RateVegas - Las Vegas Reviews and Ratings of Hotels, Casinos, Restaurants and Shows

Vegas Mate @ RateVegas answered:

Out of those three, I’d first take Planet Hollywood followed by Flamingo and then Harrah’s last, though Harrah’s and The Flamingo are pretty close. Planet Hollywood has nicer rooms and is overall a better facility. That said, by next Spring there will be a new attraction, The LINQ, located next to Flamingo (it’s a giant outdoor shopping and dining area with a large observation wheel at one end). That will likely make Flamingo (and to a lesser degree Harrah’s) busier than it is today.

As far as Spring Break goes, weekends in mid March to early April are the busiest times for partiers.

Vegas Mate @ RateVegas answered:

Depending on what sort of special drinks you are looking for, here are a few ideas:

- Sinatra (Encore) has a bunch of speciality cocktails and amazing food to boot (Italian inspired).

- Picasso (Bellagio) is less about specialty drinks but it is maybe the top place for a special event dinner in town. Amazing views of the lake.

- e (Cosmopolitan) only serves several covers a week but is the embodiment of service and style.

- SW (Wynn) for a more ‘straight-up’ steakhouse experience, SW at Wynn Las Vegas has great views of the Lake of Dreams along with meat that melts in your mouth.

Vegas Mate @ RateVegas answered:

Simplest route is the Wynn box office. The show is not a 100% sellout most nights, not hard to get tickets.

Vegas Mate @ RateVegas answered:

This used to be a thing but nowadays they rely on security staff with EMT training and then call 911. If you become ill you will be sent to the hospital.

Vegas Mate @ RateVegas answered:

You do, yes.

Vegas Mate @ RateVegas answered:

Hard to respond specifically not knowing what the reviews you read said… The Orleans is a fine mid-level property located off the Strip.

Vegas Mate @ RateVegas answered:

Hi.

A great Web site for information on sports books (not my most knowledgable subject) is The Vegas Parlay. It has all sorts of info on specific books and events. Recommended.

As far as TI goes, it’s a fine hotel. Rooms are actually a bit larger than The Mirage and kept clean. The casino is small and the lower prices typically attract a slightly rowdier clientele than either Mirage or The Venetian but if you don’t mind people whooping about their good time, you should be fine.

Vegas Mate @ RateVegas answered:

Really interesting question… I didn’t really have a good answer so I asked some friends and got a few suggestions for you to check out… one thing to remember is that events in Vegas come and go and I haven’t checked the schedules to see how they overlap with your WSOP trip. Still, some things to look at:

- Wranglers Ice Hockey @ The Orleans
- Las Vegas Speedway – check out whatever is happening at the race track

and since you mentioned darts, I could not resist including this:

Playing Darts in Vegas

Vegas Mate @ RateVegas answered:

The Rio has fallen behind a bit in terms of renovation and upkeep. The Ipanema Tower is the older one but has been more recently renovated so I’d pick it over the Masquerade Tower, personally. There is a shuttle that goes to Harrah’s on the Strip, yes. Details here

Vegas Mate @ RateVegas answered:

Hi – thanks for buying the app! As for restaurant choices that are not steakhouses, here are a few to consider:

- Olives @ Bellagio: great view, tasty food. Not super cheap but not super expensive either.
- Scarpetta @ Cosmo: can be expensive depending on what you order but really tasty Italian.
- American Fish @ Aria: seafood restaurant from Michael Mina. Tasty dishes.
- Bouchon @ The Venetian: best known for brunch but every meal is good.
- Sinatra @ Encore: can be expensive but it depends on what you order. Food is really good, Mediterranean inspired stuff. Yum.
- Sage @ Aria: I’ve not been to this one yet but it gets raves.

Hope that helps. Check out some of the menus in Vegas Mate or on the Web and see how these places match up with what you’re looking for. Have fun and good luck!

Vegas Mate @ RateVegas answered:

Thanks! Have you been to the Neon Museum? I totally recommend that as a way to see some great history. Also, the Pinball Museum? Another sorta odd-ball choice if you want to try something new. I’m not that into pinball but I found it interesting. If you like the outdoors a drive to Valley of Fire can be a nice afternoon too.

Vegas Mate @ RateVegas answered:

On weekends the cafe at The Flamingo is open 24 hours and has a similar menu.

Vegas Mate @ RateVegas answered:

Barbary Coast

Vegas Mate @ RateVegas answered:

Should be about $14 or so, give or take. If you have an iPhone or iPad, grab our app ‘Vegas Mate’ from the App Store – it has average cab fares for all major Las Vegas hotels from the airport. Have fun!

Vegas Mate @ RateVegas answered:

Good afternoon.

Actually, the oldest hotel is the Golden Gate – first hotel in town. As for the Gold Spike, I’d recommend staying away unless you are a pimp or a hooker.

If you’re determined to go there, it’s a very short cab ride from Fremont or it is walkable though I might not at night and definitely not alone.

Vegas Mate @ RateVegas answered:

Not really. Ironically, one of the better views (but still partially obstructed) is across the street at Denny’s.

Vegas Mate @ RateVegas answered:

‘tis true, starting in March… They haven’t yet announced all of the details but as you noted, many comped rooms have this charge covered.

Vegas Mate @ RateVegas answered:

How much you play and who else might want them during the same time period.

Vegas Mate @ RateVegas answered:

It’s interesting, Aria and Bellagio’s rooms are actually about the same size in square feet… but Aria definitely has the benefit of floor-to-ceiling windows (makes the room look bigger) and better technology. Bellagio is a great hotel that was built right before consumer demand changed towards large bathrooms and semi-suites… Anyway, I think Bellagio is a great hotel and Aria is a good hotel that has been getting a lot better over the past 18 months. They’re finding their stride at Aria.

So, MGM vs. Mandalay… Well, MGM has recently completed a room remodel. Mandalay did theirs about a year and change ago. Mandalay is currently changing out most of their restaurants and showroom stuff, plus a massive change at THEHotel next door. MGM is adding a massive nightclub complex. They’re both under construction but the work shouldn’t mean that you can’t sleep at night…

MGM has always been a little big for my tastes. I’ve stayed there a bunch and while comfortable, I never really felt at home.

I stayed at Mandalay Bay a few months ago and enjoyed it. The only thing I’d knock it for is location but if you can manage that, I’d probably give it the edge, especially if you love the pool.

Vegas Mate @ RateVegas answered:

Thanks!

Unfortunately for parents that bring their kids along, the number of options have been shrinking over the years. Beyond Circus, places like New York New York, which used to also heavily cater to families have been scaling that back.

Hotels like Bellagio still have arcades but they’re small and won’t occupy most kids for more than a half hour at most. Not a great distraction.

Since it’s August, the pool is always a reasonable choice. Beyond that, I might suggest the Pinball Hall of Fame (fun!), touring the Neon Boneyard (depends on your kids and their ages, probably), Madam Tussaud’s Wax Museum at The Venetian, Siegfried and Roy’s Secret Garden at The Mirage, Mandalay Bay’s ‘Shark Reef’ aquarium, the roller coasters at The Stratosphere (not good for really young kids) and maybe something like Bodies or the Titanic exhibit at Luxor (though they may gross out some kids – again, depends on yours and if they like that stuff).

Good luck, have fun.

Vegas Mate @ RateVegas answered:

Thanks! Loved the blog but it was time to let it go… As for your question, The Mirage will always have a very special place in my heart. It has had 20+ years of benefit of being Steve Wynn’s first foray on The Strip and has help up well. Yes, the bathrooms in the standard rooms are ****really**** small but that’s the main knock. Great casino, nice employees and a facility that was designed to be the Wynn Las Vegas of its day.

Paris is fine but between the two, I’d be Mirage all the way. No question.

Now, as for Aria, they’ve been seriously picking up their game. The opening was a bit of a disaster but they’ve gotten that stuff figured out. Aria is a great place to stay and worthy of a try. If you want to change things up, I’d give it a go.

Vegas Mate @ RateVegas answered:

You’re right, the chocolatier at Wynn is now gone. You might try Jean Phillipe at Bellagio or at Aria – both should have you covered.

Vegas Mate @ RateVegas answered:

I’d say Main Street Station. It’s got more charm and personality. In both cases, the standard rooms are pretty small compared to the Strip but the Cal’s rooms are typically ~100 square feet smaller. Pretty tiny. Both have small bathrooms, comparable to a Holiday Inn or the like. Clean but not exciting.

Vegas Mate @ RateVegas answered:

Well, there’s a shuttle to and from the airport, so that’s an option. Direct to the rental car center, you should be able to take a bus to the South Strip Transfer Station and walk the rest of the way. It’s not far. Most of the Strip buses end up there.

Vegas Mate @ RateVegas answered:

Yeah, not a lot of options. I’d suggest giving this site a read:

http://www.vivatotvegas.com

Vegas Mate @ RateVegas answered:

I was going to suggest a Las Vegas 51s game (baseball) but they only have away games while you’re in town… Too bad – that would have been fun!

Las Vegas doesn’t have any professional sports teams so you’re somewhat limited to the 51s or whatever UNLV’s doing but they’re not around during the summer either. When it comes to sporting events, you’re kinda out of luck for the first week in August, sorry!

Vegas Mate @ RateVegas answered:

The bus system is used by tourists quite often and while it’s always possible to have a bad experience, I don’t think there’s any reason to be scared of that option. General common sense should apply – probably wouldn’t recommend taking it all alone, at night, from a sketchy stop in the middle of nowhere, etc…

Vegas Mate @ RateVegas answered:

Between where and where? The Strip and Fremont? At various times over the years there have been shuttles. They come and go… The Sam’s Town-California-Harrah’s shuttle still runs some days but really your best bet is to take the Deuce (city bus) or a taxi.

Vegas Mate @ RateVegas answered:

Sort of. The way the tower is oriented, some rooms have views up and down the Strip. You probably want a high floor looking south.

Vegas Mate @ RateVegas answered:

Thanks! From the hotels you mentioned, I’d probably rank the El Cortez Cabana Suites first (though the location is not ideal if that bothers you), the Plaza next and then the Las Vegas Club. Main Street Station is a fine place too – not as recently renovated as the ElCo or Plaza but a nice casino for downtown. Fremont casinos are safe in general – the whole area has had a bit of a resurgence over the past few years.

Vegas Mate @ RateVegas answered:

Nope, sorry, you have be to 21 – Nevada state law.

Vegas Mate @ RateVegas answered:

It’s a medium-tier show that people seem to have fun at. Don’t expect any super-grand spectacle but it’s a good way to spend a few hours at a reasonable cost. Most shows (other than Cirque and the like) don’t sell out most nights and that means that discount tickets are often available if you wait until the last minute. You’re taking a chance – you could miscalculate – but if you don’t mind taking that chance, you can get a great deal at places like Tix4Tonight, all over town.

Vegas Mate @ RateVegas answered:

Well, a half-off discount can be a pretty big deal. Hard to pass up.

The Palazzo rooms have nice bathrooms, though the Cosmo bathrooms are probably a little bit nicer – it’s pretty close until you start getting into the really big rooms.

Pool-wise, Cosmo has Palazzo beat with three different pools to choose from. That said, the Palazzo pool is also nice – the hotel in general is no slouch.

For me, if saving money on the room meant that we could do other stuff on the trip – like eating at nicer restaurants or seeing more shows or whatever – I’d go with the cheaper room.

Vegas Mate @ RateVegas answered:

Howdy.

1. Personally, no. I like freedom to do what I want when in Las Vegas and commitment to something like this wouldn’t be in my game-plan.

2. Hmmm. Depends on many factors. If it is an older crowd, probably makes it a better idea. If all younger folks, less so. Fremont is good for cheap(er) gambling, cheap(er) food and cheap(er) booze. It’s not good for clubbing and the bars down there are more no-frills (with some exceptions). So, I’d probably say that it’s not worth it unless you’re out of stuff to do on The Strip and you want a change of scenery. Could be a good afternoon trip perhaps.

3. Well, since I don’t know where you’re staying or the age range, I will make a few suggestions.

- Chandelier Bar at Cosmopolitan: multiple levels and plenty of place to sit. Good hanging out and people watching.

- Hyde at Bellagio: it is a club at night but during the afternoon it’s a very chill bar with an amazing view. It’s not cheap though.

- Eastside Bar at Encore: just as long as the piano players aren’t there.

- MIX at Mandalay Bay: rooftop views of the city. Really nice place around sundown when the crowds haven’t shown up yet.

Hope that helps

Vegas Mate @ RateVegas answered:

What is a ‘pull tab’? Like a lottery thing? Nevada does not have a lottery.

Vegas Mate @ RateVegas answered:

Of the places you mentioned, only Cosmo is actually on the Strip and contains a casino. The others are near the Strip and have short walks to gaming but that is a difference. Personally I would go with Cosmopolitan. Vdara’s rooms are nice enough but the property’s location is a bit of a buzzkill for me. As for Elara, the rooms are spacious but not really notable.

All of the restaurants at The Flamingo have been going through changes the past few years and I haven’t tried the new steak joint but in general, I’ve not heard much about it, good or bad. It’s not a standout. Try something new – it’s fun!

Vegas Mate @ RateVegas answered:

The proliferation of ticket-based slot machines have made the hand pays of old mostly obsolete, though there are situations where they still occur, sometimes for tax form reasons. The most common thing I’ve seen is 1-2% of the won amount, though tipping is personal and some folks don’t tip at all. Some players do tip the cashier if they had a particularly good run but my sense is that this is becoming less and less common.

When it comes to your host, it’s a lot like any other professional relationship (gifts are very common in business transactions outside of the US). They are your liaison to the casino so having one that likes you and remembers you never hurts. Of course, your play is the most important thing but if you’re on the bubble as far as qualifying for a comp, they can be tiebreakers.

Many players will bring gifts, especially if your home region is known for something (I.e. wine). If the host has any hobbies you know about, that’s another idea. Doesn’t have to be super over the top but if will set you apart. Spending $100-$150 on a gift for a host that is helpful and you have a relationship with if you’re being comped thousands of dollars wouldn’t be outrageous but it really comes down to what you’re comfortable with.

In some places the hosts are not supposed to take cash tips.

Vegas Mate @ RateVegas answered:

There are many food options that aren’t that fancy. Pretty much every casino has a coffee shop that includes traditional American fare. Also, restaurants like Stack (Bellagio) or FIX (Mirage) include a more amped up version of modern favorites. Generally speaking, a search like this is a good place to start:

American

Regarding Fontana, unfortunately there’s no great example of a direct replacement. You might check out the Chandelier Bar at Cosmopolitan or Mandarin Bar at Mandarin Oriental for some approximate analogs.

Vegas Mate @ RateVegas answered:

Yeah, you’ll find Walgreens and other convenience store type places around but they’re more common on the south end – there’s a swath in the center of the Strip where it’s tougher to track this stuff down.

There’s a liquor store off the Strip, near Bill’s about a half-block east. There are places past Encore too… There was a small store right off Carnival Court but it’s now closed for Linq construction. There’s a Walgreens between Venetian and Palazzo. There’s also a brand-new one across from CityCenter at Planet Hollywood.

Vegas Mate @ RateVegas answered:

Multiple reasons… That location’s land could be had at relatively low cost, the proximity to the convention center which was ramping up and lastly, things were different. At that time, the Strip wasn’t anything like we think of it today. Walking between properties was far more rare than now so getting in the car to drive from The Flamingo to The International or from The Flamingo to the Tropicana was basically the same thing.

As for your showroom question, I don’t know definitively, sorry. Keep in mind though, the main ‘LVH Theater’ showroom, where Elvis played, is the same facility as in those days.

Vegas Mate @ RateVegas answered:

Huh. I hadn’t heard this rumor so I did a little digging and asked a couple of people and while I did find evidence of the rumor, I couldn’t confirm it… So I guess we’ll have to wait and see!

Vegas Mate @ RateVegas answered:

This site has customer reviews. That’s the purpose of this site.

Vegas Mate @ RateVegas answered:

The bathrooms in the El Cortez Cabana Suites rooms are quite large, if that’s one of your deciding criteria. As for The D, it depends on the room type but yes, some of the bathrooms are tiny, which is also a problem at The Plaza.

Vegas Mate @ RateVegas answered:

As I’m sure you noticed, it gets quite crowded, especially in the more popular books like Caesars. Honestly, if you want to watch at one of the top places (Caesars, Wynn, Bellagio, maybe Mirage) then you’re in for a multi-hour wait. The casinos do host parties but they are typically for their VIP customers – you’d need to play enough to have a casino host and have them arrange it. There are sometimes tickets sold to the public – check with your hotel front desk / concierge – they may be able to help you get into whatever your hotel is hosting.

Vegas Mate @ RateVegas answered:

The Quad is the recently renamed Imperial Palace, not Harrah’s. Renovations are still very much underway so don’t stay here unless you don’t mind construction. Scheduled to be complete late 2013.

Vegas Mate @ RateVegas answered:

Hmmmm. I’d rate them about the same so if you haven’t tried PHo, maybe now is a good time?

Vegas Mate @ RateVegas answered:

Fun! Downtown (Golden Nugget) and the Strip (Flamingo) are very different places with very different vibes. Downtown is on a much smaller, more human scale. Lower prices, more personal, less opulent. The Golden Nugget is the best hotel down there and a great place to stay. The Rush Tower is the best of the Nugget so you should have a great time down there.

The Flamingo is a mid-market hotel in a great location on The Strip, right in the center of the action. The Go rooms are upgraded from their standard offering and many have great views, some even of the Bellagio Fountains.

As for restaurants, Downtown at the Nugget there are a few tasty places like Vic and Anthony’s and the Chart House… The Strip is really where the best Vegas restaurants are though. As for what to recommend, it really depends on your budget and cuisine but steakhouses like SW (Wynn), Prime (Bellagio) or Italian at places like Scarpetta (Cosmopolitan) or seafood at Bartolotta (Wynn Las Vegas) – those are just a few.

Vegas Mate @ RateVegas answered:

Other than the Nugget, I’d take a look at The D (formerly Fitzgerald’s) and perhaps The Plaza. Both have had large investments in room upgrades over the past few years. Also, the El Cortez has a special set of ‘Cabana Suites’ rooms that are pretty nice. All of those are competitive with the Golden Nugget.

The site includes information on all of the Downtown hotel/casinos and reviews from people who have stayed there.

Vegas Mate @ RateVegas answered:

Wow, have fun! Fortunately, lots of good restaurants – arguably some of the best in the country. Steakhouses like SW, Prime, CUT and Delmonico are just a few, not to mention restaurants like Guy Savoy, Joël Robuchon, and others – some amazing places. For buffets, Bellagio, Wynn, Cosmopolitan, Caesars Palace are all big hits. Lots of choices.

Container Park is one part of a large-scale re-development plan in Downtown Las Vegas – yes, shopping, some office stuff, mostly implemented with shipping containers. A mix of different bits. Still just in the planning and design phase though so things could change.

Vegas Mate @ RateVegas answered:

Thanks!

‘Best’ when it comes to clubs varies quite a bit. The more popular places are indeed often a bit more hectic. XS (Encore) and Marquee (Cosmopolitan) are the top places in town and both generally do a good job of keeping table guests happy. Secondarily, Haze (Aria), Tryst (Wynn Las Vegas), or Tao (The Venetian). For a smaller and slightly less harried experience (but more attention in many cases), consider Hyde (Bellagio). Keep in mind that for eight people, they may ask you to get two tables. Make sure you check when you reserve.

Sportsbooks fill up quickly for big events and spots are only reserved for parties making significant or regular bets. If you’re planning to lounge and just check out the game(s), be sure to get there early. Best and most comfortable books are Wynn Las Vegas, Caesars Palace, Bellagio, The Mirage and Mandalay Bay.

If you’re into Vegas history at all, consider checking out the Neon Museum, located near Downtown. Another popular activity for bachelor parties is machine gun shooting and there are several places you can do that including Machine Gun Vegas. One thing to keep in mind for this is that it takes awhile. It could easily be 3 hours for 8 guys to shoot the full range of their guns (reloads and guns jamming slows things down).

Have fun.