Hello,
I am traveling to Vegas this July for my bday and have no idea where to start lol. I have looked at Bally's and SLS (not stuck on them) I would like a nice hotel close to things to do but am willing to pay less for the hotel so I can do more around town. I am open to all suggestions , we are both under 30 and want to have fun.
Bally's is a great, recently renovated, economically priced hotel that is right in the middle of things.
As a newbie I would not go to SLS because it is far away from mid Strip.
Agree about Bally's being an ideal choice. Mid Strip. Plus, Bally's shares an inside walkway with Paris, easy to walk between casinos. Both are iconic properties, lots of food options. Try Mon Ami Gabi (at Paris) for breakfast. Try for a patio table, or atrium (almost on the patio, just as good). We always (every trip, no matter where we are staying) split an order of Blueberry French Toast and an order of their wonderful bacon...big pieces. Comes with all the whipped cream you want. Yikes, I'm salivating now!
Being young as you are, you can enjoy walking the Strip and seeing (inside/outside) the many other Strip properties. (Morning is best for this...milder temp, sidewalks less crowded.)
Not sure what kind of "fun" you are looking for. You will be amazed how fast time flies, won't do all you think you will see and do. Don't plan on making your fortune. Casino Royale may still have some cheaper table limits, if you play tables. Whatever you play (slots, tables, etc.), do short sessions here and there, just enjoy the Vegas experience.
If you are filthy rich you may want to try the nightclub scene, but they expect BIG bucks, like $600 for starters for a booth and one bottle of booze, and fancy dress to even be admitted. Better with a group.
Take some time to visit Downtown. Downtown has its own personality, and has some ideal eateries for a romantic dinner which would not bankrupt you. In the evenings they have the "Experience", a canopy with light shows. Zip lines, other crazy stuff.
SLS is new, but nothing else around it. You might cab down to it to look it over, since it is on your list. But not as your base hotel this first trip (I assume?). Enjoy your trip!
Oh, P.S., every place you eat, mention to the server that this is your birthday. Often they'll present you with a free dessert or something afterwards. That's fun.
I'll echo what others have said, I would not choose SLS in your situation. I stayed at SLS on a comp once, and it was suitable because I always rent a car and I went out a couple days ahead of my wife so no worries about the room not being up to snuff. The room was a little weird, the walls ceiling and maybe even the floor were concrete. Is that typical of a lot of their rooms, I have no idea.
We used to stay at Bally's and always liked it. I did notice awhile back that the prices seem to have gone up a decent amount, I guess as a result remodel. For perhaps a better price and just as good of a location you may want to check rates at Harrah's or Flamingo. Just remember the dreaded resort fees they all have, otherwise me may get a case of sticker shock when it comes time to pay the bill. Bally's was always fine it's we are treated better (or more accurately) our play is more valued off strip. The bad strip J O B pay tables are what initially chased us away.
