Treasure Island
September 13, 2007
Treasure Island is one of the places on the Strip where you find great rooms, reasonable rates and excellent service. As long as you can handle the pirate décor and a few scantily clad sirens, then Treasure Island is a good choice for your Las Vegas stay.
Treasure Island Accomodations
The check-in is surprisingly fast and the staff is very professional and helpful. As far as room quality, these are among some of the better rooms on the Strip. The rooms are simply decorated without all the flash and glitz that you normally see in Vegas. Amenities are very satisfactory also. You get the normal bottles in the bathroom, which is marble by the way, and hair dryers, as well as in-room safes in each room. Surprisingly, there is not a lot of pirate theme showing in the rooms. They are simply well decorated and comfortable rooms and the rates begin at around $100 a night which is fair. Not luxurious living, but very acceptable.
Treasure Island Dining
For dining, Treasure Island offers fine dining at its best, as well as casual dining with great prices and good food and a few quick bite places. For upscale dining you have a choice of Social House, The Steakhouse, Francesco’s, which offers delicious Italian food and you can watch Chef Marco cook it, and Isla for a new twist on Mexican cuisine. Casual places include Kahunaville, a party bar by night with an excellent dining area and loads of activity, Canter’s Deli, The Buffet at Ti and The Coffee Shop. Quick bites can be obtained at Krispy Kreme, Ben and Jerry’s and, of course there is a Starbuck’s.
Treasure Island Entertainment
For entertainment, Treasure Island offers Mystere, which is another Cirque du Soleil production that features the usual acrobats and contortionists with a French Twist. Mist is an upscale TV bar with drinks and comfortable seating at its best. Sirens of TI is a sexy pirate battles sexy wench type show that will keep you in suspense for hours. For another bar scene, Tangerine offers an upbeat style and a brief burlesque show with a saxophone player that is interesting. If you really want a drink experience, Kahunaville can’t be beat. The drinks are great, the atmosphere is highly charged and party-ish and you can even get a decent bite to eat while you are there.
Treasure Island Casino
In the Casino you will find table games galore like Caribbean Stud, craps, blackjack and roulette along with the other usual games. Bet minimums are around $10 but all games have electronic bet signs that can be changed quickly, so check out the signs by the tables for the latest betting minimums and maximums. Several slot machines are available and run from nickel bets to $100. There are a few full-pay video poker machines and the slot machines come with the MGM Mirage Players Club benefits. If you have a Club card, then you qualify for benefits at the twelve MGM Mirage resorts and casinos. Sports and Race books feature twenty one televisions with one very large one for viewing. There are a total of 44 seats for sports betting and 80 seats for race bets. The race bet seats are highly comfortable and have individual television monitors. There are only 12 betting windows, but they take care of betters rather quickly. Minimum wagers are $5 for sports and $2 for races. In the poker room you will have access to eight tables. The room is fairly closed off from the rest of the casino so it is quiet and semi-secluded from all the other action.
Treasure Island Spa and Pool
There is a heated pool. It is a little small, but still a pool and if you book a cabana, you can get poolside massages thrown in. The spa is more than adequate and features great facial and body treatments by a very professional staff.
Treasure Island Hotel and Casino offers a fair room rate and for the price, it is a great place to stay. For great food you really can’t beat the restaurants at Treasure Island. As long as you don’t mind the pirate theme, it ranks right up there with the best.
Luxor
September 13, 2007
The Luxor Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas offers a wonderful stay in a beautiful pyramid endowed setting. From the slanted, floor to ceiling windows to the spacious suites, the Luxor offers luxury accommodations and great rates considering what you get. The Luxor itself is a pyramid which reaches 350 feet into the desert sky and is topped with the world’s brightest beam of light. They offer over 2,200 rooms that overlook an amazing atrium.
Luxor Accomodations
All the rooms feature oversized showers and you have a choice of either one king or two queen sized beds. The Premier Suite boasts 1050 square with separate living and bedroom areas. The living room has a breakfast nook complete with a mini fridge, wet bar and a very large sitting area. The Luxor offers a wonderful taste of luxury without actually paying a luxury price. Rooms actually begin around $60 which is a fair rate considering some of the Luxor’s competition and considering the beautiful accommodations and multiple amenities that are included.
Luxor Relaxation
The pool has great features, not the least of which is the pyramid theme surrounding it. If you ever wanted to feel like you stepped into Ancient Egypt, then this is definitely the place. There is also a spa called Nurture that offers everything you need for a relaxing visit. From the Eucalyptus steam bath to the deep tissue massages, you will definitely want to book a day at Nurture. They also offer several body treatments like the Citrus Marine detox body scrub as well as a wonderful Chocolate Champagne anti-aging facial.
Luxor Attraction and Entertainment
As for attractions, the Luxor is not to be outdone. Between the shows, shopping, games, rides, and IMAX Theater, there is always something going on. Criss Angel is regularly doing shows for the A&E Network’s Criss Angel MINDFREAK and be sure to check out the King Tut Museum. Shows are also a big hit at the Luxor. Carrot Top does a stand-up routine that will absolutely have you rolling in the floor. If you like the more erotic side of things then be sure to check out Fantasy. This Sexy Revue will leave you breathless. The IMAX 3-D theater is great if you like the thrill of a ride while watching movies and LAX will give you all the LA club experience that you want right on the Strip. Ronn Lucas is also a frequent shower. His ventriloquist act is great for kids of all ages.
For nightlife thrills Luxor offers a variety of spots including Noir Bar, Aurora, Liquidity, Flight, Company American Bistro, Playbar and High Bar for a night filled with drinks, mingling and dancing till the sun comes up. LAX Nightclub offers 26,000 square feet of clubbing space. With celebrities and the social jet set frequently in attendance and the sounds of three highly skilled DJs, LAX Nightclub is a collaboration of Pure Management Group with investors such as Christina Aguilera and DJ AM. The atmosphere is exciting and the music is geared toward the younger audiences.
Luxor Dining
When your excitement turns to hunger, there are several great restaurants and cafes to help you out. Backstage Deli is a great choice if you are looking for something fast and inexpensive. There is also a Burger Bar where you can build your burger to your exact liking. Caffe Giorgio is also a semi-quick place to grab a bite if you are looking for a great Italian meal with a superb wine list. CatHouse just opened recently and offers a world-class restaurant with delicacies by celebrity chef Kerry Simon. Fusia is a Chinese geared cuisine. Open for dinner only, Fusia serves some of the Calamari in the world. If you want to veer toward the Mexican side of eating, La Salsa is a wonderful place that offers garden fresh salsa along with a host of other delectable treats. There is also the Luxor Steakhouse, Pyramid Café and, of course, a food court that offers McDonald’s, Quizno’s, Krispy Kreme donuts, and many others. And you just know that a Starbucks is among those listed in the food court.
Luxor Casino
The casino at Luxor offers world class gaming from the slots to the poker tables. There are several games to choose from and you can sometimes find some heavy betters to play against. Slot machines run from nickel slots to $100 and feature practically every version imaginable. There is also Race and Sports book and high limit areas for your amusement.
From the beautiful view outside to the spectacular view from your room, you will absolutely fall in love with the Luxor. The service staff is very friendly and ever so helpful in all aspects. If you are looking for luxury accommodations on the Strip at a fair rate and with multiple bonuses thrown in, then the Luxor Hotel and Casino is an excellent choice.
Excalibur
September 13, 2007
Excalibur Hotel and Casino is one of those places in Las Vegas where the rooms are nice and the rates are better. With a host of restaurants, casino games and multiple places to catch shows and entertainment, Excalibur is a great place to stay at any age.
The Excalibur is a little more upscale than Circus Circus and many people absolutely adore the Renaissance fairs. If you are traveling with your family, then the Excalibur is definitely one of the hot spots. Excalibur is owned by MGM Mirage and located conveniently right on the Strip. You can feel the nuance of chivalry in every corner. When you first view it from the street you see a fairy tale castle that features blue and red towers surrounded by a moat with lovely fountains throughout. There are statues of knights and horses which make a great photo op. The interior looks as much from the Dark Ages as the exterior with golden crowns on the carpet and walls of dark blue and red. Turreted chandeliers, stained glass and suits of armor are everywhere, adding to the atmosphere. You will effectively believe that you have landed smack in the middle of Camelot.
Excalibur Accomodations
The rooms are quite nice. They are relatively smaller than the more upscale and luxurious resorts, but still worth the time. The newly renovated rooms have more modern furnishings and flat-screen televisions; although with everything to do within the resort it is doubtful that anyone has time to watch the tube.
Excalibur Dining
Dick’s Last Resort is a highly popular chain where the waiters are purposely rude and the food comes in ample portions. Crab legs, nachos, burgers, practically everything that will make you smile, plus you get ribbed by the waiters and you get to wear humorous hats and bibs. Roundtable Buffet offers an all you can eat buffet that is famed for its cuisine and price. The Steakhouse at Camelot offers steaks, seafood, and wonderfully sinful desserts all in a Camelot type setting. Sir Galahad’s Pub and Prime Rib House is great if Angus Beef aged to perfection sounds like something that you love. The steaks are divine and the atmosphere is very classy. At the Regale Italian Eatery you can dine in a casual, family setting on wonderfully prepared Italian cuisine. For a budgeted approach to dining, the Sherwood Forest Café offers a wide selection of food at very affordable pricing. And, last but certainly not least, you have the Village Food Court. Inside the food court are a host of smaller restaurants and cafes like Starbucks, Pizza Hut, McDonald’s and more.
Excalibur Entertainment
As for entertainment, you will have many choices at Excalibur. The Tournament of Kings dinner show is definitely worth catching. Real armor is worn and real horses ridden while a jousting match is carried out. You get all this while you are dining on a delectable chicken dinner, which incidentally, you eat with your fingers. Very old school and very much fun for the entire family. Merlin’s Magic Motion Machine is also fun for all ages. It is a medieval precursor of motion simulators that you can find in shopping malls and acts as a sort of street luge. And ladies, be sure to catch the Thunder from Down Under. This is an all male Revue of Australian “Chippendale” dancers that has been in operation for more than 14 years. On Fantasy Faire Midway there is a shooting gallery and a guess your weight man. You can also catch Louie Anderson doing a stand-up comedy routine if you are lucky.
Excalibur Casino
The casino games are splendid at Excalibur. You have the normal slots and casino games, poker tables, sports and betting and keno. There are also beginner classes each afternoon around 2 p.m. if you need a refresher before you risk your money. The tables are bountiful and on weekends you may have to wait a bit to get a seat. Free drinks are offered while playing. There is a daily Bad Beat jackpot and a Consolation Wheel where you can spin the wheel and win back some of your loss if you lose on account of pocket aces in Texas hold-em or a full house in 7 Card.
Overall if you love the feel of knights in shining armor and would like to experience what Guinevere felt while living in Camelot then the Excalibur may be your thing. Children seem to love the atmosphere and the rates are lower than one might expect. From the delicious food in the restaurants to the exciting shows that you can catch at practically any hour, this is definitely one of the hot spots on the Strip. Excalibur with its towers and motes, not to mention the interior thrills, is definitely on the list for great family fun.
New York New York
September 13, 2007
For a taste of New York without actually being there, New York New York Hotel and Casino features a fabulous tower that mimics landmarks like the Empire State Building, and the Chrysler and Woolworth buildings.
New York New York Accomodations
The hotel itself offers rooms that are comparable to the Hilton. The smaller rooms boast 300 square feet and come with standard amenities. The larger rooms have more like 500 square feet and some come with fabulous views of the Strip. You want to make sure that your room is far away from the roller coaster which can be quite noisy at times. Most of the rooms are modernly decorated with average furnishings and colors that are very pleasing. None of that neon, bright colored stuff here. Room rates begin at around $100 per night, which is fair. The suites are more expensive but you get over 1,000 square feet in most and amenities such as a flat screen TV, spa tub, oversized shower, wet bar, robes and slippers, turndown service, and other bonuses.
New York New York Dining
As for the food, New York New York offers quite a few restaurants and cafes that seem to satisfy every taste. America is a coffee shop that is open 24 hours a day and features menu items like Philly Cheese Steak and Georgia pulled pork. This one is all about American cuisine. Chin Chin is a great Chinese American restaurant. The price is fair at around $20 per person and the food is excellent. ESPN Zone is for the sports enthusiast. If you want a sports bar that has drinks and fairly good food, then this one is great. Gallagher’s Steak House offers steak and prime rib. Pricing is a little high at $30 for steak, but you get what you pay for. Gonzales y Gonzales is a Mexican restaurant with some of the best cuisine on the Strip. The dining room is small, but the food is definitely worth the money that you pay. Greenberg and Sons Deli is a New York style deli that is very fairly priced and the sandwiches are oversized and delicious. Il Fornaio offers Italian dining at its best. The pasta is cooked to perfection and the menu varies by the different regions in Italy. Nine Fine Fishermen is a great Irish pub that offers excellent Irish cuisine like Shepherds Pie and some really stout drinks. There are also places to grab a quick bite located in the Coney Island Pavilion and Village Eateries. Here you will find foods like Nathan’s famous hot dogs and the best New York styled pizza outside of New York.
New York New York Entertainment
For entertainment, New York New York offers the Empire Bar and Big Apple Lounge where you can catch lounge acts and great music. Coyote Ugly is based on the movie. At night the female bartenders get up on the bar and dance, just like in the movie. The drinks are fairly priced and the music is good, so if you like the movie, you will love the bar. ESPN Zone offers skeet-shooting, skateboarding, and many other extreme sports. If you like action and hardcore sports, you will love ESPN Zone. There is a rollercoaster and midway where children can find many things to do. There is a bumper car ride, and the roller coaster has a 144 foot drop. The roller coaster is fun and very exciting, as long as your room is not nearby. Not for the kids is Zumanity. The Cirque du Soleil production of Zumanity is adult oriented and definitely not for children.
New York New York Spa and Pool
The pool, which is closed during the winter, is nothing grand, but it is a pool. There are three whirlpools located nearby and plenty of room in the swimming pool for lazing or splashing around a little. There is a spa that caters to both men and women featuring a fitness center, dry sauna, steam room, and other amenities like showers, plush robes and lots of juices. If you need a good massage, then the spa comes in very handy.
New York New York Casino
The Casino at New York New York features blackjack, craps, roulette, Baccarat and all the other table games that you love. Bet minimums are normally around $10 although you may find a few blackjack games that offer $5 minimums. There are several slot machines that range from pennies to $100. There is only a small selection of video poker games and the floor can sometimes be very crowded. Slots are part of the Slot Exchange from the MGM Mirage slot club so the points are interchangeable, if you are looking for comps. The sports and race books feature more than 20 televisions, 12 fairly large. There are 24 seats in race betting with individual monitors and 15 seats in sports betting. Of course, you can go next door to ESPN Zone and watch the game if you can’t find a seat. There are 10 betting windows and minimum bets are $5 for sports and $2 for races.
Overall New York New York Hotel and Casino offers a fair room rate with a lot of amenities. If you are looking for a mid-class hotel that has fair rates and amenities, then New York New York is a great choice.
Monte Carlo
September 13, 2007
The Monte Carlo Hotel and Casino offers a great place to stay at a great price. If your looking for a nice hotel with nice rooms and adequate amenities at a reasonably rate, then Monte Carlo is a perfect choice.
Monte Carlo Accomodations
The rooms, while not as glitzy as some on the Strip, are very comfortable. All the amenities that you need are included; you simply do not pay for luxury. There are suites that are slightly more luxurious and slightly more expensive, but if you are traveling on a budget and particularly if you are traveling with a family, then the Monte Carlo is a great choice. Room rates begin at around $100 per night, not bad for being on the Strip, and the quality of the rooms and service are well worth it. The Monte Carlo does offer full service hotel amenities and you do get several perks such as a stocked bathroom, and a much faster check-in than most hotels of its size.
Monte Carlo Spa and Pool
The pool is good with a wave pool and a lazy river to the side. There are palm trees and a waterfall for your scenic pleasure. Overall the pool area is perfect if you simply want a pool to relax in without all the extras that some offer. For a mid-class hotel, the Monte Carlo definitely ranks among the best. The spa offers full body massages and many other ways to pamper yourself all at reasonably low rates. There is also a great salon and an extensive fitness center that has the most modern equipment and a surprisingly effective sauna.
Monte Carlo Dining
For dining, the Monte Carlo offers a wide range of tastes and pricing ranges. For a fine dining approach there is Andres for your French cuisine desires, Diablo’s Cantina for Mexican fare and Dragon Noodle for all things Chinese. Casual dining can be found at the Café, the Buffet, or Market City Café. The Brew Pub also offers casual dining on American favorites like burgers and chicken with lots of beer. For a quick bite, the food court offers favorites such as McDonald’s, Subway, and Starbucks.
Monte Carlo Entertainment
For entertainment, be sure to check out Lance Burton’s magic show. He puts on a very popular show for a very reasonable price. The Houdini Lounge and Pub and Brewery offer a bar setting with music and drinks. Street of Dreams offers shopping at Bijoux Terner $10 Boutique. Nothing in this shop is over $10. You can also pick up interesting things at Lance Burton’s Magic Shop and Lunettes carries brand names like Gucci. This is a great place to find designer eyewear. Other shops are the Monte Carlo Beach Club located next to the pool and supplying everything you need in terms of bathing suits, sunglasses, and other tropical needs. Bag Mania sells a large selection of handbags and the like and Backstreet Arcade features 60 video and games for kids of all ages.
Monte Carlo Casino
In the casino you will find a very large room with lots of space for finding your way around. Monte Carlo casino is actually one of the better rooms in terms of crowding and navigation. Table games include the usual blackjack, Let it Ride, craps and baccarat. Bet minimums are normally $5 and above. There are more than 2,000 slot machines which range from nickel slots to $100. There are a few video poker selections but not many. The Race and Sports book features about 18 televisions, four of which are fairly large but the normally reserve the larger ones for horse racing. There are 30 seats for sports and 100 for race, and the race seats do not feature the normal individual monitor. There are 12 betting windows and minimum bets are $5 for sports and $2 for racing.
The Poker room has nine tables and very comfortable chairs. If you were planning to stay up all night playing, this is definitely one of the better rooms for it. The room is closed off from the casino and fairly quiet.
Overall, The Monte Carlo Hotel and Casino offers a great stay for those who are looking to satisfy their budget but still want accommodations that are clean and service that is great.
Mirage
September 13, 2007
The Mirage is one of the best resorts on the Strip. The rooms are gorgeous and very reasonably priced, the amenities are simply divine, and the casino is filled with enough games to keep you busy for days, not to mention the shows and attractions. If you want upscale without paying upscale prices, plus a volcano eruption every hour on the hour then the Mirage is definitely the way to go.
Mirage Accomodations
The rooms themselves are delightfully designed with elegant colors and comfort in mind. In-room amenities include a hairdryer, vanities, iron, and mini-bar, as well as safes in every room. The suites are huge with very comfortable over stuffed couches. All the rooms are nicely decorated, nothing splashy or tacky, and the furnishings are ultra comfortable. Room service is a popular event at the Mirage. The staff is all very friendly, very courteous and very quick. No waiting for two hours for extra towels. When they say quality service, they really mean it.
Mirage Relaxation
The pools are fabulous. From the tropical setting of the main pool with the gorgeous waterfall to Bare, the more secluded and private pool area, all pools at the Mirage are great. The main pool area features the Paradise Café and the Dolphin Bar so you can spend the entire day in the sun if you want. Bare is a more exclusive alternative to the pool scene. You must be 21 to enter and pricing is a little steep. Through the week women pay $10 and $20 on weekends. Men, however, pay $30 through the week and $40 on weekends. A bit pricier than other pools but pampering comes with it. Bare features two pools, private daybeds and boat beds, and amenities include cold cucumber slices for your eyes, iced towels and pitchers of Bloody Mary and Sangria while you lounge.
For even more pampering, the Mirage offers two spa experiences. The Mirage Spa offers numerous massages, body treatments and facial treatments. Kim Vō Salon offers a beauty bar, nail services, and haircuts for men and women as well as deep conditioning and every other conceivable way of pampering your hair.
Mirage Dining
For dining, the Mirage offers a wide selection of restaurants to choose from. For luxury dining Japonais, Stack, Fin, Kokomo’s, Onda Ristorante & Wine Lounge, and Samba Brazilian Steakhouse all offer wonderful cuisine in a classic and elegant setting. For a more casual approach to dining there is the Caribe Café, California Pizza Kitchen, Cravings which is an ultimate Buffet, Carnegie Delicatessen, Paradise Café and Dolphin Snack Bar out by the pool, Coconuts Ice Cream Shop and the Roasted Bean for a great cup of coffee and a nice selection of pastries. There are also several bars and lounges that serve up great cocktails.
Mirage Shows
Shows and entertainment are also great. The Lobby Aquarium is located behind the check-in desks and features sharks, tangs, eels, and other tropical and not-so-tropical fish. For a more humorous approach to entertainment, be sure to check out Danny Gans. His impersonations will leave you laughing for days. Tickets are a bit pricier than other shows, but he was voted Las Vegas Entertainer of the Year. JET is a nightclub that is highly popular with its music and frequent live shows. Love is the Cirque du Soleil production of Beatles music and is normally a quick sell-out so be sure to grab tickets early. You can also head to the Revolution lounge if you want to feel the Beatle aura. The Secret Garden is another zoo-type display that features dolphins and be sure to gather outside at night for the Volcano. Each hour the Mirage puts on a great gas volcano show.
Mirage Casino
The Mirage Casino offers a great selection of games like blackjack, craps, roulette, and slot machines that run from pennies up to $500. There are a few full-pay video poker machines. The Race and Sports Book offers 29 televisions split between sports and racing. There are six large screen televisions in the sports area and five in the racing area. For race betters there are 150 seats, each with its own monitor and for sports fans there are more like 100 seats. A total of 16 betting windows (ten of those for race betters) complete the area. Around 30 poker tables are available, five of those with high-limits that are exclusive. You can find a game 24/7 but if you are playing late you should expect to wait a bit for a seat. Comps include free drinks while playing and frequent plays will get you casino rate on our room.
Overall, the Mirage Hotel and Casino offers a great place to stay on the Strip without paying hefty prices.
