John

A group of friends (all second year graduate students) is headed from NYC to LV for a weekend in July. We reserved rooms at the Desert Inn because we were able to get a good rate. We were told that it is one of the most luxurious properties in LV (Ok, we are spoiled and used to luxury). We also liked the fact that it has its own golf course and tennis courts.

We don't mind walking/cabbing to other casinos/bars/entertainment. We just want to have fun in LV. We want some excitement, but don't necessarily want bright lights and lots of noise 24/7. Bwe also don't want to be stuck in a hotel that some have described as a place where only old people hang out.

Price doesn't really matter, but we do want to be practical - the Bellagio wanted $200 a night, which I think is a bit overpriced for what they offer and what else is available in LV. Aside from the luxury hotels, other properties we have heard good things about are Treasure Island, Mirage, and the Golden Nugget. Are we better off at one of those, rather than the DI?

All help much appreciated.

Lily

John,

Las Vegas in July - should be very easy to get a good rate right on the strip.

Try calling the hotels direct and ask for the best price available, unless there is a huge convention the dates you are going you should be able to get a REALLY nice room for less than $100.

Some suggestions: MGM Grand, Paris, The Venetian, Luxor, NYNY, Excalibur, Mandalay Bay or even the often overlooked Hard Rock Hotel...these are just a few of many nice hotels in LV. Have fun!!!

pam

The Desert Inn isn't what I'd rate as one of the "most luxurious properties in Vegas." I agree with the last post...you should try to stay in Mandalay Bay, NY/NY, MGM, Monte Carlo even the Excalibur or the Mirage. The Mirage has a great pool, complete with little flags on the lounges where you just raise them if you need someone to bring you a drink! These places are more centrally located to the places where you'll want to be and some of them are even connected by a tram. If you really want luxury, go for the Bellagio or the Venetian.

But if it would be a toss up for me between Hard Rock and the Mirage. I haven't stayed at Hard Rock, but the rooms are not the real draw for me...it is more the location, pool and the gaming floor atmosphere.

The pool is great at the Mirage, but you just can't beat the atmosphere at Hard Rock. It is off the Strip, so it's a cab ride away, but its gaming floor is way cooler than any other casino in Vegas. It is smaller, and the crowd is young, good looking, 20-35. Dealers are cool, and the scene at the pool is very good.

I can't wait 'til I'm back in Vegas in June!!! Hope you have fun...and try to get tickets to "O" a Cirque de Soiel (sp?) production at the Bellagio that is amazing...worth the $100+ ticket price (and you (and your wallet)can only take so much gambling!) Have fun...hope it helps!

sammie

Have not stayed at Desert Inn but their location is north strip, which is becoming run down.
Center, south strip is the hub of activity now.
I would get the best deal available on any of the newer properties built in the last 5 years, any of the previously suggested properties will be very nice.

Dee

For my first and only visit (so far) to L.V. I stayed at the Flamingo Hilton. I got the room for $49/night, I believe, and was a little unsure of what I'd get. I was pleasantly surprised. It's centrally located, which is wonderful for a first-timer. Plus, I chose to walk everywhere. It's certainly not as fancy as the newer places, but if you're not going to be in your room that much, who cares? Also, they had a nice pool area. Have a great trip.

LVLarry

I think that you will be very disappointed in the DI. It's clientelle are mainly older rich folks that have been going there for years.

Pick a mid-strip hotel. The Bellagio is very nice but maybe a bit pricey at $200. The mid-strip hotels that I would recommend are: Bellagio, Mirage, Flamingo Hilton, Ballys, Paris, and the Venetian. I may have missed one or two. Stay away from the Imperial Palace, Barbary Coast, and Harrahs. Check the rates frequently as they go up and down like a yoyo. I have seen rates as low as $39.00 /nt ( per room ) for the Flamingo Hilton, Paris, and Ballys ( all 3 are Hilton properties ).

Dianne

You may want to think about staying at one of the Hilton's Grand Vacation clubs.
This would be a condo that has 1-3 bedrooms available.
The vacation clubs are located next to the Flamingo (great pool & on the strip, you can walk to everything),and the LasVagas Hilton. The latter is only 6 mos. old and the good and bad news is it is off the main strip. Bad only because you have to taxi every where.
I always rent a car so I can go to red rock canyon which is nice.

jeanie

u can easily get a room under $100 in Las Vegas, i stayed at Tropicana for only $35 last July. Check out Expedia. As far as i know, Desert Inn is a bit far from the main activties.

Go for the "Mystere" and "O" show, it's stunning and worths all the money. Showgirl sucks.

Lara

Hi:

I am 31 and I love DI. It is a very classy Vegas hotel (oxymoron?). Clientele was not *old*, but you do not have 21 year olds running around either. The tennis and golf onsite is also really important to us.

I have stayed at Mirage and TI, and DI is superior to those properties in every respect.

The one downside is the location. Not unsafe, just that you have to take cabs everywhere (except Venetian which is within close walking distance).

Stay with the DI. It sounds like it is what you are looking for.

WildBill

DI is a great Las Vegas hotel, but in the traditional sense. It's also not very big compared to the other hotels listed above, and on the N. Strip. The casino area itself is pretty mucholder, wealthier folks. Assuming you and your friends are in your mid-20's and want a younger atmosphere I'd suggest Mandalay Bay, the Rio, Hard Rock. For a combination of Location and Pool, I don't think you can beat the Flamingo Hilton. Also near the Flamingo are the Mirage, Caesars Palace and Paris. Staying at the DI wouldn't be a bad idea, but it really is aimed at older patrons for the most part. One good thing about it is that since it is a little bit away from everything else, it does have more of a resort feel to it. Mandalay would be great for you if you're interested in pools, restaurants and clubs. Either way, LV RULES

paul

Hey John,
We just returned from Vegas on Monday (Memorial Day) and I wasn't as impressed with the Desert Inn as I had hoped to be. I was staying at Treasure Island and decided to walk down to the Frontier and Desert Inn (a short walk). The DI was basically OK but the casino was quite small and really lacked much activity. This was around 3:00 in the afternoon on a very hot day so I don't know where everyone was. The one thing that kind of bothered me was the distinct lack of cocktail waitresses. I played $25 Pai Gow Poker (probably a stretch for me) for about 30-45 minutes and never got so much as a beer. Conversely, we were very happy with the Treasure Island. Nice remodeled rooms, a small but comfortable pool area with efficient watress help, and a pretty decent casino.

Let me know if you want any recent Vegas information as we pretty much visited most of the casino's along the strip. Have a great time.

PH

Judi

Find a hotel on the strip (not downtown), that is a reasonable rate. You should be able to get under $100.00 easy. Keep in mind you won't be spending much time in your hotel room. Save your money for all the neat stuff to see.

terri

I haven't stayed at the Desert Inn and I couldn't even tell you that I have even noticed it. I have stayed at the Tropicana, Luxor, Rio, and MGM. The only one I would not stay at again is the Luxor. The Tropicana is cheap sleeps at it's best. Right in the middle of all the newer properties, but older. MGM or New York New York is right across the street from the Tropicana and the place that I would recommend to you. The Rio is an all suites hotel but off the strip. If money is no object I'd say the Mandalay Bay, it looks the best of all the new properties, but I have not stayed there.

If you'd like a fun place for an evening. The New York New York has a bar that has dueling pianos. Sing along and all the music played is played at the audiences request. I think it starts about 7:00, but am not sure. We stopped in real quick for a drink and to rest from our day before dinner and didn't leave until after midnight.