I don't think the Stratosphere is that bad. It may be a budget hotel compared to others in Vegas, but compares well to hotels in Europe. It is quite isolated at the far north end of the strip, but as there isn't much in walking distance you are unlikely to do much walking in that area. All I would suggest, from what I've read not what I've experienced, is that you get a taxi at night. You should be fine during the day.

My brother and his wife stayed there lat year and they thought it was fine and didn't encounter any problems.

We have seen Mystere and it was OK. It didn't wow me, but I think that Cirque shows, ie acrobats, etc aren't really my thing.

If you are intending seeing any top shows I suggest you book them in advance. Mid-range shows can be booked when you get there. http://www.vegas.com lists all the shows, but don't book through that site as they are expensive. THIS LINK give upcoming shows.

Any plans on where to eat yet? I did a post on here a couple of months ago about Tix4Dinner which gives you half off entrees at some places. We went to Bally's Steakhouse and really enjoyed it. Got a 24oz Porterhouse steak for $20 instead of $40

luci

We haven't specifically thought about food yet, apart from putting it into our mouths and eating it

It is going to be a job and a half though. Better half doesn't like anything but chicken. She might as well be vegetarian

Having read some of the other forums on the net ( ), buffets seems to be popular and inexpensive. Not looking forward to queueing for the food though.

With the strong pound currently, I'm sure good value for money can be had.

Mark

Buffets- oh yeah!! - you don't need meat- all the salads/veggies/breads/desserts/drinks you can handle. Love 'em.

Mark,

Don't believe the hype about the surrounding area of the Strat. - it mainly comes from people who have never been in that area and it's like Chinese whispers!! I've walked around that area at night and it's not too bad, just use common sense - don't walk around with a couple of cameras hanging from your neck, don't flash your wallet about and don't go down any 'back alleys' - exactly the sort of thing you would avoid here in the UK!! There'll be lots of people milling about anyway. If you want a dodgy area, go to the bus depot downtown after dark.........I did and that WAS creepy!!
The Stratosphere would be at least a three star hotel in Europe, their standards are so much higher over there, I've stayed at 2 star hotels in the USA and they've been better than 3 stars over here. Roxys Diner is good in the Strat. - also the Top of the World restaurant is a must if you don't mind paying a bit for a good meal, the food is very good and the view is amazing.
Buffets are good value but the quality ranges greatly, there are some real awful ones. If you want a breakfast, don't rule out somewhere like Dennys, there are several around. A good breakfast should mean you don't need a lunch as well!!

I liked Mystere, it's not quite as good as 'O' but is miles better than Zumanity. We're going to see Ka in September ourselves in the MGM (we go out on the 17th Sept.)

Grand Canyon is a must - it will be worth doing some research before you go - you'll see several recommendations on this forum, I personally went with Maverick Helicopters who were excellent. I would definitely say go by chopper if you are going to fly, you will see LOADS more. Driving is also fine, I normally do the South rim in about 3.5 hours, there are several walking trails you can do, obviously with amazing views!!

The heat won't be too bad in Sept - shouldn't be more than mid 90's just our sunbathing temp! Night times can be a bit warm still though, temps will remain around mid 70's up to the 80's so dress coolly - nowhere has a dress code really other than clubs and top restaurants - but bear in mind you need to take i.d. with you for a lot of bars and lounges as they are VERY hot on that and will ask for ID even if you look 50!!

Cheers,

TC

Thanks for the comments guys.

We're indeed considering flying to- and from the Grand Canyon and will bear into mind the service received by TeeCee from Maverick.

Given the rough areas I have lived in here in London, I'm sure I'll be ok in Vegas. As has been said, common sense prevails. Some of my comments where meant as a bit of lighthearted fun with a twisted sense of humour.

Just been to WH Smiths and bought some envelopes. Seven of them will go to Vegas. Each one will contain an amount of money set aside for a day's gambling. How much has not been decided yet Once that money goes, that'll be it for that day's gambling. Hopefully a fool proof system so we only spend what we can afford on gambling. The temptation to spend more must be controlled

Have read some reviews on the Top of the World restaurant, they seem to be very mixed. Whilst all agree on the great views, comments on the quality of the food in comparison to what you pay seem to be very mixed. Perhaps the high rollers are used to better

Will keep you all informed as things progress.

Mark

You have to experience at least one buffet, but bear in mind that the ones in Vegas are completely different from the ones in Florida. There is very little in the way of salad for a start as it's mainly meat based, including chicken.

There is another topic on here about places to eat which should give you some ideas. I haven't eaten at the Stratosphere, but would recommend the Spice Market buffet at Planet Hollywood for any meal and Le Village at Paris for breakfast. I would also recommend the Grand Lux Cafe at the Venetian although it's not a buffet. The one at the Wynn is the most expensive on the strip, but it can be very good although we found the breakfast items to be cold last time we went.

There is a good food court at the Venetian and Caesars Palace if you just want something light.

Even the buffets that people say are to be avoided on other forums aren't that bad. It's just that there are much better ones. For example, we usually eat at the Imperial Palace buffet on our first night even though it gets a bad rap on TA, but we aren't usually that hungry the first night and just want something cheap seeing as we aren't going to eat much. It's a very small buffet compared to others and the food's just OK, but it fits the bill. However they had seafood chowder last time we were there which was excellent.

We will be going back to Mon Ami Gabi at Paris again as I had a wonderful Filet Mignon there and I love my steak. I think they also do chicken, but you can check the menu as there are several posted on the railings of the patio area. The Cheesecake Factory right at the back of the Forum Shops is very good with huge portions you can share and they do chicken.

Remember to check Tix4Tonight if you are considering any more shows. They have half price tickets for the mid to lower range shows and charge something like $4 service charge. There is a coupon HERE for $1 off plus a VIP line pass to save you queueing or one HERE which give you $2 off per person without the line pass. HERE is a list of some of the shows available.

Good idea about the envelopes for the gambling budget. That's what we did on our first visit and it worked well. Haven't been so disciplined since though and just wing it which has been OK as we're such low rollers. That worked OK too until our last visit when I realised we'd spent in the first 24 hours what we would normally spend in 6 days.

luci

Thanks for the tips Luci - will also bear them into mind. Might be wise if we write down all the recommendations on a piece of paper as we're bound to forget them by the time the cocktail waitresses get us drunk with all those free drinks whilst gambling

Really looking forward to it. Just the one slightly worrying thing is the flight from Las Vegas to Cancun. It goes via Dallas with just a 45 minute period of time to change planes :yikes. We've been assured that this is sufficient. Must remember to wear my trainers that day
Mark

I make up a planner on an A4 piece of paper. Divide it into days and each day into morning, afternoon, evening and night. I put in shows, shopping days and where we're going to eat breakfast and dinner. We stick to it about 70% of the time and it means I don't come home thinking I should have eaten at such and such a place and forgot.

I love planning for Vegas and the planner is amended and done to death before we leave.

luci

One more tip, take some envelopes with you, and leave a certain amount in each one each day, say $3.00, write housekeeping on the front and leave it on the bed.

If you're staying at the Strat, then, as others have commented you're up at the North end of the Strip, and it is a way to go to - say - the MGM Grand of the Luxor. It is walkable, but if you really don't want to ( particularly daytime when it''s hot) then get The Deuce, the smart double decker bus that runs up and down the Strip 24/7. $5 for a 24 hour ticket, get off and on whenever wherever you wish.

Buffets - these can be variable, I've had from ok-ish to wonderful. That said, theres hundreds of places to eat.

One evening hop The Deuce as far as Treasure Island. Start there and watch their pirate show (outside the hotel) From there stroll down to The Mirage for there erupting volcano and then on to the Bellagio for their dancing fountains

i'll second that about the d/deck bus!!

fantastic... they have trolley busses that do something similar but they seem to call at every lamppost an do take a while!!

the strat' is good due to the fact that it's in the middle between both strips!! ie old n new...

if you have a few $'s to spare, a trip to the gun store on tropicana is a must... blast away, but be real careful to watch the bill mounting up..

going back to the strat' and the d/d bus... if you take it to the downtown bus station they have a free connection to an outlet mall... i found the ones on, or just off the strip are not as good as they sound, but this one is a bit out of town, and again, if you're not careful will fill them cases up a lot sooner than you expect.......but bargains a plenty!!!

Sorry for the late reply, but I haven't forgotten about this topic - honestly

One evening hop The Deuce as far as Treasure Island. Start there and watch their pirate show (outside the hotel) From there stroll down to The Mirage for there erupting volcano and then on to the Bellagio for their dancing fountains

Great tip Sancho. Do these shows run at regular intervals or do they have to be planned with military precision?

Made some enquiries about the change of planes in Dallas Fort Worth and the trainers can remain at home. Apparently both the arriving and departing flights are from the same terminal (terminal E) which doesn't look too big according to the online airport map. With the luggage checked through to Cancun at Las Vegas, hopefully connecting between the two planes should be a breeze (famous last words - I know )

Next thing to do is start ordering currency from the bank and drawing up the final spending budget.

Also trying to upgrade the inbound flight from Miami to Heathrow from Economy to First Class using the accumulated airmiles. This is proving a little more difficult than I anticipated, thanks to the way airline tickets are "sold" when booking through tour operators. They apparently use the lowest of the lowest fare class that isn't upgradeable with airmiles to a class suitable for First Class travel. Looks like the only option left is to upgrade our current ticket to an upgradeable economy class ticket when checking in either at Gatwick (hopefully) or Miami (last chance saloon) and then subsequently upgrading to First Class using the airmiles.

Alternatively we could upgrade now paying £ 960 each. A little too much money to have a bed and better service for an 8.5 hrs flight

Will keep you all informed

Mark

Not long to go now Mark
Looking forward to reading your trip report when you get back because we'll only have a few weeks to go ourselves after you get back.
I take it your a Vegas virgin as well

Can't remember the exact schedule, but the Bellagion fountains go off every 30 mins from 3pm till 7pm and then every 15 mins from 7pm till 11.55. They stop at midnight. I think they are every 15 mins during the day at the weekends.

luci

The Treasure Island "Sirens" pirate show is as I recall 4 times an evening, and runs for about 20 - 25 minutes. You have time after to stroll down to the Mirage for their volcanoes, every hour on the hour.

Although the Bellagio fountains are frequent, it may be worth remembering that each show is different! So maybe watch from the sidewalk, then cross the Strip and go up the Eiffel Tower (!!) and see another from a different vantage point.

Thanks for the tips.

Looks like it is going to be the Treasure Island first, followed by the Mirage and finishing off at the Bellagio.

Will this result in us walking backwards and forwards or are these hotels in "order" either north to south or south to north?

Mark

From The Strat, it'll be TI, then the Mirage then a bit of hike to the Bellagio - in that order.

Just noticed that in your initial posting, you mentined the "G" word - gambling. If you're doing your gambling at any one casino ( even if it is in your hotel itself) make sure you sign up to their Players Card. It'll give you at worst $10 of free play; if you're gambling a fair bit you may get free food, or reduced hotel bill or even cash!

Thanks for that Sancho
Have already enrolled in the Statosphere Player's club online. Just need to pick up the card when there.

Have read elsewhere about the comps available but we for sure won't be chasing these comps but intend to gamble for the fun of it.

Strategy as explained in one of my prior posts. If there are any winnings at the end of the day, these will be taken back home for the next holiday

And then I woke up............. what winnings

Mark