School me on VEGAS!
 

I've got an official Navy thing coming up that will put me in Vegas second week of June. Last time I went, friends convinced us to stay at the Wynn... fuck $250 night.

What's the current best deal on hotel, buffet, show, whatever? I'll have evenings free and will probably bring the wife out late in the week.

Awesome hotel only marginally necessary... just comfortable and clean, but location fairly key. Need good access to Nellis without driving on the strip and have no idea how bad traffic is off the strip? Anybody know how bad traffic is getting to/from Nellis from the strip?

Seriously looking at Hard-Rock near the airport or Treasure Island on the north end for about $80 night average.

Most of the times I've stayed in Vegas it's been on the company dime and near the convention center.

About two years ago, I visited on my own tab, I stayed at the Stratosphere, which is on the extreme northern end of the strip. It's relatively near the 15 and outside of the worst of the traffic. Not the awesomest hotel in the universe, but it's clean and in relatively good upkeep.

I recommend the Planet Hollywood Towers (only been open for just over a year). I went with a group and splitting the bill was not painful at all (I think $250 for 3 nights per). The suite had two full size bedrooms, another room in between with a pullout and mini fridge, a kitchen and a full size lounge. The one set of windows had a blind that came down for a projector. Plus every room including the bathrooms had flat screens. If you have ever been to a time share I would describe it a similar.

If you are not going alone take a look. Seemed to us to be the best bang for the buck.

They have a good deal on buffets right now. It's $50 ($45 if you join their membership for free) for 7 unlimited buffets, for 24 hours.

No input for you as I've never been to Vegas....but I'll be there in two weeks as the second part of my honeymoon! We're stayin at the Wynn Encore fwiw

So... $50 a day for food per person?

I stayed at the embassy suites.

weird coincidence it was during the billboard music awards (which were at the MGM) and we didn't know about them. walk into the MGM and there's black dudes in baby blue pimp suits and orange pimp suits and all sorts of crazy shit. also paris hilton was at the hard rock while we were there (didn't see her but ... that's ok!)

anyway

crazy horse 2.

$50 for unlimited visits to 7 buffets, for 24 hours.

Found it:

http://www.caesars.com/buffets/faq.html

Go with someone who's a big gambler, and comp everything. The windows in the Sahara can be opened. The line for the elevator to the top of the strat suck. The best ride there is so simple, but so scary. Better bars are offstrip. Pit bosses at the cheaper casinos don't care how much of an ass you are, as long as you're still gambling. Tip well and order beer at the tables or machines, mixed drinks are mostly water. Walk around the casinos during the day and you'll see some awesome and surprising conventions. Cops patrol a lot near nellis because of the track. There's always something going on.

I've stayed at the Venetian twice. Awesome hotel, nice gambling area on the main floor, extremely overpriced shopping on the upper floors. There's also a huge 'river' on the upper floor with gondoliers and the like. Needless to say I had a blast there.

Also, they have WAR there. The card game. You can win or lose a lot of money VERY quickly on these tables. Requires zero skill and a whole fuck-ton of luck. However when I was up 80 bucks I decided to take my money and run.

Red Flag or Tailhook? I lived in Vegas for 25 years, left in '99 though. Changed alot since then of course, but still visit family every year or so. My favorite hotel is Mandalay Bay for many reasons (pool, spa, bars, etc). For $80 Hard Rock is cool.

Getting around Vegas is easy (except the strip). Heck, go North on the strip far enough and you find the main gate to Nellis. I-15 runs parallel to the strip and is one block away, and as long as you can avoid typical rush hour morning and evening times I'd say its 30 minutes from HR to Nellis. Take Tropicana or Flamingo Rd. toward the strip and catch I-15 North. Easy peasy.

Harrahs just sent me an email about a new Regional Host office they set up in Dallas, they own half the town (MGM the other half). I've got lots of free nights and they always tout friends and family blah blah, so if you want to pm me your name w/arrival and departure dates, I'll see if I can hook you up..

Ooohhhhh Aaaahhhhhh.... Vegas.

All good advice... all good. I've got another 4-5 guys who will be in my crew. We all want our own bed, despite what you may have heard about Navy guys and considering the recent repeal.

All the Nellis Red Flags have been cancelled for the year, and Tailhook is held in Reno. After the scandal in '91, it took a long time before anyone considered holding a Tailhook again... and no way was anybody going to chance Vegas. John Ascuaga's Nugget is where it's held now. I've been 3 times and it's a great party.

The Navy covers the whole thing, so I just need to find a place that comes in under my max lodging allowance, so thanks for the offer for free hookup, but pass that awesome deal to another guy. To keep it safe, I've gotta stay below $90 a night. Food is no problem. And I'd love to get rooms with 2 queen beds so we can double up in rooms and save the gov't a little change. I'm already taking my own car instead of getting a rental... every little bit helps.

I've been to the Stratosphere, and that place makes the Reno hotels look like that damned Dubai Atlantis.

I always stay at the venetian renaissance or prima suites. i do not gamble, i save my money for double date gay stripper + cheap flyer hooker entertainment.

I have never been to Vegas, but I am going the first week of November for the SEMA show. It's a late 30th birthday present for me, (birthday is in September). My wife and I booked it through AAA travel, and prices are awesome. It was about $1500 which included round trip flight tickets for 2, and from Sunday to Saturday we're staying in a Junior Suite at the Signature at MGM Grand.

Try to collect as many whorecards as you can...they're fun to trade with friends!!!

+1 Whorecard poker FTW.

Sam, sounds like Hardrock might be good for you. Great pool w/underwater speakers. Might also try the Rio, off strip and real close to fwy access.

Strat is "interesting" and in an area called "Naked City" (cause that's what the drug dealers, crack ho's, homeless leave you after they kill you).

Sahara is closed and likely due to be imploded (good riddance). Years ago, family used to stay at Circus Circus in their Manor section (seperate from the towers), as they were nice and had kitchens, etc. No clue as to state of them today.

All the "gentelman clubs" are a ripoff, avoid the "totally nude" ones for sure. If your gang is feeling frisky, go "over the hump" to Parump for the legal brothels. Haggling is expected and fun. Ask for the SixAce special at the Ranch. I'm sure they remember me.

I really like the Palms. Smaller casino, really awesome beds. Tends to draw a lot of the hollywood crowd if you are into hanging with the beautiful people.

Wynn is spendy, but really nice. Treasure Island is OK. Stay away from the Tropicana and Circus Circus (both gross). MGM Grand is too large for my tastes. I get lost in their casino.

Monte Carlo is a very nice property.

Some fun stuff to do in town - they have an indoor gun range where you can get good and drunk and go shoot an Uzi.

If you end up at the Hard Rock, and are feeling really flush with cash, you can spend it better than gambling at Nobu Sushi. That place is amazing, but it will lighten the wallet. Last time I was there, we dropped about $1700 for 8 of us. IBM paid the bill, so it was all good.

I always stay at the Mirage or Treasure Island because they comp all of my shit. The Mirage is old but the Mirage Suites are nice, especially when you're so coked out of your mind that your wang won't work. I haven't been able to swing one of the upper-crust suites yet but I haven't really tried as I spend very little time in the rooms. The perks are nice too, I've never had to buy tickets for a show in advance.