To not get Las Vegas?

[EuphemiaMcGonagall]

Someone I know has just gone on honeymoon there; another friend has also gone there with her family for their annual holiday.

As far as I can tell, it's a city full of casinos, a fake Eiffel Tower and a fake Grand Canal.

Sounds hellish.

What am I missing?

[pleasenap]

We went for 3 days with friends. I didn't find it particularly tacky. And certainly party like but different feel to the drinking to get drunk Saturday night in Britain (from what I remember, and what I used to do!!). I don't really get gambling - never win and always lose quickly - no buzz for me and hate losing money.

My feeling though was I found it quite a depressing place - the die hard slot fans who just would sit there and even if you heard them having a big win, would just collect it and then shove it all back in without cracking a smile, seemingly without any joy! And the way the hotels are designed so that once you're in you struggle to get out - like having darkened ambient lightning to fool your brain into not knowing whether its night or day (Paris hotel even has sky and clouds on ceiling for same reason!) and that exits and ways out not easy to navigate.

But then I might've been overthinking and sucking the joy out ....

[lovecat]

Oh, the lifts in the Luxor were weird , squeakytoy ! We lost all sense of orientation trying to find the lifts/our rooms/the loo/anything there!

But I agree 100%, the level of service/luxury you get for very little £££ is unbelieveable and the food! Ohh, the food.... :)

[catgirl1976]

I miss the breakfast buffets :(

[fluffyliquorice]

Lovecat, sounds similar to my recent Vegas wedding! We went to Mon Ami Gabi for our wedding meal and had lots of people congratulating us and complimenting my dress etc. I think Las Vegas is a place people make sweeping assumptions about, we don't gamble and had our elderly parents and autistic child with us among and we all had a great time.

There is so much to see and do in every hotel, plus as others have said the Grand Canyon in close proximity. I want to go back again and stay at Caeser's Palace this time. The Cheesecake Factory (yum!), the amazing Qua Spa (best massage/facial i've ever had). We also loved the Broadway Grill in New York New york (best burgers ever!)

[katkitya]

He used to lie to his parents just to go there with his mates!!!! He plays there all the time. I love it. Did anyone mention how amazing the shopping is? It's fantastic. Until you have been, you can't judge it.

[catgirl1976]

I loved the Rainforest Cafe (that WAS tacky but great), the lazy river at the pool, Wet Republic and the amazing clubs. Plus my wedding was gorgeous and personal - it was great fun - walking back through the hotels with people pointing and taking photos.

[Ragwort]

I spent 24 hours there - it was fun but I doubt I would choose to go back. .

[squeakytoy]

I have a few close friends who live in LA, and they regularly go for Vegas weekends, probably at least once a month... I am so jealous!

[FrankieSandford]

I haven't been in but it doesn't seem like my kind of place at all, too artificial. I'd rather go to the Lake District or West Wales.

[katkitya]

They'd want to. LA nightlife is very uptight!

[squeakytoy]

I love the Lake District too, I also love the genuine buildings of Rome and other historic cities in the world, but it is all about variety for me... I dont just like one specific type of place, and Vegas to me is about fun, partying, late nights, and being a bit extravagant.. if I want culture, I will go to Rome, if I want to see mountains and lakes, I can go to Windermere... never restrict yourself to only one thing! :)

[FreudianSlipper]

its an adults playground. fun in a very tacky way for a few days but can not understand why anyone would want to go there for more than 4 days maximum

i have been a few times as i have family in california, would not be bothered if i never went again but would like to go on the grand canyon sky walk

[RowenaRavenclawsLostDiaphragm]

We've been twice and stayed at Luxor and The Bellagio. We really enjoyed it and are going back with our DS who will be 6 next year.

Like every other holiday destination, it will appeal to some and not others.

[Pootles2010]

Went with work few years back, no desire to go back but had to be seen to be believed so glad I went.

Stayed at four seasons which was nice as didn't have casino, so bit calmer.

[HeidiKat]

I went a few years ago for a week, wouldn't have been my choice but DH's brother was getting married there and DH's father offered to pay for our flights and accomodation so that the whole family could be together to celebrate. I wasn't sure about it before I went but really enjoyed it once I was there, there are loads of nice restaurants and shops there.

[Malificence]

Apart from the in your face prostitution, we loved Vegas. Stayed at the Mirage last September and had a fab time.
One of the highlights was firing an M16 and a Desert eagle at the Gun Store range.

[toddlerwrangler]

I luurrrrrve vegas. The atmosphere is great, here are amazaing bars/restaurants. Yess, it is tack-tastc, but the expensive hotels are by far the nicest I have ever seen. I stayed at the Bellagio on my honeymoon and it is by far the nicest place I have ever stayed.

[ShellyBoobs]

We've been a couple of times.

I can't say I like Vegas for its normal attractions but bizarrely, as much as it's a hedonistic, extravagant and in-your-face sort of place, it can also be quite relaxing.

We've used it to have a rest from travelling the West Coast (LA, San Fran' etc) because, as someone else mentioned, you can get a fantastic room/suite for next to nothing and it's very near some great scenery.

[mowbraygirl]

I love Las Vegas have been there 5 times you have to remember it is very OTT but there is a lot to see and do. The Grand Canyon is awsome especially if you fly over it in a helicopter. When have you ever seen lion cubs in a hotel like the MGM Grand or the dolphins and white tigers in the Mirage I could go on and on.

DH and I do like gambling so that is another bonus for us. I wouldn't class it as a family holiday as such as children aren't allowed on the casino floor but if parents aren't interested in gambling there plenty of things to keep them occupied.

[catgirl1976]

The Mirage "secret garden" was the only thing I didn't like about vegas. Tiny cages, miserable animals. Felt shocked by it - tigers and lions in enclosures smaller than my living room. Clear behavioural problems from being cooped up. Loved Vegas - HATED that.

[greenzebra]

Ive been there three times in total, with different people. Its an experience to say the least, plus points its near the grand canyon, near hoover dam. You can take helicopter rides quite cheapy around the city skyline. Most things are cheap because they want you to gamble so if you dont gamble it can be a cheap holiday. It has some amazing free stuff to see, the dancing fountains at the Bellagio (as seen in Oceans Eleven) The pirate ship battle at Treasure Island, the circus at Circus Circus.
It isnt just for the gambler anymore but they do want you to gamble. I would go back, but people are right its a 3 day type of place.
Really you shouldnt judge unless youve been there.

[eandemum]

This thread is bringing back memories of our 2001 wedding there - 2 weeks after Sep 11th - arriving at bar in NY, NY and everybody singing "Won't let the Sun Go Down on me"
Ok never thought Elton John would bring a lump to my throat!!

Went to the Liberace Museum too - and the guide as amazing - soooo enthusiastic!!

Agree that a few days is MORE than enough!! The noise gets to you

[wordfactory]

Friends of ours have a place there and have invited us over during October half term.

She is Russian and he is from Vegas. It will be a blingtastic palace and I cannot wait.
Casinos and fairground rides a go go...and DCs all cared for by the resident Nana

[catgirl1976]

you are giving me the again word factory