Las Vegas - where to stay?
Erik D asked:
I’m surprising my wife with a trip to Vegas for our anniversary. We’re going in December. I definately want a hotel on the strip as it’s our first time there. I want to balance betweeen price, luxury, a decent pool that will be open in December, good location on the strip, good and affordable restaurants and an interesting attraction at the hotel.
I’m surprising my wife with a trip to Vegas for our anniversary. We’re going in December. I definately want a hotel on the strip as it’s our first time there. I want to balance betweeen price, luxury, a decent pool that will be open in December, good location on the strip, good and affordable restaurants and an interesting attraction at the hotel.
I had originally looked at TI but then found out that the pool is closed during the winter. We would also like to go to a Cirque show and maybe another show (Stomp, Blue Man, another Cirque, etc) so a hotel that had one of these in house would be nice.
The biggest must is that it is on the strip and within walking distance of the Bellagio Fountains, TI pirate ships, Mirage Volcano, etc.
Any suggestions are greatly appreciated for hotels and also for shows to see and other activities to do.
Thanks!
Troy
Tags: Bellagio Fountains, Cirque, Pool
March 1st, 2009 at 11:09 pm
Neil
My favorite is the MGM. They have it all. And my favorite are the 5 cent poker slots because I love the sound of the change falling but don’t want to go broke gambling either and they have a large section that is smoke free.
March 2nd, 2009 at 11:11 am
Carolyn
My family and I stayed at the Excalibur it was alot of fun. They have a jousting dinner, when you watch a show while you eat. I wouldn’t say its necessarily romantic, but it was alot of fun, and had alot to do.
goodluck, I hope all goes well.
March 4th, 2009 at 6:58 am
Dorothy
Well, I am going to Las Vegas very soon. On the 19th of this month. We are staying at The Orleans which is on Tropicana near the strip. It has a bowling alley and a movie theater.
But I think you should stay at Mandalay Bay.
It’s almost like you took a trip to a tropical island instead of Las Vegas.
March 7th, 2009 at 2:36 am
Annie
I got marrid myself in Las Vegas and we stayed at the Luxor Hotel… the place was fairly affordable (but make sure not to book too close to New Years because then they get expensive ANYWHERE on the strip.) Just the design on the insde of the building and how the elevators work was worth going. There is also direct access from the Luxor to The Excaliber Hotel next door which is another great place to visit. I DO remember walking from the Luxor down tot he fountains and the TI pirate ships… the Valcano if I remember right is WWAAAy down at the other end of the strip so you might not be able to walk down there without getting tired.,
But all I can say is that I had a wonderful stay there and have even recommnded some friends there who also agree it was a nice place tos tay at.
Good Luck on the suprise for your wife!
March 9th, 2009 at 10:47 am
Kimberly
If you want to go to one of the shows, your gonna pay a lot. You also need to get tickets way in advance. All the places on the strip are pretty good.
Check out this site for the best prices.
March 12th, 2009 at 5:42 pm
Marc
Mandolay Bay ; MGM; Circus Circus; Buffalo Bills; Pirate Ship; Golden Nugget; Fritzgerald; and the Plaza
March 14th, 2009 at 11:32 am
Heidi
ALL pools are closed in the winter because in the desert the winter temp can get down to freezing.
The Strip is 4 miles long. You could walk to anywhere but I recommend the bus.
I would stay at the Venetiain or Palazzo (connected or Treasure Island (great rooms, towels). On that corner is TI, Venetian, Palazzo, Wynn, and Mirage (connected by free tram to TI and easy walk to Caesars Palalce which is across the stret from Bellagio)
There are FIVE cirques. Treasure Island has Mystere (local favorite) and Mirage has Love (Beatles tribute). Wynn has a cirque form LeReve (the dream). Venetiain has Phantom of the Opera (musical play) and Palazzo has Jersey Boy (play musical). Venetian has Madame Tossauds Wax Musseum, canal rides indoors and outside, and Canal Shops (fantastic) with free entertainment.
March 17th, 2009 at 9:07 am
Hazel
The key to getting a great deal is to book directly from the hotels on the strip using their discount promo codes. Here are a few codes.
These codes are also updated frequently.
March 18th, 2009 at 1:20 pm
Cynthia
unfortunately most of the hotels use december as their pool maintenance month, so they are closed.
You can call hotels individually and verify their status, but they will probably not know this early.
I know the mirage is open year round otherwise, but december.
if you want more info, i am a travel agent, email me directly or visit:
good luck!
March 19th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
Joan
the boom boom room
two sucks and a blow hotel
hotel tranny
beaver inn
March 22nd, 2009 at 4:33 pm
Cody
This guide may be a little out of date. I would check with the individual hotel before you make your final confirmation.
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Bally’s
The area is open, there are no lifeguards, the pool is heated to 80 degrees, and there is no service.
Bellagio
Pools are open all year round and they are heated in the winter. Hours will vary depending on the season. For more detailed information, you may contact our Pool Manager at 888-987-7111.
Excalibur
Open year round and heated to 80 degrees. There will be service at the pool.
Flamingo
Our pools are open year round. Only one of the five pools is heated. There are no pool side services during the winter.
Harrah’s
Close in October - open Mar-Apr
Hard Rock
Close October - open Feb-Mar
Imperial Palace
Our pool is closed for the season and reopens on March 1, 2000. Our pooldeck is open for sunbathing and the whirlpool is also open. There is no bar service during the off months.
Luxor
The pool is open 9-5 and it is heated to 82 degrees. The snack bar is closed “but you can take items to the pool”.
Mirage
Our pool is kept at 78 - 82 degrees year round, and is open 8:00 am - 7:00 pm. (Jacuzzi is 102 degrees and is open from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm) The pool is 3.5 feet in depth and there is a section designated for laps and a slide. Our kiddie section has two slides. Towels are provided and there is a changing area. Our pool area has a restaurant and beverage service. The use of our pool is restricted to registered guests only. At the end of the year, normally in December, the pool is closed for approximately one month for maintenance.
Mandalay Bay
One will stay open. Sand and Surf will close.
MGM Grand
Heated to 75 degrees
At least one pool is open year round, however, all pools are not open at the same time, pool 3 is reserved for Conf. Center use. #2 is part of the River.
All pools are 3-1/2 feet deep.
Monte Carlo
The pools are open year-round and heated to 80 degrees. Towels are provided and the snack bar is open.
Paris
Open year round, but only open 8-4 during the winter. It is heated. Chairs will be out. There is no service.
March 24th, 2009 at 12:32 pm
Gail
I am going to start with pools that are opened in the winter since that will narrow your choices down the most.
Tropicana is the only indoor pool on the strip and it is opened year round.
This link has a list of the hotel pools that are supposed to be open year round. They include
Bally’s
Bellagio
Caesar’s Palace
Circus- Circus
Excalibur
Flamingo
Four Seasons
Harrah’s
Luxor
MGM Grand
Everything is within walking distance of everything, unless you get too far up on North Strip. Once you get past Treasure Island the hotels get scarce and it’s not easy to walk to.
Of the list above I would recommend Excalibur, Luxor, and MGM Grand. Based on your request, I would definitely recommend MGM Grand. They have very nice rooms, and one of the nicest pools in Vegas with a lazy river. Sometimes you can find great rates, as low as $68/night. It’s in a great location.
I have heard that the best time to go to Vegas in the winter are from the second week in December up to Christmas. They say the first two weeks get expensive, and after that it dies down until Christmas.
Keep an eye on this site for the best deals. It has the lowest published rates for all of the Las Vegas hotels. MGM houses KA, which is one of the popular Cirque shows, but it really doesn’t matter if they are located where you stay or not because it is very easy to get anywhere either by walking, taking the bus, or taking the monorail.
Good Luck.
This is a map of the strip.
March 27th, 2009 at 6:44 pm
Nicholas
I suggest that you give Planet Hollywood a go! It is centrally located and can be very romantic and hot!
Have fun!
March 30th, 2009 at 7:49 pm
Edgar
Well, I just booked mine and my boyfriends trip to Vegas this week. We are going during Thanksgiving week. I payed $845 for 2 roundtrip tickets and 3 night stay at Mandalay Bay. I know its a little further down the strip but well worth it. I would not stay anywhere else. Its very luxurious and gorgeous for the price. I cant wait to go. Plus you can hop on a city bus, they give you a pass to go anywhere ALL DAY for only $5. Look into that. I booked my trip on expedia.com. Check rates on there over the next week at different times, they will range, depending on gas prices and time of year.
Good luck, I know she will love it. Make it a point to take her to the top of the Eiffel Tower @ Paris!!!
March 31st, 2009 at 6:24 am
Ramon
MGM, TI and Mandalay Bay are very good hotels IMO but you cannot go wrong with most hotels on the Las Vegas strip. I would book a hotel with a good hotel promotion for your travel dates. Regarding hotel promotions I would keep an eye on