Need some help in finding the best time of year to bring my girlfriend to Vegas for her first time. Basing it on price, busyness of Vegas and making sure she has fun. Was looking at mid October or after New Years. Any ideas.

Halloween is a blast in Vegas, so is New Years Eve but it's packed. There are sites that show conventions, best to avoid those dates as room rates are higher. We always do a guy trip the first week of October which also happens to be bike week. Pretty cool.

The week after a holiday is usually the slowest and best price/bang for the buck. Mid October is good, pro football betting is always popular.

Really any time of year is good, I just don't like crowds, so I avoid the big weekends (as I am headed out next week during March Madness, doh!).

Stay on the strip and hit all the high spots and take her to at least one nice dinner. Mandalay Bay is gorgeous, Bellagio, Aria and Cosmopolitan are nice but over priced in my opinion. Take the Deuce bus downtown to check it out.

What Jim said. My Mom and I go the week before Memorial Day and usually find really good rates.

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Jess

I would recommend Paris for a first-timer wanting to impress the GF without spending a buttload at the ritzy places. Not sure where you're from, but if you go May-Oct or so be prepared to sweat your you-know-what's off every time you walk outside. I prefer March or late October (Been out 12 times).

The weather is usually very nice in mid-October, and can be very nasty around New-years (especially windy). If you like to walk around and see things, Oct. is probably better. Use Hotwire or Priceline to get a room, especially if you want a high-end room (i.e., 5-star), you can save quite a lot of money. I agree that Paris is nice, but you need to consider what you and your girlfriend want to do-- does she like to shop? Spas? Would she want to stay somewhere nice but quieter and away from the casinos (e.g., Trump, MGM Signature, Vdara, Mandarin) maybe a little rowdier (e.g., NYNY, Harrahs, IP, Hard Rock, Planet Hollywood, Bills), old-school (Golden Nugget), off-strip resorty (Red Rock), full-service but not extravagant (MGM, Mirage, Tropicana, Mandalay Bay, TI), pimpin' (Bellagio, Aria, Palazzo, Caesars, Wynn, Encore, Cosmopolitan). Or maybe she thinks she did something bad in a past life and wants to punish herself (e.g., Circus Circus, Hooters, Riviera, Terribles <<< now really, who would name a hotel that?). I think that where you stay really sets the tone for the trip. The first time I brough my wife to Vegas, we stayed at Palazzo and stayed at the concierge level for an extra $50/night. It was a really nice intro for her, and pretty romantic.

Not looking for real expensive hotels but want a nice one in the heart of the strip. Was thinking Paris, Ceasars, Aria and Mirage. What does everyone think? Also my girlfriend is a big beatles fan. Is the Love show worth it or are there better shows? Thanks for all the advice.

One last thing, what is the best car company to use for airport service? Looking at cost and overall experince. Limo service our mass transit? Don't want to use a taxi.

I haven't been to the Beatles show, but I've never heard anything but raves about it. Personally, i think Mirage and Aria are better values than Caesars and Paris, which are nice but overpriced MO). You can often get Aria on Priceline and/or Hotwire. I always just take Taxis to/from the airport, so I don't know anything about car services. Have fun!

a limo is usually about the same price as a taxi. There is a stand at the airport. Most any large property on the strip will probably be fine, stay away from the old P, Bills, Pho, Excalibur) and go with a newer property.

Mirage has never disappointed and has lots of plusses - great pool, central location on the strip, the Love show is there (and if your girlfriend is a Beatles fan then this is a must) and of course there's a decent poker room! Presidential Limousine has a package that includes champagne a rose for the lady.
Check hotel websites for room prices - they change almost daily - and you'll see which times during the year are most expensive.

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The first question I would ask is does she want warm weather and to lay out by the pool? If so, you need to limit your search to April to October IMO. if not, then I would exclude July and August due to the heat. If a pool is important how important? Paris is a great option for you for many reasons but the pool is meh. PH is a hipper vibe for the younger crowd but a bit more expensive. I love the Aria poker room and casino but it sits back to far off the Strip IMO. There are so many options it is hard to nail them down without knowing a budget or her desires.

As for Love I have seen it twice and highly recommend it especially if she like the Beatles. For the car service I would take a taxi unless you have a phobia about taxis. The next best option is a bus service that will take you to your hotel and about eight others on the way but it takes sooooo long. Car service will get you there at about 2-3 times the cost.

PM if you want any other ideas.

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"There's nothing that cleanses your soul like getting the hell kicked out of you."
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