Where to stay in Las Vegas?

Going to Las Vegas at the end of May For thirty anniversary. We are staying for a full week. I want to stay at one of Harrahs properties because I am being comped for a couple of the days. Need opinions on Flamingo, Harrahs, Paris, Rio, and Bally's. Any details would be great!! This is our first time there. Thanks!!

I have not stayed in any of these, but you must remember that no matter where you stay, you are only really sleeping there. Since it is your anniversary, I would expect that you'd want to stay somewhere romantic, maybe? Well, Paris would be your best bet, plus you can find good rates, especially if you are getting a couple of nights comped. Rio is off strip so you would have to take a shuttle to get to the main strip, but they have the best buffet. I have never really gotten the image from Bally's or Harrah's as being anything special, I would probably never stay there. I like the big themed hotels better, like Paris. All of the reviews I have read about Flamingo say it is old and outdated. Granted they are one of the oldest hotels on the strip, but I prefer the newer rooms.

Based on the reviews below, the Rio has the best rating, but like I said, they are off strip. So you won't be able to walk out of your hotel and walk around, you'll have to wait for the shuttle. Good luck and Happy Anniversary!

For me it would be between the Flamingo, Harrahs and Paris.... Rio is off strip from other places and Ballys is not so nice. I think I'd go with the Flamingo, cooler looking casino, older school type vegas casino very cool. Harrahs is boring and Paris is cheezy. KT

I'm staying at the Harrahs in June. I got the best deal there and it's in a great location...center strip.

I stay at the Flamingo alot...pool area is one of the best in town...pretty close to center of the strip...and always have a great time there....hope you have a good time!!!!!!

I have stayed at the flamingo and plan to again in June. The Pool area is one of the best in town and Margaritaville is fun too. I also like Ballys, check out the "the price is right", The Rio is wild and a little weired, but to each its own. Congrats and have a great time.

If you go to the Flamingo, stop in and say Hi to my friend Jay. He works in the Sportsbook.

>>comped for a couple of days<<

If it were me I would go with Paris, one of the rooms that overlook the Fountains of Bellagio.

Since you're getting comped(Diamond?), I would talk to my host and see if he/she could set that up for you.

My order of choice. If I can only choose from your 5.
#1 - Paris
#2 - Rio
#3 - Bally's
#4 - Harrah's
#5 - Flamingo

If you arrive Sunday through Thursday your chances for an upgrade are much greater than a Friday/Saturday arrival. They can't upgrade you to a room they don't have.

All 5 hotels are in the 4 star range. So there are always exceptions, If I could get a Deluxe Go Room with a great view at the Flamingo and Paris would only comp me ROH then I would go with Flamingo.

As far as location goes Paris, Bally's, Flamingo & Harrah's are all pretty equal. Rio is a little over 1 mile West of the strip, but they do have a free shuttle, as do both of the properties next to Rio(Gold Coast & Palms).

If you're looking for a great pool, then I would lean towards either Rio or Flamingo.

It really just depends on what amenities you're most interested in.

The Range steakhouse at Harrah's is a very nice place to eat.

Bally's closed their buffet this week.

The Carnival World Buffet at Rio is good, though not the best in LV like it was years ago.

The Breakfast buffet at Paris is good, though not really worth $15 IMO

Feel free to send me an anonymous e-mail through YA. If you have a Q.

~Jack~

I have stayed personally at the Flamingo (two weeks ago) and Paris (6 years ago). Paris is SUPERIOR. You may want to make it special, being your anniversary and all, so I would spring for the extra money and stay there.

Flamingo was very um, how shall we say? crappy? They do have these newly remodeled rooms called "go rooms". They are decorated retro-loud. Pink and brown and white. They also make it modern with flat screened TVs, one in the room and one right inside the bathroom mirror. While this may interest you, please know that the rest of the property is old old old and it shows. Granted during the week you can snag a room for about $60 per night and it is great location, but I would stay elsewhere.

With the choices you gave I will rank them as Paris, Bally's, Harrah's, Rio, then lastly very lastly the Flamingo.

Rio is very nice, an all suite property, with plenty to do and an amusing casino. The problem is the location. If you want to experience Vegas for the first time the right way, I suggest center-strip. The best choice there is Paris hands-down.

Did you know Caesar's Palace is in the group too? Another prime choice, the hotel was recently renovated and is very very nice with plenty to do and also that center-strip location.

My dad and his wife love Bally's and you can't beat the location, but it isn't like one of the "FUNEST" places to be. It is sufficient and they seem to like it.

But yes, Paris. Beautiful rooms, casino, shops, food. It is close to everything and you can't beat the ambiance. The service is top-notch. It is a little more expensive than Bally's or Flamingo, but well worth it. Upwards of $150 most nights.

Feel free to email me, I frequent Las Vegas.

Wow! For my money I would recommend Paris, Rio or Flamingo. Harrah's, though a great place to stay is in need of renovations. Paris is the newer property and well located on the strip just like Harrah's, Bally's and Flamingo. Fantastic rooms, great large casino, first rate restaurant and the Eiffel tower replica. Get a room close to it and enjoy a great view of the strip and Bellagio's Dancing Fountains. Paris is a bit more expensive but definitely worth the money. Flamingo is my second choice, just for its history and location. The rooms are pretty standard, but the property's decor is great. You can also walk to almost any other casino from there too. Rio is off strip but non-stop action 24/7! Check out the Masquerade in the Sky show and the Rio Canival Buffet is not to be missed. You'll need a rental car but, whatever. Colorful, ambiance and adreneline pumping. Check out the website below and have fun.

I like the Tropicana! They have balconies & their windows open(if no balcony)! I like the older charm in the casinos!!! They are pushing all that feel out..... I do NOT like the NYNY. Did not like the service. Stayed two times.

Caesars is owned by Harrah's ... did they not include it in your list? If you throw Caesar's in the mix, I would stay there ... Harrah's hasn't messed it up too much (yet).

I have stayed at all of the properties you mentioned. I have stayed at the Flamingo many times and stayed there on my last trip and had one of their new redecorated rooms. It was nice but not as nice as some other hotels I have stayed in.

I stayed in the Paris on one trip and I rate it about tops of all of the hotels that you mentioned except maybe the RIO. The Paris room was very upscale and comfortable. And Paris is in a good location to get to and see all of the action on the strip.

I have stayed at the Rio about 5 or 6 times. It is an all suites hotel and it has two towers. The newer tower, I think called the Mascarade Tower has better rooms than the older tower. All of the rooms there are suites with a king or two queen beds, a sofa, coffee table, a two person dining table and a huge bath area with twin vanities and lots of closet space.

The Rio, Harrahs and Flamingo are owned by the same company. There is a free shuttle bus that runs between the RIO and Harrahs every day up until about 11:00 PM so staying off the Strip in the Rio is not to bad. If you stay at the Rio you can always also go to the Palms a few steps up and across the street and gamble or go to the movie complex.

I stayed at Bally's and Harrahs once each and the rooms at both places were about the same, nice and comfortable but nothing special. Although both places are nice I prefer one of the other hotels before either of them.

My ranking of these five based on my stays would be Rio/Paris tops, then Flamingo, Ballys and Harrahs.

I did not mention restaurants, shows, shopping and other amenities because when you are in Vegas you just go where you want regardless of whether you are staying at that particular hotel. But since its your anniversary I have a suggestion for a special place to eat one night and that is the Top of The Tower Restaurant in the Stratosphere Hotel. Reservations are required and make them for just before dusk so that you can watch the sunset from 500 feet up as the restaurant rotates 360 degrees. The food, service and view are great; it will be special.