cjacker
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Post by cjacker on Jun 4, 2015 20:27:33 GMT
We have pretty much decided on Las Vegas. As I had posted, other than myself, there will be my three daughters and my three granddaughters. The two youngest GDs are 20 and 16 and we are not planning on going there to gamble. (Two of my daughters and I like to gamble but will save that for another time.) We are going mainly for a relaxing getaway - pool time, manis, pedis,massages, etc. We would like to see one or two good shows in the evening and have nice dinners each night. So my questions for the Peas: what are your ideal places to stay on the Strip with a nice pool and nice spa? - what dinner restaurants would you recommend? Also, what shows have you seen that you would recommend and maybe something about them? Any other things in LV we should do or see? Thanks
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Post by freecharlie on Jun 4, 2015 20:32:13 GMT
How much do you want to spend a night on hotel rooms?
When you say nice pools...in vegas that means different things. Some are party poils, some are kids pools, some are just pools.
it sounds like you might be Paris or Venetian people.
I'm not a stuffy, 5 star type of person, so I don't like the vibe at the wynn, but you might.
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cjacker
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Post by cjacker on Jun 4, 2015 21:19:21 GMT
None of us are the 5 star stuffy people either, freecharlie, but we do want it to be nice. We are also not partiers - what I am looking for in a pool is just an exceptionally nice pool to swim in and lounge by. I will check out the Paris and Venetian - thank you!
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Post by 950nancy on Jun 4, 2015 21:36:59 GMT
MGM, Flamingo, and Mandalay Bay all have nice pools. The Flamingo is more in the middle of the Strip. I've stayed in 7 different hotels on the strip and they are all different and fun. We are going back in July and staying at the Flamingo because my friend gets free rooms there. Haven't ever tried a spa. New York New York has a fun arcade for kids, Take the city bus downtown one night and check out the light show. It runs for several city blocks. If you all like to shop, Caesar's and the Fashion Mall (across from the Wynn) are great. The whole strip is great actually! Have fun.
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Post by Yubon Peatlejuice on Jun 4, 2015 21:48:27 GMT
Nice hotel with nice pool and nice spa:
Wynn
Encore
Venetian
Palazzo
Bellagio
Mandalay Bay
Honorable mentions:
Paris
Mirage
Caesars
My favorite nice places to eat are Delmonicos (Venetian) and Samba (Mirage). Best buffets are Wynn, Bellagio, Paris and Planet Hollywood.
For shows, you can't go wrong with Cirque du Soleil ( except for the Chris Angel/Cirque show "Believe". It sucks.) My favorites are Mystere and One (if you like Michael Jackson music). Blue Man Group is also good. Jubilee is good if you want to see showgirls. Terry Fator is the best comedy.
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Post by freecharlie on Jun 4, 2015 23:34:45 GMT
Are you driving/renting a car or going by taxi/monorail?
Yubons list is good. It is going to depend on what you want in location and price.
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cjacker
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Post by cjacker on Jun 4, 2015 23:54:55 GMT
freecharlie, we will be using taxi/monorail. Since it is a first time visit for several, we want to stay on the Strip for the experience. Of course, the most inexpensive hotel that has what we want would be the most desirable :)but I want everyone to really enjoy this trip without going overboard on the price of the rooms, if possible. It is the most important that it has a great pool and pool area and also the spa is important as I want to treat them to that experience.
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paigepea
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Post by paigepea on Jun 5, 2015 0:12:06 GMT
We like the Palazzo. It is part of the Venetian. We just got back from Vegas on Sunday and we stayed at the Venetian this time but we spent all of our pool time at the palazzo (attached, you can stay at the V and go to the P pool or just stay at the palazzo). We tried the Venetian pool, but found it too much of a young / party / loud crowd for our taste. There was vomit in the pool - gross! The palazzo was more out speed. We walked through the Encore this time and found it to be gorgeous, but it's location isn't as good as the Venetian / palazzo, IMO. We ate at Olives at Bellagio and loved it. We had an outside table that over looked the fountains. Beautiful setting. If you want to eat outside at a lower pice point,try Mon Ami Gabi at the foot of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Good menu and good atmosphere outside, and good view of the Bellagio fountains. We saw the Michael Jackson cirque show and really enjoyed it. If you haven't seen Love thy is very good. I've also enjoyed Jersey Boys and Terry Fator. One of our favorites is Le Reve at Wyn. It is like a cirque show but isn't cirque. The theatre is in the round and I enjoyed it more than O. This last time we also saw Show Stoppers at Wyn. It was good. Started slow but then got good. Slightly cheesy broadway, but it's Vegas  Paige. |
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Post by freecharlie on Jun 5, 2015 0:18:22 GMT
freecharlie, we will be using taxi/monorail. Since it is a first time visit for several, we want to stay on the Strip for the experience. Of course, the most inexpensive hotel that has what we want would be the most desirable :)but I want everyone to really enjoy this trip without going overboard on the price of the rooms, if possible. It is the most important that it has a great pool and pool area and also the spa is important as I want to treat them to that experience. I would stay away from Mandalay then as the trek to the monorail is hefty and the constant taxis to the Strip will add up. |
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paigepea
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Post by paigepea on Jun 5, 2015 0:19:37 GMT
Just want to add that we did a Cabana one day and tha is really really fun if its in your budget. We've only ever done them at Venetian / palazzo, but it makes for a nice relaxing day. You get the cabana 9-5, you can choose your location - stake out where you'd want to be ahead of time. We were slightly raised (above the crowds) by the pool at the palazzo where the entrance to the pool club is. You can watch women dress up going to the pool.
There is shade, a balcony area with loungers/ mist, an inside area with couches, a fridge with water and fruit. You can order drinks / food, we just did take out at a burger place and brought in veggie burgers, but other people in other cabanas ordered food.
The cabana day was our favorite.
Paige.
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Post by Eddie-n-Harley on Jun 5, 2015 0:32:43 GMT
MGM Grand is the southern most stop on the monorail, just FYI. (So New York New York, Excalibur, Luxor, and Mandalay Bay are all further south than MGM and will require hiking.)
I would go take a look at the spa menus on the websites for the various hotels, see which one has service you would like to get. MGM has a chocolate raspberry facial I would love to try, but I am balking at the $200 price tag.
We went in 2013, and of the places we went to eat, we liked the steakhouse at Excalibur and Wolfgang Puck's restaurant at MGM the best. Next time we go, we want to try the All American Bar and Grille at Rio (not on the strip), and Tender at Luxor.
Did you say when you were going?
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Post by ~summer~ on Jun 5, 2015 0:45:36 GMT
I definitely like nice and I LOVE the pool at the Wynn.
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Post by Yubon Peatlejuice on Jun 5, 2015 1:21:05 GMT
If price is a consideration, keep in mind that massages at any spa on the strip will average $3/minute with 50, 60, 80 or 90 minutes being the only choices. You could go to the spa without a massage but it is usually $25/day. Sometimes this is covered in the resort fees. The best spa on the strip is at Encore.
Someone mentioned Mandalay Bay being too far south. I got married there and have stayed there many times. There is a tram connecting Mandalay Bay, the Luxor and Excalibur. It's not that bad and even taxis aren't too expensive. I personally hate the monorail. Mandalay Bay has the best pool in Vegas and a great spa, but the pool is loud and half of it is a topless pool now with a cover charge.
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Post by Eddie-n-Harley on Jun 5, 2015 1:29:10 GMT
I personally hate the monorail. I won't try to convince you otherwise, but I am really curious as to why, if you're willing to share (because I think it's great). |
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Post by scrapmaven on Jun 5, 2015 1:38:54 GMT
I saw the Blue Man Group last year at the Monte Carlo in Vegas and it was the highlight of my trip. It was so much fun and so different. Mystere at Treasure Island is a really great Cirque show. Penn and Teller are lots of fun, too. Though they are at the RIO off of the strip.
I'm sorry you don't want to gamble, cause the Willy Wonka machines were a blast. I'm a bad influence.
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Post by freecharlie on Jun 5, 2015 1:40:38 GMT
I personally hate the monorail. I won't try to convince you otherwise, but I am really curious as to why, if you're willing to share (because I think it's great). I'm with you. |
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Post by Eddie-n-Harley on Jun 5, 2015 1:42:56 GMT
I saw the Blue Man Group last year at the Monte Carlo in Vegas and it was the highlight of my trip. It was so much fun and so different. Mystere at Treasure Island is a really great Cirque show. Penn and Teller are lots of fun, too. Though they are at the RIO off of the strip.I'm sorry you don't want to gamble, cause the Willy Wonka machines were a blast. I'm a bad influence. They're going to be in New York for part of July and August, so they won't be at the Rio during that time. (Says the girl who has been trying to buy tickets for a month and half, only to find out-- from a banner ad on THIS SITE-- that they're going to be on Broadway.) |
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oaksong
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Post by oaksong on Jun 5, 2015 1:47:39 GMT
We just got back from a 3-day trip. We had a 2-bedroom suite at the Mirage for $550 per night, so it was about the same as 3 regular rooms. It was very spacious, had a great view, bar, refrigerator that you could actually use (as opposed to just a mini-bar), 2 bathrooms (enormous, luxurious master bath), and 4 TVs. Teenagers slept on the couch and said it was comfortable. You could also add cots to the bedrooms of you wanted to. It was nice to be able to hang out together in the same room. I would highly recommend it!
The pools are nice, and there are dolphin pools and a zoo where Ziegfried and Roy's lions and tigers are kept. The location is great, too - close to The Venetian, Treasure Island, Caesars, Flamingo, Bellagio.
The show we saw this time was Cirque du Soleil Love. We bought our tickets at the concierge desk early in the morning on the day of the show. It was so good, but not as acrobatic as some of the other Cirques in LV. Any of them are great! I've always wanted to see Penn and Teller, but we didn't manage it this time. Enjoy your trip!
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Post by Yubon Peatlejuice on Jun 5, 2015 2:24:14 GMT
I can't put my finger on why I don't like the monorail. Maybe it's beacuse I think that cabs and walking are part of the experience. The monorail feels like cheating. Weird, I know.
Penn and Teller are awesome unless you are a republican. lol They are very liberal.
The Dolphins at the Mirage....... That dolphin pool is known as the dolphin pool of death. They have the highest mortality rate for dolphins in the country including an 80% mortality rate for the babies. They never live to 1 year old. And it's no wonder. The loud topless pool is right over the wall and there is no shade for the Dolphins. It's been said that you can hear the pounding of the speakers from the topless pool while underwater in the dolphin pool. Just thought I'd share that not-so-fun fact.
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Post by freecharlie on Jun 5, 2015 2:44:20 GMT
I can't put my finger on why I don't like the monorail. Maybe it's beacuse I think that cabs and walking are part of the experience. The monorail feels like cheating. Weird, I know. Penn and Teller are awesome unless you are a republican. lol They are very liberal. The Dolphins at the Mirage....... That dolphin pool is known as the dolphin pool of death. They have the highest mortality rate for dolphins in the country including an 80% mortality rate for the babies. They never live to 1 year old. And it's no wonder. The loud topless pool is right over the wall and there is no shade for the Dolphins. It's been said that you can hear the pounding of the speakers from the topless pool while underwater in the dolphin pool. Just thought I'd share that not-so-fun fact. I agree that taxis are part of vegas, but since they have 7 in their party, they are going to need at least 2 taxis each time. I like taking the Duece downtown, the people watching and eavesdropping and that thing are awesome |
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oaksong
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Post by oaksong on Jun 5, 2015 5:10:44 GMT
The Dolphins at the Mirage....... That dolphin pool is known as the dolphin pool of death. They have the highest mortality rate for dolphins in the country including an 80% mortality rate for the babies. They never live to 1 year old. And it's no wonder. The loud topless pool is right over the wall and there is no shade for the Dolphins. It's been said that you can hear the pounding of the speakers from the topless pool while underwater in the dolphin pool. Just thought I'd share that not-so-fun fact. That's awful! I had no idea. We haven't been to it for years, but we could see them working with the dolphins from our window. |
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Post by lisacharlotte on Jun 5, 2015 13:07:07 GMT
If you are considering any Caesars property I can give you offer codes for friends and family rates. I don't recommend The Rio. I hated being off the strip.
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Post by jeremysgirl on Jun 5, 2015 13:21:20 GMT
I got married in Vegas last summer and that trip was so much fun. I can honestly say, the Mandalay Bay pool was the best one I've seen. And after we got married, we had dessert at the Grand Lux in the Venetian and it was awesome. Every one of us got a truly over the top delicious dessert there. We also saw the Beatles Love Cirque de Soleil show and it was great.
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paigepea
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Post by paigepea on Jun 5, 2015 14:42:28 GMT
I can't put my finger on why I don't like the monorail. Maybe it's beacuse I think that cabs and walking are part of the experience. The monorail feels like cheating. Weird, I know. Penn and Teller are awesome unless you are a republican. lol They are very liberal. The Dolphins at the Mirage....... That dolphin pool is known as the dolphin pool of death. They have the highest mortality rate for dolphins in the country including an 80% mortality rate for the babies. They never live to 1 year old. And it's no wonder. The loud topless pool is right over the wall and there is no shade for the Dolphins. It's been said that you can hear the pounding of the speakers from the topless pool while underwater in the dolphin pool. Just thought I'd share that not-so-fun fact. We just got back from Vegas and I also don't enjoy the monorail. It's at the back of every hotel, so you're hiking far into / under the hotels to catch the monorail. By the time we walked to the monorail, took the ride, and then back to the strip we literally could have walked in that much time. You're also looking at the parking lots while you're riding. It definitely loses the magic of Vegas. cabs are not always easy in Vegas. We had 30-45 min waits for cabs last Saturday night. We walked to 4 hotels to try and catch a cab and same experience everywhere. Took us 1 hr to get from Mandalay bay (MJ show) to meet our friends at Paris, because we kept trying to catch a cab. Leave the heels at home and just walk everywhere!! |
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Post by ScrappyJac on Jun 5, 2015 14:58:57 GMT
Our absolute favorite show in Vegas was Cirque's "O". We have seen several Cirque shows, but this has been the very best. It has a combo of water/land acrobatics that are just visually incredible. Can't recommend it highly enough.
For food, we loved these places....
brunch: Serendipity 3 (located in Caesars) and Sugar Factory American Brasserie (get a table on the patio, has views of the Bellagio Fountains)
treats: Bouchon Bakery (Venetian)
dinner: Mesa Grill
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doglover
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Post by doglover on Jun 5, 2015 16:36:37 GMT
I've stayed at MGM several times and their pool area is nice but not G-rated. They have a separate pool that has a DJ and a separate fee. It draws a crowd that is into alcohol and hooking up. Lots of bachelor and bachelorette party groups.
Someone recently told me that they went to Vegas and used the bus system and found it easy and convenient. I am going to try it next time. Check it out!
The lunch buffet at the Wynn was very mediocre and same friend as above told me the breakfast buffet at Venetian or Paris was terrible.
I LOVE vegas.
I saw Beatles Love and really enjoyed it. I liked it better than Mystere or Michael Jackson.
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amom23
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Post by amom23 on Jun 5, 2015 17:03:48 GMT
We've been to Vegas several times. My favorite hotels have been the Paris and the Aria. My favorite shows have been KA, Love and Blue Man Group. I've eaten at so many different restaurants I couldn't narrow down any favorites. Sometimes we grab a cab, but usually we just walk. I like to shop lol and DH likes to golf so we always work in both of those things.
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