Vegas Strip Resort Discussion (1 Viewer)

[TomC727]

So I'm traveling to Vegas for a conference in March. I am a HGV member so I usually stay at Elara (my favorite property). Since my work is paying for my trip, I don't really have a room budget.

My choices are a few, so I open up the discussion to you members here to help me decide.

Some details. The conference is at Caesars. I am not particularly fond of Caesars, it has always seemed like one of the smokiest casinos on the strip.

So my choices are.

The Wynn or Encore
Bellagio
Park MGM (love the property but never stayed there).
Any other location that I should look at.
Elara standard room (have work reimburse me the room rate)

I know the Wynn would be a walk compared to Bellagio, but for anyone who has stayed at either property, what say you.

Thank you all.

 

[allforcharity]

For convenience probably Bellagio or Park MGM would be best. I'm typing from the Signature right now.

 

[cpac54]

I am not particularly fond of Caesars, it has always seemed like one of the smokiest casinos on the strip.

Hold up… there’s still smoking inside casinos in Vegas? In 2022? Gross.

For some reason, I had just assumed that in this day and age there would be no smoking allowed, except for perhaps certain areas like smoking/cigar lounges.

 

[jr8719]

Hold up… there’s still smoking inside casinos in Vegas? In 2022? Gross.

For some reason, I had just assumed that in this day and age there would be no smoking allowed, except for perhaps certain areas like smoking/cigar lounges.

Yeah, still smoking throughout — although I didn't notice the smell too much when I was out there recently. No smoking allowed in the poker rooms, however.

@TomC727 Given the conference is at Caesars, one of Bellagio's recently-renovated new rooms seem like a no-brainer. Failing that, have you considered the Cosmopolitan if you're after something a bit more modern and 'trendy'.

 

[BiGGyT]

I stayed at the Bellagio while attending a conference at Ceasars. The extra PIA to make the morning meetings on time made staying on property worth any downside. But if you don't have 7:30am starting times then not as much of a concern.

 

[dkersey]

Park MGM is nice and the casino is non smoking. But it is still a hike to ceasars even using the tram.

 

[trever]

For conferences, proximity is king.

 

[timinater]

Park MGM (love the property but never stayed there).

The entire facility is non-smoking, including the pool. Only place I will stay until other properties also become smoke free. Rooms are good and if you're not really working with a budget you could upgrade to the NoMad portion of the hotel. https://nomadlasvegas.mgmresorts.com/en.html

The casino isn't huge, and no poker but it's a pretty short walk around the back almost directly into the Aria Poker Room.
Close to the barn (hockey rink), Eataly is handy, Crack Shack is legendary and the non-smoking aspect of the hotel is so nice after long smokey days/nights.

 

[cpac54]

The entire facility is non-smoking, including the pool. Only place I will stay until other properties also become smoke free. Rooms are good and if you're not really working with a budget you could upgrade to the NoMad portion of the hotel. https://nomadlasvegas.mgmresorts.com/en.html

The casino isn't huge, and no poker but it's a pretty short walk around the back almost directly into the Aria Poker Room.
Close to the barn (hockey rink), Eataly is handy, Crack Shack is legendary and the non-smoking aspect of the hotel is so nice after long smokey days/nights.

Not to hijack the thread, but good to know as I’m currently planning a trip. Honestly had no idea that smoking was still allowed and that honestly blows my mind a bit.

 

[bernielomax]

I see you noted your company would reimburse you for the Elara room rate.

Just throwing this option out there. Have you stayed at HGV Club at the Flamingo recently? I stayed there in March and a good chunk of the rooms (not all) were complete remodels. It also has that "secret" entrance next to the Flamingo drop off. To me this property has one of the better locations and can be an escape from the Vegas hustle if you need a good night sleep.

 

[TomC727]

I see you noted your company would reimburse you for the Elara room rate.

Just throwing this option out there. Have you stayed at HGV Club at the Flamingo recently? I stayed there in March and a good chunk of the rooms (not all) were complete remodels. It also has that "secret" entrance next to the Flamingo drop off. To me this property has one of the better locations and can be an escape from the Vegas hustle if you need a good night sleep.

I have stayed at the Flamingo HGV, interestingly enough, the last time I went to this conference in 2018 (this conference is at Caesar’s every year).

I figured since the company is paying, I’d stay somewhere that I probably wouldn’t stay at otherwise.

Based on app the recs here, I’m leaning heavily toward the new rooms at Bellagio.

 

[TomC727]

The entire facility is non-smoking, including the pool. Only place I will stay until other properties also become smoke free. Rooms are good and if you're not really working with a budget you could upgrade to the NoMad portion of the hotel. https://nomadlasvegas.mgmresorts.com/en.html

The casino isn't huge, and no poker but it's a pretty short walk around the back almost directly into the Aria Poker Room.
Close to the barn (hockey rink), Eataly is handy, Crack Shack is legendary and the non-smoking aspect of the hotel is so nice after long smokey days/nights.

I was in Vegas last week and cut through Park MGM on my way to t-Mobile to see George Strait.

I told my wife that I was very impressed that the smell of smoke didn’t exist and their vent systems must do a good job.

4 hours later at the Juniper bar, I found out it was completely non smoking. I was very excited.

My bartender even said when the property decided to be the first nonsmoking property, that a bunch of people were up in arms, that the casino would fail. It turns out, Park MGM became more popular because of the policy.

 

[TomC727]

For conferences, proximity is king.

It sure is. The days start at 8am, and a 15-20 minute walk doesn’t sound too appealing to me, unless the farther properties were next level amazing compared to Bellagio.

 

[TomC727]

Oh, and about Park MGM, huge fan. Eataly was fantastic. I ended up cancelling Andiamo’s reservations to eat dinner there this past Saturday. Eataly’s tomahawk was one of the best I’ve eaten. Love the setting. Casual yet great food, and a nice setting.

 

[jr8719]

I have stayed at the Flamingo HGV, interestingly enough, the last time I went to this conference in 2018 (this conference is at Caesar’s every year).

I figured since the company is paying, I’d stay somewhere that improbably wouldn’t stay at otherwise.

Based on app the recs here, I’m leaning heavily toward the new rooms at Bellagio.

 

[jr8719]

Oh, and about Park MGM, huge fan. Eataly was fantastic. I ended up cancelling Andiamo’s reservations to eat dinner there this past Saturday. Eataly’s tomahawk was one of the best I’ve eaten. Love the setting. Casual yet great food, and a nice setting.

Which Eataly restaurant was the Tomahawk at, out of interest?

 

[TomC727]

Which Eataly restaurant was the Tomahawk at, out of interest?

The meat counter (can’t remember the name). 36oz of heaven.

 

[doublebooyah85]

I absolutely hate the smell of cigarettes. Never smoked one in my life. I do enjoy the casual cigar.

I think smoking will always stay in casinos. Can’t afford customers to leave. However, the Wynns air filtration system is the best, and it’s hardly noticeable unless you’re around a large smoking crowd.

 

[allforcharity]

For conferences, proximity is king.

Usually, yes, but it really depends on how big the conference and how they handle transportation logistics. My conference right now is at Mandalay Bay, but the dedicated coach transfers make everything easy and timely.

It's those off-hours times when you're doing the touristy hiking where it really makes a difference to be central.

I've also stayed at Cosmopolitan and they upgraded me to a suite - it was quite nice but almost wasted on a single occupant.

 

[TomC727]

I absolutely hate the smell of cigarettes. Never smoked one in my life. I do enjoy the casual cigar.

I think smoking will always stay in casinos. Can’t afford customers to leave. However, the Wynns air filtration system is the best, and it’s hardly noticeable unless you’re around a large smoking crowd.

I think this was the general consensus until other states shut down smoking in casinos. It didn’t hurt Illinois casinos at all.

If all Nevada casinos ended smoking, I see it not affecting the bottom line, at all, and maybe even improving it slightly.

 

[doublebooyah85]

I think this was the general consensus until other states shut down smoking in casinos. It didn’t hurt Illinois casinos at all.

If all Nevada casinos ended smoking, I see it not affecting the bottom line, at all, and maybe even improving it slightly.

Kinda love smoking a cigar and gambling in a fine establishment. That would be a bummer. I even liked it when the cocktail waitresses use to walk around selling them lololol

 

[TomC727]

I ended up booking a remodeled Resort King at Bellagio.