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View Full Version : Looking for Vegas recommendations

st.cronin
08-02-2007, 12:44 PM
Specifically, I'm looking for "budget" places on the strip that have nice large, outdoor pools. I already know about Tropicana, trying to find something similar at someplace like Luxor, Sahara, Riviera, etc. Someplace in that price range.

edit, would also like to know about places on Fremont that might have something similar.
Mizzou B-ball fan
08-02-2007, 01:04 PM
Specifically, I'm looking for "budget" places on the strip that have nice large, outdoor pools. I already know about Tropicana, trying to find something similar at someplace like Luxor, Sahara, Riviera, etc. Someplace in that price range.

edit, would also like to know about places on Fremont that might have something similar.

Luxor is a great place if you're wanting something on a smaller budget. I'd add that if you are staying there on a weeknight, you can upgrade to a 3 room junior suite for only $50/night more. Well worth it if you don't go out there all that often and want to do something nice. Wife loved it when we went there.

The Planet Hollywood (formerly Aladdin) has a great pool a few stories up that has a view of the Bellagio fountains. Relatively cheap to stay there as well with cheap upgrades on suites.
cartman
08-02-2007, 01:06 PM
Not aware of any places downtown that have big outdoor pools. If you are making a mid-week trip, then most of the Strip casinos will be <$100/night. If you aren't locked into the Strip, the Hard Rock has arguably the best pool complex in Vegas.
st.cronin
08-02-2007, 01:16 PM
Not aware of any places downtown that have big outdoor pools. If you are making a mid-week trip, then most of the Strip casinos will be <$100/night. If you aren't locked into the Strip, the Hard Rock has arguably the best pool complex in Vegas.

I'm definitely not locked into the strip. Luxor and Hard Rock are in the lead at the moment.
st.cronin
08-02-2007, 01:17 PM
dola, I really liked the Hard Rock casino the last time I was in Vegas. It had a great atmosphere.
Arles
08-02-2007, 01:29 PM
MGM is a great place. They run real nice summer specials (Ive been completely comped and given gaming vouchers the past two trips). They also have one of the best pools in Vegas and are in a primo spot.
Passacaglia
08-02-2007, 02:32 PM
Off the strip, Hotel Red Rock has a pretty nice pool complex, too.
Neuqua
08-02-2007, 02:38 PM
I'll be staying at Planet Hollywood from August 17-19.
Chubby
08-02-2007, 03:28 PM
I stayed at the Hard Rock when I went to Vegas on my own, was a great time
Glengoyne
08-02-2007, 03:31 PM
Ten posts and no mention of the horse race game?
st.cronin
08-02-2007, 03:33 PM
Ten posts and no mention of the horse race game?

Gilley's!
KWhit
08-02-2007, 03:38 PM
The Rio has a nice pool scene. Not sure how $$ it is these days, but it was pretty reasonable last time I stayed there.
Dekanth
08-02-2007, 03:55 PM
The Flamingo has one of the top pools on the strip. Reasonable Strip price, great central location.
WSUCougar
08-02-2007, 06:36 PM
My friends and I go to Vegas every year, and "cabana day" has become a tradition. We were pleasantly surprised with Treasure Island's pool and cabanas, and the price was in that range you were looking at.
kingfc22
08-02-2007, 07:26 PM
I stayed at the Luxor last month with some friends. It was pretty nice and the pool was good.
path12
08-02-2007, 07:48 PM
I'd echo the Flamingo and Luxor. Reasonable for the strip and really nice pools. I'm in the MGM with a bunch of folks over Labor Day weekend. I hear the pools are nice there also.
Vinatieri for Prez
08-02-2007, 11:31 PM
Whatever you do, don't go to NY NY. The pool is virtually non-existent.
st.cronin
08-03-2007, 08:13 AM
I'm picking between:

MGM
Luxor
Flamingo
Monte Carlo
Coffee Warlord
08-03-2007, 08:18 AM
One thing I don't like about the MGM is it's perpetually a madhouse there.

But, of those four, it's probably the best located one.
Mizzou B-ball fan
08-03-2007, 08:19 AM
I'm picking between:

MGM
Luxor
Flamingo
Monte Carlo

Best value/quality combo there would be Luxor IMO.
st.cronin
08-03-2007, 08:55 AM
My one reservation about the Luxor, is, the couple times I've been to the casino, it just seemed really depressing.
KWhit
08-03-2007, 09:11 AM
My one reservation about the Luxor, is, the couple times I've been to the casino, it just seemed really depressing.

Yeah, the vibe is odd there. I think it has to do with the tall ceilings in the pyramid.
Mizzou B-ball fan
08-03-2007, 09:25 AM
My one reservation about the Luxor, is, the couple times I've been to the casino, it just seemed really depressing.

Agreed. The casino at Luxor is pretty average. But his criteria was rooms and pools at a good price, which favors the Luxor. Also, the Luxor is right next door to one of the loosest poker game in Vegas at Excalibur. I would say that the Flamingo and Monte Carlo casinos aren't any better than the Luxor IMO. MGM is the only one in his list that has a pretty good casino (and horse races of course).
path12
08-03-2007, 10:12 AM
Whatever you do, don't go to NY NY. The pool is virtually non-existent.


Agree, but I love the casino there for some reason.
path12
08-03-2007, 10:13 AM
Last time I was in Vegas the Monte Carlo was just dead.
st.cronin
08-03-2007, 10:34 AM
One more question: Usually I book my air and hotel together on expedia, I'm wondering if anybody knows a cheaper way to go?
Mizzou B-ball fan
08-03-2007, 10:41 AM
One more question: Usually I book my air and hotel together on expedia, I'm wondering if anybody knows a cheaper way to go?

Check Southwest Airlines first as they don't list their flights on any travel websites. Then go through Orbitz, Expedia and Travelocity to see if you can get anything cheaper. Each site has different deals with different carriers and hotels. I've generally found that I can get there cheaper by booking a flight separately through the airline and then reserving through the hotel directly. Usually they have a slightly better rate without the travel site markup or they have the same rate but might offer free meals or services with your room. Also, ask if the hotel has special rates for AAA, American Express, or special rates for gamblers (i.e. play poker for 4 hours/day and get a room for $50 deal). However, the travel sites will occasionally have the better deal, so best to check all options.
Barkeep49
08-03-2007, 11:02 AM
I would recommend sidestep. It searches through all the airline sites as well as expedia, orbitz, etc for a good deal.
sooner333
08-03-2007, 11:06 AM
Flamingo for sure if you're looking for a reasonable pool. The casino isn't really that cool, but it has the central location, so it's close to a lot of places.
path12
08-03-2007, 11:28 AM
Ms. Path uses Kayak.com a ton for travel arrangements.
st.cronin
08-03-2007, 12:19 PM
Will probably be booking later today, but wanted to say if anybody is heading to Vegas the last weekend of September, and wants to see me in a wet swimsuit, let me know.
st.cronin
08-04-2007, 07:41 PM
Done.

Luxor, Thursday night. Flamingo, Friday + Saturday nights. We decided to drive, should take us about 8 hours.
Suburban Rhythm
08-05-2007, 11:02 AM
Done.

Luxor, Thursday night. Flamingo, Friday + Saturday nights. We decided to drive, should take us about 8 hours.

Looks like I am a little too late. Was going to suggest looking at expedia as you mentioned.

Last time we went, Tues-Friday, we stayed at the Tropicana. Booking through expedia, we paid about $550 for the room 3 nights and our flights to and from LV (we had a short layover both times in Dallas, I think, leaving and coming back to Pittsburgh). We had odd flight times, but was still a deal.