Luxor Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, United States
Hotel Information
Recent Price: £74
Hotel Class:
Hotel Description:
A visually stunning Egyptian themed superior first class hotel, quite unlike any other in the world. A stay at the Luxor, with its huge range of facilities and attractions will certainly be a memorable experience. loading...
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Luxor Hotel and Casino Reviews
" I think this hotel is just a little... "
Submitted By: Mr J Elsom
I think this hotel is just a little too large for its' own boots. It's more of a huge cave, with lots of ants running around.
The queue's for check-in were a little long for my liking, and we ended up in a ground floor room that I wasn't overly pleased about because outside of the window you could see one of the main doors to the hotel.
We were in one of the towers rather than the main pyramid, even though I went for one of the more expensive rooms.
That said. Vegas really is worth a few days. We saw a show (mamma mia), flew around the city at night in a helicopter, went for a flight to the canyon, and went horseback riding in the mountains.... not to mention going on a gondola, and up the Eiffel tower. There's so much on offer, and I'll be going again, but perhaps not to the Luxor, which had the feeling of Tesco rather than M&S.
The queue's for check-in were a little long for my liking, and we ended up in a ground floor room that I wasn't overly pleased about because outside of the window you could see one of the main doors to the hotel.
We were in one of the towers rather than the main pyramid, even though I went for one of the more expensive rooms.
That said. Vegas really is worth a few days. We saw a show (mamma mia), flew around the city at night in a helicopter, went for a flight to the canyon, and went horseback riding in the mountains.... not to mention going on a gondola, and up the Eiffel tower. There's so much on offer, and I'll be going again, but perhaps not to the Luxor, which had the feeling of Tesco rather than M&S.
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- Date of Holiday:Oct 2005
- Board Basis:Bed & Breakfast
- Tour Operator:Expedia
" The Luxor was a fantastic hotel. The... "
Submitted By: Mr MP Sullivan
The Luxor was a fantastic hotel. The casino was enormous, and the staff were very friendly.
Only slight problem that we had was that a few of the pools were closed for maintenance while we were there, and so with only 1 available to use it was very full. There were poolside waitresses who were always around to come to your sun lounger, and get your orders, and then bring the drinks to you. I sampled a few Budweiser’s (Ice cold) just what you need in the heat!!
Would definitely go back to Vegas in the future, but would like to try one of the other hotels next time. Cezars palace looked like a great one to try. Nothing wrong with the Luxor, but would just like to try somewhere different.
Only slight problem that we had was that a few of the pools were closed for maintenance while we were there, and so with only 1 available to use it was very full. There were poolside waitresses who were always around to come to your sun lounger, and get your orders, and then bring the drinks to you. I sampled a few Budweiser’s (Ice cold) just what you need in the heat!!
Would definitely go back to Vegas in the future, but would like to try one of the other hotels next time. Cezars palace looked like a great one to try. Nothing wrong with the Luxor, but would just like to try somewhere different.
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- Date of Holiday:May 2007
- Board Basis:Room Only
- Tour Operator:Thomas Cook
" Well, this was my 3rd stay at the... "
Submitted By: Mr M Briggs
Well, this was my 3rd stay at the Luxor and it was still up there with the top Vegas Hotels! The Casino feels more 'airy' than most and is pretty well laid out.
The rooms are quite spacious and have always been very clean.
It is quite novel beginning in a pyramid shaped hotel and if you can get one of the higher pyramid rooms (rather than the towers) then you will be able to go in the 'inclinator' which is pretty cool!
The food has always been excellent and the service has been fantastic. The hotel is in an excellent location if you have hired a car and you are close the McCarren Airport.
If you like planes etc, get a room with Mandalay Bay side and you will be in for a treat (you can watch the Area 51 staff flying out to the base on the unmarked planes)!!
All in all a fab hotel, one of the best in the City, and at a good price too!
The rooms are quite spacious and have always been very clean.
It is quite novel beginning in a pyramid shaped hotel and if you can get one of the higher pyramid rooms (rather than the towers) then you will be able to go in the 'inclinator' which is pretty cool!
The food has always been excellent and the service has been fantastic. The hotel is in an excellent location if you have hired a car and you are close the McCarren Airport.
If you like planes etc, get a room with Mandalay Bay side and you will be in for a treat (you can watch the Area 51 staff flying out to the base on the unmarked planes)!!
All in all a fab hotel, one of the best in the City, and at a good price too!
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- Date of Holiday:Sep 2006
- Board Basis:Room Only
- Tour Operator:Expedia
" The Luxor is excellent, we thoroughly... "
Submitted By: Mr M J Woodall
The Luxor is excellent, we thoroughly enjoyed our stay and concur with most of the other reviews we've read.
Loved the spa suites (well worthwhile) and the ambience in the hotel. Only one pool open when we were there but didn't affect us too much.
One serious gripe though. 8 of us had a meal in The Steakhouse and it was simply appalling. Our party had a range of tastes from medium rare to well done, and our steaks were simply not done as we requested.
Worse they would not accept they weren't cooked correctly. It's pretty obvious with blood dripping from the steak it’s not well done. Overpriced, incompetent chef, rude waiting staff - eat somewhere else!
But don't let it put you off the Luxor, its good!
Loved the spa suites (well worthwhile) and the ambience in the hotel. Only one pool open when we were there but didn't affect us too much.
One serious gripe though. 8 of us had a meal in The Steakhouse and it was simply appalling. Our party had a range of tastes from medium rare to well done, and our steaks were simply not done as we requested.
Worse they would not accept they weren't cooked correctly. It's pretty obvious with blood dripping from the steak it’s not well done. Overpriced, incompetent chef, rude waiting staff - eat somewhere else!
But don't let it put you off the Luxor, its good!
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- Date of Holiday:Apr 2007
- Board Basis:Room Only
- Tour Operator:Expedia
"
We went to Las Vegas to get... "
We went to Las Vegas to get married and had the time of our lives. The hotel was great and the whole Las Vegas experience was one we will never forget.
A visit to the Grand Canyon should be high on your list of things to do while you are there. There are so many things to see and so many wonderful shows that you just don't have time to see and do everything as there is so much happening.
Las Vegas is definitely the city that never sleeps not New York! It has something for everyone and I can't wait to go back. There really is no place like it in the world.
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- Date of Holiday:Sep 2006
- Board Basis:Room Only
- Tour Operator:United Vacations
" The accommodation was excellent in... "
Submitted By: Miss RJ Gaughan
The accommodation was excellent in the Luxor. There was plenty of ways to get around Vegas and all were an experience. The hotel and tour staff were very helpful, they were able to provide knowledge on numerous subjects all of which came in use.
The tours were very easy to arrange and we did this through an independent tour operator. They were well organised and we saw some breathtaking views such as the Grand Canyon and the Hoover Dam. I would definitely recommend the Luxor and would say to anyone that goes there to go to the grand canyon as it was an amazing experience.
We got to have dinner with the Red Indians and were able to go right down into the deepest part of the canyon via a helicopter and then a boat.
The tours were very easy to arrange and we did this through an independent tour operator. They were well organised and we saw some breathtaking views such as the Grand Canyon and the Hoover Dam. I would definitely recommend the Luxor and would say to anyone that goes there to go to the grand canyon as it was an amazing experience.
We got to have dinner with the Red Indians and were able to go right down into the deepest part of the canyon via a helicopter and then a boat.
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- Date of Holiday:Nov 2005
- Board Basis:Room Only
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
" We stayed in one of the corner spa... "
Submitted By: Miss C Y Whitehead
We stayed in one of the corner spa rooms which provided us with a little more luxury and sitting in the spa looking out over Vegas especially after the long flight was heaven.
The Luxor is quite an impressive hotel and you cannot stop looking around. Unfortunately the desk staff were a little unhelpful and it was only when I asked about my free extras (it is worth looking at the extras available on their website if booking with them direct as you can get 2 for 1 on the museum, I-max etc) that I was given them. She also did not properly organise our "tab" which proved a little embarrassing later on
The casino was very nice but again the croupiers were not as friendly as in other hotels such as New York New York and the atmosphere was maybe a little more sedate than some of the others on the strip.
We had a fantastic meal though in the Luxor steakhouse. All the staff there were lovely and attentive and the food definitely made our stay
The inclinators were an experience though!
Overall I will be staying in another hotel on my next visit but i wouldn't say not to stay at the Luxor.
The Luxor is quite an impressive hotel and you cannot stop looking around. Unfortunately the desk staff were a little unhelpful and it was only when I asked about my free extras (it is worth looking at the extras available on their website if booking with them direct as you can get 2 for 1 on the museum, I-max etc) that I was given them. She also did not properly organise our "tab" which proved a little embarrassing later on
The casino was very nice but again the croupiers were not as friendly as in other hotels such as New York New York and the atmosphere was maybe a little more sedate than some of the others on the strip.
We had a fantastic meal though in the Luxor steakhouse. All the staff there were lovely and attentive and the food definitely made our stay
The inclinators were an experience though!
Overall I will be staying in another hotel on my next visit but i wouldn't say not to stay at the Luxor.
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- Date of Holiday:Sep 2005
- Board Basis:Room Only
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
" I went to the Luxor as part of a... "
Submitted By: Mr S.J. Neville
I went to the Luxor as part of a group of three friends who all had dreams and ambitions to hit the jackpot in Vegas. It was very telling of our surroundings that there wasn't one argument throughout the whole 10 days of our holiday, it was just one big rollercoaster of fun.
We found the Luxor hotel to have all the facilities that you would need and there are great finds to be made that you really have to look for in the hotel. The fancy restaurant in the hotel is Isis, I highly recommend this to anybody as a treat, its quite expensive (maybe £50-75pp with wine) but its such a great venue with superb service.
Gambling wise we didn't stay in the hotel for too long, it was our first trip to Vegas and so we naturally had to explore the rest of the strip and some of the favourite casinos from our travels included MGM, New York New York, Casers Palace and Belaggio. I never get over the fact that you get free drinks while you are playing the machines, even if you are playing some 5p a go slot machine (always best to tip a dollar though if you want the waitress to come back).
It is a very expensive holiday is the only downside if it is one. If you go there you just relax so much that money isn't going to hold back your enjoyment and you become more liberal with it or at least I did.
Would highly recommend the Luxor as a hotel to stay in as it ticked every box for a mid priced accommodation although next time we will probably stay in mid-strip or potentially down-town to get a better flavour of the whole area.
Viva Las Vegas!
We found the Luxor hotel to have all the facilities that you would need and there are great finds to be made that you really have to look for in the hotel. The fancy restaurant in the hotel is Isis, I highly recommend this to anybody as a treat, its quite expensive (maybe £50-75pp with wine) but its such a great venue with superb service.
Gambling wise we didn't stay in the hotel for too long, it was our first trip to Vegas and so we naturally had to explore the rest of the strip and some of the favourite casinos from our travels included MGM, New York New York, Casers Palace and Belaggio. I never get over the fact that you get free drinks while you are playing the machines, even if you are playing some 5p a go slot machine (always best to tip a dollar though if you want the waitress to come back).
It is a very expensive holiday is the only downside if it is one. If you go there you just relax so much that money isn't going to hold back your enjoyment and you become more liberal with it or at least I did.
Would highly recommend the Luxor as a hotel to stay in as it ticked every box for a mid priced accommodation although next time we will probably stay in mid-strip or potentially down-town to get a better flavour of the whole area.
Viva Las Vegas!
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- Date of Holiday:Jul 2005
- Board Basis:Room Only
- Tour Operator:Expedia
" Almost all the hotels on the Las... "
Submitted By: Mrs H Close
Almost all the hotels on the Las Vegas strip blow your mind with their sheer size and extravagance. Luxor is no exception and on first exploration is a fabulous luxury hotel. The hotel's sheer size does make it impersonal but service was always first class. Plenty choice for eating to suit all budgets and some good entertainment. Having seen the hotels on offer in Las Vegas, however, this won't be my first choice if I should return. It is too far from the action and getting anywhere is a very long walk. If you are not a serious gambler, you will soon find there is no exit or walkway that does not have an indirect route to it through the casino and this gets extremely tiresome!! Hotel rooms are reasonably cheap in Las Vegas for what’s on offer so I think it is worth splashing out and going for the much more spectacular hotels such as the bellagio.
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- Date of Holiday:Sep 2005
- Board Basis:Room Only
- Tour Operator:Funway
" The Luxor a world renowned hotel,... "
Submitted By: Miss G C Woodcock
The Luxor a world renowned hotel, which features an ancient Egyptian theme. The rooms are clean, spacious and well decorated. We stayed in the pyramid rooms, so also went up in the inclinators-elevators which go up and down at a slant-a definite experience!
The pool at the back is great, especially in August, when the temperature is always in the 100Fs. There are three separate pools and plenty of loungers to sit on.
Because we were on a family vacation we did not gamble, as under 21s are not allowed on the casino floor. We visited the M&M shop and the Pepsi shop, both of which were worth it. One of the highlights was being able to try Pepsi products from around the world.
I would recommend walking as much of the strip as you can, since it's wonderful to wander around and look at the sights. However because of the distance and the heat, this isn't always possible. Therefore a great deal is to be had with the Deuce bus service, which runs every 6 mins or so from almost every strip hotel & downtown. It costs $5 for a 24 pass.
The pool at the back is great, especially in August, when the temperature is always in the 100Fs. There are three separate pools and plenty of loungers to sit on.
Because we were on a family vacation we did not gamble, as under 21s are not allowed on the casino floor. We visited the M&M shop and the Pepsi shop, both of which were worth it. One of the highlights was being able to try Pepsi products from around the world.
I would recommend walking as much of the strip as you can, since it's wonderful to wander around and look at the sights. However because of the distance and the heat, this isn't always possible. Therefore a great deal is to be had with the Deuce bus service, which runs every 6 mins or so from almost every strip hotel & downtown. It costs $5 for a 24 pass.
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- Date of Holiday:Aug 2004
- Board Basis:Room Only
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
" We were very mislead by travel bag,... "
Submitted By: Miss H Funnell
We were very mislead by travel bag, we had a late cancellation from one of our party and were told by travel bag that we could continue with our booking as we could get a triple room, upon arrival at the Luxor we were told by the hotel that they do not do triple rooms!
After 16 hours travel one of our party had to sleep on a child’s single bed, not great when you consider we have all paid full price for this holiday, if this was not bad enough, the hotel was shabby and in need of updating, the toilet and shower kept regurgitating waste on a daily basis, the room stunk of either waste or cigarettes! (it was a non smoking room) and to top it off we found a half eaten pizza under the bed, this did not bode well for the cleanliness of the hotel.
The final straw was when all of us discovered we had been eaten alive by bed bugs! This holiday was to celebrate my 30th birthday and also 2 other birthdays in the party as you can imagine this was not the hotel to be celebrating!
After 16 hours travel one of our party had to sleep on a child’s single bed, not great when you consider we have all paid full price for this holiday, if this was not bad enough, the hotel was shabby and in need of updating, the toilet and shower kept regurgitating waste on a daily basis, the room stunk of either waste or cigarettes! (it was a non smoking room) and to top it off we found a half eaten pizza under the bed, this did not bode well for the cleanliness of the hotel.
The final straw was when all of us discovered we had been eaten alive by bed bugs! This holiday was to celebrate my 30th birthday and also 2 other birthdays in the party as you can imagine this was not the hotel to be celebrating!
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- Date of Holiday:Mar 2006
- Board Basis:Room Only
- Tour Operator:Travel bag
" We only stayed in this hotel for 2... "
Submitted By: Mrs S Fielding
We only stayed in this hotel for 2 nights, however, we would not have had to leave the hotel at all if we hadn't have wanted to see the rest of the strip. This hotel has everything. Restaurant, Cafes, shops, bars and of course the casino.
The hotel bedrooms are very clean and well decorated and most of all quiet. As the casino's are open 24hours a day, the noise of the money dropping does start to irritate after a while. A great hotel would stay again.
The hotel bedrooms are very clean and well decorated and most of all quiet. As the casino's are open 24hours a day, the noise of the money dropping does start to irritate after a while. A great hotel would stay again.
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- Date of Holiday:May 2005
- Board Basis:Room Only
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
" After reading conflicting reviews... "
Submitted By: jturner
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.
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.
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- Date of Holiday:Jan 2006
- Board Basis:Room Only
- Tour Operator:Thomas Cook
" Cole Family Xmas 05 Vegas Vacation.... "
Submitted By: alancole
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.
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.
-
- Date of Holiday:Dec 2005
- Board Basis:Room Only
- Tour Operator:Thomson
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We stopped in the Luxor which is now tired and in need of an update the rooms are dark and dingy, and of course no opening windows. Every time you entered the gaming area you were quit dissorientated and ther is of course no windows and no clocks. On top of this now you can no longer put cash in machine only notes or cards and you are no longer paid out by cash a card is printed which be cashed but this card can not be presented at other casinos, another gamble was the minimum bet on all the gaming tables was 10 dollars this is £8 for a few seconds. If you want better vfm get off the strip, another trick the luxor pulls is that although the pool area was excellent and there were numerous sun beds they do not provide parosals hence when it gets too hot you have no alternative but to go inside. Due to a problem with the flight back we had to stay an extra night and iwe were put up in an hotel only 5min walk off the strip called the Hampton inn, i can reccomend this hotel although a lot smaller it was very clean a nice pool area an even had tea making facilities in the room. No big gaming area just a few machines. One highlight of the trip was we went to see the Jersey boys a great show and well worth the £60 a ticket.
I would like to say go and visit vegas for yourself you will love it or hate it but if you do not want to drink out of plastic glasses see unreal sights its not for you.