If you've been following my tweets, you'll know I'm planning a girls weekend in Vegas to celebrate my birthday this month.
I have been on the hunt for weeks for the steals and deals on the best in Vegas. Which is possible, it just takes a lot of time!
When searching for accommodations for 6 of us--I wanted to keep the price around $100/pp for 2 nights, stay close to the strip, stay in a hotel that is clean, nice, and got good reviews, and be a place we can relax (preferably with a pool). It was a tall order!
I searched TripAdvisor, Expedia, and Yelp, for 3-4 star hotels in our price range. A hotel I'd never heard of kept coming back up in the search results: The Desert Rose Resort
It was rated 96% on trip Advisor and 4.6/5 on Expedia. It was SO affordable, and so cute. I had originally had my heart set on staying at a themed hotel like New York, New York, or The Luxor, but the reviews were just appalling!
We booked a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom suite for a ridiculously low price (we came way under budget)
The site won't let me copy/paste photos of our room, but if you want to check it out,
Click here, then view photos 22-27.
Once that was squared away, I started to look at Vegas shows. I wanted to see a Cirque Du Soleil show, and I heard really great things about KA.
I waited and searched online for ticket deals and had finally resigned myself to paying $108 for seats in the nosebleeds. I called last Wednesday to make my reservation and this amazing lady at MGM Grand told me to wait just a little bit longer. I checked over the weekend and the released this fantastic Summer of Cirque special. I ended up getting seats worth $130 for $60.
Thank you awesome lady at MGM Grand!
The next thing it was time to worry about is FOOD. So this week I'm doing a bunch of research on places to eat.
We need to pick restaurants for Friday night (for only 3 of us), breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Saturday, and a light lunch on Sunday (we're going to make breakfast in our kitchen suite on Sunday morning)
My ideal situation would be:
Friday dinner: cheap casino dinner (but still good!)
Saturday Breakfast: Cafe (possibly the Grand Lux at the Venetian)
Saturday lunch: possibly ethnic food like sushi or thai? or diner like BLT Burger at the Mirage?
Saturday dinner: Vegas Buffet (our show doesn't start until 9:30pm)
I would love to get some recommendations from people who have been, so please chime in if there's a place you feel we HAVE to check out! (and thanks for those who've chimed in already on Twitter!)
Have a splendid weekend!
I am going out with my in-laws for an early birthday celebration tonight, heading to Encinitas for lunch and a visit to Lou's records tomorrow afternoon, and then attending a year-end softball game and barbecue where E and his classmates will take on graduating seniors and faculty.
I'll be back on Monday with more wedding recaps :-)
Ooooh Vegassss. I'm in the very very early stages of planning my best friend's Vegas bachelorette party. I'll have to bookmark this post to help get me started! Can't wait to read all about it when you get back!
ReplyDeleteI live in Vegas and If you’re in the mood to get out an explore a bit, I can offer some great off Strip suggestions!
ReplyDeleteBachi Burger is a new burger joint not far from your resort. 10 mins or so. Its Asian Fusion BBQ Burgers. Check out their reviews on Yelp http://www.yelp.com/biz/bachi-burger-las-vegas. Please get the Parmesan Truffle Fries.
For a breakfast spot there’s Egg Works. http://www.yelp.com/biz/egg-works-2-las-vegas
They’re busy but worth the wait.
There’s also Hash House A Go Go which is on the other side of the Strip from your resort. http://www.yelp.com/biz/hash-house-a-go-go-las-vegas-5
Sushi Mon is an awesome local sushi place. Small and always packed… cause its so good! http://www.yelp.com/biz/sushi-mon-las-vegas
Lotus of Siam is a real hidden gem. One of the best Thai places in the country if you believe foodie sites like Chowhound. Don’t be put off by the exterior…the first time I went there I left because I thought I had the wrong address! The place looks like a dump from the outside but once you get in there you’ll have several hallelujah moments during your meal. http://www.yelp.com/biz/lotus-of-siam-las-vegas
A buffet I’d recommend would be out at the M resort. (You should take a look at that place just because! GORGEOUS!!! Check out the pool! ) It’s a great buffet and you get value for the money spent. I don’t know if it would fit in with your show schedule though. http://www.themresort.com/
Hope this helps! Happy birthday!