Circus Circus Hotel & Casino-, Las Vegas

The one real reason I stayed at the Circus Circus hotel was that I was going to Vegas to see Barry Manilow and did not want to pay top dollar for a hotel room. That out of the way I can tell you my opinion on the huge hotel that scarily welcomes you with a giant neon clown!

We arrived after an 18 hour journey, tired and exhausted, to be met at reception by the most courteous and friendly staff that I have encountered in any hotel. Being so tired it was difficult to understand the immense layout of the hotel complex but rather than ask for a porter to help us (and as there was a huge number of people checking in) we asked the receptionist to explain again and she drew us a detailed diagram on the hotel map of how to get to our room (in one of the towers) and patiently explained which escalators and elevators to take. Having seen the size of the hotel it is a good job that they give you a welcome pack on arrival! By a miracle we found our room on the 32nd floor very quickly and were delighted by the size and decor. The hotel had recently been refurbished and the room was just perfect. We also had a view directly down the strip which was an added bonus!

After a full 8 hours sleep in very comfortable twin beds we headed out to find breakfast. Passing a small continental style cafe we eventually settled on the "Pink Pony" which is styled on a good old American diner. The menu was superb (which accounted for the 10 minute wait to get seated!) As a vegetarian I find it somewhat difficult to eat in hotels on the whole but Circus Circus had such a variety of meals that in my whole time there I didn't eat the same thing twice. On a personal note, from the breakfast menu, I can highly recommend the Skillet, or the huge strawberry and cream pancake! There is a huge variety of eateries in the hotel - from top class dining to a take away pizza parlour...so the hotel suits all budgets.

For those with children the amusement park is a dream come true with everything from bungee to small carousels. But take it from me you don't have to have children with you to enjoy it! You can even be videoed riding a magic carpet (great to watch!!!)... and if you have time don't miss getting a computer enhanced photo from the booths either just outside, or inside, the dome. There are also three outdoor pools for those of you who want to relax and let the 24 hour atmosphere of Vegas pass you by for a while.

As with most Las Vegas Hotels the casino is smokey and dark and no children are (thankfully) allowed in the gaming/slots areas. But obviously the hotel likes it dark so that you can't tell what time of day it is... As all of the casinos in the hotel are huge it is a good idea to check out the carpets. This may sound strange but using the patterns on the carpets is a good way to navigate to the door you came in....or to where you most want to be. There are a few direction signs in the hotel but most take you through yet another gaming area to draw you in! If funds are running low one tip is to sit with your coin just hovering over a slot until you see a waitress/waiter....then start to play. Once you order your free drink have a break from gambling and start again when they come into sight with your refreshments! You can get anything from water, coffee, cocktail to JD and so you needn't pay for a drink - anywhere in Vegas (we didn't!)

Circus Circus has a great viewing area to watch circus acts perform hourly...it's a great distraction for the kids and adults alike - everything from trapeze artists to fire-eaters. A timetable is on display upstairs on the mezanine. Also up there is an array of fairground attractions to help you while away the hours.

If you want to get out and see Vegas itself the monorail is just a 10 minute walk away at the LV Hilton which will take you further down the strip (don't forget to pick up your magazine at the station for discounts and offers) - or you can get the trolley-bus in the front car park of Circus Circus for a tiny amount of money. It's small, it's squashed, but it is great fun and the drivers are a mine of information. For the really adventurous you CAN walk the strip...we did...but only once!

Visiting Las Vegas was a dream come true for us - and the family orientated Circus Circus was the icing on the cake. Clean, friendly and suitable for those on a lower budget, Circus Circus hotel offers everything that you could possibly want from a Las Vegas hotel. It's an experience that I will be repeating!