So Vegas: Conspicuous consumption
Written: Feb 05 '07
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Awe-inspiring structure, its just massive and it glows!
Cons: Bit on the dull side of the strip
The Bottom Line: Stay in the tower rooms, recently renovated and have a more conventional window-bay area
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| pungpui's Full Review: The Luxor Hotel And Casino |
The Luxor can literally be seen from anywhere on the strip, and apparently as far as outer space! A huge light beacon sits on the top of a gigantic glass pyramid that makes up most of the Luxor complex; an MGM Mirage casino finished in 1993 at the south end of the strip. Luxor is in the Guinness book of records not only for the world’s brightest light beacon, but also featuring the worlds largest atrium housed inside this massive structure and there is not one pillar inside to hold the structure up. In fact, along the glass of the pyramid are hotel rooms, so the windows of the hotel rooms themselves slope inward. Considering the casino covers all of the ground floor and with the world’s largest atrium above it, one naturally assumes all of the noise and smoke pollution from the casino funnels up into the hallways of the rooms. However thankfully designers have placed another level between the 2 which houses walkway access to Mandalay Place (a shopping area linking Luxor and Mandalay Bay), IMAX theatre even, and shops and food court.
There are 2 general types of accommodation offered at Luxor, the normal in the Pyramid and deluxe rooms in 2 separate towers. Normal rooms would have the sloping window and since the 2 towers effectively block the view of the strip from the pyramid rooms, there is probably minimal chance of a good view at all (only maybe of McCarren Airport). We stayed in the more expensive deluxe rooms, which have been recently renovated to feature less Egyptian décor. Access to these rooms require swipe of room cards, effectively removing the need for guards like at Excalibur. Upon entry into the hallway of the hotel room floors, it is just very vegas; small chandeliers about every 2 meters on the roof. And it doesn’t end there. At the entry way of the hotel room, there is another chandelier, again only in Vegas (conspicuous consumption to the max). The deluxe rooms are somewhat smaller than expected, but nicely furnished and without awful looking bedcovers. The bathroom is very good with separate shower and bath, and a toilet that sounds like a jumbo jet engine (still gives you a fright 3 days after using it). The sink area also features retractable magnified mirror if you like to see your face as close as you can. We got an expensive view of McCarren as well, and it would have been good to get a high up view of the strip but really, who cares. Get down to the street level!
The hotel lobby is a little less chaotic than Excalibur, there the registration desk is located right next to the main entrance, and entrance to hotel lifts and deluxe towers is funnelled off on the side, removing the need to trek across the casino floor like in the Excalibur. It’s amazing that these 2 casino’s are only 3 years in age apart; the younger a whole leap better in design and overall condition than the older. For coffee lovers, there are 2 Starbucks coffee outlets here, with some other gift and convenience stores. Luxor is linked by Tram/Monorail to Mandalay Bay and Excalibur, and from Excalibur you can walk by foot bridge to New York New York, Tropicana or MGM Grand. However most of the newer, more exciting casino’s are emerging at the northern end of the strip such as Caesar’s, Wynn, Venetian, the new Trump hotel being built, Bellagio. These are quite a walking distance away.
We tried the buffet breakfast here for $US12.99 + tax, which was rather mediocre. But I guess there’s not much else you can offer breakfast apart from the traditional. There is a live egg cooking station as well, good selection of fruits and breads. This buffet is located in the 1 floor below the casino, just follow the signs.
Overall, I’d recommend this hotel on this side of the strip, in particular the deluxe rooms for only a little more price wise, but they’ve been recently renovated. You can stay at the Mandalay Bay next door but that’s more expensive and even more out of the way. Luxor is sufficient enough. Maybe spend half of your trip at this hotel and half at a casino north like Treasure Island or Wynn.
Apart from Las Vegas Boulevard (the Strip), try to visit Downtown Las Vegas for the Fremont Street experience. This area is accessible by local bus or taxi and is the real old school Vegas, with the Golden Nugget and featured in 007 Diamonds are Forever. The main attraction is the roof that covers the street with thousands of LED lights that produce a show with sound every hour during the evening. Also, for shopping lovers, visit Las Vegas Outlets (south of the strip) or Las Vegas Premium Outlets (near Downtown). We only visited the regular outlets since it is indoors and was very cold outside! Clothing at Tommy Hilfiger was dirt cheap (eg $US10 for a proper shirt). There is also one further south but that’s much further to get to. Premium Outlets features Ralph Lauren, DKNY, D&G, etc. Do go onto their website before your visit to get VIP discount coupons and register online for the voucher booklet from the information centre for further savings.
On the strip, I would recommend seeing the Lion enclosure at MGM Grand, the fountain display at the lake of the Bellagio, taking a stroll through St Marks Square and a Gondola ride ($US15 per person for 4 people) at the Venetian, checking out the Forum shops and hotel lobby of Caesar’s Palace, and going up Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas.
Foodwise, the best value buffet is probably lunch at Mandalay Bay, but Bellagio and Wynn is also very good. All 3 range about $US17-20 + tax for lunch, more for dinner. Bellagio and Wynn don’t close between lunch and dinner, so if you go just before they change to dinner prices, you will pay a lunch price and get dinner menu (around 3pm). Just a hint for the cheapo’s!
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
pungpui
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Location: Sydney, Australia
Reviews written: 23
Trusted by: 0 members
About Me:
I'm male, 19, a business undergrad student at University of Technology Sydney
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