Bally's is fine, nothing special, nothing bad, but a great location and benefits from the walkway to Paris. The only thing we have against it is that the pool is a mile hike from the rooms, but that won't be a concern in February.

luci

We stayed at Paris one time and they closed the pool, but allowed us to use Bally's pool. That was probably a longer walk!

It's like that in a few hotels - MGM in particluar. I still go to the pool, but it's kind of nice to get able to just 'go down to the pool' in 2 minutes, like you can at Orleans, Planet Hollywood, Platinum.

OH timed the walk to the pool at the MGM and it was 15 mins from the room. Somehow he accepted that, probably because there is plenty to see on the way there, but he couldn't handle the walk to Bally's pool.

luci

I agree, at MGM it is somehow tolerable. I guess it's the atmosphere and things to see etc, I hadn't thought it was as long as 15 mins, but never timed it so could well be. We were in a celeb spa suite (far end of corridor) both visits so may even have been longer for us

Still no good flight prices. US Airways prices went up. I've noticed that in the past though this time of year, they go up then drop for the sales. Maybe they think that makes for a better sale. I can't decide where to stay. Thinknig Platinum for the last week maybe. We might go for 2 weeks again though. Not sure whether or not to stay at Orleans for a week. We really like it there, shuttle to the strip not too much hassle especially as we end up in bed by 12 most nights certainly at the beginning of the holiday! Also, we enjoyed the Rio this trip, so that might be something we will do again and not any worse from Orleans than the strip. Shuttle to Gold Coast and walk over by the car park was easy. I like subway at the Orleans for brunch if we don't feel like the buffet. Hubby likes Fuddruckers (burger place where he gets veggie burger and says it's really good), and bars are reasonable too. Also handy for McMullan's which we quite like.

Sounds like I've now decided

What's everyone else's thoughts on where they will stay next year?

Was told today that I'm being made redundant next year I could leave my job in March but it's more likely I'm going to have to train the people who will take our jobs! That means I will probably have to work through until late summer'ish so it kind of leaves us up in the air with Vegas. I'm not sure if I will be allowed holiday if I'm still there and obviously money will be an issue, even though I 'should' get a reasonable payout as I've worked there 12 years. Still pretty depressing and it means I definitely have to put any thought of booking flights on hold. Not happy!!

Oh TeeCee I am so sorry to hear that. What a time of year to drop the bombshell. I hope it is a little comfort to have been given decent notice.

I am guessing that you won't be able to look for another job until they actually serve you notice as you would lose your redundancy and they won't do that if they want you to train people.

luci

What crap news just before Christmas. I hate that.

So sorry for you TeeCee.

Thanks Luci/Pebbles

No, I can't look for another job until I know what date I have to work until and at the moment they claim they 'don't know' when the exact date will be. I've asked them to let me go in the first wave of redundancies in March but I don't hold out much hope. I'm still hoping to go to Vegas and may just go for the flights in Jan if I can and take a chance, I really don't think I can do without my yearly fix!

Cheers

TC

Hey TeeCee, really sorry to hear that.

I volunteered for redundancy just over 4 years ago. I went to Vegas in the September shortly after submitting my application, and had to phone home regularly trying to find out if I was getting it or not. I was home a couple of weeks before I knew whether or not, and still managed to enjoy Vegas. I would have expected it to be nerve-racking but it all worked out rather nicely. I had a week and a half off before starting my new job, and managed to have the job set up before my leaving date (which they also moved back a bit for training purposes too). Anyway, I'm still in the same job 4 years later, after 13 years in the previous job, and it really did all turn out for the best. Here's some good vibes for you, hope the same happens to you.

In all seriousness, you do need to work out whether to book flights if the price is right, or just wait and see your situation. You might remember our other saga this year about booking our Vegas flights and then deciding to buy a new house. We realised we could spend less in Vegas if we needed to. It really depends if you are happy to pay for your flights now, and then just budget the rest later according to your needs, or whether you would rather hold onto your money in case you need it.

Anyway, don't worry, I'm sure all will turn out well in the end. I hope there are jobs out there for you.

hi managed to get booked we are staying at the desert rose resort, i know its not on the strip but my sister said in some ways thats a bonus. I was wondering seeing as my daughter is only 16 is it true that she wont be aloud in any bars. I know shes not allowed to drink which is fine but was wondering what will we be able to do on an evening. Is there plenty to do at that age or not. Diane

No she won't be allowed in any bars or on the casino floor, even to watch. There are plenty shows and restaurants you can go to as well as visiting other hotels.

Lesley74 stayed at the Desert Rose in September so you can search her posts for comments.

I think Tangobunny took her teenage daughter the first time she went so may be able to advise.

luci

I didn't particularly enjoy Desert Rose, I may as well be upfront about that in case you do go and read my posts. The hotel itself is fine, rooms are fine and are clean etc. The problem was around the pool, both the number of loungers and a few annoying guests. It wasn't all of them.

If you have any general questions about Desert Rose though I will be happy to help.

Got a bit excited this morning, someone on MSE said they got a great deal with Virgin for August. Unfortunately nothing so good from Glasgow or for September (even tried Manchester in desparation). Just need to be patient.

Anyone else got booked yet?

Hi Lesley,

Funny enough I booked our flights this morning. I haven't heard much more about my job yet, I could be gone by March or it may take up to a year to handover our roles so I thought what the hell!

I was going to book through BA as they have their sale on. I read a few reviews about their World Traveller Plus seats and it wasn't great so I decided to play safe and book with Virgin Premium Economy again. It's £40 each dearer than BA but I know what to expect and there also isn't so much of a worry that Virgin will be on strike either!! I used some of our miles from old flights to knock over £300 quid off the two flights - still damned expensive but I can't face cattle class yet!
Have booked from 22nd Sept for two weeks so a week or so later than usual. Will leave hotels till late but am fairly sure it won't be Signature this year, may have to slum it in Monte Carlo or something!
Just glad to have it booked now.

Cheers,

TC

Excellent TeeCee. Just wish I could get a good deal!

I'd seriously consider going in June instead of the prices were better too - will be our 10th anniversary so might be nice.

You never know where you might end up staying. You never know how it might end up for you, so you could end up staying anywhere. Have you thought of Desert Rose Seriously, Monte Carlo is certainly better than no Vegas!

Well it definitely won't be Desert Rose
I actually quite liked Monte Carlo when we stayed there about 3 years ago. I'm hoping MGM may have some deals, will have to wait and see. Will be interesting to see what the dollar does as well as I hear it is in big trouble and the value could crash this coming year.

Cheers

TC

MGM with free buffet would be a nice thing to see again. I couldn't imagine doing it for more than 5 nights though, we did 5 nights last time when it was on and I genuinely enjoyed the buffet. Not just because we weren't paying for it lol.

We want to stay at Platinum, and we are likely to stay at the Orleans too. Have you stayed at the Orleans TeeCee? I actually quite like it while we have the hire car, but then I also wish we never had the car when I think about the $2 margaritas in the afternoon

Thinking of booking a week in Egypt for late January, fed up with the cold weather, and it feels like it's getting chilly again outside now. Was mild yesterday, and even fairly pleasant when we went for a walk after lunch today.

Hi Lesley,

Yes, we've stayed at the Orleans about 3 times, really like it. Will certainly consider staying there for 4 or 5 nights as they normally have really good deals. Rio is another likely option as we really like that too and should be able to get a decent deal through Harrahs Rewards. Don't really want to have to swap hotels more than once so at the moment I'd hazard a guess that we'll do something like a week at Rio and a week at MGM..............but then again........

Cheers

TC

We spent a fair bit of time in the Rio last trip, we went over for the buffet a few times (fab!), to Voodoo, for Penn & Teller. We then went back to go to the Irish pub McFadden's with its special offers and they unfortunately left a sour taste in my mouth. They are advertised on a board outside, showing no time limits. We went in and asked for the offer drinks. She said not till 10, so we wandered a while till after 10 then went back. They then gave some other excuse. I found this quite annoying. Why advertise it then not offer it! Another thing that annoyed me was the lack of choice of drinks at Voodoo. Only white or red wine (no white zin), no smirnoff ice or any other alcopops. Only beers and spirits. Vodka was a tad expensive. I guess it's more of an experience though and a lovely view. I'd probably still go back!

I'm just thinking about the Rio buffet just now. Lovely salads, then the bit that juts out with the mac cheese and cauliflower cheese etc, and the pasta...and baked potatoes, very good food. And last time we were there they were calling up drink specials '2 for $6' on a particular drink for 15 minutes at a time might have been every hour. Margaritas were fab!