We stayed here from the 28th of December 2006 until the 2nd January 2007.
I had read the previous reveiws on this website and was slightly worried about what i had let myself into, but upon arrival, i was very plesently surprised.
We arrived at approx 2pm on the 28th, a busy period due to it being the last check in day of 2006, and we waited no longer than 10mins to check in, which went very smoothly and quick. We then ventured up to our room. Previous reviews had said that the rooms were miles from the lobby, but we got in an elevator and within 2 mins, we were opening the door to our twin double room.
It was lovely, just like the photo had shown on the website we booked on (lastminute.com)
It was large, clean and bright. The beds were larger than doubles, the bathroom huge and the closet space adequate enough.
The only 2 things so far i can fault is that the lifts can take a while, and can break down (2 broke down while we were there but were fixed within an hour) and we needed more hangers and pillows.
After freshening up, we ventured down into the hotel to find dinner, and ended up at the garden grill. It was amazing, the value for money was unreal. We had huge portions and the drinks were reasonable. Service couldnt be faulted and we were in and out within an hour.
Okay, it is a family hotel, there were kids about, but if your moaning about all the kids running around, why the hell did you book the one hotel that is based on a family atmosphere? thats your own fault. If you dont like kids, simple, dont book this hotel! It wasnt that bad anyhow, if you wanted to get thru quick, head into the casino to get past all the crowds as children under 21 not allowed into them!
We could not hear the people in the rooms next to us, the maid was very friendly and apart from having to ask for extra towls each day, it was great.
Yes they do charge a $1 a day charge for the phone, but it states that when you book, so again, quit complaining, you agreed to do it when you paid, its not a small print item.
Now, when it came to new years night itself, the place was heaving. The children were in their thousands, and for each child there was normally about 3 adults, so you can imagine how chaotic it was, but as it is the only family based hotel, i expected it and lived with it. We had to que for an hour and a half in the take out pizza place, but it was edible, the chefs were clearly rushed, and it could have been nicer, but what can you do, everywhere along the strip was the same from 5pm.
Overall, this hotel is great, like i said, if you dont like lots of children, dont stay here.
We walked into the centre of the strip each day and it took no more than 10mins, even with huge blisters on our feet, and getting a taxi from the hotel was easy as there are two areas to pick them up. the hotel lobby or the front of the hotel.
The adventuredrome. It was ok, it was like i expected, tacky and completely based on kids! ther rides were good, even for a thrill seeker, the games were average carnival games and the stalls were cool. Little people would love it and its not expensive.
The shops in the casino are great, they sell everything and again, its not expensive.
Beware if you are from england and have a credit card as if you need money out, it only accepts the cards with the cirrus logo on, thankfully one of my cards did! and there is only 1 atm there, its in the lobby.
Check out was quick and easy, took seconds to fill in the leaflet and pop it in the hole with the key. then we were gone.
Taxi to/from hotel to airport cost approx $12 then a tip on top, so rather reasonable i thought.
One thing i will not fault the hotel on is its care for the residents. One of my party get very very sick and needed a doctor, within 30mins there was one there, and he made her better and she was ok to fly and the next day was up and about again, but do make sure you have health insurance for the USA as it cost $600 for the injection and medicine.
I loved it here, and would not mind staying here again, i cant understand what everyone is complaining about. Its lovely!
if you have any questions on it, dont hesitate to contact me as a genuine uk traveller at carina.bramley at btinternet dot com (take out spaces and change at and dot to the relevant symbols!)
Have a great stay!
