Las Vegas recommendations

Also Venetian, which I can stay at now that the Adelsons sold it

Mandalay is good ? I thought it's cheap.

I liked Venetian, Cosmopolitan and Aria when i stayed there

Caesars is center strip, but it is such a labyrinth of old towers and new towers it still feels like you need to walk a mile to get anywhere.

Mandalay Bay is fine, but if you are planning on hanging out a lot on the strip, it can be a hike to get there.

Aria is a good one, but the rooms aren't in as great shape as they were a few years ago.

Resorts World is good, never crowded, but again, not a great location if you want to go other places.

I don't MIND Venetian, but the rooms are a little run down and the casino is kind of staid. Like you're gambling in a very nice podiatrist's office.

Have you considered Cosmopolitan? Great restaurants, good location, recently redone rooms. If you can swing a one bedroom terrace suite, you get an awesome balcony and a Japanese soaking tub. (I was upgraded to one last trip for a $20 tip at the desk)

Wherever you stay, you'll have a good time.

Enjoy.

Thanks R3, that’s the kind of insight I come to DL for

Bellagio

Agree with R3. Terrace suite with fountain view at Cosmo is where it's at.

🎰😱🤷‍♀️

🎰🥇🤔 🚺🚽 🌊🟫💩 👠👠👜 🧼🧴🚰 👩🧹🫵 🧔‍♂️🫣🤷‍♂️ 🤥🎛

I've stayed at the Vdara, which I really liked. It's completely non-smoking, including the rooms, lobby, etc. Like the Cosmopolitan, some of the rooms have a view of the Bellagio fountains. It doesn't have a casino though, if that's important to you. But it's positioned between the Bellagio, Cosmopolitan and Aria which do.

Circus circus 🎪

I liked my room at Vdara very much, but the not having a casino on-site bugged me.

I like to drink (a lot) while I play, so it's just easier to make my way up to my room from the tables.

Of the bunch you mentioned, Aria and Caesar's are the best. Aria is classier, if that’s your thing. But Caesar's is terrifically kitschy and iconic and has pretty much everything you could ever want under one roof. Venetian is much the same, but is a little far north.

Vdara is gorgeous, but has no casino and very limited food options. It’s not very Las Vegas, so really what’s the point? Resorts World is way too far north and has all the charm of an 80s mall. Skip.

To echo opinions above, The Cosmopolitan is terrific, if you like your hotels hip and zany. Terrific food options. And if you’re willing to spring for a fountain view, you'll be amazed. The Bellagio is tops. Also, the Wynn/Encore is gorgeous (and supposedly Steve Wynn-free now), though, pretty far north.

Cheaper, but nice options center strip: Planet Hollywood, Park MGM, Mirage, Paris.

You are terrifically terrific R11!

Flamingo, save the money and hire an escort. They can even let themselves up to their room, no waiting by the security officer's desk next to the elevator while he watching your trick head up with you.

How is Park MGM?

I agree about the Terrace Suite w/ fountain view at the Cosmopolitan. Even liked it better than the Wrap around Suite there. I like that there's a balcony you can get fresh air on. Also The Four Seasons is a great hotel if you want the peace and quiet of no casino. They are inside Mandalay Bay or connected to it. You have your own entry/exit with a key when you want to go to the casino. For the best service I vote Four Season's. Their guest service is impeccable.

^^ Kinda boring. It's smoke free tho. The pools are boring too. And the rooms smallish. And small windows. But it can be on the less expensive side if that's a concern.

R16 here. Sorry, those comments were meant for Park MGM.

Has anyone stayed at NoMad?

Or Waldorf Astoria?

Caesars is the best, location-wise. Literally in the center of the strip. It has a fabulous pool area too, if you plan to use that.

OK I have been sold on the Cosmopolitan terrace suite with fountain view, booking it now. Thanks DL.

Out of curiosity how is the MGM Grand these days? I’m looking at it on Google Earth and it must have the worlds longest walk to the pool.

I always stay at Nobu at Caesar's. I have to travel to Vegas on business (ugh) and the location suits me, plus it's the only place I've found that doesn't leave my eyes feeling like they've been raped by tackiness and glitz. Nobu is just as trashy, but it's quieter about it.

Park MGM is okay. The rooms are nice, but small. Not a ton of a sit-down restaurants and the casino is no great shakes. But it’s close to the T-Mobile Arena if that’s important to you. And it’s non-smoking, which certainly sets it apart.

R24. The Steakhouse at Park is REALLY good - Bavettes. I lived in Vegas and hooked u in just about every hotel. Loved Cosmo and Ceasars does have that old school Vegas charm. Go to the back bar @ the Peppermill - very "Dan Tanna Robert Urich vibe" 100% check it out

R19, I stayed at that property when it was the Mandarin Oriental, and it was exquisite. I haven't been since WA took over.

I only stayed at Caesars once, and was upgraded to the Nobu Tower. Had a great view of a rooftop next door but that was okay; we only stayed over one night but the amenities were fantastic.

Favorite in Las Vegas would be the Cosmopolitan; stayed there about 10xs over the years, and I agree on the Terrace One Bedroom w/ the Japanese soaking tub. I do favor a Planet Hollywood strip-facing view though, but the room is great regardless of the view.

I stayed at the Plazzo in 2020 and it was really nice. Very large room with a separate living room area, big bathtub AND a shower, toilet was separated from the rest of the bathroom by a door which is always appreciated. I think I paid about $170 with the resort fee. That was pandemic pricing though.

[quote]That was pandemic pricing though.

Important point. Prices are REALLY high right now. The hotels are determined to make up the $$$ they lost over the last couple of years, and the tourists are willing to pay it. So if you're coming for a visit, be prepared to pay. Vegas used to be a great, cheap vacation. Not so much at the moment.

I hate when people call somewhere over, but Vegas really does feel sort of over to me. Even those imposing condos that ruined the look of the strip added to the madness. The Vegas of say The Hangover with wild night of random parties seems to have really been replaced for one night only destination spots, like a west coast Miami, requiring hundreds to visit an overpriced bar. It's turned into a dessert Miami that's missing it's charm.

For god's sake, NV and Vegas need to make prostitution legal so that Vegas can a least get some bite back into it's name.

It's also a town dedicated to straight men in a way most party destinations are not, so that may add to my newfound distaste for Vegas since I've come into my own as a gay man.

[Quote]It's also a town dedicated to straight men in a way most party destinations are not

This.

Vegas is very hetero, as a gay man I don't really have a desire to rush back there.

Las Vegas has changed because of influencer culture and social media

Young people don’t want to drop thousands of dollars at the casino if no one can see them doing it on Instagram, but they will pay to look like they’re having fun

I just saw a IG post of a massive line of people waiting in the desert sun to go see Snoop Dog at the Elia Beach Club

Can you imagine twenty years ago people waiting in line to go to the pool?

which hotel has the largest sexiest bath tubs? I want to hire a muscle escort and have a nice sexy pleasurable hot bubble bath so I need a bathtub for two!

I'm a fan of the Wynn. Even the standard king rooms are quite large and the amenities nice. Good restaurants and shopping.

R32 the mansion at MGM Grand. But it’s by invitation only.

No way is Las Vegas "over". It always re-invents itself.

This decade it's become a major Sports attraction. Arenas and stadiums being built all over attracting all levels of franchises no longer frowned upon by the gambling stigma.