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Original poster

So what do you think of Las Vegas? Should we go?

64 replies

BeckAndCall · 26/01/2014 19:31

We are is serious planning stage for a week in Las Vegas just before Easter. We are me, DH and DDs 21 and 18 - it's kind of a birthday present for them - something memorable. DS 23 who lives in Canada will fly down to meet us .

I had narrowed it down to Caesrars Palace or the Bellagio and now DH has thrown a spanner in the works by saying it'll be too crowded, we'll be harassed by hookers and there'll be no escaping the cigarette smoke ( DD has asthma and is badly affected at times by smoke). Is he right ?

I'm now looking at resorts out of town but that's just not my ideal - I wanted to be in the thick of it ( I know DD at 18 can't do casinos but we love shows!)

Anyone got any experience of the strip that they can share? Thanks

OP posts:
slalomsuki · 26/01/2014 19:38

Vegas is fantastic for a break but yes the smoke is a bit of a shock.

You can visit all the hotels and just wander around without staying at them.

We stayed at the Trump which is next to Treasure Island, the shopping mall and just up from the Wynn but best of all its smoke free which was nice after being out all day.

webwiz · 26/01/2014 19:44

We went in august with DCs who were 22,20 and 16 and stayed at the Bellagio. It was boiling hot and very crowded but that's half the fun. DS saw Robert Downey Junior and so was beside himself with excitement!

I don't remember any cigarette smoke at all anywhere and you just have people handing out 'girls girls girls' cards but no 'hookers' were in evidence (unless I wasn't looking properly). The people selling bottles of water are more annoying.

GiraffesAndButterflies · 26/01/2014 19:45

Bear in mind your youngest won't even be allowed to stand still in casinos. She will get asked for her passport and moved on (IME). Personally I would wait until all your DC are over 21.

Have fun whenever you go Grin Envy

GiraffesAndButterflies · 26/01/2014 19:46

(When I say 'in casinos' I mean the gambling areas obviously.)

Stripytop · 26/01/2014 19:46

I've just come back from a first visit to LV. The only way I can describe it is like a super cheesy Disney version of Blackpool.
We stayed at Caesars palace and it was really good value for what we paid. The only downsides were that The rooms are dated and it is HUGE, but these weren't huge problems. The rooms were v comfortable and clean. I would have loved to have stayed at the bellagio it looked much classier and less dated, but obvs didn't see the rooms.
There was some smoking in the casinos, but not clouds of smoke. The air-con and piped oxygen more than compensates for it.

Don't stay off the strip, you're right to want to be in the thick of it. We did every casino, and all the hotels are of a muchness, just with a different theme. Ones to avoid imo would be circus circus and Excalibur, they were grubby and v tacky.

Not sure i would go back, but really glad I have been.

RedPencils · 26/01/2014 19:54

I went when I was 19. You can't get close to the casino area without security hassling you to move on. Obviously there's no drinking either (they are really strict in this). I was quite pisses off by this as I'd alreay been drinking for a couple of year here.

Went more recently and it was fun for a bit but I'd had enough of casinos after a while. The Grand Canyon is amazing.

StumbledintoMayhem · 26/01/2014 19:59

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Stripytop · 26/01/2014 20:10

I never saw any hookers!

AttilaTheMeerkat · 26/01/2014 21:05

"I had narrowed it down to Caesrars Palace or the Bellagio and now DH has thrown a spanner in the works by saying it'll be too crowded, we'll be harassed by hookers and there'll be no escaping the cigarette smoke"

It won't be too crowded and you won't be harassed by the hookers; you will though see the shills on the Strip trying to hand out their cards to all and sundry regardless of age.

Re the cigarette smoke this is infact more of an issue in the older casinos, not so much the newer ones. What you may want to look at as well is a non smoking hotel to escape the casino floor; the Four Seasons and the MGM Signature are two that spring to mind in this respect.

BTW your youngest can walk through the casino gaming areas (infact all children can do this) BUT she must not linger. If your 21 year old looks young they may ask for proof of age from her before letting her gamble or drink alcohol. It is always worth carrying photo id like a UK photocard driving licence if she has one.

Stripytop · 26/01/2014 21:43

I think the Madalay Bay is the only hotel without a casino. Went for a look round and it is really lovely. It might be one to consider as you them won't have to a casino to negotiate every time you walk through the hotel.

Lighthousekeeping · 26/01/2014 21:51

It's amazing! You will love it if you like shows. The smoking wasn't noticeable. Have you looked at a The Palms? Has a fake beach! There's loads to do without gambling. You could take it in turns to go to the casinos I'm sure your daughters will find plenty of things to do. I thought the shopping was really good. Don't eat at the Bellagio it's way over priced for what it is. Hoover dam is fabulous by helicopter.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 26/01/2014 22:09

There are several hotels in Vegas that do not have casinos.

The Mandalay Bay has a casino area but TheHotel at Mandalay Bay (separate facility) does not.

Vdara, Trump International and Four Seasons are three others that do not have casino areas.

Original poster
BeckAndCall · 26/01/2014 23:31

Thanks everyone, that's really helpful.

I don't actually intend to do any casinos - that's not our thing. We've been on loads of cruises and not set foot in the casino area once so it's not what we're going for. But I was aware that DD can't even look in really. And if that's where the smoke mainly is, then that won't bother us after all.

We're more up for the whole specatcle of the themes and the lights and mostly, if I'm honest, the grand canyon helicopter ride and the Hoover dam and the shows.

Problem with waiting til youngest is over 21 is that the eldest wont have any interest in coming on holiday with us! This will be our last big hurrah as a family I think. And as youngest doesn't drink that won't get her here either! The eldest 2 can pop in and have a look at the casinos if they want to.

I'll take another look at the non casino hotels too, thanks for all the suggestions

OP posts:
laraeo · 27/01/2014 01:16

As long as you don't mind not gambling, it'll be fine. You're right, most of the smoke issues are on the casino floor; but there will be smoke issues in restaurants too - there will be non smoking sections, though.

I loved going to Hoover Dam it's an easy drive from Vegas. We've been to the Grand Canyon but went as we were driving cross-country.

You might also think about going to the Mojave Preserve - if you do, check out Kelso, CA.

Depending on how much you want to drive, there's also Calico Ghost Town about 2 1/2 hours west - drive sounds more daunting than it is. It's a straight shot down a major highway and traffic zips along.

TheSumofUs · 27/01/2014 01:30

Stay at TheHotel - it's all suite so you could get two bedrooms. And attaches to the Mandalay which has casino and loads of restaurants - there is also a wave pool that's great

TheSumofUs · 27/01/2014 01:31

Oh and all of you will need ID - they will card you (yes even the parents)

GiraffesAndButterflies · 27/01/2014 03:31

Oo yes Calico was good.
You need a fairly strong stomach for the helicopter ride, according to my dad!
Can I come, getting more jealous by the minute here

TheSumofUs · 27/01/2014 03:54

The Michael Jackson circ
Du Soleil is very good

curiousgeorgie · 27/01/2014 09:26

I wouldn't go until your youngest is over 21.

There's no point, they'll get singled out and asked for ID constantly, and then moved on.

My DB is desperate to go but he's only 18 and myself, DH, older B's, and parents have all been and you need to be 21 or its just a complete frustration.

orangepudding · 27/01/2014 09:34

I went with three under 10 year olds. We stayed for a week and found plenty to do. The people handing out cards were respectful enough not to try giving them to the kids.

mrsnec · 27/01/2014 09:35

If you fill up your days with mooching around the other hotels and some trips 6 days is perfect. We stayed at nyny and our friends at the mgm grand and they were the perfect locations for us but we've said if we go back wed go slightly more upmarket and do the bellagio. I didn't get any time to go shopping and that was my only regret. I didn't notice smoke or feel harassed and only a few places felt crowded. Cesears being one of those. I wanted at least one day to relax.we treated ourselves to a cabana by the pool at nyny it was well worth the money.we did the helicopter and flight over the canyon and cirque show all of thise were worth the money too.

Rooners · 27/01/2014 09:35

Our friends went there last year.

They said it was like Margate but bigger Grin

I really wouldn't bother...it's not all that.

They have been to lots of places in America and said the others were much better - NY and so on. Use your money for somewhere a bit more exciting.

Starballbunny · 27/01/2014 09:39

Go the canyon and the Hoover dam are spectacular, we went swimming in lake Mede (and nearly fried getting changed). We then found a log cabin cafe just up the road, wonderfully shady and they handed out huge glasses of iced water with the menus - bliss.

Do stay in town, you can wander the streets and watch the lights, fountains, etc without stepping foot in the Casinos.

As for not being able to drink, all hotels have ice machines and there are off licences (and strict rules in a lot of states about alcohol being unopened and in the boot)

Starballbunny · 27/01/2014 09:44

No idea about ID, I was about 28 when I went and it was 18 years ago.

I fact I have never been asked for ID in my whole life our rural Welsh pubs served us from 14, now that would give Americans chickens Grin

TheNumberfaker · 27/01/2014 09:47

I am usually a massve snob about holidays but I actually preferred Las Vegas to New York or San Francisco or Florida.

it's big and brash but then at least it's honest about it. The hotels are amazing. We spent a week there about 10 years ago and only spent half an hour in a casino.

Like a pp said, choose your hotel well. Some of them (like Circus Circus) are ok for a quick visit but looked a bit too run down to want to stay in.