Where to stay in LA - VEGAS - NYC

[marcoakis]

Hi everyone,

I'm planning a trip with my partner from the 25th of July to the 15th August. We're going to visit LA, Vegas, NYC.

We're both 28 and although we can't afford very expensive hotels, we are willing to budget for above average hotels in Vegas or NYC.

LA
4 nights
I haven't been to LA before, so really have no clue where the best spot is. We'll do the typical... Downtown LA, Hollywood, Disney, Venice Beach, etc.

Vegas
5 nights
We're tossing between The Cosmopolitan & Encore - we're not gamblers so we're looking for a good location in the middle of the strip with plenty of entertainment and dining options.

NYC
4 nights
I've stayed at the Marriot Marquis - Times Square some years ago and I liked it. I wouldn't mind staying in a smaller, boutique hotel in an alternative suburb (SoHo, Tribeca, etc). It's my partner's first time in NYC so I want her to get a good sense of Manhattan.

Regarding the rest of the days we still haven't decided what we'll do, most likely go to Boston or Toronto after NYC... still to decide.

Thanks,

 

[Sprucegoose]

Both Boston and DC are easily accessible on the Acela from NYC, both grand places to Visit.

 

[Hvr]

Phillie's not that far either on the train.

 

[ausi ski bum]

In LA I am staying at Venice Beach next trip, its a nice area and still pretty easy to get to places (I hire a car) I am giving this place a go, not been yet but it does look very good Venice Beach Hotels, California - The Inn at Venice Beach

In Vegas at the moment you can get some amazing deals, I am staying at the Luxor Hotel in the giant pyramid in a luxury suite for just $135 a night, my brother picked up a standard room for just $45 a night.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Phillie's not that far either on the train.

yes and great history there as well.

 

[moa999]

If you are looking to get cheaper 4*/5* hotels, suggest looking at priceline.com name your own price in combination with BiddingForTravel.com Forums

I scored a mid-week 1-bed suite at the Vdara (next to Cosmo) for $80 in peak season August.

 

[craven morehead]

Walked by the Cosmopolitan yesterday and it is definitely central, next to the Bellagio. Not sure about room prices however. I am staying at Mandalay Bay which is fantastic but at the wrong end of The Strip for you I think.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Vegas I stayed right off the Strip, at some Hilton near the airport.

Just had no interest at all in the strip. Why? Done it all before I guess. If you haven't then go for it!

 

[BAM1748]

Suggest subscribing to a couple of the hotels promo emails, your sure to get an offer come through before you go.

hard to beat the MGM Grand for $55 per night for a three night stay.

yes, save up for NY hotels.......

matt

 

[amaroo]

Vegas
5 nights
We're tossing between The Cosmopolitan & Encore - we're not gamblers so we're looking for a good location in the middle of the strip with plenty of entertainment and dining options.

Mandarin Oriental Luxury Hotel in Las Vegas | Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Las Vegas

If you don't stay here make sure you have a drink in the bar.

NYC
4 nights
I've stayed at the Marriot Marquis - Times Square some years ago and I liked it. I wouldn't mind staying in a smaller, boutique hotel in an alternative suburb (SoHo, Tribeca, etc). It's my partner's first time in NYC so I want her to get a good sense of Manhattan.

The Iroquois Midtown Manhattan Hotel | Iroquois New York | Manhattan Luxury Hotels

Not in the location you nominated.....however, such a classy, wonderful establishment.

 

[Limewood]

Stayed in MGM Signature suites in LV Aug last, think was $150 night (wife booked it), spacious, clean, quiet, in Tower 3 walk to front of Casino and main St about 5/8 minutes, They had some nice bars.

 

[craven morehead]

Encore is virtually opposite the Fashion Show Mall if that helps? :mrgreen:

 

[mole]

I can highly recommend the Cosmopolitan especially if you opt for the wraparound suite which is amazing, if you have a car it is also very easy to get in and out of and definetly try the Wicked Spoon buffet. We have also stayed at Bellagio and the Venetian and most recently in a suite at the Trump which was a good experience too. Had a very good stay recently at the Setai on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan (although it's pretty pricey, got the best deal via the AMEX website) although I do always like the location of the Affinia Manhattan as its so easy to walk to Macys, up to Times Square and down to Union Square and good subway access.
As already mentioned its very easy to get the Amtrak between New York and Boston and there is a lot of nice scenery along the way, we stayed at the Lenox Hotel in Boston which we enjoyed and was very well located. Personally not a fan of Toronto but the hotel we stayed in was Pantages and was also very well located, just found there was not a lot to do in Toronto compared to other US and Canadian cities. Hope you have a great trip!

 

[Kerrodt]

I was in LA, NYC and Vegas over August/September last year.

LA: I stayed at The Hotel Wilshire on Wilshire Boulevard. A great new smallish boutique hotel, with a great rooftop restaurant and bar. A stones throw away from everything. Handy to public transport, Rodeo Drive, The Grove at Farmers Market, and one of the stops for the "hop on hop off" bus stops if that's on your itinerary. Downside is that's there's not a lot happening "right outside" the front door of the hotel, but everything you would want is a quick and cheap cab ride away. Guests seems to be "Very cool" people.

Vegas: stayed at Luxor. I wanted the whole Egyptian thing. Was an exceptionally cheap rate. Was somewhat disappointed. This entire property is very tired and needs an overhaul. BUT, I got what I paid for. Next visit would be further down the strip. Went to Venetian for a look and loved the look of the place, but its likely at the other end of the price scale to Luxor. (I highly recommend the Ka show by Cirque de Soleil at MGM. Simply breathtaking, and if you want an awesome helicopter trip, do a half day helicopter tour to the Grand Canyon with Maverick Helicopters. It's expensive but worth every cent.

NYC: I was a bit like you and wanted to stay in a village and not in midtown manhattan. I stayed at The Gem Hotel in Chelsea. A great property in a great location. Rooms are small, but thats to be expected in NYC. In a vibrant village with local New Yorkers everywhere. Hotel staff very friendly and helpful. Great local restaurants nearby -try Patsy's pizza around the corner, and Murray's Bagels across the road is the best breakfast. Transport right on your doorstep to take you wherever.

I highly recommend the train in and out of NYC. I arrived in NYC at Penn Station via train from Washington DC. And I left NYC via train to Boston. Both fantastic train journeys, you avoid the horror of the airports, it's quick and easy, and Penn station is literally 5 minutes away from the aforementioned Gem Hotel. I was very pleased with this part of my holiday plan. I couldn't have made it any easier.

Good luck and enjoy!!

 

[craven morehead]

If you want an awesome helicopter trip, do a half day helicopter tour to the Grand Canyon with Maverick Helicopters. It's expensive but worth every cent.

Did this trip just 2 days ago and it was fabulous. :mrgreen: Surprise Surprise pilot didn't give the tips are much appreciated routine.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Did this trip just 2 days ago and it was fabulous. :mrgreen: Surprise Surprise pilot didn't give the tips are much appreciated routine.

Great, it's on my list as well. Did you fy rom LAX?

i don't understand your last point about the pilot?

 

[craven morehead]

Sprucegoose, I had read on this forum and heard from other sources that on the way back in the pilots start pitching for tips. Our guy didn't even mention it although it was noted on their brochure that gratuities were accepted and appreciated. Hope that clarifies my point. CM :mrgreen: Maverick operate out of Las Vegas about 5 minutes drive from Mandalay Bay and have at least 10 choppers. The bigger Eurostars where everyone gets a good view and they also rotate passengers after the halfway stop/snack.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Sprucegoose, I had read on this forum and heard from other sources that on the way back in the pilots start pitching for tips. Our guy didn't even mention it although it was noted on their brochure that gratuities were accepted and appreciated. Hope that clarifies my point. CM :mrgreen: Maverick operate out of Las Vegas about 5 minutes drive from Mandalay Bay and have at least 10 choppers. The bigger Eurostars where everyone gets a good view and they also rotate passengers after the halfway stop/snack.

yes sorry I should have picked that up. You are in LOTFAF and they all live on tips as they can't seem to organise a reliable workforce!!

time for another trip I feel......

 

[coles525]

Evening all, will keep is short (accidently deleted everything just now, as I pressed the wrong button!), the two of us are staying in Vegas late next year, in which after reading review and booking sites; I still don't know what hotels are good / bad / ugly.

Using a purchased voucher for 3 nights, which includes dinner / outings / other offers (2 for 1) to the tune of nearly AU$400. Other review said thing like: robbed more then once, given smoking room (non smokers), long way to walk from reception to room (10 min+) as well as usual ones (food, long check in, service, extra charges / minibar etc...). Would anyone even know IF any of the ones listed below might provide a minibar (free!) to stor your own things in?

I will try to contact the actual provider of our voucher soon, to findout what type of room we have actually purchased....

Let me know if I'm allowed to put the website(s) on here that are providing the hotel offer. As it's being sold via a 3rd party discount site for around 50% off (save $400ish). The original (full price) supplier shows some more details on whats included in the total cost (ie: plane / helicopter tours).

Hotels I would love to find one which allows 2 or more devices connected to the "room wifi", which is part of the resort fees. The hotels below coloured red, seem to only allow 1 wifi connection for room (part of resort fees):

- Paris Las Vegas

- Planet Hollywood

- Hard Rock Hotel and Casino

- Luxor Las Vegas

- MGM Grand Las Vegas

- New York New York Hotel and Casino

- Monte Carlo Resort and Casino

- Tropicana Las Vegas - A Doubletree by Hilton

- Polo Towers: a Diamond Resorts International Destination

- Treasure Island Hotel and Casino

- Flamingo Las Vegas

- Circus Circus Hotel and Casino

- Bally's Las Vegas

 

[Edge]

Did these same cities last year. Stayed at:

Wynn Encore - loved it. Not much of a gambler and the hotel itself was light & bright and felt least like a casino out of any that we visited. Very new and fresh. Drawback is it's not the most central to the strip.

Trump Soho - had 7 nights there and absolutely loved it. Was able to get a deal for $2,100 for the 7 nights, and then paid another $300 to upgrade the room when we arrived. Worth every cent, amazing corner room with unbelievable views.

Mondrian LA - Funky and in a good location. But LA is LA - you need a car wherever you're staying. Great bar / restaurant, cool pool.