Just awesome! (Las Vegas)

Member Name: travdoo

Product:	Las Vegas
Date:	13/01/09 (59 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Something for everyone if you don't just think gambling. Great restaurants, world class shows....

Disadvantages: Timeshare touts, they will be offering free show tickets, etc. Fine if you have a few hours to spare

I just love Las Vegas, and I have now been 3 times (not much compared to some people mind you).

I was never that interested in going as I thought it would be tacky and like an upmarket Blackpool, and I'm not a gambler, but my other half wanted to go for his 40th so thought ok.

Tacky it is not, far too much money is spent in the place for it to be tacky, it is just amazing at every turn. Ok there are some tackier bits, especially the older hotels, although some have a charm of their own, but mainly it is very plush opulent hotels, fantastic restaurants, world class shows, great shops, the list goes on. You can also visit the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, go skiing....

Gambling

As I said I am not really a gambler, but I do gamble in Vegas, but usually only on the penny slots as I hate losing too much money! When playing you get your drink free, so what we do is when we feel like a beer, instead of going into a bar, we go and play some slots and get our beer or other drink free. You just tip the cocktail waitress, we tip a dollar a drink. Some people will tell you to tip higher the 1st tip and then drop to a dollar, but a cocktail waitress on a Vegas forum advised that this isn't a good way to go as either you'll trick the waitress into thinking you are high tippers or she may think you are not happy with her service and therefore reducing the tip. She advises it is best to tip the same for each drink. We find that when you first sit at a slot, service can be slow, but once the waitress realises you are there, after the 1st one or two drinks, they usually come very quickly after that, once they realise you are there for a while. We find we can usually sit at a slot with around $20 each and it'll last a good while, as you do get small wins, and if you are recycling these back into the machine, then you can be there a good few hours. You are not going to get any big wins on these machines, but if you just like a little flutter while sitting having a drink, then I think this is the way to go. Also, join the Players Clubs,(like a loyalty card) even if you are not going to gamble enough to gain any significant points, when you sign up they usually offer incentives, like $25 free play, vouchers for drinks and meals etc. so worthwhile. My other half won $1000 on some free play with a Players Club card. Not usual but shows it does happen.

Shows

Too many to mention, but I just love the Blue Man Group, it is one of the funniest shows I have seen. Very hard to describe what it is all about without telling you what to expect as that will spoil it. We just went on the recommendation by a friend, and I've been to see it again on my 2nd visit. I had to force myself not to go on the 3rd visit as I thought I really needed to see some other shows. Also saw Mamma Mia, ok, but, although I haven't seen it in the UK, I think it would be better here, as the US audience was a bit restrained. Jersey Boys was fab, Cirque De Soliel "O" was good but I think you either really love it or it's ok. Last visit we saw Ray Romano (Everybody Loves Raymond), that was fantastic and on my next visit to LV I will check what headliner comedians are on and get tickets.

Restaurants

Not been to that many considering as there is so much to do in Vegas you don't have time to eat all your meals in restaurant. The ones I have been to and recommend are:

Spago - Forum Shops Caesars Palace - Great food, service and great for people watching and celeb spotting, if you get a table in the patio area

Rosemarys - Off the strip, popular with locals, lot of meat and game, lovely food, bit pricey but nice for a special occasion.

Mon Ami Gabi - Paris Hotel - restaurant at the bottom across from the Bellagio fountains - we sat outside here, the food was fantastic, I had a burger, but it was really nice and other half had steak and he said it was the best steak he has had. Great view of the fountains as well.

Tao - In the Ventian hotel, visited on our 1st visit, an Asian fusion style menu, loved it. Good bar to have a drink before or after and the night club popular with celebs.

Noodles - In the Bellagio, great food and service.

New Year In Vegas

A bit of a disappointment actually. We spent it on the Strip outside. It was buzzing with people and the lead up was quite exciting. Being Vegas I was expecting some spectacular fireworks, well were we disappointed. Each of the bigger hotels did their own display which to be honest was nothing unusual, just a whole load of rocket style fireworks. Given all the money that is in Vegas I really thought they could have put on a show that was out of this world. I've saw lots of better fireworks loads of other places, mainly in theUK. Also, once the fireworks were finished, the Strip empties. Being Scottish we were not expecting this, we were expecting the party to get started, but it was not to be, so all in all I wouldn't rush back to Vegas at this time of year especially as prices are higher and it is a lot busier.

I've also been in November and end of August. August was just stifling heat, bearable as you are in and out of air conditioned hotels, but still very hot. November was perfect, although I think it was meant to be a bit warmer the year we went. Nice weather that you could wear shorts and t-shirt and a light jacket or cardi at night - perfect.

Take comfy shoes as you will do a LOT of walking, it's unavoidable as the hotels are so huge. The Deuce bus is a good deal. $5 for 24 hours, so if you get a ticket at 7pm, it'll last till 7pm the next day. It can be slow if the Strip is particularly busy, but can also be good fun, some of the drivers are right characters. There is also the monorail, although quicker than the bus, we didn't really like it as it drops you at the back of hotels and as these hotels are so huge it can take a good 20 mins in some to get to the front of the hotel, and that's at a fast paced walk. The Deuce will also take you to downtown Las Vegas which is also a must see at least once on your trip. In Vegas you will look down the strip and think oh that hotel is not so far, but it will be. They just look nearer as they are so big!

I could go on and on about Vegas, but there is so much that I probably would never stop. Go see it for yourself at least once in a lifetime. There really is something for everyone.

Summary: See it once in your lifetime