Vegas - How long and where to stay?
Discussion
As part of a longer holiday in the US, we're flying in to Las Vegas.
The flight lands at 8:30pm, so for the first night I'm thinking we'll stay in the Tru by Hilton and then pick up a hire car in the morning. We'll then do a roadtrip of about 7 days, taking in the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley and a fair few other places too.
We'll then end up back in Vegas - initially still with a hire car. We then fly out of Las Vegas to New Orleans. I have 3 questions:
1. Should we hang on to the hire car until we leave Las Vegas, or should we ditch it once we get back to Las Vegas
2. How many nights should we stay? I was initially thinking 2, but maybe we should stretch it to 3 (or possibly 4). I'd like to cover at least 1 Gordon Ramsey restaurant, 1 Brunch and any other culinary must do's.
3. Where should we stay? My current thinking is the Virgin Hotel - We're flying out there with Virgin and staying in the Virgin Hotel in New Orleans, so we might be able to get a decent deal.
We are a married couple, both knocking on the door of 60 and casino gambling isn't really our thing.
The flight lands at 8:30pm, so for the first night I'm thinking we'll stay in the Tru by Hilton and then pick up a hire car in the morning. We'll then do a roadtrip of about 7 days, taking in the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley and a fair few other places too.
We'll then end up back in Vegas - initially still with a hire car. We then fly out of Las Vegas to New Orleans. I have 3 questions:
1. Should we hang on to the hire car until we leave Las Vegas, or should we ditch it once we get back to Las Vegas
2. How many nights should we stay? I was initially thinking 2, but maybe we should stretch it to 3 (or possibly 4). I'd like to cover at least 1 Gordon Ramsey restaurant, 1 Brunch and any other culinary must do's.
3. Where should we stay? My current thinking is the Virgin Hotel - We're flying out there with Virgin and staying in the Virgin Hotel in New Orleans, so we might be able to get a decent deal.
We are a married couple, both knocking on the door of 60 and casino gambling isn't really our thing.
Im a big fan of Vdara (even as a gambler) as its a non-casino property but right in the centre of the strip and a very short walk to Aria and Bellagio.
Personally I don't like the Virgin Hotel or its location.
Crockfords is very nice at the north end of the strip but again, out of the way.
5n is probably the sweet spot for a first timer as its proper sensory overload. My first time was for 14n, split between the strip (at Planet Hollywood) and Fremont (Golden Nugget) and I have never been more exhausted after a holiday.
Personally I don't like the Virgin Hotel or its location.
Crockfords is very nice at the north end of the strip but again, out of the way.
5n is probably the sweet spot for a first timer as its proper sensory overload. My first time was for 14n, split between the strip (at Planet Hollywood) and Fremont (Golden Nugget) and I have never been more exhausted after a holiday.
omniflow said:
As part of a longer holiday in the US, we're flying in to Las Vegas.
The flight lands at 8:30pm, so for the first night I'm thinking we'll stay in the Tru by Hilton and then pick up a hire car in the morning. We'll then do a roadtrip of about 7 days, taking in the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley and a fair few other places too.
We'll then end up back in Vegas - initially still with a hire car. We then fly out of Las Vegas to New Orleans. I have 3 questions:
1. Should we hang on to the hire car until we leave Las Vegas, or should we ditch it once we get back to Las Vegas
2. How many nights should we stay? I was initially thinking 2, but maybe we should stretch it to 3 (or possibly 4). I'd like to cover at least 1 Gordon Ramsey restaurant, 1 Brunch and any other culinary must do's.
3. Where should we stay? My current thinking is the Virgin Hotel - We're flying out there with Virgin and staying in the Virgin Hotel in New Orleans, so we might be able to get a decent deal.
We are a married couple, both knocking on the door of 60 and casino gambling isn't really our thing.
I've been told the gambling is Terribad these days anyway so you're not missing out on anything. The flight lands at 8:30pm, so for the first night I'm thinking we'll stay in the Tru by Hilton and then pick up a hire car in the morning. We'll then do a roadtrip of about 7 days, taking in the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley and a fair few other places too.
We'll then end up back in Vegas - initially still with a hire car. We then fly out of Las Vegas to New Orleans. I have 3 questions:
1. Should we hang on to the hire car until we leave Las Vegas, or should we ditch it once we get back to Las Vegas
2. How many nights should we stay? I was initially thinking 2, but maybe we should stretch it to 3 (or possibly 4). I'd like to cover at least 1 Gordon Ramsey restaurant, 1 Brunch and any other culinary must do's.
3. Where should we stay? My current thinking is the Virgin Hotel - We're flying out there with Virgin and staying in the Virgin Hotel in New Orleans, so we might be able to get a decent deal.
We are a married couple, both knocking on the door of 60 and casino gambling isn't really our thing.
1. Vegas isn't hard to get around without a car and parking is no longer free .. but IMHO the best parts are outside of Vegas (I.E. Hoover Dam and Red Rock Canyon) and you do pretty much need a car to see those. So up to you.
3. The virgin hotel in LV is off strip (it used to b the old hard rock hotel), so that would mean catching a shuttle or walking. OTOH it probably still has free parking.
If you're arriving in the evening, I'd suggest Mandalay Bay, right opposite the airport so you're not stuck on the strip or doing detours getting to your hotel. Maybe 2 nights there, to take advantage of the artificial beach and acclimatize / get into timezone.
I'd say you don't need a car once you're back in LV, Get a hotel served by the monorail, whichever is doing a decent deal for your dates
I'd say you don't need a car once you're back in LV, Get a hotel served by the monorail, whichever is doing a decent deal for your dates
I would stay on the Strip just out of principle. You don't say when you're going but typically Vegas is very, very hot and walking anywhere is pretty unpleasant. So you want to be somewhere central you can easily go and chill whenever you feel like it. And if it's your first/only time then really you need the full experience which means Bellagio, Caesars, Venetian or similar. The traffic in central Vegas is terrible so definitely ditch the car.
For my money, two or three days is about right but then I'm not a gambler at all and I have a low tolerance for overpriced bars. But you do need to have enough time to gawk at the sights, take in a show etc. etc. But if you like that kind of thing then you can easily spend a week or more.
For my money, two or three days is about right but then I'm not a gambler at all and I have a low tolerance for overpriced bars. But you do need to have enough time to gawk at the sights, take in a show etc. etc. But if you like that kind of thing then you can easily spend a week or more.
We went last year and stayed at the Holiday Inn Desert Club. Easy walk to Caesars and Bellagio. Not high end but well located and comfortable enough. It was perfect for us. We walked everywhere expect Uber up to Freemont street. We hired a car for the day to do Hoover Dam and Red rocks from MGM grand (Avis I think) which was only 25 mins walk from the above hotel. It's also right next to the Sphere which was still under construction when we went.
Edited to add
we also stayed in Vegas only to do something else (we rafted down the Canyon on a 3 day trip). Vegas topped & tailed that. We thought about Gordon Ramsay restaurant but decided against in the end and went to the Eiffel Tower restaurant which was fabulous on our last night.
There can't be many who don't gamble a single $ when in Vegas but we didn't as it's not our thing. Did enjoy walking through the casinos to sample the atmosphere but were amazed that you can still smoke indoors in the casinos which we hated !
You also don't mention the time of the year. If mid-summer, walking outside can be unbearable due to the heat. We went in late August and it was pleasantly hot (but "cold" for Vegas) ... the casino aircon was nice but not a necessity except one day when it really did get a bit uncomfortable outside in the sun (108F).
Edited to add
we also stayed in Vegas only to do something else (we rafted down the Canyon on a 3 day trip). Vegas topped & tailed that. We thought about Gordon Ramsay restaurant but decided against in the end and went to the Eiffel Tower restaurant which was fabulous on our last night.
There can't be many who don't gamble a single $ when in Vegas but we didn't as it's not our thing. Did enjoy walking through the casinos to sample the atmosphere but were amazed that you can still smoke indoors in the casinos which we hated !
You also don't mention the time of the year. If mid-summer, walking outside can be unbearable due to the heat. We went in late August and it was pleasantly hot (but "cold" for Vegas) ... the casino aircon was nice but not a necessity except one day when it really did get a bit uncomfortable outside in the sun (108F).
Edited by Steve Campbell on Wednesday 25th October 18:19
We stayed in Vegas 4 nights and wished it had only been 2 nights. We went to Hoover Dam, Horseshoe bend, Grand Canyon (sunrise and sunset are outstanding) Bryce Canyon (Canyoneering !!!) Zion , route 66 and had an amazing time.
Vegas is ok and seeing a show, some nice places to eat and drink and the old town is cool, but if you prefer sights to gambling then I would spend more time at the other amazing places nearby
Vegas is ok and seeing a show, some nice places to eat and drink and the old town is cool, but if you prefer sights to gambling then I would spend more time at the other amazing places nearby
x5tuu said:
.....Personally I don't like the Virgin Hotel or its location.....
Indeed. I think I've been to Vegas 3 or 4 times since the Hard Rock became Virgin and I've not made the effort to get over to check it out.If you've not been before you definitely need to stay on The Strip to experience the full glory of the lights - I used to recommend Ballys as a good value option mid-strip but that's now becoming The Horseshoe and giving over one of its 2 towers to Paris next door, so who knows how that's impacting the prices there.
A couple of nights to have a look around is about right.
Also, the prices vary wildly depending on what events are taking place, so it may pay to move your dates around to get the benefit of cheaper periods.
You don't need the car, you'll end up getting stuck in traffic and having to pay for parking. Uber or taxi everywhere.
I don't like staying anywhere new less than 4 nights, I just find I don't get a feel for a place and the arrival day and leaving day are essentially a right off. So I suggest 4 nights. I enjoy Vegas but mainly for Poker and the restaurants, I'm doing 16 nights next year but most of that will be in the poker rooms! My advice for what its worth.....
Stay on the strip, virgin hotel is in a poor location and not a great option. I would stay somewhere between Cosmo and venetian. You don't say what your budget is but note that hotel prices sunday to thursday are a lot cheaper than thursday to sunday. You can stay in a room for $100 on a weekday and that same room is over $400 at the weekend.
You can take 2 days up wandering around taking in the sights. Sounds like restaurants are your thing, thats 2 nights just on ones you'll know you want to try, with a show and a casual night as a 3rd night. 4th is then free for whatever you find while you are there.
Vegas is a bit marmite. Sounds like you are seeing a lot of the US so don't go to Vegas and not "do vegas" by going to hoover dam, death valley etc. Embrace Vegas, if you don't like it at least you've tried it and seen it!
Try smarter vegas for hotel bookings. They give you links with discount codes to all major strip hotels, its booking direct and often cancellable.
Happy to answer any questions, if you give an idea of budget and what sort of thing you like I can make some suggestions.
I don't like staying anywhere new less than 4 nights, I just find I don't get a feel for a place and the arrival day and leaving day are essentially a right off. So I suggest 4 nights. I enjoy Vegas but mainly for Poker and the restaurants, I'm doing 16 nights next year but most of that will be in the poker rooms! My advice for what its worth.....
Stay on the strip, virgin hotel is in a poor location and not a great option. I would stay somewhere between Cosmo and venetian. You don't say what your budget is but note that hotel prices sunday to thursday are a lot cheaper than thursday to sunday. You can stay in a room for $100 on a weekday and that same room is over $400 at the weekend.
You can take 2 days up wandering around taking in the sights. Sounds like restaurants are your thing, thats 2 nights just on ones you'll know you want to try, with a show and a casual night as a 3rd night. 4th is then free for whatever you find while you are there.
Vegas is a bit marmite. Sounds like you are seeing a lot of the US so don't go to Vegas and not "do vegas" by going to hoover dam, death valley etc. Embrace Vegas, if you don't like it at least you've tried it and seen it!
Try smarter vegas for hotel bookings. They give you links with discount codes to all major strip hotels, its booking direct and often cancellable.
Happy to answer any questions, if you give an idea of budget and what sort of thing you like I can make some suggestions.
I would stay in the Cosmo with a fountain view room. Thats what I have done in the past and its worth the extra money.
In the cosmo itself you can easily spend 2 nights just exploring and eating - the hidden places are v cool.
Then you will want, IMHO, a couple of nights out - maybe a steak down town and a night wandering the strip.
Personally I would keep the car - in the grand scheme of things the valet parking is not that expensive compared to everything else in vegas!
Quick drive down town or a drive down the strip and a late night breakfast at the peppermill, maybe an afternoon at the mall etc.
I know you can get an uber but the flexibility of having your own transport helps.
What time of year are you going?
In the cosmo itself you can easily spend 2 nights just exploring and eating - the hidden places are v cool.
Then you will want, IMHO, a couple of nights out - maybe a steak down town and a night wandering the strip.
Personally I would keep the car - in the grand scheme of things the valet parking is not that expensive compared to everything else in vegas!
Quick drive down town or a drive down the strip and a late night breakfast at the peppermill, maybe an afternoon at the mall etc.
I know you can get an uber but the flexibility of having your own transport helps.
What time of year are you going?
The main purpose of this trip is Mardi Gras in New Orleans, so the dates are pretty much set in stone. We leave Las Vegas on 26th Feb (2025). The reason for nailing down the details so early is that we're using airmiles for the trip (flying Upper Class) so I need to nail down the timings by end of Feb 2024, which isn't that far away. I think that answers the time of year question.
As for budget - this will be 2 - 5 nights in a 20 - 30 night holiday. I'm not sure what the right answer is. I'm not spending $1,000 night on a Vegas Hotel, but if a $400 room is significantly better than a $300 room - I don't have a problem with that.
As I've already mentioned, we're doing the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam and all of the other natural wonders in the vicinity of Vegas before this part of the trip, so the focus of this thread is purely Vegas itself.
We will gamble when we're there - it's not like we have a religious objection - but it really won't be more than $100 or $200. I've been to Reno before and South Lake Tahoe, and both places were really quite strange from a gambling perspective.
My current thinking is that a show of some kind (Blue Man Group), coupled with a couple of "Big Name" restaurants, a massive brunch, the Bellagio fountain and a roller coaster or two are pretty much what I want from Vegas. Although I'm perfectly happy to have my horizons expanded.
As for budget - this will be 2 - 5 nights in a 20 - 30 night holiday. I'm not sure what the right answer is. I'm not spending $1,000 night on a Vegas Hotel, but if a $400 room is significantly better than a $300 room - I don't have a problem with that.
As I've already mentioned, we're doing the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam and all of the other natural wonders in the vicinity of Vegas before this part of the trip, so the focus of this thread is purely Vegas itself.
We will gamble when we're there - it's not like we have a religious objection - but it really won't be more than $100 or $200. I've been to Reno before and South Lake Tahoe, and both places were really quite strange from a gambling perspective.
My current thinking is that a show of some kind (Blue Man Group), coupled with a couple of "Big Name" restaurants, a massive brunch, the Bellagio fountain and a roller coaster or two are pretty much what I want from Vegas. Although I'm perfectly happy to have my horizons expanded.
I have only been for work/conferences, and have always stayed in The Wynn in one of their Fairway Villas. Not sure of the rate for these as its just where my company puts me, but they are very nice with great service. Last time (April) I had a free day and the hotel provided transport to both the Hoover Dam and also Red Rock canyon for me at very little notice and didn't charge for this. The villa also comes with complementary tickets to various shows etc, so a great package.
You've got the budget so, I agree with the cosmo fountain view terrace, if not the bellagio fountain view.
For a relaxing wandering around type day maybe do brunch, head to the peppermill fireside lounge for happy hour, its old school vegas and a little odd! Then head to the stratosphere 107 lounge for appetizers and cocktails, rollercoaster ride at the top. Then head downtown to see freemont st, there are some great hidden bars. Some great old vegas restaurants then try your gambling downtown. Their minimums are more friendly, if you just want to try gambling with a couple of hundred dollars the minimums on the strip can be frightening!
For a relaxing wandering around type day maybe do brunch, head to the peppermill fireside lounge for happy hour, its old school vegas and a little odd! Then head to the stratosphere 107 lounge for appetizers and cocktails, rollercoaster ride at the top. Then head downtown to see freemont st, there are some great hidden bars. Some great old vegas restaurants then try your gambling downtown. Their minimums are more friendly, if you just want to try gambling with a couple of hundred dollars the minimums on the strip can be frightening!
Nothing says PH like saying "flying upper class" in brackets.
Yes I am a little jealous.
I stayed at Caesars Palace. Check in queue was enormous but it felt like a nice place.
Try Yardbird for lunch one day.
Check out the Mob Museum down near Fremont St.
2 nights minimum. 4 nights max. Hoover dam is worth a visit; it's close enough to the airport to then ditch car afterwards.
Yes I am a little jealous.
I stayed at Caesars Palace. Check in queue was enormous but it felt like a nice place.
Try Yardbird for lunch one day.
Check out the Mob Museum down near Fremont St.
2 nights minimum. 4 nights max. Hoover dam is worth a visit; it's close enough to the airport to then ditch car afterwards.
As others have said, definitely stay on the strip and you definitely don't need a car.
Avoid the old tacky hotels such as Treasure Island, Circus Circus or the Luxor as they are all old and in dire need of refurbishment or pulling down.
I have stayed at the Wynn and can thoughtfully recommend it.
Avoid the old tacky hotels such as Treasure Island, Circus Circus or the Luxor as they are all old and in dire need of refurbishment or pulling down.
I have stayed at the Wynn and can thoughtfully recommend it.
mikef said:
Be aware that the Grand Canyon can be wintery in February, have driven through snow on the South Rim in April. Similarly Vegas can be cold at that time of year
Indeed. As the canyon was formed by the land coming up rather than the river going down the rim is at a decent altitude.Stay on the strip, it's what Vegas is all about. If you're lucky with dates you can often get great rooms at reasonable prices. I've only ever stayed at the Venetian twice so cannot comment on others, but that was a great hotel.
Regarding the car, both times we stayed for 4-5 days during a 14 day road-trip and having parked the car in the hotel car park, we just left it there, perhaps getting it out once to drive to the Hoover Dam (the other time we flew), so I would say a car is not necessary there unless you plan on doing lots of trips out of Vegas, which it seems you'll have already done.
Regarding the car, both times we stayed for 4-5 days during a 14 day road-trip and having parked the car in the hotel car park, we just left it there, perhaps getting it out once to drive to the Hoover Dam (the other time we flew), so I would say a car is not necessary there unless you plan on doing lots of trips out of Vegas, which it seems you'll have already done.
We went in 2019
Like the OP, not gamblers in any way - I wanted to go for the experience and, primarily, because I'd always wanted to see the Grand Canyon.
We were expecting to be a bit "meh" about Vegas itself, however we were both enthralled by the place. There's so much to just watch and see. It's like a giant shopping mall/amusement park for adults.
We stayed at Ceasar's Palace - a surprisingly large and well-equipped room for a very reasonable price. Obviously location was spot on.
We flew in Saturday evening and left the following Tuesday morning but wished we'd taken a day or two more so we could explore a bit more - I don't think we even saw all of the strip, let alone off-strip.
We'll be going back when we can and probably looking at 4 full days.
Like the OP, not gamblers in any way - I wanted to go for the experience and, primarily, because I'd always wanted to see the Grand Canyon.
We were expecting to be a bit "meh" about Vegas itself, however we were both enthralled by the place. There's so much to just watch and see. It's like a giant shopping mall/amusement park for adults.
We stayed at Ceasar's Palace - a surprisingly large and well-equipped room for a very reasonable price. Obviously location was spot on.
We flew in Saturday evening and left the following Tuesday morning but wished we'd taken a day or two more so we could explore a bit more - I don't think we even saw all of the strip, let alone off-strip.
We'll be going back when we can and probably looking at 4 full days.
Even if you don't gamble, the food and drink scene in Vegas is incredible. I would definitely recommend staying on the strip.
As others have said, the area around Vdara/Aria/Bellagio/Cosmopolitan is very convenient. Cosmopolitan is a lovely hotel which you could easily spend a few days exploring. We stayed at Palazzo last time which was also fantastic. In terms of value for money though, Vdara is hard to beat.
As others have said, the area around Vdara/Aria/Bellagio/Cosmopolitan is very convenient. Cosmopolitan is a lovely hotel which you could easily spend a few days exploring. We stayed at Palazzo last time which was also fantastic. In terms of value for money though, Vdara is hard to beat.
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