Good Casino... Good Location... Average Hotel... and other Las Vegas, NV Hotel/Accommodation Reviews

Check in was courteous and quick. I asked for a last minute upgrade to Strip-view/Smoking. which was not available immediately, but they gave me a room and told me to call the front desk the next day. Not only did they accomodate this last minute request, they did so at no additional charge. ( I did give them reasonable casino action ) The next day, I had the room I wanted... facing New York, New York and MGM Grand, no hassles. This place has the most comfortable beds I've ever slept on. That's where the luxury ends... room rates are cheaper than most, but there are absolutely no frills... No in-room safe, no coffee pot, no mini-bar, only cheap plastic cups instead of glasses. The accomodations are clean and adequate if you're not expecting a posh Vegas experience. Remember you're not paying Bellagio prices.

The best thing about staying here has got to be the LOCATION. The casino is large and has a great selection of slots and table games, with reasonable table minimums. And if you're not having any luck at the Excalubur, you can always try the Luxor or Mandalay Bay... they're all owned by the same company, and connected by an indoor walkway and an outdoor monorail. NY/NY is also across the street, as is the MGM Grand and Tropicana.

Excalibur has a great poker room for the average player. It's not full of poker sharks, offers low blinds ($1/2 , 2/4...) and has a bonus wheel that you spin if you lose with pocket aces, of if you get four-of-a-kind, str8 flush, or a royal. Minimum amount on the wheel is $20, but you can win more... a really nice extra.

The casino also offers a huge race and sports book. Beverage service was frequent and fast, even if you weren't having alcohol. Service all around was always fast and friendly.

I expected this place to be overrun with children, but this was NOT the case. There is a huge arcade area downstairs for kids, and the pool was open, but children weren't really a problem.

Check out was easy. You can use the TV check-out process as long as you're leaving by 11am.

Unique Qualities: This hotel is a great value at a low price. No-frills, but the LOCATION is perfect...you can easily get to 5 other casinos without getting in the car.

( 3-25-09 ) Just revisited the Excalibur casino and discovered that the Poker Room has been totally re-done... totally computerized. You sit around a giant table/tv screen. It's just like playing poker online, but your opponents are sitting right there. Strange... I didn't much care for it.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$40-80  » Currency Converter
Address: 3850 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Directions: The Excalibur is located on the southern end of the Las Vegas Strip, at Tropicana Blvd.

I loved my stay at Mandalay Bay !! I was offered a 2 night complementary stay, and it truly was free. (other than the gambling)... The room was excellent. Contemporary, stylish furnishings, an IPOD docking station, plasma tv, another plasma tv in the bathroom, separate shower and tub, marble flooring in entryway and bath, and an in-room safe (these are becoming scarce in Vegas). The staff was courteous, and housekeeping was great (and they actually observe the don't disturb sign). Check in was a breeze, check out was even easier. The casino has a great variety of games, both table and machine (no live keno, but I probably saved a few bucks because of that). I found the slots to be VERY tight, but that's just my opinion. Dealers were friendly and professional. The location of this property at the South end of the Strip offers a limited view of the rest of the Strip, but a great view of the Airport. Not so bad, it's actually interesting to watch the planes take off and land in between gambling sessions. The buffet selection was suprisingly limited, but all of the food offered was of excellent quality and the hot food was actually HOT !! Yes I would recommend Mandalay Bay to a friend, with the knowledge that you are staying at the Southernmost resort in Vegas. Rent a car !!

Unique Qualities: Mandalay Bay offers some of the most LIBERAL Blackjack rules I've ever seen. The house stands on ALL 17's (advantage player) and surrender. If you're coming to Vegas to play Blackjack, I strongly recommend Mandalay Bay.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: about average

Address: 3950 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, Nevada, 89119, United States
Directions: You can't miss it. It's the first casino on the left, driving North on the Strip.

After 2 free and fabulous nights at Mandalay Bay, I stayed 2 nights at Paris Las Vegas. When I booked, I bought the upgrade, which described the phenomenal view of the Eiffel Tower and Bellagio fountains. I PAID FOR THE UPGRADE ! Guess what, upon check-in, I was told that these rooms were not available. I would have a mountain view. When I pressed the issue, asking what I paid extra for, I was told, "At least you won't have a view of the parking garage." As a Diamond Member in Harrah's Players Club for many years, I found this to be rude and arrogant. Fine... I took the room given to me. Yes, the room was clean, comfortable, very nice. (I must add that the windows were the filthiest I've ever seen) Plasma TV, In-room safe ( these are becoming rare in Vegas ), separate shower and bath, (although the shower drained SO slowly, it was still draining 5 minutes after I was done). The casino was nice, with a good variety of games. Paris is connected to Bally's via a shopping corridor. The location is great, center Strip, within walking distance to numerous other casinos. I took the ride to the top of the Eiffel Tower... ( $12) spectacular 360 view of Vegas... really a must see. Restaurants, while pricey, offered food of excellent quality. I would recommend Paris to a friend, but don't pay for an upgrade until you actually check in.


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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$80-120  » Currency Converter
Address: 3655 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, Nevada, 89109, United States
Directions: If you know what the Eiffel Tower looks like, you can find Paris Las Vegas

The architecture of the Luxor pyramid must be seen to be appreciated. Truly incredible. You have two options for rooms at the Luxor... a Pyramid room or a Tower room. I've stayed twice in the tower rooms, and they are VERY nice. Floor to ceiling windows, nice furnishings. As of last year they had not yet converted to flat screen TVs, but this may have changed. No in-room safe. My second visit was in a Luxury Suite, highly recommended, and really not that expensive. Tower check-in was quick and courteous. Express check out is simple, from the TV in your room. If you elect to stay in the towers, note that it's quite a hike to get down to the casino. When I stayed there, the slot selection was very limited. Not a lot of machines I liked. Table games had reasonable minimums, and good availability. On a more recent visit to the Luxor casino, I found a better selection of slots, but I still prefer Excalubur (adjacent to the Luxor, accessable by corridor or tram). While I'm not a "club" person, Luxor offers great nightlife choices... LAX always seems to be where the young people party.


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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$80-120  » Currency Converter
Address: 3900 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, Nevada, 89119, United States