Trip to Vegas HELP!

If you are going be there a whole week, you'll want to stay at a place you are at least comfortable. NY NY is decent and reasonable. We last stayed at the Venetian - it was really nice! Enjoy.

vegas is a great place! i've been there 20+ times in the last 10 or so years (ever since i turned 21). i am usually pretty picky with hotels when i travel and stayed at all the big ones. yes, caesars, venetian, bellagio, and wynn are really nice, but not worth it in my opinion- unless you have the extra money and don't mind blowing it.

when in march are you going? if it's during the ncaa basketball tournament, the rooms will be more expensive- prices get jacked up on the weekends too (fri and sat night). since it's the first time you're going, it would probably be nice to say in the center of the strip. if you can find a good deal at planet hollywood, paris, ballys, harrahs, caesars, i would stay at one of those places.

don't worry about pools as it's still too cold in march to swim (highs are in the 60s usually)- especially since you're from hi and are used to 80 degree weather year round.

a great budget hotel that we are always pleased with is excalibur- it's at one end of the strip near nyny, mgm, luxor, etc. you can get deals dirt cheap during the week (sometimes $30/night).

some people will disagree with this next recommendation, but have always had good experiences here, but definitely an old feel and small hotel- bills gambling saloon (used to be barbary coast). cheap, the best location, and a small feel where you can still find cheaper gambling tables. if you're looking for the big hotel/casino popular places, don't stay at bills. for the first time, i would choose a place like ballys, paris, planet hollywood, harrahs, mirage, caesars (if a good deal), monte carlo.

it's nice to walk through the various bigger hotels and check things out- that usually takes a lot of time. if you're the boozing type, it's nice to get some drinks wherever (even from a local liquor store) and walk from hotel to hotel- nice how you can drink in public areas on sidewalks, etc. you'll find excellent restaurants everywhere- affordable ones too. of course depends on your what you like- buffets are good too. i like the dinner at planet hollywood and for a breakfast buffet the one at paris. we usually had a huge breakfast at some buffet and then a light lunch on the run or when drinking and then a bigger dinner with more drinkin =)

some people say check out old vegas for a little bit. i think it's lame but it's cool to check out once i guess- a lot of old smaller hotels/casinos and definitely a different experience.

at some of the larger hotels, it can be a bit harder to get drinks while you are gambling. it was fun having a couple drinks playing some cheap slots and video poker. tip well early on and they'll usually take care of you- i found that bill's and smaller places like that were much more attentive; we built a good relationship with the servers and they kept the drinks coming.

have fun. it's a great place!

I woudl suggest staying in the central part of the strip. And nice hotels (taht are a bit cheaper than Bellagio) are Mirage, Ballys, Treasure Island, Paris ... those are great. Have fun!!! We're actually going there in March too ... i love Vegas!

Regarding Bethany's answer. She is correct that the hotels are far apart but you can get trolley or bus passes. They are a lot cheaper than taxis and they stop several places along the strip.

Our family stayed at the Bellagio, and yes it was lovely. But if you're looking for a better deal we once stayed at the Monte Carlo which had a really fun swimming pool for the kids, and was a lot more reasonable. Actually most of the hotels on the strip are pretty nice, and you're right... you'll hardly spend any time in your room so what does it matter. If there's a show you'd like to see, it may improve your odds of getting tickets if you stay where it's playing. I'm sure you'll have a ball no matter where you end up!

One piece of advice about Vegas: The strip is very long...to long to walk. So either plan on renting a car, or expect to pay cab fares. I had no idea how long the strip really was. I thought we could walk from hotel to hotel, and you can't so we ended up spending a ton on cab fares. It was an unexpected expense!

Last May my boyfriend and I stayed at the Stratoshphere we got rooms online for $35.00 and they were INCREDIBLE!!! they were beautiful, clean, and they even came with a booklette of coupons. I suggest if you have the time get on Expedia.com and look up the various hotels. Now is a great time they are all losing money due to the economy and they are offering all kinds of perks eg; free breakfast, free slot play, free games... So take some time and look at the various options. Also if you have the time look up the various free shows all the hotels put on. My boyfriend and I went to all the shows and had a blast. We also went to the AdventureDome with a buy one get one free ticket for the all day passes. so Vegas can be extremly cheap if you are diligent. You can still go check out the bellagio. Its amazing, but come on unless you want to spend all your money on your room check out all the options first.

We stayed at one "end" of the strip when we went to save money, and I regret it! After walking through all the hotels during the day (so fun!), then trying to put on heels at night, we ended up taking a cab to get to the other end of the strip several times a day. We could have taken that cab money and paid a little more to stay center-strip. However, that being said, you spend VERY LITTLE time in your room, so pick something that's nice/clean but not over-the-top expensive. Someone mentioned NY NY... I've heard great things about that.

we always stay at the Tropicana at the end of the strip it is also one of the cheaper ones I believe and they do have a tram that runs the whole length of the strip now but you would have to walk over the the mgm to get on it. I would go see the Blue man group it is an awesome show and they do have lots of great restaurants. Have fun!