pkphilip

Since you are Vegas newbie, here's what I have to say.

When: Vegas is good all year around, I will not go during summer months. Those 3 months you asked for, they are all good.

Accomodations: Why pay for 5 stars when you are out most of the day? My last "super-cheap" stay at Vegas is at Circus Circus, not as new, but sufficient. On your 3 choices, I go for: Aria at CityCenter $513.90, Palazzo $556.98, Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas $559.61

Transport: Rent a car - last time I bidded a mid-size for like $18/day + tax at priceline. I drove about 150 miles in 5 days (mostly outside of the strip). Bring your own GPS, get ICBC for out of country rental coverage and you are all set.

What to do: Shows, shows, shows + shopping. See Vegas.com for shows and shopping at Fashion Show Mall and Premium Outlet is a must. We saw most of Cirque Du Soleli and they are AMAZING!

What to eat:

1 - Lotus of Siam for dinner
Best Thai ever. Order garlic prawns, one of the fried sea bass dishes and massaman curry. That will fill you 2 up easily. No reservation needed. Lots of room. DO NOT go for the lunch buffet.

2 - Bouchon at Venetian for breakfast
Either go at 7AM or after 9AM. Get a patio seat - wait if you must. Worth it. The dinner is French bistro -- kinda meh for the money. No reservations taken.

3 - Milos at Cosmopolitan for lunch
Get a patio seat. Seriously. Get the lunch prix fixe. If you like it, I recommend paying extra for the octopus appie. Sooooo good. Order the whole fish for your main. It's huge and a ridiculously good value. The included desserts are meh. But you won't care coz you'll be so full by then. I don't think they take reservations... but you might want to check.

4 - Fukuburger for late late night (11PM+)
AMAZING burger. These guys know flavour profile and just exactly how much to put onto the bread. Get the tamago burger - it's their specialty. Order whatever else you like. There WILL be a lineup. The later you go, the smaller the line. I'm talking 2 AM...

5 - Raku for dinner/late-dinner
Order the agedashi tofu - best I've EVER had. Order anything on their specials menu. Make reservations at least a week in advance. I'm not kidding.

What to watch out for: Time Share people, they will offer you free/discounted stuff and just kindly tell them "I am leaving today". If something is too good, it is probably. Go to Walmart the first thing you leave airport, pickup some bottle water for cheap, you will need it.

Get the most out of the trip:
Priceline, Hotwire, Kayak are your friends. You can also sign up for hotel's email list to get some special discounts too. If days are flexible, watch for WestJet Vacation, AlaskaAir Vacation sites, they may have package that will save you lots. Fly from Bellingham via Alaska or Allegiant is about $200 cheaper than YVR per person.

For priceline and horwire, you can try your luck to bid a 4-5 stars for under $100/night. Please do the homework before and check the overall pricing as they are final. They have a bid history for Vegas and I go by that.

I try to go to Vegas once a year as it is very economical.. but my wedding is soon so I need to save up.

Finally... if you ask me, I will leave the kids at home. Vegas is not kid-friendly. :-)

PS. Get me a bottle of wine in Total Wine! They are like the superstore of wines!

Philip

吳孟達

Any reasons why Aria >> Palazzo >> Cosmopolitan ?
Thanks for your wonderful suggestions.... Love it....

fibbi

Actually....vegas is not that bad w/ kids...
I would bring my bb again when she's a bit older ...here's what I think kids can do: take the gondola ride in venetian, go to M&M store, 3D iMax movie (i think they still have)
And just to walk around different mall could be enjoyable...(there's a large toy store inside Caesar Palace mall.

And why stay in 3 star hotel when staying in 5 or 6 star hotel is just the price of 3 star hotel elsewhere?

pkphilip

Actually....vegas is not that bad w/ kids...
I would bring my bb again when she's a bit older ...her ...
fibbi 發表於 2012-8-9 15:58

I have no preference on those 3 because they are all new and luxrious.

If you shop around, I am sure MGM Grand, New York New York could be booked at less than $90 a night. I was able to book New York New York for $80 a night from Priceline, then I asked nicely at checkin, they gave us a quieter building on the 34th floor. It was quiet.

Vegas is noisy all day around, so ask nicely and see if they could upgrade/change to a better room.

Philip

low_B

Rent car I think I like national, coz u join the club of national (free) and u can choose all kind of car with compact ( I remember) car price

fibbi

回復 14# pkphilip


    I can book treasure island about 80 a night too. But ay the end I stay at Wynn and Venetian, just because I am going with parents and want them to stay in better hotel.

sko

If staying within strip and nearby, I would just taxi... actually very affordable and convenient.

吳孟達

Which online booking site is better?
Or should I book from the travel agent?

Jennie

I think it's cheaper to buy an air+hotel package from a travel agent. I paid about $650 per person for West Jet+ 4 nights in the Venetians in September 2009. They were having a promotion then, the 4th night was for free.
BTW, the room in the Venetians was big with one king-size bed. 3 TVs, (1 in the bathroom, but no view.

fibbi

回復 19# Jennie


    I thinking booking thru travel agent should be cheaper if you depart from Vancouver.
BUT ... if you depart from Bellingham, it should save even more...