Planning the family holiday and will be visiting the above 3 places.
Anyone been to these specific ones that can either recommend specific hotels or give any clues for what to look out for?
Had booked a double queen room for 4 at the Super 8 Flagstaff Hotel for $120 for 2 nights. But then I see in the small print that
Hotel Policies
Children and extra beds
All children or adults are charged USD 10 per person per night when using existing beds.
All older children or adults are charged USD 10 per person per night when using existing beds.
One child under 2 years is charged USD 10 per person per night in a child's cot/crib.
One older child or adult is charged USD 10 per person per night in an extra bed.
The maximum number of extra beds/children's cots permitted in a room is 1
I emailed them and they replied that as well as the $120, we would be paying an extra $40 a night for the four of us to stay!!
Re Vegas, have looked at loads of hotels and the one that seems to strike the right balance with cost and location is the Travel Lodge on the actual strip - plenty of good reviews online but wondering if anyone on here has anything to advise?
As always, any pointers . advice etc would be appreciated.
This is first time we have been to USA - sister lives in Phoenix so will be staying with her for a few days then road trip of Sedona>Canyon>Vegas>LA and back. Looking forward to it!!
I also took a look into the Moneysavingexpert forum - wow those guys are on a total different level for finding deals and bargains!!
|
Why LA? Frankly there is nothing there worth going on a road trip for.
Edit, I see its your first US trip, so I guess to Disneyland you are after. If it was me, I would save it for the better one next year in Florida.
Edit again. I assume you are putting the hoover dam into your schedule - If not why not.
Last edited by: Zero on Fri 19 Apr 13 at 23:24
|
LA is only for a couple of nights I think - meeting up with my nephew on the 4th July and them and my kids are going to some huge theme park water park thingy the next day - six flags?
Also LA brings the oval (ish) round trip back to Phoenix.
|
|
6 flags around the 4th of july? wow thats going to be long queues for the rides.
|
Just book for two of you and get some cheap sleeping bags / inflatable beds for the kids. Obviously don't have this with you when you check in, but a circuitous route to the room and an innocent expression ("This lilo is for the pool, obviously") should do the trick.
If you're doing Disneyland do as Zero said, go to the one in Florida. US domestic air travel is cheap, book your flights back from Orlando or Fort Lauderdale or something and have a couple of days in Florida. It's a dump in places, but the beaches are good (especially near Ft. Lauderdale.).
|
It's quite a trek from the Canyon to Vegas. Expect all day in the car with stops, not sure if that's a drama with your children. Are you hiring a car? I did the South side of the Canyon from Vegas well worth it, the views are brilliant. Not much to look at inbetween the road is I40 and nothing much there apart from a few small towns.
I'd agree with Zero the dam is well worth looking at and not too far from Vegas. Boulder city is also worth a look on the way there. A lovely little town not at all what I expected. A bit of a bottle neck at the main cross roads in town, so if you go at the weekend there will be a fair bit of traffic. Not horrendous though.
If you get chance go to lake mead, last time I was out there I went out on the lake for the day, good fun if you like being out on the water. There are also tours around with tourist boats, but I didn't use them so can't say too much about them, although I'm sure it's worth a trip.
Where abouts is the travelodge on the strip, by MGM and hooters end? I'd try and get one of the main casinos on the strip. You can get good deals at Caesars, though not sure if that extends to family rooms. Excalibur isn't too pricey. Whenever I've been we've stayed off the strip on Paradise road. If you stay at the North end towards the strat there is a monorail station that goes to the strip and stops at the major casinos.
|
Have a car hired through argusy.com and the car is coming from Sixt at Phoenix airport.
Think we also have Death Valley on the list as well.
The Travelodge on the strip is 3735 las vegas boulevard south, bout 1/2 mile from Bellagio, decent price. Nephew is staying in the Stratosphere but I feel that is just a bit too far out (and also heard it is the "dodgier" end of the strip?
|
|
You're more central to the strip there. Not sure what the hotel is like though. It is a bit further out but not too far, no I wouldn't consider out to be dodgy. Not as flash as the mega casinos, but things can happen any where. Look at the shooting by Bills and Caesar's.
|
you can forget ideas of "dodgier" parts of the strip. Its all the same.
Dont let anyone talk you of the idea of going "downtown" either, get yourself down to Freemont Street, where you will see Vegas as you expect (think James Bond - Diamonds are forever)
|
|
Bit further out but still a good night out. Was the original Vegas, most driven cab drivers will give the speal about the start of Vegas. Much cheaper than the strip as well. Most of it is pedestrianised.
Last edited by: sooty123 on Sat 20 Apr 13 at 22:41
|
Hoover dam is on the itinerary - Florida and Disneyland most definitely are not!!
"Kids " are 18 and 15 so no issues with long journeys etc
|
We stayed in Vegas for four nights at the end of a 3 week road trip from Seattle.
Detours to Death Valley and Grand Canyon (South Rim).
Anyway....
Stayed in these appartments in Vegas. 5-10 min walk to MGM. Quiet but close enough to the main strip.
www.shellhospitality.com/Desert-Rose-Resort
|
|
The Bonaventure in downtown LA is probably too costly but worth a visit if you are into postmodern architecture. In accord with the philosophy of the movement (if it has one) it is hard to find the entrance. Once inside, ask the way to the top-floor cafe. None of the numerous staff on the reception desk is likely to understand the layout so take the lift. You will eventually find a revolving section which will enable you to sit and enjoy a 360 degree view without moving from your seat. Best go at night or what you will chiefly see is "a dirty mist", as my local host described the smog.
|
USA Hotel advice - Flagstaff / Vegas & LA - Zero
