Once you've checked in, Tower Suites aren't much of an upgrade. Room's the same, just has separate check-in (which you aren't taking advantage of if you booked a regular room) and separate lobby/valet. If that's worth $20 to you, go for it.

What you'll get for $20, or for asking nicely and smiling, is more likely to be a corner "panoramic" room with two floor-to-ceiling windows and electric curtains instead of one -- and yes, this is better than a standard Tower Suites room. The only difference between a Tower Suites room and a Resort room is they will deliver ice to your Tower Suites room, in case you can't find the door that separates the Tower Suites hallway from the regular hallway where the ice machine is.

Yea I was thinking of the panoramic suites, so you've tried the $20 trick and succeeded in upgrading to one of those?

I did, at Encore, but I used the "ask nicely" trick rather than the $20 one.

for all the low rollers who just want a place to crash I might add

Bill's Gamblin' Hall & Saloon

Pros:

-Location --> right in the middle of the Strip
-very small hotel --> super quick check-in
-Location!
-20$ tip got me a room with a fantastic view of the Bellagio Fountains
-Location!
-ok rooms, clean, well maintained
-Location!
-very reasonable prices
-did I mention LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION?!!!

Cons:

-nothing to impress, really, nothing

Has anyone stayed at the Gold Coast? I found a great rate and it looks like a 5 minute walk at the most to the Rio. I've read mostly positive reviews on Trip Advisor but thought it would be good to hear from some poker players as well.

Good value for trip during the WSOP. Walk across the street (first through the garage) and enter at the entrance of Gold Coast's poker room. Then walk to the convention center through the casino. Rooms are decent and there are restaurants which actually exceed ,in my opinion, the RIO fare. Also has a shuttle which goes from Gold Coast to Orleans to Bill"s on the strip. It runs frequently but upon return the last bus leaves Bill's at 1:00 AM. You'll have to cab it if later. All and all it's an excellent choice especially since you can walk to the RIO without difficulty.

Thanks for the feedback, I like to eat a little too much, so I did check out their restaurant menus and they looked pretty good.

Thanks Carlo, I was also thinking of checking in there for 2/3 nights as well after reading some good stuff about it for wsop.

I am deciding on whether to book Harrah's or Bally's for a week long Sept stay. I have both comped at either property. Have stayed in both before but it was at least 7 years ago so I would assume things may have changed.

Since price is the same and location not a concern for me, which property is better in terms of room quality/cleanliness/value (newer TVs!)?

Thanks

No idea about the TV, but Bally's is the answer. Little more grown up, less white trashy.

Flamingo

Stayed there in January in one of the recently renovated Go Deluxe rooms

Room was nice. Very clean, nice sized LCD TV and the beds were very comfortable.

Shower was nice, good pressure with 2 separate sprayers that get your chest.

Casino is obv older and in need of renovating. Poker room which has been well documented as being small. Low-mid limit stakes on the pit games is nice.

Drink service can be spotty unless you're at a busy craps table or the poker room.

Didn't eat there except for a quick lunch at Margaritaville. It was fine for what it is.

Flamingo is all about the great location and the typically low price. Good option if you don't want to break bank

I was going to go with Bally's over Harrah's but suddenly decided to book an IP Deluxe Hot Tub room (also free comped). The picture looks nice and I hope it ends up being > standard Bally's room.

I used to stay at the MGM Grand a lot a few years ago bc of poker and hated their dated 80's style rooms, even when I got upgrades. Fortunately, a family member bought at the Sig so I stayed there since. On this most recent trip for EDC and all, some friends needed rooms so I hooked them up with the MGM Grand again, but this time in a renovated Queen Exec Suite....very nice. I like the modern touches and the space was good, like 750 sq feet...it's like the flip of a Venetian standard suite, but not dropped and modern. There are 2 flat screens and the sectional has a pull out. The only thing is that the bathroom is renovated modern, but not enlarged...no separate tub. I guess that's for another upgrade level...might have to check that out next time.

Thinking about staying in a cheap hotel, thinking about Bills, Tuscany, Rio or monte carlo. My main concern is bed bugs and how clean the rooms are. Which of these would you recommend based on these two factors?

Oh dear.

Hey all,

planning first trip to vegas and just wondering if anyone has some input on the best suites in town. There is a large group going so anything around 5k a night or less is in the budget.

All,

Unless you are under 25, don't plan on doing anything other than sleeping in your room, do not care at all about amenities, don't care about things like shower quality or tv quality or pr0n selection, are fine with absolutely no customer service whatsoever, have no expectations of housekeeping, are fine wit bugs crawling all over you on occasion AND are completely BUSTO, do not stay at IP.

You can stay at any major place and have a great time with that room budget. How big is you "large group?"

10 confirmed, 10 more are possibles with 5 of them being 95%, so well say 15

You don't think a higher end room at IP is going to be better than the Classic basic rooms that get most of the bad press? I'm only referring to room not the casino.

So it's the same question I have whenever someone asks your question- what kind of sleeping arrangements are you looking for? 15 guys in one suite- any suite- sounds like a nightmare. Keep in mind that at most you'll get like three beds in a suite. What's the point of spending all that money if you've got 10 guys sleeping on the floor? For $5k everyone could have their own room at Wynn.

Stayed at the Gold Coast for 5 nights 2 weeks ago.

The place is a dump, but you're not going to find a much better price. Also, it's right next door to the Rio, which was perfect for the WSOP. If you're a young grinder heading out to play a few WSOP events and aren't rolling too deep spending money wise, it's the spot you want to be at. $2 coronas at every casino bar all day and $3 chili dogs at the bowling alley. Also, there's a TGI Friday's that's open 24 hours which comes in handy.

Well its mostly couples... and the girls want a big suite... the non couples get air matresses, couches ect.

If it was ten guys id say yea get our own rooms... but it is what it is

all the more reason to get own rooms if its couples. also, these girls sound kind of dumb.