[JagFan27]

Hello,
I lived in Vegas from 1981-1984, so it's been awhile! In fact, I got married at Graceland Wedding Chapel in June 1984. We moved to Dallas, TX and then to Florida after I left Vegas.

For our 25th anniversary, we thought we would visit Vegas, but oh my! It has changed so much. We spent our wedding night at the Golden Nugget (nice room!), but we thought we'd stay on the Strip for this trip.

I don't recognize too many names of the hotels, so I thought I would come here for a recommendation. After checking travelocity and expedia, I was leaning towards The Mirage. One of the reasons was the location.

So, would you give me your input on hotels? I don't want to spend the $$$ for something like The Venetian, but I don't want to stay at a dump (unclean). Back when I lived there, the Desert Inn was classy and Caesar's was the top of the line.
BTW, I used to teach at R. O. Gibson Jr. High. I also bought my first house in Vegas 6508 Gumwood Rd. (If I recall, it was off Smoke Ranch. I think the development was called Tanglewood, but maybe not.) How is that neighborhood now, does anyone know?

[Buzz123]

Originally Posted by JagFan27

Hello,
I lived in Vegas from 1981-1984, so it's been awhile! In fact, I got married at Graceland Wedding Chapel in June 1984. We moved to Dallas, TX and then to Florida after I left Vegas.

For our 25th anniversary, we thought we would visit Vegas, but oh my! It has changed so much. We spent our wedding night at the Golden Nugget (nice room!), but we thought we'd stay on the Strip for this trip.

I don't recognize too many names of the hotels, so I thought I would come here for a recommendation. After checking travelocity and expedia, I was leaning towards The Mirage. One of the reasons was the location.

So, would you give me your input on hotels? I don't want to spend the $$$ for something like The Venetian, but I don't want to stay at a dump (unclean). Back when I lived there, the Desert Inn was classy and Caesar's was the top of the line.
BTW, I used to teach at R. O. Gibson Jr. High. I also bought my first house in Vegas 6508 Gumwood Rd. (If I recall, it was off Smoke Ranch. I think the development was called Tanglewood, but maybe not.) How is that neighborhood now, does anyone know?

Most of us who live here don't stay in hotels so it's hard to say, but the Mirage should be a good choice. It's pretty classy, and like you said, it's a good location. I have friends who stay at Caesars frequently and I think that's a good choice too. You won't believe the changes in that hotel, and all the others. I don't know what the rates are like at the new Planet Hollywood (formerly the Aladdin), but we like it there for the Miracle Mile shops and restaurants.

That neighborhood is not too bad but the surrounding area is getting a little run down and congested. Too many apartments near by. The shopping and restaurants in the area are both a blessing and a curse if you lived there. A lot of conveniences but too many people.

[jfkIII]

you can't beat The Flamingo for location and price-wise it's a good value. Suggestion: spring the extra for GO rooms...they are fun, chique and offer excellent views of the fountains at Bellagio.

[airics]

keep watching the internet for specials at the mirage.. get a tower suite.

[jjameson922]

The Mirage can be noisy if you get a room in the front.

If I have to stay on the strip, my choice is Treasure Island, for the money.
Off strip, my choice is Red Rock. Bally's used to be a nice middle of the mill property but it has really gone down. The beds and pillows feel like they are filled with packing peanuts.

Every hotel is generally made up of a different clientele and you need to know where you feel comfortable. Flamingo is nice and centrally located but I personally do not feel comfortable there.

Hopefully you will rent a car and just use the hotel as your sleeping facility. The hotel restaurants are way overpriced but there are many great places to eat with quality and value if you leave that strip.

[airics]

i felt the rooms were small at ti, i only recommended the tower suites or better at the mirage, they are huge, all tile, tv comes up from dresser, etc...i was there about 2yrs ago, paid $149, it was worth it.

[airics]

the go room at the flamingo may be nice (never been in that room) but the rest of the hotel is a dump

[GoreeGal]

Since I am an out of towner planning a move to Vegas and I have stayed in all the hotels and somehow managed to mention anniversary when we had one and got upgraded.

Here is my preference based upon shear beauty and amenities and location

Caesars Palace Great Shopping area in casino complex

Planet Hollywood - Fun Casino has miracle mile shopping attached

Venetian - Go to the site and see how pretty. They have suite rooms and are beautiful.

Belagio- Elegant in every way

Mandalay Bay, Four Seasons and The Hotel (all in one complex area) nice nice nice but not close to anything. Have to take a tram to get to a tram.

Mirage is old and dated last time we were there it felt dirty
Monte Carol is nothing special

NYNY is being updated not an anniversary hotel

Flamingo Too crowded (does have Jimmy Buffets Place there)

Balleys and Paris nothing special except you could take your wife to the top of the Eiffel Tower and watch the fountains at the Belagio

Harrahs - stayed there once and would not return. Dated

Tropicana - should be imploded Nasty Dirty Place
Excalibur - lower end place

Hilton Has seen its day

The others forget too old too run down too seedy

Just tell the desk clerk when you get there it is your anniversary pass them 50 bucks and see what happens. (might not work well on a FRI SAT night however.

Have fun and good luck.

[kimba01]

We have stayed at the Flamingo our last two times visiting. First time was awesome as we got one of the GO rooms. They were nice and clean. Second time, we were supposed to get upgraded to one but the place was too full so they gave us a suite. Suite? Where? It stunk so bad, the floors were grimy, beds were ok-just plain ole old. Not impressed. Pool is the best, if you are into that.

Loved NYNY. The beds and pillows were awesome.

Loved Golden Nugget on Fremont St. Such a blast there and I loved hangin' out downtown.

Not impressed with TI. Small rooms, and at the time, terrible food choices.

MGM was decent. Liked the casino, shops and it smells great there!

Ballys-rundown.

Caesars was ok, wouldn't especially go there unless I got a great deal. Definitely a place to visit though.

Same with Venetian and Planet Hollywood. I love the PH casino.

[jpk]

Since you mentioned the Mirage, I just stayed in the Mirage last winter and it has been updated. It is the first of the "new generation" mega-casino-resorts that now dominate the strip. The rooms are now like new and not dirty or worn out. It's also very reasonably priced if you book at the right time.

It's centrally located, so you can walk to most of the other big hotels from the Mirage. Like others said, I'd also check out Caesar's or Bellaggio as they too are centrally located and have good rooms.