Where to stay in LA, LV, SF and NY

[Renato1]

For Las Vegas, the Venetian, the Mirage and others around that area are good - since you can easily go to a Panda Express for decent take-away Chinese food or to McDonalds for a Double Quarter pounder or Walgreen's for drinks and sandwiches and Ras-Ber-Rita's. Or you can pay the outrageous prices for sub-average servings in the casino's restaurants.

One handy hint for Las Vegas, where our hotel (the Mirage) only had a bar fridge which one couldn't use except for punching in code numbers to open the door and buy their expensive drinks. Before you leave Oz - find a friend or colleague with diabetes who is on insulin. By a pack of five insulin pens from him or her (don't get needles - might cause a problem at customs). Then when in the Las Vegas hotel with the dud bar fridge, ring up and ask for a fridge. If it's for personal use, they'll charge you over US$30 per day, but it's free if it's for your packet of insulin pens.

You might also want to buy a kettle and instant coffee and UHT milk (if you don't get the insulin fridge). Starbucks in our casino charged US$4.60 for a small cup - and one usually had to queue for it (whereas at Starbucks in Macys New York, the same cup costs US$1.69), and it had bottled water at over US$3 a small bottle.
Regards,
Renato

 

[AnnaB]

Thank you for the tips Renato, we should be ok with the fridge anyway as he has medication that needs to stay cool. I guess we will have to bring it in the big packets though to prove that it needs a fridge.
I understand that except for hotel rooms, everything else costs a mint in LV so thank you for the tips

How did you do with electrical equipment? Did you get a step down transformer or how did it work out for you?

 

[oh_lol]

Vegas is full of restaurants by tops chefs from all around the world. I'm surprised there's interest in eating food from Panda Express, McDonalds and convenience stores.

 

[AnnaB]

Vegas is full of restaurants by tops chefs from all around the world. I'm surprised there's interest in eating food from Panda Express, McDonalds and convenience stores.

One does not exclude the other. While I love to go to amazing restaurants, I still enjoy a quick bite to eat while on the go. I already have my eyes on a few places to go to when we get there, none that includes Maccas.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Vegas is full of restaurants by tops chefs from all around the world. I'm surprised there's interest in eating food from Panda Express, McDonalds and convenience stores.

I would suggest interest only by a very very limited number of AFFers - we ate at Lago in Bellagio for first time last Sept - elegant proportions to say the least - upscale pricing would be an understatement - food quality exquisite - table right beside water where we continually received light showers every time fountains activated ​- experience priceless - wallet drained - but just cannot get back their quick enough. Same same Mon Ami Gabi in Paris - Mesa Grill in Caesars and about a dozen others sprinkled across town - let's not forget Golden Steer Steakhouse - Maccgas or Panda? Really? Each to their own of course.

 

[CaptJCool]

I liked this place Anaheim California Hotel - Ayres Hotel Anaheim including free breakfast. Be there before 9am

in New York I liked the Hilton Newark Penn station about 200 metres via undercover walkway to the Port authority train went straight into the world trade centre for only a few dollars - and a couple of Amtrak stops to Newark Airport..

Loved this place ! In NYC Brooklyn Hotel Le Bleu Downtown Brooklyn Hotel Boutique Hotel in Brooklyn NY and close handy to Century 21 !

 

[drron]

I love fast food in Vegas.But like this-
BuzzedVegas

 

[AnnaB]

I have been researching and planning quite a bit lately Our trip is coming up fast and there is so much to do and so little time. Got some great deals but I found that I have to stop looking as I get more and more great deals and in the end quite unsure on where to go. What we have is really good already... or so I think

The bookings ended up being Renaissance at LAX for an overnighter after the flight. Hoping my Gold status will help with early check-in.
Hotel Carmel in Santa Monica after a friends recommendation.
Hilton in Anaheim with views over Disneyland, had status when booking but no more.
Days Inn, Roadway and Choice along the way driving inland in the US
Wharf Inn in San Francisco after a friends recommendation. Not fancy, but right on the Wharf and free parking.
The Palazzo in Las Vegas, booked a Prestige Room after finding a great deal (Club lounge)
Hyatt Place in Washington DC, a block away from the White House
Iberostar in New York, right by Park Avenue.
Pan Pacific Club room in Singapore on the way back.

Car booked through AmericaCarRentals after recommendations here on AFF. Got a car with Thrifty, about $40 AUD per day for a big SUV, one way rental, all insurances included.

Quite happy with the planning as it is at the moment. Just hope that it goes to plan as well Driving about 2-4 hours a day, plenty of time for stopovers and change of plans. Biggest trip I have done in my life, staying away for about 7 weeks Cant wait!!

 

[Buzzard]

Java great trip RoseAnna. I've been following this post closely as +1 and I shall be in the US for 5 weeks later this year, travelling from NYC to SFO

 

[AnnaB]

Java great trip RoseAnna. I've been following this post closely as +1 and I shall be in the US for 5 weeks later this year, travelling from NYC to SFO

Looks like we are almost doing the same trip just in different directions. If I had thought of what I was doing before I booked my rewards tickets, I would not have chosen to travel during the summer months and do late spring or early autumn instead. It is so much more expensive during summer and I assume there will be people everywhere as it is school holidays. But its done and now I will just sit back and go with the flow.
It will be great, we have a lot of spare time and if we dont want to do anything one day we can.

Anyone used a mobile based GPS, like Sygic?

 

[AnnaB]

So excited Leaving in an hour and I cant wait
Will see if I can make a new thread with a decent trip report

 

[clazman]

Have a great trip, looking forward to the trip report

Great selection of a hotel in LV

 

[clazman]

Thank you for all the great tips Anyone have some other places in the area to recommend I am more then happy to look into it. Would you stay in SF or would Oakland be a better option and then travel across to SF?

And if anyone has any tips on Washington DC as well it would be greatly appreciated as we will probably add it to our journey.

Found the red buses great, hop on and off ..... lots of free museums so be prepared with good walking shoes

 

[yld200]

Looking forward to seeing it all on a TR

 

[Ausbt]

Mama Shelter (an Accor property) in West Hollywood is excellent. Has the best rooftop bar in LA. Easy walking to Sunset & Hollywood Bldves, the Metro train for Universal, buses to Getty Centre, or just take a walk up Runyon Canyon. I paid US $190.

In NY, I prefer to stay in Long Island City or Jersey City getting a condo twice the size of anything in Manhattan for 2/3rds the price. The Subway or PATH train makes it easy. You might be surprised by the little treasures you find in the boroughs too - Museum of the Moving Image in Queens, MOMA in the LIC, Carlos Bakery (Cake Boss) in Jersey. There's a hell of a lot more than just Manhattan.

 

[Flying mermaid]

I have been researching and planning quite a bit lately Our trip is coming up fast and there is so much to do and so little time. Got some great deals but I found that I have to stop looking as I get more and more great deals and in the end quite unsure on where to go. What we have is really good already... or so I think

The bookings ended up being Renaissance at LAX for an overnighter after the flight. Hoping my Gold status will help with early check-in.
Hotel Carmel in Santa Monica after a friends recommendation.
Hilton in Anaheim with views over Disneyland, had status when booking but no more.
Days Inn, Roadway and Choice along the way driving inland in the US
Wharf Inn in San Francisco after a friends recommendation. Not fancy, but right on the Wharf and free parking.
The Palazzo in Las Vegas, booked a Prestige Room after finding a great deal (Club lounge)
Hyatt Place in Washington DC, a block away from the White House
Iberostar in New York, right by Park Avenue.
Pan Pacific Club room in Singapore on the way back.

Car booked through AmericaCarRentals after recommendations here on AFF. Got a car with Thrifty, about $40 AUD per day for a big SUV, one way rental, all insurances included.

Quite happy with the planning as it is at the moment. Just hope that it goes to plan as well Driving about 2-4 hours a day, plenty of time for stopovers and change of plans. Biggest trip I have done in my life, staying away for about 7 weeks Cant wait!!

well I hope the Palazzo ended up better for you then for Ms FM. I booked a Palazzo suite for her for the last two nights of her honeymoon. All prepaid in full 6 months ago. She was late getting to the hotel due to her plane from Philadelphia being delayed two hours and when she got there was told she had to stay in the Venetian. Suites in the Venetian 10% smaller than the Palazzo, but she was told no compensation and suck it up. She decided to let it go as she only had the two nights there, but I am pretty unhappy.

 

[Flying mermaid]

well I hope the Palazzo ended up better for you then for Ms FM. I booked a Palazzo suite for her for the last two nights of her honeymoon. All prepaid in full 6 months ago. She was late getting to the hotel due to her plane from Philadelphia being delayed two hours and when she got there was told she had to stay in the Venetian. Suites in the Venetian 10% smaller than the Palazzo, but she was told no compensation and suck it up. She decided to let it go as she only had the two nights there, but I am pretty unhappy.

i felt I should add this in case anyone reads my comment. Palazzo ended up emailing Ms FM, apologising for the problem and extending a goodwill gesture. Good service recovery.

 

[AnnaB]

Well, we just arrived back... I was going to post a nice trip report while away but my computer decided not to work properly and I have been confined to my phone 90% of the time.
I will do my best as soon as we get settled at home to give you all a nice report

well I hope the Palazzo ended up better for you then for Ms FM. I booked a Palazzo suite for her for the last two nights of her honeymoon. All prepaid in full 6 months ago. She was late getting to the hotel due to her plane from Philadelphia being delayed two hours and when she got there was told she had to stay in the Venetian. Suites in the Venetian 10% smaller than the Palazzo, but she was told no compensation and suck it up. She decided to let it go as she only had the two nights there, but I am pretty unhappy.

Lets just say that I was less then impressed to be honest, but it all ended up being ok in the end.