok&quot; by focusing on the positive ones... DON&quot;T do it!<BR><BR>You state that you want to see the places in LV for the kids, then you should choose a hotel near those attractions... and that's ON THE STRIP between MGM and Treasure Island.<BR><BR>Sure the price is cheap at CC, but you can find a lot of other properties that represent a better value. Look into places like Flamingo, Harrahs, even the Barbary Coast (which doesn't have a pool, which may or may not be a consideration for you) rather than Circus Circus. If cost is that much of a concern, i think i'd rather stay at Casino Royale or Holiday Inn Boardwalk than Circus Circus (although these 2 should only be used if price is THAT much of a factor).<BR><BR>Circus Circus IS indeed kid friendly, BUT there are much better choices to stay due to location. Even the Excalibur would be a better place to stay with your kids and is usually cheap! In Vegas, location is KEY!<BR><BR>Also, remember that those that call CC a &quot;dive&quot; got the same great rate you did, so trust them, and stay someplace else!

Check out the Tropicana. We stayed there last year and are returning this year. It is an older hotel, but the rooms were nice and clean and the pool area is great. It is located across from the MGM and Excalibur, which your kids will like. It has great rates, we're staying two nights for $70 for both nights.

The problem with Circus Circus is that it is too kid-friendly; I have NEVER seen a casino ohtel that is always Mobbed like CC is. The public spaces, casino, and such are always packed, and I do mean packed with people. You always wodner if there's something special going on, that would account for the crowds-but there isn't. It's the crowds that turns you off - it doesn't make for a pleasant atmosphere for KIDS or adults.

Go to ratelv.com and see the comments people wrote about CC. I think one person wrote, &quot;I'd rather stay at a hotel that rents rooms by the hour than stay at Circus Circus again.&quot; LOL

At night there is quite a bit of trade happening down that end of the strip Trade as in prositutes. I felt safe walking down the strip past luxor, new york new york cesars etc but as soon as I got past the fashion mall It felt different and its not as lit up. If I was you I'd look at Excalibur its just as cheap<BR><BR><BR>

There's nothing really wrong with CC, it's a low-budget, kid-oriented place, but there's nothing really around it that you would walk to. Excalibur is usually pretty cheap and much more in the middle of things. <BR><BR>We made a similar stop, on a similar trip, several years ago, and would definitely pick Excal or NYNY over CC.

Thanks for everyone's input. Your replies seem to go along with what I previously had seen (a few people saying it's ok and more saying stay away), but I did get a few more specifics and will probably stay somewhere other than Circus Circus.<BR><BR>Many other hotel choices are not an option because apparently they do not allow Saturday check-in.

Hotdogz,<BR><BR>What is your exact date (and hopeful) budget?<BR><BR>I'll try to find a good deal thru some of the sources i know.

Bo, <BR><BR>July 19 &amp; 20<BR><BR>around $100 for Sat, less for Sun???<BR><BR>Cost really isn't that much of an issue, other than our needs are few and I was thinking it wouldn't be necessary to spend a lot for our 2 nights in LV.<BR><BR>This is stop #1 for our 2 week trip. I have to arrange lodging for 12 more nights, about 8 or 9 different locations, and for each place will have to weigh whether it is worth it to spend more to be in a nicer place, better location. Most of our other destinations, I'll probably be deciding to pay the extra for a better place. LV has been tough deciding because the number of choices is about 100 times the number of choices at these other places.<BR><BR>Are you a travel agent, avid traveler, or what? <BR>

Don't do it!! We were told to stay here with our kids who were 7 and 11. It all atarted with the arrival it to us about an hour just to get through the check in line and the hour was late in the evening. It was simply crazy. They say they have the cheapest buffet at this place if you, you don't mind spending an hour and a half for the wait. Pepole start to line up for these things an hour before they open. The elevators in the towers to get downstairs took us at least 25 min wait every morning, we saw no express and couldn't use the stairs to get down with all the suitcases. Smokers everywhere the whole hotel stunk, even on the non smokers floor. We left and went to the Mirage! Thank god we saved some of our trip.

Hotdogz,<BR><BR>I'm not a travel agent, but i DO believe in trying to help others, has i've received much help in various aspects of my own life. I've been on the 'net for a bit longer than most, and have done the &quot;search&quot; for LV hotels before (and have them bookmarked... somewhere!).<BR><BR>I'll try to look in the next day and post back w/ what i've found and what i think is a good value.

I figure your rates for CC were about 85/45 (Sat/Sun). This is what i came upon at first glance...<BR><BR>The Imperial Palace isn't the greatest hotel in LV, but it's a step up from CC, even just on location alone! (but eat elsewhere... LOTS of other stuff around) Quickbook.com has them for 72/48 (Sat/Sun) which i figured was close to what you were paying for CC and would be a better choice.<BR><BR>If you want to spend a little extra money, i would go directly to the Flamingo's website (www.flamingolv.com) which has your dates at 110/55. The Flamingo is also a great location, but for your kids has a great pool area, as well as penguins and flamingos directly on the property.<BR><BR>As for the rest of your trip, i (personally) would priceline it the whole way! I've saved a bunch of money over the last few years using them for hotels (stick with the 3* and 4* ratings), and most recently have been using www.BetterBidding.com which will help you bid, tells you the hotels that other people have &quot;won&quot;, and the prices paid.

Thanks, Bo, for all your help. I will check out the two you mentioned. I want to reserve something now in case it turns out to be a weekend where everything is full in LV. I can check back later to see if I can get any better deals. Thanks for the tip on priceline and how to make the best of it. I think I will try that.

the minute you walk thru the door, you are assaulted by the sickly sweet smell of melted sugar. ugh.

BTW, i THINK the Flamingo allows full refunds up to 3 days before arrival (but double check of course) while Quickbook.com DOES charge some sort of cancellation fee (but i'm not sure what it is, but it's &quot;reasonable&quot; from what i recall reading).<BR><BR>Here's a website to check conventions in town:<BR>http://www.lvcva.com/finder/conventioncalendar<BR>and there isn't too much going on. A convention: <BR>10,000 would be considered small<BR>20,000 would be average<BR>50,000 would be large (although Vegas can handle MUCH more than that!)

Having visited Las Vegas at least 2 times a year for the last 8 years, I would NOT recommend Circus Circus. The location is not good, it is not close to the properties that you want to see, MGM, Caesars, etc.It is a very long walk down the strip from there. And we never go up that way after dark. It is a very crowded hotel and dingy. We go through it to just check it out on the way to Slots of Fun, but we generally avoid this end entirely. When Steve Wynn has finished La Reve...only then will that end be nicer.<BR>You would be much better off staying at Excalibur, NYNY, MGM or any of the properties in that area.They have more things for the children to do. Check their websites direct for deals, they usually post up to 2/3 months of dates/$$$. Flamingo would be a another good choice because of the pool area. All of these are in good walking distance and with all the pedestrian crossovers, much safer than the other end. We have always stayed at Treasure Island, a good starting point for us. However, they are not as kid friendly as in past years, going back to a more adult hotel. Getting around is much easier in the last couple of years with the aforementioned crossovers. The shuttle stops at most of the hotels if you want to save you feet, ask at the desk for trips for a map. Sometimes crowded, but cheap. The monorail is closed for now to expand. Hope this helps you out. We are heading there in about 6 weeks, and as usual are looking forward to the trip.

Can you handle one more negative? I have never had such a horrible experience in my life as our stay at CC. Horrible service, took 45 min to check in. Lines everywhere. Parents screaming at kids. Kids screaming, running. The worst food I have ever had; they even messed up breakfast. Stinky, dirty.Loud. The adventuredome is just ok. My kids liked the park at MGM better.

Why take your kids to LV anyway. It's not a child-friendly place at all.

Flop,<BR> Actually, there was lots to do there. You can drive to the Dam, they have several amusement places, virtual rides, shopping (an AWESOME FAO Schwartz) swimming, etc. They loved the big hotels and buffets. The volcano, the dancing waters at Venetian.. I took them for 4 days and we were busy! I never gambled once. We ate cheaply and got great rates on flights. However, next time we go we'll stay at the MGM. That was our first time at a Rainforest Cafe, too- a treat to them!

We took our kids, about the same ages, to LV last year on our way to AZ. We stayed at the Mirage but did check out some of the other hotels. We did not go to the end of the strip near CIrcus Circus. The Flamingo looked like a good moderately priced hotel for families. The location is mid-strip, across from the Mirage. In that area for kids you have the Pirate show (evening outside Treasure Island), the Mirage Volcano (also at night), the Mirage Dolphin and tiger Habitat (my kids played catch with the dolphins for quite a while), race to atlantis virtual reality ride at ceasars (my kids loved this), the dancing fountains at bellagio, and some the various other themed hotels (paris, venetian, NYNY, etc). We also went to the shark acquarium at Mandalay (a little further out of the way). Our kids were with us the entire time. We did not do any gambling. We did take a day trip to Hoover dam and saw Mystere (great show). We ate dinner at the buffets in Mirage and Treasure Island and also the Italian restaurant in the Forum shops area of Ceasar's. We had a car so lunch and breakfast we went off-strip to diner type places.

Not only is it a dive, but it takes 3 days to get through the lobby, as there are 700,000 children milling around. They'll like the Mirage just as well, it's kid friendly too &amp; much nicer. MGM is another good choice.

I won't ever stay here again. Years ago I had a reservation for months and they ended up sticking me in their motels out in the back behind the hi-rise. It was a holiday weekend and there was nothing else available. The room was a dump. I hate that place.

I've been to Vegas often, both with and without kids. I would personally feel much better/safer staying at Excalibur than Circus Circus, if I were with children.<BR><BR>We always stay w/ family in Vegas, but in our adventures on the strip, Circus Circus is just as above posters describe, IMO. We had a lot more fun spending time at Excalibur with a child.<BR><BR>

I once asked a friend to sum up why she didn't like CC. She thought a moment and said, &quot;It smells like Kindergarten. You know, when little kids go outside and run around in the sun, and when they come inside they want to rub up on you?&quot; I'll never forget that description!

Stayed there in '98 (with no kids). Our room was great--huge, marble bathroom, looked like the whole thing had recently been renovated. Think it cost about $30. Wasn't a very long walk to the main part of the strip.

To put it another way, I stayed last year at the Waldorf Astoria, and thought my room at Circus Circus was nicer than the Waldorf.

If you have an American Express card, check their rates too. Last year we stayed at the Flamingo for $55 nite. I agree with the naysayers about CC. Never stayed but it's pretty run down inside and too far away.

Just got back from a three-day stay at CircusCircus and thought i would add to this discussion. We stayed Wednesday, Thurs and Fri nights of the week after Easter. Not very crowded on Wed and Thurs but of course filled up on Friday. Buffet line varied from 20 min to walk right in. Good buffet for the price. Loved the fact that breakfast buffet is served til 1 PM. (My kids love breakfast but they are too lazy to get up before ten.)
My kids (14 and 16) loved the Adventuredome, especially the lazertag. I think my son played abour thirty games altogether and lazertag is included in the wristband price. When you consider that the roller coaster at NYNY is $12 for ONE RIDE(and SO not worth the money, by the way), the price we paid for wristbands at the adventuredome (15.95--advertised price is 19.95 but they give you $4-off coupons when you check in and there are more sitting on the counter at the McDonald's if you need them) was very reasonable.
Our room was in the West Tower, which is very convenient to the parking garage, the Adventuredome, and the Buffet. We waited about 5 minutes to check in at noon and never waited more than two minutes for an elevator. I LOVED the fact that you can walk the entire length of the casino without actually walking IN the casino. There is a wide promenade-type walkway that runs the entire length of the casino, alongside it. Our room was clean and spacious, with plenty of towels and cups, always restocked everyday, and even though they said to put the little sign on your bed if you want the sheets changed every day, we never put the little sign on the bed and they changed them anyway. Bathroom was clean as a whistle, huge, with marble surround in the tub. The ONLY complaint I had was that we rented a movie through the TV and got a bad copy so turned it off and called the desk and she forgot to credit the charge. Had to talk to a manager the next day to get it credited but they did. Regarding the neighborhood, the Riviera is right across the street, the Stardust is just down the street, and since they imploded the El Rancho, the neighborhood is not as spooky as it used to be (walking by the El Rancho definitely creeped me out, but there is an upscale shopping center going up on the site). From CC, you can zip out the back onto Industrial Rd and get to just about anywhere on the Strip in minutes without the traffic. We had a terrific time and I would stay there again with kids.

Just a quick note to advise you to check whether the hotel you DO chose charges extra for kids. Certainly MGM, Mirage, Treasure Island, Aladdin and Caesars do ($25/30 per child per night). Have a great trip.