Luxor Hotel and Casino

After reading conflicting reviews elsewhere I was wondering what to expect. I was not disappointed. We checked in with ease (we went to the downstairs desk and there it was quiet not sure if you can book in there officially but the staff did book us in and were very helpful) however during our stay when we went through reception upstairs there was always large queues.
We stayed for 7 nights and went in virtually every single hotel I found the Luxor to be the most welcoming it had an air of luxury and freshness, I found some of the casino areas in other hotels to be claustrophobic. There was gentle piped music throughout and it always had a really fresh smell to it. The room we had over looked the front it was very clean (no paper or paint peeling as reported) we were in the tower and the rooms are bigger with a shower and a bath, the maids kept the rooms as though no one was there they were immaculate.
One comment is that the walls are too thin. We could hear a phone call conversation going on in the next room, be warned!!! The staff were very helpful. We learned to keep out of the way of the timeshare desk as at first you think they are part of the staff with their desk being strategically placed (every hotel had one).
We had the breakfast twice and could not fault it for value and the dinner once again good. I know this hotel has reviews about it being right at the end but with walkways and escalators getting to other hotels is a doddle!!! I will return to this hotel again and thoroughly recommend it.

Cole Family Xmas 05 Vegas Vacation. Now before I start I am not a heavy gambler (not through choice just economics) so this is more of a holiday report than a gambling report. So if that’s not your thing then move along I will understand, for those of you who want to stay thanks I will try to make it interesting. Day One: Christmas Eve – Leave home in Devon, England @3.00am – Drive to Bristol airport for KLM flight to Amsterdam – Arrive at Schiphol International, Amsterdam @ 8:50am – Catch train into Amsterdam itself and with our flight out not due until 4.35pm we had a lot of time to kill – My second time in Amsterdam this year both fleeting visits and that is fine with me, the place has little of interest, I suspect with out the liberal drug laws and red light district nobody would bother visiting Amsterdam at all. We did go Ice Skating for an hour before deciding that it would be more fun at the airport, slightly, but don’t make a night of it! Flight to Minneapolis on Northwest Airlines a long flight although cattle class did have a bit of leg room – shame about the crap entertainment – one big screen per section perfect for children or short people (me) who cant see over dumb ass people who stand up and talk to their friends right in front of me – also the worst programming ever. Arrive in Minneapolis and spend 3 hours wandering aimlessly around waiting for the final leg to Vegas – At the stage I had better explain why we are taking such a circuitous route – quite simply we hate flying from London airports and having tried Birmingham (UK, not Alabama) that was no better, as, there is nothing worse after hours of flying than waiting ages for your luggage. a massive trail out to the car park and then a 3 – 4 hour drive home – No thanks. So Bristol which is a smaller airport and an hour away with easy and cheap parking it was – however no direct flights. Oh and the other thing my wife found just the most amazing package including flights and 6 nights at the Luxor. So we had a long journey, so what, we would be in Vegas for Christmas! The flight from Minneapolis was for people without legs and without any entertainment, thanks North West Airlines. Any way arrive at McCarran the third visit for my Wife and I, but the first for our three children Stefan 15, Sasha 14 and Sabastian 9. We are met at the baggage carousel by Lest our Limo driver (no I am not a high roller this we paid for, and its not how we normally live just a pleasant way to travel when arriving in Vegas) – A1Worldwide is who we book through and they Partner with A2ZLasVegas and the gleaming White 8 seater super stretch limo soon wakes up three sleepy children as we enjoy a quick tour of the strip before heading to the Luxor – Lest our driver was a lovely man and kindly took photos of us by the limo. The Limo was well worth it just to see my children’s faces as we drove along – Sabastian spent the whole journey mouth agog, it was for moments like that, that we paid what for us was a small fortune for this holiday. Back in England we live in a small quiet town so Vegas is a massive change of pace. Into the Luxor at around Midnight and by my estimation with all the time zone changes Christmas Eve had been a 32 hour day! – So Christmas day and we are booking into the Luxor – I was expecting long queues and slow service due to any number of reviews I had read about the Luxor, well none of that happened and we were booking in almost immediately except……. “Sorry Sir we don’t have a reservation listed for you”, horror, cold sweat, panic, “Don’t worry Sir I will be back” with that our receptionist (Dani) set about saving Christmas whilst my wife and I contemplated the hotel booking confirmation I held in my hand and imagined how bad it would be sleeping rough in Vegas. It seems that having four members of the family with the initial S and the name Cole had led to a glitch in the Matrix which saw us listed as the Scole family. Dani our receptionist came back said it was all sorted and promised us two nice rooms (at this stage any room would have been great) yeah sure with a view of the garbage trucks I cynically thought. 13th floor East Tower that’s a good start from what we had heard the Tower rooms are better than the Pyramid as they have a better bathroom layout. No point in saying that the rooms were a mile away from the reception as this is Vegas and everything is on a different scale, just like our rooms, sorry did I say rooms? Now before I go on I am a low roller plain and simple it seems to me that this Scole family on the other hand must have a much better rep than me. We opened the door to the first room and…. Well I think we already hit the jackpot turns out we have been given two junior suites right opposite each other – In England these things would cost you more than we paid for the total holiday awesome. Check this out, entrance hall, bar, lounge, dining area, bedroom, bath room with two basins a separate make up area, two toilets, bath with jets and a separate shower. The grin on my face was a mile wide. The only problem I could see with this set up was that I had three children and they only had a double bed between them – Well I could go down and make a fuss but frankly they might realise their mistake and put us back into the room for low rollers that we expected so my Eldest son offered to sleep in the lounge (no hardship the seat was massive). I had a quick shower got dressed and at around 1.30am I left the wife soaking in the bath and headed for the Casino. I only took $40 down with me as I was so tired it would not have been smart to take any more. Now the table games were $15 too rich for me as I like my $40 to give me a bit of entertainment. So in this case the only option would seem to be the VP and where better to play than at the bar were the nice cold comped Coronas ease the pain of losing, I lost the money eventually (I never expect to win) but by then the Corona and lack of sleep did take away any skill I may have had. So in bed by 3.00am very happy. Day Two: Christmas Day 9.00am the phone rings, it’s my daughter “Get up we are in Vegas lets go”. Breakfast and our first ever Breakfast buffet (well when its just me and the wife we can get up when/if we feel like it and eat when/if we want) – With Children it would be different. So Luxor breakfast buffet it was and it was fine (not great) but hit the spot. The plan for today was to just wander around and show the kids a bit of Vegas. We started with a walk through to Mandalay Bay, checking out the shops at Mandalay Place on the way through, then straight to Shark Reef, very good, very relaxing and very educational. Monorail to Excalibur sent the Kids downstairs to play (the aim seemed to be spend a much money as possible to win ever bigger stuffed toys until eventually you get something so big you don’t want to carry it! The wife and I took the chance to go to the Excalibur sports bar and get some seriously needed alcohol intake whilst watching in disbelief as crazy Americans clapped at TV coverage of Basketball the worlds dumbest game – Run up one end score back up the other score and repeat non stop until the game ends with one team having scored two points more than the other with ridiculous score lines of 264 – 266 or 130 – 132. At least Baseball has drama, American football has a visual violent beauty but basketball a game invented for the tall freaky kids to be good at something, sorry no. (right that should have got a few of you wound up!) But come on guys you don’t get Football (oops sorry Soccer) the worlds most popular game which has drama and skill a plenty, ask your South American cousins they know what we are talking about. Any way back to the report. We then wandered over to the MGM Grand, saw the Lions, I’m not sure the habitat is private or realistic enough but the lions looked as healthy as any I have ever seen in a zoo. Then over to NYNY for a very quick run-around before heading back to the Luxor to get changed and then off to the Tournament of Kings @ the Excalibur – The food is OK providing you aren’t hungry and the show well adults I recommend taking a book to read, the Kids enjoyed it but admitted they did not really know what was going on. Kids to bed and a very quick session of VP with the Wife in the Nefertiti lounge while Christy Bryant and her band played; they were good and did a lot of popular stuff. A pleasant way to get drunk and lose our money and to be honest we did not last long, we were too dam tired. Day 3 (In England we call the day after Christmas Day. Boxing Day – I don’t know why). The plan was to go to the Stratosphere for the view and the rides but there seemed to be a high powered wind blowing through town so we decided to go shopping instead. The original plan had been Fashion Outlets LV @ Prim but by talking to casino staff and drivers etc the Las Vegas outlet Centre seemed a better bet and as it was only a couple of miles south of the Mandalay Bay was a real doddle to get to. What a brilliant place to shop (especially for any Brits reading this – imagine buying a trendy distressed pinstripe jacket – Volcom shirt, three tee shirts, and a skirt all quality brand names and paying only £40 for the lot!) had a pizza at Sbarro better than anything in England. We got back to the Luxor carrying multiple bags each and with very sore feet a great day out. Freshen up and then down to the Venetian to see the Blue Man Group, third visit to Vegas and this time I was going to see them, nothing would stop me, to make sure nothing could go wrong I bought the tickets over the internet before we left. Costing about $450 for the family is pricy but when they appeared in London early last year that cost would have been around $1000 plus travel and hotel, so actually this is a bargain. The theatre was wonderful and most English cities would be proud to have such a venue. The show itself was a hit with the whole family, it cleverly mixes rock with visual and comedy – loud and exciting, well worth the money. Across the road to watch the Mirage Volcano – free and fun that’s why we love Vegas, then back across the road to the Outback Steakhouse – We ate and drank our fill of top quality simple nosh and I am ashamed to say we left enough food to feed a small African country, so no complaints about the size of the portions, nor the Beer Corona in 240fl oz bottles oh yes! Then back to the Luxor, wife and kids to bed and for a change tried a Wheel of Fortune machine $20 quickly became $75 before even quicker becoming $0. Next a schoolboy error saw me try to play a 5c machine pushed a few buttons maximising the lines and bet and ONE spin later I had lost $20 – horror. Repaired to the bar and the relative safety of free drinks and VP turned $10 into $26 and quickly went off to bed pleased to have at least won on one of the machines. Day 4: Taxi to the Stratosphere – the strat must have the worst selection of shops in Vegas – up the tower, the kids went on the Big Shot & Big Roller, they would not touch the other two rides (can’t say I blame them) they finally got me on the Big Roller, I am a real baby on these rides as I spend my whole time thinking ‘What if’? but actually it’s a simple ride if it was on the ground not 800 feet up I could have rode it all day but it was 800 feet up so once was enough. Then over to the NASCAR café @ the Sahara for Speed the Ride – again the kids went solo – they totally loved it very exhilarating, all I know is that they came out of the building and disappeared underground so fast I could not even see where they were sat. As we were all hungry we decided to try the Sahara buffet @ $8.99 each. A bargain, good quality food and masses of choice although comparing a breakfast buffet against a lunch buffet might not be fair the food was better than the Luxor. Next caught the Monorail up to Paris, an easy way to travel and you get to see the golf course at the Wynn, crossed from the Paris to the Bellagio to show the kids the conservatory – wow the first real Christmassy scene in Vegas and it was stunning as were all the decorations right through the shops, we exited the Bellagio just as the fountains started. Brilliant (and free!). Back across the road to the Aladdin and Desert Passage, it was like visiting an old friend easily our favourite shops in any Vegas hotel (well for normal people not the rarefied rich) – Our past two trips we stayed at the Aladdin and we are sad to see it changing into the Planet Hollywood but that’s Vegas. Went into ABC shops and bought some more Vegas shirts (sad I know) – slow walk back to the Luxor and quickly lost $30 at VP before bed. Day 5: Today we split up the boys off to the Hoover Dam, the Girls Shopping. The Hover Dam Comedy Tour both good and bad – our comedienne had a bad throat because she was doing two tours and yaddah yaddah, should that be our problem? We also booked this via the internet which was stupid as we saw similar trips for around $30 each and we were paying more like $70 each (dumb brits), anyway the whole thing was rushed did not cover some of the things advertised and although the place it self was awesome and we enjoyed a brief look around Boulder City we still felt let down by the tour company and wont use them again. The Girls enjoyed shopping at Caesers and really raved about the New York Cheesecake Factory. We met up for the evening and over to the House of Blues at the Mandalay Bay (a great choice of items in the shop) and some good food and in a fantastic place. A slow walk back though Mandalay Place – then Wife and kids off to bed and I spent a couple of hours on comped Corona trying to lose $20 at VP, I was approached by a very beautiful coloured lady of the night who I am afraid soon got bored of my non committal answers and lack of interest before asking the barmaid how to get to Mandalay Bay and leaving me to play in peace. With her destroying my concentration I was down to $4 and drunk, so I decided to lose the rest in a progressive machine, that didn’t go to plan, and very quickly I was back over $20 luckily the earth resumed its axis and my money was gone. Day 6: Last full day in Vegas (boo) and more shopping this time at the Fashion Show Mall, my chance to shop at Abercrombie and Fitch (we don’t have them in England) then over to Harrah’s for the 1.00pm showing of Mac King (the wife and I have seen him before) he was once again brilliantly funny and my kids agreed – must be the best value show in Vegas and suitable for all, a true showman who keeps the look of the show fresh (the bear trick was new to us) and has an obvious love of the audience. Next stop the Wynn – we joined a trail of human cattle walking through and then out the other end – It looks lovely, stunning even but I’ll take the Bellagio please. Now down to Freemont Street and eat at Tony Romas in the Freemont, which was slightly disappointing but only because my Wife and I had in our minds built our last visit here into an almost legendary meal – It was good but not as good as the Outback. So here are our final restaurant reviews: Outback 10 – Tony Romas 8 – House of Blues 7. We wandered around downtown watched the light show before catching the taxi back to the Luxor. Time to pack – Dammm! We have bought so much stuff I need to go buy a big suitcase, so I am despatched into the night and told not to return with out said item. Once back and pack down to the casino for a last gamble, just $25 but it all went wrong, I was drunk on comped corona and could not for the life of me lose the money, I even tried a progressive machine but had to admit defeat $55 up, I guess some nights things just don’t work out how you want them to. Day 7: 3:15am alarm call arrgghh Hell, bye Vegas hope to be back real soon, flight leaves 6.55am 30 Dec and we are scheduled to arrive back in the UK at 9.20am 31 Dec. Well that was where I originally intended to end my trip report writing in the Luxor before I left. However the flight was a bit exciting we flew into Minneapolis in a snow storm so spent ages flying around in circles before finally our turn came. Due to the weather lots of connections were missed and they all seemed to be pushed onto our plane which had no seats left at all. W hat is it with people who even though the airline is saying only one piece of reasonable sized hand luggage they think that does not apply to them, all the worlds assholes were on our flight with hand luggage that had to be shoehorned into overhead lockers and meant we sat on the plane for over 1 ½ hours waiting for every body to board and the good people at NWA thought we could all do that with out air conditioning, the cabin getting really warm. Time to take off, down the runway seemed to be a long, long time before we left the ground and straight into the weather it seemed to be a real struggle to get the plane to climb, seeming to have to continually pump more power through the engines, instead of going up we seemed to be struggling to go forward, my wife and I both looked at each other and said well if we do die at least we will all be together and we had a great time. It was really that bad! We love Vegas and we loved our suites at the Luxor as well as the fantastic service. We are now skint and dreading the credit card bills but we had a fantastic time.

This was our third trip to Sin City and the best yet. The Luxor is a massive unique hotel with rooms either in towers or the big pyramid. We stayed in a pyramid suite with a Jacuzzi and for about £30 extra per night it’s a great value upgrade.
The Luxor buffet is good but for breakfast the Bay Side buffet next door at Mandalay Bay is worth the short walk.
If romance is your thing the Mon Ami Gabi French Bistro on the Strip is worth a visit. Ask to sit outside on the patio and you have an outdoor seated view of the Fountains at Bellagio just across the road. The Onion Soup is good as well as steaks to die for! People watchers would have a great time there too.
The Bellagio was our favourite buffet and is not so expensive as one might expect at a five star luxury hotel.
We think the Luxor Casino is top class, we actually won on this trip for the first time and the cocktail waitresses are very hard working so you can drink plenty for just a couple of dollars a time.
There was a Titanic artefact Exhibition at the Tropicana Hotel which history buffs and lovers of the film would definitely find fascinating. I think it’s on until early 2006.
For a wild night out we tried Gilleys Bar at The New Frontier. It has Women’s Mud Wrestling and Mechanical Bull Riding Contests. A rednecks paradise and a funny night out for men and women too!
There really is something for everybody and we cant wait to go back again.

When we decided to book a few days away in las vegas the major decision was which hotel do we choose??!! I decided to go for the Luxor which is located at the end of the strip very close to the airport, in fact our hotel room overlooked the runway (rooms are soundproofed so no problem with noise). We paid a little extra and booked a jacuzzi suite if you can afford it this is higly recommended!! The room was very clean and tidy I was a bit disappointed by the decoration as some of the wallpaper has started peeling (but nothing to major).
The lobby of the hotel is an experience in itself, it is massive! before we booked our holiday we read quite a few reviews and all said that check in was very slow - but we didn't find this to be the case with approx 15 check in desks!!!
I would whole heartedly recommend the sunset helicopter tour to the Grand Canyon - It seems like alot of money but well worth it. Stopping off for a picnic in the canyon was amazing.
Myself and my boyfriend are in our late twenties but we found it extremely difficult to get served in the bars restaurants casinos and even some shops (especially when my boyfriend tried to buy some cigarettes) so carry id with you at all times.
If you have already booked into the luxor i don't think you'll be disappointed all in all a fabulous holiday - will definately go back.

We went Las Vegas last year and this saw our second visit, Las Vegas is an amazing place i would recommend anyone to visit it.
We stayed in the Luxor, which I would say is excellent value for money, the staff were very helpful, the room was great - two huge king-size beds, a good sized bathroom and that was just a standard room. You also have free access to the swimming pool and spa which was great. There were lots of different restaurants to choose from, but we mainly ate in the buffet, which has a huge choice of food, practically everything you could think of and it was only about $20 per person.
There is also loads of shops in the mall and you can also get to the Mandalay Bay and Excalibur hotel without even having to go outside the hotel.
Overall we had a great trip and it was excellent value for money. 10 out of 10.

I would recommend Las Vegas to anyone. We went for my husbands 30th birthday and it really was very memorable. The Luxor hotel was fantastic, with a spacious bedroom with a super view. There is so much to do in Las Vegas and the hotels are attractions within themselves.
There is an impressive aquarium at Mandalay Bay, Tiger habitats at The Mirage and the dancing fountains at The Bellagoi which go off every 15 mins and are free to watch really are spectacular. For his actual birthday we went for a meal at The Eiffel Tower restaurant at Paris Las Vegas. We sat by the window were we could get a birds eye view of the fountains of the The Bellagoi.
The food was divine but quite pricey although for a special occasion and for the amazing view it really was worth it. I would also recommend The Red Square which is a Russian bar at Mandalay Bay which comes equipped with an ice bar and serves various cocktails to the early hours of the morning.
Try the Chernobyl but be warned they are delicious but fairly potent! The weather was superb every day with clear blue skies for the duration. I was worried before I went to Las Vegas wondering if it would be too tacky and yes parts of it are but then most of the hotels are breathtaking in design and it really is a Disneyland for adults.
I know we will always remember this amazing holiday and we are already planning another trip to incorporate Las Vegas for 2007, which says it all.

The hotel was impressive in sixe and the rooms were clean and comfortable. For me it felt a bit impersonal - you have a room in a casino - but I think this would be true of all Vegas hotels. Excellent facilities with a wide choice of eateries and links to other hotels via malls without having to go outside in the heat.
We had a room in the pyramid section of the hotel - this involves going up in a strange lift as it is going up at an angle - so not good if you have a problem with lifts. Security is good at the hotel as there is a security guard at the lifts to prevent anyone getting to the guest floors from the casino that isn't staying there.
Check in was quick and hassle free.

The Luxor is far and away the best hotel on the strip in terms of quality and cost. It is considerably cheaper than other hotels around about it, but I think it takes a lot of beating. Other hotels that are similarly priced are of a much lower standard.
The overall size of the hotel is staggering, the self service restaurants are very good value for money and have every type of dish that you could want. It has a big casino and great outdoor pool as well as a fantastic indoor spa.
The hotel connects onto the Mandalay Bay hotel which is fantastic, loads of shops it even has an Urban Outfitters in the hotel so that sold it for me.
The Excalibur hotel connects on the other side and considering rooms are the same price as the Luxor it looks very scabby and dated.
The Luxor also has 2 Imax theatres and an arcade.
Overall I can’t recommend a stay there enough, you won’t be disappointed.

The only phrase to describe Las Vegas is mind blowing. The accommodation was 5 star the hotel catered for our every need. Customer is king in Vegas and the service was 10 out of 10 everywhere you went.
Getting around is easy with all the major attractions within walking distance or a short and cheap bus ride away. Eating out is inexspensive, plentiful and varied so staying room only will not break the bank. Speaking of breaking the bank if gambling’s your passion you’re in paradise with enough casinos and slot machines ready to take your money.
There is some fantastic top class entertainment to suit all ages and tastes and most of the hotels put on free shows throughout the day. Shopping is out of this world from designer outlets to gift shops there is something for everyone’s budget. Being in the desert the weather was warm and dry. Vegas is a must see destination.

In Las Vegas, there are about 62 hotels all within walking distance of each other and all are entertaining in themselves. Most of them possess shopping malls inside, a wedding chapel, restaurants and casinos are in every one of them.
At night, the hotels put on free shows outside for all to see, and these included swash-buckling with fire and water, a volcano comes alive and dancing water to the music of ‘Lords of the Dance’ is a spectacular sight to behold outside The Bellagio every night, which is breathtakingly beautiful.
The hotels are so out-of-this-world and The Venetian hotel has gondoliers which shoppers can ride on at a fee, and be taken all around the shopping centre in water and have gondoliers sing to them.
Our hotel, the Luxor was very spectacular, as it is in the shape of a pyramid, and is the second largest hotel in the world. For breakfast, there is a magnificent spread in the hotel and for around £10 per person [cheaper for children] you can have fresh fruits, eggs, anything you wish for and have as many goes as you like! The taxi rides are very reasonable too, as their gas is much cheaper than our petrol per gallon. I recommend visiting the Stratosphere hotel, where on top of it there are roller coasters, but if that is too scary, the view from the top is completely mind-blowing.
Not a place for children because it is very much adult orientated, but nonetheless we had fun shopping and there was so much more to see that we never got the chance, as our time had run out.