Not sure about a limo but taxi should be $20 unless he takes the long route or there's a little traffic which will add $5-$7 on top.

Taxi's usually $20-25 from Airport to Strip if you didn't get long hauled

For Limos it's in range of $75-100 but the benefit of that is depending on the place you book. Driver will have a sign and meet you when you arrive, help with your begs, get some drinks in the limo and you can ask them to long haul for a whole tour of the las vegas trip and maybe stop by a walgreens or liquor store to pick up supplies. All this within your booked time.

Going with my best friend to Vegas for his stag in October
Best deal I can find on the strip is about $250/person at TI.....we are not planning on spending too much time in our room, so dont want to spend too much on hotel, but how is TI in Vegas? I also dont want his stag experience to be crappy either.

None of us guys are crazy party animals, probably just gonna have a few drinks, enjoy a few good restaurants, then hit up the race track to drive some exotics and the gun shop to shoot some guns....

but yea any suggestions on hotels would be great....i guess I dont mind spending a bit more if I know the experience/room quality will be significantly better.

TI is on the lesser tier of the MGM properties and from what I've remembered their rooms are pretty dated and non renovated or updated.

It's in a decent location on the upper end of the South Las Vegas Strip where you can cross the street and you're at NYNY or the MGM.

If you really don't plan on spending much time in the room (sleep only) then TI should be aight. Just try the $20 trick on check-in to see if you can get a better room (maybe they might have a few that are renovated or least a better view).

If it's the same price point or a few dollars more I recommend the MGM - it's gone through quite a big renovation so most of the rooms are new.

They got decent casino games I think it's like top 5 biggest floor in Vegas, decent restaurants from all ranges and good pool (pool party or the lazy river). Their lazy river is the biggest in LV. However I'm not too sure if it'll be open for October.

For drinks and lounging you guys gotta check out Aria for their lounges - it's pretty bumping and has better younger vibe then upscale Bellagio.

Also if you ain't feeling it there you can cross the street, use the backside shortcut (walking to Vdara then down the stairs to go to Cosmo) and check out their chandelier bar there (pretty awesome!)

$250 per person?!... only for the room?!...

I'm pretty sure the room rates for TI and other similar rating hotels like Monte Carlo are about the same price but from my experience, TI was HORRIBLE! The rooms are rundown and smell stuffy/musky. Everything the washroom was rusted or cracked. I almost cut my knee on the cracked bathroom faucet.
I basically paid the same price for Monte Carlo which way not extravagant but much nicer.
Or you could also try PriceLine that might even land you a 5 star (Aria comes to mind) for the same price range.

Also are you going to be renting a car or cabbing? Location is important too but I guess it won't be as hot in October so it's not a big issue.

MGM sold TI a few years ago and now it operates on its own. Maybe that's why their standards have dropped.

So I just came back from Las Vegas on Thursday.
Just a refresher to those who missed my initial post:
Booked thru Allegiant: 4-nights (August 4th to August 8) at Vdara, including roundtrip flight from Bellingham for $350 per person taxes and everything included (we even have one piece of checked luggage for each way)

Now, needless to say Allegiant is a budget carrier, and though their planes are not the most comfortable in the world, what more can you expect for the price you pay. It was actually quite a bit better than i imagined it to be!.

The Hotel (Vdara):
It's not for everyone, if you like to gamble, if you smoke, if you go to Vegas to experience Vegas 24/7, I would look away from Vdara. For myself and my girlfriend though it was perfect - we don't smoke, nor gamble, and the lobby smelled really nice - also the elevators were not hidden anywhere so getting up to our room was easier than most places.

Room was really nice and spacious. The entry space had a small kitchenette complete with a stove, microwave and sink - and you could request any kitchen equipment free of charge 24/7. There are two fridges. one is the minibar (which there is a huge label telling you it's on a scale/weight), whereas the other one is free for you to use as you please (you also get two free bottles of water each day as part of the resort fee). The washroom was clean, neat, and had a separate tub and glass surround shower, and even had an electronic scale in it for you to weigh yourself after you fill up on buffets.

To be honest, it's not at all too far away from the strip. Sure there is a 10-15 minute walk involved, but 2 out of the 3 ways that you can take are indoors.
1. There's a bridge that connects the hotel to Bellagio, from there you just walk thru Bellagio and make it out onto the strip like you would if you stayed at Bellagio.
2. There's a free monorail next to the bridge that takes you straight to Monte Carlo's casino area
3. Take a 2 minute outdoor walk to Aria, and walk out to the strip thru the Crystals mall, which will take you across the street from the big corner Walgreens.

I did the $20 sandwich trick and got this view from our room on the 28th floor
https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.n...42462483_n.jpg

Woke up early in the morning at 5:00AM one night to find them testing the fountain.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.n...89110505_n.jpg

That is correct - thanks for the correction.

I'm mistaking TI for Excalibur.

Please disregard my last msg as it should have been EX instead of TI

Good mini trip report. I stayed at Vdara once and actually liked it.

Did you gamble at all?
Shows or clubs?
Shopping?
Restaurants?

Would love to hear the details and start to make this a Las Vegas Trip Report thread on RS

I'll be going on a trip in coming mid Sept and I will post a trip report for sure.

Just remember that TMo is using the AWS bands if you're looking for data. You'll need a phone that supports it to get 3G or 4G data - otherwise you're on EDGE. (that means a phone that's on Mobilicity or Wind that's unlocked or something like a Galaxy Nexus). TMo will also charge for the SIM (it's about $8-10 if I remember correctly) so factor that into your cost. If you're OK with EDGE speeds, then just get their $2/day 2G plan and save yourself $1/day. Your Rogers, Fido, Bell or Telus phone will most likely support EDGE.

If you absolutely need 3G/4G data and don't have an AWS phone (i.e. a phone on Rogers, Fido, Bell, Telus), then AT&T is your only option. You'll have to get the $25 Monthly plan and then add on $5/50MB, $15/200MB or $25/1GB data add on. I don't believe AT&T charges for their SIM (at least they didn't when I got mine 2 years ago). AT&T's voice only plan is $2/day but doesn't have data. The advantage they have is that texting to Canada is free in case you have friends who don't want to get a US phone number - you can text them without getting charged for the texts.

I played only penny slots to kill time... Otherwise no, nothing at all.
Didn't go to any clubs nor shows. We had enough to do already on our list just walking around the casinos and stuff.
Shopping: On the strip there were the Caesar's Palace Forum Shops, Fashion Show Mall across Wynn, and other small malls scattered around casinos/hotels. Off the strip of course there's the two outlets which are easy to get to via the SDX bus (we paid the $7/24hour pass)

Restaurants (Just going to be a huge landslide of words here as I recollect from memory):
We got the 44.99/24 hour buffet pass. Went to all of them except for Imperial Palace (been told it's worse than the budget buffets here). NOTE: Go to Rio and Planet Hollywood FOR SURE.

Ordered Take-out from the skybar at Aria with our $75 food and drink credit, really decent food for a really good price ($16 for a kickass burger and $14 for a huge caesar salad with chicken)

Then we brought some instant noodles and cooked it in our room.

Ate at the "street food" section of New York New York... FOOTLONG HOTDOG WTF THAT SHIT IS LONG

Then did dinner at Wynn Buffet... OMG it's so worth the 37 dollars.

and that is it... girlfriend got really sick after eating the 5 buffets in 24 hours... so the 2nd full day we pretty much stayed in our hotel for the entire day.

^ How long was the bus ride to the outlets?

What's the ideal time of day to start off the 24 hour buffet pass? What time did you start?

Leaving in two days. Just wanted to check with you guys, whether it's worth it to take the showtime shuttle from the airport, or take the taxi?

Stayin at the PH. I'm hearing its about $20 for taxi (includes tip), and showtime shuttle is $13 for a round trip per person. How are the taxi lineups at the airport? Last time I went to Vegas, we went with the shuttle and waited about 30-40 minutes in line. :okay:

Noob question about the Total Rewards card...

https://www.totalrewards.com/TotalRe...fits#trinsider

If you're playing table games...how is this determine? They didn't specify any details.
Is it up to the the pit boss to randomly give you some points?

If you booked your hotel through priceline / whatever 3rd party website.
Are you still eligible for points upon check in at their hotels?

The bus ride will vary wildly depending on the stupidly heavy traffic on the strip. it took us a good 20 minutes getting to the north outlets from the Wynn stop... whereas it took us about 15 minutes getting back from the outlets to Wynn, and then 30-45 minutes from Wynn back to the Bellagio stop (traffic was at a standstill...)

Both the outlets are managed my the Premium Outlets group... meaning that that are essentially the same thing as the Seattle premium outlet (exit 202, 200 area on the I5). There are SOME deals, but generally things are more expensive then they are in Seattle. YMMV with this outlet. Maybe try the south outlets too if you have the time.

No wait for the taxis when i was there (Sunday 630PM) Just take the taxi...
Word of caution though: i've heard drivers really like to take SR171 going south at the airport and then looping back up north thru the interstate. Tell them what route you want.... ie: stick with the strip, or just look at a map ahead of time and tell them exactly what roads you want them to use.

The bus ride to the south is pretty quick think 15-30 minutes (the south one sucks though)

The ride to the north is far at least 45mins to 1hr but it's the best (it's also located near the old LV downtown).

The best time to start the 24 hour buffet pass is at 7-8pm because you would be able to get at least 4 meals in if you timed it correctly and maybe even 5

Dinner
BF
Lunch
Afternoon snack (optional)
Dinner

Just gotta make sure you get to the hotel buffet lineup early

The TR program benefits slots players more from what I've heard. For table games, I know at the MGM you need to be playing at $25 min a hand to get rated so I would expect the same at Caeasars prop (ask the pitboss to make sure what betting average to get rated).

I think you may be eligible for the Tier Credits ask the front desk when you check-in but most likely they will direct you to the players club desk.

To get an idea how much comps or rating you might get. If you play $25 a hand in bj for 4 hours a day you probably get about $20-25 bucks in comps per day which imo is good to subsidize a lunch buffet.

The loses are not counted towards rating or comp. But if you happen to lose alot you can ask the Pit boss to see if they can do anything for you.

+1 for the buffet timings
I started mine at 9:30PM at planet hollywood as I was still pretty full from the IHOP breakfast in bellingham. timed it nicely and made full use of my pass!

By the way: to get to the Rio Buffet you need to take the shuttle bus to Rio (or taxi... if you baller) The shuttle runs from either Bally's or Harrah's every 30 minutes.
Beware though! the lineups were quite massive

^Is Rio's buffet still +$15 on top of the pass?
RE: Taxi

Always tell the taxi driver not to take "the tunnel". No matter which hotel you're staying (that's on the Strip), it's NEVER 'shorter'. In good traffic, airport to PH should only be around $15 + whatever tips.

Always bring smaller bills. Some shady taxi drivers will only tell you upon getting to your destination, they don't have change. Ie. a $12 taxi ride...and you only have a $20 bill on on you. You'll end up paying a big ass tip of $8.

Food for Thought

You can easily rent a small sedan from the airport, and have it to be returned at your hotel for less than $25 a day including everything.
Depending what time you arrive....ie. maybe 12 noon? You could pick up the rental car, head to the Outlet / Mall....do some shopping first. Load up on your booze at Walsgreen, etc on your way back. Then return your rental car to the hotel. :fullofwin:

There's 2 seperate buffets at Rio.
One is right next to the really Chinese Restaurant (it even smelled like it belongs in Richmond... pretty sure it's legit chinese food)
This one is a regular buffet - it's the pride and glory of the hotel, which boasts that it was once the longest line in the world (and it is really the longest line of food I've seen in my life... by a long shot even in Vegas). You still get the crab legs and whatnot, in addition to a crapton of other stuff INCLUDING Cantonese style BBQ DUCK (hell I even spoke cantonese to the "see fu", telling him exactly what piece I wanted)


There's another right next to the stage in a sea of slots.
This is the seafood buffet. If you wanted to get into this one it's +$15 if you have the pass
Didn't try this one... maybe next time!

leaving for vegas this friday. is bottle service really worth it at the clubs?

is bottle service really worth it anywhere? its for guys who need to be "seen"

save your money because you're not really impressing anybody with your bottle service.

They offer the car return at any hotel?

Or you mean for example if you rent from Hertz and you staying at the Wynn (they have a hertz counter) you can just return it there?

It's not that much more and is worth it if you go to a really packed club where you can't even walk that you're grinding some sweaty dude next to you.