las vegas mirage hotel my personal experiences at one of the finest hotels in Vegas - by Jason

Mirage Hotel Las Vegas

The Mirage is one of the strongest hotel casino operations on the strip. It is not the biggest nor is it the oldest but some of the practices put into place by veteran developer Steve Wynn many years ago still hold strong. The biggest industry change came about with the implementation of four walling; the practice of requiring each venue WITHIN the casino to run like its own business, with its own profit and loss strategies and promotional plans.

There was a time when the casinos gave nearly everything away for free, from rooms and buffet meals to show tickets and even airfare, just to get people within striking distance of a gambling area. Those days are gone. Now each section must make a profit or be closed and replaced with someone else's idea for making money. It is pure Vegas, an entrepreneurs dream where everybody can get a piece of the mega resort action with a four wall proposal.

A picture of the Atrium at the Mirage Hotel and Casino. The 90-foot high atrium encases a waterfall, bridge, and lots of tropical plants and trees.

The Mirage has a massive volcano that erupts numerous times throughout the day and night, sending hot water and lava cascading down its steep cliffs and steaming away in to the lagoons and lakes below. Inside there is a 10 story high glass atrium filled with hundreds of tropical plants and water falls, and you get to stare at a 20,000+ gallon saltwater aquarium stretching 80 feet across the back of the front desk. Over 900 fish and creatures live here. This is the Mirage, but the pleasure is real.

When I stayed here I was put up in a 1,500 square foot super suite, complete with over 100 feet of strip view facing glass, a huge plasma TV that came up out of the floor in front of the bed with the push of a button, an all glass shower and big hot tub. It was the nicest room I have ever stayed in.

Request a room that has been renovated and on the highest floor possible for views. They are South Seas themed with elegant furniture. Bathrooms are clean but not too big. Beds are comfortable and room service is prompt and polite.

Overview: Hip original hot spot with good balance of rooms & clubs to price
Location: Middle Las Vegas Strip
Restaurants: Fin, Kokomo's, and the Samba Brazilian Steakhouse are the best though they are pricey. I don't like the California Pizza kitchen as it is just another West Coast import franchise with mediocre "gourmet" pizzas.
Nightclubs, Lounges: They made a big deal about Revolution Lounge the Beatles themed bar, but its hardly worth seeing. Check out JET though for a great club experience in multiple rooms
Casino: 130,000 square feet, including Blackjack, Caribbean Stud Poker, Craps, Keno, Let It Ride, Baccarat, Pai Gow Poker, Roulette, more than 2,400 slot machines, live poker room, race & sports book has seating for 250+ people with 55 TV's and 8+ big screens for viewing major events.
Entertainment: Cirque du Soleil's magical The Beatles LOVE is supposed to be good though I have not seen it. Danny Gans is gone now so head to Wynn to see him, the man of a million voices.
Extras: Siegfried & Roy's Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat
Pools: topless sunbathing is allowed at the hidden Bare pool club in the summer. Here outsiders can pay to get in even when not staying at Mirage. Otherwise the pools I used were stunning, beautiful tropical like family waters coupled with excellent service. It does get crowded here so come early if you plan on staying a long time.
Health Club or Spa: Yes both, plus a celebrity staffed hair salon
Shopping: Street of Shops has exclusive women's designer shops with high-fashion leisure wear, and swim clothing, Check this list for serious shopping.
Wedding chapel: strange but nothing here for weddings
Childcare facilities: None
Pets allowed: No
Parking garage: free 8 story covered parking garage
Shuttle service to the airport: back and forth to the airport by a private company, better to take a cab unless you are real short on cash.
Shuttle service to Strip: Mirage is ON the strip, no shuttle needed
Hotel amenities: typical appointments, plus valet parking, salon, currency exchange, laundry, luggage handling, electronic check-out.
Miscellaneous: Check-in time is 3 pm and Check-out time is 11 am. The minimum age to reserve a room is 21 years and there is a maximum number of guests per room of four. Must provide a credit card for incidentals

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