Originally Posted By tiggerdis_ or anyone else who knows Vegas better than I. Our travel agent has booked us at the Monte Carlo, is this okay. I see trip advisor has it ranked at 55, so I'm thinking it's fine. We do have our 17 year old with us, so the pool with the lazy river sounds good. I haven't paid a deposit yet, so I can change!
Originally Posted By LVBelle I've never stayed there but it's a great location, right in the middle of everything. I've heard good things about it. And that's about all I know about it!
Originally Posted By Indigo Some smallish rooms, Poor rules in the casino, but right in the middle of the action. So that's good. If the Market City Caffe is still there, I recommend it for dining. Stay away from the food court and brew pub.
Originally Posted By tiggerdis_ Thanks LVBelle and Indigo. I saw some great reviews, and some rather scary reviews. I wanted something mid-strip, so I think this will do. That, and my son has seen the pool. I think now even if the walls were caving in, and there were termites, he'd still insist on staying!
Originally Posted By nevadarebel It is a really pretty place from the outside but I have only been in it a couple of times to see Lance Burton. I have heard that it is a nice place to stay and again, in a good location especially with a 17 year old. New York New York is next door and Gameworks is across the street.
Originally Posted By smeeeko slightly OT: Is the Monte Carlo a newer hotel?? SeanYoda & I stayed at the Excalibur (good rate) but omigosh was it nasty smoky like 20years of cigarette stank in the carpet. Luckily we were hanging out in the other places like Paris & New York New York and others.. so much to do in Vegas for teens without gambling I would imagine! Make sure to take advantage of those card clubs though because they will give you coupons to ride the "Eiffel Tower" at Paris and there's the stuff at New York New York too.. as well the fountains and the volcano.. and there are actual art galleries and museums and stuff. The pirate show at Treasure Island has chanced a few years back and don't know what that is like now.. man, I want to see Vegas again! It was fun! =) (oh and there's a museum in the Luxor I heard but I didn't get to see that yet) Lots to do so little time! Have fun!!! *btw, I realize that LV is a smokers town but not all casinos are the same regarding breathable air. The newer malls and casinos were not too bad, and I haven't had asthma regular or in ages but for triggers and I literally could not breath in our own hotel casino/lobby not to mention the summer heat did a number on me.. so YMMV as they say.
Originally Posted By LVBelle Gameworks is really fun, Chris and I had one of our first dates there! <a href="http://www.gameworks.com/" target="_blank">http://www.gameworks.com/</a>
Originally Posted By nevadarebel Monte Carlo is about 10 years or less old. It has a brewery inside of it and they built the Lance Burton theater for him. I agree about the smoke and wonderingalice will probably chime in with me as her husband works in a casino as well as mine. It doesn't matter what hotel you walk through, you get the smoke smell but some are permeated into the walls and carpet. Some of the "nicer" casinos have better venhilation systems than others and they continually change out carpets. Plus money is dirty and retains the smell too! Gameworks is a lot of fun. My kids don't get to go much as we avoid the strip as locals but anytime kids come to visit that is where the my kids want to take them. If you like M&Ms, the M&Ms world is right there too. Not much to do but they have some cool candy items that you can only purchase there. New York New York has the arcade area and the roller coaster but it is like a carnival game area so easy to lose a lot of money with very little prizes. (The same goes for Excalibur). Luxor has an area too that has rides but I haven't been there for a while. Mandalay Bay is not that far away (walk to Excalibur and take the tram) and they have the Shark Reef which is really neat to spend a few hours. Also, Mirage dolphin area is pretty cool with the tiger area. Forum shops are a nice place to hang out and people watch if you are into that. It is an expensive mall but the talking statues are pretty neat. What time of year are you coming?
Originally Posted By tiggerdis_ Wow, there's lots to do there I didn't know about. We're going to be there August 26 - 30. Then we head to DL for 4 more days. I do love the forum shops! I didn't know about the Shark reef, I'm going to have to print this information off, wow. My husband will be so glad to gamble a bit or lay by the pool while my son and I check things out..... but then again, I'm hoping to look smashing (well at least socially acceptable) in a bathing suit by then, so maybe I'll hang out at the pool too.
Originally Posted By wonderingalice Heya! Sorry I wasn't around sooner... We were out of town when you posted, tiggerdis. In the newer properties, ventilation is MUCH better than the older places. You can walk through places like Bellagio, Venetian, Wynn, MGM, Mirage, etc., and hardly notice it unless you're sitting at a gaming table or bank of machines where smokers are parked. I've only been in the Monte Carlo once (we ate breakfast at the cafe mentioned earlier - it was really good.) It's not a 'new' place, exactly, but not 'old,' either. And it's very clean - I think you'll be happy there. Just be realistic in your expectations... Monte Carlo looks like a huge, luxurious resort from the outside, but it is one of the mid-range, family-type places. It was originally owned by Circus Circus/Mandalay, so it falls in quality somewhere between Excalibur and Mandalay Bay. I'd rank it with the Luxor (also part of that 'family' before MGM/Mirage Corporation took over.) Be sure and take a walk down to Bellagio one evening to see the fountains - spectacular! And you'll enjoy the inside, too... See the elaborate floral displays in the Conservatory and just enjoy the atmosphere. If you play the tables, don't forget to tip your dealers (of course, we're partial to Bellagio - it's Mr. Alice's 'home' from 4 a.m. til noon each day. But dealers at all resorts work for minimum wage plus tips, so it's a nice thing to do if you're winning. ;-) Also check out the Mirage volcano at night, but don't waste your time with the "Sirens of TI"... Outside and free, but a really awful show, I'm afraid. Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum at The Venetian is fun, too. And the shopping areas there are surreal... Gondolas floating by with gondoliers serenading their passengers. Only in Vegas, baby!
Originally Posted By wonderingalice I just saw that you're coming in August... DO bring lots of sunscreen and plan to drink LOTS of water - you'll want to carry a bottle with you whenever you're outside. Also, I wouldn't plan on walking too far between stops inside hotels - The heat is absolutely overwhelming in July and August. We have excellent public transportation up and down the Strip and to Downtown - use it or rent a car for any destinations you want to get to quickly (without the indoor breaks). Just be very careful with the heat, stay hydrated and you'll have a great time!
Originally Posted By amazedncal2 tig, I'm not sure if you've been to the strip before but incase you haven't here is a tip. Get to know the different ways the casino's "attach" to each other before you go. As wonderingalice pointed out it is HOT. We went last May during a heat spell and each time we walked outside I thought I was walking into an oven Anyway, we bought the monorail pass and knew about a few of the trams like the TI to Mirage but we happened upon one or two where the Casino's were actually linked inside, I'm thinking around Paris? Maybe someone will chime in with a link or more knowledge. It's kind of like knowing about Big Thunder Trail or the passthrough from Carnation Plaza to the "Rancho" in Disneyland. You don't need to know but it's kind of fun. OH, wait I just remembered that to get to the monorail, keep in mind that it's in the back of the casino/hotels, so lot's of extra walking but much cooler
Originally Posted By amazedncal2 tig, I'm not sure if you've been to the strip before but incase you haven't here is a tip. Get to know the different ways the casino's "attach" to each other before you go. As wonderingalice pointed out it is HOT. We went last May during a heat spell and each time we walked outside I thought I was walking into an oven Anyway, we bought the monorail pass and knew about a few of the trams like the TI to Mirage but we happened upon one or two where the Casino's were actually linked inside, I'm thinking around Paris? Maybe someone will chime in with a link or more knowledge. It's kind of like knowing about Big Thunder Trail or the passthrough from Carnation Plaza to the "Rancho" in Disneyland. You don't need to know but it's kind of fun. OH, wait I just remembered that to get to the monorail, keep in mind that it's in the back of the casino/hotels, so lot's of extra walking but much cooler
Originally Posted By MomofPrincess >>The heat is absolutely overwhelming in July and August.<< I agree, and I even live in the middle of the Mojave Desert. We went in August once (end of Aug) for our anniversary and vowed never to go again. We thought we'd stay cool inside the casinos, but whenever we wanted to leave, the heat was nauseating. We didn't even want to walk as far as our car in the parking garages, so we took taxis everywhere. (Can you say $$$$$ ?!) Even at night when we went to see the fountains around 9pm, it was still over 100 degrees and we just about melted. Taking water with you everywhere you go is definitely great advice!
Originally Posted By nevadarebel There is a tram that goes from Excalibur to Mandalay Bay and there is one that goes between Treasure Island and Mirage which are hotel owned and there is no admission to get on them. There is a monorail that runs around town but it does cost but may be worth it in the heat of the day. My suggestion is to site see in the mornings, go to the pool from around 11am-3 or 5 and then take a nap, drink lots of water and then after dark go out again. Because we are a 24 hour town, you can always find stuff going on even at 9 or 10 at night. Most of the attractions have some hours in the evening too.
Originally Posted By wonderingalice <<...Casino's were actually linked inside, I'm thinking around Paris?>> Yep... Paris and Bally's are connected. They share a Monorail station and that's where you head to get from one property to the other.
Originally Posted By Buzz Lite-Snack wonderingalice beat me to it. Thee also WAS a free monorail between Monte Carlo and Bellagio but it has been taken down while Project Center Center is being constructed, rumor has it - it MAY come back but not until approx 2010. A lot of the Eastside of the Strip can be journeyed with a minimal amount of popping outdoors. Barbary Coast to Flamingo is just about 25 steps (check that - Barbary Coast changed names to Bill's Gambling Hall & Saloon last week), you can wander through the Flamingo all the way through Margaritaville pop out the doors and run across the street to O'Shea's. You have to walk outside a bit to get from there to Imperial Palace - but if you go to the back of IP and up to the monorail station there's a door there on a overed walkway that leads into the back of Harrah's. (They share a monorail station). That's about it for the Strip "stay out of the heat short cuts" that I know about that haven't already been mentioned. I'll bet there are others. Now if someone can tell me a faster way to get from my new favorite Red Rock Casino to Casino MonteLago @ Lake Las Vegas . . . . the 215 is a mess @ drive time! It seems like one of the major surface streets like Sahara, Charleston, Tropicana ro Boulder Highway is the only alternative . . . . I'm always looking for the short cuts like Industrial, Frank Sinatra drive - anything to stay OFF the Strip!
