From the airport to hotels there are a number of options, stretched limo, taxis, and shuttle services. Roughly a taxi seems to cost twice the cost of a shuttle but it does save any hanging around.
To get up and down the strip there is a bus service called the Deuce which runs frequently 24 hrs a day and you can buy a daily ticket on the bus.
Mirage was our choice because it is the middle of the strip and made walking to ones like Caesars, the Venetian, Paris & Bellagio easy and was mid-price range. Perhaps we were lucky but having gone for a standard room we were fortunate enough to have a fabulous corner room overlooking the strip. The hotel itself was good perhaps not the best selection of restaurants on the strip, but still a reasonable variety and a number of good bars with happy hours, wine tastings etc. and the tropical jungle lobby and pool area is well done.
Las Vegas has some of the best choice of top notch eating but at a price, however most of the hotels seem to do special menus at more reasonable prices for even their top notch places so it is worth going on line or just wandering round the hotels to see what is on offer.
Japonais at the Mirage, does happy hour Sushi and other Japanese food along with half price drinks between 5 to 8, the quality and service was excellent.
B&B Ristorante, Venetian, this is a special treat only, it is owned Mario Batali, a very well known New York chef, the food and service was absolutely top-notch the wine list is amazing but a bit scary !
The Village Buffet, Paris, is as you would expect a French buffet and although a bit twee in the setting, the quality is excellent. It is based on French regions with loads of choices for starters, mains, and desserts. Be prepared to queue for a table and then have a good wander round to see everything on offer before deciding. Bottles of wine are an incredibly reasonable $14.
Spago, Caesars Palace, Forum Shops, one of Wolgang Puck, legendary Californian chef’s more reasonable Vegas eateries. Have lunch in Rome under a changing sky and eat the great pizzas.
The Grand Wok, MGM Grand, does good noodle dishes and sushi fairly reasonable priced.
Mandalay Bay Hotel had an amazing selection of different restaurants, and is definitely worth checking out.
If you are in New York, New York having a beer then try the NY Pretzel Stall, get one to take away and eat at the bar with your beer.
Japonais, the Mirage, happy hour 5 to 8, smart and mixed age group good setting
Onda, Mirage, Italian wine bar and restaurant does tastings and some good plates of cold meats and cheeses as well as full meals.
Parasol Up, Parasol Down, Wynn, sit at the lakeside bar before 9pm and look at the fantastic light show on the tress surrounding the lake then prepare to be surprised and again at 9.30.
Opposite Caesars just by the food bridge crossing the strip is an outdoor bar with cheap drinks and juggling bar men, gets a bit loud with rock music but give it a try.
Do the Grand Canyon Helicopter trip, the one that includes the Champagne Breakfast on the Canyon Floor is amazing. It really is a once in a lifetime experience, we did it through All Grand Canyon Tours who used Sundance Helicopters. The whole thing was very well done from the stretched limo pick-up, to the efficient check in, and our pilot Chuck was excellent.
The hotels are the thing, whether it is the Lions at the MGM Grand, the Fountains at the Bellagio, the Volcano at the Mirage, the Grand Canal at the Venetian, or just being amazed by the shops in the Wynn, you just have to enjoy the whole experience.
Updated April 2009
