kingphil Posted October 19, 2010 Share Posted October 19, 2010 The bellagio also has the best bakery ive ever been to, the one with the worlds biggest chocolate fountain, quite cheap too iirc i had some chocolate thing that was mind blowing The buffet is also one of the best (and also extremely popular) so if you do fancy it make sure you get in early, or are prepared to wait. If I remember correctly it's around $28 for the evening buffet - but with lobster, crab and prime steak on offer, it's money well spent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheSufferingVilla Posted October 19, 2010 Author Share Posted October 19, 2010 Thanks for the input guys! Kingphil you should be in the business of writing travel books, excellent tips right there. So we arrive on Wednesday evening and my wife's uncle (a local) has sorted us out with two nights in the Bellagio and tickets to Cirque De Soleil. For Friday and Saturday I've booked us into a suite at the Venetian. The wife wants to do that Statosphere ride but frankly I'd probably shit myself. Looking forward to nosing around the old strip and just wandering the casino's in general. I've ordered a jump suit to fulfill a life long ambition to spend a few hours as an Elvis impersonator on the Vegas Strip (don't judge me). Any advice on getting around the place, taxi's buses, monorail? Also looking for advice on places to eat that wont put a dollar shaped hole in the side of our bank vault. Don't need to blow cash on fancy eats since we do plenty of that living in NYC. Also as a novice gambler I wouldn't mind hitting up some baby tables or lesson tables, I know I've seen them in Atlantic City but I assume there's some options for beginners in Vegas? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
villa4europe Posted October 19, 2010 Share Posted October 19, 2010 the monorail is pretty good its down the side of the strip with the venetian, mgm, balleys etc they do a bus that has a funny name something like the deuce that runs from the shopping centre near the airport to freemont all day long as for eating there are tons of places, i did one buffet at imperial palace expecting some amazing chinese feast, it wasnt it was awful and i didnt do another, each casino has around 10 restaurants (at least, some have alot more iirc) though ranging from pricey to $10 gourmet burgers, we were eating for around $25 each and other than the buffet everything was bang on (although it might have been due to me not experiencing yank food / portions before) elvis suit?!! rather you than me, although i got pissed and tipped an elvis impersonator for a photo with him Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingphil Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 Shit - two nights in The Bellagio, followed by a suite at The Venetian - talk about holidaying in style. I assume you have looked at where the hotels are situated on The Strip ? Prime position these two are, as more or less in the middle part of the Strip (with Mandalay Bay at the top, and Treasure Island at the bottom). The main hotels would offer free lessons for most of the games (but most of these are during the day) - I guess it depends on how much you want to gamble. I've never bothered with the poker tables myself, tend to stick to Black Jack, and then one or two slots and the big wheel of fortune. For travelling, Vegas has now built a fair number of moving walkways (escalators) which assist you as you walk up and down the Strip. Several hotels will also offer free bus rides to other hotels within their chain (but not sure if Bellagio and Venetian are signed up to this) The Deuce (bus service) runs the entire length of The Strip and you can get a one way ticket for around $3 or a 24 hour pass for $5. Only problem is that is can take up to 2 hours to run from The Strat up to say The Luxor as the traffic is heavy and you tend to stay at each stop. Depends on what the deciding factor is - time or money. Taxi's to be honest aren't too expensive, they avoid the Strip (due to traffic) and would charge around $25 dollars from Freemont Street to Mandalay Bay (more or less top to bottom). Enough room for 4 people, so around $6 per person. Freemont Street (old Vegas) is perhaps one of the better places for cheaper buffet meals, but as I mentioned earlier, try The Bellagio buffet - you won't be disappointed. Other hotels/casinos will advertise their buffet deals on the big neon signs along The Strip, as well as numerous leaflets you will get handed. Again, depends on what you want to eat, as you can get your normal fries and burgers from the likes of McDonalds, Nathan's which are along The Strip and also situated in many of the hotels. If you don't fancy the rides on top of The Strat - You can still go to the top for the view, whilst your good lady wife contemplates the rides. If however it's a little windy, perhaps give it a miss, as the rides will probably be closed. Spend at least one evening down in old town Vegas (Freemont Street) plenty to see and do (they have a light show each night from 7pm) as well as live street bands, and cheap cocktails/beers on sale. Don't forget, there's also other things apart from gambling you can do. Got to one of the gun stores and shoot some guns, karting is also popular and there are numerous places that provide this. I'm going to stop now, as getting carried away, and really need to crack on with some work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheSufferingVilla Posted October 20, 2010 Author Share Posted October 20, 2010 Cheers again mate, I'll now be going armed with plenty of knowledge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leviramsey Posted October 26, 2010 VT Supporter Share Posted October 26, 2010 I've been told by reliable sources that The Palms is the best sportsbook for football. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheSufferingVilla Posted November 4, 2010 Author Share Posted November 4, 2010 Had a cracking time thanks again for the tips lads. For future visitors here's my take: Airport is fairly central but if it's just one or two of you flying in you'd be better at taking one of the $6 mini buses that go to the various hotels rather than a cab, they appear to be fairly regular on weekends every 30 minutes or so. I wasn't expecting the city to be so dead on Wednesday and Thursday, there was very few people around and oddly enough everyone I ran into was either Irish or English. The downer on weeknights is that everything seems to close early. I had grand ambitions of switching to nocturnal mode but we actually had a bit of difficulty finding food after 11pm on the Wednesday. Pool areas were empty which was a bonus. By the weekend the city was crammed full of people. Foodwise the selections are vast, we took "The buffet of buffet's deal" that allows you to chow down at any of the Harrah's all-you-can-scoffs for 24 hours (granted they all close from 10pm to 6am), best to time it right with other plans so you can get 4 meals in. We were able to get Breakfast at Caesars, Lunch at Planet Hollywood, Dinner at Paris (nicest of the bunch) and breakfast again at Planet Hollywood for $45 each. Also as we later learned if you get a Harrah's total Rewards card the price drops to $40. **** steal. The quality isn't top notch but if you are selective there is some very good stuff such as made to order pancakes, omelets and carvery. I managed to devour quite a bit of crab and prawns also. Soft drinks are included but booze is extra so decent deals though such as $2 beers at dinner time. Queues can be long to get in unfortunately as they check everyone's ID and give a receipt to prevent people from sharing passes amongst groups. We had the most fun on Fremont street, great atmosphere, cheap, better odds and no gangs of posers. In fact if I went back I'd be tempted to spend a night or two in the Golden Nugget which is a really cool hotel. The new strip is still excellent all the same. Bellagio was the classiest of the hotels and the venetian was madness on the weekend (in a good way). I was very surprised by Caesars, I expected it to be a bit dingy considering it's old and the one in Atlantic City is a shit hole. It is really massive and the shops are great, no the wankery Loius Vuitton bollocks. If it was on it's own in the middle of the desert It'd be worth the visit. Loads of people said New York, New York was great but honestly other than the front of it I was far from impressed there's f-all on the inside. much the same can be said about Treasure Island Planet Hollywood and the magnificent Mile Mall are a great combination for playing and shopping, spent a fair bit of time in there. MGM was a waste of time as was Bally's Harrah's and the Flamingo. The Mirage was very nice and I wouldn't mind staying there. The Wynn and Encore were worth a stroll around but not much more. Circus, Circus was a total kip but must be visited for the laugh. In terms of shows the wife's uncle gave us tickets to Cirque's "O" which he reckoned was the best in town. To say it doesn't disappoint would be an understatement of all the concerts, shows and events I've ever witnessed this was by far the most impressive. It makes every Broadway show I've ever seen look like a community theater production. We got our tickets for free and they were probably the best in the house but I'd have no hesitation paying over $150 for that entertainment it was stunning. We did manage to get out of the city for a little bit the mountains are pretty cool and we nearly made it to the Hoover Dam before the wife's Grandmother went off the boil and we had to drop her back to her nursing home. Next time I plan to fly to Phoenix and drive to Vegas via the Grand Canyon and Lake Mead. Ended up watching the Blues game in bed on my laptop so never made it to the Crown and Anchor. Next time for sure. The fountains at the Bellagio are really spectacular worth watching a few times. Didn't get to wear the Elvis suit, had it planned for Saturdays Halloween festivities but ended up blowing chunks that night probably due to the absurd amount of frozen cocktails I'd consumed during the day, beware the Daiquiri danger. Will definitely head back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
usvilla Posted November 14, 2010 Share Posted November 14, 2010 i stay at the golden nugget downtown - its good value and prefer the walking between casinos the strip is miles of walking Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VBM Posted January 7, 2011 Share Posted January 7, 2011 Can I just say I hate Freemont street with a passion. What a shot hole. I only ever go the Bellagio and that is more or less where I stay. (I only play poker mind you, so if you want to waste money on table games, I cant help) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts