Las Vegas Hotel Tips by ArizonaExpert

I am been traveling to LV since 1968. I played golf at the Dunes, which is now the Excalibur, and at the Tropicana, which is now the MGM. I have stayed at almost every major hotel since I still visit an average of 4 times a year. My annual golf trip with all my friends is in its 24th year there. I also lived in Vegas for a year with a downtown office overlooking Freemont Street.

I recently tried the "new" Nugget after watching the television show with the new owners. I didn't feel anything different when I walked in, and the rest of the stay wasn't much different than 20 years ago. Sure, the did some upgrades and remodeling, but much of the place has stayed the same.

I didn't feel any of the excitment that the people on television felt, and was a little disppointed that time really had stood still there for the most part.

For staying downtown, it is one of the best places. And I prefer downtown for increased odds, better blackjack and great (cheesey) souvenirs. So if you are staying downtown, and don't care about being at the "top of the line" places for regulas tourists, then stay here. The coffee shop is excellent. The sports book is still way too small and always has been, although I hear they may expand.


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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$40-80  » Currency Converter
Address: 129 Fremont St, Las Vegas, NV 89101

Just finished another trip to Vegas and this time I tried Bally's. I would rate this is the middle layer of hotels...not the cheapest...not the most expensive. I chose it for location only, and I got a great deal on the website with scores of coupons for discounts in their restaraunts (look for the vintage Vegas package ion their website).

Rooms were noce, although a carpet cleaning is in order. Bathrooms were remodeled and shower pressure was great!!!! Room service was fast, and food was good.

Bally's has a nice sports book with great parlay card odds. They give you your original bet back with parlay cards, and that doesn't always happen with other places. Get there early for seats...place fills up on weekends.

Spa was very nice and I would STRONGLY recommend everyone traveling to use the monorail system. It is cheap, fast and saves you the grief of taxis, high prices and waiting!

Check out and check in on Sunday was a disaster!!! Lines were huge. I would not check in on Sunday if you can avoid it.

Unique Qualities: Nothing special stood out. I think this is a great mid-value hotel with a good location. I don't like the 6:5 blackjack at the single deck tables, but at least they have single deck.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$80-120  » Currency Converter
Address: 3645 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Red Rock is the sister property to Green Valley Ranch. It opened April 18th, 2006 and we just finished a 5 night stay. This is a great property!! The decor and ambiance are first rate! The staff from top to bottom provided amazing customer service...without exception. We ate at every restauraunt and tried all the services. There were few criticisms from our group of 15, despite being open only a few weeks.

T-Bones, the steak house, was particularly fantastic. It was not only a beautiful place to eat, but the staff and food were out of this world. Even the 24 hour cafe was reasonably priced and beautifully decorated.

The pool is awesome....with multiple smaller pools and spas..and varied pieces of furniture to sit or lay on. Once again, the staff was accomodating and energetic.

You are 12 miles off the strip, and I-215 can be a little slow during construction, but this is a property well worth staying at if you are tired of the same old rooms.

We had an upgraded suite and it was incredible. Plasma tvs in the bathroom...plenty of room and soft pillos and sheets. Water pressure in the shower was adequate.

Unique Qualities: As above. The spa was great and security is excellent. Rooms keys are needed to get anywhere near upstairs. We are already planning to return next year for our golf outing. The opening room rates were $159 per person plus a resort fee of $20. We ended up playing enough to get comped rooms, so make sure you get enrolled in the program there.

The nightclubs were packed with locals every night. Even the staff was surprised about how many locals were staying and playing there. They have a great sports book and state of the art poker room. Just remember locals are tight...so adjust your game for that!

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$80-120  » Currency Converter
Address: 11011 W. Charleston
Directions: W on I-215 to Charleston and turn right.

You all know I have stayed in Vegas 100 times over the last 35 years. I first stayed at TI when they opened...now that was a resort. Today, it is a tired old property that does nothing for the strip.

Housekeeping stunk! They left cans and trash on the desk for 2 days! It was almost comical to see how much they didn't do. The rooms were dated and the carpet was gross. The shower had little pressure and the curtain was thin and old.

Gambling is horrible. Dealers are mostly grumpy and I couldn't even stand while playing blackjack! Hello? I can't stand?? What is that? The uniforms are boring and only limited single deck blackjack and that is 6:5 payout....cheap.

We ate at the coffee shop one night and both my friend and I got sick two hours later. After ruining my weekend (I will spare you the details), and writing detailed letters to TI upon return home, I was offered an upgrade (if available) on my next visit (wow!). They refused to take responsibility for my food illness and wouldn't do anything for me after prompting me to fill out a risk management incident report.

There are so many great properties with excellent customer service....i.e Red Rock, etc...Why stay here?

Unique Qualities: Yeah...if they had any, I would tell you. Nothing outstanding here.

****Update...TI management did call to at least apologize for not reacting to my complaint. A check is on the way for some losses I suffered. At least they attempted to set things right.****

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$80-120  » Currency Converter
Address: 3300 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109