Las Vegas here I come

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

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.

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.

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.