first time las vegas

[steveemers]

we are planning to visit las vegas in july for one week, we have a choice of hotels between
luxor, treasure island,ballys,alladin and flamingo, which would be best for us, husband and wife in our fortys.

[world trecker]

I'm also in my 40's...of your list I'd probably opt for the Luxor. I enjoyed the food at the two places I ate there (don't remember the names, one was a steakhouse and one was Pan-Asian). Some might find the Egyptian theme a little cheesy, but I enjoyed it for what it was (hey, it's vegas!). It felt like a relative bargain, being right on the Strip in Vegas, and the hotel wasn't so monstrously large that I felt intimidated to go anywhere but my room for fear of never finding my way back. I like that in a hotel.

[d360]

Steve,

What type of things to you like to do? and whats your budget? 150-200day, 300-400day, 400+day (figuring for hotel, food, entertainment minus gambling)

[editor]

Steve,

You've probably already made your reservations. But I'll offer a couple of comments in case you check back here.

I live in Las Vegas. I'm a publisher here, and just put together a small website for first time visitors, because people were always asking me what was best to do here.

From my perspective, where you stay should be close to what you plan to do. Check out the shows, activities, attractions, etc. Local visitors bureau has a great site. visitlasvegas.com/vegas/play/index.jsp

Book the ones you want to see and do. Then chart them on a map, provided by VisitLasVegas.com They have 3-D maps of the city (top of the page), plus up-to-date flat maps (bottom of the page) you can download to your computer, print out, and mark up like John Madden. Then print out a clean set of maps, add your notes (neatly), and carry them with you; you'll use the maps a lot. Visitor bureau maps: visitlasvegas.com/vegas/stay/planning-information/interactive-maps.jsp

Then book a hotel that's close to these activities.

If you're coming for a week, first time in town, then you want to experience Las Vegas. Based on what you can afford, stay at the best, NEW (Venetian, Wynn, Mandalay Bay, Bellagio, Paris, Luxor, etc.) hotel you can. (Double check the rates with Hotels.com -- you might find better rates online.)

No offense to the local businesses, but the older hotels feel pretty seedy to me. And most of them are being bought up and torn down.

Hotel rates vary a lot, depending on time of year, weekday vs. weekend, and whether or not a convention's in town. Check the Visitor Bureau calendar to see what's here the time you'll be here:
lvcva.com/meetings/convention-calendar.jsp

One or two big conventions will drive prices through the roof. And turn all the streets into parking lots.

There's a lot more I could offer, but it's already written out on FirstTimeInLasVegas.com

I wish you a great trip.

Robert

Disclaimer: my website is not commercial. It's free. I get no money from anyone for the information that's there. It's just a personal project. Maybe it can help.

[pepchill24]

Go for T.I. unless it ends up being out of your budget. Luxor is fun, but in my opinion slightly overrated compared, not to mention it might be too far out of the main drag for a couple in their forties (which isn't a problem if you're renting a car...are you?)