A DASH OF LUXURY

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July 23, 2014

Things To Do In Las Vegas

For our fourth time in Las Vegas we stayed at the Mirage. While it wasn’t as nice or as conveniently located as some of the past hotels we’ve stayed at on the strip, it still offers a decent location and fun places (such as Rhumbar and 1OAK). The club wasn’t exactly our taste, but it was fun to get dressed up and give it a try. Plus, hotel guests can walk in (no waiting on a massive line, and no need to bother with the guest list) – just show your room key. Rhumbar, however, was a blast! Located just outside the Mirage on a gorgeous patio overlooking the strip, Rhumbar offers unique cocktails, a hooka bar, lively music, and a comfortable setting.

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The Mirage isn’t as well themed as its neighbors – such as the Luxor, with its fun pyramid shape, or New York New York, with its amazing replica of the big apple. Nor is it as glamourous as the Four Seasons, located on the top floors of Mandalay Bay, or as beautiful as the Cosmopolitan, complete with a massive chandelier in the lobby (see below – so cool).

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Still, the Mirage does a good job in making guests feel as though they are in the middle of an oasis, with a large aquarium behind the front desk and a palm-tree and waterfall atrium.

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The guest room was a let down. We didn’t have a great view, and the room itself isn’t equipped with anything spectacular. We asked to be placed far away from their smoking rooms, and were put on the floor directly below the entire smoking floor. Oy.

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On the positive side, the bed was extremely comfortable. It definitely made my list of top five most comfortable hotel beds ever. Or maybe we were just that tired, who knows.

Even though this hotel was semi-recently updated, the room felt like it needed another reno, or more like a really good cleaning. I don’t know about you, but I think all hotel rooms should feature a rain head shower, or just a clean lamp shade. Yuck. I tweeted the stained shade to the hotel and received no response.

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The Mirage is said to have one of the best pools on the strip. I have to say I disagree. While it is very large, it’s mostly run by the obnoxiously drunk college crowd (I get it – you’re in Vegas, but STILL).

Guests looking to hang out with the non-frat crowd can purchase a spot at the very small oasis pool for $50 per lounge chair. I hate when hotels make you pay to utilize a pool. I get and agree with the additional cost for cabanas, and maybe for exclusive access to a spa pool, but for a standard pool? No way! Especially if said hotel already has an insanely unreasonable resort fee.

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If you don’t want to drop money on a pool chair, guests can hunt for a lounger by the main pool. However, be prepared to sit on top of strangers and about 5 chairs deep with no pool view. Nevertheless, visitors shouldn’t come to Vegas for a pool, but if that’s what you’re going for be sure to book elsewhere, such as the Mandarin or Four Seasons, where you’re guaranteed top notch pool service and the utmost relaxation.

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Also near the pool is a dolphin habitat. Very cool, but also very expensive, even just to walk in. It’s most definitely cheaper to swim with dolphins in the Caribbean, but guests staying at the Mirage can actually sneak a peak at these awesome mammals through the tree’s behind the pool.

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Free for all is the Mirage’s volcano show, which erupts nightly starting at 8pm and continues every half hour at 9pm.

mirage las vegas volcano

Nevertheless, most don’t go to Vegas to relax, so please take my above pool criticism only so far. As long as you’re staying somewhere decent and clean (the Mirage is both), you’re probably there to gamble, catch a show, and see the strip. It’s what we typically do. We did a little of the strip this time, but ultimately focused on things we have yet to do, since there really is so much to see.

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We didn’t catch any shows this time around, and like I said above, aside from a quick stroll of the strip, we focused on doing new things.

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Some of the things we had yet to do include:

1. Visit The Vegas Sign. It took us four trips to get here, but we finally did.

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We made sure to snap a few pics, as we were so excited to be here!

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2. Visit The Hoover Dam. I have to say, I thought it was very underwhelming. You can read more about our trip to the dam here.

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3. Head to Arizona and visit the Grand Canyon. It’s a long drive, but worth it. You can read more about it here. We did the West Rim (the one with the Skywalk), and plan on doing the South Rim next time.

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4. Eat! Next trip, I’m determined to try Cirque, but this time around we finally made it to Tao. It was amazing and just as good as everyone raves.

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5. Fremont Street. Another place we had yet to visit. I’m glad we went, it’s a fun (but super weird!) locale, but I’m not sure I’d make a point to go next time around. It’s a long way from the strip, and I actually made out better in the on strip casinos than here!

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6. Go out on the town. To go to Vegas and not party … is a thing we’ve done 3 other times. This time, we were determined to have a few drinks and have fun – and that’s exactly what we did!

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Til next time, Vegas!

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Hi & Welcome! Hello! My name is Lauren, and I run A Dash Of Luxury. I'm a born and raised New Yorker, where I currently reside with my husband, … continue reading...

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