Las Vegas

[bobbyhibs1983]

(please move if in wrong forum)

My brother and i are heading over to vegas next year and Im looking to see if anyone had been and what there experinces were like, any good/bad things?
we are gonna stay at the mgm grand(sorta hoping a big boxing event "maybe" going a head)

It ll be a once in a life time thing for me i feel and am looking forward to it
what are the prices for food /drinks(soft drinks for me honest!!)like?

so any advice most welcomed , thanx

[HH81]

If your both not over 21 I wouldnt bother.

[bobbyhibs1983]

If your both not over 21 I wouldnt bother.

ye thank you for saying so, luckily for us we both are OVER 21 so i guess we ll be able to do some gambling and the sorts .

[Dunkin' Donut]

(please move if in wrong forum)

My brother and i are heading over to vegas next year and Im looking to see if anyone had been and what there experinces were like, any good/bad things?
we are gonna stay at the mgm grand(sorta hoping a big boxing event "maybe" going a head)

It ll be a once in a life time thing for me i feel and am looking forward to it
what are the prices for food /drinks(soft drinks for me honest!!)like?

so any advice most welcomed , thanx


Just got back from Vegas two weeks ago and stayed at the mgm grand. Just like all the other hotels in Vegas, the mgm grand is massive, immaculate and constantly busy. You won't be stuck for things to do. The things I'd reccomend to do in the mgm are: the pool party, the csi experience, the casino, try a Reuben sandwich! and go to Hakkasan nightclub. Outwith the mgm the best things I did were the Grand Canyon, the ice bar, the welcome to Las Vegas sign past Mandalay bay, the pirate show at treasure island and the gondolas at the Venetian hotel. That doesn't even scratch the surface on things to do. As for bad experiences there was none. Prices for food and drink were reasonable I'd say but they are much more expensive at the pool.

[HH81]

ye thank you for saying so, luckily for us we both are OVER 21 so i guess we ll be able to do some gambling and the sorts .

Good stuff. We stayed across from MGM grand. Was an amazing trip and i would defo go back at some point.

My mate would put $20 on the table every night before we went out and he never won once. I tried it once you should have seen his face when i won a few 100 :-).

We also went to San Diego and that was really good too. Have a good one.

[HH81]

Oh and to add there was a boxing match on when we went. One of our party had tickets for it. He seemed to enjoy it but paid a fair bit for them.

Also for drinks make sure you get free ones in the casino's. Just play the cheap machines and get a drink for free with a small tip. You get belted before you go out that way.

[bobbyhibs1983]

Just got back from Vegas two weeks ago and stayed at the mgm grand. Just like all the other hotels in Vegas, the mgm grand is massive, immaculate and constantly busy. You won't be stuck for things to do. The things I'd reccomend to do in the mgm are: the pool party, the csi experience, the casino, try a Reuben sandwich! and go to Hakkasan nightclub. Outwith the mgm the best things I did were the Grand Canyon, the ice bar, the welcome to Las Vegas sign past Mandalay bay, the pirate show at treasure island and the gondolas at the Venetian hotel. That doesn't even scratch the surface on things to do. As for bad experiences there was none. Prices for food and drink were reasonable I'd say but they are much more expensive at the pool.

Ok thank you for the detailed feedback! we see it as a once in a liefe time opputunity sorta thing(unless somehow i become a multi millionaire)
The grand canyon looks good but it was a lil bit pricey imo(though if we manage to save up more than enough i wanna book)
the shows at the other hotel seems good.Thank you again though

and thank you too hh81 hopefully there ll be a big fight when we go!!

[Holmesdale Hibs]

Been to Vegas a couple of times. It's a great place and I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

We stayed at The Aria, which was nice but they had a 'mandatory surcharge' of $25 per night to use the wireless, gym etc. I had a bit of a moan but they us pay it. Sure other hotels are the same so check the small print.

Grand Cayon amazing but get there early as can get busy towards lunch time, which means getting round whatever plane/helicopter/raft rides you've booked.

If you're not a gambler, it's worth learning the basics before you go although the hotels give gambling lessons.

Most of the hotels have all you can eat/drink buffets which can fill you up for most of a day. There's bars almost everywhere you go.

We also saw Circ du soli (sp?) in the Balagio which was good. They have shows in a lot of the hotels

[lugz]

I've been to Vegas twice, stayed at MGM the second time and its an amazing place. As mentioned before it is massive and there's plenty to do there. I went to see KA (Cirque de Solieu) at MGM and even though its not my sort of thing usually it was unbelievable!! Also went to see Penn & Teller at the Rio who were amazing as well and true showmen.

If your looking to hit clubs I would recommend Pure at Casers Palace and Marquee at the Cosmopolitan hotel. If you can afford it table service is a good way to go and saves waiting in massive queues for the best clubs. Also the Voodoo lounge at the Rio (technically not a club) has a great atmosphere and your on the roof 52 floors up and you get amazing views of the strip and great photo opportunities.

Other things I done while there was The Gun Shop (10 minute drive from the strip) which got the adrenaline going & took in a NHL exhibition match.

Anyway I've went on a bit, buzzing just thinking back! There is no doubt you will love it and it will probably be the best holiday you ever have so have fun and kill it when your there!

[bobbyhibs1983]

Been to Vegas a couple of times. It's a great place and I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

We stayed at The Aria, which was nice but they had a 'mandatory surcharge' of $25 per night to use the wireless, gym etc. I had a bit of a moan but they us pay it. Sure other hotels are the same so check the small print.

Grand Cayon amazing but get there early as can get busy towards lunch time, which means getting round whatever plane/helicopter/raft rides you've booked.

If you're not a gambler, it's worth learning the basics before you go although the hotels give gambling lessons.

Most of the hotels have all you can eat/drink buffets which can fill you up for most of a day. There's bars almost everywhere you go.

We also saw Circ du soli (sp?) in the Balagio which was good. They have shows in a lot of the hotels

Ok thank you very much for the advice!!Just trying to get as much info before we go, better prepared than not.
My brother and I will just love the all you can eat buffets(greedy sods but hey:greengrin)

[bobbyhibs1983]

I've been to Vegas twice, stayed at MGM the second time and its an amazing place. As mentioned before it is massive and there's plenty to do there. I went to see KA (Cirque de Solieu) at MGM and even though its not my sort of thing usually it was unbelievable!! Also went to see Penn & Teller at the Rio who were amazing as well and true showmen.

If your looking to hit clubs I would recommend Pure at Casers Palace and Marquee at the Cosmopolitan hotel. If you can afford it table service is a good way to go and saves waiting in massive queues for the best clubs. Also the Voodoo lounge at the Rio (technically not a club) has a great atmosphere and your on the roof 52 floors up and you get amazing views of the strip and great photo opportunities.

Other things I done while there was The Gun Shop (10 minute drive from the strip) which got the adrenaline going & took in a NHL exhibition match.

Anyway I've went on a bit, buzzing just thinking back! There is no doubt you will love it and it will probably be the best holiday you ever have so have fun and kill it when your there!

Ok thank you for the advice.May i ask at the mgm was there a "mandatory surcharge "and if so how much was it?
again thank you for the effect in replying to my post

[lugz]

Ok thank you for the advice.May i ask at the mgm was there a "mandatory surcharge "and if so how much was it?
again thank you for the effect in replying to my post

Not sure If there was when I was there, it was 2 years ago. Just from a quick search it seems to be $25 a day?

[Dunkin' Donut]

Ok thank you for the advice.May i ask at the mgm was there a "mandatory surcharge "and if so how much was it?
again thank you for the effect in replying to my post


If your booking through a travel agent as I did them ask them about the surcharge. They waived it for us. Not sure i understand the concept of the surcharge but its worth looking into as you could get stung with a nasty bill when you check in/out of your hotel.

[bobbyhibs1983]

If your booking through a travel agent as I did them ask them about the surcharge. They waived it for us. Not sure i understand the concept of the surcharge but its worth looking into as you could get stung with a nasty bill when you check in/out of your hotel.

Nods will do and thanks for the advice.Im in the same boat as you as far as not understanding it,

[Captain Trips]

(please move if in wrong forum)

My brother and i are heading over to vegas next year and Im looking to see if anyone had been and what there experinces were like, any good/bad things?
we are gonna stay at the mgm grand(sorta hoping a big boxing event "maybe" going a head)

It ll be a once in a life time thing for me i feel and am looking forward to it
what are the prices for food /drinks(soft drinks for me honest!!)like?

so any advice most welcomed , thanx

We will be going to Vegas in November and this will have been our 4th visit. Firstly the fee is a "resort fee" MGM properties charge this and it is slightly different each property, we are staying in Aria which is MGM resort and it is $25 a day plus tax. IMO its a nonsense they could add it to the room rate and just charge a bit more then you can say you do not charge a resort fee. It is to use things that really should already be included.

We used Ebookers this time and used topcashback to click through which gave us 8% back roughly £160 which really made this trip excellent value.

In a restaurant that over there is deemed casual could be seen in UK as very nice, Pizza about $15, Pastas $20ish again there are fast food and fine dining choices. A burger in say a decent bar between $12-$18. If your in MGM grand I recommend Wolfgang Puck Bar and Grill.

My biggest tip is before putting 1c in a slot get a players card to insert into machine and get points you usually get a wee bonus for joining your card can then be used in all MGM resorts. Other Hotels have different cards so join them too and get bonus, I joined Cosmopolitan one and got a free Buffet.

[bobbyhibs1983]

[QUOTE=Carlsberg;3736702]We will be going to Vegas in November and this will have been our 4th visit. Firstly the fee is a "resort fee" MGM properties charge this and it is slightly different each property, we are staying in Aria which is MGM resort and it is $25 a day plus tax. IMO its a nonsense they could add it to the room rate and just charge a bit more then you can say you do not charge a resort fee. It is to use things that really should already be included.

We used Ebookers this time and used topcashback to click through which gave us 8% back roughly £160 which really made this trip excellent value.

In a restaurant that over there is deemed casual could be seen in UK as very nice, Pizza about $15, Pastas $20ish again there are fast food and fine dining choices. A burger in say a decent bar between $12-$18. If your in MGM grand I recommend Wolfgang Puck Bar and Grill.

My biggest tip is before putting 1c in a slot get a players card to insert into machine and get points you usually get a wee bonus for joining your card can then be used in all MGM resorts. Other Hotels have different cards so join them too and get bonus, I joined Cosmopolitan one and got a free Buffet.[/QUOTE

Thnk you so much for the info,Its just another expense in what is ebcoming a big buddle of cash holiday!!
Thank you for your tips, in regards prices and the machine play!

[LongshanksED]

Don't get caught up in the stores. There is a store in Venetian called brook brothers (or similar) and it sells gadgets etc. they had a massaging chair I was an inch away from buying ($3k down to $1k). Wife and I "visited" the shop every day just to sit in the chair for 10mins each. Was about I buy but they wanted $2.5k in shipping. LOL!

Visit here too. Mucho cheap fashionable clothes

http://m.premiumoutlets.com/outlet/Vegas

[bobbyhibs1983]

Don't get caught up in the stores. There is a store in Venetian called brook brothers (or similar) and it sells gadgets etc. they had a massaging chair I was an inch away from buying ($3k down to $1k). Wife and I "visited" the shop every day just to sit in the chair for 10mins each. Was about I buy but they wanted $2.5k in shipping. LOL!

Visit here too. Mucho cheap fashionable clothes

http://m.premiumoutlets.com/outlet/Vegas

ah i see. the shipping lol.
I recall a friend going to new york(i know different city)who said that there were loads of great things there and much much cheaper.
Though a different city, shopping/some clothes/gadge shopping i was thinking bout and buying something like good *branded* clothing is sometihng on the list but no way am i paying 2.5k for shipping.Thank you for the advice though and i ll try keep my eye on spending

[LongshanksED]

You won't pay shipping on clothes bought you bring back. The chair was armchair sized and wouldn't fit in my suitcase

[bobbyhibs1983]

You won't pay shipping on clothes bought you bring back. The chair was armchair sized and wouldn't fit in my suitcase

ye im with you there , but why didn't you get a bigger suitcase?:na na:


though with the airlines nowadays i guess you d be over your suitcase limit wiht the chair

[Cool_Hand_Luke]

As someone mentioned earlier...the Voodoo Lounge at the Rio is a great place if you like a drink and has cracking views. If you do end up going there, ask for the open bar package - $120 dollars i think it was - straight up without queueing and all your drink included for the night - although the witchdoctor cocktail isnt included, most beers and spirits are.

The Steak restuarant underneath the club had the best steak i've ever had (this is separate from the club though so you cant buy the open drink package and take advantage of the drink in the restuarant)

Cheaper gambling in the Imperial Palace - although this was getting done up the last time i was there so may be different now - and also cheaper down freemont street. Freemont street is worth a visit even if your not gambling

We done a limo tour of the strip last time too which was pretty good - we didnt do an organised trip, we just hired a limo for an hour which was much cheaper than the organised tour
Gran Canyon can be done a bit cheaper by hiring a car and driving there yourself although remember you have to pay to get into it when you get there - its a pretty easy journey to make...once you find the right road out of vegas its a pretty much a straight road with a left turn when you get there...and definately worth seeing...its a long way to go not to see it...especially if it is a once in a lifetime trip.

Girlfriend also done a skydive out there which was pretty good...thankfully i was over the weight limit so couldnt get talked into it :greengrin

I'd email the hotel before you go and say its for a special occassion and see if there is anything they can do for you - we got upgraded at the Trump and the Aria doing this - and also the $20 trick is worth a try (google it)...not sure if it was due to that or the email but we got our resort fee waived at the Aria. Also, if there is aything in the room/hotel you were unhappy about complain about it and they will knock something off the resort fee.
There is a good thread on MoneySavingExpert for vegas :agree:

Enjoy :greengrin

[bobbyhibs1983]

As someone mentioned earlier...the Voodoo Lounge at the Rio is a great place if you like a drink and has cracking views. If you do end up going there, ask for the open bar package - $120 dollars i think it was - straight up without queueing and all your drink included for the night - although the witchdoctor cocktail isnt included, most beers and spirits are.

The Steak restuarant underneath the club had the best steak i've ever had (this is separate from the club though so you cant buy the open drink package and take advantage of the drink in the restuarant)

Cheaper gambling in the Imperial Palace - although this was getting done up the last time i was there so may be different now - and also cheaper down freemont street. Freemont street is worth a visit even if your not gambling

We done a limo tour of the strip last time too which was pretty good - we didnt do an organised trip, we just hired a limo for an hour which was much cheaper than the organised tour
Gran Canyon can be done a bit cheaper by hiring a car and driving there yourself although remember you have to pay to get into it when you get there - its a pretty easy journey to make...once you find the right road out of vegas its a pretty much a straight road with a left turn when you get there...and definately worth seeing...its a long way to go not to see it...especially if it is a once in a lifetime trip.

Girlfriend also done a skydive out there which was pretty good...thankfully i was over the weight limit so couldnt get talked into it :greengrin

I'd email the hotel before you go and say its for a special occassion and see if there is anything they can do for you - we got upgraded at the Trump and the Aria doing this - and also the $20 trick is worth a try (google it)...not sure if it was due to that or the email but we got our resort fee waived at the Aria. Also, if there is aything in the room/hotel you were unhappy about complain about it and they will knock something off the resort fee.
There is a good thread on MoneySavingExpert for vegas :agree:

Enjoy :greengrin


Thank you very much for the detailed resposne!!The grand canyon looks great but im not that confident a driver and these americans drive on the wrong side of the road:greengrin

and thank you for the $20 tip, though i ve seen it mentioned a few times on google(weather i have the guts to try it well..)as far as im aware just now i dont have to pay a resort fee, so a saving there.
Theres no way im doing a sky dive though, though i think like you i would not make the weight!!

A limo down the vegas strip is a fab idea !!
again thanks for the advice esp moneysavingexpert whom i didn't think of checking:thumbsup: