other close hotels

[Dimwit Flathead]

The nice thing about the rain last year was that it kept the daytime highs way down in the 80s for a couple of days. Made it a lot more pleasant to stand in line for 3 hours outside the Apollo room Friday.

Anyway, I definitely agree that if you want to walk back and forth you need to stay close (St. Tropez, Amerisuites, Hard Rock). Otherwise, plan on taking cabs most of the time. The Hard Rock also used to have a couple of (free) shuttles to the strip that are an option if they still run them. I don't see anything on their website about it, but according to http://www.vegas.com/resorts/hardrock/ (bottom of the page):

The Hard Rock's Black/Yellow Shuttle leaves the hotel every hour on the half-hour and stops at the Stratosphere, Stardust, Forum Shops, Holiday Inn Boardwalk, Tropicana and Aladdin. Available from 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. daily. The Purple Shuttle leaves the Hard Rock every hour on the hour and stops at the Stardust, Fashion Show Mall, Forum Shops, Polo Towers and Harley Davidson Cafe. Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

[Zhym]

Another option for those who don't mind public transportation: the 108 bus runs from downtown to Paradise every half hour. Some of the downtown hotels are not only cheap, but I understand the Golden Nugget is even kind of nice.

[phobal]

How is the transit system in Vegas? I heard it is dirt cheap and secure, others say it's not worth the chance of getting murdered, sodomized, etc.

[Dimwit Flathead]

All I know is, the bus stops on the strip all have signs that read "Beware of pickpockets".

[Zhym]

I took the bus downtown last year, and didn't have any problem. I'm a transit geek, though, so I'm used to busses full of "colorful characters". The only bad part about the strip bus was that it had to go through the north strip. Other than that, it didn't seem any worse than a typical bus in a big city.

As for pickpockets on the bus, use common sense. Keep your money where it's hard to pick. Don't look like a gawking tourist with money hanging out of your ears, and you probably won't have much problem. I also suspect pickpockets are more of an issue the closer one gets to tourists.

The Monorail is supposed to be running this summer, too. It'll be a $3.00 trip between the MGM Grand and the Sahara, with stops at Bally's, the Flamingo, Harrah's, the convention center, and the Hilton. It's not that useful for DefCon, since it doesn't come that close to the AP (and there are no cheap hotels on that line), but it might be useful for a trip to Quark's or something. It's supposed to be extended to downtown at some point.

[phobal]

I took the bus downtown last year, and didn't have any problem. I'm a transit geek, though, so I'm used to busses full of "colorful characters". The only bad part about the strip bus was that it had to go through the north strip. Other than that, it didn't seem any worse than a typical bus in a big city.

I survived East-Point Atlanta, I think it won't be too bad in Vegas. I remember when I was on the MARTA, a homeless man approached me and stated that he liked my dyed green hair. Great city.

As for pickpockets on the bus, use common sense. Keep your money where it's hard to pick. Don't look like a gawking tourist with money hanging out of your ears, and you probably won't have much problem. I also suspect pickpockets are more of an issue the closer one gets to tourists.

I think pickpockets target kitschy camera-bearing tourists whom are in Vegas for the hoover dam, not the gambling rather than a 6'3'' 190 lb guy in Vegas for a hax0r0r0r0xor conferance.

The Monorail is supposed to be running this summer, too. It'll be a $3.00 trip between the MGM Grand and the Sahara, with stops at Bally's, the Flamingo, Harrah's, the convention center, and the Hilton. It's not that useful for DefCon, since it doesn't come that close to the AP (and there are no cheap hotels on that line), but it might be useful for a trip to Quark's or something. It's supposed to be extended to downtown at some point.

It's a fucking rip off. But, I've never been to Vegas to rate it's merit.

[Dimwit Flathead]

As for pickpockets on the bus, use common sense. Keep your money where it's hard to pick. Don't look like a gawking tourist with money hanging out of your ears, and you probably won't have much problem. I also suspect pickpockets are more of an issue the closer one gets to tourists.

Yeah, I'm inclined to agree. The non-strip routes are probably a lot better in terms of pickpockets, especially if you're not wearing a T-shirt that says "We're spending our kids inheritance" with a camera slung around your neck.

(re: monorail) It's a fucking rip off. But, I've never been to Vegas to rate it's merit.

It depends, really. If you're staying on the East side of the strip, it'll be pretty convenient to go elsewhere on the strip, or to the convention center/Hilton. Plus, $3 is cheaper than taking a cab, unless you're only going one stop, in which case you might as well walk.

In any event, take the opening date with a large grain of salt. They originally said January, then it was March, then April, and now they're saying "summer".

[kree]

Did you need the two Bedroom Suite? I mean, how much time will you actually spend in your Hotel Room?

Its all about preference and privacy, and when you concider that you are getting 9 days for $400 that comes to a mere $45 a day! Not to bad for a two bedroom suite!

[alklloyd]

The nice thing about the rain last year was that it kept the daytime highs way down in the 80s for a couple of days.

I still remember saying: "What is that smell?" "Dude, it's Las Vegas when it
rains".

Al...
It was only my second DC

[L0nd0]

How is the transit system in Vegas? I heard it is dirt cheap and secure, others say it's not worth the chance of getting murdered, sodomized, etc.

Well the trasit system here is kinda ok, that is if the buses are actually on time, working, or the drivers arn't on strike. But other then that there pretty safe.

Oh and the Monorail is actually shaping up really well, but it seem the majority of people here take taxi's or limo's

[Dimwit Flathead]

I still remember saying: "What is that smell?" "Dude, it's Las Vegas when it
rains".

Oh yeah; I forgot about the smell. That sure made it a treat waiting to get into the Apollo room, didn't it?

[pezz]

St. Tropez is booked. They do however have rooms ofpen for the 30 and 31st. I didn't see this posted elsewhere, so forgive me if it is.

[alklloyd]

Oh yeah; I forgot about the smell. That sure made it a treat waiting to get into the Apollo room, didn't it?

It was a bitch.

Al