First time to Sin City approaching

If pool is a deciding factor, Mandalay Bay probably is the best of the lot ... actually there are mulitple pools, with the wave pool being the main attraction (wait ... the main attraction is the topless pool there at the Moorea Beach Club). And they also have concerts at the pools with some fairly notable acts: http://mandalaybay.com/entertainment/eventcalendar.aspx?venueid=12

As far as getting to the heart of the Strip without a lot of walking or a cab ride, take the tram to Excalibur like SoCal said, then cut across to the MGM Grand where at the back is another tram that goes all the way up the Strip to the LV Hilton. Cost is about $5 one way I think, or you can buy a day pass for $13. Saves a lot of wear and tear, especially if you just want to get somewhere fast without dealing with the sidewalk traffic.

 

Excalibur is fullll of kids. Don't do it. MGM, Luxor, NYNY, if you are staying out that way.

I also had a thread on Vegas from a few months ago (March) look there for help too.

 

Man, those are huge rooms, and just a little above average price. What's the crowd there like?

(Are there very different crowds at the various casino/hotels once you get away from the children magnets?)

 

Just did the bachelor party (not mine) thing in early June. Four nights at the Mirage. It was a group of 14 guys, so we had a bunch of people staying four to a room. Do not do this. You've got six, so go for three rooms wherever you stay. I did not spend a lot of time by the pool, but the Mirage's pool was fantastic. Beautiful women everywhere, nice waterfall and it wasn't overly crowded.

If it's your first time you'll want to walk the strip as much as possible to soak in the atmosphere. Have comfortable shoes or sandals.

A few things learned from my night walks on the strip:

-Planet Hollywood is an awesome casino experience at night. Dancing girls on tables everywhere. Absolutely gorgeous.
-Paris is fine to look at from the outside, but sucks almighty dick inside. Avoid.
-Mexicans handing out porn are annoying, but you can't exactly avoid it. Just be prepared to be harassed a lot by a lot of different people. Do not let 'em grind you down and do not take any of them up on any offers.
-O'Shea's (very close to the Mirage) is a dump, but it's wicked cool. Beer pong with strangers at 6 a.m. was an incredible experience.
-The monorail is largely unused by the majority of people, but it's a lifesaver when you're just too beat to carry on. It's $13 for a day pass. Well worth it.
-I ventured off the strip a few times to see and eat worthless shit that was raved about in guide books. Taxi drivers were all more than helpful in getting me to those places, but there was really no need to go off the strip at all.
-Only show I saw was Crazy Horse Paris at the MGM. DO THIS. Buy $30 tickets at one of the discount kiosks scattered on the strip. Retail is $60 for those tickets - even at that price it's well worth it.
-I felt New York, New York had a great vibe to it. Much more relaxed than other casinos for some reason. I liked drinking in the Irish Pub they have there.
-Bellagio, Venetian, Caesars are all gorgeous. When drunk I could hardly tell them apart.
-The street shows in front of the various casinos (Mirage's volcano, pirates at Treasure Island, Bellagio's fountain) are all overrated and a tad boring. Watching hookers and drug dealers operate on the strip is more fun.
-The only club I was at was the Tryst at the Wynn. Had an in there, so we were set up quite nicely. Christ...it was like Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton level shit going down there. That said, I don't think I ever had so much fun in a club in my entire life. ;D
-The food of Vegas is equal parts awful and delicious. All of it is expensive. Do not get carried away with eating. Drinking on the other hand is encouraged.

 

I love Las Vegas.

Go early to mid-week, it's a heck of a lot cheaper. If you want to stay on the south end of the Strip, stay at the MGM or at New York New York. I stayed at the MGM - the buffet is great, five pools with a lazy river, decent tables and the rooms are great. It's a stop on the monorail, which is a great thing when you're going around Vegas in 100-degree weather.

The LV Hilton is the mother of all sports books. You can bet on just about every sport, from the NFL to tennis. Place a $5 bet and show your slip to the cocktail waitresses, and you'll drink all night for the cost of tips. Speaking of tips ...

LV is a town that runs on tips. Make sure you've got cash for tips.

Go up to Fremont Street, just for the experience. Low-stakes tables at the Fremont casinos. $1.99 shrimp cocktail at the Golden Gate.

99-cent margaritas at Bill's on the Strip (formerly Barbary Coast) - small, but made with lossa Sauza.

$1 shots and $1 blackjack tables at the Sahara.

Drink lots of water, but don't buy the overpriced stuff at the hotels. There's at least three Walgreens/CVS on the Strip, stop and get waters, sunblock, snacks and various sundries there. You'll save money in the long run.

If you get to the aforementioned Double Down, do the bacon martini. Deliciously gross.

DO NOT take the kids - Disneyland for kids is a few hours southwest.

 

Just booked six days and five nights at Treasure Island (where I always stay) for 646 and got two tickets to Mystere free. I know TI is kind of hokey, but the rooms were just remodeled and to me the place has kind of a homey feel. Probably because I like to get up around 5:30 or 6 a.m. play blackjack for a couple of hours. Get something to eat and then go back to sleep for a couple of hours.

Man, I love Vegas. Had tickets last year to see Don Rickles at the Orleans, then he canceled. But, things turned out okay on that trip.

 

The only time I stayed at Mandalay Bay was in the winter, so they didn't have all their pools open. So I can't really speak about their pool scene.

I have stayed at all the other places you're considering except for the Bellagio.

I think for what you're looking for, you'd be better off at either MGM or The Mirage. Both offer central enough locations. Both have better than standard pools.

Between the two, MGM probably has the better pool. I prefer The Mirage for a few reasons: its location, a few of its restaurants and its sports book.

Be forewarned, the MGM is HUGE even by Vegas standards. So keep in mind all that extra walking to and from the room you're going to have to do if you decide to stay there. After a few days of walking around and checking things out, it does get to be a pain (in the feet) if you have to walk really far just to get to and from the room.

Even with the trams, monorails and even cabs, that's why I'd recommend staying more center strip. Because you're probably going to do a lot of walking just around the casinos (and they're all pretty big,) and by the second day you're not going to want to have to deal with the hassle of taking the tram or waiting for the monorail.

Go with MGM or The Mirage.

 

The MGM's so goddamn big, they need a cab stand at the check-in desk.

 

Dealertainers at the Imperial Palace. I love that.

 

Yes, good call. Had a couple of those while watching the Bellagio fountains.

 

STAY AT PLANET HOLLYWOOD!

Free bottle of booze or champagne for each night stay.