Both hotels are priced about the same now. I have been pouring over websites and wondering if anyone can recommend which hotel is better. We won't be gambling due to teenagers ages, so we are looking more for the Vegas experience. I am aware Stratosphere is quite far away from everything but we plan to visit it anyway, so will be walking the strip either way. Any advice?Visiting Vegas for the first time with teenagers. Stratosphere or Excalibur?
The Excalibur is the best choice. The location is a major factor, here. Stratosphere is isolated at the Northernmost point on the Strip. You may want to visit the Stratosphere but Stay at Excalibur for easy access to everything else.
I gave you a link to a map. There are a few corrections I have to tell you about it, though. There is a free tram that connects Excalibur to Mandalay Bay and stops at Luxor on the way back. There is also one that connects the Mirage with Treasure Island. But the one that connects Monte Carlo with Bellagio is gone now. There is a load of new construction going on called ';City Center'; after it is complete there will be another tram connecting the two but for now it is no longer there.
As the map shows, the Stratosphere is way out of the way and what it does not show is that the neighborhood around it is pretty seedy. You can get there by bus to visit and check out the thrill rides and shopping mall area in the Strat but you do not want to wander around outside. The monorail shown in red is not free and not very convenient. It runs behind the hotels on the East Side and the walk to and from the monorail stations to the hotels is pretty much makes it pointless. Taxis are very expensive and the meter keeps running while you sit in traffic.
The Excalibur is the far better choice. Trust me. Your feet will thank you.
*Visiting Vegas for the first time with teenagers. Stratosphere or Excalibur?
Excalibur. Stratopshere is actually pretty skanky.
= Take the kids to the Stratosphere one day and let them ride the rides, but both of you will be better off at the Ex. You will only want to do the Strat rides one time, but the roller coaster at NY, NY you could ride many times. Also from the Ex it is a short (2 mile) bus ride to Town Square Mall which is brand new and has a new movie theater. If your kids are older teens, they should be able to take the Deuce bus themselves (about 15 minutes, $7 for 24 hour ticket) . There is a movie theater in the Showcase Mall right on the strip, but it is much older theater.
Also the Excalibur is very convenient to a number of shows, and the Shark Reef marine exhibit (which I highly recommend). You can see the ';Lion King';.
The Stratosphere is not really a family place. The shows tend to lean towards cheap adult oriented entertainment (topless vampires). In the recession it is losing a fortune. The casino is also surrounded by w:hore-houses and the people who frequent them.
The only drawback to Stratosphere is that the 3 or 4 blocks between it and the rest of the Las Vegas strip are infested with annoying characters. Panhandlers mainly. There's a Circle K store, a tattoo shop... you've left the Disneyland tourist area (between Sahara and Tropicana) and entered urban blight.
For that reason and because you're walking I have to suggest not staying there. Unless you think your family would not care about having rough characters demanding money from them.
Circus Circus may be the best option since it has the Adventuredome theme park and free circus shows in addition to the stuff Excalibur has (arcade, midway). And it's approximately across the street from Sahara, which has a roller coaster.
Excalibur is next to NY NY which also has a roller coaster though.
Maybe split your trip between two properties. You don't have to stay at one hotel the entire time. Read the articles I've written below, they should help you decide.
Excalibur, it has a midway games area they can play at which is actually fun for all ages. The stratosphere isn't in the best location if your going to visit anyways just make a day trip out of it instead of wasting more time driving to the strip since you would drive there more than you would the stratosphere.
Staying at the stratosphere you would really would have to do some driving before walking.
The Stratosphere would be much more popular if not for the location. And to say you will be walking the strip either way is to not understand the location. There is basically nothing of interest between the Stratosphere and the Fashion Show Mall. It's simply not a good walk. Whereas the Excalibur there is so much more around it. So if you are planning on walking you do NOT want to stay at the Stratsophere. As far as resort quality goes... Pretty similar. I think you would find the rooms about the same quality given the same prices.
In our experience the stratosphere is usually cheaper... but they charge a $7.50 resort fee and $11.99 for internet access. The Excalibur has a $5 resort fee... but it could be higher now. That's the latest way to gouge the tourists. Advertise a low price then stick them with fees when they go to checkout.
It's pretty close. You should check out ratelasvegas.com and Trip Advisor to see what other people think of the two. For my money I'd consider the Orleans as well. It's 1.5 miles west of the strip but a great place for families. They have a shuttle to the strip. It would be a similar distance to walk from the stratosphere.
It is one thing to visit the Stratosphere and another to stay there and start and end each day from there. Excalibur has a great location and you can go many places easily by walking. Stratosphere you really can't walk anywhere.
Check out this website. It is geared for first time visitors. Start with the helpful tips page and then the ';must see';. Full of great tips and things to do.
Room wise stay at the Excalibur. Not only is it in the center of the action it also has a tram that runs to the Luxor and Mandalay Bay, it's right across the street from the New York New York and the monorail station is at the MGM Grand so you can get around quickly.
The Ex! Closer to the M%26amp;M freebie movie: i Lost my M in Vegas. Shows start at 9am daily. Movie theatre within that area. MGM has the lion habitat, free. Pics extra when avail with cubs. Ex has basement kiddie area win toys and stuff.
Doubt you ain't gonna gamble unless kids are away.
Definitely do the Excalibur. It's more central and close to a lot of things. Stratosphere is nice but I won't walk in that neighbourhood at night with teenagers. Here are better Excalibur deals
http://www.lasvegas-how-to.com/special.p鈥?/a>
Hands up for Excalibur. It has the better location and it is only a short walk to further attraction. Excalibur also have great promotion offers which you can find on http://www.vegas-hotels-online.com/categ鈥?/a>
Definately Excalibur. Location is so much better, and use the monorail to get to Strat. Goes from MGM which can be easily accessed through the adjoining hotels
Stay at the ';X';. Great arcade for the kids. It is in a better location, and cheap tables if you like to gamble. My kids love it there.
I would have to say Excalibur. Its better location and near a whole lot more then the Stratosphere....Anywhere u stay in vegas in guaranteed for a whole lot of fun....
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