1) You made a statement, you didn't ask a question. And I don't know whether you are referring to Anaheim or LV. I wouldn't be the best person to ask for LV hotels anyway.

2) Personally, I think 4 nights is more than enough, particularly if you have no intention of gambling. In fact, if you just stayed in LV, I'm not sure there is enough for even 4 days worth of entertainment. But if you take in a show, perhaps do a flight over LV or the Grand Canyon, visit the Hoover Dam etc., then you could probably stretch it to 4 days.

3) No, the food is not expensive. Almost anything you can buy in the UK you can buy for cheaper here (but, bizarrely, not bread). Groceries are sometimes cheaper, sometimes not, depending on what you are buying. If you are talking about eating out, then that is definitely cheaper here (in the US).

I would recommend somewhere mid-strip for a first visit, perhaps somewhere like the Aladdin, Paris, Ballys or Flamingo.

Four days would be enough time to get a taste of the place, that's what we did the first time, but it's not really long enough to take advantage of all that Vegas has to offer. We have been back twice for a week and will be going again in 4 weeks time for 10 days. We're not big gamblers either, although we do play the slots. You can visit the Hoover Dam, Grand Canyon, Valley of Fire or Red Rock Canyon. It would take 2-3 days to visit all the casinos and that's without mentioning all the shows you may want to see.

Eating out is reasonable compared to the UK. A breakfast buffet will cost $10-15 and dinner from $20-$32. A sit down meal is as cheap or expensive as you want it to be.

HTH

luci

Thanks for the replies so far..........

I must confess we have been before to Anaheim, so we know that side of things, but we were due to take a trip to LV last time and chickened out having booked our tickets to fly over the GC. Basically because i was worried i maybe sick with all the turbulence.

I know you can walk around the rim of GC but Virgin do not seem to do that trip, so can you buy trips over there?

Yes Luci i must confess Aladdin did look nice, and the reviews were pretty good to, is Circus Circus not a good choice?? I noticed that it would cost £400 more to go in Aladdin over Circus Circus.

I do love shows, shopping, and someone told me there is a water park nearby. We will do slots and have a game of roulette, we do love watching people, but to do that for 4 nights, would be too much. Sight seeing we also like.

I was rather surprised on trip advisor that the LUXOR gave mixed reviews, i thought that was a good hotel, just shows how things change.

Michelle x

Circus Circus is one of the more basic, budget hotels and is also at the far end of the strip. It wouldn't be as nice as the Aladdin or Paris.

One hotel which is mid-strip and slightly more expensive than Circus Circus is the Imperial Palace. We have stayed there twice and will be going again next month. We find it suits our needs perfectly, but I recommended the others as I thought you wanted a 4* rather than a 3* hotel.

The best way to book hotels in Vegas, and possibly in the rest of the US, is to book directly with the hotel. If, after you have booked, you find a lower rate for the same hotel, you can call them up and have the rate adjusted. If you book a package you are stuck with the price you booked it at.

You can check prices on the hotel's own website and also look out for offers on forums such as Trip Advisor.

We originally booked the IP at $65 Sun-Thurs and $149 Fri and Sat, then I read about someone getting a better rate using their casino player's card. I called up Player's Card reservations, quoted my card number and got a rate of $49/$69 which was a considerable saving.

We are also staying at the Aladdin for $79. We could have got it for $49, but paid the extra to get a room with a view of the Bellagio fountains.

luci

Hi - we were recommended the imperial palace - stayed there for 4 nights in august last year. Personally this wasnt long enough - but it was enough to give us a taster and want to go back. The Imperial palace has to be the best bargin on the strip. Rooms are clean and spacious - the hotel is just across from caesers palace and a 2 minuite walk from the bellagio. If you do stay there -try and not get a room over looking Harrahs as the music goes on till gone 2am.

Hello Michelle

One thing we have done previously, and something for you to consider, are you hiring a car, if so, why not drive out to the GC instead of flying, and stay overnight in one of the lodges or hotels?

It's about a 4-hour drive from Vegas; you could also visit the Hoover Dam.

I know you mentioned you only have 4 days in Vegas, and although you maybe limited on flexibility - time, although breaking your itinerary down like this, would give you a taste of Vegas to decide whether you wish to return in future or not.

HTH

Driver02

Circus Circus, though they've toned down the Gaudi colors and duct taped tares in the carpet, is still a bit seedy and in pain. A seedy crowd hangs out in the front casino, and the adjacent Slots o' Fun as well.

We found the longer we stay the less we play (gambling wise) and that seems to make the trip more enjoyable checking out the local entertainment.

LVRJ.com (INVALID URL has an entertainment section that lists : "The Best of Vegas", and ya check it out & can find some popular, affordable locals entertainment.

Comedy, singing ect. at a reasonable price, and you can get in with no problem at the last minute.
Worth a look, and I only mention because of your comment on less gambling and your 4 day stay.

My future wife (not spouse, not sig other,, wife is the term again I've learned) likes to sing to me so we go to the 'Bootlegger" near the LV outlet malls (off Blue Diamond Hy).
The Bootlegger features Karaoke to a live accompanyment, plus a nice regular music act and O.K. food. Stars in town occasionally drop by to sing too.
It works.

The most expensive isn't necessarily the best, and it's fun to explore 'Vegas this way when it's an extended stay.

The Flamingo is nice, and ya can get a deal if ya keep checking.

Hi everyone, thanks for your replies.

We are thinking 2 weeks in Anaheim and 7 nights in Vegas.

Reguarding flying over the GC, which is better plane or helicopter, ? someone told me that you can feel sick with all the ducking and diving so to speak in the canyon. My daughter wants to fly, but if there is a lot of turbulence, i may walk the rim.

We decided against circus circus, and wondered if Aladdin was a good choice of hotel?

Does anyone know when Virgin bring out there summer 07 brochures?

Thanks

Michelle x

A helicopter should have less turbulance, although it moves slower so the tour might take longer (not necessarily a bad thing, I suppose). A plane can usually hold more people and may have better views if the windows are bigger. It just depends on the company and the equipment they use. A plane is likely to be much more turbulant because tour companies tend to use prop planes. So, I dunno... has anybody done both a helicopter AND a plane tour? I've only done the plane and it was great but very turbulant. I wouldn't recommend it for nervous flyers.

I certainly wouldn't recommend the plane, unless it was going out early morning, due to the turbulence. I hated our flight over the GC and was terrified the whole time. It was extremely bumpy with sharp drops and the only thing that made me feel a bit better was that a lady onboard was even more scared than I was. I would never repeat the experience although I have read of many who have thoroughly enjoyed it. Perhaps we just had a really bad flight.

Yes I would recommend the Aladdin although it's currently changing to a Planet Hollywood so I don't know if that would make a difference.

luci

Stay away from Circus Circus definitely, it will affect your overall judgement of Vegas!!
If you stay at the Imperial Palace, make sure you ask for a room well away from Carnival court! (Read my trip report from the 12-19th March for the reason :))
Aladdin is a very nice hotel but as has been said it's changing to Planet Hollywood this year and there is a fair bit of work going on in there, just something to consider.

If you're only going for 4 days, make it a Monday to Thursday if you can, the hotel prices triple at the weekend!

Helicopter V Plane - no contest, helicopter wins hands down. I've done both and with the helicopter you can actually land in the canyon, you'll also probably fly over Hoover Dam and down the strip so you get 3 for the price of one! If you do go by helicopter, try to nab one of the seats in the front, it is not too pleasant sitting in the rear seats and you're much more likely to feel ill in those.

HTH,

Cheers,

TC

Regarding whether you get to fly over Las Vegas etc., that depends on the tour company and the type of package you buy. Some deals are just for a Grand Canyon flyover (although you would also see Lake Mead and the Hoover Dam). Other deals have you landing at the bottom of the Canyon, and others still may include a Las Vegas flyover. Obviously, these deals tend to be a lot more expensive.

Thanks...

Can you actually have a guided tour around the rim of the GC? Although my daughter would like to go over in the helicopter, my husband has a condition which makes me fear heights and has panic attacks. I need to please both really, i just hope this can be done?

Reguarding Aladdin - if there are building works being on the horizon, i would go somewhere else, i did read your vegas report and noticed the noise one end of the imperial.

I said to my husband depending on cost 2 weeks in Anaheim and a week in Vegas, i dont want it to feel it will be rushed.

Can anyone tell me if to take Dollars or travellers cheques? I normally would take my Nationwide debit card with the visa sign on it, at least i can get cash out of my account without being charged.

Hi Michelle
the amount of turbulence on the plane to the GC depends on the heat. Uf you can go and come back in the morning and the evening it'll probably be flat calm. If you can stay out of the air from about 11 till 6 you will be fine.
We have had 2 stays in Las Vegas and I think 4 days is plenty. Try to see a show and also visit the Hoover Dam. We also liked Red Rock Canyon. We have stayed at Harrahs, MGM and Hard Rock. I liked Hard Rock best as its a more manageable size but Harrahs had the best location.
Cheers
Bridd

Hi Bridd

i dont think Hard Rock is in the virgin brochure, saying this, i dont have to travel with them, i will need to look into other brochures, it was just virgin came out cheaper. I like HRC food :D. Also does anyone know in LA or vegas if there is a NASCAR restaurant? I went to one in Florida (Universal studios) and the food was fantastic, dont order a lot, portions more enormous than usual

The Aladdin construction should be finished this year and the last I heard it would be launched as Planet Hollywood on 01-01-07.

We too have a Nationwide debit card, but be careful where you use it in Vegas as the hotel's own ATM's still charge around $4 per transaction. We used it at a Wells Fargo ATM at the airport and outside Harrah's and we weren't charged, even though there was a sign on the machine to say that non-WF customers would be charged $4.

If you are booking a package then I'd recommend the Imperial Palace for location and value. The Aladdin would be more expensive.

luci

I've not been on here for a while and managed to miss this big long thread on Vegas!

As for hotels....depends what you want really. Aladdin is slightly south strip, with a gap to the south before MGM - there's polo towers in there and Hawaiian Marketplace, then tacky souvenir shops and Walgreens before MGM...a reasonable distance. North it's right next door to Paris, then Bally's then upwards towards all my favourites. Directly opposite you have Bellagio, and if you tip the desk clerk at check in $20 and ask nicely (revealing the $20 subtly while asking) you can get an upgrade to a fountain view room. We did this twice and on our first stay we got a fountain view, then next stay we got a resort room. Much better view from both of these rooms. One tip though is try to get a room in the north tower, facing north (Paris view), or in the south tower facing north (pool view). Always try to get a high floor (above 10) but maybe even 18 or so if possible.

Another hotel we liked was TI. However it has very much a party atmosphere going on (more so than Aladdin, although it has it too) where people drink cocktails in the pool. TI has a huge jacuzzi, and some double sunloungers too. It's very well located, being next to Fashion Show Mall, at Sands Avenue to take the bus east to Boulevard Mall (where the locals shop), and also for Wynn, Venetian, Mirage etc all up that end of the strip.

I don't think Aladdin is under any sort of major construction....I know they re-did some of the casino, making a big poker area I think upstairs at the London Club maybe....but it's not noisy type construction. Aladdin buffet is really good also, as is Bellagio which will be just across the road. Watch out for a strange looking lizard with its owner right opposite near the bus stop - it's a guy with this thing in his arms, sort of sitting upright and it's ugly as hell. I'm a bit reptile phobic though

We saw a fantastic show last september at Wynn 'Avenue Q' it was really really funny! I think they have a website..

http://www.avenueq.com

Oooo Lesley, can you tell me a bit more about Avenue Q? I've just booked tickets to see it on my birthday in May after reading some positive reviews. Really looking forward to it although I don't know anything about the show apart from that is contains puppets.

They have dropped the price of the show from starting at $88 to only $50. Can you remember where you were seated? We have seats in the front row of the balcony.

Only 3 weeks tomorrow till we're in Vegas and I can't wait!

luci