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NAB 2011 Las Vegas - Hotel Recommendation

Tobias Straka

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Hey guys, with NAB 2011 just around the corner (well, sort of...), I've started making my travel arrangements. Now can anyone recommend a nice and not too expensive hotel?

Right now, I'm thinking MGM Grand or Bellagio, although the prices at the Bellagio are a bit steep. Anyone stayed at one of these? Worth the price? How far is the convention center? Or, more importantly, how far to the RED event that I assume will happen? And BTW - will RED have a booth?

Also - who is going?
 
MGM has the tram that leaves from there. In the morning, if you are further along the line to the Convention Center, you can't get a seat and some times have to wait for the next tram (which will be full too...).

You can get great deals at Excallibur or Luxor if you call up and ask for Sue LaForce and tell her Chris Luker sent you... :biggrin:
 
MGM has the tram that leaves from there. In the morning, if you are further along the line to the Convention Center, you can't get a seat and some times have to wait for the next tram (which will be full too...).

You can get great deals at Excallibur or Luxor if you call up and ask for Sue LaForce and tell her Chris Luker sent you... :biggrin:

The Excalibur is affordable and has decent rooms. If they do RED day at the Tropicana again it is right across the street. It is a little bit of a ride on the tram but is the last station on the line so you will get a seat or a pole.
 
also, there's sometimes a group that goes together, and can sometimes get group rates... and that's where the afterparty will be... so if you want to wait to make arrangements, keep an eye out on the forum for that.
 
My personal rules for Vegas:

1. Subtract one star from any given rating for any given Vegas hotel. No exceptions.
2. Be prepared to pay lots of hidden hotel fees and other fees.
3. Find the most comfortable shoes on the market for walking. ..buy two pairs and bring them. You'll wear them out just
walking the floor of the convention center. It's HUGE!!

4. The locals are nice folks, but only when not on the job.

Despite all the negatives, I always have a good time when I go.

RED day is awesome! ...and worth the price of admission.

You're smart to make your plans early. The group idea is a good one but it could be counter productive if not done soon enough
or if the group plans don't fit with your needs. Flights and rooms get realllly expensive the longer you wait.
 
My personal rules for Vegas:

1. Subtract one star from any given rating for any given Vegas hotel. No exceptions.

I agree this is true for mid range hotels (Circus Circus, Riviera, etc), but not for the high end ones(Venetian, Wynn, etc). They are definitely 5 star in my books.
 
I'd like to be a lot closer to the convention hall this time. Maybe the Hilton?
 
I stayed at the MGM Signature, mainly so I could cook my own meals. It was clean, quiet, away from the gambling, but they added a 20.00 a day spa fee that I did not want or use.

Unless they have made big improvements, Circus Circus is run down, but very affordable, it's also just over a mile walking distance to the convention center. Not bad at all for the convention center, but almost the same distance to the monorail if you want to go around Vegas.

You're best bet are travel packages via Travelocity or Orbitz or other online systems.
Tropicana is right across the street from the MGM Grand and is an easy walk to the monorail too.
Don't try to save money by staying in downtown Vegas (old Vegas), cab fees will offset your savings and they are all old hotels down there. Nice play to visit while you are there though.
the Hilton is 5 minutes from the convention center, but tends to be pricey during NAB.
 
Also, keep in mind that that the NABSHOW website offers a list of hotels that work with them to get much better deals than normal.

Last year, I stayed at the Riviera with a fellow REDuser (Zac Crosby) for $49/night.

Remember too, that if you stay at any of the partnering hotels you are welcome to take advantage of the complimentary shuttle service.
 
I'd like to be a lot closer to the convention hall this time. Maybe the Hilton?

Tom, it may not be your cup of tea, but the Circus Circus is right around a mile from the convention center, and in fact is an easy walk.
Another one I have not stayed at is Greek Isles, maybe 5 to 10 minute walk from the center, but I have no idea if it's a good place to stay. If you're into the Sopranos, they have a "last meal" show, hehehe.
There is also a Marriott Suites hotel right across the street from the center. Never stayed there, but since it's Marriott should be a safe bet.

The Sahara and Riviera are also walking distance, closer than Circus, but no knowledge of them except the buffet at the Riviera truly sucks, and is not worth the price.
It's not even worth it for free, that's how bad it was.

The Hilton is the absolute closest, but is not the most affordable. Great buffet though.
 
I think I'm gonna try the Hilton. Would be nice to be right there.
 
I'm seconding the Rivera, I stayed there the past two years. You can literally follow the signs and walk across the parking lot and into the front door of the convention center.
 
Back in the 80's I use to take my RV and park it for free in the Circus Circus parking lot. Then drive to the convention center and tell them I was with Cinema Products (who I later went to work for) and park for free in the back. lol
 
I'm seconding the Rivera, I stayed there the past two years. You can literally follow the signs and walk across the parking lot and into the front door of the convention center.

Yup...and for people suggesting to stay at the Circus circus so you can walk, the RIViera is between the circus circus and the convention center...so, Riviera is as close as you can get for walking distance.
 
So I decided on the MGM Grand, couldn't resist the huge room with a proper Jacuzzi - just what I need after a long day on the floors... Good deals around now - guess that will change... Looking forward to meet some of you guys! Oh, and good tip about the shoes Joe, thx... :)
 
I just got back from Vegas yesterday and I've been there a few times the past year and I would definitely stay at either The Wynn, Encore or the Cosmopolitan which is in the Aria development. The Bellagio and Palazzo are also extremely nice and are top notch hotels. You can find deals on all of theses hotels, putting them in about the same price range as Caesars, New York, Mirage, etc. However, they are truly in a class above the others and are absolutely amazing I can't recommend them more. The MGM has very nice rooms, however, last time I stayed there it would take me 11 minutes to get from my room to the lobby and I wasn't even in a far tower or on the top floor(yes I actually timed it) so I just think it is too big. I'd also recommend getting tickets now for any of the shows. I've seen Love, Le Reve, Mystère and O and they were all excellent with my favorite being Love. I never was really into Vegas shows in the past, however, I really enjoy the new crop of Cirque du Soleil type shows.
 
I just got back from Vegas yesterday and I've been there a few times the past year and I would definitely stay at either The Wynn, Encore or the Cosmopolitan which is in the Aria development. The Bellagio and Palazzo are also extremely nice and are top notch hotels. You can find deals on all of theses hotels, putting them in about the same price range as Caesars, New York, Mirage, etc. However, they are truly in a class above the others and are absolutely amazing I can't recommend them more. The MGM has very nice rooms, however, last time I stayed there it would take me 11 minutes to get from my room to the lobby and I wasn't even in a far tower or on the top floor(yes I actually timed it) so I just think it is too big. I'd also recommend getting tickets now for any of the shows. I've seen Love, Le Reve, Mystère and O and they were all excellent with my favorite being Love. I never was really into Vegas shows in the past, however, I really enjoy the new crop of Cirque du Soleil type shows.

Wow, 11 minutes, now that gives you an idea of the size of that hotel - impressive... I was looking at all of the hotels you mentioned, but they're still considerably more expensive compared to other deals you get - I'm pretty happy with the rates I got, but hey, maybe next year I've made so much money off my Epic that I will stay at the Wynn... We'll see :)
 
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