I'm sorry,I know this subject has been beat to death, but I could use some help & opinions.
My husband and I and another couple are going for the first time at the end of this month. We are all in our late 20's, no kids. Not HUGE partiers, but like to have a good time.
We have narrowed our hotel choices down to the following:
Mirage
Treasure Isalnd
MGM Grand
NY NY

Any input would be GREATLY appreciated!

of those 4, I'd go with 1) MGM Grand or 2) NY NY. They are nicer IMO than Mirage and TI (though never spent the night at TI).

of course, on the TI Mirage end of the strip, you are much, much closer to better shopping if that is your thing.

what else you looking to do?


[This message has been edited by BMX Bandit (edited 1/16/2008 8:20a).]

[This message has been edited by BMX Bandit (edited 1/16/2008 8:20a).]

I don't have extensive experience with Vegas but of what I have seen, I would chose them in this order, NYNY, MGM, Treasure Island, Mirage. I also liked the Paris hotel but that isn't on the list.

We plan on trying to do a little bit of everything... gambling, drinking, shopping, hope to see the inside of most of the casinos, and plan to rent a car and drive to the Hoover Dam one day.

Since you are all young and I'm assuming w/out kids, you ought to check out the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. It's not on the strip, which is actually great because you don't get all of the families pushing the kids in strollers all over the casino like you do in the hotels like NYNY, MGM, etc.

The casino is great and usually less crowded, plus they have a shuttle that will take you to the strip. Great rooms and bars in the hotel as well. I've typically stayed at Caesars as well, which is great and it is huge w/ tons of things to do and it's right in the center of the action.

I go to Vegas once a year. NY/NY has lots of kids and kind of a crazy atmosphere. I have stayed at MGM before and thought it was pretty nice. MGM is the biggest casino on the strip so there is lots to do, and you are within a short walking distance of several neighbor casinos (directly connected to NY/NY across the street). TI (formerly Treasure Island) has revamped their image as a more adult casino. It's much smaller than NY/NY and MGM, but still pretty nice and you don't see kids running around. I was leaning toward staying at TI this year since I haven't tried that one out yet. I have stayed at MGM, Paris, NYNY, Aladdin, Plaza over the last couple years.

Circus Circus

I have stayed at all except TI. Several of my A&M friends and myself meet every January in Vegas. We stay atThe Mirage. Nice enough. Great location and the casino is not so big that you can't find each other. The MGM is way too big. NY NY is good. Don't like the casino much, but there is alot to do there. Piano bar, Coyote Ugly, Irish pub, good places to eat. Location not as good as The Mirage.

Seriously, I would choose the Mirage from that list... MGM would be my second choice.

why would you pick the mirage? I was not impressed with it at all.

If they are all the same price:
Mirage
TI
MGM
NYNY

Usually Mirage is much more expensive than TI. TI has been redone and is a GREAT deal. They are also right next to each other and connected.

I can't stand NYNY and hate the location of MGM.

I have been with my wife (early-mid 40's in age) a couple of times in the past four years. We stayed at the Luxor last time, NY/NY the time before. We enjoyed the Luxor because of its location and the ability to stay in doors to walk to Mandalay Bay (which is where we might stay the next time we are there).

NY/NY was average in our opinion. Remember that they have a roller coaster inside the NY/NY. The pool is below par of pools at other area hotels.

We did the Hoover dam the last time we were there, and were glad that we rented a car for a day (which you can do at the Luxor through one of the national providers). It allowed us the opportunity to drive out to the Red Rock Casino & Resort, which is nice.

In the end, I believe you should decide based on what you most want to do:

1. Gamble
2. Nightclubs/Dance
3. Lounge by the Pool
4. Hang around one hotel or try to experience several.

In many ways, the ranking of those will help you determine where you would most enjoy staying, in my opinion.

My wife and I have go to Vegas every few years or so. Since it is your first visit, I would probably stay at the Mirage (although I think the MGM is better). The sole reason for picking it is Location. It is on the center of the strip, close to the newer hotels.

If you are like us, gamble a little, nice dinners, etc. You wont be staying at the hotel much. We walk up and down the strip and go into just about every hotel. Each one is its own experience.

other than location, there is no reason to stay at Mirage based on your 4 finalists.

I've stayed at all.
NY NY has excellant hotel, but sort suckie Casino...but, you can get a good deal on rooms and can get a hot-tub with Strip view room fairly easliy for about $20 more a night.

(Let me say right now that I would start with an MGM Properties-Casino if you intend to come back and USE the Card...they do excellant Comps,((((this means gambling)))) especially for your second stay.)

TI, a nice MGM, good location but a bit pricie before you get into the Comp range. Decent enough gambling and their newest club there...Orange? or something is pretty much the best place to see a few celebs at present. That changes all the time.

Mirage...This is actualy a great place for begginers. Good location, excellant resturants, Danny Ganns and good place to get outstanding offers for the next trip. Rooms a little small, but recent expansion downstairs and general layout make it a hopping casino with lots of action and easy access to about 12 other casinos.

MGM Grand...Excellant redo and additions of Suites. Just about everything anyone could want in a Casino, included some of the best shows. (BTW, don't let your girl catch the pickle at David Copperfield). But, for my money, waaay to much craziness going on for decent gambling, waaay too many casinos (5) I think, waaay to big and with the exception of only a few rooms, at least a half a block hike to your room from the elevators. Just not my cup of tea.

The newly re-opened Planet Hollywood has great room rates and excellant location.

Consider Off strip also. Excellant view of strip although far away from The Orleans. Biggest no Suite rooms in Vegas. Nice casino, resonably priced food and a bit of a blue collar crowd.

Red Rock is nice, but expensive and waaay off the strip. Palms is OK if you're young and pretty with lots of cash.

All Station Casino's an excellant deal for those with light pocketbooks.

For downtown fun, The Gold Nugget has excellant hotel and a fairly ruff crowd in the casino. Interesting to see that side of Vegas.

Enjoyed the Rio, but it's a Harrah's and anything they touch suxs. And they charge waaaay to much for their rooms. Caesars, Paris so on are nice...Caesars excellant...but, by now I fear Harrah's has ruined it.

I know this probably won't meet with approval of the Vegas longtimers here, but you might want to look at two other MGM properties. The Monti Carlo....good rooms, small casino, but probably the best location on the strip. Midway between just about everything...and faily cheap.

And, I know no one will approve, but the Luxor since MGM took over is fun. It's a different experience with the Egypt theme and all, but they have a new deal where NON-Highrollers can book a table for just you and your friends. It's a great help if you're just learning the game and it negates the pressure of the guy next to you getting pissed because you played the wrong cards or you're slowing up the game.

For my taste, I've pretty well settled on the Wynn. They are as good as MGM on the Comps, but it does take a little spending your first trip with them to get into the total Comp situation.

I'd go with MGM first for a few reasons. I think they have the nicest rooms and with the size of MGM you have a ton of options there, especially for dining, if you stay in. Plus, it has a great location.

TI is fine, room not as nice and far down. If you want easy access to Wynn/Venetian it is great.

PS....if you intend for this to be the first of many trips to Vegas...use your Players Club Card at both Slots and Table and play 90% of your money at the Casino you are staying, or at the one you wish to visit next.

Eventhough these large Casino operators like MGM and Harrah's keep track of your play throughout their system, each Casino Hotel is still pretty much stand alone on your play with THEM when booking for the next trip. Esp. when you get into having a "Host".

While they will look at your overall play at their "Company Stores", they still value more your relationship with THEIR Casino when handing out goodies.

The formula is hours played and average bet made. Try to keep both steady. On Blackjack for instance, 16 hours over three days with an average of $25 a bet will get you just about everything Comped at most casinos. If you're staying "highend" such as at the Wynn, that can amount to several thousand dollars in food and rooms over three or four days.

In Slots(much easier to build Comps in because they can track you better), $2,000 to $3,000 played over three days(not lost, but played...with skills you should win back about 80% minum of everything you played, so go prepared for about oh, maybe $300 to $600 a day in loses at worst over three days)Your playing to just stay in the game with slots and have the chance...just the chance for a big payday. You will not beat them on any given trip, you're just trying to stay even over the years, get everyting comped and maybe have a big payday once in a while.(Average about a $3 bet and ALWAYS PLAY THE BONUS ON ANY MACHING YOU PLAY. Cause if you hit and you're not in the Bonus(and beleive me you will)...you win almost ZIP. Bonus is only way to get the big payday.

Play some high dollar Progressives until you have lost a couple of hundrend and then hit some lower PAY machines(look for machines with $900 to $1500 max payout. They hit more because the Casino doesn't have to do IRS paperwork) which will quickly give you back $100, $200 or $600 bucks and then you can go back to the Progressives or other high Bonus play machines for a chance at "life changing" win.

not to highjack the thread here, but has anyone ever stayed at the Las Vegas Hilton? It's not on the strip, but it has the monorail go right to it, so for 9 bucks for an all day pass on the rail, that seems to not be too big of a deal. I was looking at this and the hilton has by far the cheapest rooms. any input would be great.

It's actually not bad. And if you are going to use the Monorail it's best to have your start-end at either MGM or Hilton if there is a BIG convention in town. It can get so crowed that it's hard to catch a rid in the middle.

If I remember correctly the monorail stops running at 2am...for me that is a problem

Just because you ride the monrail to get someplace, doesn't mean you can't take a cab back. It's very cheap and works out well if you're going to a convention or just want to jump around on the Strip.

Unless you want to be around familes with kids, do not stay at NYNY. The others on your list are better choices.
Someone mentioned the Hard Rock, I second that for young couples looking to have a good time in LV.
Leave enough time to get the hard hat tour at the dam, worth the extra time and money.

My vote would be MGM. While the rooms are starting to become a little worn, the value can't be beat. Often you can get rooms for $59 or $69 during the week; which comes with $25 dining credit, two free drinks, and either spa credit or raft rental at the pool. I love staying there. The bathrooms are also a decent size. The pool is awesome (stop by 32 degrees for a drink first), excellent dining options and a food court, wonderful service & comps, great nightlife and people watching even if you're not a partier. Also I love hanging out in the West Wing Bar. The downside to me is the casino. While it is usually lively, I just don't get the "fun" vibe and I've rarely had any luck there whatsoever; ie lose my buy in rather quickly. At least the dealers are fun. Keep in mind though that MGM properties will not even rate you at all and some will even give you your card back if you are not playing at least $25 per hand at all times.

TI would be my second choice. The rooms are a little nicer than MGM, but smaller. The casino has an excellent vibe and I usually have fun there except for one crabby Pai Gow Poker dealer. Social House is my favorite place to eat here. Isla is ok, but the portions are too small for me. Don't forget to play some VP at the bar at Isla. Terry makes excellent mojitos! MMMMM!

The rooms at Monte Carlo are nice, almost exactly like MGM, but a little smaller. The most comfortable beds (besides Wynn) that I have ever had in Vegas. However, until the massive construction next door is completed I would avoid staying here at all costs. The parking/valet situation is a nightmare. I park at NYNY and walk over, MUCH quicker than the valet.

Personally I don't care for the Mirage at all. The rooms seem dark and cramped to me and service has really declined over the last few years. Seems they have overlooked that in the midst of all the remodeling.

I've never stayed at NYNY, but have been getting some good offers lately. I don't particularly care for the casino, but love the Big Apple Bar. Great location. Some of my friends love staying there for the night life.

I think Vegas is cool....I would like to go.

Just do it.

It's been almost 6 years since I was last in SIN CITY...What about Mandalay Bay ( I'm still lusting after their waitresses') and I have always noted good prices at the RIO ( I know its off the strip but wondering if any of you have had any experiences good or bad , at either hotel)

Thanks

Gig'em

OWA

Mandalay is still a great casino/hotel.

Just in kind of a crummy location at the far south end of the strip.

mandalay is my favorite, but did not make the OP's final 4.

Mandalay Bay has the best pool, some great bars, you can go up to the bar on the 54th floor and sit outside and look over the strip. To me, MB is the Bellagio for young people.

MB is interesting, esp. with "The Hotel" being part of it and now the most "Stars" of any Casino-Hotel in Vegas.

But, MB it's self just never appealed to me. Love their bar in the middle of the casion....feels like you're visitng some Brits in 1890's "INJA"(Indian). Really great to visit for an afternoon cocktail.

Pool certainly is the best, maybe in the whole world. But I always found the casino rather dull and lifeless.
And, "The Hotel" and Mandaly Bay are both EXPENSIVE!!!! Very.

Nightside,

I agree with you. My wife and I stayed at the Luxor the last time we were in Vegas. It allowed us to enjoy the Mandalay Bay without ever going outside at a cost of $69 per night.

I always have valued allegiance to one place (whether it is casinos, hotels, restaurants or my local dry cleaners). While I would like to do so in Vegas, we don't travel to Vegas enough to build up any comps.

gabby...I think while you might not get much in the way of comps, if you do most of your play at one place (and it doesn't have to be the place you are staying, but at the place you WANT to stay) you will get some really great offers that will be good enough to take the place of comps.

Use that Card and you will be suprised at the world of Vegas that will be offered you. I can't afford the Wynn, but while staying at NYNY, where I already had good relations, but really wasn't coming back, I did all my gambling down at Wynn. I haven't paid a penny since at Wynn for rooms and have had enough extra left,( by not paying for the pricie room) for gambling that I moved myself into another tier where they simply comp everything.
.
Good move on the Luxor. The game in Vegas isn't just at the tables or the slots, you're also playing a game where you not only get a chance to go to Vegas and do your hearts desires, but it getting the luxary to be able to have enough to take a chance to win some real money, limited though it is.

Free trips, free room, free food, free shows and you could win big...heck, that's the only way to take a vaction for me anymore. Just "work" the system.

Interesting thing that the top 4 floors of Mandalay Bay is the Four Seasons Hotel with a separate entrance.

i hate how NYNY and MGM are sort of at the end of the strip, its quite a walk to the other side with TI etc. But then again, I perfer old vegas, downtown, so I guess i would stay down there....

The nice part of the southern end of the strip is that you can go visit the Tropicana if you want to experience and older style vegas hotel and casino.