AboutTom Expertise I can tell you detail of every major hotel in Vegas, such as the restaurants they offer and the attractions they maintain, on the Las Vegas Strip. The kind of patrons each hotel attracts. How to play blackjack, both etiquette and strategy. How to obtain comps and make the most of your money when in town. Any Vegas general knowledge.
Experience
Past/Present clients Caesar's Palace, Flamingo Las Vegas, Bally's, Paris and Las Vegas Hilton.
Question Hi Tom,
In February I'm taking my niece to Vegas. She turns 21 within days of me turning 40. I've been to Vegas but she has not. We plan to gamble, hit some night clubs, and see a show. My thinking was to stay on (or very near) the strip since it's her first trip.
Questions:
1) We need two bedrooms: are we better just booking two regular rooms or looking for a suite?
2) Any suggestions on nightclubs where we're likely to both feel comfortable? I don't mind a young crowd, but I'd rather not be the only "old" guy there.
3) Should we buy show tickets before we go, or try to find a deal once we get there?
Thanks!
Jeff
Answer Hey Jeff,
Sounds like a fun trip! I agree you'll want to stay somewhere on the strip since its her first trip. Plus, despite common belief, Vegas does get cold in the winter. You'll be able to move between casinos more quickly if you stay somewhere central. February is the coldest month in Vegas, and you'll see lots of hats and jackets around town.
To answer your questions:
1.) Since you're looking for a hotel on the strip, I'd recommend just getting two connecting rooms instead of looking for a two-bedroom suite. Some hotels do have two-bedroom suites that can be booked by the public, but they are typically several times more expensive than just getting two rooms. If you do want to price out some of the two-bedroom suites, check out Mandalay Bay's X2 Suite (http://www.mandalaybay.com/accommodations/gcx2suite.aspx) or MGM's Signature Tower (http://www.signaturemgmgrand.com/).
But if you do decide to get adjoining rooms, I think the best deal in town is the Bungalow suite (1 bedroom) connected to a regular room at MGM. That way, you have the extra space of a suite with a sofa and wet bar, and two rooms for a decent price.
2.) For clubs, there are some places that come to mind that have an all-ages crowd. I would check out Studio54 at MGM, Blush at Wynn, Rok at NY-NY and if you stay at Mandalay and can get VIP passes, Foundation Room at Mandalay Bay.
3.) It depends on the show you want to see. If you want to see a Cirque du Soleil show or a big-name headliner, then you are probably better off securing your tickets in advance. Check the hotel's website where the show is playing to see if they have any special offers or discounts for the show you want to see. If you're not particular, then it can really pay off to wait until you get to town, and check the local tourist magazines for deals and shows you didn't know about. There are also half-price ticket counters up and down the strip, which have same-day tickets for half price. They usually don't have the big name shows, but you never know what will be available. I don't know what weekend you're going in February, but as long as its not over Super Bowl weekend it shouldn't be too crowded, so getting tickets to the show of your choice won't be too hard.
