Discussion
Truckosaurus said:
Pothole said:
I noticed no difference.
Indeed. In pretty much every casino the drinks served to people at the tables or slot machines by the cocktail waitresses will all be poured from an automated 'gun' so will be a standard size and strength.Manually poured drinks when you are playing video poker might be stronger if the barman thinks it will get them a better tip.
Also, the chap who runs the Vital Vegas blog/podcast claims that you never get the branded spirits in the free drinks. You'll order a Jack Daniels and Coke but get cooking bourbon and Rola Cola.
i’ve been quite a few times, all i’d say now is- take loads of money! vegas has gotten so expensive, it’s not half as fun as it used to be.
I’m not trying to knock it, but you used to be able to have a lot of cheap fun. now, because they don’t make as much as they used too, they charge for everything! absolutely everything, and then want a tip on top!
last trip i reckon we were paying on average $10 for a bottle of beer, $13-15 for a spirit mixer! also table gambling minimums are a lot higher than they used to be, you’ll need to hunt out a $10 min bet blackjack table on a weekend at the big strip casinos.
oh and make sure you budget for hotel ‘resort fees’ some places don’t mention it at booking at you then pay another $25 (some now you to $40!!!) per night when you check in. everywhere is out to take that last penny from your pocket
that said- it is disney land for degenerate adults! booze, gambling, girls, food, sunshine, shopping........ and you don’t even need to leave your hotel! love the place, but don’t think i’ll be going back soon
I’m not trying to knock it, but you used to be able to have a lot of cheap fun. now, because they don’t make as much as they used too, they charge for everything! absolutely everything, and then want a tip on top!
last trip i reckon we were paying on average $10 for a bottle of beer, $13-15 for a spirit mixer! also table gambling minimums are a lot higher than they used to be, you’ll need to hunt out a $10 min bet blackjack table on a weekend at the big strip casinos.
oh and make sure you budget for hotel ‘resort fees’ some places don’t mention it at booking at you then pay another $25 (some now you to $40!!!) per night when you check in. everywhere is out to take that last penny from your pocket
that said- it is disney land for degenerate adults! booze, gambling, girls, food, sunshine, shopping........ and you don’t even need to leave your hotel! love the place, but don’t think i’ll be going back soon
Comments about Fremont being rough surprise me a bit. It’s full of weirdos yes, rough, hmm I’m not sure I’d agree with that. Go a couple of blocks away from it and you’re in really rough territory but I didn’t find myself needing to be particularly concerned about my wallet etc when we were there last September or on any of our previous 4 visits.
The point above about Vegas getting expensive is very true. People say a couple of nights is enough are also correct. We usually go as a group of friends so it’s easier to occupy 4-5 days but last time with the wife we did one night whilst passing through and that didn’t feel too little.
The point above about Vegas getting expensive is very true. People say a couple of nights is enough are also correct. We usually go as a group of friends so it’s easier to occupy 4-5 days but last time with the wife we did one night whilst passing through and that didn’t feel too little.
D1on said:
Some great replies on here
Been looking at the exotic car rental for the day, anyone used royalty exotic car rental or similar?
Yeah.Been looking at the exotic car rental for the day, anyone used royalty exotic car rental or similar?
Quite a few times. They were very chilled. We were able to go back to their unit and look around the cars to decide which ones we fitted into. No mileage limit and I've driven some cars through fantastic national parks and the LV strip - albeit early morning - that I'll probably never afford to own. The last time I did it the most expensive cars (Aventador etc.) were harder to get insured on for Europeans, but I think that may have changed.
David Beer said:
Yes, I saw that.I loved the looks of the Camaro convertible but wasn't the boot space terrible with the hood down? We had a Mustang convertible the following year and the boot wasn't affected by the hood being down.
Adenauer said:
Yes, I saw that.
I loved the looks of the Camaro convertible but wasn't the boot space terrible with the hood down? We had a Mustang convertible the following year and the boot wasn't affected by the hood being down.
It all fits in, but the mustang is better, agreed. I had a gt convertible last summer. This summer was to be a ss camaro convertible again . I like the Camaro as I have a mustang gt convertible, bus mans holiday !I loved the looks of the Camaro convertible but wasn't the boot space terrible with the hood down? We had a Mustang convertible the following year and the boot wasn't affected by the hood being down.
malks222 said:
i’ve been quite a few times, all i’d say now is- take loads of money! vegas has gotten so expensive, it’s not half as fun as it used to be.
I’m not trying to knock it, but you used to be able to have a lot of cheap fun. now, because they don’t make as much as they used too, they charge for everything! absolutely everything, and then want a tip on top!
last trip i reckon we were paying on average $10 for a bottle of beer, $13-15 for a spirit mixer! also table gambling minimums are a lot higher than they used to be, you’ll need to hunt out a $10 min bet blackjack table on a weekend at the big strip casinos.
oh and make sure you budget for hotel ‘resort fees’ some places don’t mention it at booking at you then pay another $25 (some now you to $40!!!) per night when you check in. everywhere is out to take that last penny from your pocket
that said- it is disney land for degenerate adults! booze, gambling, girls, food, sunshine, shopping........ and you don’t even need to leave your hotel! love the place, but don’t think i’ll be going back soon
Yes resort fees are a awful scam ? Think we were $35 a night at the Luxor , gave you rubbish like free morning paper , WiFi etc. I’m not trying to knock it, but you used to be able to have a lot of cheap fun. now, because they don’t make as much as they used too, they charge for everything! absolutely everything, and then want a tip on top!
last trip i reckon we were paying on average $10 for a bottle of beer, $13-15 for a spirit mixer! also table gambling minimums are a lot higher than they used to be, you’ll need to hunt out a $10 min bet blackjack table on a weekend at the big strip casinos.
oh and make sure you budget for hotel ‘resort fees’ some places don’t mention it at booking at you then pay another $25 (some now you to $40!!!) per night when you check in. everywhere is out to take that last penny from your pocket
that said- it is disney land for degenerate adults! booze, gambling, girls, food, sunshine, shopping........ and you don’t even need to leave your hotel! love the place, but don’t think i’ll be going back soon
David Beer said:
Adenauer said:
Yes, I saw that.
I loved the looks of the Camaro convertible but wasn't the boot space terrible with the hood down? We had a Mustang convertible the following year and the boot wasn't affected by the hood being down.
It all fits in, but the mustang is better, agreed. I had a gt convertible last summer. This summer was to be a ss camaro convertible again . I like the Camaro as I have a mustang gt convertible, bus mans holiday !I loved the looks of the Camaro convertible but wasn't the boot space terrible with the hood down? We had a Mustang convertible the following year and the boot wasn't affected by the hood being down.
Adenauer said:
We drove through a very rough area of LA with the hood down in the Camaro and a suitcase on the back seat. Stopping at traffic lights was pretty nerve wracking, I was ready to floor it at the first sign of anyone coming anywhere near us.
Sounds like a relaxing holiday.djc206 said:
Comments about Fremont being rough surprise me a bit. It’s full of weirdos yes, rough, hmm I’m not sure I’d agree with that. Go a couple of blocks away from it and you’re in really rough territory but I didn’t find myself needing to be particularly concerned about my wallet etc when we were there last September or on any of our previous 4 visits.
We were waiting at a bus stop at night just outside of Fremont street when a guy came over and asked me for money. I told him I didn't have any and he went away, only to return 30 seconds later. In my head I was thinking "what the f*ck do you want now" just as he said "By the way, you are waiting at the wrong bus stop".djc206 said:
The point above about Vegas getting expensive is very true. People say a couple of nights is enough are also correct. We usually go as a group of friends so it’s easier to occupy 4-5 days but last time with the wife we did one night whilst passing through and that didn’t feel too little.
I have been twice in 2002 and 2014 and I could not believe how much it had changed. The impression I got was that the majority of people are trying to get as much money out of you as possible. It started off with being ripped off by the taxi driver from the airport to the hotel. We were staying at the Wynn and the fare was $45, when I gave him a $50 he gave a disgusted look and said something under his breath. The fare should be around $20.It was my Brothers stag do so we went to get a taxi to a strip club and the valet at the hotel got us a big black surburban. We were driving around for ages and ages and on the way the driver made me put his number in my phone for the return trip. The fare was $70 from memory and then we were charged a fortune to get into this strip club which was virtually deserted when we got inside. Drinks were $15 from memory so we had one and left. The yellow taxi back to the hotel was $15.....
As has been said, drinks are crazy expensive as is the typically pretty rubbish food. We ended up eating in Dennys a few times as I just couldn't handle paying hundreds of dollars for essentially rubbish steak/burger and fries. Adding the tax and then tip to the already overpriced food with the added terrible exchange rate gets scary very quickly.
I was convinced I would go back one day, but after reading what I have just typed I am not so sure.
Joey Deacon said:
I have been twice in 2002 and 2014 and I could not believe how much it had changed. The impression I got was that the majority of people are trying to get as much money out of you as possible. It started off with being ripped off by the taxi driver from the airport to the hotel. We were staying at the Wynn and the fare was $45, when I gave him a $50 he gave a disgusted look and said something under his breath. The fare should be around $20.
It was my Brothers stag do so we went to get a taxi to a strip club and the valet at the hotel got us a big black surburban. We were driving around for ages and ages and on the way the driver made me put his number in my phone for the return trip. The fare was $70 from memory and then we were charged a fortune to get into this strip club which was virtually deserted when we got inside. Drinks were $15 from memory so we had one and left. The yellow taxi back to the hotel was $15.....
As has been said, drinks are crazy expensive as is the typically pretty rubbish food. We ended up eating in Dennys a few times as I just couldn't handle paying hundreds of dollars for essentially rubbish steak/burger and fries. Adding the tax and then tip to the already overpriced food with the added terrible exchange rate gets scary very quickly.
I was convinced I would go back one day, but after reading what I have just typed I am not so sure.
Dennys! There are loads of nice restaurants that are not outrageously expensive, there are some that are of course. It was my Brothers stag do so we went to get a taxi to a strip club and the valet at the hotel got us a big black surburban. We were driving around for ages and ages and on the way the driver made me put his number in my phone for the return trip. The fare was $70 from memory and then we were charged a fortune to get into this strip club which was virtually deserted when we got inside. Drinks were $15 from memory so we had one and left. The yellow taxi back to the hotel was $15.....
As has been said, drinks are crazy expensive as is the typically pretty rubbish food. We ended up eating in Dennys a few times as I just couldn't handle paying hundreds of dollars for essentially rubbish steak/burger and fries. Adding the tax and then tip to the already overpriced food with the added terrible exchange rate gets scary very quickly.
I was convinced I would go back one day, but after reading what I have just typed I am not so sure.
I Like value for money and have no problem with Vegas. Don’t drink beer unless it’s flat out of wood, so wine in Vegas and it’s not too expensive.
However a cocktail at the bacarrat bar in Bellagio is quite costly, been so many times.
David Beer said:
Dennys! There are loads of nice restaurants that are not outrageously expensive, there are some that are of course.
I Like value for money and have no problem with Vegas. Don’t drink beer unless it’s flat out of wood, so wine in Vegas and it’s not too expensive.
However a cocktail at the bacarrat bar in Bellagio is quite costly, been so many times.
I stayed in the Bellagio my last two visits and the Baccarat bar was a regular fixture I Like value for money and have no problem with Vegas. Don’t drink beer unless it’s flat out of wood, so wine in Vegas and it’s not too expensive.
However a cocktail at the bacarrat bar in Bellagio is quite costly, been so many times.
On my last visit in 2013 I was subject to the airport taxi con too. Crazy.
On the subject of cost I agree with what's been said, but it's not just the absolute cost (it is expensive), it's that everyone is trying to squeeze money out of you at every opportunity.
Fantastic restaurants out there though, and I like the fact there's no closing time. Would I go back? Yes. Just one more time
.OK so theres a few things here that may help people (I spend about 4 months of the year in vegas and have a holiday home there)
1) use Uber or Lyft. They're basically the same, with drivers driving for both, Lyft does promos so you might get $5 off your first 10 rides. Compare prices between the two apps at busy times.
2) Would tend to take uber/lyft from the airport. If you do take a regular cab, saying "no tunnel" should let them know you know what you're doing. If you're not paying attention and they long haul you snap a photo of their license and remember what time you took them, you can then file a complaint. I think the complaint number/website is on the license. Confront them at the end of the ride, they could let you pay less or give you the ride for free. If they dont charge you they havent actually long hauled you so you cant complain.
3) strip clubs. STOP F****G paying for transport to strip clubs! Firstly most strip clubs have their own limo service, you can call them up and they'll send it for you. This is FREE. Tip the driver $20. If you jump in a regular cab, tell him you want him to take you there for FREE, especially if you're a group. See that guy standing outside the stripclub with a clipboard? he's writing down the license plate of every cab driver arriving and the number of punters. Tomorrow the driver is going back and collecting $20-$50 per person in kickbacks. If you tell him you want XYZ club and he's persuading you to go to ABC club its because he knows ABC is giving a $50 kickback today, and XYZ is only $20 per person. HOWEVER, if you arrive at a stripclub in your own car or on foot you will pay less entry. So work it out, you could take a cab and stop somewhere across the road or down the street, and just walk over, and you'll save hundreds on entry between you.
Weed dispensaries and gun ranges also pay kickbacks but they're much less (I think about $5 for a weed dispensary).
4) Downtown/Freemont Street: Freemont is fine, a few weirdos for photos etc, but everything else is fine. Go a couple of blocks off in the wrong direction and it can get a little sketchy. Overall though, downtown is going through a big revitalisation. Recommend Carson Street Kitchen. Smashed Pig gastro pub is also popular but since its a 'british' gastro pub I havent bothered.
Container Park is also new and worth checking out with little restaurants and shops
Las Vegas premium outlets north is well worth going to to get that shopping fix out of the way.
5) General.
Odds at gambling downtown are better and table limits are lower.
Resort fees are insane and were just going up before corona hit. It will be interesting if post corona they keep them there or drop them to entice more people.
It looks like buffets are (thanks to corona) going to be a thing of the past.
Some casinos are investigating shields between players and taking your temperature as you go in. Anything immediately post corona is likely to be VERY depressing.
6) Restaurants:
As above the cheesecake factory is great, the grand lux cafe at the venetian is basically a cheesecake factory under a different name.
SW steakhouse at the wynn is my favourite steakhouse there by a mile. If you're going last minute and its full, go to Lakeside opposite and see if they have a table, the two restaurants share a kitchen so you'll get the same steak.
If you fancy doing a man v food breakfast Hash house a go go, at the Linq is the place, its actually pretty good, ridiculous portions though.
For a decent brunch at the weekend check out Herringbone at Aria
If you have a car my favourite more casual restaurants off strip in no particular order are:
Lawrys prime rib
Hot n Juicy Crawfish
Lamaii thai (tiny bit fancier inside)
Lotus of Siam Thai
Sparrow and Wolf
Partage (fine dining)
Pho Kim Long (cheap late night post club spot, perfect at 4am)
Skinny Fats
1) use Uber or Lyft. They're basically the same, with drivers driving for both, Lyft does promos so you might get $5 off your first 10 rides. Compare prices between the two apps at busy times.
2) Would tend to take uber/lyft from the airport. If you do take a regular cab, saying "no tunnel" should let them know you know what you're doing. If you're not paying attention and they long haul you snap a photo of their license and remember what time you took them, you can then file a complaint. I think the complaint number/website is on the license. Confront them at the end of the ride, they could let you pay less or give you the ride for free. If they dont charge you they havent actually long hauled you so you cant complain.
3) strip clubs. STOP F****G paying for transport to strip clubs! Firstly most strip clubs have their own limo service, you can call them up and they'll send it for you. This is FREE. Tip the driver $20. If you jump in a regular cab, tell him you want him to take you there for FREE, especially if you're a group. See that guy standing outside the stripclub with a clipboard? he's writing down the license plate of every cab driver arriving and the number of punters. Tomorrow the driver is going back and collecting $20-$50 per person in kickbacks. If you tell him you want XYZ club and he's persuading you to go to ABC club its because he knows ABC is giving a $50 kickback today, and XYZ is only $20 per person. HOWEVER, if you arrive at a stripclub in your own car or on foot you will pay less entry. So work it out, you could take a cab and stop somewhere across the road or down the street, and just walk over, and you'll save hundreds on entry between you.
Weed dispensaries and gun ranges also pay kickbacks but they're much less (I think about $5 for a weed dispensary).
4) Downtown/Freemont Street: Freemont is fine, a few weirdos for photos etc, but everything else is fine. Go a couple of blocks off in the wrong direction and it can get a little sketchy. Overall though, downtown is going through a big revitalisation. Recommend Carson Street Kitchen. Smashed Pig gastro pub is also popular but since its a 'british' gastro pub I havent bothered.
Container Park is also new and worth checking out with little restaurants and shops
Las Vegas premium outlets north is well worth going to to get that shopping fix out of the way.
5) General.
Odds at gambling downtown are better and table limits are lower.
Resort fees are insane and were just going up before corona hit. It will be interesting if post corona they keep them there or drop them to entice more people.
It looks like buffets are (thanks to corona) going to be a thing of the past.
Some casinos are investigating shields between players and taking your temperature as you go in. Anything immediately post corona is likely to be VERY depressing.
6) Restaurants:
As above the cheesecake factory is great, the grand lux cafe at the venetian is basically a cheesecake factory under a different name.
SW steakhouse at the wynn is my favourite steakhouse there by a mile. If you're going last minute and its full, go to Lakeside opposite and see if they have a table, the two restaurants share a kitchen so you'll get the same steak.
If you fancy doing a man v food breakfast Hash house a go go, at the Linq is the place, its actually pretty good, ridiculous portions though.
For a decent brunch at the weekend check out Herringbone at Aria
If you have a car my favourite more casual restaurants off strip in no particular order are:
Lawrys prime rib
Hot n Juicy Crawfish
Lamaii thai (tiny bit fancier inside)
Lotus of Siam Thai
Sparrow and Wolf
Partage (fine dining)
Pho Kim Long (cheap late night post club spot, perfect at 4am)
Skinny Fats
We used these two companies for some parks visits.
https://www.pinkadventuretours.com/tours/las-vegas...
http://bighornwildwesttours.com/
Both were excellent.
https://www.pinkadventuretours.com/tours/las-vegas...
http://bighornwildwesttours.com/
Both were excellent.
illmonkey said:
A list I compiled when we went, from other PH'ers:
...
Zion national park; get up early and do the hike to Observation Point or Hidden Canyon
Red Rock Canyon; hike up past the rockpools to the summit and see for miles over Vegas and beyond
Death Valley; countless places to drive or see that are like nothing else on earth, Dante's View at sunset is spectacular
Hoover Dam; park at Lake Mead and walk along the old historic railroad through bat-filled tunnels that featured in Clint Eastwood's movie Gauntlet
Grand Canyon; bit of a long drive though, but worth seeing once
Valley of Fire; an evening drive through it and the surrounding little towns as the sun goes down is pretty awesome
...
I think I recognise some of these possibly being mine from a previous thread....
Zion national park; get up early and do the hike to Observation Point or Hidden Canyon
Red Rock Canyon; hike up past the rockpools to the summit and see for miles over Vegas and beyond
Death Valley; countless places to drive or see that are like nothing else on earth, Dante's View at sunset is spectacular
Hoover Dam; park at Lake Mead and walk along the old historic railroad through bat-filled tunnels that featured in Clint Eastwood's movie Gauntlet
Grand Canyon; bit of a long drive though, but worth seeing once
Valley of Fire; an evening drive through it and the surrounding little towns as the sun goes down is pretty awesome
...
We've been a few times, for as long as 10 nights, as there's actually a lot more than the LV Strip if you're happy to venture further afield and have a car. I appreciate most aren't interested, but if you want to venture beyond steak, poker and hookers, add these to the above...
- Dowtown Summerlin, one of the affluent suburbs and worth stopping in on the way to/from Red Rock Canyon. There's an outdoor mall, a cinema with the biggest/best reclining seats I've ever experienced, and various restaurants.
- http://www.thebagelcafelv.com/ a proper local bagel shop for sit in or takeout breakfast and lunch, huge portions, reasonably priced, and great service. The place had a really good vibe, clearly with lots of regulars, I like this sort of thing when on holiday, get amongst the locals :-)
- https://www.craftkitchenlv.com/ - if you're driving to Hoover Dam or Grand Canyon I'd stop here for breakfast/brunch. Just a really nice place in the suburbs with great food, and healthy choices if you're fed up with burgers and ribs.
- https://www.badowlcoffee.com/ if you like decent coffee and are fed up with rotten Starbucks. It's across the road from the above so worth a stop off to grab a coffee for the road.
I hated Las Vegas the first time I went, then realised it has lots to offer.
Edited by yellowbentines on Wednesday 6th May 15:39
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