|
|
Veteran
Posts: 233
 
| My family is planning a trip to 2018 NFR. Most of us have never even flown in an airplane let alone been to Vegas. We are pretty excited. What hotels do you recommended? We are attending one rodeo perf and spending two other nights there. I’ve heard a lot of nice reviews of the MGM but it is a bit pricier than we can do. We want to do cowboy Christmas but also want to be able to see other parts of Vegas. Recommendations? |
|
| |
|
 Cotton Balls are the Devil
Posts: 1271
Location: My own little world! | We have stayed at the Excalibur, the Mandalay Bay, the Aria, The Mirage and the Venetian. All were nice, clean rooms. The Excalibur was the cheapest place out of those.
We don't really stay in our hotel other than to sleep. I like to be close to a buffet for breakfast or lunch and not all the hotels have one but most are close to one that does have one. We only ate one meal in the Aria and after that we went some place else, but the room was pretty cool.
We like to gamble and some hotels are more "fun" than others. The Aria had pretty high minimum bet tables and that trip we ended up at the New York, New York and the Paris to gamble. Also, I always like to hit the Royal, I think it's called on the strip. It is a little bit like a "dive" bar feel. I don't know, for some reason I like it. LOl.
We have also spent an evening on Fremont Street. I think in the past, it has been a little cheaper for meals, drinks and tables but I don't know if that is the case any more. But fun to see.
I think we have decide that we like to stay more in the middle of the strip. The year we stayed at Mandalay Bay it was pretty far on one end, I think it is right next to the Luxor. I think the MGM is pretty central. I have walked through there but never spent much time.
There is always so much to do, I feel like where ever you stay will be fun. |
|
| |
|
 Thick and Wavy
Posts: 6102
Location: Nebraska | We stayed at the Excalibur this year and the Stratosphere last year. Last year we ubered and lyfted everywhere and it got a little expensive. I got a heck of a deal on Excalibur this year and didn't have any complaints. We didn't spend much time in the hotel, anyway. Since there were 5 of us this year, we didn't get rodeo tickets. The viewing parties we went to were a lot of fun, though. I felt like 3 days wasn't enough both years I went. I'm hoping to go for longer next year. |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 1586
Location: west of East Texas | Every person has their own tastes. I've stayed at Flamingo, Monte Carlo, Mandalay Bay, Ceaser's, The Venetian.... and then I told the fam I was done with staying in the monster hotels that took 20 minutes and a pocket full of bread crumbs to find the room. We went this year on a last minute decision and stayed off-strip at the Tuscany Casino. Nope, never heard of it, just took a chance. Loved it. Cheap, clean, room was a like an apartment, huge bathroom, could park the car near the building, and didn't have to walk through the smoky casino every time we went somewhere.
?Plan a day to shop or 'window shop' at one of the trade shows... Cowboy Christmas or any of the other vendor shows. It was my hub's turn so we spent a good part of a day at the Outdoor Hunting Show. Another day could easily be spent just walking in and out of all the hotels just gawking at the splendor and taking pictures.
?Since we don't gamble much, I found concerts and such to go to after the rodeo each night. I've never gone to the viewing parties so I can't comment there.
?With kids, we spent a good part of a day riding the rides - Stratosphere, New York New York, ziplining Freemont Street.
?There is always more to do than we can fit in. I wanted to watch some of the All In Barrel race. I wanted to go to South Point just because we haven't ever made it out there... and more...
?Depending how many are in your group... we rent a car for about the same as the cab rides to/from the airport. Then we can drive it around if we are going somewhere where the parking is convenient. If it's not, we uber.
?Do NOT get suckered by the black market taxis! We were standing in a long line for the NFR shuttle bus and my husband's patience ran out and we way overpaid for a ride to the rodeo. We got a good laugh out of that one! |
|
| |
|
 Expert
Posts: 2128
| We stayed at Excalibur also and it was the cheapest deal on the strip for a resort casino. Rooms were clean. It was totally fine. I would stay again.You can walk to the other casinos if there is somewhere in particular you want to eat or shop but for the most part they are all pretty much the same as far as your regular rooms go. We stayed 7 days and got tired of how busy the strip was so we may stay at Southpoint next time. Its further away kind of off by itself and the World Series Ropings and Gold Buckle Ceremonies take place there. Cowboy Christmas is at the convention center but they also have trade shows at Madalay, Southpoint and other places. Food is expensive!!! Just go into it being ok with that lol. We ubered everywhere we wanted to go. Its reasonable and conveinent. Go see the Hoover Dam or Red Rock National Park if you want a break from the city. All the hotels/restaurants/bars have the rodeo on TV so no worries if you want to watch it the nights you arent going. Most hotels have nightly viewing parties. |
|
| |
|
 Texas Taco
Posts: 7499
Location: Bandera, TX | I second the Exaclibur, due to price and location! |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 2678
Location: Mi | I've stayed at Golden Nugget once, Flamingo once and Excalibur twice. I have no complaints about any of them. Golden Nugget was off the strip, more quieter. Excalibur for the for the price was fine. I did like the Flamingo better than the Excalibur though and price wise it isn't much more. I had always rented a car until this year. Decided to Uber/Lyft instead and try it. WAY easier! Unless you're planning on going off the strip a bunch. We went to South Point, Freemont Street, the rodeo 2 nights, The Orleans, Cowboy Christmas, The Sands, Mandalay Bay (used the Tram and twalked to Mandalay Bay since were at Excalibur) and used it a few times just on the strip and it was much more convienent than a car, easier than a car and just as cheap because we didn't have parking, gas etc in a car either. It's expensive to eat and to drink....but it's that way any vacation you take. You can eat and drink reasonably but you just have to have an open mind you're going to spend money on those things. |
|
| |
|
 Party Girl
Posts: 12293
Location: Buffalo, Wyoming | scwebster - 2017-12-21 7:26 AM We stayed at Excalibur also and it was the cheapest deal on the strip for a resort casino. Rooms were clean. It was totally fine. I would stay again.You can walk to the other casinos if there is somewhere in particular you want to eat or shop but for the most part they are all pretty much the same as far as your regular rooms go. We stayed 7 days and got tired of how busy the strip was so we may stay at Southpoint next time. Its further away kind of off by itself and the World Series Ropings and Gold Buckle Ceremonies take place there. Cowboy Christmas is at the convention center but they also have trade shows at Madalay, Southpoint and other places. Food is expensive!!! Just go into it being ok with that lol. We ubered everywhere we wanted to go. Its reasonable and conveinent. Go see the Hoover Dam or Red Rock National Park if you want a break from the city. All the hotels/restaurants/bars have the rodeo on TV so no worries if you want to watch it the nights you arent going. Most hotels have nightly viewing parties.
Good luck getting a room at the South Point. I think the ropers book their rooms while they are still there hoping they make it back the following year. I got on their wesbite last week to see what they had available for next year and they were already full. We stayed there the first year they moved the buckle presentation out there and loved it! Now you can't get a room out there anymore.
I plan on entering the barrel race next year so will most likely be staing at The Orleans. We have always stayed at Excalibur in the past and have never had a problem. You really are not in your room all that much |
|
| |
|
  Witty Enough
Posts: 2954
Location: CTX | We stayed at multiple hotels, Luxor, Excalibur, Planet Hollywood but this year we stayed at Treasure Island.
I keep an eye out for deals througout the year and can get a good price most of the time. And like mentioned before, we really only are in the room for a shower and to sleep... oh and we also use it for storage... lol... yup, we shop.... a lot....!!
Now I really liked TI because it is in walking distance of the Sands. For everything else we use a taxi, going to Southpoint and the cowboy Christmas, Mandalay Bay etc. We try to get to Fremont street at least once and watch the performance in the tent behind the D hotel there.
Also a plus for TI is that it is not huge. I hate having to trot through the casino's for 30 mins just to get to the front door....
Other than that we try to walk through the Bellagio, they have a lovely Christmas display every year.
Edited by cranky B4 10am 2017-12-21 11:06 AM
|
|
| |
|
 Born not Made
Posts: 2937
Location: North Dakota | I can't comment specifically on the NFR but I have been to Vegas twice. Stayed at Excalibur the first time and stayed at Caesar's Palace the second time.
I would recommend Excalibur. They have a really good price point and you aren't going to be in your room much anyway. Their buffets were pretty good too, and they are close to the MGM. Sure, they are on the "end" of the strip, but there is still plenty to do within walking distance. We'd walk as far as the Bellagio to see the water foundtain show, and then turn around.
Thomas & Mack should be really easy to get to from Excalibur too.
The Luxor is near Excalibur -- I don't know if you like Chris Angel but we went to one of his shows at the Luxor and it was really good! I've also been to Blue Man Group. It was "okay" but I don't think I would really recommend it.
Have fun!! I definately want to go to Vegas to see the NFR someday.
|
|
| |
|
 Regular
Posts: 62
Location: Oklahoma | We try to stay at a different place each time we go. We have stayed at the MGM, I wasn't upset with the room but I wasn't happy. The Palms was nice a little off the strip by quite, we have stayed at the Mirage and it was nice also. I think we are going to stay at Mandalay Bay this year. We used Uber and SAVED a lot of money! Taxis are expensive and with Uber it is one set rate. If you have kids I would say the shark reef at Mandalay Bay, Siegfried and Roy lion, tiger and dolphin exhibit. They have a CSI thing at the MGM its cool you get to play like you are a deductive. You have the rollercoaster @ New York New York. The statues that move in Caesars palace, the Vientiane, the Bellagio water display. Freemont Street (my not wanna take kids but some people do) they have a zip line across Freemont street and its awesome it costs 25 dollars. |
|
| |
|
 Strong Willed Woman
Posts: 6577
Location: Prosser, WA | I've stayed at the Excalibur, Monte Carlo, The Orleans, South Point, Tropicana and the LVH. We prefer the South Point because so much is going on there. The Orleans was fun but it is off the strip. The LVH, which has a different name now is right by the convention center so that was really nice to be able to just walk over to Cowboy Christmas. We have walked through the MGM and I felt like it was a circular maze or something. Otherwise they were all ok in they're own way. |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 1432
| We always stay at the Excalibur. Great location and affordable rooms. I booked on cyber monday and the rooms were $26.00 per night. (plus resort fee.. grrr) Still very affordable...
And booked our flights one week before we flew out. We have a fencing company and didn't know if we'd have a 7 mile project completed so we could go. Our flights were cheap also. $376 for 2 people.
We usually watch the rodeo at the MGM. A friend is the MC and saves us great seats. Have fun! I love Vegas. |
|
| |
|
Veteran
Posts: 286
| We like to stay at the Hard Rock....it's ez to walk back to the Hard Rock after the performance and you don't have to sit in traffic.
Occasionally we stay at the South Point,...where we hang out for the buckle ceremony and then there's no driving back to your hotel afterward. Plus, it's also ez to park our truck in the covered parking for free. |
|
| |
|
 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 561
Location: somewhere in the south | This was our first year to go to the NFR and vegas! We stayed at the Tropicana and were totally pleased. A bit of a walk to the room but hey, gotta get your steps in, right? We went to the Cowboy Christmas and the one at the Mandalay Bay and I liked Mandalabay the best. We bought Monorail tickets and rode that alot! We also ubered, it was ok but lost a couple due to where they thought we should be to where we actually were! We ate at Gordon Ramsey steak house one night and was very disappointed but did try the steak house in the Tropicana and it was one of the best steaks I've ever had! All in all it was a very nice trip and yes, you'll spend most of your money on food!!!!!!!!!! I can't wait to go again now that I know where, how and what I want to see!! |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 561
Location: somewhere in the south | Oh, forgot to say we booked a package deal through Expedia and were very pleased with the price! We, too, did it a year in advance so we could have everything paid for before we went!! |
|
| |
|
 Regular
Posts: 82
Location: southwest GA | If you want to tour Vegas (the strip and downtown), I highly recommend the Big Bus Tour. You can get a 2 Day pass on Groupon for less than you would pay for 1 Uber ride and because it's a hop on/hop off tour, it's a great way to get around and spend as much time as you'd like at each of the stops. This was our first trip this year and we saved so much money this way, and not only did we get to see everything we wanted to see, we learned a lot on the way! One of the people in our group accidentally left her phone on the bus, and our tour guide called her emergency contact to let us know and even offered to personally bring it to us after his shift. Can't say enough nice things about these people and the tour!
The High Roller was also worth it, and we saved money by getting our tickets online. At night, it's an incredible view of the city, and even those in our group that were scared of heights LOVED it.
We stayed at the Trump International, which was well worth the money! No casino there, so it's rather quiet and not smoky like some of them can be. Only downside was no shuttle to the rodeo, but you get a free shuttle to the Wynn or Caesar's Palace, both of which do have an NFR shuttle. We chose to do Cowboy Christmas and the NFR in the same day, so we just drove and had no issues.
Only thing that I wish we had done differently was allowed more time for Cowboy Christmas and to check out the other gift shows in town ,
like Stetson's Country Christmas(there are several others aside from Cowboy Christmas that also have tons of western/horse themed booths). |
|
| |
|
A Cool Sharp One
| We have stayed at MGM (too big), Paris (loved it) and Bally's. We like Bally's because it is in the middle of everything, we get a 3 day unlimited monorail pass, we can pick up for the NFR right there at Bally's. If you are looking for something to do away from the strip look up Boulder Canyon Flightlines, they pick you up at the Excalibur and take you to Boulder Canyon (almost to Hoover ****) and it is flight lining down the mountains, it is a blast! |
|
| |
Folks on-line