STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Hermes

Las Vegas help needed, please!

crystal · Kate Spade

unless she is going w/ a bf or hubby, i would HIGHLY reccomend Thunder from Down Under!! it's at excalibur & it's great! tell her not to buy the vip tickets though, just get there extra early (w/ a few drinks to make the time fly by

) and you can sit at the vip tables once you are inside because no one checks, trust me! also, tao is overrated, just in case she was thinking about it... i do have to plug sushi roku (and boa, they are sister restaurants at caesar's palace) because i used to work for the one here in santa monica, but trust me, the food is EXCELLENT!! as for clubs, rumjungle is my latest fave. rain is so not worth the trek over there, but ghostbar is a must if you can barter your way out of the $25 cover charge. caesar's has superb shopping. but all the hotels now, especially the really nice ones, have a good shopping selection. fashion show mall isn't that great, not worth the drive down the strip, but if you are close enough to walk, then go for it. also, she should check out downtown. everything is really cheap & it's fun to let the trashy side come out once in a while!! you can park for free at the lady luck parking structure, just take the parking stub inside and pretend to gamble (or actually gamble either way...) and ask an attendant to validate your ticket. then you can spend the rest of the time doing whatever you want down there! $6 prime rib is my guilty pleasure!! if you need more info, just ask!! i've gone to vegas like 5 or 6 times this year, most of that in the past few months and i go 2-3 times every year.

bumblebee · Coach

my main fave is the gambling--little known secret: the tables at the new wynn hotel are less crowded than other places and you can still find a $10 table on a saturday night!

i agree on rumjungle--really fun and they play good hip-hop music, not techno. my favorite bar is ghostbar, though--imho, it's worth whatever they charge to be able to stand up there on that high-up outdoor patio and feel the desert air all around you at night.

i like nobu at the hard rock for dinner. and my favorite pool/rooms are at mandalay bay.

halleybird · Hermes

there is a GREAT place for cheap drinks on the Strip...I can't remember the exact name, but someone here probably will. It's a tiny Irish casino/bar, Something O'Something's...it's somewhere in the neighborhood of The Flamingo/Bally's. You can buy one of those footlong daquiris for like $5, and they're not too watered down.

Hermes

halleybird wrote:

there is a GREAT place for cheap drinks on the Strip...I can't remember the exact name, but someone here probably will. It's a tiny Irish casino/bar, Something O'Something's...it's somewhere in the neighborhood of The Flamingo/Bally's. You can buy one of those footlong daquiris for like $5, and they're not too watered down.

ok - I'm on the phone with my husband right now (he's there on business) and he said the name of the bar is O'Shea's - but he's never been there - he's just seen because it's close to his hotel. His favorite thing is the Bellagio Fountains (he's kinda conservative and frugal

)

bumblebee · Coach

oh yeah! that reminds me--casino royale! directly next to the venetian, on the strip. tons of $5 blackjack tables 24 hours a day and they are speedy with the free drinks. love that place.

Hermes

bumblebee wrote:

oh yeah! that reminds me--casino royale! directly next to the venetian, on the strip. tons of $5 blackjack tables 24 hours a day and they are speedy with the free drinks. love that place.

wow - listen to you! I don't gamble, but I would go just to watch you! (free drinks are incentive enough alone!)

bumblebee · Coach

i like to gamble, but just for fun. i'm not some professional high-roller or anything, which is why i like that place. it's just fun and low-pressure because it's no-frills and the tables are only $5. it's friendly and not intimidating.

Hermes

bumblebee wrote:

i like to gamble, but just for fun. i'm not some professional high-roller or anything, which is why i like that place. it's just fun and low-pressure because it's no-frills and the tables are only $5. it's friendly and not intimidating.

see - now that sounds better than my casino experiences. the only casino I have ever actually gambled in was in Detroit at the MGM Grand - so depressing... a lot of people that definitely don't have a lot appearing to almost be one with the machine while it drains the small amount of money they do have from them. I couldn't stand being in the place. I think I maybe spent $5 of the $20 I changed over and went back and changed the remainder in. The only other casino I've been in is the huge fancy one in Monte Carlo - that was way too intimidating to me. I would be willing to check a down-to-earth one like you described out...

tara t · Marc Jacobs

i consider myself a bit of a LV pro.

what does your friend like to do? wild child or mellow ? does she mind spending mucho dinero or is she frugal?

i bet we can customize her vacation fairly well.

Nancy · Nine West

I have two kids now, but when I go to Vegas I am without kids and with three other girl friends in the same boat. So we would like to live it up a bit. We don't have a ton to spend but definitely would like to make the "girls weekend out" enjoyable. Maybe go out one or two nights to a really great restaraunt, gamble a bit (black jack, roulette, and craps), maybe see a great show, and definitely want to go to some good clubs. We all love to dance!!! We are staying at the Aladdin. Any help or advice you could give would be greatly appreciated!!!!!!

tara t · Marc Jacobs

hi nancy !

i'm not much of a nightclub girl, but i have been to a few. i'm more of a barfly.

i have been to

http://www.ralv.com/index_flash.aspx?screenres=0&qs=allowFlashAutoInstall=true a few years ago, but i'm thinking it's a bit of a 21 yr old crowd. not that there is anything wrong with that, it's just not my thing.

http://www.mandalaybay.com/dining/lounges.aspx rumjungle in mandalay bay was fun. don't really need to be dancing here to have a great time.

and studio 54 in the MGM grand... didn't have fun.

lounges

i really wanted to go to forty deuce, but they do the bottle thing and i had a bit of a hangover; either champagne for 150 or a bottle of booze for 300. burlesque dancers do nightly shows every hour or so. i went to the one in LA, and had a blast so you may went to check that out.

http://www.caesars.com/Caesars/LasVegas/Dining/BarsLounges/PURE.htm just opened a few months ago ( i think) and it's where the pussycat dolls perform. this is where i drank to the the above referenced hangover. it's really cool.

this wasn't open when i was there, but i hear it's the celeb hotspot... in the venetian. http://www.venetian.com/attractions/tao.cfm

as for restaurants; i love this one

www.crustaceanlv.com

it's in the desert passage shopping center in your hotel. the BF and i went there for dinner and had a great time.

http://www.venetian.com/dining/aquaknox.cfm yummy food. cool atmosphere.

http://www.mandalaybay.com/dining/restaurants.aspx

LOVE AUREOLE !!! wonderful wine selection, wonderful service, sommiliers are extremly helpful. but pricey.

also at mandalay bay we had lunch at burger bar. but i have issues with cheeseurgers.

shopping

i think you and the girls would have a great time shopping at the venetian. it's great. i want to live in that hotel. while at the venetian shopping, try lunch at postrio... http://www.venetian.com/dining/postrio.cfm

ceasars has some great shopping too.

there is the fashion show mall is fun but i think it's skippable. most of the stores there are already in the hotel malls and they are waaaaay more fun.

as for shows,

i have seen "O" 2X and it's incredible.

but i'm sure any cirque de soliel would be wonderful.

KA at the MGM

zumanity at NYNY

lareve at the wynn

and mystere at treasure island.

i have seen wayne newton, cheesey fun

blue man group at the luxor, but they have since moved to the venetian.

make sure you make reservations for everything early !!! i'm talking like NOW. most of the show& restaurant reservations can be made thru 1 number... (866) 80-SHOWS

this is a super comprehensive site http://www.vegas.com/

if you need anything else, please ask ! i could talk vegas for days

HAVE A GREAT TIME !!

crystal · Kate Spade

Nancy wrote:

I have two kids now, but when I go to Vegas I am without kids and with three other girl friends in the same boat. So we would like to live it up a bit. We don't have a ton to spend but definitely would like to make the "girls weekend out" enjoyable. Maybe go out one or two nights to a really great restaraunt, gamble a bit (black jack, roulette, and craps), maybe see a great show, and definitely want to go to some good clubs. We all love to dance!!! We are staying at the Aladdin. Any help or advice you could give would be greatly appreciated!!!!!!

How funny, my last "girl's weekend" in vegas we stayed at aladdin too! it's a nice hotel and the pool is fun (oh, n/m, it might not be open since it's getting cold now!). they have good shopping at aladdin but dont' bother with Curve (the lounge/bar/club there)... locals told us not to go so one of the girls checked it out anyways and gave it the big thumbs down! we did however go to rumjungle and had an awesome time dancing. they play pretty much top 40/ hip-hop type music (not trance like RA, but RA is still fun too).

i have to say that TAO is highly overrated, especially as being a celeb hot-spot. yes, celebs were present for the grand opening, but both me and my coworker have gone at different points in time and it wasn't anything special. it actually reminds me of PF Chang's. there are much nicer, hipper restaurants to be had in vegas. actually, i think the "top of the tower" (hehe, not really called that, it's a Y&R reference) restaurant at the stratosphere has an amazing view! i know, i know, it's stratosphere, super cheesy, but the restaurant is actually really nice.... it revolves!! and of course, you can't go wrong w/ Sushi Roku or Boa as I mentioned in my previous post. Those definitely have a high celeb potential, i would almost guarantee you see someone famous there, especially 8 and later. Call now for reservations though, as tara t mentioned because if you wait til you get there things will be booked!

good luck, have fun!!

Nancy · Nine West

Thanks so much for all of the great advice....I am a little more relaxed knowing I have some recommendations of things we should and shouldn't do. So if I had to do one thing before leaving Vegas, what would it be?

crystal · Kate Spade

Nancy wrote:

Thanks so much for all of the great advice....I am a little more relaxed knowing I have some recommendations of things we should and shouldn't do. So if I had to do one thing before leaving Vegas, what would it be?

THUNDER FROM DOWN UNDER!!

Renee · Kenneth Cole

hi girls, sorry to hijack the thread, but we're also planning to go to Vegas - on thanksgiving weekend, so it'll be crowded. Can you recommend a hotel? Thanks!

blubirde · Chanel

crystal wrote:

Nancy wrote: Thanks so much for all of the great advice....I am a little more relaxed knowing I have some recommendations of things we should and shouldn't do. So if I had to do one thing before leaving Vegas, what would it be? THUNDER FROM DOWN UNDER!!

I second and third and fourth this suggestion. I had the best time I've ever had in Vegas at the Thunder from Down Under show. It was awesome! I bought the VIP tickets (they're only a few $$ more, nothing pricey) and I got to touch lots of hard man flesh! Teehee. And drink fruity girly drinks. It was soooo awesome!

And I also second halleybird's reccomendation of O'Shea's. It has $5 blackjack tables there, too. It's a great little dive to jump into on an afternoon. Especially with the cheap drinks!

Hotels - it depends on what you want. Cheap? Convenient? Nice? Whatever you do, avoid the Crapicana (Tropicana). It sucks major ass. We stayed at the Flamingo once (cheap) and it was very well located and an okay hotel. I'd prefer Excalibur though - don't laugh! I like the swell of dramatic music when you walk in the door. I wish I had something like that following me around. Wouldn't it make everything you do seem more important? I'm home - ta da! Music swells - yes! I just did the dishes. Ah, I'm happy just thinking about it.

shopgirl82 · Chanel

i love the aquanox (sp?) in the venetion for amazing seafood. for a nice lunch, there's a cafe across from the fountains of the bellagio that i meant to go to, but was too drunk (from the pool) to notice that i went to the next door chinese restaurant. bad food, but good view at the chinese cafe. i have stayed at a bunch of places...but i would love to stay at the hard rock or venetian next time i go.

i have never gone to shows, but would like to next time, so if you go, don't forget to review!

crystal · Kate Spade

blubirde wrote:

Whatever you do, avoid the Crapicana (Tropicana). It sucks major ass.

omg, where were you a few weeks ago when i booked and stayed in a room there!! you are right, it was the WORST hotel ever!! and i have stayed at imperial palace which is very cheap and old, but i was never scared for my life!! there were unsavory characters outside crapicana (love that!) and we were on the street level floor so anyone could hop our balcony and come on in! luckily we have a friend who lives there so we checked out ASAP and stayed w/ him... we are still waiting to see if travelocity will refund our money!!

as for GOOD hotels, venetian is the best on the strip, coming from someone who has also stayed at bellagio! now, don't get me wrong, i'm sure you could pay $1000/night and find a better room at bellagio than venetian, but venetial is an all-suite hotel and bellagio is not. this means that the cheapest room at venetian is a suite while the cheapest room (which is NOT cheaper than venetian) at bellagio is a regular old room not any nicer than aladdin, or the mirage. in fact, i would venture to say that the room i stayed in at aladdin (cheapest level) was NICER than the room i stayed in a bellagio!

ok, that being said, i am sure wynn is very nice, but since it's new it is SUPER pricey! also, mandalay is supposed to be fabulous, but it has a bad location (south end of the strip). if you are going super cheap, imperial palace is the best - it has the best location! medium i say excalibur, upper medium aladdin, and best would be venetian! HTH!

blink · Coach

well I didn't read through all the other suggestions but make sure you go to at least one show, I don't know if you like Cirque Du Soleil, but Mystere is really good, and I have heard that O is too.

I have stayed at both the Bellagio and the Monte Carlo, both were nice.

Another thing, if interested, take time to go to the old part of town, the original strip, just to get a feeling of the history.