Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
your room. And almost all the Strip hotels charge extra for children (something
off-Strip hotels do not), making these glamorous properties a pricey proposition
for parents. Consider renting a house rather than staying in a hotel. It may afford
you more privacy, as you may not have to share a room with the kids; and you'll
have access to a kitchen so you'll save on restaurant meals (that may also save your
sanity if your child is a picky eater).
Remember that children under 12 receive discounted or free admission to nearly
every museum and attraction in the city and can get discounted movie
tickets. They ride the public buses here for half-price as well. The only place your
kids will not get a discount is at the shows, some which do not admit children under
the age of 5 (and aren't appropriate for young kids). I've attached our
9
symbol in
the show chapter (p. 181) to those productions that are appropriate for families.
If you're hoping for a night or afternoon away from the kids, ask at the front
desk if your hotel can provide a babysitter or has a list of reliable babysitters (bet-
ter yet, ask before you book). Those staying in an apartment or a hotel without
such a service should contact
Around the Clock Childcare
(
%
800/798-6768 or
702/365-1040).
The service is not cheap ($54 for the 4-hr. minimum, $12 for
each additional hour, and extra if you have more than two kids), but the sitters
from this organization are veritable Mary Poppinses (they'll even take your kids
out on the town, if you wish), and are licensed, insured, and bonded. These short-
term nannies are on call 24 hours and even work holidays (for an additional fee,
of course). Be sure to call at least 3 hours ahead to book.
ADVICE FOR TRAVELERS WITH DISABILITIES
Hotels/Casinos
Because Las Vegas is constantly remaking its hotels (imploding some, upgrading
others), it's done a better job than many older cities in complying with the
Americans with Disabilities Act. All of the major hotels have accessible rooms,
with roll-in showers, ramps, and the like. Problems arise, however, on the casino
floors, which can be quite cramped. Machines and tables are often set one next to
the other, with little room for negotiating in between; and the constant crowds,
particularly in the evening hours, makes getting around even more difficult, par-
ticularly for those who use scooters or wheelchairs. This is especially true for the
smaller downtown casinos.
Visitors who choose to stay on the Strip should inquire where their room is
located before booking. Las Vegas has seven of the largest hotels in the world and
the distances within these hotels are often vast. Try to book a room as close to the
elevator as possible, and on an elevator bank that serves the center of the casino.
For insider advice on casino accessibility, visit the website
www.access-able.com
,
which has a poorly organized but still useful database of accommodations reviews
for Las Vegas. You can also e-mail
SATH
(Society for Accessible Travel and
Hospitality; info@sath.org)
with any questions on hotels, and the staff there will
get back to you . . . eventually (it's understaffed) with what they know about the
accessibility of the hotel in question. In addition the
Nevada Commission on
Tourism
(
%
800/638-2328; www.travelnevada.com)
distributes free accommoda-
tions guides that include information on access.
