We've never been in January but our friends went in December last year on their honeymoon and it was cold. It seems totally surreal to me that Vegas can be anything other than 80-100F but it seems that is the case.

You will find some good deals in January for hotels that is for sure. I don't know about 10 nights in one hotel in LV, the most we have ever done is 7 and I found that to be overkill. 10 nights gives you an ideal opportunity to split and to try out a couple of hotels. Bellagio is certainly a good choice, but maybe stay also at the Venetian or Wynn? If you can afford the Bellagio, both of those should be in reach cost wise as well.

Eating out in Vegas is as cheap or as expensive as you want it to be. We normally budget $50-$70 for a meal for two in most LV restaurants but I'm not talking high end by any means. We prefer the likes of the Cheesecake Factory, ESPN, Rainforest Cafe, Harley Davidson Cafe etc etc and without alcohol we easily fit within those budgets, often under $50. Buffets are an option also, you will be looking at $10-$15 for a breakfast and $15-$30+ for an evening depending on where you want to eat. Alternatively, you can have a Denny's and keep it real cheap (stay in Bellagio, eat in Denny's...now that sounds fun!!! ).

Most we have ever paid for a meal in LV was $115 inclusive of tip at Diego in the MGM Grand but that included 4 bottles of Corona, a huge bottle of Fiji water and plenty of side dishes.

You mention you keep chopping and changing your minds as to where to go? What are you other choices? I would certainly recommend Vegas, it's a fantastic place to go on holiday. Plenty to see and do, but also lots of time for relaxation and pampering.

cheers for that.

our other thoughts are for a caribbean cruise or a trip to oz.

i had never really thought of doing 2 hotels within the same holiday as i have always done package tours before. i guess that flights would be purchased separately to hotels anyway (is this more likely) and therefore could do maybe 5-5 or 4-3-3 in different hotels.

There are so many topics on Vegas in this forum that I couldn't start to link to them all. Use the Search facility, put Vegas and search by Topic Titles, that will give you a good start.

I always include prices in my Trip Reports as I know newbies like to know the price of things. HERE is one from 2006 and HERE is one from May this year.

Thomas Cook and bmi fly non-stop from Manchester. We always go bmi although they are more expensive as we have a connection from Aberdeen.

I would suggest you book the flight and hotels separately. Always book the hotel direct with the hotel and not through a third party site such as Expedia. That way, if you later spot a lower rate, you can call them and have the rate adjusted.

Keep an eye on FAT WALLET where the latest promos are posted. That link takes you to the last page, but please check Page 1 as it is updated regularly. Have a trawl through that to see the rates that were available for this Janaury.

luci

Yes, with any trip to LV try and book it all seperately. You will often get it far cheaper as the hotel deals are better booked direct. Utilise Expedia or similar flight booking engine website to source your best price for flights, but also try direct with the airlines themselves.

Just last September we stayed in the MGM Grand for 6 nights @ $144 a night, which in comparison to this years deals is not that great but it was a suite. However, Expedia were quoting a similar price on their website but in sterling!!!!

The only other thing you will need is a transfer to the hotel. A cab to the Bellagio should cost in the region of $15 and is about 15mins drive depending on traffic.

Of course staying put in one hotel means you don't have any hassle of moving around. As it is your first visit it might be worthwhile staying in two different locations on the strip just to get a good feel for each area.

I know TC was hoping to book his whole stay at the MGM (14 nights) so people do stick with one hotel. What you have to remember with Vegas hotels are that they are resorts, and you could actually spend all your holiday in just one place as everything you will ever need and more (restaurants, spa, pools (maybe not Jan), gambling, clubs, bars etc) are right there on your doorstep.

As for your other choices. I have never done a cruise so I can't comment on that. Oz is a great place to visit, but I honestly believe you need 3 weeks to make it worth it. We actually spent a month there on our round the world trip in 2006 and we still didn't see half of it.

We have done 10+ cruises and also been to Oz. Much as I liked Oz, I've seen what I wanted to see and have no real desire to go back as it's just too far.

Thoroughly enjoyed my cruises too, but we are hooked on Vegas and have been 8 times. I desperately want to go back even though we were only there in May, but due to other commitments the earliest we can get back is May next year and it's killing me!

luci

I went to vegas for new year a few years back and it snowed!
Wasnt english cold most of the time but there are more pleasant times to go.
However its nice to do the sightseeing trips when its cooler (grand canyon, hoover dam).

Never been on a cruise, love Oz, the flight to vegas is far more manageable.

Went to Vegas our 1st time in Jan2002 it was sunny but cold evenings,like Luci we have seen
enough of Oz so not looking to go back,doing our 2nd cruise on Aug2nd[caribbean]then
making our way to Orlando and ending up in Vegas this will be our 5th time although not
gamblers we love it ,so much to see and do,fantastic shows to keep you going,have a
great time if you go
ann

Cold in January.

It's fairly cheap to eat in Vegas, especially some of the buffets.

The Bellagio will be around £80 a night if you find a deal for it, if not it will be closer to £100+ a night

Cheers,

TC