strip advice

[wbnvegas]

My wife & I will be staying on the strip end of july & 1st of august for the first time,usually stay downtown. Any big dos or don'ts for harrahs, paris, or pho hotels where we'll be staying?

[BTHodgeman]

Welcome wbnvegas!

Nothing will really "surpise" you at any of those casinos.

My preferred slot floors, in order, from the casinos you mentioned:
1.) Harrahs
2.) PHo
3.) Paris

I haven't stayed at Planet Hollywood before, but Harrah's and Paris are both nice hotels, and I would imagine that Planet Hollywood is pretty nice too.

Imperial Palace is my overall favorite slot floor from the Caesars' chain, and it's right next door to Harrah's.

There are all sorts of other tips and tricks located throughout this message board.

If you need any specific help, let me know or post on the board. I focus my play primarily at Harrah's/Caesars' properties, and can probably help.

Thanks!
Brent

[KarenTN]

you are staying at all 3?   

Of the 3 of those,  I like Planet Ho the best,  Harrah's the least.   

not sure what kind of do's and dont's would be specific to these 3 properties so I am not sure what kind of advice you are looking for

[chefantwon]

I kinda like Paris as they try to give that feeling of being inside the tower. Also they have the outdoor cafe' with the water misters which are great on hose swealtering days.

[knagl]

Welcome to the site! 



I'm not much of a Strip guy, but you can't beat the location of any of those three.  A friend of mine stayed at Planet Ho and didn't have the greatest experience (it wasn't horrible, but she wound up changing rooms after the first night as her first room was right up against the elevator shaft and all she could hear all night was the elevator going up and down).  Also, their parking garage is a hike, and their valet is slower than molasses -- of course, those are non-issues if you're not renting a car.

I like the slot floors at all three okay, but as a video poker player there's really nothing playable at any of the casinos (Planet Ho used to have a tolerable low limit Jacks or Better game, but they've since slashed the paytables).

[Vegas Introvert]

as tempting as it may be, don't eat at Sugar Factory at Paris...worst food we've had in a long time in LV...and overpriced...and service was meh.

Do jump on over to The Cosmopolitan when at Paris and PHo...good times!  Love their slot floor...honestly not crazy about the rest, but really...we're all here to gamble!   

Harrah's has the free ATM in high limit still, right?  Do use that if you need cash... 

There's a big bartender guy at Paris' casino bar...near the Diamond Lounge (why can't I remember its name?! ...or his name for that matter) -- it's something like Mr. Big or Bubba or some such... he provides great service and awesome drinks.

[BTHodgeman]

Harrah's has the free ATM in high limit still, right?  Do use that if you need cash...  

The ATM was still in the high limit room, and it was working (contrary to recent reports), but I cannot confirm that no fee is charged. I didn't have to use it this trip.

Brent

[deannajs]

My advice, skip the Strip and stick with downtown or the local's joints.  But that's just me.

Welcome to the site, you're going to love it here!

Cheers,
Deanna

[fremont4ever]

Any big dos or don'ts for harrahs, paris, or pho hotels where we'll be staying?

You probably know all this, but on the off chance you don't:

1) The gambling is significantly worse than downtown, unless you're betting greenies/$5 tokens.  Higher limits, crappy rules, tighter slots...
2) The eating is significantly more expensive than downtown.  It MAY be worth the extra expense, depending on where you go, but I'm dubious.
3) Casino hopping is a lot harder than downtown.  Getting from Harrah's to P. Ho in 110 degree heat?  Good luck with that.     Also see below.
4) The area between Harrah's and P. Ho is porn slapper central.

You can tell I don't spend a lot of time on the Strip.  But have a wonderful time there anyway.  Be sure to tell us all how wrong I was.

[chefantwon]

Any big dos or don'ts for harrahs, paris, or pho hotels where we'll be staying?

You probably know all this, but on the off chance you don't:

1) The gambling is significantly worse than downtown, unless you're betting greenies/$5 tokens.  Higher limits, crappy rules, tighter slots...
2) The eating is significantly more expensive than downtown.  It MAY be worth the extra expense, depending on where you go, but I'm dubious.
3) Casino hopping is a lot harder than downtown.  Getting from Harrah's to P. Ho in 110 degree heat?  Good luck with that.     Also see below.
4) The area between Harrah's and P. Ho is porn slapper central.

You can tell I don't spend a lot of time on the Strip.  But have a wonderful time there anyway.  Be sure to tell us all how wrong I was.

1.) Greenies - $25 chips Although cheaper Gambling can be had at Circus, Bills, Casino Royale, Ballys, and IP.

2.) Depending upon where you go, overall the strip is more expensive. However bargins can be found very easily.

3.) Cabs, Bus, and Monorail will get you around faster than walking.

4.) It ain't a true Vegas experience unless you go through the porn slappers. Collect all the cards, it's a sport.

Note: I'm a downtown person, however I do venture out to the strip every trip.

[jenaphir]

that high limit atm was free when i was there in december.

[Vegas Introvert]

peeps, not to be a buzz kill, but I think they're looking for strip advice, not why-not-to-go-to-the-strip advice.  I know dt's cheaper, but I also still prefer the strip.  so sue me.   

[BTHodgeman]

I agree Dan. I always need a day or two downtown each trip, but I am a strip guy myself. More to see, more to do, just more fun to me.

You haven't seen Vegas until you've stayed on the strip at least once. It is a completely different experience.

Brent

[fremont4ever]

Any big dos or don'ts for harrahs, paris, or pho hotels where we'll be staying?

You probably know all this, but on the off chance you don't:

1) The gambling is significantly worse than downtown, unless you're betting greenies/$5 tokens.  Higher limits, crappy rules, tighter slots...
2) The eating is significantly more expensive than downtown.  It MAY be worth the extra expense, depending on where you go, but I'm dubious.
3) Casino hopping is a lot harder than downtown.  Getting from Harrah's to P. Ho in 110 degree heat?  Good luck with that.     Also see below.
4) The area between Harrah's and P. Ho is porn slapper central.

You can tell I don't spend a lot of time on the Strip.  But have a wonderful time there anyway.  Be sure to tell us all how wrong I was.

1.) Greenies - $25 chips Although cheaper Gambling can be had at Circus, Bills, Casino Royale, Ballys, and IP.

2.) Depending upon where you go, overall the strip is more expensive. However bargins can be found very easily.

3.) Cabs, Bus, and Monorail will get you around faster than walking.

4.) It ain't a true Vegas experience unless you go through the porn slappers. Collect all the cards, it's a sport.

* True, there is cheaper gambling to be had in certain places, but for the most part, partaking will be more expensive due to the inferior rules.
* I still say food bargains are easier to find downtown.
* Whether cabs, buses, and the monorail are faster depends on where you're going, and sometimes when.  For very short trips, walking is almost always faster.
* I'll agree that the slappers are something of a unique LV experience.  They're not as annoying to me as they are to some, and I'm certainly not offended by them or their message.  That doesn't mean I would miss them if they were to disappear completely one day.

dantex:  It wasn't my intent to dissuade our OPs from visiting or staying on the Strip.  I merely wanted to point out that the Strip IS NOT downtown, and treating it as such will likely result in disappointment.  It's also not my intent to get into a Strip vs. Downtown vs. off-Strip battle; we'll have to save that for another thread and another time.

[MissL7777]

I'm pretty sure the OP realizes the strip is NOT downtown and is simply asking for do's and don'ts in that area. . .

Check out the conservatory, chocolate fountain and fountain shows at Bellagio.  Have a cosmo at the Cosmo(politan) and say hi to bartender Shane, 2nd fl, Chandelier Bar.  Take time to visit each property as each has its own theme and unique characteristics.  Form your own opinion and report back on the things that you enjoyed and didn't.