Where to stay in Las Vegas

[Piglet]

DH and I are planning one "last hurrah" before baby arrives and wanted to hit Las Vegas in November. We are definitely not into gambling and don't even plan to catch the shows so much. We just want a relaxing time together and neither of us has been to Vegas (plus we only have a few vacation days left). Does anyone have any suggestions for hotels there? There are so many to choose from and they all look the same online.

Thanks a bunch,

[crayonblue]

Do you want to stay in Vegas on the Strip or are you willing to drive a bit? We stayed at the Hyatt Regency Lake Las Vegas and loved it. Here's a link: http://lakelasvegas.hyatt.com/property/index.jhtml

We enjoyed being a little ways away from Vegas and being on the lake was nice. It's really quite beautiful. The hotel has a shuttle to and from Vegas that we took. It is 17 miles from the Las Vegas Strip.

ETA: EEk! I just noticed that they are now charging $30 per person for the shuttle. It was free when we went last year. Despite this, I would still highly recommend this hotel. We stayed here a few nights and then also stayed near the Strip at a Marriott (DH has hotel points from travelling.)

[MelissaTC]

DH and I love Caesar's Palace. Gotta love a hotel/casino that has its own mall!

[kelly ann]

I second the Hyatt recommendation 100%!!!! We stayed there when I was pregnant and loved it. I think now they even have more stuff around there - a Ritz and some shopping. The Asian restaurant there served the best sushi (non-raw since I was pregnant) I have ever had and the pools/spa were really nice. The gambling area was very small, but quaint and just the right size. If you decide to gamble, it is a very laid back atmosphere...meaning they don't rush you. That is nice for me since I like to think about my bets or whether or not I want to hit :)

There is also an Ethel M chocolate factory on the way to the Hyatt that you will have to stop at for a nice indulgence.

[heidi_timms]

We went to Vegas in May and we traveled with priceline.com by using their "vacation packages". You don't get to pick your flight times-we had to leave really early in the morning-7am, but we got a great deal on the package-flight and hotel! We stayed at the Venetian, which was very central to everything and gorgeous!!!
~Heidi
Mom to Kailey
4/03

[Momof3Labs]

Depends on your budget! If you are willing to splurge a little, I think that the Paris and the Bellagio are in a perfect location on the strip - central to all the newer hotels and cool attractions (the dancing fountains at Bellagio are worth watching over and over again). The Paris rooms are gorgeous, with amazing bathrooms. If you are on a tight budget, look into Bally's. It is a nondescript hotel but the rooms are large and clean, and it is tucked right next to Paris, so you still get to enjoy a great location.

Mandalay Bay and Luxor are nice but a long walk from many hotels, so you'd be catching buses more often. Caesar's is also a very good location, though I haven't stayed there yet.

[DDowning]

For downtown, if you want to go high-end, the Bellagio is about as high as it gets. Pricey but its likely due to their works of art and special galleries they have. The service is phenomenal. I also agree about Paris - the best place to see the water fountains from the air is to eat in the Eiffel tower around 6 (make reservations early!). There are tables for two along the outer paremter of the restaurant - ask to be seated in the section that is directly over the Bellagio fountains!

For a quaint experience at the end of the strip, you could check out the Four Seasons. The hotel is adjacent to Mandalay Bay, the actual rooms take up the top two floors of each bay tower. The service is great. The best part is that it doesn't have a casino since the Mandalay is next door. You're as close or far away to the action as you want to be. The cafe restaurant and higher end restaurant are both excellent and the pool area is very relaxing. When you book, ask for the strip side - the other side overlooks the airport and you can hear planes taking off every now and then.

For off the strip, I also agree about Lake Las Vegas. Its 17 miles away and the last time there, we stayed at the new Ritz and its very nice. The only casino is off to the side in the village so its nice not walk down into the lobby and immediately be hit with the cling, cling, cling, sound of slot machines.

ETA: The Mandalay/Four Seasons now have monorails that cut down on the walking considerably.

Have fun!

[quikeye]

The new "Green Valley Ranch" is beautiful but off strip-- it's a resort hotel.

Last time we went was way before ds was even thought about-- we wanted a clean, inexpensive room since we would be splurging on shows, gambling & food (the Bellagio lunch buffet is awesome! And the Paris breakfast buffet-- crepes made to order! And Mon Ami Gabi @ Paris has such great food & you can get a seat on the patio & watch the water show across the street @ the Bellagio)... we stayed @ the Flamingo hotel. It was nice and clean, *right* in the middle of the strip, and not expensive at all. Not sexy though! We did most of our gambling, well... everywhere-- we had a blast and pretty much used the room only to crash in and to recover from too much food(we're not drinkers, but we can eat!) :)

Have fun! I love Vegas.

[Sarah1]

DH and I were just in Las Vegas a few weeks ago. We stayed at Mandalay Bay. We LOVED the whole "beach" scene there and the spa and restaurants were great. They also have a new "hotel within a hotel" concept called (aptly) The Hotel. It looked REALLY nice--that's where I'd stay next time.

We also stayed at Bellagio a few years ago, and the rooms and service there are great--better than Mandalay Bay. Also, no children are allowed there, which can be a plus. There were a few kids at MB but not that many. hgBut, I thought MB was just more fun. Bellagio gets more of an older crowd and there's always too many tourists milling around in there.

If you're there in November, some of the pools might be closed, so keep that in mind.

Have a great trip!!!!!

[jasabo]

Dh and I always stay at Mandalay Bay when we go. We love it. The service is always great and the pool is wonderful! The rooms are really beautiful too. We've never had a bad one. Bellagio is gorgeous too. I've not stayed there, but dh has during conferences and he says it's great. The downstairs area is beautiful, and it's definitely more central then Mandalay Bay, which is further down the strip. I've never found it to be a problem though. The walk isn't too bad if you want to go to Ceasar's palace to shop or eat - they have a great shopping area. And you can always hop into a taxi if you want - they're not expensive.

I've heard good things about the new Hyatt on the lake too, though haven't been there. They've got a website you can check out.

I'm soooo jealous!! Now is a great time to go. The weather should be really nice. I hope you have a wonderful time!

Lisa - mom to 16 month old twin boys

[Sarah1]

Just wanted to second what Lori said about Bally's--I haven't stayed there, but my sister and her boyfriend just went last week and said that for the price, it was a total deal--nice room (they stayed in the tower that was recently renovated), great service, great location right next to Paris.

[steph2003]

I am chiming in way late here but DH & I got back from vacation which included a stop in Vegas. We stayed at Paris & I thought it a great central location on the strip. The rooms were spacious & nicely deocrated. We even had a view of the Bellagio lights/water show from our window - no complaints here. Plus the Paris breakfast buffet was TDF! Made to order crepes, omelettes, belgian waffes, pastries, etc., etc! A good bargain too at $12.95 a person considering I stuffed myself & couldn't eat again until later that night :)

Hope you have fun -