Vegas (2 Viewers)

[Michael Brown]

Check out a place called Hugo's Cellar. 

Downtown, off the Fremont Experience, in the basement of the Four Queens hotel. 

It's not for everyone, but it looks like it's been there since Sammy and Dean were buying drinks. Salads made table side, Beef Wellington on the menu (), rickety old waiters who will run across the street to borrow wine from other restaurants if you order something pricey. 

One thing about a lot of Vegas restaurants, they have a very sterile vibe, especially the newer places. Hugo's Cellar is a little time machine, I love it there. 

If you do wind up down there, the best place for drinks after, not involving a casino, are the Griffin, and Downtown Cocktail Room. 

Funny you mention this. Last time we were in Vegas was 2 years ago for my 40th bday. Had wayyy too many drinks at Frankie's before dinner, and remember absolutely zero about our dinner at Hugo's. I do recall thinking it was an awesome vibe with the brick walls in the basement and all the rest. How was our food? Who the hell knows! But it was awesome. A (gigantic) old fashioned later, and we were stumbling over to DCR. Eventually wandered outside to catch a catfight where one chick got her head repeatedly banged into the sidewalk by another before it was broken up. Blood and hair everyplace. Quite an evening

 

[Michael Brown]

TRIP RECAP

Ended up staying four nights at the Bellaggio after getting an Express deal on Priceline (matched up the nightly resort fee so we knew we were getting Bellaggio). It was the weekend of the EDC so there were half naked girls in light-up outfits all over town, good times.

Side note - wife always wanted to do Palm Springs so we spent 3 nights there first. The drive from PS to Vegas is far better than the drive from LA, in case anyone was interested in some cooler scenery. Much more mountainous, not as much desert and bland highway. Anyway...

Did a ride called FlyOver mid-afternoon, easy way to kill an hour. Pretty cool, and if you like Soarin at Disney you'll enjoy it. We got the package that came with a drink (duh).

Dinner at Lago outside literally next to the Bellaggio fountains, and I was the hero of the night. One night at Eiffel Tower with a window view of the fountains (food was solid but nothing to rave about). Another night at Andiamo with an amazing cowboy ribeye. And the last night at one of our favorites, Yardbird. Great as ever.

Along the way, hit the usual spots at Frankie's for pre-dinner drinks (not a billion this time, just 3 each), and Mon Ami Gabi for brunch on the patio one morning. Paid far too much for decent but not amazing cocktails at Starlight on 66 at Resorts World. You're paying for the atmosphere/view, which is quite awesome. But for $32 I kinda want the drink to match the ambiance.

Made it over to Circa to have drinks at Legacy Club. Those were also kinda pricey especially for downtown but at least they were excellent drinks. Very upscale vibe, kinda out of place once you get back to street level and it's madness everywhere.

This trip was for the wife's 40th. It was the first concert back for Gwen Stefani, who is one of her all-time favorites. Show was awesome as expected, lots of energy and if you're in our age range pretty much every song is familiar.

Tried to get to Peppermill late night on Friday around 230 or so, only to find a security guard outside telling us it was closed for the night. I know it always used to be 24 hours. I remember someone saying last time that the only time they had ever closed was after the Mandalay Bay shooting. F'n Covid...

 

[Michael Brown]

Heading back on Monday for a work conference, so I'll try to rectify missing out on a couple things although I'm mostly stuck at Mandalay Bay (my room is at the Delano). I'm not as familiar with the area. I have reservations at Veranda at Four Seasons for breakfast, and dinner reservations at Foundation Room and Border Grill (I've actually been to all three of these places before, so would love to mix it up a bit). Anyplace else I should make sure I get to?

 

[Drunken knight]

Heading back on Monday for a work conference, so I'll try to rectify missing out on a couple things although I'm mostly stuck at Mandalay Bay (my room is at the Delano). I'm not as familiar with the area. I have reservations at Veranda at Four Seasons for breakfast, and dinner reservations at Foundation Room and Border Grill (I've actually been to all three of these places before, so would love to mix it up a bit). Anyplace else I should make sure I get to?

At mandalay bay I like aureole, fleur,  and stripsteak

 

[Desert_Power]

Heading back on Monday for a work conference, so I'll try to rectify missing out on a couple things although I'm mostly stuck at Mandalay Bay (my room is at the Delano). I'm not as familiar with the area. I have reservations at Veranda at Four Seasons for breakfast, and dinner reservations at Foundation Room and Border Grill (I've actually been to all three of these places before, so would love to mix it up a bit). Anyplace else I should make sure I get to?

At mandalay bay I like aureole, fleur,  and stripsteak

Yeah, I still think the Wagyu Ribcap at StripSteak was my favorite restaurant steak. We went pretty simple and didn't try the rest of the menu though.

 

[Osaurus]

Loving Circa so far. It’s a really nice place. I’ve got a Stadium Swim room with a wall of windows on 2 sides. The tech in this room is pretty impressive too. Highly recommend. 

 

[Osaurus]

Had probably 2 too many drinks at Atomic Liquors last night, but it was worth it. It’s never the same there without @kevzilla though. Hanging out locally today and going to Sting show tonight at Caesar’s so I’ll probably take the monorail down there from Resorts World area (I think the convention center is the nearest station) earlier and just wander around the Forum Shops and grab some food and drinks.

 

[Osaurus]

Initial thought of Resorts World is it’s meh. It’s a massive layout with restaurants and a casino, but the Conrad hotel feels just like staying at any other Hilton. Maybe it’s because I am so impressed with Circa after staying there 2 nights, but Resorts World seems overhyped.

ETA: I do like it’s proximity to the north Strip properties. 

 

[PlayaHata]

Just back from 6 days in Vegas.  We spent 4 nights at Mandalay Bay while my wife attended a conference and then 2 more days at Palazzo.  Highlights of the trip:

• Pinball Hall of Fame is awesome!  It's a 10 minute walk from Mandalay Bay and there are so many machines to play, from super vintage up to present day.  I spent $20 in quarters and had a ton of fun.  I am by no means a pinball aficionado but my favorite machine was Jurassic Park Pro (2019) from Stern.  It's also just a 5 minute walk from here to the "Welcome to Las Vegas" sign so you can knock both of these out in the same trip.
  
• Saw my first ever NHL game, Vegas Golden Knights vs. Seattle Kraken at T-Mobile Arena.  I've seen a lot of minor league hockey over the years, but this was my first NHL game.  The arena was great and the crowd was electric.  I think my favorite thing might have been when the opposing team gets a penalty and the fans chant "Shame! Shame! Shame" a la  Game of Thrones.
  
• We spent a half day at Area 15 and did Omega Mart and Lost Spirits Distillery.  We spent about 3 hours in Omega Mart and it was definitely worth doing, but it started to become a slog at the end as the place got more and more crowded and you had to wait longer to complete "tasks" in order to finish the story.  We still enjoyed it though.  Lost Spirits Distillery was neat too.  Strong spirits in a cool atmosphere, I just wish there was a little more variety in the tastings.  I think 4 of the 5 things we tried were all different rums.
  
• Neon Museum - Wife wanted to try this and so we did the 45-minute guided tour and the 20 minute Brilliant show.  It's in the downtown area if you're out that way and the tour and the light show was each neat in their own way.  If you go, go in the evening after it gets dark.
  

Favorite meals

• Bouchon at Venetian for brunch
  
• Chin Chin at NYNY for sushi before the hockey game.  I absolutely LOVED the sushi here.
  
• Mayfair Supper Club at Bellagio - I thought the food was a little underwhelming for the price paid, but the atmosphere between the singers/dancers and the fountains in the background made up for it.
  
• Al Solito Posto - This one is off strip in Tivoli Villiage, but we had some friends that live in Vegas pick us up for dinner one night and this is a new restaurant that they wanted to try.  It was really, really good Italian if you're ever out that way.
  

 

[Dwayne Hoover]

Looks like MGM is parting ways with the Mirage.  Sold to Hard Rock for 1.08 billion.

I've always liked this property, will be interesting to see what the Hard Rock does with it.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/hard-rock-pays-1-08-232516136.html

 

[kevzilla]

Looks like MGM is parting ways with the Mirage.  Sold to Hard Rock for 1.08 billion.

I've always liked this property, will be interesting to see what the Hard Rock does with it.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/hard-rock-pays-1-08-232516136.html

Build a guitar tower where the volcano is now. You have roughly next fall before the deal closes. 

 

[ghostguy123]

Couple questions.  Haven't been to vegas in a decade.  Me and the wife were gonna go for 2 maybe 3 nights.  We are early 40s so not looking to get super crazy.  We gamble but fairly lightweights.  Maybe willing to lose a few hundred a day.  Baccarat, little craps, little roulette (any single zero tables anywhere??).

We are not sure the dates yet but sometime in january.  Any shows worth seeing such as any of the mainstays that are pretty much always there?  Music?  Comedy?

I am guessing we would mostly hang on the new strip.  Best hotels that arent super expensive?  We dont care about comps or service, moreso just convenient location to most things and a decent breakfast.  

Any decent clubs for squares like us?  I like 20-somethings shakin their B-hind for the men folk as much as the next guy, but maybe a more relaxed atmosphere with light dancing.  However, a few hours on one of the towers with a nice view might be cool.

Recommendations for a decent steak that wont cost me a ton?  We arent cheap, but we do appreciate value.  

Which hotels have the roller coaster on the roof?  Any other good rides worth bumping into?  

Lot of vague here I know.  Sorry.  Just rather not go out there totally blind on a short trip.

TIA

 

[eoMMan]

Bump for ghostguy123

We just booked a May Vegas. Looking forward to it.

 

[ghostguy123]

Bump for ghostguy123

We just booked a May Vegas. Looking forward to it.

We had to cancel our january plans but are now looking to the end of february(metallica concert feb 25th, see Metallica concert thread ).

If we end up going, just gonna wing it.  We'll figure it out.  Casinos and booze.

 

[ghostguy123]

What's Vegas like these days with regards to smoking in the casinos?  Can I lite up a cigar at the Baccarat table?

 

[kevzilla]

Can I lite up a cigar at the Baccarat table?

Sure. Mind if I fart?

Just kidding. The serious answer is yes, except Park MGM (formerly Monte Carlo).

 

[Osaurus]

Looking at prices for everything Vegas this year and it’s crazy expensive. Might consider a late Fall visit or not at all this year. 

 

[kevzilla]

Looking at prices for everything Vegas this year and it’s crazy expensive. Might consider a late Fall visit or not at all this year. 

Airfare on SWA shoots up after the first weekend in March. I understand, because the next weekend is multiple conference tourneys in Vegas, followed by the big one. I often go on Final Four weekend, because it's busy but not insane. But I'm going to have to play chicken with SWA as usual; the low ebb in prices for AUS-LAS seems to be 80-70 days out.

If I don't see some relief in airfare, I may pass on a spring trip, even though I can get comped rooms. We'll see.

 

[Osaurus]

Airfare on SWA shoots up after the first weekend in March. I understand, because the next weekend is multiple conference tourneys in Vegas, followed by the big one. I often go on Final Four weekend, because it's busy but not insane. But I'm going to have to play chicken with SWA as usual; the low ebb in prices for AUS-LAS seems to be 80-70 days out.

If I don't see some relief in airfare, I may pass on a spring trip, even though I can get comped rooms. We'll see.

I looked into late April/early May and airfare from Tampa is nuts. SWA had some rt flights for over $700. That’s nuts. Hotel rates seem crazy for that time too. I didn’t look into Summer bc I’m not insane. Maybe early November again, but maybe I’ll wait until next Spring. I’ve got stuff lined up in late August and late September already so if I skip this year, it’s fine. 

 

[Todem]

So we booked our trip to Vegas for Summer June 2022. 

It is for my nieces sweet 16. She has been chomping to go to Vegas. So it will be my wife, son (17) my mom is going along, father inlaw, sister inlaw and niece. So a family vacation thing. 

We are staying in the Luxor in the new tower. $700 for 6 nights. We got a crazy good rate. 

Booked Jetblue had a nonstop but of course they already changed it to one stop in LAX (2 hour layover) but we still arrive to Vegas 10:40AM that Saturday. No biggie. Red eye non stop coming home to South Florida. The airfare worked out to just shy of $500 per person round trip with one checked bag each, carry on and personal item....felt that was quite fair. And I really like Jetblue. 

My wife and I used to do Vegas once a year for 3-4 nights however the last time we were in Vegas was 2015 (I went two times in 2015 one with the wife and then to see Rush on a guys trip on the R40 tour at the MGM).  We usually stay at the Aria....love that place. 

We have never stayed at the Luxor.....looks like fun. 

We were able to book a premium sized car for just $350 bucks for 6 days thru Costco travel (Budget). 

So I think we did great booking early....and getting great rates on air, car and hotel. 

I am very excited to get back out there and plunge my brains out at the craps tables.

 

[3 hour lunch]

Booked $80 flights first week of February for a few days of golf. Staying at the Nugget. Booked an April trip with the wife, staying at Aria. Hoping no masks by then but not holding my breath. 

 

[nirad3]

I was almost stuck there on 12/30 on a layover.  I know, if you're going to get stuck anywhere on a layover, Vegas is the place.  But man, finding a hotel would have been nuts the night before NYE, and I'm sure it wouldn't have been cheap (although my company would have foot the bill).  Just came to say what a nightmare their airport is.  I didn't even have time to throw some $1's into a slot machine.  :(

 

[Judge Smails]

I was almost stuck there on 12/30 on a layover.  I know, if you're going to get stuck anywhere on a layover, Vegas is the place.  But man, finding a hotel would have been nuts the night before NYE, and I'm sure it wouldn't have been cheap (although my company would have foot the bill).  Just came to say what a nightmare their airport is.  I didn't even have time to throw some $1's into a slot machine.  :(

I remember a number of years ago we got to the gate at McCarran and then they delayed the flight for 4 hours.  We said what the heck and got out of there.  Took a cab back to the strip.  Played about 90 minutes at a blackjack table where the dealer was ice cold.  Won about 2 grand and headed back to the airport.  That was an epic flight home.

 

[Gilroy34]

Looking to book a hotel for first week of March Madness.  A group of friends went last year and we stayed at Treasure Island.  The problem we ran in to was all the sports books were reserved seating so we never found a good spot to watch the games.  Any recommendations on how and where to reserve seating?  We would prefer the strip but would consider downtown.

 

[facook]

Looking to book a hotel for first week of March Madness.  A group of friends went last year and we stayed at Treasure Island.  The problem we ran in to was all the sports books were reserved seating so we never found a good spot to watch the games.  Any recommendations on how and where to reserve seating?  We would prefer the strip but would consider downtown.

i would assume you can reserve with a (very high) food/beverage/wagering minimum agreement, maybe just food/beverage.  If you are open to downtown I'd call Circa first.  Venetian's book would be my second choice, but I've also heard really good things about Cosmo and Aria's books.

 

[kevzilla]

Just booked airfare for Final Four weekend. Because I was flexible about my flights, it's only going to cost about $240 worth of miles. Anything under $300 for AUS-LAS is pretty good.

 

[facook]

Just booked airfare for Final Four weekend. Because I was flexible about my flights, it's only going to cost about $240 worth of miles. Anything under $300 for AUS-LAS is pretty good.

Where ya staying Kev?

 

[soothsayer]

Going at the end of this month. Because it's a longer stay I'll be at three different properties during my time there, but this deal (still going on I think) is amazing:

- Stay at Circa for 2 nights (valid on Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday nights only) and receive room, $50 credit at the Legacy Club, $100 F&B credit and one complimentary pool daybed with no minimum spend for $300 ALL IN (yes - including resort fees).

Also have comped room at Park MGM and a few heavily discounted nights at Vdara. This will be the most show-heavy trip I've ever had. Planning to see Shin Lim, Mac King, Carrot Top, maybe Absinthe again and have tickets to the Magician's Study. Can't wait.

 

 

[kevzilla]

Where ya staying Kev?

TBD. Will give Golden Gate hostess another chance, but last time they switched me from a GG Suite to a regular high-floor room at the D. This flight lands at 10:20 PM, so I expect similar treatment. I'm just not that important.

 

[Osaurus]

Going at the end of this month. Because it's a longer stay I'll be at three different properties during my time there, but this deal (still going on I think) is amazing:

- Stay at Circa for 2 nights (valid on Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday nights only) and receive room, $50 credit at the Legacy Club, $100 F&B credit and one complimentary pool daybed with no minimum spend for $300 ALL IN (yes - including resort fees).

Also have comped room at Park MGM and a few heavily discounted nights at Vdara. This will be the most show-heavy trip I've ever had. Planning to see Shin Lim, Mac King, Carrot Top, maybe Absinthe again and have tickets to the Magician's Study. Can't wait.

 

I loved staying at Circa few months ago. I've also stayed at Vdara many times. It's probably about time for some room improvements there, but it has always been clean, quiet, and close to everything I need to go to in the area.

 

[soothsayer]

I loved staying at Circa few months ago. I've also stayed at Vdara many times. It's probably about time for some room improvements there, but it has always been clean quiet, and close to everything I need to go to in the area.

Vdara is my choice when rates at Cosmo are too high. And right now rates at Cosmo are too high. The fountain view suite at Vdara is, IMO, the best bang for the buck on the strip.

 

[Osaurus]

Vdara is my choice when rates at Cosmo are too high. And right now rates at Cosmo are too high. The fountain view suite at Vdara is, IMO, the best bang for the buck on the strip.

Love the corner suites.

 

[dhockster]

So which casinos are attached to hotel rewards programs? I am probably going to start doing a lot more traveling and have not enrolled in a hotel reward program before, so if I could earn points at a specific hotel chain that would get me stays in Vegas, that would be great.

 

[massraider]

So which casinos are attached to hotel rewards programs? I am probably going to start doing a lot more traveling and have not enrolled in a hotel reward program before, so if I could earn points at a specific hotel chain that would get me stays in Vegas, that would be great.

You should enroll in Hyatt and Marriott. Marriott is the biggest, Hyatt is best for value, getting bang for your buck in terms of points. 

 

[dhockster]

You should enroll in Hyatt and Marriott. Marriott is the biggest, Hyatt is best for value, getting bang for your buck in terms of points. 

Are those points programs affiliated with any of the Casinos?

 

[massraider]

Are those points programs affiliated with any of the Casinos?

Hyatt with these guys: 

https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/travel/your-guide-to-mgm-resorts-m-life-rewards-program

Marriott has several more. Including Cosmo. 

https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/travel/the-guide-to-using-your-marriott-bonvoy-points-in-las-vegas

 

[massraider]

There's no correct answer, it depends on what kind of traveler you are, and how important different things are for you. 

Marriott has the best property, the Cosmo, but it will cost 4 times the points. Then it's a big drop off to the next best place, but they have a lot of options. 

Hyatt is smaller, but much better rates for the rooms, they cost less in points. 

If you are traveling to the same places all the time, you might have a better idea which brand works for you. 

 

[dhockster]

There's no correct answer, it depends on what kind of traveler you are, and how important different things are for you. 

Marriott has the best property, the Cosmo, but it will cost 4 times the points. Then it's a big drop off to the next best place, but they have a lot of options. 

Hyatt is smaller, but much better rates for the rooms, they cost less in points. 

If you are traveling to the same places all the time, you might have a better idea which brand works for you. 

Thanks for the info. Very helpful

 

[soothsayer]

So which casinos are attached to hotel rewards programs? I am probably going to start doing a lot more traveling and have not enrolled in a hotel reward program before, so if I could earn points at a specific hotel chain that would get me stays in Vegas, that would be great.

The Tropicana is a Doubletree hotel. Not a widely used loyalty program but it fits what you are asking.

There are other properties on/near strip affiliated with hotel chains (non-casino properties). Marriott Grand Chateau and there is a Hyatt vacation property. Might be others as well. 

 

[CGRdrJoe]

Land in Vegas around 1030 this saturday, staying at Harrah’s since i am diamond and got the rooms comped with no resort fee. Rest of the crew over at the venetian so mill be spending all my time between the two resorts. The Wyndham to Caesars diamond match has made vegas cheap, i’m a sucker for free over a nicer room. 4 nfl games, UFC, basketball, soccer, craps, pai gow man i’m not gonna get much sleep between now and then

 

[kevzilla]

Comped in a Golden Gate Suite for Final Four weekend. I roll deep, yo

 

[Osaurus]

Looking like I’ll be out there again in late September (midweek through Saturday). Think I’ll stay at Caesar’s this time for a change of pace. 

 

[Mr. Landry]

This is a last minute Hail Mary, but what the heck....

We're hitting Vegas this weekend to celebrate an anniversary.  I'm thinking of getting a table on the patio deck of the Foundation Room.  My fear is it will be too cold.  I've never been to Vegas in February and certainly never been outside on the 63rd floor at that time.

Anyone have any idea of how uncomfortable it'll be?   Weather.com is saying it'll be about 36 degrees.  They say they have heaters, but I have no idea if that will be enough.

TIA

 

[soothsayer]

This is a last minute Hail Mary, but what the heck....

We're hitting Vegas this weekend to celebrate an anniversary.  I'm thinking of getting a table on the patio deck of the Foundation Room.  My fear is it will be too cold.  I've never been to Vegas in February and certainly never been outside on the 63rd floor at that time.

Anyone have any idea of how uncomfortable it'll be?   Weather.com is saying it'll be about 36 degrees.  They say they have heaters, but I have no idea if that will be enough.

TIA

If the temp is in the 30s, those heaters will be no match for the wind on the 63rd floor. You can have fun doing it but it will definitely be cold fun.

 

[Zasada]

Headed to Vegas this weekend.  Staying at the Waldorf Astoria (former Mandarin Oriental) using Hilton points.

Any tips for the property/area?  Not big gamblers, but my wife likes shopping and we like (vegetarian) food.

I like sportsbooks, so might head to the Westgate for that.  Would be cool if there was a good sportsbook closer.

 

[Osaurus]

Headed to Vegas this weekend.  Staying at the Waldorf Astoria (former Mandarin Oriental) using Hilton points.

Any tips for the property/area?  Not big gamblers, but my wife likes shopping and we like (vegetarian) food.

I like sportsbooks, so might head to the Westgate for that.  Would be cool if there was a good sportsbook closer.

If you want to do something nice for your wife, I highly recommend the tea service at the Waldorf. I’m not sure if they can do vegetarian service, but it’s worth asking.

You can watch all the Asian tourists taking pictures of the champagne vending machine 

 

[3 hour lunch]

Headed to Vegas this weekend.  Staying at the Waldorf Astoria (former Mandarin Oriental) using Hilton points.

Any tips for the property/area?  Not big gamblers, but my wife likes shopping and we like (vegetarian) food.

I like sportsbooks, so might head to the Westgate for that.  Would be cool if there was a good sportsbook closer.

Drinks at Chandalier (Cosmo) and/or the bar right there at the Waldorf up on the 40th floor or whatever. Not sure what your sportsbook requirement are, but not sure why you would need to go all the way to the Westgate….All the casinos nearby have them and it’s not a huge sports weekend so I think a smaller one like Cosmo or Bellagio would do the trick? 

 

[That one guy]

Trying like hell to get on the work list of those getting sent to InfoComm in June and/or DSE in November…was just there this past November for first time in over a decade, dang I love that town

As for sportsbook, we just downloaded the MGM app and got a table at the BetMGM bar at Park MGM, enjoyed it immensely 

 

[Desert_Power]

Headed to Vegas this weekend.  Staying at the Waldorf Astoria (former Mandarin Oriental) using Hilton points.

Any tips for the property/area?  Not big gamblers, but my wife likes shopping and we like (vegetarian) food.

I like sportsbooks, so might head to the Westgate for that.  Would be cool if there was a good sportsbook closer.

I agree with others you will have plenty to do nearby. High-end shopping at Aria, Chandelier bar, and sportsbooks in several close casinos (I'd choose Cosmo).

 

[GroveDiesel]

Hitting Vegas for the first time this summer with some friends. Flying into Vegas and staying 1 night at Treasure Island, then heading to Zion and Bryce for the week, then back to Vegas for 2 nights at the Venetian.

Probably not looking at a baller budget, but what are some first timer recommendations for Vegas, especially in the area of TI and Venetian.