I am headed to Las Vegas in July for my 1st wedding anniversary. Also going for UFC 100 at the Mandalay Bay. We are flying in July 9 and leave the 13. Any places that are a must see? Restaurants? Shows? We are debating where to stay still. Thinking about the Mandalay Bay, MGM Grand, Wynn, or Bellagio. Its our only trip of the year so I am willing to spend some cash, although I am NOT a high roller or big spender! If anyone has been there give me some tips and spots to see! Thanks
[Reply]

Well you want to hit up Casa in Ceasar's Palace. Becareful in there don't bring your credit card.
You want to hit up Pheasant. http://www.pheasantcigars.com/shop/
I had a great time at the paino bar in Paris. It is across the hall from the buffet. Don't eat at that buffet it sucked.
If you have never been to Vegas before just try and spend an evening (hot as hell in the daytime in July there) walking the strip. You can walk down the street with a cold brew in one hand and a cigar in the other. I love Vegas. You will have a blast. Try and post in the herf area if you think you can get together with some of the people out there.
[Reply]

Hey there Erick...congrats on the first year! Tabb has some good tips there and Casa is Casa Fuente in the Forum Shops (Caesar's). I haven't been yet but I've heard good things.

I know the guys on here also like the Las Vegas Cigar Lounge. Again, I haven't been but I know it's a bit off the strip at 5825 W. Sahara Ave. near the Burlington Coat Factory.

As Tabb mentioned, the summer's in Vegas are HOT. Definitely try to nab some pool time. It's well worth it even though it might not be great for the marriage :-):-) . Best pool by far has got to be at the Hard Rock Hotel. There are bars and gambling tables at the center so you can occupy yourselves throughout the day with trips to lose some money in between catching rays. I'm not sure how old you are but I think the Hard Rock pool has a good mix of folks, all ages, maybe heavy on the 20 & 30-year old crowd.

I've heard the PALMS pool can be good but it's usually for the young 20-year old set. Mandalay Bay has a nice pool area too and a VIP area where you can pay to go (and see) topless. I think one of the other hotels has something similar but I can't remember which.

And it seems silly for Vegas (you're there to gamble, right??), but trust me, spend some time at the pools. And even if you don't stay at the Hard Rock, you can buy tickets there to enter & enjoy the pool. They even have parties....I've heard their Sunday pool parties are off the hook.

As for hotels....we stayed at the Palazzo (new tower in the Venetian) last in November and really liked it and the rates have come down drastically from where they were when the joint opened. Earlier in the year when I visited the casino, I wasn't terribly impressed with Palazzo's casino because it's not very glitzy/flashy but I know appreciate it because it's just that. It's more of an adult, less gimmicky casino floor (no wacky themes), wide open & large and I really like it. And don't get me wrong, I like wacky themes (Treasure Island, Venetian Canal) but it's kind of nice to have something different, nice & classy.

I've also stayed at the theHotel, Mandalay Bay, Palazzo, Venetian, Luxor, Hard Rock, Rio, Caesar's, Mirage, Treasure Island, MGM, Bally's, New York.NY, Excalibur, Quality Inn & Howard Johnson's (back in college). I'd say my favorite two are theHotel & Palazzo. theHotel is connected to Mandalay Bay and the whole feel is unlike most Vegas hotels. There are no machines or tables in or around the lobby; it feels like a regular hotel. But it's swanky & all the rooms are suites and they're really very nice. The rooftop bar is a must as is the men's room complete with urinals with windows overlooking the city. So yes, if you've had a p!ssy day at the tables, you can show the city how you feel & p!ss on Vegas. Being a guest at theHotel, you can hang at the Mandalay Pool since they're essentially in the same hotel. I really liked the Palazzo and it's right in the center of the strip, great location and the pool looks pretty great too.

Restaurants:

Carne Vino at the Palazzo: Mario Batali's steakhouse; awesome

B&B Ristorante at the Palazzo: Mario Batali's Italian; awesome

Delmonico's at the Venetian: Emeril Lagasse's steakhouse; awesome

Charllie Palmer Steak at the Four Seasons within Mandalay Bay: Charlie Palmer's steakhouse; awesome

Prime Steakhouse in Bellagio: Jean-Georges Vongerichten's steakhouse; awesome

Aureole in Mandalay Bay: great Charlie Palmer restaurant with a 42-foot-tall glass-enclosed "wine tower" filled with Lucite wine bins. Two "wine angels," young women clad in black cat suits, retrieve the bottles inside.

Mesa Grill at Caesar's: Bobby Flay's southwest restaurant; awesome

Mix at theHotel: Alain Ducasse's restaurant at the top of the hotel; great food & great room; great bar next to it

Social House at Treasure Island: Very good sushi; you can sit out on the patio overlooking the pirate ships

Nine Steakhouse at the Palms: Different feel for a steakhouse; very good & I once talked to Gisele Bundchen & Tom Brady (Tom was an a$$ and I think Gisele may have said she was going to leave him for me...but I'm not positive) who sat at the table next to us.

Emeril's Fish House in MGM: I've heard mixed reviews but my wife & I really enjoyed it.

Vic & Anthony's Steakhouse at Golden Nugget: surprisingly decent steakhouse downtown

Buffets:

The best has to be Bellagio and we've done 'em all over the years.

We also enjoyed Treasure Island's (about 4 years ago), Mirage (used to be my fave until we discovered Bellagio's), Rio (it's been a long time but we used to go a lot in college and it's massive), Paris...

Don't waste your time or money on the fancy buffet at Bally's. We just did it in November and it wasn't worth it and wasn't terribly nice either.

Clubs:

Tao in the Venetian is a great spot. They've also opened up the pool at the roof of the club; quite a scene.

I've heard good things about Baby's at the Hard Rock Hotel.

I've also heard good things about the clubs at The Palms Hotel (Rain), Caesar's (Pure) & Bellagio (Light).

Other things to do:

-Check out the Golden Nugget pool & waterslide through the shark tank
-Indoor SkyDiving (never tried it, looks interesting)
-Stratosphere rollercoaster & freefall ride at the top of the needle (haven't done it yet)
-Walk the shops in the Venetian & Caesar's
-Take a trip to Red Rock Canyon (I've heard it's beautiful)
-dueling pianos at NY, NY (my wife's favorite 'bar')
-Red Square vodka bar in the Mandalay Bay: frozen vodka room
-Fremont Street Experience is probably something you should see once...and while you're at it, best odds are in the downtown casinos

I guess you won't need to know about str!p joints....

Have a great time & I'm happy to answer any questions you might have.
[Reply]

Must see the Crazy Horse in Paris...the GF and I loved the show.
[Reply]

Well, if we're talkin' shows...man, I want to see this so freakin' bad.

They had me at Kelly Monaco.

Image
[Reply]

Mel B is in it now too....gotta love a smoking hot woman with a British accent.
[Reply]

Not to mention a smokin' hot bod.

Image
[Reply]

when you go to casa fuente, make sure to check out the other cigarshop at caesars as well, its a nice little shop :-)
[Reply]

Honestly Dave..IMHO they are wearing way to much clothing!
[Reply]

Couldn't agree with you more Bao...but watch the show...I think they go topless!
[Reply]

Dave,

The Las Vegas Cigar Lounge is only 5 miles from my house. A definite must try on my next trip.
[Reply]

Some great information so far! David, you really went big time! Thanks!

We are going to be staying at the MGM Grand Signature.
[Reply]

You can count on the temp being between 110 and 115 every day, that's very hot. If you like to get out and walk around, do not wear shoes with leather soles, they will get extremely hot! When your out and about be sure to drink plenty of water (Very Important!).

Lot's of other good info given above!
[Reply]

Ubetcha...and I'll have to check out the MGM GS...I haven't heard of it! But that doesn't surprise me...Vegas changes daily and of course, whatever happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas so it's no wonder I haven't heard of it since the news NEVER gets out....

The Most Interesting Man in the World walks the Str!p in Vegas in the height of summer, barefoot and sometimes on his hands just to prove it's not that hot. And he drinks Dos Equis while doing so. Yes, he can too.

:-):-)
[Reply]

:-):-)
[Reply]

I'm not sure I'd classify him as interesting, just plain Nuts!!! LOL!
[Reply]

We've had table service at all 3 with Grey Goose, and they all do a good job making a fancy presentation. Reserving a table also gets you out of the line! :-) Ghost Bar (I think it's called) was also another good club we went to.
[Reply]

Sweet! Ghost Bar...over at Rio yeah? Up top?
[Reply]

Hey Guys & Gals,

The Ghost Bar is at the top of the Palms Hotel & Casino.
[Reply]

Ah....I knew it was on top....

Of something.
[Reply]