A different Vegas question...

[PCLoadLetter]

I was piggybacking this on the Hooters thread, and then it struck me as a bit inappropriate.

Anyway...

I'm going there next month with my wife and two kids, and I'm trying to decide on a hotel. We stayed at the Mandalay Bay last year but it appears to be booked solid the week we are going. We really don't gamble -- we just like seeing the sights, hitting the pool, etc. The kids love it. There's a ton to do outside the casinos. (Just trying to stave off the "Why the hell would you take kids to Vegas?" responses.)

So where do we stay? We want to be on the strip, not absurdly expensive, and relatively kid-friendly (which mostly means a good pool). Mandalay Bay is perfect... but booked.

I'm mostly debating between the Monte Carlo, Luxor, and New York New York. Maybe Treasure Island.

My one reservation about the Monte Carlo is that I've heard complaints about construction noise. It appears to be the cheapest, followed by Luxor, NYNY, and TI.

So, thoughts? (Any other kid suggestions are appreciated; we hit the Shark Reef at Mandalay last time and they really enjoyed it.)

 

[CentralIllinoisan]

Treasure Island is a great little place, with a very friendly staff and easy access to other strip hotels. We usually stay at the Rio because of the WSOP, but we frequent TI often.

 

[Flash]

I've heard Circus Circus is very kid friendly.

 

[SixToe]

If your children are old enough to appreciate it and enjoy it, take them to see Hoover ***.

 

[2underpar]

NYNY is kid friendly, so is TI.
I think TI is a little cheaper.

 

[GBNF]

I would definitely say TI if you can - very nice interior, not a lot of smoke/scumbags, nice staff. The pirate show is AWESOME for kids (and adults)) and it's in a pretty good location.

what are the rates, comparatively.

 

[PCLoadLetter]

I would definitely say TI if you can - very nice interior, not a lot of smoke/scumbags, nice staff. The pirate show is AWESOME for kids (and adults)) and it's in a pretty good location.

what are the rates, comparatively.

TI is about $129 a night. It gets big bonus points for its location.

Luxor is about $100.
NYNY is $120.
Monte Carlo is $90.

One I hadn't been considering is Paris - it's $110 a night and gets great reviews. Unimpressive pool, though.

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone. They're greatly appreciated.

 

[GBNF]

$90 for the Monte Carlo is really not bad for a family, but I think I'd go with the TI.

Seeing as how I'm a young man and I pretty much only use the room to sleep, I'd probably prefer the Monte Carlo. But my favorite casino on the strip for the price is definitely TI.

 

[daveevansedge]

GBNF, if I'm not mistaken, the pirate show is not exactly as "family"-themed as it used to be, as it's now called something like TI Sirens, and has a bunch of surgically enhanced women against some Chippendales-like Pirates. If that's the case, maybe not so kid-friendly, depending perhaps on the kids' ages.

 

[GBNF]

Wow! The last time I saw it, it was either the "old" version, or I just didn't realize it.

Good catch though — PCL, look into that, I'd say.

 

[Giggity]

TI has gone out of its way the past couple years to become more adult-oriented.

 

[PCLoadLetter]

Yeah, it's not the same pirate show as before, from what I've heard. The kids are 10 and 3. They'll probably still like it. I'm thinking I'll be OK with it... ;D

 

[daveevansedge]

Yeah, Treasure Island doesn't even officially go by Treasure Island anymore. It's the TI. And GBNF, you were right -- the old pirate show was probably the coolest free show on the Strip.

 

[daveevansedge]

PCLL, I'm guessing you would be down with it. And maybe you can pull a Chevy Chase from "Vacation" in describing the Sirens of the TI to Mrs. PCLL, in the way he described Christie Brinkley (She's ugly!) to his wife.

 

[jps]

When did they make that change? Hadn't realized ... been too long since I've been.
(Though I, too, have heard Circus Circus is not bad for a family stay)

 

[daveevansedge]

It's been a couple years, at least. And I'm not sure I'd refer a sworn enemy to Circus Circus.

 

[Ben_Hecht]

The Flamingo has a GREAT pool, and this summer, you'll like the prices.

 

[BYH]

My (future) wife and I stayed at the Monte Carlo our first time in Vegas in 2000. Loved it.

in fact, I think it was eight years ago this very moment that we were there. I referenced our stay over the weekend...we interrupted a Saturday by the pool to bet on the Derby and watch it in a bar. I said to my wife Saturday that that remains my favorite Derby memory!

 

[joe]

For opposite ass ends of the Strip, Circus Circus and the Flamingo are dumps. But they're still better than the Gold Spike downtown.

 

[Captain_Kirk]

Circus Circus might be a good place to stay if you want to experience life as a circus carny or if you have a time machine that can transport back in time about 25 years.