WORKOUT -
Ran on TM at gym -
10.0 miles/1:26
1. incline
I went to the dentist this morning so I didn’t get to the gym until at 10:30am with as little motivation as humanly possible.
I sat in my car for a couple minutes on my phone debating whether to skip it altogether before I finally told myself to “just do 30 minutes”. You can do anything for a measly half hour, right?
The first 20 were terrible, but then the endorphin magic started kicking in and 20 mins turned into 30 and eventually 10 miles.
THE HOTEL IN VEGAS
We stayed at the Vdara in the CityCenter in Las Vegas. We’ve stayed here before and always like the modern, clean resort. It’s centrally located and pretty affordable: I used Priceline (Name Your Own Price) and got it for $99 a night.
The great thing about Vegas is that there’s so many hotels and resorts in every price range from $20 a night (might want to bring your own sheets and pillow, who knows) and on up.
The Vdara is definitely a little quieter because there isn’t a casino in the hotel, kind of like the Trump International, but you can walk right across the circle-street to the Aria.
There also isn’t a restaurant in the hotel beyond a little quick-stop deli and it’s non-smoking.
The rooms, however, are huge: two TVs on both sides of the wall, a sitting area and kitchen which was great to make coffee(!) and put our leftovers in the fridge.
{Big bathroom with a shower and soaking tub}
The hotel does have a $25 daily resort fee which bites, but I think most of the hotels in Vegas do? The fee covered WIFI, daily water bottles and access to the fitness center and spa.
I know some hotels charge something like $20-30 to use their fitness centers if you don’t book a spa treatment (I think the Bellagio, Wynn and MGM are like this) so it was nice not to have to pay that and a resort fee.
The gym was nice and although it was busy, it was never crowded.
If you have been to Las Vegas, where have you stayed? Favorite place? Least favorite place?
We stayed at the Palms a couple years ago and I didn’t like how it’s off the Strip a bit so you have to take a cab and that definitely adds up.
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{ 52 comments… read them below or add one }
Love the tub!!
That hotel is really nice! I’ve never been to Vegas but I’m thinking of going with my family for my 21st birthday and I really like that it doesn’t have a casino. Keeps some of the craziness at bay
I’ve never heard of a resort fee…that’s pretty cheeky. Great price for an amazing looking room though!!
That hotel looks great! It’s been over 10 years since we’ve been to Vegas – lots of new places since then!
I’m glad your run ended up being good – makes me feel better to know that you actually have days where you are tempted to skip the run and then you end up kicking it!!
Resort fees are becoming increasingly common even at hotels that aren’t technically resorts. I don’t love the practice but your resort fee was pretty sweet considering what it included. Some of them don’t include things like the gym and bottled water, both of which can get pricey at hotels. That’s where I start to feel nickled and dimed. You want me to pay a resort fee AND an extra $10 bucks to get into the gym every day AND the bottled water in the room is $5 a bottle. Just silly.
That place looks great!
I’ve been to Vegas once and stayed at The Hotel (part of the Mandalay Bay). Was nice and modern but not as cool looking as this one.
Last Vegas trip we stayed with the BF’s father. The time before that was a HoJo’s I think. That Vdara place is kinda nice looking. Love that the rooms have kitchens & huge tubs.
I went to Vegas for the first time this October. We met our son there for his post deployment leave for some fun! He is stationed at Camp Pendleton, Oceanside CA. We stayed at Harrah’s. It was just OK but I really can’t complain because they gave us an AMAZING price for 5 days because we mentioned that our son is active duty and just came back from Afghanistan. The lady at the check-in was awesome and worked some magic
I loved Vegas! I really didn’t think I’d like it as much as I did, so I was pleasantly surprised. I am already planning to do the marathon there next year!
When we go to Vegas we always stay at the Flamingo. It’s great and has several eating spots inside and the pools are gorgeous! It’s not to pricey either.
We always stay at the Flamingo hotel. I actually got married there! It was great.
My favorite place to stay in Vegas is the Hard Rock – mainly for the location and the themed casino floor. Plus, my husband and I spent almost 10 hours at the roulette table there without losing tooooo much…that’s a win in my book
Another Flamingo stayer, here! We usually get rooms from $40-$50/night (right on the Flamingo site.) and the Flamingo has no resort fees! (this is also just your basic hotel room, definitely not like what Vdara has to offer, that room is beautiful!) I believe the hotels that have resort fees are all of the ones owned by MGM International. The hotels that are owned by Caesars do not and that is one of their selling points, that they will never have resort fees. Granted, you do not get the gym/bottles of water/paper/WiFi, etc… but I am okay with that. I loved staying at the Monte Carlo before the resort fees were put in to place there, that’s when I switched to the Flamingo.
Two years ago I had the most amazing brunch experience at the Vdara…if that restaurant is gone, I will be heartbroken. We stayed at the Aria the last time we went and it was fantastic!
was it at silken road? its not a restuarant anymore, its for private and corporate events.
I’ve stayed at both the Bellagio and New York-New York and I have to say that I love NY-NY. People are so much more relaxed.
I was there for work in August and stayed at the Venetian…. I was very unimpressed. It was loud and smokey throughout (even thuogh I had a non smoking room.) You could rent a coffee maker for something like $20 a day and you couldn’t put anything in the fridge because they charged you for whatever you moved around. They also had the $30/day resort fee to use the gym, which I thought was outrageous, but I guess it is the norm there. I will have to remember this place for next time.
We go to Vegas 2-3 times a year and have stayed all over. The only place we’ve stayed at twice was the Vdara. Love it there. The MGM Grand Signature is similar (private, nonsmoking, non gaming) but I like the Vdara location better. We were in NV just a month ago to run a half marathon, and that time we actually stayed in Henderson at the Green Valley Ranch since we had the desire to do something (ie not spend the whole time on The Strip). We LOVED it there. Lots of restaurants and shopping either on site or just out the door, great pool, spa, fitness center. Didn’t miss the Strip.
I’ve stayed at the Stratosphere (least favorite), the Encore (favorite), and one of the Signature Hotels (pretty nice, quiet).
Yeah, those resort fees really bite… so those gyms had better be super nice!
I have good and bad memories of Vegas…I’m sure most people do, lol. That’s where my daughter was born, so we got the adoption call and were on our way two hours later. I had to stay there for 16 days and had my two little boys with me….in a hotel. :/
I don’t mind going there when it’s just me and the Mr. we usually stay at the Belaggio. When I was with the kids, we purposely stayed off the strip.
We stayed at the Bellagio this weekend…they now also have the $25 resort fee but it DOES include fitness center access, even if you don’t book any sort of spa treatment. So that was nice. Especially since my legs were so sore after the race that I couldn’t even walk to the fitness center. $25 resort fee well spent, yes indeed.
I have been to Vegas a few times. We have only stayed at the MGM. Not the nicest hotel rooms but always a good price and tons to do without ever leaving the hotel. I want to venture out to a diff hotel next time but agree that staying off of the strip is pretty annoying.
I love the city center…it’s huge and has everything nearby. I had the same thoughts on the Palms when we stayed there…kind of a weird feel and too far!
LOVED staying at The Aria when I was in Vegas for the RnR last year! The rooms were amazing and it had the best hotel gyms I’ve been to in a while. I would definitely recommend it!
We’ve stayed at: MGM, Excalibur (tragic!), Ballys (I think its gone now, right?), Bellagio (we had free airfare this trip so we splurged on the hotel) and then stayed at the Luxor when we did the RNR LV 1/2 in 2010.
Love Vegas! We aren’t much in to gambling but its still one of our favorite places to go. Where else can you get such amazing people watching!?!?!?!
We stayed at Circus Circus last year for a race, and it was pretty good. It had a casino, stores, and food building type of place nearby we could go to. The host hotel was a bit of a trek though. Never making the mistake of not staying in or right by the host hotel again. What a pain in the arse.
We always stay at the Wynn. It’s the same as Vdara, you pay a $25 resort fee and the fitness center is included.
Never been to Vegas..but I really love checking out hotels and love staying in them when away.
That gym looks really nice!
When I was growing up, my family would always stay at the Mirage, but since the Wynn and Encore have opened, we have always stayed there. I love the decor and the restaurants there, but the fee for the gym is lame.
Never been to Vegas – wil need to bookmark this post for reference.
I like the Bellagio, and also Planet Hollywood is nice since they redid it (and cheap). My inlaws have a place in the Red Rock Golf Course Estates which they are rarely ever at- super nice and super FREE.
My husband and I love to pop into Vegas for some sunshine a few times a year (we live in WA- remember the rain, Sarah? lol). We have stayed at several places and I can tell you that ALL MGM associated hotels (Mandalay Bay, Luxar, Excaliber, NyNy, Belagio, Mirage, etc.) charge the $25.00 fee and the Ceasar associated hotels (Flamingo, Planet Hollywood, Ballys, Harahs, Paris, etc.) do NOT charge a hotel fee OR a gym fee.
We really dislike MGM hotels for a few reasons.
We LOVE it. No extra fees, quiet, nice pool, easy access to the strip and we get a one bedroom suite for about $100.00 because we shop around on line. I highly recommend it and I think Jay-Bob would like it. 
The hotel we love is the new Elara, Hilton Grand hotel, which used to be the Planet Hollywood Towers condos/turned suites.
We always stay at the Westin that is just a block off of the strip because we travel with our pooch. They have a resort fee now too. We are never in the hotel long enough to use any of the “amenities” that the fee supposedly covers. Rip off, in my opinion!
We stayed at the Hilton Grand, which was really nice and on the Strip, but it’s really far down, so you have to walk, bus, or cab it anywhere good.
The first time I went, we stayed at the Stratosphere. It was nice, and the upgraded rooms were not expensive (prob because it is further down on the strip). I’d stay there again. I went for a work conference and stayed at the M (not on the strip). That place was gorgeous, cheap, and had a great wine bar. The rooms were ridiculous. No fee for the gym, and the machines were new! I’d stay there again too!
ive been to dinner at the M and yes, it was gorgeous!
When I was little we used to live in SoCal so we drove over to Vegas one time. I remember it being quite crazy and we stayed at the Monte Carlo! My favorite place was Circus Circus and Caesar’s Palace though since we were young. I can’t wait to go back now though, I have a feeling it will be a completely different vibe haha
If you want a first class stay, try the Four Seasons, adjacent to the Mandalay Bay. It’s quiet elegance, non-smoking, and non-gaming. The hotel caters to guests; they have a great spa and gym, and gaming access is easy, with a short stroll to the Mandalay Bay. They also run a special where you stay two nights and the third night is free. Still, that works out to $170 per night. They are also pet friendly, so our Bichon is treated first class; and on one visit there we were upgraded to a suite; 1100 square feet with a great view of the strip!!! In my mind, it’s the best hotel in Vegas.
I LOVE Vegas!!!!! I have been twice. Once we stayed at NYNY and then at the Mirage, and I loved them both!!!! Both hotels were very clean and affordable. Can’t wait to go back again!
I’ve stayed at the Mirage, Treasure Island, Luxor, Excalibur, Venitian and Red Rock Hotel and let me tell you the most amazing of them was Red Rock hotel! It’s 10 miles away from the strip but right near the entrance to Red Rock Canyon the most beautiful place in the world (ok I’m bias because i got married there=) I went right after they opened and they accidentally had all single rooms booked so they gave me a suite at no extra charge! SCORE! I had a living room and 2 bathrooms in addition to the bedroom. I love to hike at the canyon and there is a Whole Foods right nearby so it was a perfect spot. And then I just drove to the strip whenever. I didn’t use their spa but it’s supposed to be great.
ive stayed there! yes it is really really nice and affordable too!
This is the best place to stay in Vegas. Smoke free, 24 hour room service (they toast your bagel in your room) and great pool/cabana’s. Their hot rock pedi is one of the best and not over priced like most spa’s on the strip. Best post race treatment ever.
Last year when I ran this race (the nightmare race) I ordered Pasta and Wine (came with bread and water) and when the guy brought it to me he knew by the tornado of crap in the room I had run the race and FILLED MY GLASS with red wine I mean filled it (had to sip it from the top before I could pick it up)! Their room service feels more like you are at home. Most places when you order beverages they come in the glass with plastic wrap on them you get the pour they give you in the kitchen. This was awesome! he also hand grated parm cheese for me – needless to say he earned super fat tip I gave him.
I am yet to be disappointed in this place and try to stay there whenever possible. (not to mention you can usually get a great deal).
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If you date a gambler, you stay for free. High-five me. Paris is my favorite, for sure!
I’ve stayed many places in Vegas, but none have been as nice as the Cosmopolitan. Last spring and summer, three separate times, I received two free night passes in the mail from the Cosmo. I have no idea how I got on that list, but YES PLEASE, and thank you! I’ve stayed in a standard two queen bed room as well as a mini suite. The mini suite was a little bigger with a living room area and a outside balcony. In both rooms the bathrooms and showers were awesome and spacious. In the standard room, the shower has a glass window that opens up into the room with a curtain. I’m not sure why anyone needs to watch someone else shower, but to each their own. It was a cool setup regardless. One thing I’m not big on is the pocket door to the toilet. I like some private time with a real closing door, I use enough porta potties to deserve some privacy. There are also multiple pools, including a day club which is a little too much jersey shore for my taste. There’s also a secret pizza place on the second floor, always busy around 2 am and very yummy!
LUCKY! my husband went to that pizza joint and said it was really good.
The only place I’ve stayed in Vegas in Lady Luck near Fremont Street. I wouldn’t stay there again because it’s so far off the strip and Fremont is only interesting for about one evening. But, my dad booked and paid for the trip because he got married out there, so I couldn’t do TOO much complaining!
That hotel is gorgeous! We stayed at the Excalibur when I went. I would stay there again. It’s central and easy to explore the strip.
Woah, awesome microwave in a hotel! That would be my love as I love leftovers (when I have any)!
Thanks for the pics-Vdara looks totally like our style! We like having a casino and pool in our hotel, but we are not really gamblers and we have never actually made it in pool-season. Go figure. But I HEART the Mirage because it reminds me (a little) of Hawaii. I think they pump coconut into the air.
I have been to Vegas! I stayed at Mandalay Bay. It was a GORGEOUS Hotel.
The Shark reef was pretty cool inside Mandalay Bay.
I also stayed at the Monte Carlo. Not so cool.
We go to Vegas at the same time every year because my husband has a meeting (right after Thansgiving, during the marathon). We always stayed at Mandalay Bay or THEHotel until Aria was built 3 years ago and then we started staying there and won’t ever go back. We LOVE Aria and their room prices are great – we always get a delixe corner king suite. Plus, the entire hotel smells so great! We checked out the Cosmopolitan this week before coming home, but my husband wasn’t thrilled with it. I think he’s just a creature of habit.
Re: the marathon – We really enjoy watching and cheering on the racers! I LOVED it last year when it was at night. This year seemed so scattered and disorganized or something weird. Maybe it was the wind. LOL
I love love love Vegas! Your room looks awesome for such a great rate. I’ve stayed at Bally’s, Red Rock Hotel, and The Palazzo. I WILL be staying at the Cosmopolitan next time I go, that place is absolutely beautiful and the day club is a blast!
I’m glad to know I’m not the only one who sits in my car at the gym trying to psych myself up some days!