We shall be making our first visit to LV (hopefully, of many) from the UK in August. (Previous gambling experience has been in Casinos on cruise ships). I have read expressions e.g. "hotel was mean with their comps" which I don't fully understand.

Also, we have two children (11 and 13) - is it OK to leave them at hotels while in the Casinos (presumably similar to here, kids not allowed in)

Any basic advice would be appreciated.

Lesley, let me address a very serious issue. Do not leave your kids while you gamble in the casino. While Las Vegas is a safe place with lots of people around, there have been instances of people leaving their kids and the kids kidnapped or murdered. I don't want you to think you have to be concerned about your safety. Use everyday common sense and you and your family will be fine and you will have a great trip. But DO NOT leave your kids unattended. Don't leave them in a game room or arcade without your supervision.
Now, what I would do is order a pizza and some soft drinks from room service. Then find a movie on pay per view that they would like, lock them in the room with instructions not to open the door for anyone, and then go to the casino. You could check on them every hour. The safety of the kids is the most important thing. I don't want to alarm you, but make sure the kids are with adult supervision or locked in the room.
The term "mean with comps" is referring to the casino/hotel's policy of providing free rooms and food for the people that gamble there. Since you are not a regular visitor, I would not worry about what the policies are regarding comps since you won't qualify in most cases.
However, when you get to the hotel/casino that you are staying at, do sign up for their slot club card. It only takes a minute and it is free. Then every time you play a slot machine or video poker machine, insert your card into the machine before you start play. The computer will track your play. When you get ready to check out at the end of your stay, go to the slot club booth and ask them if you qualify for anything and if there is any cashback due to you.
Ask any questions regarding hotel, casinos, restaurants, etc on this bb and there are lots of people here to help. Have a great trip but please keep an eye on the kids. I have 2 daughters that mean the world to me and I am sure your kids mean the same to you.

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John
Moderator Dining Forum
john@talkvegas.com




[This message has been edited by John (edited May 04, 2000).]

John,
You make some excelent points!

Las Vegas has many kid friendly area's, but these places should be shared with adult supervision.
"mean with the comps" could even refer to how often the cocktail girls come around. Remember, those free cocktails are comps too! I did notice on my recent trip in some of the casino's you'd die of thirst before a cocktail person would come around. On the cruises I've been on, NCL, RCCL, Princess, Celebirty, even while gambling you'd have to buy your refreshments, but in Las Vegas, cocktails are free to players. One of the big reasons I play so much video poker at the bars! (nothing like being close to the source) LOL
I'd recomend getting a slot card at any casino you think you might play for awhile. You just never know what they might send you in the mail.....a discount on a future room, free show tickets, 50% off on a meal on your next visit. Just about anything they can think of to get you back inside the casino! <S> Personally, I like getting the mail from the casino's. Sometimes it's just a news letter, telling you what has changed or what's new.
I've also taken my daughter and her best friend to Las vegas when she was 12. However, my information is dated....she's 22 now! <S>
Let us know if we can help on any other questions. Even questions your little ones might have about the trip.....you know sometimes they say & ask the darndest things! <VBG>

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Lee-PA
Moderator, What's New Forum
lee@talkvegas.com



[This message has been edited by Lee-PA (edited May 04, 2000).]

Hi Lesley,

Welcome to TalkVegas. Glad to see you posting your questions.

There is much to see in Las Vegas, including activities for the children, so I'm sure you will have a full schedule while visiting.

In doing your planning, please go to the homepage of TalkVegas and click on Las Vegas Links also.

Many visitors enjoy the Pirate Battle at Treasure Island, Volcano at Mirage, Roller Coasters and Theme Parks, shows at many hotels, particularly Mystere' at Treasure Island, Carnival in the Sky at the Rio(quite enjoyable for kids and parents alike), arcades (with supervision), sidetrips to various places including the Hoover Dam, Red Rock Canyon, Black Canyon River Raft Tour, Valley of Fire, and many others too numerous to mention.

As said in the previous two posts, please ask any questions and I'm sure someone would be willing to relate his/her experiences. Everyone has different interests when visiting LV.

Beth

Lesley,

If you know the hotel where you will be staying, someone here may be able to give you good information on room to request, best restaurants, shopping, etc. or other helpful hints.

Beth

Thanks for your replies and excellent advice

We shall be staying at the Luxor - we are travelling by Virgin Atlantic (our favourite airline)as they have only just opened a direct route to LV from the UK . I read in one of the other forums that the pool at the Luxor was voted the worse !!! Still, I think it is going to be quite an experience



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Lesley,

One of the girls who posts here somewhat regularly stayed at the Luxor a couple eyars ago and spent a lot of time at the pool. She said it was very nice. If I remember correctly, it's just not real lush like some of the others.



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Jeff, Gambling Moderator
jeff@talkvegas.com

Lesley, you picked a good hotel. With kids age 11 and 13 the Luxor has a lot for them to do and so does the Excaliber next door. Also you are near NY NY and it has a huge arcade and a roller coaster. MGM is nearby and it has a theme park. So the kids will have a great time and so will you. I asked a friend who stays at the Luxor all the time about their pool and she said in was fine. So I don't know why it is getting bashed, but I trust my friends judgement. Good luck and have fun.

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John
Moderator Dining Forum
john@talkvegas.com

Lesley,

I totally agree w/John. I have stayed at the Luxor and while the pool has no 'gimmicks'it is a very large and accessible pool. Just remember that there is no real shade so it can get very warm. I guess that's what taking a dip in the pool is for! [img]http://www.talkvegas.com/ubb/smile.gif[/img]

Your kids will definitely enjoy the games at the Luxor and you are also close enough to Excalibur, NYNY and MGM for them as well. Enjoy your stay!

Trina

There are baby or kids sitting services listed in the phone book. Check with the casino to get a good one they will recommend. They will also pick up and take on supervised visits to places like water world or others. See what they have scheduled for the days you need.

We took the grandkiddies to see the Russian exibet at Rio several years ago and sent them off to water world while we done a little gambling they loved it and the supervision was very strick

Watch out for the spelling tring to cover to much ground to quick