XP: Vegas hotel & restaurants

[jchokie79]

This will be hubby's first time to Vegas and my second but it's been YEARS.

What's a good first time Vegas hotel?  Searching by Trip Advisor, so far our top three are the Mandarin, the Venetian or Palazzo.



Has anyone been to any of those or have other recommendations? Looking to be on the Strip of course.



Also restaurant recs are welcomed!



Thanks!!

[neonpink]

I am out to Vegas often for work and I always stay at Vdara. The rooms are beautiful and new and it's right in the center of everything. My first time out there my view was a view of the Bellagio fountains. It's not a casino hotel but you can walk to Bellagio or Aria very quickly. I also like that it's a non smoking hotel.

I love Jaleo at Cosmopolitan. It is always really good Spanish food. I really enjoyed Sensi at the Bellagio. I didn't eat a full meal there but ordered a lot of appetizers with a group. Everything was so good. I will go back there when I am out there again.
Other places that I've been and enjoyed. Olives, Todd English P.U.B.,Fin. Social house (lunch special)Jean Philippe Patisserie for dessert.

I went to Giada's new place and left feeling very underwhelmed and still hungry. I also had a very sad time at Gordan Ramsays Burgr.

[Deleted]

If you want to see a show, I recommend Absinthe.

[mrsd2006]

We stay at Bellagio. The Venetian is nice too though, a little further down the strip. And you can go on a gondola ride there Bellagio is close to Ceasar's and Paris, and the Cosmopolitan (not impressed with that place).

We loved Maestro's Ocean Club- it's in the Crystals shopping center. Someone on this board recommended it to me when we were going. It's super pricey, but was great. They even called the next day to make sure we enjoyed our meal and thanked us for coming in (they had our phone # from the reservation). I was really impressed by that LOL.

[neonpink]

I'll second Absinthe. It's a dirty burlesque show and I have never laughed so hard the trapeze and acrobats are also stunning.

[sitnspin]

DH and I have been there lots of times and our favorite hotel is the Wynn.  It is further down on the strip, so if you want to be front and center, this may not be for you.  I love all of the restaurants within their complex, TBH.

[Alyssa]

Jul 9, 2015 14:06:35 GMT -5 sitnspin said:

DH and I have been there lots of times and our favorite hotel is the Wynn.  It is further down on the strip, so if you want to be front and center, this may not be for you.  I love all of the restaurants within their complex, TBH.

Ooo.....good to hear.  I'm staying at the Wynn in mid-Aug. for a friend's surprize 40th.  His wife chose the Wynn and I have never been there before.  Actually the last time I was in Vegas, they were building the Wynn.  Did you have any problem with noise coming from the club at night?  I have read a few reviews where people were complaining about the bass from the club even if they were staying several stories up.

[osumelissa]

I have stayed at the Palazzo three or four times and I really like it. It has a small casino, so it isn't a far walk to the elevators. Plus it's connected to the venetian so you practically get two hotels for one. Other than Palazzo, I have enjoyed both my stays at the Aria. it has a good central strip location.

As for food, definitely have brunch at Bouchon at the Venetian. I went there last month and we were all in food comas afterward. So good! Todd English P.U.B. is good for casual, and they do a twice a day happy hour. Border Grill and Stripsteak at Mandalay Bay are also really good.

[sunshinedaydreams]

We stayed at the Venetian a few years ago, and I was not impressed at all. Our room was run down and kind of dirty. There was gross stuff on the couch that looked like semen. The front desk staff was SUPER rude. Minimums for the tables were really high. I felt like we paid too much for what we got. But the location was good.

The only other place we've stayed is Mandalay Bay. It's at the far end of the strip, but it was really nice. And sort of removed from the crazy crowds central on the strip. The pool is nice, and there are some really good restaurants in there.

I'll second Border Grill and Stripsteak at MB. We also did Mix Lounge at MB, which had good food and great views of the strip. Bouchon in the Venetian was great for brunch.

My favorite show in Vegas is Mystere. SO amazing!

[thejen626]

Another vote for the Wynn! Price it out online and then call them, they always give me a cheaper rate over the phone. Re:noise, that's only if you have a strip view room. Just request a golf course view and there's no noise at all.

[sitnspin]

Jul 9, 2015 15:04:59 GMT -5 Alyssa said:

Jul 9, 2015 14:06:35 GMT -5 sitnspin said:

DH and I have been there lots of times and our favorite hotel is the Wynn.  It is further down on the strip, so if you want to be front and center, this may not be for you.  I love all of the restaurants within their complex, TBH.

Ooo.....good to hear.  I'm staying at the Wynn in mid-Aug. for a friend's surprize 40th.  His wife chose the Wynn and I have never been there before.  Actually the last time I was in Vegas, they were building the Wynn.  Did you have any problem with noise coming from the club at night?  I have read a few reviews where people were complaining about the bass from the club even if they were staying several stories up.

Not at all.  Have fun!

[maddiepaddy]

I stayed at the Palazzo a few years ago and it was pretty nice. But, of the three you're looking at, I'd choose the Mandarin. Everything I've heard about it sounds great and I'd love to try it. The best Vegas hotel I've stayed at has been Encore at the Wynn, though. Absolutely fantastic rooms, great amenities as it's connected to the Wynn, etc...

As for food, Bouchon for brunch is amazing. I have also really enjoyed Tao, MiX (might have closed though?), Holstein's, and Olives the last time I was there (2 years ago). I'm headed back next month and have a whole list of places I want to try including Bardot, Lago, Yardbird, and Searsucker (among others), and I'm trying to narrow it down, there are too many great options

[jchokie79]

Jul 13, 2015 9:34:29 GMT -5 maddiepaddy said:

I stayed at the Palazzo a few years ago and it was pretty nice. But, of the three you're looking at, I'd choose the Mandarin. Everything I've heard about it sounds great and I'd love to try it. The best Vegas hotel I've stayed at has been Encore at the Wynn, though. Absolutely fantastic rooms, great amenities as it's connected to the Wynn, etc...

As for food, Bouchon for brunch is amazing. I have also really enjoyed Tao, MiX (might have closed though?), Holstein's, and Olives the last time I was there (2 years ago). I'm headed back next month and have a whole list of places I want to try including Bardot, Lago, Yardbird, and Searsucker (among others), and I'm trying to narrow it down, there are too many great options

If you remember, please come back and give your reviews once you return!  Would love to add more to my list.