[Anonymous]

[VintageKrug]

Bellagio is worth it on a first visit as it’s central and the fountain view *is* Vegas.

You MUST get a fountain view room if you stay there, otherwise it’s pointless, I prefer the Spa Tower slightly offset to the main hotel as it’s handy for your afternoon treatments and has direct lift access to the pool and spa without the walk. Ask for Ethan, and don’t ask why 😉

However, the Bellagio is packed full of Vegas dreadfulness these days – not the decent sorts (given the pool in which we are fishing) that used to go there when Steve Wynn owned it.

I have gone off Bellagio in the past two years as the a/c isn’t very effective, the standard rooms are small and gloomy and the renovated interiors are vile, you can see an example of the car crash interior here:

http://i.usatoday.net/communitymanager/_photos/hotel-checkin/2011/08/17/Bellagio%20room%20-%20newx-large.jpg

I think the wall mural was created after an upset tummy went nuclear.

I only visit Bellagio to use the spa now; there’s a nice sun terrace so it’s a great place to wait out the later BA departure back to London, after your 4pm late check out.

I would recommend the Tower Suites at Wynn; the regular Wynn “Resort” hotel is OK, but the Tower Suites give access to the more private VIP pool, and the spa is newly renovated. The private check in and valet sets the tone for the rest of your stay:

http://www.wynnlasvegas.com/Rooms/WynnTowerSuites

I would recommend an Executive Suite, with Amex or Virtuoso you get an upgrade to a very nice Parlour Suite, which is what I stayed in last time I visited:

http://www.wynnlasvegas.com/Rooms/WynnTowerSuites/ParlorSuite

Harry had a Fairway Villa.

Don’t be tempted by the Encore; rooms are bigger and better appointed, but the walk to the pool is too lengthy.

Book using American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts (you’ll need a Plat or Cent Amex) for the best deals, although the hotel’s own “Suites Package” delivers most of the perks – call up to ask.

As ever, avoid Vegas at weekends when the obese hoards descend and room rates go stratospheric.

Have stayed pretty much every major hotel, so let me know if you’re considering others; Four Seasons and Mandarin Oriental also good if you prefer a non-casino option, but FS is distant from the action and MO’s pool is pokey, despite its other terrific attributes and noteworthy bar.

I would advise Becky to stay at Cosmo which I think she’d love, the wraparound Terrace Suites were nice enough and the pool is great, but it suffers throughout the property from noise from the nightclub until the early hours – no problem if you’re out all night though 😉

http://www.cosmopolitanlasvegas.com/

I would say three nights at least in Vegas, as there’s plenty to keep you occupied (not least the shopping!).

[NameRemoved-18/12/14]

Hello papillion

The wonders of e-mail!

I haven’t been but my brother lives across the pond and spent a recent wedding anniversary there. They loved it!

In his own words:

‘We stayed at the Vdara. Very nice but it has no casino but it s joined onto the Bellagio so you have the best of both worlds.

Vdara is quite new with a nice pool

I don’t think you can really go wrong with any of the big hotels along the strip.

If I was going back I would stay at the bellagio.’

[sparkyflier]

A former colleague of mine stayrted at the Wynn, and really loved it!

[VintageKrug]

You must book Dinner overlooking the Lake of Dreams at Wynn:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJzY7f4dFYQ

[Capetown2k]

hi Pap

i stayed at the MO and can recommend it, it doesnt have a casino which for me was a real plus point

rooms are as you would expect from a MO hotel, it has a great sky bar with great views

its a good escape from vegas within vegas if that makes sense

good luck with your choice

[VintageKrug]

Make sure you use quidco if you’re booking through expedia, though I’d strongly recommend the Amex route or even booking direct with the hotel by signing up to their regular emails which give superb money-off codes.

Wynn has code EARLYBOOKING for 25% off if you book 60 days in advance, but often doesn’t work with Tower Suites.

My lips are sealed on other matters… 😉

[Bullfrog]

The fountains at Bellagio are breathtaking to watch.

I stayed at the Mandarin Oriental .. Sheer delight; no casino & a peaceful retreat in a mad city.

Vegas is like adult disney.

[VintageKrug]

American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts gets you:

– noon check-in
– 4pm guaranteed late check out
– free breakfast credit (about $40 pp per day, and you’ll need every penny!)
– space available upgrade (Cents get it confirmed at time of booking)
– $100 on spa services

It’s a dreadful website as usual from Amex, so I’ve shortened the URL where there is a “get a fourth night free” offer if you book before March 1 and stay before March 31:

http://tinyurl.com/b5ok6oy

Can’t stress enough the need to book a Tower Suites room, rather than a regular “Resort” Room or Suite. Remember to rent your car from Hertz as they have an office in the hotel.

[esselle]

Mandarin or Four Seasons.

Venetian at a pinch.

Agree it’s adult Disney. Try and add a trip to the Grand Canyon, then head off to San Diego before returning home.

[Bullfrog]

Most of the hotels have huge casinos, virtually in their reception / entrances. Drinking and smoking is widely allowed.

Personally I found these casinos tacky & in some of the hotels, a very rough crowd.

Having said that, Vegas is fun. A good array of restaurants & the fountains at Bellagio are amazing. They should be ‘a wonder of the world’.

The pool at the Mandarin Oriental has a narrow but long pool, from what I remember. The pool bar & restaurant serve tasty food.

Even though I don’t gamble, I enjoyed two fabulous shows, one of them being ‘O’, as in ‘eau’, meaning water.

Vegas is a must at some point in your life, but be prepared for some tacky experiences.

I would go back in a second. Choose your time to visit carefully. I would have thought autumn and spring are better when it is not too hot. Summer would be too hot and winter too cold.

[TimFitzgeraldTC]

Hi Papillion

I’d check on Expedia whether they include all taxes as sometimes there are “Resort” fees that you have to add and they don’t tell you this.

Main question – feedback I’ve had on the Mandarin is Excellent along with the Wynn as well.

[VintageKrug]

Tim’s point on resort fees is a good one; they can add up, especially for longer stays.

Note that although they are more expensive, the Tower Suites rates include this fee (I think it’s $25/night plus tax). Fee includes internet, gym and local/800 calls. Take $25 off Tower Suites rates for a better price comparison with Resort Rooms/Suites.

[NameRemoved-18/12/14]

Hello again papillion

If I am not booking through Club Carlson or Hilton, I always use booking.com

I don’t know if you have used it before.

I find it much better than expedia.

[DontTurnRight]

Really depends on what you want out of a hotel. We stayed at The Four Seasons, which is part of the Mandalay Bay and on a 50% rate for a junior suite, got upgraded to the presidential suite for a week. That aside the hotel is somewhat less casino crowd orientated than other Hotels, though all the action is right next door if you want it. On a similar vein, try the Mandarin Oriental. Additionally the Bellagio and Wynn are worth a look, though the latter right at one end of the strip. A few years back at Caesars Palace, we ended up with mirrors on the ceiling. Was not out of choice and was not pretty either!!

Another thing to beware of, is that shows like Phantom and Mama Mia and shortened versions of the real thing, so that can pack more shows in on any given day.

Tackiness as a whole is quite fun, but it is nice to have a decent retreat to come back to at the end of the day.

[Author]

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