Need some help choosing strip hotel!

Hello everyone!

I%26#39;ve been lurking reading all your advice here and there! We have been coming to Vegas about once a year for a few years now- we have never stayed mid strip though. The last few trips we have been downtown - which we love- but we are bringing our kids (GASP!!- Seriously though please don%26#39;t attack!)on a suprise trip the first week in Dec.. It is not our trip- but theirs and so we are doing the first 2 nights downtown- but would like to take them to stay somewhere on the strip for the last 2 nights. Here are the considerations we have:

There are 3 kids- but we travel all summer (traveling fastpitch) so we are comfortable stuffing into 2 Queen beds. BUT it seems maybe that no one will let us! Four Queens told me don%26#39;t worry about it- just book it and they won%26#39;t care that there are 5 in the room since 3 are kids- but I don%26#39;t even know about strip hotels so I am wondering will they have people checking us at the elevator or what. Its not a big deal for us to book the second room - just a waste because no one will be in there!

If we are going to the strip we would want to try to be kind of in the middle of a bunch of places so these are the few we are thinking about:

Planet Hollywood

Treasure Island

Harrahs

and then...because 2 of the kids are still kid age (one is 16) the Excalibur. But I am afraid it will be like a crap hole! Don%26#39;t get me wrong- we are not looking to stay in the nicest place on the strip- but I would prefer that my kids not have to leave their socks on to walk on the carpet (Ewww). Price is somewhat of an issue but that time of the year I think we%26#39;ll be OK- but I don%26#39;t want to dump alot in for those last 2 nights since we are getting packages- air and first 2 nights for under $300 and honestly we are only going to the strip because I think the kids will like it.

Any input will be appreciated- With our constraints- where would you go??

Thanks!

Missy

Need some help choosing strip hotel!

Try Planet hollywood, paris, bally%26#39;s or harrahs

Need some help choosing strip hotel!

My nieces 12 and 16yrs hated the Excalibur. They said they felt like the smoked a pack of cigs everytime we went thru the casino to get to our room. They both prefer MGM or Flamingo. Both hotels have a monorail station. You should be able to get a good price at flamingo. Have never had issues with anyone checking us at the elevator.

There is almost nothing for them downtown except for a 20 min light show. I personally would not stay downtown with children, Plus its Dec and there is Not going to be a pool to kill some time.

Harrahs is an older folk Hotel

Excalibur might be the better choice for kids but not center strip.

PH and Treasure Island while not dead center strip would probably be my chice and I would lean towards the TI.

I would go with TI or PH. Both have very nice, extremely clean rooms and bathrooms. PH has a huge bathroom with a european soaking tub that is wonderful!! And TI has the most comfortable beds I have ever slept on!!! And if you%26#39;re looking for cheaper accommodations, Excalibur would be fine. It is not a crap hole. I stayed there last Dec in a remodeled widescreen room and they are very nice. They also were updating some of the public areas and we thought it was fine, especially for the price we paid. We have never noticed the casino being overly smoky, it%26#39;s not nearly as bad as Harrahs or Flamingo.

Whatever you decide, have a great trip!

Since the pool is not a concern in December, of the three you mentioned, I would go with PH. TI and Harrah%26#39;s are OK, but there isn%26#39;t much more there than the casinos, a couple of pirate ships and a few restaurants. PH is more centrally located between MGM and say Winn%26#39;s. With the 16 yr old, you could turn the kids loose in Miracle Mile Mall while the adults do adult things.

No comment on Excalibur..

Make sure everyone brings comfortable walking shoes (a lot more walking than downtown) and have a great time!

';Any input will be appreciated- With our constraints- where would you go??';

I%26#39;d go to someplace other than LV. This is a trip fro the kids, in decemebr to LV? Get real - it%26#39;s a trip for the adults, OR the adults have no common sense.

You might even consider NYNY. There%26#39;s an arcade and roller coaster, you have Excalibur right across the street w/ tram to Luxor. And MGM across the other side of the street.

Bridge-

Thanks so much for your witty insight- I%26#39;ve lurked long enough to know to expect it. We have done Disney, a cruise,etc. we own a RV and travel often- there are two places we have been and the kids have not- Alaska and Vegas. Vegas is the one they always wish they could go along to- I understand the feelings of it not being a kid place. I normally agree- and don%26#39;t feel one bit guilty about going without them! When we have booked a trip and they beg to come along we would never even consider it....but we were not booking a trip this year- our choice- but decided to take the kids somewhere as a surprise trip- and yes in Dec.- why?? Vacation time and school issues (you take finals 1st sem. perfect attendance or not)- we cruised in Dec. too for the same reason. When looking at the options- Alaska in Dec. is certainly out- and the whole Disney thing is on burn out for our family- Vegas makes sense to us- the cost is right- we like that time of year there- its unique- they want to go and would never dream we would actual take them. Thats why I specified its THEIR trip not ours- we are not going to gamble and drink we are going to let them see all the things they have seen in pictures for the last 8 years! If we wanted to go on our own- we have and we would again- I would not drag my kids along so I could go (although I have seen the families that do this and think its a shame).

Not the I owe you an explaination- but since you were so kind to reply with a suggestion as to where we should stay....oh wait...did I miss that on your reply??? Anyways- I thought I should give some more info as you seemed so troubled by OUR decision.

Thanks to everyone else who is responding with helpful info!

Missy

You will be able to get very good rates in December, even Bellagio has great rates then. I would recommend MGM for a family. If you get the queen room, there is still room for a rollaway if you need one, and I doubt the MGM would have any objections to your family.

I would recommend Planet Hollywood, Paris or Ballys. Maybe even MGM Grand for value.