Going the end of Sept. Just 2 adults. Love, love, love the Paris, but can't stand that puddle of a pool. Pool is important on this trip because we really haven't stayed anywhere with a great pool in over a year.

I am not thrilled with location of Mandalay & MGM, despite their pools. Leaning towards Mirage or Flamingo. Uneasy about Flamingo because I have heard it is second rate to the newer hotels. Mirage tower room and Flamingo mini-suite are the same price. Has anyone stayed in either of these rooms? Was also leaning towards a cabana rental as I have heard that the pool areas can be insane. Is this really true for the end of September?

Thanks to one and all.

You might reconsider MGM. The pool area is very nice and not over crouded. A cabana is worth the price if you spend the day at the pool. With the new monorail the MGM has easy access to the whole strip. The rooms (other than the Emerald Tower) are very nice, the Celebrity Spa suite is fabulous for couples and the casino is the largest one on the strip. At least eat at the Pearl at MGM for the best Chinese food I have ever tasted, the Almond Crusted Lemon Chicken is wonderful. Caesars Palace also has a nice pool area. The Palace Tower rooms are very nice with a separate shower and extra large whirlpool tub and our room had a superb view of the Bellagio fountains.

We just stayed at the MGM a few weeks ago and thought it was quite nice. Room was clean and sleek, with a fun view of New York New York across the way, and we had a GREAT meal at NobHill--can't recommend it highly enough (most of the restaurants and bars in the MGM looked good). We agreed that we'd like to try the Bellagio or Ceasar's next time, but all in all, were more than satsified at MGM--in fact, its lack of an obnoxious "theme" was kind of restful on the eyes.

Although I haven't stayed at either hotel (we stayed at the Luxor), the Flamingo looked dumpy. However the Mirage pool looked very tropical and I had wish we stayed there.

When we were there (at the Mirage - in mid-May), the chairs all around the pool were crammed full - and wall-to-wall (wayyyyyyy too crowded). However, we found that if we proceded to the cabana area just beyond the overhead walkway, we found lots of chairs. Take note that these were NOT just "cabana reserved" (there was some reserved seating, but also some "general seating" as well). It was fairly quiet and very lush, green, and tropical-feeling.

Ken

I just returned from a week at the Mirage and would recommend that slightly over the Flamingo. Both have nice pools and locations.

Consider Caesar's Palace...beautiful pool areas.

Try these:

www.i4vegas.com -- list of hotel pools, with brief descriptions and pool hours. Of the ones you mentioned, Mandalay closes at 7pm (still sounds the best), Mirage and MGM at 8pm, Flamingo at midnight.

www.cheapovegas.com -- good pool descriptions.

Donna

We stayed at the Flamingo last summer with our two teen-age daughters. The pool was always very crowded and often times there were empty beer bottles left lying around.

The room was okay, nothing to write home about.

I will not stay there again.

maxtonio: Where would you recommend staying with 2 teenagers? (I'm pre-planning for next summer.)

okay, i am leaning toward the mirage. i wanted something a little more than just a concrete walkway with a hole in it where water just happened to gather. Looks like mirage is my best choice. I will probably take the tower room upgrade and rent a cabana. Must have shade! Thanks everyone

We just got back from the Flamingo 2 weeks ago. We asked for and recieved a renovated room with a view. It was very nice. Roomy with a king bed. Mini suite is probably even better. I'd ask if they have renovated suites. The best part was checking in at the airport. Saved us over an hour, easy.

The pool chairs were all taken by 9 AM when we got there. Someone told me you have to get there at 7 AM. Don't know about Sept but my guess is that it's worse, since Aug is considered a "slow" time of year. I think you will have that problem anywhere is Vegas with a nice pool And the Flamingo has a nice pool. Cheapovegas says it's neck and neck for the #1 spot with Mandalay Bay.

There is a smaller more secluded pool area with cabanas. It's mostly shaded but you can get them as well.