Are the $$$$$ hotels really worth it? I feel bad.....

Ok, here%26#39;s the deal.

My family hasn%26#39;t visited Vegas before. I%26#39;m visiting Vegas Thursday September 21st -Saturday 23rd with my husband, and my parents.

None of us really gamble. We%26#39;re going strictly to check out the wildlife, the decadent hotels, shopping etc. We%26#39;re also trying to go on a budget of sorts.

My husband and I are in our 30%26#39;s, enjoy the outdoors, automobiles, etc. My parents enjoy the finer things in life.

I%26#39;ve booked us at the SOUTH COAST hotel. The hotel is apparently very new, has spacious rooms, and decent rates. I booked both rooms at the rate of $79 *thur and $129 *Fri

The plan was to get a rental car , drive to the strip and spend the day/evenings looking at the various hotels, lobbies, attractions, shows,pools, etc.

I cannot however, help but think that we might be missing out on something not staying on the strip. I figure 98% of our time we won%26#39;t be in the rooms anyway, right? But then my dad keeps mentioning he saw great internet rates from $159 etc at Venetian etc so I%26#39;m thinking he%26#39;s really wanting to stay at the Venetian or Bellagio or Wynn.

The rates he%26#39;s seeing arent available for our stay,and I%26#39;ve explained this to him, however I%26#39;m wondering if I%26#39;ve made a mistake by staying at the SOUTH COAST and driving into the strip?

Any tips or advice much appreciated.

Are the $$$$$ hotels really worth it? I feel bad.....

PS!

I%26#39;ve considered trying PRICELINE.com and choosing ';STRIP'; as the location and FIVE STAR as my hotel choice.

If I chose those options and bid for say, $150-175 what do you think I%26#39;d get?

Are the $$$$$ hotels really worth it? I feel bad.....

Hi there. It sounds like your dad is hinting that he%26#39;d like to stay on the strip. If it is your first trip, I highly recommend that. If your budget is of concern, try Bally%26#39;s or MonteCarlo or a similar level hotel. You%26#39;ll get the strip location without breaking the bank. If you find yourself returning to Vegas it may not be important to you to stay on Strip but for the first time, go for it.

The problem with your situation is that this is your very first trip to LV.....South Coast is in the middle of no where….meaning there is no other casino within walking distance of South Coast. What if someone want to go back to their room early cause they are tired…..trust me, a full day of walking in LV, some people will want to go back to their respected hotel to relax and unwind…..now, you have to drive a good 20 minutes from the strip (MGM) back to the hotel (this doesn’t include walking time to and from the car)….now do your really think you will want to drive back to the strip after dropping someone off at the hotel?!?

If you were on the strip, if someone wants to go back, no big deal ….they can walk back to their room, while the rest can still enjoy the night life of LV.

This is just my opinion.

Cheers

You can find some good deals on the strip. Since it your first time, definetly stay on the strip. The S Coast is too far.

Here are some places you could find some deals

vegashotelspecial.com/index.php/…

http://hotels.travelzoo.com/las-vegas-hotels/

http://www.fatwallet.com/t/63/596328

Have fun! I love Vegas and I hope you will too!

Hi: I had just posted a response on the Long Beach forum for you then saw this.

A happy medium might be The Orleans, about 1 1/2 mi, off strip. For the dates your staying the rates are $60 Thurs. %26amp; $130 Fri. It is a sister property of South Coast. They have a shuttle for their guests that will take you to Gold Coast %26amp; also the Barbary Coast which it right near Bally%26#39;s, Paris, Flamingo %26amp; others.

It%26#39;s rated #5 on this board. Type in Orleans on the search engine above %26amp; you can read the reviews. The rooms are 450 sq. ft. %26amp; very nice. I%26#39;m staying there 9/4 for the 3rd time in a year.

Of the dozen or so times that I have stayed in Vegas I once stayed off the Strip, and really felt like I was ';missing something';. You definitely should be able to find something comprable on the Strip: try the Tropicana and the Flamingo in addition to the ones mentioned above. Besides expedia, etc., try phoning the actual hotels.

Driving on the strip is a real pain in the rear. You will probably be a lot happier staying on the strip. If you want to be in a nice hotel look at the Mirage, its not the Venetian but its a nice property. Also look at Monte carlo, Ballys or Paris. The other person said something about the Tropicana, NOT. Its a dump. Hope you all have a nice time and dont forget to pack your best walking shoes.

Ok I%26#39;ve been convinced!

I just called and booked two rooms at Caesars Palace in the new ';Palace Tower'; ( special rate).

I think we%26#39;%26#39;ll enjoy it a lot more this way. Caesars looks to be right in the middle of it all too.

Thanks!

What were the rates and what promo code did you use?

I stayed at the South Coast in June. It%26#39;s a nice place, but I wouldn%26#39;t recommend it for a first visit. It%26#39;s located quite a distance from the strip in a sea of strip malls and suburban sprawl, and it doesn%26#39;t really have the Vegas ';vibe'; about it.

We spent two nights at South Coast and then two nights at Bally%26#39;s. When we arrived at Ballys, it was an ';Ahhh, THIS is what we came for'; moment.

For two nights, I would stay plunk in the middle of mid-strip at either Bally%26#39;s or Flamingo (Bally%26#39;s would be my preference; big rooms). Or Barbary Coast (no pool) which is a sister hotel of South Coast. From each of these hotels you can easily walk to most of the major strip attractions. It%26#39;s well worth the extra money you%26#39;ll pay, IMO.