I've stayed at The Excalibur a few times, the most recent being Dec 06.
As long as you pick your time to go there - don't go when there's a big boxing match on in town, or on US holiday weekends, you can get a room relatively cheaply. (I think our rate varied wildly between $39 and $120 for the nights we were there). Unless you want to go clubbing with Britney et al, I'd advise to not even consider going there at New Year - it's mad as the entire strip is closed to traffic, so it'll take you until the next new year to get anywhere in a cab... the strip is deceptively long, so not the best place to go for a long hike in your party shoes!
When we got to Las Vegas in December, it was the end of the national rodeo finals which are held there annually, all very entertaining as being a London born lass, I'd never seen a real live cowboy before!
The Excalibur Hotel is a short ride away (10 mins) from McCarran International Airport, and there's a cab rank right outside the airport. There are about a dozen check in desks at the hotel, but be prepared for a queue especially
if you're checking in on a Friday, with the rest of the weekenders arriving.
The rooms are spacious and clean and based on the Arthurian theme (so possibly not everyone's cup of tea), if you want style, I suggest you go and stay at The Bellagio or Mandalay Bay (although this comes at a price). Unless you pay for a Spa Room, you can expect a large shower but no bath tub. If you pay for the upgrade to the Spa Room, you get a Jacuzzi style tub (but in the corner of the bedroom not in the bathroom!). The rooms have TVs, but with limited channels as is typical to all casinos - if you're sitting in your room watching TV you won't be spending your cash downstairs. There's all the usual shampoos and freebies in the relatively spacious bathroom (Excalibur own brand, not terribly exciting). Our room had a table and armchairs and a very comfortable kingsize bed. There are plenty of adjoining rooms with connecting doors for those with children. I don't think there were any safes in the room, but you can rent a safety deposit box if you have that big win!
The casino itself is huge (similar to most of the others along the strip). If you haven't been to Vegas before, you'll be amazed by the sheer size and noise and madness of the place. Like all the other casinos, it's open 24 hours a day and it can get pretty busy especially at the gaming tables. If you're playing slots or at the tables, waitresses will bring you drinks for free, but do remember to tip them at least a dollar. Same thing if you're sitting at one of the bars playing video poker. There's a vast array of slot machines to suit all pockets and tastes, and the usual array of gaming tables, Craps, Roulette, Poker room etc. If you haven't played before, they also offer free lessons most mornings, these will be advertised on the tables.
If you do plan on spending a lot of cash on the slot machines, make sure you sign up for their Players Club. You'll get cash back and comp dollars which you can spend on food, your room etc. You can also use the card at a lot of other casinos down the strip.
Children aren't allowed in this (or any other) casino, and at the time we were there, the pool area was closed for renovation. There is a whole floor devoted to children with arcade games etc. although I'm not sure how long it would keep them entertained.
There are plenty of restaurants - A Steakhouse, not cheap but very good, an italian restaurant, buffet, The Sherwood Forest (!) Cafe and more, so eating should not be a problem! The Cafe is open 24 hours, so handy if you fancy having breakfast, lunch or dinner at 3am... useful for those who are still adjusting to the time difference.
The hotel is well placed for visiting the rest of the strip, there's a monorail (free) which goes to The Luxor next door and The Mandalay Bay as well as footbridges leading over to New York, New York and The Tropicana. The trolley bus which runs up and down the strip between all the hotels is another option, but it's not fast (because of all the stops). Every hotel has a cab rank too, but you won't be able to hail a cab in the street as they're not allowed to stop for you.
If you get a chance, a trip out to the Hoover dam is worth it and if you're there for longer, then obviously the grand canyon too. Shopping wise, there are a couple of outlet centres in Vegas and a huge mall half way down the strip. There's even the Las Vegas Ski and Snowboardresort if you go at the appropriate time of year! Also, the old part of Vegas (Freemont Street) has been undergoing a face lift recently, so is worth a visit too.
All in all, I think The Excalibur is a decent choice if you don't mind the slightly tacky King Arthur theme, it's cheaper than a lot of the hotels and the rooms are fine, if not as luxurious or as up to date as some of the newer hotels. You're close to all the action and it's certainly not as dated as the probably soon to close Tropicana. It really depends on your budget - if money were no object I'd probably stay somewhere different, but I have no complaints with The Excalibur and staying there allowed us to have a larger budget to lose in the casino!!
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Hotel - 3801 Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89109, USA, 3801 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, Nevada, NV 89109, United States of America - 2 Stars - 1878 Rooms
Location. The Excalibur Hotel Casino in Las Vegas, Nev., is located on the Las Vegas ... more
Strip, connected by walkways to the MGM Grand Hotel Casino and the New York New York Hotel and Casino, over the intersection of Tropicana Avenue and Las Vegas Bouleva...
Information:
Price is per double room per night and may vary depending on date booked...
Location. The Excalibur Hotel Casino in Las Vegas, Nev., is located on the Las Vegas ... more
Strip, connected by walkways to the MGM Grand Hotel Casino and the New York New York Hotel and Casino, over the intersection of Tropicana Avenue and Las Vegas Bouleva...
Information:
Price is per double room per night and may vary depending on date booked...
Advantages: Central Location, loads going on for both children and adults, if you shop around you can get a great deal Disadvantages: We did initially get put in a smoking room when we'd requested non smoking but that was soon resolved to our satisfaction and with no fuss
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