Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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up close and personal with various marine life (with only a glass wall separating you). The
presence of the pool, and general overall quality, makes this the best hotel Downtown for
families.
129 E. Fremont St. (at Casino Center Blvd.), Las Vegas, NV 89101. & 800/846-5336 or 702/385-7111. Fax
702/386-8362. www.goldennugget.com. 1,907 units. $59 and up double; $209 and up suite. Extra person
$20. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Free self- and valet parking. Amenities: 5 restaurants; casino; health club & spa;
outdoor pool; room service; executive-level rooms; showroom. In room: A/C, TV w/pay movies, hair dryer,
high-speed Internet access (for a fee), robe/slippers.
Harrah's Las Vegas There is much to like here, and occasional quite good rates
might make the so-so bits worth overlooking. Make sure to ask for a newly renovated
room. The rooms have undergone some cosmetic fluffing to the tune of good new mat-
tresses and those white bed covers now more or less standard in most local hotels. Dark
masculine decor is an odd choice for such a festive place. The rooms aren't flashy, but
they are reliable for what is ultimately a gamblers' hotel. The hotel's health club is one of
the best on the Strip, but its pool is underwhelming.
3475 Las Vegas Blvd. S. (btw. Flamingo and Spring Mountain roads), Las Vegas, NV 89109. & 800/HAR-
RAHS (427-7247) or 702/369-5000. Fax 702/369-5283. www.harrahs.com. 2,526 units. $70 and up double;
$110 and up minisuite. Extra person $30. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Free self- and valet parking. Amenities: 9
restaurants; casino; concierge; health club & spa; outdoor pool; room service; executive-level rooms;
showrooms. In room: A/C, TV w/pay movies, hair dryer, high-speed Internet access (for a fee).
Mandalay Bay Kids Mandalay Bay is one of our favorite hotels. It doesn't really
evoke Southeast Asia, but the Mandalay Bay actually looks like a resort hotel rather than
just a Vegas version of one. You don't have to walk through the casino to get to any of
these public areas or the guest room elevators, the pool area is spiffy, and the whole
complex is less overwhelming than some of the neighboring behemoths. Rooms are
perhaps the finest on the Strip, spacious and subdued in decor. The large bathrooms,
stocked with a host of fabulous amenities, are certainly the best on the Strip and maybe
the best in Vegas. The hotel's highly touted wave pool isn't very surf friendly, but it does
offer a nice afternoon's relaxation. Note that a topless swimming area opened in 2003.
3950 Las Vegas Blvd. S. (at Hacienda Ave.), Las Vegas, NV 89119. & 877/632-7000 or 702/632-7000. Fax
702/632-7228. www.mandalaybay.com. 3,309 units. $90 and up double; $130 and up suite. Extra person
$30. Children 15 and under free in parent's room. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Free self- and valet parking. Ame-
nities: 22 restaurants; aquarium; casino; concierge; health club & spa; Jacuzzi; 4 outdoor pools w/lazy
river & wave pool; room service; executive-level rooms; sauna; watersports equipment/rentals; 1,700-
seat performing-arts theater; 2 wedding chapels. In room: A/C, TV w/pay movies, hair dryer, Wi-Fi (for a
fee).
MGM Grand Hotel/Casino Kids We've grown very fond of this hotel.
Although the original standard rooms in the main tower with their 1930s-era Hollywood
glam styling have been replaced by somewhat more blandly upscale decor, they are gener-
ously proportioned and equipped with pretty much everything you might need. A sec-
ond section of the tower is now known as the West Wing, and it is here that you'll find
the memorable accommodations. These rooms are smaller (a rather tiny 350 sq. ft.) but
full of the trendy touches we are complete suckers for. There is no counter space in the
open bathroom plan, but frosted green glass doors preserve privacy. DVD and CD play-
ers, TVs in the bathroom mirrors, and fluffy bedding, plus liberal use of electronic “gee
whiz” moments like lamps that turn on and off if you touch them, while all lights in the
rooms are controlled by the insertion of your room key. The Lion Habitat and fabulous
pool area make this place popular with families.
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