DeLuxor (Luxor Hotel)

Member Name: discogirl

Product:	Luxor Hotel
Date:	03/01/09 (13 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Decent sized rooms, good food choice

Disadvantages: On the far end of the strip, confusing layout

In anticipation of our first trip to Vegas in 2007, we decided we wanted a hotel on the Strip and did a lot of research on the internet. After reading lots of reviews we finally settled on a hotel which appeared good value and had plenty of attractions, this hotel was the Luxor.

Just a few minutes taxi ride from the airport, the hotel stands out with it's Pyramid shape and Egyptian theme. We had paid a small amount (around $10 a night if I recall correctly) to upgrade to a tower room as we read these were of a better standard than the pyramid rooms, this meant that on arrival we had a separate check in area and had the key to our room within 10 minutes of arrival at the hotel. In fact it took us longer to get up to our room, owing to the fact there were only lifts per tower, each ones over 20 floors high with someone pressing the button at each floor it seemed!

Our room was of a large size, with 2 queen size beds, wall length wardrobes which also housed a decent sized TV and a huge window overlooking the pool. The bathroom had a large vanity sink with a large mirror, plus a very deep bath and large walk in shower. There were a range of shampoos etc and a hairdryer (albeit the standard annoying ones you have to hold the button down on!).

The hotel itself was of similar calibre to all the other major hotels on the strip, with a couple of general stores, Starbucks, several restaurants including a fantastic buffet and a deli that did the biggest sandwiches you will ever see in your life! The casino was large, with a variety of gaming area to suit all budgets. the casino area also housed the entrance to the LAX nightclub, of which Paris Hilton has regularly been known to fall out of, however we chose not to go there during our visit as the prices appeared rather ridiculous! The main check in desk for the pyramid rooms (which overlook the casino area in a bizarre pyramid fashion) is situated near the casino - it was at this point seeing the hundreds of people queuing to check in/out we were very pleased to have paid that little extra for an upgrade.

There is a small shopping area just before the casino with a large sweet shop, corona stall (they are obsessed with this stuff here - corona y-fronts anybody) and a Criss Angel Mindfreak store when you can occasionally see the man himself gazing adoringly at his own reflection in the mirror! Next to this area there are 2 walking escalators to take you across to the Excalibur hotel, if for nothing else go these to get your daily Krispy Kreme donut fix!

After wandering round the confusing casino layout for a while (something we ended up being a daily occurrence - we just couldn't seem to get to grip with our bearings here) we finally stumbled across an elevator to take us up onto the next level. This houses an imax cinema (there was only a choice of 2 wildlife films at around $20 per person so we decided against it), an arcade area that has seen better days (in fact Cleethorpes seafront is classier and that's saying something!) and a food court with such delicacies as McDonalds, Pizza Hut and Starbucks. There are also an array of tacky gift shops selling all manner of Luxor branded paraphernalia.

From this area there is access via a walkway to the Mandalay Bay Hotel, via a fabulous shopping area that includes my personal favourite Urban Outfitters along with several designer shops and the best burger bar on earth - I highly recommend you pay this a visit and try one of the Kobe beef burgers - melt in the mouth delicious.

All in all the hotel ticked most of the boxes, there was plenty to do although being at the far end of the strip (which is a lot longer and scruffier than I imagined) you did feel like going elsewhere was a bit of a trek. Next visit however I will be staying at the New York New York hotel, amazing party atmosphere and an easily navigable layout!

Summary: Good value for money for a first time vegas visitor