BALLY'S LAS VEGAS MAY 2004 REVIEW
Written: May 13 '04 (Updated May 13 '04)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: LOCATION! CLASSIC PROPERTY OF 1973. LARGER ROOMS. Okay...one more time: LOCATION! LOCATION! LOCATION!
Cons: VERY FEW IF ANY ALTHOUGH LONG CHECK-IN LINES ARE EVIDENT.
The Bottom Line: EXCELLENT IN LOCATION ABOVE ALL! A FIND IN VALUE AND IN ONE OF THE BEST AREAS OF ALL OF LAS VEGAS. CLASSIC 1970's LAS VEGAS PROPERTY.
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| benicia's Full Review: Ballys Las Vegas |
This classic hotel dates back to December 1973 when it opened in Las Vegas as The MGM Grand and headlined Mr. Dean Martin as its star or opening act. By Las Vegas standards, 1973 is a long-time ago and there are few hotels left of that era that still remain today.
It opened in 1973 on the corners of Las Vegas Blvd; South and Flamingo Blvd. Today this location is referred to as 'FOUR CORNERS' and the real estate that occupies that same corner now consists of Caesar's Palace, The Bellagio, The Flamingo and of course Bally's (the name changed from MGM Grand to Bally's later and the MGM Grand moved up the strip to the corner of Tropicana Blvd). Also within a stones throw you'll find The Paris Hotel, Harrah's Hotel and The Aladdin Hotel as well as The Mirage Hotel and Treasure Island Hotel (now called TI).
So, if you are considering staying at this property, be advised that you are now in the best of real estate for all of Las Vegas! The term LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION is applied strongly at Bally's as you couldn't be more central and reside next to the best of neighbors in elegance and glamour...
Getting to Bally's (if you fly in as most do) from the airport in Las Vegas can be accomplished several ways. Of course a rental car is an option and parking at Bally's is complimentary and the ride is just about 10-20 minutes based on traffic from the airport. A second option (and a good one) are all the shuttle buses that operate from the airport to the major hotels and the cost is just $5.00 each way per person ($9.50 RT). Once you exit baggage claim, you'll find taxi's on one side of the building and shuttle buses on the other and they are clearly marked. Several shuttle bus companies operate such a service. Cabs also offer service to/from the airport but be advised that traffic in Las Vegas out of the airport to town is a miserable challenge and cabs have those meters that move even if you are not...
There are several reviews here on EPINIONS that are somewhat harsh on Bally's and with good intent and reason. They are justified somewhat but one of the most important factors in considering Bally's above all is its location and the few quirks that come with Bally's (especially the quality of staffing at check-in) are minimal when one takes on the address or location of Bally's.
Check-in is indeed a challenge. Long lines (a few thousand rooms) are evident all day long. The staffing is challenged as planes land at all hours and Las Vegas is an international destination and thus guests are trying to check-in well ahead of the 3:00PM check-in authorized time. Credit is due to 'guest relations' as I also tried to check-in at 10:00AM and while I was not greeted warmly by being there some five (5) hours ahead of schedule, the hotel had me in a room by 11:00AM (okay, without a smile but in Las Vegas there are few smiles anyhow as check-in is 24/7 even including Christmas Day and an operational amazement of talents and skills).
During my check-in I managed to meet with a guest relations professional who advised me that rooms marked with an 'A' next to their number were partial suite rooms. In other words, suites that had a series of two rooms but the suite was not being used and the hotel could sell the 'A' portion of the room as a premium or partial suite room. It was just an extra $20.00 per night (which is two glasses of wine at Caesar's anyhow) so we took it without hesitation. In fact, we had 1875A which faced just south of THE STRIP but on Flamingo Blvd. The rate in May 2004 was $129 for weekends and $69 for weekdays plus my $20 per night upgrade. So, compared to Caesar's Palace or The Bellagio just across the street at near $300 a night, Bally's was a bargain in sub-luxury or moderate status.
Because this hotel was built in 1973, the rooms are much larger than most. We peered-in on a standard room while the maid was cleaning and it was near 400-500 square feet with lots of glass evident for views and comfort. Our mini-suite had floor to ceiling glass from side to side making for great views. On the outside of both buildings at Bally's (or towers) the mini suites can be distinguished with ease as they have the only balconies. Standard rooms do not have a balcony.
The front desk indicated to us that all rooms had been refurbished and we found the room older but still classy, very clean and well-equipped with a wet bar, refrigerator, a 27 inch TV and a very comfortable bed. Wallpaper, paint and carpets were all fine but based on some of the other reviews I have read here, one must always keep in mind that Las Vegas hotels can be TACKY with a near 'circus' look or theme approach. Purple chairs with gold trim and green wallpaper along with really bad taste in carpeting is so Las Vegas! Coffeemakers? Not in Las Vegas ever. The rooms are designed for sleeping and if you want coffee, you'll need to go downstairs past the SLOT MACHINES, purchase your coffee and then be tempted to take the leftover change from your purchase and pass a slot machine enroute back to your room where you'll lose it playing the slots...
Other features of the rooms were high-speed internet at $9.99 per 24 hours. Local calls are $1.25 with a maximum of 30 minutes time and then .20 per minute thereafter (sorry dial-up users). The TV's had 36 channels and while at least 10 of those channels were dedicated to the hotel for gaming or restaurant info, the others were not. The room had a safe but the cost was $3.00 per day for its use.
Room service was offered 24 hours a day and we found a card advertising breakfast (eggs, bacon, hashbrown's and toast) at $8.95 which included the room service charge. Not bad we thought; especially for Las Vegas.
Bathrooms were well-stocked with ample towels and a very good selection of toiletries and the shower was spacious and attractive yet older (remember, built in 1973 originally).
Worth quick mention is the pool area at Bally's. Because it was built in 1973, it retains a classic resort feel to it and is spacious and upscale with a casual elegance. While not up to the standards of the newer mega properties such as Mandalay Bay (best Las Vegas pool area), it did retain a warm and welcomed feeling and that attracted large crowds so chaise lounge chairs were few at the height of the day. Full bar and snack service is poolside along with private Cabana areas at $20.00 per hour (Cabana's come with TV, water misters, wet bar, covered shade and personal butler service).
There is a secret attraction to staying at Bally's though. It happens to be attached to THE PARIS HOTEL. This Las Vegas gem (and it really is a fantastic property) has so many upscale and positive restaurants, showrooms, bars and such a resort atmosphere to it that by staying at Bally's, the hotels are 'JOINED' together (really, they have designed it so that they appear to be one and they actually flow together) and you can simply just walk from Bally's to The Paris without ever leaving the building. This means that right at your disposal, you'll have all the restaurants of The Paris Hotel including 'Mon Ami Gabi', 'La Creperie' and 'Le Village Buffet' (I've just named the best). A newer restaurant has just opened at The Paris called 'Ah Sin' (Asian Fusion) but it failed my standards in quality yet was excellent in service.
Bally's has several of its own restaurants and those most noted are 'Al Dente', 'Bally's Steakhouse', 'Chang's At Bally's' and of course 'Big Kitchen Buffet'. Without detailing each, there are just too many other closer restaurants of higher quality (see below list).
Coming soon to Bally's (by June 2004) will be the first daily operating monorail system which will share a station right at Bally's (next to the pool). Rides are $3.00 one way, $10.00 for an all-day pass or $25.00 for a 3-day pass. Sadly, the monorail starts its route 'OFF' The Strip at the back of its initial station at The MGM Grand (at Tropicana Blvd) and then travels to the back of Bally's, Harrah's and then leaves the backside area headed in the wrong direction away from The Strip towards the convention center and the Las Vegas Hilton. Thus, nearly useless unless you are at a convention. It operates from Bally's from 6:00AM to Midnight, daily. It does not serve the airport either.
This is a great hotel. Older but still classy. It is a 'bargain' or 'find' compared to its sister properties (Bally's is owned by Ceasar's Palace, The Flamingo and The Paris Hotel(WWW.PARKPLACE.COM) and its location alone makes it an excellent choice as well as value. The lines for check-in are long and the rooms are older yet aside from those issues or a few others listed in other reviews here on EPINIONS, I still would award this property at least 3-Stars out of a possible 5-Stars based on Las Vegas standards.
You can book Bally's by visiting their website at:
WWW.PARKPLACE.COM
Telephone reservations can be made at: 800 634-3434 or 888 742-9248. You can also fax the hotel at: 702 967-4405.
BALLY'S HOTEL AND CASINO
3645 Las Vegas Blvd; South
Las Vegas, Nevada 89109-4307
Restaurant Recommendations Within Walking Distance Of Bally's:
1) Lawry's The Prime Rib (a full 5 stars/superior dining).
2) The Dragon Noodle Company (Asian) in The Monte Carlo Hotel.
3) Mon Ami Gabi in The Paris Hotel (part of Bally's).
4) La Creperie in The Paris Hotel (long lines but so worth it and almost considered fast-food).
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
benicia
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Location: San Francisco, CA
Reviews written: 66
Trusted by: 3 members
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