Aladdin Hotel and Casino and other Las Vegas, NV Hotel/Accommodation Reviews

Aladdin Hotel and Casino
$89-$300.

Unique Qualities: The Aladdin is the newest of the Las Vegas hotels. The Aladdin offers 2,567 rooms and amenities including concierge services, room service, hair dryers, irons.(no airport shuttle service)
It has an incredible shopping area, the Desert Passage, which offers a variety of unique shops. More than 130-world class and one-of-a-kind retail shops and 14 unique restaurants can be found in the Desert Passage. Shops include: Z Gallerie, Eddie Bauer, Napoleon Fine Fashions for Men, Origins, Pat Areias Sterling, Parallel, Rock Fish, Catalog Co., Royal Selangor, Russeck Gallery, Sephora, Steve Madden, Tolstoy's, Elegant Pens, Tommy Bahama, Teuscher Chocolates,Build-A-Bear Workshop, Endangered Species and more. One of my favorites is the Build a Bear store where you get to stuff your own bear, pick out its clothes, and take your new friend home with you. I'm also a nut for Clinique and there's an entire Clinique store. (The only downside to the store is no bonus time.) Inside the Desert Passage it rains, but you won't get wet! The pillars in the casino are jeweled and the atmosphere is fun. While in the shops, wait around a little and then you will experience a free show with music and dancing.
Things to do and see: 7,000-seat Theatre for the Performing Arts plus a showroom (under construction). Blue Note Jazz Club located in the adjacent Desert Passage shopping mall. Relax at the two pools located six stories above the Vegas Strip.
The casino spans 100,000-square-foot with 2,800 slot machines and 87 table games. Plus The London Club, 35,000-square-foot European-style gaming salon operated in partnership with London Clubs International. Casino games include Blackjack, Caribbean Stud Poker, Craps, Keno, Let It Ride, Pai Gow Poker, Poker, Roulette, Sportsbook, Slots, Baccarat, Wheel of Fortune, Megabucks and Super Megabucks.
Other interesting things about the Aladdin: The Aladdin Theater for the Performing Arts boasts the largest proscenium arch stage in the country. The 35,000-square-foot London Club at Aladdin is Las Vegas' only European-style luxury gaming salon. The world's largest indoor light board creates a 130-foot 'Enchanted Garden,' with a constantly changing display of blooming flowers. All of the guest rooms offer a computer with high-speed Internet access.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: about average

Address: 3667 Las Vegas Blvd
Las Vegas, NV 89109
Other Contact: (702)785-5555
www.aladdincasino.

MGM Grand
$59.95-$369 per night based on double occupancy. Rates can fluctuate and change without notice.

Unique Qualities: The MGM has to be the largest property on the strip as far as acreage with 5005 rooms! The MGM is a hollywood themed hotel, featuring pictures of your favorite movie stars lining the walls. The MGM offers five interconnected swimming pools, three large whirlpools, a relaxing river, lush tropical landscaping, bridges, fountains and waterfalls. Things to do and see at MGM: Grand Theatre with 'EFX Alive', starring Rick Springfield. The MGM Garden, a 17,157-seat special events center capable of housing championship boxing, concerts, sporting and other special events. The Hollywood Theatre, a 650-seat theatre for concerts and comedy. The new Lion Habitat features multilevel areas for the pride lions to play and interact with the public. I saw Rita Rudner's stand up comdey show at the MGM and had a great time!

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: more expensive than average

Address: 3799 S Las Vegas Blvd
Las Vegas, NV 89109
Other Contact: (702)891-1111
(800)646-7787

Paris Las Vegas
Standard and deluxe rooms range from $129 to $369. There are four different suites, petite $350-$650, one bedroom $750-$1,250, two bedroom $979-$1,219, and speciality suites are $1,500 to $5,000. Room rates can fluctuate widely and change without notice.

Unique Qualities: The Paris Las Vegas has has 2916 guest rooms and amenities including: Full-service salon and barber shop, tour and travel desk, car rental, in-room safe, Bathrooms include separate shower and bathtub, iron and ironing board, room service, full-length and make-up mirrors.(The Paris does not offer shuttle service to/from the airport)
The casino spans 85,000 sq. ft. with 100 table games including Blackjack, Craps, Roulette, a Race and Sports book, over 2,200 slot and video poker machines, and a high limit slots and table game area.
Things to do and see: The Paris has five lounges, two of which feature live entertainment, and the 1,200 seat Parisian theatre which features headline entertainers. Visit the Eiffel Tower (1/3 the size of the original) It offers a Parisian atmosphere, with incredible pastry shops that I never pass up when I'm there. The Paris is located next to Aladdin and across the street from Bellagio.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: more expensive than average

Address: 3655 Las Vegas Blvd
Las Vegas, NV 89109
Other Contact: (702)946-7000
www.parislasvegas.

Imperial Palace
$139-$329. Room rates can fluctuate widely and change without notice.

Unique Qualities: The Imperial Palace has 2,700 rooms and has a great location, in the middle of the strip, across from Caesar's Palace. The Auto collection features antique, classic and special-interest vehicles, over 200 on display. Imperial Theatre featuring 'Legends In Concert', re-creations of legendary superstars including Elvis, Neil Diamond, Prince, the Four Tops, Elton John, Diana Ross, and more. Hawaiian Hot! Luau 'Imperial-Style', an exhilarating and colorful music and dance revue, presented by Rozita Lee's 'Drums Of The Islands,' is located poolside. The Imperial Palace offers an olympic size pool with waterfall.
For the gamblers: 75,000 sq. ft. Casino games include Blackjack, Caribbean Stud Poker, Craps, Keno, Let It Ride, Pai Gow Poker, Poker, Roulette, Sportsbook, Slots, Mini-Baccarat, and Megabucks.
Restaurants: Nine restaurants: Emperor's Buffet, Ming Terrace, Pizza Palace, Rib House, Teahouse/Imperial Buffet, The Embers (Imperial Palace), The Seahouse (Imperial Palace), Burger Palace, Betty's Diner.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: about average

Address: 3535 Las Vegas Blvd South
Las Vegas, NV 89109
Other Contact: (702)731-3311
www.imperialpalace

Mandalay Bay
$97-$140. Weekends and holidays generally increase these rates significantly and all rates are based on availability.

Unique Qualities: The Mandalay Bay is one of my favorite hotels to visit. The Mandalay offers 3,309 rooms and has iron and ironing board, hair dryer, phone in bathroom, wet bars with refrigerators in suites. (Mandalay does not offer an airport shuttle)
The casino spans 135,000 sq. ft. and games include Blackjack, Caribbean Stud Poker, Craps, Keno, Let It Ride, Pai Gow Poker, Poker, Roulette, Sportsbook, Slots, Baccarat, Megabucks, and Super Megabucks. Over 2,400 slot/video poker machines, 122 table games.
Things to do: The Shark Reef is a $40 million aquarium covering more than 90,000 square feet that holds more than 1.5 million gallons of seawater and 100 species of animals. Relax at an exotic, tropical water environment with a sand-and-surf beach, 11-acre tropical lagoon, water gardens with lush foliage and waterfalls, and three exotic pools. Mandalay Bay has a 1,700-seat showroom featuring the musical Storm, a 12,000-seat events center, The House of Blues (don't miss 80's night on Friday nights!) live music venue (approx. 1,500 people), plus three lounges featuring entertainment nightly.
Other interesting things to know about the Mandalay Bay: To create salt water for the Shark Reef's aquarium, salt is imported from the Red Sea to mix with dechlorinated tap water. The top of the hotel's tower features the members-only House of Blues Foundation Room. The wave pool at Mandalay Beach can generate waves as high as six feet for surfing (for swimming, they max out at three feet). The Shark Reef has five of only 12 golden saltwater crocodiles in existence. Located next to the Luxor, the Mandalay is just stunning!

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: more expensive than average

Address: 3950 Las Vegas Blvd
Las Vegas, NV 89119
Other Contact: (702)632-7777
www.mandalaybay.co

Monte Carlo
$59-$399. Room rates can fluctuate widely and change without notice.

Unique Qualities: The Monte Carlo offers 3,014 rooms and 256 suites. The rooms have either 1 King bed or 2 queens. Room service is available, but shuttle service is not. Relax in the 21,000-square-foot pool area that includes waterfalls, wave pool, lazy river, a heated swimming pool.
The casino spans 90,000 sq. ft. and games include Blackjack, Roulette, Craps, Pai Gow Poker, Keno, Caribbean Stud Poker, and Baccarat, state-of-the-art Race & Sports Book, 2,200 slot and video poker machines, including Megabucks and Super Megabucks.
While at the Monte Carlo, take in a show, such as Master Magician Lance Burton, who performs in a custom-designed 1,200-seat theatre.

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Theme: Other
Comparison: about average

Address: 3770 Las Vegas Blvd
Las Vegas, NV 89109
Other Contact: (702)730-7777
www.monte-carlo.co

Luxor
$69-$299.

Unique Qualities: Las Vegas meets Ancient Egypt at the Luxor. With its unmistakable design, our own Pyramid shaped hotel is no ancient artifact! The Luxor has 4,408 guest rooms and amenities include color TV with remote, pay movies, cable, telephone, computer hook-ups, radio/alarm, and TDD equipment upon request. Iron and hair dryers are available upon request (hair dryers come in all tower rooms). Rollaway beds and cribs available upon requests.

Hotel amenities available to our guest include dry cleaning and laundry service, 24-hour room service, a full service Business Center, safety deposit boxes, newsstand, florist, show ticketing desk, and Multilingual Staff. Shuttle service is available to/from the airport and to/from the strip. Once inside the pyramid, you will look up and see the balconies to the levels of floors. Ride up to your room in an 'Inclinator' and see the spectacular view from inside the pyramid. While there, take in a show to see Blue Man Group or Midnight Fantasies. For action and adventure, go see 'In Search of the Obelisk' (motion adventure ride), IMAX 3D theater with a seven-story screen, virtual reality games on the attractions level. Other things to do include going to the five swimming pools outside and also relax inone of the jacuzzis. The pools are heated to 80 degrees and are 3 feet deep.
The casino spans 120,000 sq. ft. and games include Blackjack, Craps, Roulette, Baccarat, Pai Gow Poker, Keno, Poker, Race and Sportsbook, Slots, Video Poker, and Megabucks.
Interesting things about the Luxor: The guest rooms in the pyramid only offer showers, not tubs because the plumbing for tubs wasn't possible in the oddly-shaped building. To ride up to the rooms in the pyramid, guests must use an 'inclinator,' a special elevator that rises at a 39 degree angle. The ultra-bright light on top of the Pyramid naturally attracts insects. On some nights, you can catch quite a show of nature when bats and other birds come to feed.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: about average

Address: 3900 Las Vegas Blvd
Las Vegas, NV 89119
Other Contact: www.luxor.com

Excalibur
$55-$375

Unique Qualities: The Excalibur offers 4,008 rooms with amenities including: Beauty salon, hair dryers, and irons. Relax in the two heated pools, a 25-seat spa and waterfalls.
Things to do and see: King Arthur's Arena, a 900-seat Amphitheater with two dinner shows nightly -- 'Tournament of Kings,' featuring jousting knights, Fantasy Faire features strolling performers dressed in medieval costumes, carnival games and two motion-simulator rides, Minstrel's Lounge features two live bands nightly, and The Court Jester's Stage features free, live variety acts including jugglers and magicians. You can catch free acts by jugglers, mimes and musicians on the second level near the restaurants. The Fantasy Faire level features numerous medieval-themed midway games. A fire-breathing dragon battles Merlin in the moat at the Castle's front entrance nightly.

The casino spans 100,000 sq. ft. Casino games include Blackjack, Caribbean Stud Poker, Craps, Keno, Let It Ride, Pai Gow Poker, Poker (7-Card Stud and Texas Hold 'Em), Roulette, 150-seat Race and Sports Book, Slots, Video Poker, Video Keno, Big Six Wheel, Mini-Baccarat, and Megabucks.

Located on the corner of Tropicana and Las Vegas Blvd the Excalibur offers a family atmosphere with it's Medieval Castle theme. The Excalibur has a great location with the MGM Grand, New York New York, Luxor, and Tropicana hotels all in short walking distance.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: about average

Address: 3850 Las Vegas Blvd
Las Vegas, NV 89109-4300
Other Contact: (702)597-7777
www.excaliburcasin

Tropicana
$49-$399.

Unique Qualities: Each one of the 1,900 rooms is equipped with a refrigerator, iron and ironing board, and hair dryer. Views face the north or south to the Las Vegas Strip. These rooms have one king bed or two queen beds. Room service is available, but shuttle service is not. Relax in the world's largest indoor/outdoor pool, 5-acre tropical lagoon, Las Vegas' only swim up blackjack table, see 'Wings Of The World' a free daily bird show with Joe Krathwohl, or visit the health spa.
The casino spans 68,000 sq. ft. and games include Let it Ride, Caribbean Stud, Pai Gow, Pai Gow Poker, Craps, Blackjack, Roulette, Mini Baccarat and slot machines.
Things to do: The Comedy Stop routinely featuring new comedians, Las Vegas' longest-running production show, the 'Folies Bergere,' and The Illusionary Magic of Rick Thomas in the Tiffany Theatre.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: about average

Address: 3801 Las Vegas Blvd
Las Vegas, NV 89109
Other Contact: (702)739-2222
www.tropicanalv.co

Rio Hotel and Casino
$139-$329. Room rates can fluctuate widely and change without notice.

Unique Qualities: The Rio offers 2,700 all suite rooms which gives the luxury of more space. Each room has a couch, table with chairs, drip coffee maker, hair dryer, in-suite refrigerator, iron, ironing board and complimentary in-suite safe. Guest room showers feature a 'window,' making it possible to watch television while in the shower. The Wine Cellar and Tasting Room offers the world's largest publicly displayed collection of fine and rare wines. The VooDoo Lounge, set 51 stories high, offers a breathtaking view of Las Vegas. The pool has a sand beach. I stayed on the 26th floor of this hotel and had a spectacular panoramic view of the strip.
I had a great time at the Show in the Sky down in the Masquerade Village. This hotel offers incredible dining, especially Buzio's Seafood restaurant. For the gamblers: 75,000 sq. ft. Casino games include Blackjack, Caribbean Stud Poker, Craps, Keno, Let It Ride, Pai Gow Poker, Poker, Roulette, Sportsbook, Slots, Mini-Baccarat, and Megabucks.

The Rio does not have shuttle service to/from the airport but does have shuttle service to/from the strip.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: about average

Directions: On Flamingo adjacent to the Strip. I-15 and Flamingo. P.O. Box 14160 Las Vegas, NV 89114
Other Contact: (702)252-7777
www.playrio.com