Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Paris vs. Biloxi?
In researching this topic, I made note of hotel prices over several months
and then, based on those figures, ordered the properties in this chapter
from cheapest to most expensive. This being Vegas, there were nights when
the one that was usually cheapest was suddenly the most expensive by
$100 or more—that's just how the dice rolls here. An even bigger surprise
was when I realized that
Harrah's Las Vegas
(3475 Las Vegas Blvd. S.,
between Flamingo and Spring Mountain roads;
%
800/HARRAHS [427-
7247] or 702/369-5000; AE, DC, MC, V;
$$
-
$$$$
),
which I had always thought
of as a budget property, was actually charging the same prices or more as
the much nicer
Paris Las Vegas
5
(3655 Las Vegas Blvd. S.;
%
888/BON-
JOUR [266-5687] or 702/946-7000; www.parislv.com, AE, DC, DISC, MC, V;
$$
-
$$$$
)
on a good number of nights. Huh?
Let's compare the two. At Harrah's you have one of the most frenetic,
loud casinos on the Strip topped by a ceiling so low in places that Michael
Jordan might have to duck if he ever came in (or at least it feels that
way). Where there's statuary or art of any sort, it's of the gaudy Biloxi
Mardi Gras variety, as disposable looking as the beads they throw from
floats. Rooms have been gussied up, with a new pseudo-Art Deco design,
wooden headboards and marble counter-tops, but standard rooms still are
oddly shaped, somewhat like an arrow, and thus still feel cramped. I do
like the showroom here, and am an apostle for magician Mac King (p. 188),
who everyone should see—he's that good. But back to the negatives. The
pool area is functional and large, but nothing special; the same could be
said about the onsite restaurants. There's a spa, again nothing special, and
some of the most aggressive time-share sellers on the Strip roving around,
ready to pounce. And the outdoor entertainment area, with its “flare bar-
tenders” (like the juggling fellows in the Tom Cruise movie
Cocktail
) is
If only the interior of the hotel were as nice as its gardens. To be fair, the
Flamingo was about to embark on a major renovation when I last visited, but what
I saw was pretty standard in terms of rooms (think chain-motel type furnishings,
fine beds); I've always disliked the low ceilings and cramped layout of the casino. As
that may be changing I won't say any more except to point out that the Flamingo
is known for its showroom (currently hosting Toni Braxton and George Wallace;
see p. 185 and 186), has eight onsite restaurants, and hosts wonderful weddings
in its gardens (p. 161). As for pricing: It mirrors pretty closely what you'll find at
its sister property, Bally's ($62-$115 at slow times, and $120-$215 otherwise).
$$-$$$$
First things first:
TI at the Mirage
5
(3300 Las Vegas Blvd. S., at Spring
Mountain Rd.;
%
800/944-7444 or 702/894-7111; www.treasureisland.com; AE,
DC, MC, V),
formerly known as Treasure Island, ain't supposed to be for kids any-
more. They've ditched the name in favor of the initials in an attempt to distance
