Topic: Visiting Las Vegas

[NewHampshire_Exile]

not done that - as you know your exact dates then I'd be checking hotels.com for the dates you are staying there. when you find a decent price then book it. the last thing you need to be doing is arriving at the airport and then asking for the cab to take you -er somewhere...

book with a hotel that has free cancellation and then keep checking prices - you can rebook if a better deal turns up.

at least sort a room for the first night and play it by ear after that.. I wouldn't recommend just turning up somewhere and asking the price... after that then yeah - use an app on your phone and you'll get someone pretty decent.  again my go-to app is hotels.com and they have a last minute deals option on there - I have used that before...

[Dublin Red]

You also need to have an address where you're staying on the visa waiver documents for immigration... So, good to have at least your arrival hotel booked as mentioned above

[Lusty]

Looking at planning a trip which includes Vegas for Octoberish this year, looking to Fly into Vegas do around 4 nights there then drive to San Diefo then onto Cali & San Fran the fly home from there.

We were thinking of just booking flights and looking at checking into a hotel when we get to each place. Anyone had experience in doing that before?

Nah you'll end up paying a fortune doing that.  You can get hotels in Vegas for peanuts if you get a deal in advance, but you'll end up paying the list price if you just turn up and that will be something silly.

Hotels in California can get REALLY expensive as well, especially in SF.  If you don't want to pay through the nose for a place where you have to step over chalk drawings to get to the room then you'll want to book in advance.

[Dowling10]

Vegas 2015 is on the cards for me and the lads, first time... we'll all be about 24.

We want to stay on the strip, as close to all the action as possible (gambling, drinking, partying)..

Recommendations on hotels please? Nice one.

[quirkovski]

Planet Hollywood. best hotel i have stayed in and that was just a standard room.  In a great spot too on the strip.

[RainbowFlick]

Vegas 2015 is on the cards for me and the lads, first time... we'll all be about 24.

We want to stay on the strip, as close to all the action as possible (gambling, drinking, partying)..

Recommendations on hotels please? Nice one.

At that age, and assuming you have a decent amount of funds...definitely go with Cosmopolitan or Encore. They have a younger crowd and are also beautiful hotels/casinos. I met Stevie G at Encore once

While I'm here, recommendations on clubs/pool parties based on how much I enjoyed:

1. Marquee
2. XS
3. Tao
4. Surrender
5. Wet Republic
6. Encore Beach Club
7. Bank (if you like hip hop)
8. LAVO (if you like hip hop)

I didn't gamble a great deal, but most places offer free drinks so an easy/cheap way to pre-drink!

[Chakan]

Have to cancel my Vegas trip in Sept

[PhilV]

Vegas 2015 is on the cards for me and the lads, first time... we'll all be about 24.

We want to stay on the strip, as close to all the action as possible (gambling, drinking, partying)..

Recommendations on hotels please? Nice one.

I just got back from there (well I was there in June but yeah)

Stayed at The Mirage which is pretty central, the rooms we had were absolute quality and the Casino downstairs was very good!

I went to:

Light
Tao
Hakkasan
XS (and Midnight Swim there also)
Wet Republic (Steve Aoki was on that day and is there frequently, if he's there next year go on his day, he runs that place!)

My favourite club was Hakkasan, we did table service everywhere as it was a stag do and we wanted the full experience, was class, worked out ok to be honest, was about $300 each per night as we had the $3000 minimum spend tables but we also ended up buying more so on our last night at Hakkasan we had a $5000-7000 table but we paid less as we met a promoter for the place who happened to be English and he sorted us out (and also they get birds for you if you want, they only come because they see you got a table and think you're loaded but who cares, some of them are outstanding) and it was across from DJ Box, Martin Garrix was on and the place was amazing, got some sick videos, absolute top club.

Deffo get the Nachos from Margaritaville, they are a sharing starter and easily feeds 4, monster portions!!

Also did Heli tour of Grand Canyon which was boss!!

Favourite Casino was probably in Caesers Palace, cool place, the shopping centre in it is also good, amazing Nike store if you like sports stuff, prices were like half what we pay in UK when you work it out and cheaper still at the outlets.

[paulrazor]

currently have two travel agents falling over themselves to do us a honeymoon deal.

Looking at the Aria hotel.

[deFacto please, you bastards]

Aria hotel is pretty good, they have one of the best clubs in the city there as well.

Was in Vegas for three days and three nights, celebrated this New Year's, had a list of all the things I wanted to do and didn't do any of them. Wasn't enough time.

Marquee was amazing, day club pool party on New Year's day. The Light at Mandalay Bay was also pretty impressive, Hakkassan I didn't enjoy as much as I didn't have VIP, impossible to see the DJ's when the dance floor is packed.

Be prepared to pay off bouncers to skip the lines, was well worth it though.

[Des Equilibrante]

currently have two travel agents falling over themselves to do us a honeymoon deal.

Looking at the Aria hotel.

Bellagio if you can afford it / get it at the right time - seriously that place is insane. I was next door at Caesar's Palace between Christmas and New Year. Personally I think the city is a bit naff, but it's a kind of naff you should see once in your lifetime - the whole place is off the gauge. Eiffel Towers, Brooklyn Bridges, a copy of the Millenium Wheel - it's got a copy of everything. Roller coasters up in hotels, car collections on the top floor of a car-park... Definitely get to a show - we caught a Cirque du Soleil called Zoomanity which was at New York New York, and watched Absinthe at Caesar's.

On another note though, the number of people just sat there pouring dollars into slot machines is kinda awful in a way. They legit think they'll make their millions. You'll probably see Elvis and a few bridal parties as well as stag do's.

If you have the time - you can see the Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon in a day trip if you start early enough, but it's a bit of travelling and costs a pretty penny.

[paulrazor]

thanks Defacto and des.

Des I think the Bellagio is about 200 euro dearer so i might stick with the Aria, the grand canyon and hooverdam is a must.

[Dublin Red]

Never stayed in the Aria, but have stayed in Bellagio a couple of times (once was about €350 a night - honeymoon and the other was about €150 a night).... if you can afford it, it is a sensational hotel...just depends on dates/days what the price will be

[paulrazor]

Never stayed in the Aria, but have stayed in Bellagio a couple of times (once was about €350 a night - honeymoon and the other was about €150 a night).... if you can afford it, it is a sensational hotel...just depends on dates/days what the price will be

its about 200 dearer

im all for splashing out but i think the Aria might just edge it with the difference plus the money saved can go towards seeing hooverdam and grand canyon

ill definitely be looking through the bellagio alright

[Dublin Red]

its about 200 dearer

im all for splashing out but i think the Aria might just edge it with the difference plus the money saved can go towards seeing hooverdam and grand canyon

ill definitely be looking through the bellagio alright

Good plan, the Grand Canyon is a must, and do it by chopper if time is tight (and you can afford it).... It's a few hours to drive it but only 40 minutes or so in a chopper (if I remember rightly).

[Des Equilibrante]

We arrived into Vegas with a hire car, which we drove out to Hoover and the GC, short of your own car you would struggle to do it in a day. Hoover is about 45 minutes out from the Strip, and the GC is about another 2 hours. Directions are easy - go about 50 miles then turn left and go another 50 miles.

With the GC in a car you rock up to a parking plaza about 2 miles out, then have to park and get a bus in. Bus is about $45 US, but if you want to go on the Skywalk it's another $35 US. Hoover Dam is pay car parks, and free car parks.

We left about 8am and got back to Caesar's around 6pm which was after dark. In terms of timing we were possibly a fraction rushed at the GC, but we had to be back in Vegas by 6. Also be wary you cross a timezone at Hoover Dam going from Nevada into Arizona, so make sure you know what timezone you book things in - Arizona is an hour further on so if you book something at 2pm at the GC, you're booking it at 1pm Vegas time.

We ended up spending about an hour at Hoover, and about 2 at the GC, would have been ideal if we'd squeezed another out but you can comfortably spend 6 hours there. Unless you Chopper the whole lot in a day.

[paulrazor]

We ended up spending about an hour at Hoover, and about 2 at the GC, would have been ideal if we'd squeezed another out but you can comfortably spend 6 hours there. Unless you Chopper the whole lot in a day.

think ill be doing that alright

[Growler2]

Best way of seeing the Hoover Dam - http://www.worldclassdriving.com/

If I was staying on the strip it would be the Cosmo just but Aria is nice.

Been to LV 15 times so any questions just ask.

[paulrazor]

Best way of seeing the Hoover Dam - http://www.worldclassdriving.com/

If I was staying on the strip it would be the Cosmo just but Aria is nice.

Been to LV 15 times so any questions just ask.

be getting a chopper. Oh and thanks I'll get back to You

[The G in Gerrard]

3 nights in LA & 4 nights in Vegas next year. Can't wait.

[Crimson_Tank]

Have to cancel my Vegas trip in Sept

Why?

[Chakan]

Why?

Was from a year ago

My friend had his leave cancelled, its all good I went in November anyway.

[Ciara (with a capital "C")]

currently have two travel agents falling over themselves to do us a honeymoon deal.

Looking at the Aria hotel.

Are they cheaper than doing it individually?

[The G in Gerrard]

Staying at Mgm anyone else stayed there?  Got to read through this thread again.

[Fordy]

Staying at Mgm anyone else stayed there?  Got to read through this thread again.

Yeah, I have stayed there.

For me it's one of the best hotels in Vegas by far. It's at the best end of strip.

Play the CSI game in there.

Seriously, it's a top hotel.

[The G in Gerrard]

Yeah, I have stayed there.

For me it's one of the best hotels in Vegas by far. It's at the best end of strip.

Play the CSI game in there.

Seriously, it's a top hotel.

Sweet. 9 months away and counting down the days. Will get some more ideas on what to do etc from you mate

[Anfield Ed]

I would love to go to Las Vegas to sample the atmosphere on the strip. However do you think it is a place for lone travellers?! As I'll be going on my own. I doubt it would be much bother as I'd just go to the usual things!

[Chakan]

I would love to go to Las Vegas to sample the atmosphere on the strip. However do you think it is a place for lone travellers?! As I'll be going on my own. I doubt it would be much bother as I'd just go to the usual things!

Went to Vegas by myself last November, you'll be fine mate. Hit up some clubs , visit some of the sites and gamble a bit.

The G in Gerrard never stayed at MGM but visited their pool. Everyone says its one of the top hotels in Vegas. You shouldn't have an issue.

[Max_powers]

I would love to go to Las Vegas to sample the atmosphere on the strip. However do you think it is a place for lone travellers?! As I'll be going on my own. I doubt it would be much bother as I'd just go to the usual things!

I think its better with friends but even by yourself you can experience the strip. I went there last year with the same intent although with a friend. Spent the whole night drinking and walking around the strip, going to the casinos, going to the malls and different  Vegas landmarks. The main purpose was to enjoy the atmosphere and I got that out of it.

So yeah, it is a very unique place to visit. Go walk around, take pictures, gamble, do some shopping it has it all. Its not my type of city, but it is something that I enjoyed experiencing for one night.

[The G in Gerrard]

The G in Gerrard never stayed at MGM but visited their pool. Everyone says its one of the top hotels in Vegas. You shouldn't have an issue.

Superb. Staying at Grafton in LA if anyone has been there? 

What you recommend to do in Vegas?

[Chakan]

Superb. Staying at Grafton in LA if anyone has been there? 

What you recommend to do in Vegas?

Never been to LA, so no idea about that.

As for Vegas I guess it depends who you are going with really.

Visit the sites definitely, Bellagio Fountains, Mirage Volcano, I think there is an aquarium/zoo at the MGM, take in a show definitely, the Cirque de Soliel shows are amazing, most of them. Gamble, visit some night clubs, if you can arrange it, I would highly recommend visiting the grand canyon, it's about an hour by bus from Vegas.

Visit Fremond street and old Vegas.

That should keep you busy for a couple of days at least.

Couple of things to keep in mind, drinks at clubs are hellishly expensive. Drinks in the casino's are free if you're sitting at a machine or table game.

They are always having food specials, just look out for them.

[The G in Gerrard]

Cheers Chakan.

One lad I know is going canyon via helicopter which I don't want to do.

What's the best club? Got 4 nights there so achieving stuff you have mentioned should be doable.

[Chakan]

It depends what type of helicopter tour you do, there's the one that just flies around and then there's the one that flies to the bottom of the canyon and they provide you lunch and everything which i've heard is awesome.

Marquee is a good club to go to. I see Pure has closed down and now become the Omnia so can give that a go.

[The G in Gerrard]

It depends what type of helicopter tour you do, there's the one that just flies around and then there's the one that flies to the bottom of the canyon and they provide you lunch and everything which i've heard is awesome.

Marquee is a good club to go to. I see Pure has closed down and now become the Omnia so can give that a go.

That's the one he's doing that lands in canyon but that's expensive I believe?

I had heard about the drinks being expensive. There's a limit to what you can have at the casino? (I'm not a big drinker to be honest).

[Chakan]

That's the one he's doing that lands in canyon but that's expensive I believe?

I had heard about the drinks being expensive. There's a limit to what you can have at the casino? (I'm not a big drinker to be honest).

Yeah can be expensive.

Nope far as I know there's no limit in the casino. Least I haven't seen anyone actually reach it.

I'm not a huge drinker either to be honest.

[paulrazor]

Are they cheaper than doing it individually?

couldnt tell you. Its all done now. 3.5 weeks to go

[deFacto please, you bastards]

Cheers Chakan.

One lad I know is going canyon via helicopter which I don't want to do.

What's the best club? Got 4 nights there so achieving stuff you have mentioned should be doable.

Marquee was amazing, huge pool outside of the club itself, top of the building, fantastic atmosphere all around. Avoid Hakkassan if you don't intend on getting a VIP table. The Light at Mandalay Bay was good as well, saw Nicky Romero perform on New Year's eve. XS @ Encore is awesome as well.

[shockwave_dave]

Marquee was amazing, huge pool outside of the club itself, top of the building, fantastic atmosphere all around. Avoid Hakkassan if you don't intend on getting a VIP table. The Light at Mandalay Bay was good as well, saw Nicky Romero perform on New Year's eve. XS @ Encore is awesome as well.

I'll add to the above - 1OAK is good (The Mirage) and Tao at the Venetian.

Loads of good bars / clubs. You'll love it, it's a surreal place

[paulrazor]

gonna make a big list of stuff to do before i go

just up to my eyes with my wedding and work so havent really properly had a chance to look

if anyone can recommend the best prices and sites for limo/chopper tours of the strip and the canyon/redrock/hooverdam etc id be most grateful

[ohweloveyerbaldyhead]

Cheers Chakan.

One lad I know is going canyon via helicopter which I don't want to do.

What's the best club? Got 4 nights there so achieving stuff you have mentioned should be doable.

Depends what you're in to with clubs as there's so many. I really liked Hyde when I was there.

If you're looking at doing nightclubs, I'd recommend a pool party, they're much better in my opinion. EBC or Wet at night I'd probably recommend.