We are thinking about going to Vegas for 3-4 days the second week of March and I think I want to stay at THE hotel at Mandalay Bay. It looks really nice, but I thought I would check with the Forum members for any personal recommendations. It would be me, my husband and our 14 y.o. daughter. I like THE hotel because it is a suite set-up and it seems that the rooms are larger than many of the other places.

I am a little worried that the weather may not be quite warm enough for a lot of swimming, but I guess I won't have any control over that. So, if you have any personal experience with this hotel or have another suggestion please chime in.

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Roswell, GA (Atlanta suburb)

I haven't...my parents have and they really enjoyed it.

I know that's vague, but that's all I got. ; )

The wedding I went to in Vegas in '04 was there. Pirate Ship wedding too. We stayed elsewhere, but the place is nice FWIW.

Oooh, is that where the infamous Pirate is. Well, now I know that is where I want to stay.

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Roswell, GA (Atlanta suburb)

I don't know. I wasn't close enough to verify the "package" he wanted to deliver.

Let me preface this by saying I am not a huge Vegas fan and the only reason I go there is for 2 big industry trade shows.

Mandalay Bay in general is very nice. I haven't stayed there, but I attended a meeting in one of the suites at THE Hotel when I was there in January.

My former boss and I used to always stay at Paris- nice rooms, nice suites (and they are generous with upgrades) usually reasonably priced, great breakfast buffet and the hotel is smaller (relatively speaking) than many on the strip. I would stay there on my own dime any time.

The last few times I have been there I have stayed at Luxor because it is connected to Mandalay Bay and good bargain rooms can be found. Otherwise, Luxor doesn't do much for me.

Bellagio and the Venetian are also beautiful.

March weather can be cool and it can get a little crazy due to college basketball "March Madness." Drunk college guys were fun when I was a drunk college girl. Not so much any more...

DM

Thanks dmann. I'll look at Paris. I had not considered the baskeball angle. I'll also do a Google for "March Madness" and see if our dates will intersect, I hope they do not.

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Roswell, GA (Atlanta suburb)

Glad I could help a little! I honestly think you will be very happy at Mandalay Bay- I just wanted to give you another option.

When you check availability at Paris, try to get a room that faces the Bellagio fountains. The view is great!

DM

bfd's stayed there a few times over the past 5 years. The beach and floating "rapids" are reminiscent of water parks in both numbers of bodies and amenities, and it's a fun place to spend the day if you can't make it to the real beach.

The shark reef is OK, if not a little overpriced for what it is (it's a third of what it costs to get into Sea World, but sharks and a few other tanks is all there is to see. Kids love it. The rooms themselves are OK, try to get a small suite if possible. You'll be glad for the extra space, even if it adds a few more dollars to the bottom line.

The casino is huge, and there's at least a few large shows going on most nights. Next door at the Luxor is an IMAX theater if you're into those kinds of shows.The tram from MB goes up to Luxor and Excalibur, and then you can hop on the new monorail headed up the rest of the strip.

March/April is a perfect time to go as far as the weather, it'll be reliably warm during the day without the huge drops you get at night in Nov-Feb. Not so for the prices, it's probably the most expensive time of the year to visit.

Not the cheapest venue on the strip, and it's at the far south end (in some ways that's a bonus, in others, not). Beware, popular stops like the Stratosphere (rides) and the Hilton (Star Trek) are beyond the opposite end of the strip - at least a $10 cab ride away.

For price on the strip, Treasure Island (the "TI") is probably the easiest on the wallet. For luxury, the Bellagio and the Venetian are two top bets. Many of the hotels have shopping malls attached, the Aladdin, Bellagio, Venetian, and Caesar's Palace are noteworthy.

bfd likes Vegas, but not for extended stays. Just too many people crammed into too small an area. But for visits less than a week, it can be fun.

Just expect to spend money, and even more so if you visit the casinos. Also, Vegas is not a great place if you're at all sensitive to cigarette smoke, flashing lights or bad interior design.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/12/2006 08:59PM by bfd.

Thanks bfd,
That is a lot of very helpful info.

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Roswell, GA (Atlanta suburb)

I second the Paris. I stayed there for x-mas. We upgraded our room (at the last minute) to one that faces the Bellagio. Definitely worth it! Also, upgrading apparently gave us access to the "exclusive" lounge area - complete with evening reception & morning continental breakfast. & as already mentioned, the breakfast buffet is fantastic.

One other tip about the Paris - if you're looking for large rooms, ask for a corner room. Those ones are a bit bigger than their regular rooms (and I don't think they cost more).

THE hotel seems more oriented towards the swanky, sophisticated, affluent adult crowd. Wonder if there would be enough for the 14 year-old to do there, thought that's probably not an issue if they share all the attractions of the Mandalay Bay.

I'm not a Vegas fan, either, but I'll more than muddle through when the "in-laws" want to go for a weekend gambling junket. I guess the trick for me is to not take anything seriously at all.

It would be pretty wild to watch the March Madness there. Too bad my main rooting interest is probably NIT-bound this year.

We've always stayed at the Hilton because we mainly go for Star Trek: The Experience (we have a 14 year old sci-fi nut). It's reasonable (usually around $85 - $100). Even though it's off the strip, the monorail stops there and makes everything very convenient. They always give us a very nice room that's high up with a great view of the whole city and the mountains. And if we're going to a specific place on the other side of the strip where the monorail isn't, we just drive and park in the parking garage of whatever hotel we want to visit. Driving isn't bad if you stay off the strip. Expect to do a lot of walking no matter what.

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"No matter where you go, there you are." - Buckaroo Banzai

> Also, Vegas is not a great place if you're at all sensitive
> to cigarette smoke

That's not so true lately. The hotels have incredible air filters. Even the late-night table games are often safe for non-smokers.

Atlantic City is the place to avoid if you can't take the smoke. The newer casinos are nice, but at night when the crowds hit the air quickly becomes unbreathable.