pretty much an expert!
Check out this forum for hotel deals---BUT they won't show until much closer to your date, about 3 months out or so.
http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/travel-discussion/704925/?start=2760
Stay on strip for first trip. Bellagio is great location. You will be amazed how inexpensive hotels in Vegas are--by other cities standards. Bellagio, Venetian, Palazzo, Caesars, Aria are all upper end w/ great locations--Wynn/Encore is great, too, loses points for the northern most location you would want to be at. Mirage, TI, Paris, MGM are all great midrange prices w/ great locations--Mandalay Bay is great, but loses points for the far south location. Monte Carlo is best lower priced resort w/ great location on strip--the BEST value on the strip. If Bellagio is your desired hotel level, avoid Excalibur, Luxor, NYNY, Ballys, Bills, Flamingo, Harrahs--don't get me wrong, I have stayed from Wynn to Excalibur (hi to lo), and Harrahs or Ballys are my fav spots--but I stay free, and only spend 4-6 hrs/day in my room. I choose those for location, solid rooms.
Shows--Cirque is IT in Vegas. LOVE, Mystere, O are their top 3. Blue Man Group, Phantom are other favs.
You do NOT need to rent a car in Vegas, especially for your first trip UNLESS you are planning on Hoover Dam or Valley of Fire or other far off site area. The strip is VERY VERY walkable, and will keep you PLENTY busy even if you aren't gambling. That is why I always recommend the most central spot to stay--Bellagio/Caesars/Paris/Mirage are the most central.
I do NOT recommend buffets in Vegas. They used to be a tremendous value, but have become terribly overpriced for very average food. Wynn is considered the best buffet, but at $40/person I can eat a MUCH better meal at many many spots on the strip. We had a restaurant.com voucher (bought at 80% off) for MIX at the top of Mandalay Bay--$60 after the certificate for appetizer & 2 entrees and arguably the best meal we have EVER had--with MAGNIFICENT views.
Keep asking...I have MUCH info!
PS Get an American Casino Guide 2011 after Jan. 1 for each person traveling. (about $25 for 2 w/ free s/h on Amazon)--abundance of coupons for EVERYTHING. Check americancasinoguide.com for listing of coupons.
Check out this forum for hotel deals---BUT they won't show until much closer to your date, about 3 months out or so.
http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/travel-discussion/704925/?start=2760
Stay on strip for first trip. Bellagio is great location. You will be amazed how inexpensive hotels in Vegas are--by other cities standards. Bellagio, Venetian, Palazzo, Caesars, Aria are all upper end w/ great locations--Wynn/Encore is great, too, loses points for the northern most location you would want to be at. Mirage, TI, Paris, MGM are all great midrange prices w/ great locations--Mandalay Bay is great, but loses points for the far south location. Monte Carlo is best lower priced resort w/ great location on strip--the BEST value on the strip. If Bellagio is your desired hotel level, avoid Excalibur, Luxor, NYNY, Ballys, Bills, Flamingo, Harrahs--don't get me wrong, I have stayed from Wynn to Excalibur (hi to lo), and Harrahs or Ballys are my fav spots--but I stay free, and only spend 4-6 hrs/day in my room. I choose those for location, solid rooms.
Shows--Cirque is IT in Vegas. LOVE, Mystere, O are their top 3. Blue Man Group, Phantom are other favs.
You do NOT need to rent a car in Vegas, especially for your first trip UNLESS you are planning on Hoover Dam or Valley of Fire or other far off site area. The strip is VERY VERY walkable, and will keep you PLENTY busy even if you aren't gambling. That is why I always recommend the most central spot to stay--Bellagio/Caesars/Paris/Mirage are the most central.
I do NOT recommend buffets in Vegas. They used to be a tremendous value, but have become terribly overpriced for very average food. Wynn is considered the best buffet, but at $40/person I can eat a MUCH better meal at many many spots on the strip. We had a restaurant.com voucher (bought at 80% off) for MIX at the top of Mandalay Bay--$60 after the certificate for appetizer & 2 entrees and arguably the best meal we have EVER had--with MAGNIFICENT views.
Keep asking...I have MUCH info!
PS Get an American Casino Guide 2011 after Jan. 1 for each person traveling. (about $25 for 2 w/ free s/h on Amazon)--abundance of coupons for EVERYTHING. Check americancasinoguide.com for listing of coupons.