$$$$**Official TMB Las Vegas Thread**$$$$

Discussion in 'The Mainboard' started by racer, Oct 28, 2011.

  1. —

    Well-Known Member
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    Fwiw I’ve stayed at Aria, Caesars, Wynn, Cosmo, Flamingo (big yikes in 2014), Trump Tower before he was a politician (biggest yikes, it was via a Priceline thing where they gave you a secret 5* hotel for a low rate), Palazzo, Ballys, Hilton Grand Vacation Club, and the Westin or something.


    Wynn #1
     
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  2. DuffandMuff

    DuffandMuff Well-Known Member
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    I scored some Molly in a bathroom of the cosmo in 2018. Five stars.
     
  3. —

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    Were you wearing nice shoes?
     
  4. NothingIsOT

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    Aria - 2013
    Caesars - 2017
    Delano/Mandalay Bay - 2020

    here. Best room was Delano, but Caesars was best property of those 3. Cosmo is definitely place I’m going to next time I’m in Vegas.
     
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  5. NothingIsOT

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    Trump is no alcohol right? Is the property nice?
     
  6. xec

    xec Well-Known Member
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    Cosmo had an ownership change back around 2015-16 iirc. The decline was predicted. I’m going to visit though on my next trip. It had an excellent food & beverage program and I hope that it still is.

    Aria is still my favorite place to stay. Vdara is too if you want smoke free (it’s not a casino). The comments about Aria being a bit boring are on target. It wasn’t conceived as a property with “pop”. It’s all about luxury.
     
  7. NothingIsOT

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    Right- my opinion is just a former 20s guy looking to party. I just don’t think Aria has an identity (from my only having been to the strip 3 times. Know you and racer are regulars). Bellagio, Paris has that romantic, historical thing. Caesars, cosmo, planet Hollywood corner that willing to spend 20-30s market. Wynn, Venetian has got that rich old man money. I can’t figure out who Aria is trying to compete with. Just feels like Bellagio overflow.

    But I can see where a guy like you likes it. Former resident, not your first time in Vegas. It’s definitely a quieter, convenient location mid strip for a home base trying to enjoy the food, trying to gamble in peace, if that’s what you’d like.
     
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  8. xec

    xec Well-Known Member
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    That’s really a thought provoking post, and I appreciate it. When Aria was opened in 2009 it was the most technologically advanced hotel in the world. It’s selling points were unparalleled luxury and “everything at the touch of your finger”. Each room was essentially a marvel. Via the tablet you could set every room control...even open the window shades. Room service, everything, at the touch of your finger. No other hotel in the world had that. It was the largest hotel in the world to attain LEED certification. The kitchens were advanced way beyond any other property in Vegas and provided the safest food in the City and cuisine prepared by world renowned Chefs. Of course others eventually caught up with some of the technology. From there Aria sought just to be ...Aria. It didn’t directly compete with any other property. It sought to stand out from the others. It didn’t adopt a theme such as Venice or Ancient Rome or Paris or New York, etc... it set out to be a destination resort through world class dining, high end luxury and “a memorable experience for every guest”. Basically, the mission was to provide an experience that each guest would remember on a level fairly equal to their marriage, having children, etc... if we succeeded at that we would succeed as a business. In Vegas it was universally considered to have the highest achieving team in town. Our competition was, well, us.

    And that’s why I will always stay there. I know what goes on behind the scenes to serve the guests, and the dedication to continually make staying there a unique, memorable experience.

    But, yeah, if I was 20-something I would stay somewhere else.
     
  9. Nole0515

    Nole0515 Well-Known Member
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    Cosmo Boulevard Suite if you have the money. only balcony on the Strip with great rooms. or as racer said. Aria Sky Suites. Racer and I are Aria suite eskimo bros. Im also still upset he stood me up for Sturgill
     
  10. racer

    racer Yuma, where I work in software.
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    Hey, I stayed at aria in my 20’s multiple times.
     
  11. racer

    racer Yuma, where I work in software.
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    I think about that a lot. I also think about how my wife was mad enough at me over it to leave me in the desert broke and divorced.
     
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  12. Lyrtch

    Lyrtch My second favorite meat is hamburger
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    i've only ever stayed at the Mirage, which is showing its age big time but checks all the boxes we need at a cheap price

    will do cosmo next if we do it in covid times, just for it being centrally located with all the food we want to eat close
     
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  13. Nole0515

    Nole0515 Well-Known Member
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    it's all good but you missed a great show
     
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  14. xec

    xec Well-Known Member
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    For the price point it’s the best property in town.
     
  15. Nole0515

    Nole0515 Well-Known Member
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    this
     
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  16. racer

    racer Yuma, where I work in software.
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    Mirage is still one of my top 2-3. It makes me sad that it’s been so de-themed. It was one that had some unique character without being super ridiculous. You can also have a really sweet suite for considerably less than the more popular and higher end properties. It still maintains AAA 4-diamonds, which is pretty good company.

    Delano Las Vegas (2004)
    Encore Las Vegas (2016)
    JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa (2005) Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino (2000) MGM Grand Hotel & Casino (2006)
    NoMad Las Vegas (2019)*
    Palms Place Hotel and Spa (2010)
    Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa (2007) Renaissance Las Vegas Hotel (2005)
    SKYLOFTS at MGM Grand (2019)
    The Alexandria at Sahara Las Vegas (2017)
    The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Autograph Collection
    (2011)
    The Mirage (1990)
    The Palazzo Las Vegas (2016)
    The Signature at MGM Grand (2007)
    The Venetian Las Vegas (2016)
    Trump International Hotel Las Vegas (2008)
    New Hampshire
    BEDFORD
    Bedford Village Inn and The Grand at Bedford Village Inn (1987)
    BRETTON WOODS
    Omni Mount Washington Resort (2010)
    CONCORD
    The Hotel Concord (2019)*
    EXETER
    Inn by the Bandstand (2018)
    New Jersey
    ATLANTIC CITY
    Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa (2004) Caesars Atlantic City (2011) Ocean Casino Resort (2019)*
    BERKELEY HEIGHTS
    Embassy Suites by Hilton Berkeley Heights (2019)*
    BERNARDSVILLE
    The Bernards Inn (1996)
    CAPE MAY
    The Southern Mansion (2010)
    FLORHAM PARK
    Archer Hotel Florham Park (2018)
    Vdara Hotel & Spa (2011) Wynn Las Vegas (2016)
    NORTH LAS VEGAS
    Aliante Casino+Hotel+Spa (2011)
     
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  17. xec

    xec Well-Known Member
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    I’m envious. I have never stepped foot on any of the non-Vegas properties in your list. Delano’s Skyfall Lounge was created after you stayed there. Did you ever go?
     
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  18. EMAW FC

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    I still have aria smelly sticks. Smells like luxury
     
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  19. xec

    xec Well-Known Member
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    I see EMAW FC liked this post. I should have added that by far my best NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament watching experience was at Cosmo, courtesy of him.
     
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  20. EMAW FC

    EMAW FC Proud Smucker
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    That year at Chelsea ballroom was unreal. They switched to a different ballroom in the following years to create more space for VIP couches and stuff but it didn’t have the same atmosphere as the Chelsea
     
  21. xec

    xec Well-Known Member
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    I agree. In the Chelsea everything was close and it felt like the action was endless. It helped that I somehow “mistakenly” sat in the VIP section and had bottomless booze and food.
     
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  22. racer

    racer Yuma, where I work in software.
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    I’ve been up to foundation room on a slow night, but never skyfall.

    That list is just a copy from the AAA 2020 4-diamond list. I certainly have not stayed at them all. NJ snuck in there on accident.
     
  23. xec

    xec Well-Known Member
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    My bad. I thought it was a list of properties you have been to.
     
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  24. racer

    racer Yuma, where I work in software.
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    As best I can remember, my LV hotel stay list is:
    El Cortez
    Downtown Grand
    Harrahs
    Imperial Palace
    As Linq or maybe the Quad also
    Flamingo
    Paris
    Ballys
    Mirage
    Aria Tower Suite
    Aria Sky Suite
    Excalibur
    Mandalay Bay
    Four Seasons
    Orleans
    Rio
    Could be others I’m forgetting, especially away from the strip. Favorite places stayed are Aria, Mirage, 4S, Flamingo. Flamingo GO room was a surprisingly good experience. I regret none of it, each one was a unique experience. I’d like to stay at every major property at some point.
     
  25. Han Solo

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    My LV list:
    Flamingo
    MGM Grand
    NYNY
    Caesars Palace
    Bellagio
    Planet Hollywood
    Mirage
    Park MGM

    With exception of PH and Mirage, have done multiple stays at all others. Flamingo and NYNY are my favorites. I like the cheap food options and casino vibe at NYNY but location sucks aside from MGM Grand proximity. Pool also is bad. Flamingo has a great location and a fun casino but can be a little hit and miss due to the young/crazy crowd it attracts. Not a fan of the pool either.

    Other thoughts:

    MGM has great rooms and a great pool area. But it’s huge as fuck and everything is so damn spread out.

    Caesars/Bellagio feel like classic Vegas but I would never spend money to stay at either of them. Bellagio pool area was nice.

    PH is just meh. Plus I always lose money there so fuck ‘em.

    Love gambling at Mirage because they actually have natural light in there. Nice pool also.

    Of all the casinos I haven’t stayed at yet, Cosmo and Paris are about the only 2 I want to stay at still. Will probably do the rest just to say I did (except Mandalay Bay since my wife still refuses to stay there).
     
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  26. Nole0515

    Nole0515 Well-Known Member
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    Aria
    Cosmo
    Caesars
    Mirage
    Flamingo
    PH
    Park MGM/Nomad
    All multiple stays
     
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  27. devine

    devine hi, i am user devine
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    I’m going to the linq this summer

    just love the location and the pool for the price. Excited
     
  28. devine

    devine hi, i am user devine
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    Plus you can’t go wrong if it’s connected to guy fieris restaurant
     
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  29. Han Solo

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    They also have the best sportbook area on the Strip in my opinion.
     
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  30. Gallant Knight

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    Going July 4th weekend-probably staying at the Nobu hotel inside Caesars

    have hosts at Cosmo and at Paris who can book all Caesars properties

    Just get free rooms at Cosmo but usually get everything comped from my Paris host
     
  31. Jack Parkman

    Jack Parkman Endorsed by Fred McGriff
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    MGM
    Paris
    Caesar’s
    Wynn
    Aria

    Wynn is clear #1 followed by Caesar’s. The pool area at Aria was pretty disappointing and rather dead the weekend I was there. Cosmo we did the indoor pool area and got a cabana that was definitely better.

    back in the day(20 years ago) there was a buffet at the Rio that was top notch. Sushi, prime rib, lobster, Italian etc all of it and it wasn’t cheap tasting food either. Iirc it was something like $35 a person. I went back years later and the price had like tripled.

    The food at the Aria buffet wasn’t nearly worth what we paid
     
  32. —

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    Wynn Buffet is #1 in my pretentious expert opinion.

    All the restaurants in Aria are good.

    and Momofuku at Cosmo every trip to Vegas fwiw.
     
  33. racer

    racer Yuma, where I work in software.
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    Wicked Spoon bros should be here soon to fight you
     
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  34. EMAW FC

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    In no particular order, we’ll see if I’m forgetting anything
    The D (a few times - usually try to stay at least one night on Fremont St. during a Vegas trip)
    California (once)
    Main St. Station (once)
    El Cortez (random trip that went long we stayed here on our final night, basically was a place to leave our bags)
    Excalibur (once)
    NYNY (once)
    Monte Carlo (once)
    Flamingo (couple times)
    Mirage (a few times)
    The Linq (once or twice - possibly was the Quad when I stayed?)
    Planet Hollywood (three or four times)
    Aria (once)
    Caesars (once)
    Cosmopolitan (a few times)

    Best Value (Flamingo)
    Best Location (Cosmo/Planet Hollywood)
    Best Room (Aria)
    Best View (Cosmo - Terrace Suite with Bellagio Fountains on the patio)
    Underrated (Mirage)
    Best Overall (Cosmo)


    Btw - I miss Bill's Gambling Hall
     
  35. bertwing

    bertwing check out the nametag grandma
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    Going in two weeks, staying at Caesars. Haven’t been in a couple years so excited to get back.
     
  36. NothingIsOT

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    My in-laws are doing vaccine tourism in May, flying in from South America to try to snag a shot, since their country probably won't get vax till late 2021 or 2022.

    They want to make Las Vegas part of the greater trip, and are willing to go off strip to save money. I'm seeing the following prices on Sam's Club website right now... which would you chose for a balling on a budget and enjoying all the free stuff/reduced price there is to offer? I'm guessing Flamingo given the pool or Tropicana/Travelodge by Wyndham for the bang for buck.

    The STRAT at $40 a night
    OYO at $44
    Mardi Gras $48
    Tropicana $51
    Rio $59
    Travelodge by Wyndham $53
    The Orleans $77
    Flamingo $84
    The Linq $84

    Know the last two at least are going to have the resort fees....
     
  37. NineteenNine

    NineteenNine Divers are, in fact, wankers. It's science.
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    if those are the choices, Linq alllllllll day.
     
  38. EMAW FC

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    Linq or Flamingo for sure. I’d pick Flamingo b/c they have a nicer pool

    Oyo (formerly Hooters Hotel/Casino) and Tropicana are too far south on the strip. Rio is probably decent value but off the strip. Strat is the northernmost strip property
     
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  39. NothingIsOT

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    I thought flamingo for the pool too, but I got to imagine rio is nicer than flamingo. With that said, rio has to have a shuttle to the strip... right? I’ll have to research it.
     
  40. EMAW FC

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    Can’t spreak to quality or the property as I’ve never stayed at the Rio.

    Rio will have a shuttle to one or the Caesars properties as they’re under the same ownership. Rio would have a resort fee just not as severe as strip hotels.
     
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  41. Leeds Raider

    Leeds Raider Well-Known Member
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    Property wise, Rio is nicer than Flamingo, but not by much. There is a shuttle to Caesars last I checked, but when I lived at Palms Place, I would either uber or walk it to the strip though. It's about a 15 minute walk from Rio to Caesars but across a pedestrian bridge that is sometimes a little sketchy. I'd say staying at the Flamingo would be better than Rio if you are wanting to do strip stuff, just for the convenience of already being on the strip.
     
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  42. bertwing

    bertwing check out the nametag grandma
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    Countdown clock:

    One week
     
  43. xec

    xec Well-Known Member
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    I don’t know anything about Travel Lodge or Mardi Gras, but to my knowledge the rest had resort fees in mid-2020. I don’t know the current status. The best way to find out is to call them. The Linq and Flamingo have, by far, the best locations if y’all intend to spend most of your time on the Strip.
     
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  44. racer

    racer Yuma, where I work in software.
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    I saw an article that said it stopped in 2017. If it came back, I’d imagine it ends for good with Caesar’s dumping it.
    I’d say Flamingo or Trop from that list.
     
  45. devine

    devine hi, i am user devine
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    Don’t forget the linq is right next to guy fieris that should play a role in the decision
     
  46. racer

    racer Yuma, where I work in software.
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    I can’t wait for the the day that the linq officially becomes Flavortown Hotel and Casino.
     
  47. Bert Handsome

    Bert Handsome I'm sorry, the card says Moops
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    I can't imagine not being able to find a value on strip to stay at that would make off strip not worth the hassle.
     
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  48. racer

    racer Yuma, where I work in software.
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    The strip is is for almost everyone. Downtown is a good stay, too. There’s a portion of visitors for which the off-strip properties are great. When you look at value, you have to take the entire experience into consideration. You’ll pay the same for a room rate in a lot of cases, but the whole package of staying on the strip costs more. That’s where you decide if you value the experience of the strip, or you want to gamble cheaper/smarter and have lower entertainment and other ancillary costs.
     
  49. xec

    xec Well-Known Member
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    This is a very nice POV. There are folks who go to Vegas to golf, do things in the surrounding scenic outdoors, or want to gamble and have great food without the glitz and chaos of Downtown or the Strip. Red Rock, The M, and Green Valley are excellent properties for this type of visitor. There’s a small outdoor mall by Green Valley with some excellent bars. Other decent choices are Santa Fe Station, South Point, Aliante, and Rampart/JW Marriott.
     
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  50. Nole0515

    Nole0515 Well-Known Member
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    Only thing you go to the travel lodge for is a cheap hooker, crack, meth or heroin
     
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