Where to Stay, Play and Eat in Vegas

[Debi]

A lot of members ask about the best places to stay in Vegas - and we are here to help you!

Members are invited to leave their own reviews in this thread! You can help us out by giving a review of the hotels you have stayed at in Vegas and we will link your review next to that hotel.

Guidelines for Reviews:

• Mention if they have a poker room or not and whether they host tournaments if you know.
• Restaurant Reviews Welcome!
• Pics are great!

You will find many member reviews by clicking on the links below.

Seeking recommendations? Ask any questions about your upcoming Las Vegas trip in this thread!

Stay and Play:

• Aria: Debi, theevildub, KyeRorrley, MEJ, Debi, Scott Rzonos, Kirstenoli91, Mortis, SPANKYSN, LOKIE77
• Arizona Charlie's: Peter Jankowski
• Bally's: arahel_jazz, Debi, fingers182005, martycaridi, Icid86, johnnylawford, Atl2000, IADaveMark
• Bellagio: fubarcdn, SPANKYSN, Acehigh562, Mr Sandman, paulsmall007, mitchellstein45069, PokerSki, PLAYFUL1, johnnylawford, Sidetracked
• Caesar's: Gambit11th, Jacki Burkhart, paulsmall007, szopikos, damgold, Debi, fingers182005, Mortis, lablelarry, johnnylawford, Atl2000, Sidetracked, Deeznutzzzz, Amanda A, Emily Trott
• Casino Royale: johnnylawford
• Circus Circus: joshtheking1, wacosteel, likesitthere
• Cosmopolitan: arahel_jazz, Amanda A, johnnylawford, Amanda A
• CWS: Rdsxfan
• Ellis Island Casino: Emily Trott
• Encore: Grearix
• Excaliber: rifflemao, bolenator, MackemMan
• Flamingo: fubarcdn, rifflemao, natsgrampy, Jacki Burkhart, crazyforchips, Debi, tbdbitl, ARMYNAC, karakonjel1, kbaker420, szopikos, Cdub512, ATL2000, Pokerstudy, Emily Trott
• Gold Coast: dontquit, TakinOver
• Golden Nugget: bolenator, Stonwy1991, Mortis, Amanda A, frederixo, jastagg042286, GrouxLive, Old Islander, CoreyCA, belerophon, Mortis, Pokerstudy
• Grand Valley Ranch: lightning36
• Harrahs: Jacki Burkhart
• Horseshoe: Emily Trott
• Lady Luck: WJMKAM
• La Quinta Inn & Suites Red Rock/Summerlin: Anatolie Fomov
• Las Vegas Hilton: Chasin Rivers
• LINQ: zcorrell0326, Jacki Burkhart, mcgregor_415, lablelarry
• Luxor: Shells, wabbitfry18, aolguin3, hufty, popstani, BobbyMorton
• Mandalay Bay: Icid86
• MGM: Debi, Jacki Burkhart, 1prophecy, kbaker420, DaNutts, Coolpapa1976, BussinessSox
• Mirage: Shells, BobbyMorton
• Monte Carlo: Debi, Jacki Burkhart, fishmasterbaiter
• Motel 6: m3th0s

 

[Debi]

NewYork NewYork - fishmasterbaiter, aolguin3
NoMad - lablelarry
Orleans - zingbust, tonyp336699, nicon1957, Neek4555, TakinOver, belladonna
Palace Station - benamber, predator4114, velapuerca77
Palazzo - Debi, Poker Orifice, johnnylawford, lablelarry
Paris - natsgrampy, aolguin3, luiaguila, velapuerca77, danydidi, IADaveMark
Planet Hollywood - Debi, zcorrell326, Jacki Burkhart, theevildub, fingers182005, Icid86, tbdbitl, Amanda A
Platinum - Gnikace
Red Rock Resort - SPANKYSN, Mortis
Rio - Debi, Shamanski, JeekMcskeets89
Sahara - Emily Trott
Sam's Town - Peter Jankowski, Mortis
Siquel Suites - boloenator
South Coast - skaterick
South point - zannie27, Pokerstudy, Emily Trott
Stratosphere - rifflemao, Jacki Burkhart, CARDMAN007, Mortis
The Cromwell - Polytarp, johnnylawford
The D (Fremont Street) - rbackmann
Treasure Island - TJHERE136
Tropicana - Jacki Burkhart
Vdara - Debi, lcid86, andreii955, j10prokopiac, Gnikace
Venetian - Debi, Knittle, Icid86, fitemore, Stacker, MoryMorte, baboonnexx, Shrops, _EPG_, johnnylawford, Stringy
Wynn - theevildub, paulsmall007, hufty, SPANKYSN, Grearix, MrAceBoogie, djasset
Caesar's Properties General Info - tbdbitl

See the post below for places to eat!

 

[Debi]

Eat:
Allegro - SPANKYSN
Alexxa's - IADaveMark
Aloha - Old Islander
Aria Buffet - theevildub, SPANKYSN, tbdbitl
Aunt Annie's Pretzels - Emily Trott
Bacchanal Buffet (Ceasers) - Whaevoz
Batista's - imhighhommie
Bellagio Buffet - SPANKYSN, daluby
Black Bear Diner - Emily Trott
Blossom - SPANKYSN
BlueBerry Hill Family restaurant - arahel_jazz, ACEWOLF56
Bobby's Burgers - IADaveMark
Burger Brasserie - tbdbitl, IADaveMark
Cafe Americana - IADaveMark
Carmines -Polytarp
Cosmopolitan Resort - lablelarry
Craft - meltedmedia
Delilah - SPANKYSN
Delmonico Steakhouse (Venetian) - SPANKYSN
Dw bistro - csudlow
Earl of Sandwich - IADaveMark
Eataly at the Park MGM - lablelarry
Eifell Tower Restaurant - arahel_jazz
Ellis Island Casino - belladonna05, pimpbot5000sp3, Emily Trott
Firefly - Jacki Burkhart, bryan24, tonyp336699, ACEWOLF56
france Buffet - danoscar
Fremont - tbdbitl
Giordano's - Gnikace
Golden Nugget Buffet - tbdbitl
Gordon Ramsey's Burgers - Debi
Gordon Ramsey's Steaks - Debi
Green Valley Resort Buffet - danoscar
Grand Lux Cafe - Jacki Burkhart
Grotto - tbdbitl, Old Islander
Hash House - tbdbitl, Mortis, SouthparkSith, tbdbitl
Hells kitchen - tbdbitl, SPANKYSN
Herbs & Rye - Emily Trott
Hersheys Chocolate World - Mortis
Hugo's Cellar - Polytarp
In N out - Dogwisddom, tonyp336699
Italian American Social Club - Smunroe
Jardin at the Wynn/Encore - SPANKYSN
Juans - csudlow
Lemongras (Thai) - tbdbitl, Kirstenoli91
Lola's Louisana Kitchen - tbdbitl
Lou's Diner - Emily Trott
Luke's Lobster - lablelarry
Main Street - tbdbitl, Old Islander
Metro Pizza - timormson
Momofuku - johnnylawford
Mon Ami Gabi - arahel_jazz, tbdbitl, Polytarp, thejuice1, lablelarry, danydidi, IADaveMark
Morel's Steakhouse - Poker Orifice
Otoro - SPANKYSN
Oyster Bar - tbdbitl
Pizza Rock - tbdbitl
Planet Hollywood Buffet - theevildub
Puck's restaurant TheWhitePwny
Ramsey's - Polytarp Polytarp
Red Rock Buffet - SPANKYSN, Mortis
Rio Buffet - wabbitfry18, danoscar
Rolling Smoke BBQ - CubzFan23
Royal india Bistro (Rio) - Jacki Burkhart
Satay - ACEWOLF56
Shake Shack - lablelarry
Sinatra's (Wynn) - SPANKYSN
Stratosphere Buffet -danoscar
Terrance Point Cafe - SPANKYSN
The Donut Bar - Mortis
The Flamingo - Polytarp, fingers182005
The Fuel Bar - johnnylawford
The Grand Lux - johnnylawford
The Luxor - lablelarry
The Rainforest - RobQQ
The Steak House (Circus, Circus) - Smunroe
The Wynn Buffet - SPANKYSN, likesitthere
The Yardbird - scubed, johnnylawford
The Yardhouse - lablelarry
Vickie's Diner - Emily Trott
Virgil's Real BBQ - SPANKYSN

 

[fubarcdn]

The only places I have stayed in Vegas are the Bellagio and Flamingo.
The Bellagio is awesome and probably the nicest hotel I have ever stayed at.
The Flamingo was dated when I stayed there 25 years ago.
I did not play poker in the poker room at the Bellagio but it was busy.

 

[Debi]

Planet Hollywood -

I have only stayed here one time and that was for a couple of nights this past November.

The room was reasonable but could have been a lot better with a little bit of effort. My sheet had a big hole in it right at the top and should have been replaced. The floor was not vacuumed when it was cleaned and I was not impressed the cleaning overall.

I would definitely stay here again though since that could have been 1 bad maid out of a lot.

In June and July weeknights rooms vary from $44-126 and on weekends from $155-291.

The location is excellent - it is centrally located and you can walk to most places on the strip.

I love the casino - it is one of my favorites. They have lots of slots and table games with reasonable limits and it is a casual atmosphere. They play loud music from the 70's and 80's and I am okay with that lol.

The poker room is very small but they do have small tournaments there if that is your thing. Several times a year they host tournament series and hold them upstairs. I love their tournament series - so much so that we hold one of our 3 annual team events here. The tournament staff is very friendly. It is fast becoming my favorite place to play.

The restaurant choices are pretty good. The buffet is decent. Gordon Ramsey BurGR is amazing - burgers are delicious, milkshakes are to die for and the desserts are some of the best around. They have an upscale steak place that I have not tried. Planet Dailies is a cafe with a decent menu but service tends to be slow. They have a pizza place and Ringer Wings and Sliders outside facing the strip.

One of the great things about staying and playing here is that it connects to a mall where you can find other places to eat. Food is never a problem when you stay at PH.

Get a Total Rewards card if you stay here.

 

[Debi]

Aria -

One of my favorite places to stay in Vegas though I haven't stayed there much lately. The rooms are very very nice and modern. Beds are very comfortable. The standard rooms are considered small suites and are a decent size. I consider the rooms here luxury - they are that nice. They supply robes in the room and the electronics are high tech.

I have never received an upgrade here. My room rates as an MLife member are usually $79 during the week and $129 on weekends. I have gotten free rooms a few times but they are not overly generous with them. Checking the internet for June/July the weeknight rates run from $114-190 and weekends run from $190-313.

The poker room is one of my favorites. The staff is very good and they have a 1pm and a 7pm $125 tournaments which are fun to play in. They run a summer series during the wsop and this will make the 2nd year they have hosted the WPT500.

They are having a LIPS tournament for the ladies this year which I am excited about - they held one last year too so hopefully this will happen annually now.

The poker room has cash games too - starting at $1-3 for nlhe.

The poker room is way too small and they have to cancel their nightly tournaments sometimes because they don't have enough tables. During the summer they hold all tournaments in a separate area across from the poker room where some slots have been cleared out.

The casino is pretty good but not one of my favorite places to play. Since the hotel is so nice limits tend to run a bit high on the table games and I just prefer a more relaxed atmosphere.

Food choices are not good at all for the casual eater which is one thing I have never liked about staying here. They have some nice classy restaurants that are pricey and take some time to eat it. There are no fast food restaurants at the Aria. They have a pizza place - but it is not really that casual.

You can walk to the Monte Carlo without going outside which is what saves it on the food. There are some casual choices and a food court at the Monte Carlo.

The Aria is part of the MGM family and if you stay there make sure you get an MLife player's card.

 

[arahel_jazz]

The Cosmopolitan

I've stayed several times at the Cosmo. It is one of the most trendy hotels in Vegas, and is a great place to take your special person for a romantic getaway while still being in the middle of the strip.

Poker-wise - forget it. No Poker room. But - it is an easy walk to Aria, Bellagio, PH, or even Caesars to play.

Table games and slots are laid out on the first floor underneath one of the largest Swarovski crystal chandeliers in the world. The bars do pour complimentary top shelf alcohol with just $20 in a video poker machine (Book & Stage is my favorite)

The best reason to go to the Cosmo is the rooms are outstanding, the food is incredible, and it has one of the hottest clubs in Vegas. If you can, make sure you get a Terrace Suite room - they overlook the Bellagio fountains and it's really cool to sit on the balcony and drink wine (or scotch), watch the sunset and the fountains, and just relax.

They have their own reward card system "Identity", it's not affiliated with any other network. You actually get more reward points for lodging/food than you do for gambling.

The Cosmo is a Marriott associated property (Category 8) - room rates vary widely starting at $120/night up to thousands per night. I haven't actually paid for a room there in years as I have thousands of Marriott points I can use. If you are a Marriott Platinum member, you will get upgraded, they have a special check-in desk, hospitality suite, and special line for the buffet.

Lastly, it is one of the few properties on the strip that accepts dogs. Yes, Luna has stayed at the Cosmo. There's a special place for them to go on the 14th floor that is really convenient.

 

[Poker Orifice]

Can you add in 'where to eat'?
tks

 

[arahel_jazz]

Bally's

We stayed at Bally's back in 2008 when DefCON was at the Riviera. We got upgraded using the $20 sandwich technique to a large room in the older tower. It had a sunken bathtub big enough for two surrounded by brass rails on a platform between the main room and the bathroom.

The room was comfortable, but old. Really old. I felt like I was in a Dean Martin movie (Matt Helm) from the 1960's. In fact, the whole casino hadn't changed much since I was a kid back in the 1970's and the place was actually the MGM Grand. Lots of low ceilings, mirrors, and not much in the way of restaurants.

The poker "pit" is in the middle of the casino and isn't very big. I played a bit of cash there - but wasn't very good back then and didn't enjoy it. It's a fairly easy walk to Aria, PH, Bellagio, and Caesars. The Venetian isn't too far away. Shuttles to the Rio and Harrah's are available.

Rooms start around $110 in mid-summer. They often go down to around $50 depending upon what's going on in town.

Food-wise - the best part about Bally's is there is a connection to Paris Hotel. Several great places to eat in Paris, including my favorite: Mon Ami Gambi. Pick a weekend morning and have breakfast on the patio - the view (and the food) is worth the wait.

You will want to have a Total Rewards card.

 

[Debi]

Can you add in 'where to eat'?
tks

Yep!

 

[arahel_jazz]

Can you add in 'where to eat'?
tks

Cosmo: basically everything there. The Wicked Spoon buffet is really good. Holstien's for a casual burger and milkshake. More high-end: Jaleo for Tapas. STK for steak. Scarpetta for Italian (really good). And if you can find it - the secret Pizza joint for New York style pizza at 2AM is awesome. Get pizza and a beer, go out to the pool table lounge and watch all the drink pretty people stagger out of the Marquee night club. Trish actually talked to Britney Spears one night as we were all sitting around about 2AM.

Just outside: Mon Ami Gambi (across the street at Paris). Todd English Pub (between Cosmo and the Crystals shops)

 

[rifflemao]

Excalibur

This may be one of the more reasonably priced options on the south strip, and is close to Luxor and New York, New York. In terms of quality, I think of it as The Stratosphere of the south strip...except the fun rides are next door at NY, NY.

The rooms are dated and unremarkable, but mostly clean (not pristine), while the poker room is what I'd call a last resort: you go there if you are desperate to play poker, but too tired to walk anywhere else.

You stay at Excalibur if you don't mind trading quality for a low price, and if there is something you want to do on the south strip, like attend a medieval times show.

You don't stay at Excalibur if you want to play tournaments at Aria and Planet Hollywood for example, and think the walk doesn't look that far on the map...because it is, and there are stairs...and adult entertainment hustlers...and street performers singing opera to accordion. Anyway, in the summer, you'll risk heat stroke unless you wait for a Deuce shuttle bus. In the fall, you will get a lot of exercise and be very glad it's not summer.

Bottom line, if you are on a tight budget, don't care about the room, and want to stay on the south strip, Excalibur may be worth a look. Otherwise, there are certainly better (and more conveniently located) options for poker players, for not much more money.

If you do stay at Excalibur, remember to use your coupon book to get $20 off of a decent meal at The Steakhouse at Camelot (or another eatery). The mesquite grilled salmon with sun-dried tomato butter is surprisingly good, although who orders fish at a steakhouse?? :hahaha::eating:

 

[benamber]

Don't knock me too hard on this one...but the palace station tower rooms rock, panoramic view with remote curtains There is a decent 9 or 10 table poker room, with plenty of og's that are fairly easy to crack if you're a young gunner(I'm 27)! Now its off strip on Sahara, down the street from SLS(pretty new joint, but bad gaming opportunities) however a quick shuttle to SLS will put you on the monorail and you can HIT EVERY CASINO with an all day pass at about $10. Now there is a bit of exercise so make your way to Pampas grill around 3pm, just $18 for UNLIMITED STEAK, and if you eat like me an hour goes by quick! At 4pm the real deal dinner meats begin getting served @ no extra expense(if you arrive after 4 its a bit pricier). Once your done with your meal you've got the whole strip to tear up! Try hitting the Paris hotel for some great table time and quality table banter will get you the inside scoop on the best poker spots(and some legit high stake house games).

 

[PLAYINBIG]

I like this thread.I have never been to Vegas,but would like to someday.This could be a very helpful thread for players like me who have never been there.I trust the regular members on CardsChat for information like this,who give good advice to other CC members based on their experiences when they visited Vegas.

 

[Debi]

Thanks for the reviews guys - all are welcome!

 

[Debi]

MGM -

I have stayed here twice. The first time was many years ago and I managed to get an upgrade to a sweet by passing a $50 bill across the counter. (it was for 9 nights).

The suite was big and pretty nice - not luxurious like the Aria or Palazzo/Venetian though.

Food choices were decent - from the food court to one of the best steakhouses in Vegas.

It is a very busy and popular casino. The 2nd time I stayed here I got a normal room and was not impressed. It was old and dated for such a popular casino.

The location is good if that is the end of the strip you plan on being on the most. A walk to the Venetian is a lot further than it looks.

I would probably not stay here again unless they have renovated their rooms and they gave me one for free.

The casino was fun and they have a small but fun poker room. (It is larger now).

 

[Poker Orifice]

I'll be staying at Palazzo.
Is it much of a walk to Rio, Aria??

 

[Debi]

I'll be staying at Palazzo.
Is it much of a walk to Rio, Aria??

Everything is too far to walk to the Rio.

However Harrah's has a shuttle and it is reasonably close to the Palazzo.

It is too far to the Aria in the heat of the summer imo.

 

[arahel_jazz]

I'll be staying at Palazzo.
Is it much of a walk to Rio, Aria??

I live in the desert Southwest, and have walked over the freeway to the Rio in the middle of the day. I figured, meh, it can't be all that bad...





uke:
Will never, ever, think of doing that again.

 

[rifflemao]

The Stratosphere

This is the northern-most hotel on the strip, and is easily recognized by its towering...er, tower, which offers stunning panoramic views of Las Vegas at night (pretty lights...), and some scary rides that will test whether heights are a fear factor for you.

You can even jump from the tower via wire-guided freefall, which somehow seems scarier than a tandem skydive from 15,000 feet.

Aside from that, you stay at Stratosphere if you need a cheap room, and don't mind catching the Deuce for long rides to better locations. You can walk to Sahara Ave Station and catch the monorail, but either of these options for getting around will add costs that can tip the scale in favor of staying further south.

If you are coming to Vegas for a CC Team event, you can rule out Stratosphere regardless of price, as you'll waste precious time commuting. Walking is not an option, and may not be safe at night that far up the strip.

All that said, if you are looking for an inexpensive place in Las Vegas to try out live poker for the first time, The Stratosphere may be an option to consider. From what I recall, the daily rebuy + addon tournaments there are not bad, and draw fields of 70+ at night. They run at 11am, 7pm, and 11pm daily, and are currently $50 for 4500 chips, with an addon of 6000 for $20. You'll want to check the structure though to be sure it's worth it, as many low buyin tourney structures are too aggressive to justify playing them.

FWIW, Heartland Poker Tour held events at The Stratosphere in 2013 and 2014.

 

[veltins]

Hi ,
you all talking about Hotels. what about some Apartments or share homes ? what about a Player who likes to go there for full 2 mths period. what are the Options available for them ? of course they are going there to wsop grind , but def cant afford to pay for Hotel for 2 mths. as most of the Money will be for wsop Events and Food . so isthere any cheap Options also available for staying ?

please let us know as well , it will be helpful for grinders with limited Budget.

 

[rifflemao]

Nice map of the strip here.

 

[Debi]

Venetian -

One if my favorite places to stay in Vegas - have stayed here many times. Too bad it is owned by Sheldon Adelson - I will only stay here now if it is free. (and it is sometimes).

The rooms are very spacious - over 700 sq ft. Rooms are luxury - though they are getting to the point of needed to renovate now im. Bathrooms have a vanity table, bed area is big, then you step downstairs to the media area which has a sofa, table and desk. Lots of room! There are 3 tv's including a small one in the bathroom.

If you are ever fortunate enough to get an upgrade they are amazing. The bedroom was a separate room in mine.

The casino is great and they have one of the best poker rooms in Vegas - probably the largest.

Food choices are abundant - 2 food courts and lots of restaurants. The Grand Lux is one of my favorite places to eat in Vegas.

Love this place! It is not cheap - even with a gold card rooms are often starting at $129 on week nights.

You will need to get a Grazie players card - it is only good for the Venetian and the Palazzo.

 

[Debi]

Palazzo -

See my reeview on the Venetian - the rooms are identical and the Palazzo is connected to the Venetian. However the Palazzo is newer so the rooms are still in pretty good condition and I prefer to stay here.

The casino is not quite as big and there is no poker room - but you can always walk over to the Vennetian.

They don't have as many places to eat - but there are some good ones - and again you still have all of the Venetian choices. Both places have a Grand Lux which is one of my favorite places to eat in Vegas.

There is a nice sports bar too - Emiril Lagasse's.

 

[rifflemao]

Palazzo -

See my reeview on the Venetian - the rooms are identical and the Palazzo is connected to the Venetian. However the Palazzo is newer so the rooms are still in pretty good condition and I prefer to stay here.

This was where I stayed on my first trip to Vegas, and was one of the best rooms I've ever seen. Lots of marble in the bathroom, which also had a tv, and the sunken den feature was cool. I wasn't much of a gambler then, so can't comment on the casino.