Las Vegas, Nevada is the entertainment capital of the USA, if not the world. Sitting in the middle of the Mojave Desert it is a glittering oasis of hedonistic pleasure and is unrecognisable from its humble 1905 origins. It is a unique holiday destination and a place that everyone, whatever your taste, should experience at least once.
After our first visit, we thought it was good but had no strong urge to return. However, we did end up going back and this is when we fell in love with the place and this love continues to grow following each subsequent trip. Despite the crowds, the rise of resort fees and having to tip for every possible thing imaginable, the place still retains a magical hold over us.
If it’s your first time visiting Las Vegas then we have put together a few tips to help you get the most from your visit, enjoy your holiday more and avoid those rip-offs! Las Vegas may no longer be run by gangsters like Bugsy Siegel but those big, shiny corporations still have the same thing in mind, to separate you from your money.
1. When To Visit
Hotel prices can vary tremendously depending on what’s on and the time of year. The summer months can be cheap but the temperatures are hot, very hot. Just after Thanksgiving and over the Christmas holidays the prices are also quite low but they increase dramatically for the New Year.
Weekday rates are lower than the weekend rates but watch out for big events and conventions, an $80 room could easily become $300 to $400. You can check what’s on via the Visit Las Vegas convention calendar.
2. Where To Stay
The resorts are big and the scale is often overwhelming for first-time visitors. We would definitely recommend staying mid-strip for your first trip, around Caesar’s Palace. You will be in the thick of the action and will be able to walk to most of the main attractions and catch Las Vegas shows. be sure to check out Cirque Du Soleil discount tickets here.
One of the most annoying things you will notice are the dreaded resort fees, basically, these charges can increase that $70 advertised room to over $100. We don’t know how they can get away with this practice but until the US catches up with Europe and make the companies show the total price, they are here to stay.
As well a the resort fees many hotels now charge for parking although you don’t really need a car.
3. Transportation
Taxis aren’t cheap and the drivers don’t really do themselves any favours by often taking the ‘long route’ from the airport. If they ask if it’s your first time in Vegas, never say yes. All the hotels have dedicated Uber and Lyft pick up areas and this is usually our preferred choice.
Many hotels have free tram links between them such as the Mandalay Bay to the Excalibur and the Bellagio to the Aria. There is also a Las Vegas Monorail which runs from the Shahra down to the MGM Grand.
The Deuce Las Vegas is double-decker bus service which runs the length of the strip and can take you from Mandalay Bay all the way to Downtown Vegas and the Freemont Street Experience.
Although walking may look like a good option on Google Maps, in reality, it is harder than you think. The resorts are vast and fighting your way through the crowds under the desert sun isn’t that enjoyable especially as you’ll probably turn up for your dinner reservation dripping in sweat.
4. Smoking
It will probably be surprising to the first-timer that you can still smoke in many of the resorts in Las Vegas and although not strong, for a non-smoker you can really feel those particulates in the air especially when they try to disguise the small.
But don’t worry too much, the restaurants don’t allow smoking and just make sure you request a non-smoking hotel room. If you want to avoid smoking all together then there are completely smoke-free hotels such as The Four Seasons, Vdara and The Signature at MGM Grand.
5. The Food
There is no shortage of excellent food in Las Vegas ranging from all American burgers and cheap pizzas to outstanding Michelin starred restaurants. Buffets are part of Las Vegas experience and they are also a way to save up some money in this city, just remember to wear those special elasticated waist trousers before your visit. Amongst the most popular are The Wicked Spoon at The Cosmopolitan Hotel and the Bacchanal Buffet at Caesar’s Palace.
6. The Drink
Drinking in public areas is a bit of novelty for Americans but you can walk the strip and drink in Vegas (as long as it’s in plastic). Generally, the price of drinks are not that cheap and the quality of those ubiquitous frozen daiquiris are very dubious. Saying that you can get some really good cocktails and some excellent American whiskies, this year we found some decent bars around the Downtown Container Park on Freemont Street.
You can find a few places which have ‘happy hours’ or just relax and play some of the low-cost machines in the resorts to get a free drink or two.
7. Sign-Up To The Players Club
Signing up to these cards is free and membership gives you the opportunity to receive comps based on your spending. The spending at the resort is not just confined to the gaming but you can receive benefits from money spent at the bars, restaurants and shows. All the Vegas resorts, no matter how big or small can give comps to their guests.
The main two players cards on the Las Vegas strip are the MLife card which includes the Bellagio, Excalibur, Luxor, Mandalay Bay, Mirage, MGM Grand and more. The other is the Ceasars Rewards card, which as the name suggests, can be used at all of their properties which include Ceasars Palace, The Flamingo, Paris, Planet Hollywood and Bally’s.
8. Tipping In Vegas
Whatever your views on the American tipping culture unless you want an ugly scene just go along with it. Las Vegas is even more tip dependent than the rest of the US with everyone who moves an inch demanding a tip. Although a quick mention to the security in The Venetian Resort who helped my mother when she was locked out of her room and refused to take a tip.
The usual amount is about 15-20% of the bill before tax and a couple of dollars to the drinks staff.
A new sneaky charge which some of the restaurants and bars are charging is a ‘venue fee’ or ‘CNF’ which can be up to 5%. This new ‘made up’ fee is complete rubbish and used entirely to increase profit. If you do see it on your bill, question it, make a fuss.
9. Don’t Spend All Your Time On The Strip
There’s more to Las Vegas than just the strip, head to historic downtown Vegas, home to the Golden Nugget and the old-style Vegas of the Rat Pack and the Mob. Talking of gangsters, the Mob Museum is definitely worth a visit.
Downtown is not as polished as the mega-resorts of the strip and you will come across some very ‘interesting‘ characters but you do get a sense of the classic 1950’s Vegas glamour.
10. Rent A Car
Although we previously said don’t rent a car, it is worth renting a car for a day to get out of the city and explore the amazing desert landscapes which surround the city. The incredible Hoover Dam is only an hours drive away and the beautiful rock formations of Red Rock Canyon are only 15 miles west of Las Vegas.
All the major resorts have car rental desks and the price is very reasonable if you book before you leave the UK.
So that’s our Las Vegas 10 things to know before you go, just a few tips to help you get the most from your trip. We hope you enjoy your trip.
