Do the choices in LV ever feel a little overwhelming?

Hi friends,

I've been thinking about this topic a lot lately. Like many of you, I satisfy my jones by going on this board, checking travel reviews, I set up a list of Vegas related accounts to follow on Twitter, etc. I'm not going back to Vegas until we're post covid (NOT judging those who do) and so I've got awhile to dream.

I've said on a couple of other threads, my next trip is definitely going to be taking my wife for her first trip ever, which is definitely nothing like my past trips that were heavy on the debauchery and gambling. Taking the missus is much more of a relaxing vacation focused on meals, shows and the pool.

As I think about what I might like to show her and where we might like to stay, it's honestly a little overwhelming because there are SO MANY good options. Do I use my MyVegas points and stay at an MLife property for a couple of comped nights paired with paid? Do I splurge and take her to say the Cosmo, which she'd love? Do I take her downtown, which I love, but maybe do the DTG as it's a little quieter?

All of those specific options have their own opinions on their own boards, the point is, when you're trying to wow a first timer, it can be daunting trying to get it just right when there are so many options.

And I can't even imagine trying to pick my favorite restaurants with which to wow her!

Does anyone else ever feel choice overload?

 

You have to clear your mind and decide on what type of trip you want, then it all falls into place.
First timer? You have to stay on the Strip. Start at the top (Cosmo)?...no, then every further trip will appear 'less'. Four nights at Mlife property (pick the one that matches your standards...don't go to Excalibur) sounds perfect for a first trip. When she's ready to go back ask her "Higher luxury, Heavier partying or the Downtown scene?" and let her steer your growth.

 

I don't think I've ever really felt a choice overload. Which is surprising now that I think about it.
It always seems like my trips just fall into place.
Oh, a room here, here, or here? Let's go here! Next... blah blah.

But yeah, for a first timer. Stay on the strip, at the Cosmo, and there will be return trips.
One time we were driving to Vegas with a newbie and my other friends and I wanted to mess with him. When we were getting close to Primm, we started to act all excited like that was Vegas. He's a very derpy, gullible kind of guy. And his face was so placid and blank. I could hear his mind thinking... "wtf is this?" LOL. Anyways, I know downtown isn't like Primm at all, but Vegas is still on another level.

 

+1. This.

Go somewhere nice and when you’re walking past the fountains point up to one of the terrace fountain view rooms at Cosmo and ask her how would she like to stay up there sometime.

 

Never felt overwhelmed with choices but I once had to plan a trip for my nieces’s 21st birthday. My recollection was we asked her what type of entertainment she wanted & we built the trip from there, focusing on that one thing first.

My niece & her friend picked Thunder From Down Under which is at an Mlife property. I picked the hotel based on who would comp the show & get us 2 rooms (Mandalay). Dinner plans were made based on the proximity to the hotel & what we knew was good. Everything else, trips to Bellagio Conservatory, nightclub tix, lunches, etc were decided ad hoc basis.

I was hosted by Caesars at that time, so they were part of the early discussion on hotels but once she picked the show, it was all Mlife thereafter.

 

If your goal is to have the missus kinda like, or at least tolerate, a visit to Vegas so that you and her can enjoy future visits together, I suggest (and have practiced myself):
1) strip hotels only*, 2) get room with most amazing bathroom, 3) don’t get wasted if she is still sober, 4) day drink and sleep early, 5) go to a spa, 6) go to a restaurant of her choice, 7) hike Valley of Fire, 8) visit downtown only for Esters Kitchen (if she likes), 9) no strip clubs**, 10) no hookers**

*MB/Delano, Bellagio, Aria/Vdara, Mirage, CP, Wynncore, V/P
**best to wait until your next debauchery trip

 

Yes, but you just have to accept the fact that you can't do it all in a few days. Pick something nice to do for each day, and go with it.

Then you can say: "Look at all the fun things we can do, when we come back next month".

 

I get that overwhelmed feeling when I travel to a new place, not Vegas which I've been to enough to know what to expect.

 

Opposite end of the spectrum. Vegas was always just pack-a-bag-n-show-up vacation. We may have scheduled one event, show or side trip, but that's it. Like I've said many a time before, Vegas was just another comfy pair of jeans. No thought.

 

Where and what I'm eating can be a little overwhelming. I like to have all my restaurants picked out (based on location of what I'm doing that day) and reservations made before I leave for my trip. There's so many great restaurants, I like to take the time and see what people are raving about. Most of the sub-par meals I've had in Vegas was due to lack of planning.

 

this is generally extremely good advice on all counts. I would say it really depends on what type of things your wife will find most exciting or enticing. Is she a party animal? Is she more likely to put a lot of value in the quality of the room? Does she like to bounce around from place to place or is she more of a homebody. Is she likely to want to see a show? Does she like to walk a lot? Some hotels are certainly more beautiful than others, while some have the fun themes. For first timers I think one thing that can be kind of overwhelming is the sheer scale of the resorts. My first trip was 5 nights and we didn’t leave the Wynn/Encore property even one time. On more recent trips we split up our stay and really enjoy spending some time mid strip at Bellagio, Cosmo, or both and enjoy the ability to just walk to Caesars or Aria or wherever. If your wife is the type to be overwhelmed by larger crowds, Wynn may be more to her liking. If she’s the type to like being in the middle of a really happening place, Cosmo may be more her vibe. The good thing about this board is there’s pretty much a solid review or info on every restaurant, hotel, show, or other activity.

 

In answer to your question OP, the answer is YES, and I've been going to Vegas for 29 years, but the choices -- if you are a planner -- are what can make planning for Vegas vacation so fun and sometimes educational too.

@smerrian's advice is spot on.

And after 29 years and typically having packed trips, there are STILL things I want to do in Vegas that I have yet to do.

 

It’s simple....ALWAYS ask the wife what she wants to see/do.....plan accordingly.

 

I'd go NYNY here. Not my favorite hotel but for your purposes it's perfect - especially if you spring for a nicer room type. Nicely over-the-top Vegas style so like nowhere else; central enough, and close to strip-front with easy walking to other properties.in 3 directions. Park and MGM Grand do the same job but are just a bit more boring.
If you don't want to use MyVegas then Venetian is the ideal first-timer's hotel. Ultimate over-the-top Vegas with canals and stuff; so-big-I'll-get-lost huge as Vegas should be to wow a first-timer, and your wife will appreciate the suite.

 

I would go with MLife over Cosmopolitan. Why? Because you can take her to Cosmopolitan and point out the balconies and say "Maybe we can stay here next time?" and then BAM you have a wife who wants to go back a second time just to stay in a room with those balconies.

I don't know what kind of lifestyle you and your wife live, but she might also be very impressed with you getting a "free" (resort fees suck) MyVegas room from playing an app.

I am a Downtown gal and have had many trips where I never visit the Strip. But the first trip has to be on the Strip. It is the law.

 

I used to plan to do too much on a trip, and that was overwhelming. Now I understand not to do that--it just won't happen consistently. So, I plan one or two things to do whenever--a show, a restaurant, whatever. The rest of the trip I take as it comes, mostly gambling and drinking. And if the gambling's good, I can count on even more of it.

 

There’s some good advice above. I just wanted to chime in some perspective too.

You should know best what your spouse would enjoy. If she enjoys laid back times maybe stay at an off-strip resort, such as South Point, Green Valley Ranch or even Red Rock Resort. If she likes being pampered and finer things, perhaps stay at Cosmo or Wynn. Surely budget will be a factor, but if you don’t intend to go for awhile and hotel cost is an issue, then save up while you’re waiting and find a place you think she will enjoy. Use some of the MyVEGAS points to try out some food or show specials if that’s a better option. On our last trip we stayed at Wynn and enjoyed every minute of it, my wife says she could be fine staying anywhere in town as long as she can have some quiet time and a pool.

Maybe start a trip with a limo rental experience and take a ride down the strip and let her point out places that pique her interest and provide some feedback. But also have the limo take you other places around the valley so she can see other areas of town. While you may not have a true destination, why not spend a few hours together being chauffeured around the valley and finding things you and her can do. Who knows, you may see something you never thought of doing?

Hopefully your trip will come soon enough and you can find ways to make it memorable!

 

We felt that way -- not in a negative way, but in a wtf-we-gonna-do-with-all-those-options? way -- when we first started. I think it helps to adopt a come-what-may attitude. Sure, you need a hotel reservation, etc., but get there and let your options unfold and go with where they take you.

 

Seconded on both counts. To be honest, the first time I went to Vegas, it was all a bit overwhelming. The next few times, I wanted to try new places. But at this point, I know what I like and while I'll occasionally experiment, I tend to frequent the same spots.