Tips for traveling to Las Vegas

lukemindish

lukemindish

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Well we had out APA LTC this weekend and my team won. So my questions are where are the best places to stay in Vegas? The tournament is at the Riviera but I was looking at booking our stay at the Aria or possibly Ceaser's. Anyone ever stay there? Also what are some good tips on traveling with your cues? Any comments would be greatly appreciated!
 
lukemindish said:
Well we had out APA LTC this weekend and my team won. So my questions are where are the best places to stay in Vegas? The tournament is at the Riviera but I was looking at booking our stay at the Aria or possibly Ceaser's. Anyone ever stay there? Also what are some good tips on traveling with your cues? Any comments would be greatly appreciated!
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Hi,

Imo, it will be better to stay at the Riveira.

I was there a few weeks ago for the 10ball event. One thing I would definately recomend is to stay at the Riveira and get your room upgraded for an extra $20 (non-smoking/new tower). The convenience of being right there is a big plus as you do not need to walk too far and the action/matches goes on 24hrs as many would pay after hours. Circus Circus is the closest hotel to the Riveira (right in front of it), and it took my buddy 20 mins to walk from his room there to the play area in the Riveira in 100 degree weather.

The other hotels you mentioned are nicer choices but they are far from the Riviera. Also, parking is not too easy to get at the Riveira-a couple of times, it took us 45 min wait before we got one.

Whatever you decide, I am sure you will have a great time there.
 
You have to check your cues. Cannot bring on plane. Any hard case should do. I would not use a soft case. The luggage gets thrown around. You can buy a large bag like a duffle bag and stuff in several cue cases. This allows you pay for only one bag instead of $35 for each additional case. If four guys can stuff their cases into one large bag you pay $35 instead of $140. When you get to the Riv there should be a locker place to rent out so you don't have to carry your case around the entire week. I don't remember the cost. You can do this daily or for the whole week.
I have not stayed at any of the hotels you mentioned. There is a Springhill suites around the corner from the Riv. Less than a five minute walk. They offer a free buffet breakfast. Frig in room and microwave. This can save you some money. Eat their breakfast. Take some mufffins and fruit for later.
There are signs that say no outside food or drinks in the playing area. They want you pay for over priced stuff. There is convienence store near the playing area with regular prices for sandwiches and drinks, including alcohol. Buy there, stuff your pockets and go play pool.
Have fun.
 
Good Advice. I just got home last week from a 2 week stay.

It's easy to go anywhere from the Strip (The Riviera is on the Strip) & since most of your activities will be there, having to commute back & forth would get OLD in a hurry.

Good Luck & have a good time.
 
Stay away from Circus Circus. It's like a humongous Chucky Cheeze's. I also found that buying a day pass to the bus is the best way to get from place to place.

Side note: went to the APA Team Championships a few years back. It was in late August, I think. Walked out of the hotel about 10:00 am and the thermometer read 110 degrees. Some idiot commented that it wasn't too bad because the humidity was low. Wanted to hit him with my cue case. :cool:
 
OneIron said:
Stay away from Circus Circus. It's like a humongous Chucky Cheeze's. I also found that buying a day pass to the bus is the best way to get from place to place.

Side note: went to the APA Team Championships a few years back. It was in late August, I think. Walked out of the hotel about 10:00 am and the thermometer read 110 degrees. Some idiot commented that it wasn't too bad because the humidity was low. Wanted to hit him with my cue case. :cool:
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I may have sacrificed my cues to smack that idiot in the head with my case as well.
Circus circus - Chuck Cheeze would be a huge upgrade from circus circus, but really, you don't spend much time in the room anyway, but everyone has a "great" place to stay when it comes to Las Vegas. One of my better experiences was at the Flamingo. Get the Go Room. I really can't find much good about the Strat on the internet either, but I found it to be very nice. I would not stay at the Imperial Palace or the Cortez. LVH is a short walk to the Riv and I had a great stay there. One my worst stays was at the Riv, but you take your chances, I suppose it's really what you make of it. I could eat In N Out all day long so food for me is pretty cheap, get the Double Double with Animal Fries, and as far I'm concerned that Caba Waba Place (or whatever it is) sucked big time, but some people have a great time and love it. See the water show, nightly in front of the Bellagio (I think?), spectacular. Try to get out to some of the pool rooms in the city, you'll likely see some people you've only ever read about
 
lukemindish said:
Well we had out APA LTC this weekend and my team won. So my questions are where are the best places to stay in Vegas? The tournament is at the Riviera but I was looking at booking our stay at the Aria or possibly Ceaser's. Anyone ever stay there? Also what are some good tips on traveling with your cues? Any comments would be greatly appreciated!
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Think you should stay at the Riv as well. Might not be as nice as the other places you name but.... Going to gamble on the pool tables? Ease of reaching your room whether sober or not. Availablity of APA mini tournaments when not playing in the main event. Easy access to both public and private transportation to other Hotels.

On the other hand, if this may be your one and only visit to Vegas ever, go for it. City Center is a great place to stay. Aria is its center piece. There is the "overhead" transportation line that runs from the LVH behind the Riv all the way down behind the Strip. May be expensive though.

Regardless, have fun!! Welcome to Las Vegas.

Lyn
 
my #1 most important tip...

...that i can give you is don't stay anywhere else other than the Riv. I have been to Vegas numerous times for the VNEA championships and i can without a single doubt tell you the biggest mistake i ever made was deciding to stay across the street at circus circus to save a few bucks. All the extra walking and inconvenience was TERRIBLE. at the end of the week i was saying it wouldnt have been worth it to stay for free anywhere else than the actual place of the tournament.
 
Stay at the Riv, and I totally agree with the other posters about Circus Circus. Never would I stay there again. The Riv updated their rooms a couple of years ago and they really aren't too bad, big improvement over the previous.

For transporting your cue, don't put a lock on your travel case. Even though it was a stow away bag, mine had the lock cut off and a little note tucked in from the TSA saying they had to inspect the contents.

There are lots of good threads on flying with your cue and things to do in LV if you do a search too.
 
I just got back from the VNEA and had connecting flights both ways. Only had to put the cue in the bottom of the plane once. The security guy in Vegas made a fuss about my cue. The girl from Westjet let me check my cue for free.
 
Vegas

Staying down the Strip isnt so bad, there is a parking garage right behind the Riv. I usually stay at Monte Carlo. You can usually get a rental car for about $15-17 a day. After the first day of driving and finding shortcuts, you can make it there in about 15 minutes. As far as your cues are concerned, I found a Coleman wheeled duffel bag that my case fits perfectly in, about $70 on Overstock.com. There is more than enough room for everything.
 
Canadian cue said:
I just got back from the VNEA and had connecting flights both ways. Only had to put the cue in the bottom of the plane once. The security guy in Vegas made a fuss about my cue. The girl from Westjet let me check my cue for free.
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So you were allowed to take your cue on the plane? At which airport? My understanding is that cues are prohibited in both the US and Canada so if you made it through security it was just by luck. I can see you getting on the connecting plane no problem because you are already past security. I wouldn't chance it because if you don't make it through security you are stuck going back to the counter to check it as is and might have to pay a fee. I prefer to stow my cue/case inside my duffel with lots of clothes wrapped around protecting it, and don't pay for an additional bag.

---------------

I also vote for staying at the Rivi. There is no substitute for the convenience. If you are commuting you are essentially stuck there all day and night, with no place to go to shower, nap, watch TV or whatever. By the time you get to your car or the cab stand at the Aria you would already be at the tournament. Save staying where you want for a different trip or, if you have to time, just move hotels if/when you get knocked out of the tournament and enjoy the rest of your stay in style wherever you want.
 
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Travel options?

I have heard the horror stories about folks "losing" cues out of their checked luggage, and that would make me more than angry once I landed.

Options?

1. FedEx your cues to the hotel. I have done this before and it worked like a champ. It's totally tracked and you can insure it.

2. Travel with a starter's pistol. No kidding. I have a buddy that does this with his camera gear. http://lifehacker.com/5448014/pack-a-gun-to-protect-valuables-from-airline-theft-or-loss
 
Just got back...

I was there for a week for USAPL finals. I've been at Riviera and IMO wasn't that bad. I hit the room only for sleeping and resting. It was fine, not perfect but fair, pretty clean and the cleaning service was good. also you have a lot of food vendors around and a cheap casino, heheh.
You should stay there cause it will be way easy for you to not miss events or action.
As for the cues, I put the cuecase in my big suitcase on a diagonally and it was fine. I flew with AirTran the most cheapest and shitty company ever. they are chareing you 20$ for a normal suitcase and 75 for a big one. the "big" is not specified in dimensions so is their decision....you don;t want to know... :( MY CUES WERE SAFE THO!

Choose what you like, tho. Comfort is important!

Chris
 
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Riviera

I would stay there...the Monaco tower is the remodled tower. I ship my cues to the Riviera and have the Riviera call me as soon as my package arrives. $35-50 on the plane or $20 shipped.
 
Ship your cues UPS.
Stay at the Riviera.
Travel with a large group in a limo. Cheaper than a taxi.
Don't miss the water show at Bellagio.
 
I stayed at the Stratospere last year in Aug new rooms clean and the overall casino had nice people working there the dealers are a must see in the little black jack area near the poker tables . the food was great the only downfall is its a little ways off from the Riv. was down for the APA nationals in vegas we got the limo drivers card and basically hired him for the week and tipped him at the end so we just called him when we wanted to go out and he arrived within 30 min . Even though liquier is free at the casino long as your playing I suggest having the limo driver go off the strip and take you to a liquier store so you can have your room stocked up. Make sure whereever you stay get a players card there free half my team played penny slots and got free buffets so they basically ate for free all week some even made a few bucks on the slots lol. Do not lock your luggage they will break the lock and inspect it. ship your cue ahead and have the front desk let you know when it arrives . Check out the light show at Bellagio and also i recommend Freemont street on either a Fri or Sat night its a great out door party.

Have fun be safe and if ya gamble stay within your limit. set yourself a budget and you should do just fine :thumbup:
 
El Cortiz

It's the best. And it's only a 2 minute walk to the Riviera. If you're an antelope that is. LOL.
 
As many have already hinted (or stated), you simply cannot go outside during the day. Many members here visit during the month of May for the BCA event (I recently made my 7th trip for BCA, 10th overall) and we can all attest to how warm it can be in the Spring. A summer trip will undoubtedly be 100+ the entire time, likely 110+.

With that said, spend the daytime indoors and the go out at night. Like others have stated, I'd just stay at the host location. Even though Vegas has a lot more to offer, the convenience of having a room you're only 2 minutes away from is unparalleled.

If you do choose to stay at another location, rent a car. Don't bother with cabs and definitely forget about buses or the train. Although the bus pass is nice for doing the tourist thing, it's not reliable enough to get you to your match on time. The monorail has a more reliable schedule but it doesn't have a nearby station for the Riv.


My last bit of advice for you is to leave all of your bathroom supplies at home and buy travel sizes once you're there. There's a Walgreens or CVS every other block. Just go there and get everything you need. While you're there, get a case of water to stick in the fridge and bring water with you every time you plan to go outside.
 
algiers. next door to riviera. single floor, good rates and will save u a bunch of walking. it's truly like going back in time (1950's). the resturant was very good when i went.
 
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