The pool is small and there wasn't much to see when I was there. It was on a Wednesday and Thursday though. I think the other post is correct in saying you can use the Aria pool also, but you'll have to check on this.
Vdara is pretty mellow. Just a bar and a couple of restaurants. Rooms are really nice. Once I found my way around, I was very happy with it.
Basically you should just center all your activities around Aria. It's only about 100 yards from Vdara to Aria. Walk left out the front door of Vdara and you're there. Easiest way to the strip is through Aria then through Monte Carlo. Aria casino is round and was kind of confusing to me. So to get to Monte Carlo, walk to Aria, hang a right inside, and stick to right hand wall of casino, walk past poker room and you get to main entrance. This is where you walk to Monte Carlo or hop on the tram to Bellagio or Crystals. Also nice little food court on the way in Monte Carlo for some cheap eats - Subway, Burrito shop, etc...
There is also an indoor walkway from Vdara to Bellagio. It is unmarked which is weird. When walking from front desk toward front doors, there will be a hallway to your left and that will take you to Bellagio. I would guess this is a 5 - 10 minute walk.
Regarding bidding 5*, if you just want Wynn, Encore, or Venetian, Palazzo, then bid priceline North strip 5*. Note this does NOT include the trump. Trump is in North Strip - Condo. Also if your initial bid is turned down, you have to wait 24 hours or you have to add another area to bid again immediately. Just stick with 5* and add the airport. There is no 5* in that area so you don't have to worry about getting anything there. This is a good site for bid amounts -
http://www.biddingtraveler.com/price...list-las-vegas as is biddingfortravel.com .
Last edited by BukNaked36; 06-14-2011 at 10:23 AM.