Las Vegas

professor · 05-23-2007, 10:52 PM

I'm going to Las Vegas in August and this will be my first time out there. Anyone have any suggustions on hotels? I'm thinking of Paris Las Vegas cuz I get comped

. Also what do u usually pay for plane tickets out of Des Moines? Above or below $300? Thanks.

Oh yeah anything else there to do besides gamble?

DareDevil · 05-23-2007, 11:19 PM

I flew allegiant air and would highly recommend it. It was very cheap: Des Moines ran $99 out and 179$ back. I decided to fly out of Cedar Rapids and it cost roughly $450 for 2 round-trip tickets including taxes and a rental car. It is cheaper if you fly out on the weekday rather than the weekend.

Other things to do besides gamble:
Walk the strip and go to the free shows, and drink

Las Vegas Attractions - Attractions in Las Vegas

DareDevil · 05-23-2007, 11:24 PM

Couple of Las Vegas topics that were up awhile ago:

http://www.cyclonefanatic.com/forum/...endations.html
http://www.cyclonefanatic.com/forum/...as-lovers.html

cycloneworld · 05-24-2007, 08:08 AM

I usually go there twice a year for a long weekend...usually 3 nights. Last time there in December, we booked our flight AND hotel at MGM Grand Signature for around $300 per person. This was when Allegiant was having a special buy 1-get 1 free airfare so that helped.

I'm going back in July and staying at Excalibur (middle of the road hotel) for about $300 using Allegiant from Des Moines.

There are about 4 different price ranges of hotels on the strip...cheap (Imperial Palace, Circus Circus, etc.), middle of the road (Excalibur, Tropicana), Very nice (Luxor, Paris, NY-NY, etc), and Expensive (Wynn, Bellagio, Caersers Palace, MGM, etc). You can find about anything ranging from 80 bucks per night to 600. It just depends on how much you want to spend.

I've stayed at Circus Circus, Stardust (no longer there), NY-NY, and MGM and I would really recommend NY-NY which has been my favorite.

dmclone · 05-24-2007, 08:20 AM

We just got back from staying at Planet Hollywood (old Aladdin) and I thought it was a pretty nice for the money and it's in a nice location. I always like to choose the middle of the road when it comes to Vegas because #1 you don;t spend much time in the hotel and #2 a middle of the road hotel in Vegas is still pretty nice. I've also stayed at Monte Carlo and Luxor.

loboclone · 05-24-2007, 08:20 AM

Vegas is a business destination for me, going again in 2 weeks. For business I don't stay any where near strip. This trip I have 3 grandkids coming out from CR with parents and wife coming up from ABQ on Thursday.
Stayed at Circus Circus (never again) Flamingo, Paris, Monte Carlo, Luxor and MGM. I like Ny NY best and staying there again this trip, got married at Paris in '99 while at UNLV vs Iowa State game ( won't stay there again).

Watch for the deals, goggle vegas hotels and check airline websites like Southwest. I buy package's like a "Manhattan Lights" at NY NY, you get more bang for buck.

I really like the Palms, so far best Vegas hotel yet, is a higher price but you can find a deal. eat at Garduino's in Palms. Best mexican food outside of New Mexico.

DaddyMac · 05-24-2007, 08:27 AM

I flew Allegiant (Allegiant Air) on our trip a few years back and would highly recommed it. Nice plane, comfortable and large seats, and a direct flight out of DSM. Only bad thing is there's only one flight each way, per day.

If you have any flexibility, go to their site and look-up "flight only". That way you can price your flight. But then go back and do a package for the days you want to go. I think the hotel is marginally cheaper w/ the package - but it all counts.

Looks like right now you can get a flight in Aug for $218-$238

FWIW, we stayed at the Monte Carlo and liked it.

cybsball20 · 05-24-2007, 08:51 AM

I always like to spend at least one night on Freemont St... The Golden Gate has CHEAP tables that are fun just to kill a few hours of recreational gambling... Besides that, I recommend a Sat-Mon strip to anyone over a Fri-Sun... That way you get to hit up rehab at Hard Rock, get a cabana, it's pricey, but worth it... Plus all the bars have Service industry night Sunday nights, good specials and even better talent... Anything more than three days two nights just wears me out too much and takes me a full week to recover...

thunderdave · 05-24-2007, 09:00 AM

If you're interested in seeing the sights, we sure you are used to walking.
Sometimes it can take 10 minutes to go to the casino next door.
I wouldn't fly anything but Allegiant. You might find a rate cheaper, but for me, there is no substitution for a direct flight.

cybsball20 · 05-24-2007, 09:08 AM

I wouldn't waste money on a rental car either... Driving around that city is a mess and you can name your price with the cabs and even some Limo drivers...

cyclonenum1 · 05-24-2007, 09:37 AM

I agree on the rental car being a waste unless you are going to see Hoover Dam.

I like both MGM and Caesar's for staying. The Palms looks nice but it is off the Strip so I have never stayed there.

cyclonekj · 05-24-2007, 09:38 AM

Originally Posted by cybsball20

I wouldn't waste money on a rental car either... Driving around that city is a mess and you can name your price with the cabs and even some Limo drivers...

Also, the monorail is inexpensive and convenient.

Kyle · 05-24-2007, 10:18 AM

Originally Posted by cybsball20

I always like to spend at least one night on Freemont St...

I would second this. Good entertainment if you are not looking to do a lot of gambling. I watched the spray paint artist there for quite a while. The guy was nuts.

dmclone · 05-24-2007, 10:27 AM

I like to gamble downtown at least one day as well. I like the old-school look and feel.

DareDevil · 05-24-2007, 10:39 AM

Originally Posted by cybsball20

I wouldn't waste money on a rental car either... Driving around that city is a mess and you can name your price with the cabs and even some Limo drivers...

Agreed! The only reason I got a rental car was because we went out to Hoove Dam and stoped at a few places outside of Vegas. I stayed at the Riveria were there was no little kids running around unlike some other hotels, the only draw back is you have to walk so far to get to any of the "good" stuff.