ChangeMe
Master of Wine
Posts:12891
 | | 03/09/2003 10:45 PM |
| whenever i go to las vegas i usually stay at the mirage. i always love it but we are looking for somewhere new to try. has anyone ever stayed at mandallay bay? what was it like? service, room, etc... when in vegas we like to be pampered and have great service. also was thinking of trying treasure island. i imagine it would probably be a lot like the mirage but i wonder about the family aspect. thoughts please.
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kimber
Grape Fermenter
Posts:668
| | 03/09/2003 10:52 PM |
| | Bellagio -- best in Vegas. | | | |
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David Niederauer
Los Gatos, CA
Master Sommelier
Posts:15701
| | 03/09/2003 10:57 PM |
| Agree with kimber about Bellagio as at least close to the best.
The Mandalay Bay is wonderful but just a half-notch down (IMHO) in "class".
But look into the Four Seasons. It is on the top four or five floors of the Mandalay Bay building. No casino in the lobby (but the MB casino is easily accessable), and the service is second to none. Has a Trotter Steak House there also. | | | |
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DdB
Barrel Filler
Posts:1444
| | 03/10/2003 6:46 AM |
| Let me put in a vote for the Venetian.
More restaurants than you could ever eat at and the rooms are bigger than some apts I have lived in.
Not the cheapest on the strip but certainly on par with the other top hotels on the Strip.
Couldn't tell from your post if you are traveling alone or not, but for the record, women really dig the place. My wife said something about it being romantic    | | | |
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Ken Bueckert
Grape Destemmer
Posts:93
| | 03/10/2003 6:58 AM |
| Stayed at the Mandalay Bay (2 months after opening).
+ Great outdoor property if you are going when its warm and enjoy sunbathing and swimming during the day. Probably the best outdoor facility on the strip.
- Being at one end of the strip, and you like to roam, other than MGM and Luxor and its neighbor NYNY, its a long walk...all the same way to get to other hotels.
Though we enjoyed the hotel, we like to be in the middle portion of the strip for ease of roaming.
BTW, have stayed at Treasure Island also...nothing special!
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calcabs
Grape Fermenter
Posts:453
| | 03/10/2003 4:18 PM |
| | I've been to LV twice and stayed at Mandalay Bay both times. Both times we went Monday-Saturday so room rates were great <$100 per night. I like the casino because of low amount of smoke and younger crowd. The downside is the location and table limits especially on Friday/Sat nights. When I go again will probably stay more central on the Strip. Mandalay is a great place to stay if you are going for a short period of time and don't plan to walk around alot. There are plenty of great restaraunts in the place, and the pool is awesome although went in April and was to cold, went in June it was almost to hot. To me Las Vegas Casino Hotels are kind of like a cruise ship room you are hardly in them and when you are your sleeping so who cares as long as it's clean. We end up walking the strip, and going out to shows and dinner everynight so might as well be centralized. Will probably stay Monte Carlo or Paris next time. | | | |
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Zeke Boston
Grape Sorter
Posts:341
| | 03/10/2003 9:00 PM |
| I'll be staying at Mandalay Bay this Tuesday (3/11) through Saturday. I go to Vegas every year but this is my first time staying at Mandalay. I have been to the casino and restaurants there before and I really like the younger crowd. I got great rates this year. I usually stay at Paris. It is nice, nothing spectatcular but it is central. I know Mandalay is on the end so I'll either drive it or cab it to other places. I plan on eating at Aurieole, Delmonico's, Prime and Smith and Wolensky (beef overload!). Add in golf, cigars, good wine with dinner, throwing some dice and leaving this god-forsaken northeast winter for a few days and you'll know why I'm psyched.
Bellagio and Venetian are a touch better than Mandalay, but as others stated, you just sleep in your room. It doesn't much matter, you'll have a good time wherever you stay.
Does anyone know of any wine shops worth checking out? | | | |
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ChangeMe
Grape Sorter
Posts:210
| | 03/10/2003 9:48 PM |
| | Lee's Discount Liquor, closest location to the strip is on E. Flamingo, I believe the nearest major cross street is Pecos; not quite a 5 mile cab ride. | | | |
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David Niederauer
Los Gatos, CA
Master Sommelier
Posts:15701
| | 03/10/2003 10:16 PM |
| There is a free monorail-type tram that runs back and forth between the Mandalay Bay, the Luxor, and the Excaliber. It is a fairly easy walk from the Excaliber to Ceasers and Bellagio.
There is another tram that runs from the MGM (kitty-corner from Excaliber) to Paris.
If you want a $99 room, stay at Mandalay Bay. If you want a special treat room (read expensive) stay at the top of the Mandalay Bay building in the Four Seasons.
four seasons' rates | | | |
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calcabs
Grape Fermenter
Posts:453
| | 03/10/2003 10:31 PM |
| Zeke- Can't speak for specific wine shops, but last time I was there we went over to Rio (not by my choice) but they have a Wine Cellar there which has both a store but also a bar with some really cool flights you can order they have some regionally based, cult cabs, aged cabs, some varietal not regional, etc. Neat place under ground and good way to try some different wines, prices on wines for sale weren't great but I recall they did have some interesting selections and aged wines.
A link
http://www.harrahs.com/our_casinos/rlv/dining/dining_detail_013.html
A review
http://damngoodwine.com/outings1c.htm | | | |
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Zeke Boston
Grape Sorter
Posts:341
| | 03/10/2003 11:21 PM |
| Thanks CalCabs, I'm even more psyched now. I'm actually going back to Vegas in April for a conference and I'll b staying at Rio, so I'm sure I will be spending time at Napa.
Thanks Pinot-Is the Lee's you mention worth the hike? I heard there is an even bigger Lee's further outside of town. Do you recommend? | | | |
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ChangeMe
Master of Wine
Posts:12891
| | 03/10/2003 11:25 PM |
| | well i made my reservations today and i decided on a few days at mandalay bay and a few at our old standby the mirage. we will be going out may 21-27, so if anyone plans on being in town and wants to get together let me know. those days include a weekend, if anyone wants to plan a vegas offline. i will be seeking out lee's discount liquor and going to the rio cellar as well. i am also planning on going to prime, probably twice and to delmonicos in the venetian. | | | |
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David Niederauer
Los Gatos, CA
Master Sommelier
Posts:15701
| | 03/11/2003 4:05 AM |
| | Will be interesting: Prime vs. Delmonico. | | | |
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ChangeMe
Master of Wine
Posts:12891
| | 03/11/2003 4:41 AM |
| | which do you prefer? | | | |
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David Niederauer
Los Gatos, CA
Master Sommelier
Posts:15701
| | 03/11/2003 4:37 PM |
| I have never been to Prime. I have eaten at Picasso (just across the hallway) several times and have walked over and looked around Prime. Just seemed like everyone was so serious and not having fun. I'm sure the steaks are great.
Delmonico on the other hand I have been to twice. Both times it was some of the best service I've ever had. And in most cases both the diners and the servers were "having fun". Just not as straight-laced as Prime.
It's not easy to cook a great steak but then again it is not rocket science either. I'm sure both places are very comporable when it comes to the food. The difference to check out will be the service and atmosphere. Your overall dining experiencecomparisons is what I will be interested in. | | | |
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calcabs
Grape Fermenter
Posts:453
| | 03/11/2003 5:28 PM |
| Zeke - Sorry the review that I linked may have been a litte confusing, the Napa has actually closed (note at the bottom of review) but the Wine Cellar is still there, Nice little place to try a few glasses or bottles of wine. It is a virtual museum of wine bottles and is fun to look around, but to me the wine flights are the best way other than a group tasting to compare and contrast a similar variety or region of wines.
I should have added my favorite place in Vegas has been Spago don't know why but it is relatively casual with good food and reasonable wine list. Best bargain has been Steakhouse in Circus Circus, the wine list or should I say page is a little lacking for a steakhouse but the beef is good and reasonable according to the cab driver it is where the locals go for a good steak, if I remember correctly dinner for 4 with with dessert and 2 bottles of 99 Sterling Cab was less than $200. | | | |
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David Niederauer
Los Gatos, CA
Master Sommelier
Posts:15701
| | 03/11/2003 5:36 PM |
| Does anybody know if the Rio still has the vertical of Yquem on display?
Speaking of "steak houses" in Vegas: One of my favorite places there is The Palm. Not the new hotel but the chain restaurant in Ceasar's Forum. Edgey service and too large servings; I love it. Ask for EJ. Tell'em David sent you. He won't have the slightest idea what you're talking about but...
Lousy wine list. BYO! | | | |
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ChangeMe
Master of Wine
Posts:12891
| | 03/11/2003 6:02 PM |
| David,
do you know if delmonico's is byob or do they have a decent list? i hate to drag wine from PA out to vegas with me. i might however buy some while i am out there. i think that the rio does still have the vertical intact. from 1855 i believe | | | |
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ChangeMe
Grape Sorter
Posts:210
| | 03/11/2003 8:09 PM |
| The other location of Lee's is considerably further, the location on Flamingo is a nice sized store and has slways provided ample inventory, even p/u 'd 2 bottles of '97 Trilogy stuck underneath a mammoth supply of '98. The trick at Lee's is check under the display bottle, lots of hidden treasures.
Delmonico's @ The Venetian-
Not exactly BYOB friendly! A large list however, as one would expect, no bargains to be found.
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Zeke Boston
Grape Sorter
Posts:341
| | 03/11/2003 11:48 PM |
| Got into Mandalay this afternoon. Man I love this place! Didn't win enough at the craps table yet to pay for my wine at Aureole tonight but the day is young.
I agree with David about Delmonico's...amongst the best service I have ever had. I'll be there tomorrow. Anthony, listen to Pinot-Do not BYOB there. There wine list is solid (not cheap) Bring some wine to enjoy in your room. I have a 1999 Whitehall Cab, 2001 MP Sarah's, 1996 Remirez de Ganuza and a Buller's Muscat in the cooler, and plenty of Cubans in the humidor.
Disney for adults 
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