Las Vegas here I come

Best Things Nearby:
Walking to Imperial Palace, Bally's, and Venezian. Shuttle bus to sights all along the strip and to outlet mall as well as to grocery.

Best Things About the Resort:
Had selection of pools (12 in all). Very convenient to the strip. Had shuttle to all ends of the strip. Had good room service.

Resort Experience:
We were in an older part of the resort -- all will be torn down and built up to 24 floors within a few years. The only thing we didn't like was that there was no oven. It had microwave and stove top, refrigerator, etc., but our lasagna that we intended to pop in the oven had to be cut to fit a glass pan and go in the microwave. Was still good.

The pool was a few units down and was very comfortable. Was cool, but in 115 degree weather, it was great. Morning and evening dips with grandkids were great. In the days we spent time in the casinos or seeing the sights. Kids were on Stratosphere coaster, Circus Circus coaster, and checked out New York, New York coaster. You can get by with no rental car by just walking to the resort lobby and hitching a ride with a shuttle that runs about every half hour to the casinos. We were there two weeks at the resort and then in a hotel a few days on either side of the that to get the breaks on airfare.

Food was reasonable around Vegas. Was sure handy to have a meal or two a day "at home" or our home away from home. Maid service, supposed to be three times a week, was every day and then some. They certainly took care of us. Saw the refurbished units and they were super. Will be fantastic when they get the new monorail finished with two stops at this resort. Will be fantastic when the new units are built. It is still worth a trip there. Two-bedroom one-bath units are refurbished. The two-bedroom, two-bath units are on the renewal list, and didn't have the oven, so you can choose. We needed the extra bath more than an oven.

Cousins (grandchildren) had a great time. Adults had a great time and saw shows. Grandparents went to some and relaxed alone at the condo some days. Something for everyone! All day adventure dome at Circus Circus is a must with children or grandchildren. Our Danielle was thrilled with the roller coaster ride there as she had been wary about trying a roller coaster before. She was running from exit back to entrance and so proud of herself. Little ones had the Merry-go-round. Tournament of the Kings at Excalibur was great, as was the food. Even eating with fingers and beating on the table to cheer along our Irish knight was fun for adults and for kids. Did put a dent in our wallet with our large group. Son and his wife saw Cirque du Soleil "O" and said it was wonderful. A bit pricey, but they said it was worth it.

Had a good time, but three weeks vacation at a fairy land of lights, sounds, and excitement is a bit too much excitement for grandma and grandpa. Think we'll try only two weeks next time!!!!

• Unit Type: 2 Bedroom
• Activities: Good
• Amenities: Very Good
• Unit Satisfaction: Very Good
• Family Friendliness: Very Good
• Service: Excellent

Once you have a ticket, you have a time for your gondola ride and you can go and see other things or watch the boats (there were at least three or four wedding parties there during the few hours we were there). Some took pictures on the little bridges over the canals. Most took a gondola ride. The people at the "oar" or whatever sang and they were very good. They were from Italy or told us they were, making us believe it. Some were opera trained.

A picture was taken and we could purchase the photos at a reasonable price. I think we got two for $20 (we were in two Gondolas with five people). Only four people to a Gondola. It was like a city within a city. The sky looked very real and I was wondering what the little rings were until I realized it was a dome and those were the supports that held it up. There were houses and shops all along the canal. There were flowers and music and delighted laughter. This was loud or raucus like the Adventuredome at Circus Circus. This was relaxing and a joy for adults and children.

It is Paris Las Vegas! It is a city with a dome and within a city. The houses and shops look realistic and old world. It is probably much cleaner than the old cities, I'm sure. There were strolling musicians and singers in costume. Romance and love just sort of oozed around you with love songs and smiles. And the pastry -- ooh la la! Little tarts with fruit on top with a sweet glaze! Or lemon tarts with real meringue on top! This was a do again place!!! Oh, if only we had discovered it before our very last day.

This could have been in New York. It was a bit crowded. It was a bit noisy. It had lots of food cafes and little shops where one could get hot dogs and ethnic dishes. It was busy. Then there was the roller coaster that began inside and went outside the building with views of the city of Vegas. Roller coaster was pricey at about $12.50 for one ride. We passed that up. We had lunch and it was good.

However, New York is not my favorite place. Casinos were off in one area and this was all separate. However, after the Venetian and Paris, this was too noisy, too crowded, and not romantic at all. Wasn't my kind of thing.

The entire Adventuredome is inside so on hot days (115-120) in July, it was comfortable. Could do one ride ($5 for adult type) or buy an all day bracelet for $19.95 (Circus Circus had $4 off coupons available at the desk so be sure to pick up a book at the concierge. Don't have to be a hotel guest). Family could wait in the hall on benches while kids had a great time inside.

First day we lost one kid and was a bit worried. Then when we teamed them up together, it worked great. Just have a time and place to check in. We let them go. We tried walkie talkies, but the noise level with the roller coasters, water ride, etc. was too high to be able to do much with walkie talkies, unless other one was listening for you to check in. Worked out very well for a day with the young kids or teenagers.

Also had midway type games and every game had a winner. Saw kids all over, including ours, with bags of stuffed animals. Our grandson had a bunch for his girlfriends back home. No one left without one and at little overall expense. We just gave everyone $3 or $4 and they came back with 3 or 4 animals. That is one place where game of chance is in the player's favor. Adults didn't do so well at the slot machines as they dropped in money as they passed by.