Imperial Palace vs. Venetian
 

So I'm doing Vegas in about 2 weeks for my 21st birthday. I'm pretty stoked, obv - I've been doing decent at 100nl recently so I'm excited to try 1/2 and 2/5 live. Anyways, onto the question:

I'm going with 7 other people (generally all semi-broke college kids). We're all super close (been best friends for a while now) so no worries there. We currently have 2 rooms in Imperial Palace (2 queens in each room), but are trying to priceline a Venetian suite.

My friend, who went to Vegas recently and stayed in the Venetian, says the Venetian suites are [censored] nice and big enough for 8 people (2 queens, 2 couches, we don't mind sleeping on floor). We can also priceline Venetian for about the same price as what we are paying for the 2 rooms in Imperial Palace.

My question is: given that we have 8 people, is it worth it to get the bigger and more baller Venetian rooms? Or should we stick with Imperial Palace rooms? Both are about the same price.

We are planning on trying the $20 trick (maybe $40 if we want to make sure it works) regardless of where we stay, so we're hoping to upgrade to bigger/nicer rooms either way.

Thoughts? Comments on what 21 year olds should do/see are welcome as well (besides the obvious gamble and drink). Any tips on getting into clubs?

Re: Imperial Palace vs. Venetian
 

Just curious is it going to be all guys? Because if so definitely spring for the Venetian its way more romantic.

Re: Imperial Palace vs. Venetian
 

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Just curious is it going to be all guys? Because if so definitely spring for the Venetian its way more romantic.

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Something about this makes me LOL hard.

Re: Imperial Palace vs. Venetian
 

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Both are about the same price.

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a huge WTF here--imperial palace is a dump while venetian is a world class resort--if you can get the venetian for the same price as ip whytf wouldn't you?

also, yes, venetian will be more romantic for you fellas.

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more immoral whores at IP
more upperclass whores at Venetian

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If you stay at the Venetian, make sure you get a suite layout that has two queen beds plus a sofabed; sometimes they only have one real bed. An upgrade may actually reduce the number of beds in your room. I don't think it's true that the entry-level suites have a second sofa in addition to the sofabed.

I suspect you're not allowed to sleep 8 people in 1 suite at the Venetian (and if it's allowed, I'm sure there's supposed to be an extra charge involved). I assume you plan to sneakily get around these rules, which is probably not that hard.

Re: Imperial Palace vs. Venetian
 

The $20 thing. lol

You would just be better off calling your lovers after you get the room and have them meet you in the hallway once you checked in. They would never know you had 8 people in the room.

On a lighter note. I really like the can't find a dry towel due to waking up later than two of the early birds so now your drying off with a hand rag and a blow drier! NICE.

But all seriousness, I would prob. go with the suite and call rooms once you're there and ask for more towels (say there were none or something).

Re: Imperial Palace vs. Venetian
 

oh, to be in college again...

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no question. IP is a pit and smells like ass.
Venetian is fantastic and the poker room is the nuts.
Only real problem with staying at Venetian is that you're a little isolated if on foot. But monorail or taxi is always nearby.

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Eight in a room, good luck.Security wise , you're treading on thin ice. People sneak in an extra 1 and occasional 2 for a total of 4 but 8? You're better off at the IP for the rules do allow 4/room and so if caught on a 2/room payment it will just cost some small amt of extra dollars. I can see you being caught at the Venetian and having to pay for another room at prime price. Don't see how you can hide 8.

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If your goal is to play small stakes poker and get very drunk doing it, then IP all the way.

If that's not your goal, don't step anywhere near it.

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I've been at the Venetian a couple of times lately and they have a guard who checks to make sure you have a room key before they let you near the elevators up to the rooms. So all of you would have to have one - or at least most of you.

Re: Imperial Palace vs. Venetian
 

Logistically, it becomes to accommodate every one. You at most will be given thee or four room keys and you need a room key to get past the guard below the elevator. IP is where it's at. Wait until you guys are doctors or lawyers and stuff.

Re: Imperial Palace vs. Venetian
 

I would recommend IP just for the shower/bathroom situation alone. You are broke college students, live like it. Also, IP is slightly better located than Venetian. I always choose to stay at IP, cause even though I am no longer broke nor in college, spending $200+ a night on a room just doesn't seem worth it for those 5 hours of passed out sleep I get a night.

Re: Imperial Palace vs. Venetian
 

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I've been at the Venetian a couple of times lately and they have a guard who checks to make sure you have a room key before they let you near the elevators up to the rooms. So all of you would have to have one - or at least most of you.

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Yup, and everyone in the group has to have one. They'll let a hooker through with you though, so maybe he'll think some of them are boy hookers.

The scam wouldn't last long though. It's impossible for 8 college kids not to make a ridiculous racket, and the neighbors will have security up there in a flash.

Re: Imperial Palace vs. Venetian
 

big upsides to IP (as some have said):

location: Absolutely money.
price: tough to beat.
having a place that sells booze 24/7 right in front of elevators: essential
low limit poker that gets more booze then any other room in vegas: amazing

drawbacks:

the elevators (as bad or worse as everyone says)
rooms, sort of meh
food, very meh
smokie compared to a lot of places

I found the pros were better then the cons. But I would never stay there if it wasn't with a large group of guys trying to save $. I think I'd do Bally's next time for a poker trip. Same great location, decent price, much nicer.

Re: Imperial Palace vs. Venetian
 

Hmmm, still some differing opinions here.

"a huge WTF here--imperial palace is a dump while venetian is a world class resort--if you can get the venetian for the same price as ip whytf wouldn't you?"

"no question. IP is a pit and smells like ass.
Venetian is fantastic and the poker room is the nuts."

those are reasons why we want to stay in the venetian.

But, issues like the bathroom/shower (apparently there are two showers in the venetian suites?) and getting all 8 people into the room make me wonder about venetian.

We were going to try the $20 trick to try and get a larger room with 2 queens and a sofa bed or two in the venetian, and also to get extra keys (perhaps we should try and get extra keys after we move all our stuff in?). But yeah, I am concerned about sneaking 8 people in. If it matters, the last of 3 nights, we'll only have 6.

Re: the guard who checks for room keys. Could we "lose" our keys and get 4 more, and then have 6-7 total - the 3-4 we got at check in that won't work anymore, and the 3-4 replacement keys that do work, and then everybody has a card to flash at the guard? Or do they actually scan the keys at the elevator?

Re: Imperial Palace vs. Venetian
 

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I've been at the Venetian a couple of times lately and they have a guard who checks to make sure you have a room key before they let you near the elevators up to the rooms. So all of you would have to have one - or at least most of you.

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Yup, and everyone in the group has to have one. They'll let a hooker through with you though, so maybe he'll think some of them are boy hookers.

The scam wouldn't last long though. It's impossible for 8 college kids not to make a ridiculous racket, and the neighbors will have security up there in a flash.

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Hmm, this makes me lean towards keeping IP, because it's true - we get ridiculously retarded when we're drunk, and so would be making a racket for sure.

Re: Imperial Palace vs. Venetian
 

Venetian sweets have a bath and a shower separate, but right next to each other. Not two showers.

You just flash your keys at the security guy, they don't scan it.

Re: Imperial Palace vs. Venetian
 

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Eight in a room, good luck.Security wise , you're treading on thin ice. People sneak in an extra 1 and occasional 2 for a total of 4 but 8? You're better off at the IP for the rules do allow 4/room and so if caught on a 2/room payment it will just cost some small amt of extra dollars. I can see you being caught at the Venetian and having to pay for another room at prime price. Don't see how you can hide 8.

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I want to offer a dissenting opinion here.

I've had as many as 15 people in a room at the Mirage, and, while I wouldn't necessarily recommend it, it shouldn't be a problem security-wise if you don't make a lot of noise. Just get extra keys after you check in - that's basically it. They're not going to bother you about it at the front desk,

And no one at the Venetian actually cares you have eight people in the room. They're not going to "find out" and charge you; this isn't Europe and you can bring whoever you want to your suite. Just don't annoy the neighbors and get kicked out.

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IP seems to have zero rules against noise. it's pretty nutty. Specially if you're on the side with the carnival crap.

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Re: the guard who checks for room keys. Could we "lose" our keys and get 4 more, and then have 6-7 total - the 3-4 we got at check in that won't work anymore, and the 3-4 replacement keys that do work, and then everybody has a card to flash at the guard? Or do they actually scan the keys at the elevator?

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I've found the best way (it's worked every time I've tried it), is to tell the front desk: "Hey I left my key in my room, can I just have another one?" They check ID (so make sure it's someone who's officially registered with the hotel, ldo) and give a new key. This way they don't give a new code and the other keys still work.

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And...showers are so much quicker at IP, because they have the highest water pressured shower head in the world.

Re: Imperial Palace vs. Venetian
 

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And no one at the Venetian actually cares you have eight people in the room. They're not going to "find out" and charge you; this isn't Europe and you can bring whoever you want to your suite. Just don't annoy the neighbors and get kicked out.

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Good luck with that. OP, call the Venetian front desk, not the reservation line, and ask them if they mind you having 8 in the room.

Think about who the typical guest is at the Venetian. It gets it's share of 22 year old fratboys, but most of their visitors are going to at least resemble adults. When you come stumbling in at 4 a.m., howling at the top of your lungs, you're going to be waking some people up.

Re: Imperial Palace vs. Venetian
 

I look forward to OP's next thread: "Crack Whore vs. Scarlett Johannson".

Re: Imperial Palace vs. Venetian
 

I've done 8 in the Venetian with no problem. Add one extra aero bed and you have 4 beds. 2 queens + the sofa bed and aero.

Re: Imperial Palace vs. Venetian
 

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I've been at the Venetian a couple of times lately and they have a guard who checks to make sure you have a room key before they let you near the elevators up to the rooms. So all of you would have to have one - or at least most of you.

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Just get extra keys over time. The people working at the desk really don't care. If you have 8 people, don't check all in at once. Put an extra name on the room and both of you go back over the day and get an extra key or two. It's really no biggie. Security doesn't do crap when checking keys.

I've stayed next to rooms which had 6-8 girls in each rooms. It's really no big deal unless you make too much noise.

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OP, I just got back from vegas there is no way in hell I will chose IP over the Venetian. The Venetian is world class from the high end hookers to the poker room. 8 people is not a big deal. Dont act like its a frat house because you will get kicked out. Be smart and you will have a great time at the V

Re: Imperial Palace vs. Venetian
 

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Good luck with that. OP, call the Venetian front desk, not the reservation line, and ask them if they mind you having 8 in the room.

Think about who the typical guest is at the Venetian. It gets it's share of 22 year old fratboys, but most of their visitors are going to at least resemble adults. When you come stumbling in at 4 a.m., howling at the top of your lungs, you're going to be waking some people up.

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Of course they'll tell you no if you call and ask - the point is that this policy is not enforced at all. If you're asking if you can put eight people in a room without trouble, the answer is yes. If you're asking if you can run through the halls screaming at 4AM, the answer is no - whether you have two, eight, or eighty-eight individuals in your suite. Use some common sense and you will be fine.

Re: Imperial Palace vs. Venetian
 

Just got back from IP and I've stayed at the Venetian.

I'd choose IP
NL is super soft.
Room to strip much faster
Proximity to other casinos much better.
Balcony is great for smokers
Obnioux drunks will be more acceptable
Lower limit table games
O'Shays (steps away) has super cheap food court.
Venetians Grand Lux is tasty but relatively expensive
Carnival Court(steps away) is also full of drunks.

It's so hot now that all you'll need are shorts and short sleeve shirts (pack light).

Re: Imperial Palace vs. Venetian
 

I'm glad to see that this topic generated some discussion! It means I didn't ask a question with a clear-cut answer.

So I'm still undecided as to what to do. I would really like to stay in the Venetian if we can get it at the same total cost. It's fun to pretend to be a baller, and just the general luxury of the hotel would be sweet. I just really don't want to get kicked out, and seeing how we plan to be out late drinking every night, we're gonna be loud coming in. Also, we're not planning on spending that much time in the hotel rooms (really, just to sleep and change), so I don't know how important it is that the rooms are nicer.

At this point, I think I'll talk it over with the people who are going and see if we want to be loud at night, or if we want the nicer rooms/experience, at the cost of needing to be quiet.

Re: Imperial Palace vs. Venetian
 

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Just got back from IP and I've stayed at the Venetian.

I'd choose IP
NL is super soft.
Room to strip much faster
Proximity to other casinos much better.
Balcony is great for smokers
Obnioux drunks will be more acceptable
Lower limit table games
O'Shays (steps away) has super cheap food court.
Venetians Grand Lux is tasty but relatively expensive
Carnival Court(steps away) is also full of drunks.

It's so hot now that all you'll need are shorts and short sleeve shirts (pack light).

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Ah, didn't see this before I made my last post. This is great information - thanks! I have heard that the players at IP are terrible. I did not know about the cheaper food options - seeing how we're doing n9ne one night, we're certainly going to want to eat cheap the rest of the time. The rest of the stuff looks relevant to our group as well.

Anyone want to offer a counter-argument to these points in favor of the Venetian? Besides the obvious "It's nicer" and "WTF would you ever choose the IP over Venetian?"

Re: Imperial Palace vs. Venetian
 

Something else you didn't mention is the rest of the group's gambling habits. Are they small or inexperienced players? All the limits are higher at Venetian. No 2/4 LHE. Blackjack, etc are all higher. Sure you can go elsewhere, but that "elsewhere" is a much longer walk from the Venetian. O'Shea's is nearly next door to the IP.

Agree with above poster that all the food is more expensive at the Venetian, even at the food court. It's not easy to get a $10 lunch. For low intensity food, IP/Harrahs/Outback is cheaper.

One plus for the Venetian is Tao, one of THE clubs in Vegas. If you never go in and just hang out at the entrance you will get a nice show from the girlies going to and fro, and might even be able to snag one. But then you have to hope one of the other 7 guys isn't using the room.

Re: Imperial Palace vs. Venetian
 

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It's so hot now that all you'll need are shorts and short sleeve shirts (pack light).
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But the dang casinos are colder than heck. I dang near froze wearing shorts sitting in the Venetian for several hours.

Then I went outside (4th of July week) and it was 105 deg at 9 pm. What a shock! [img]/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img]

Bring a long sleeve flannel shirt or something similar for the times you are sitting in the colder poker rooms.

Tuff

Re: Imperial Palace vs. Venetian
 

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Something else you didn't mention is the rest of the group's gambling habits. Are they small or inexperienced players? All the limits are higher at Venetian. No 2/4 LHE. Blackjack, etc are all higher. Sure you can go elsewhere, but that "elsewhere" is a much longer walk from the Venetian. O'Shea's is nearly next door to the IP.

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Most of us are really low stakes. I'd be playing the highest, and I'm planning on doing mainly 1/2nl with a shot or two at 2/5nl.

Is the Venetian really that much further from everywhere else than IP? They look pretty close on both Strip maps and Google Satellite maps.

Re: Imperial Palace vs. Venetian
 

If you want low-stakes gambling, the closest place to the Venetian is... O'Shea's!

Re: Imperial Palace vs. Venetian
 

Thanks again, everybody, for all the input. Really appreciated.

After talking it over with the group, we've decided on Imperial Palace. Given our situation (large group of young kids who want to drink, be rowdy, and play low-stakes poker and hit up other casinos/clubs), and based on your feedback, IP is best, I think. Venetian would be sweet but will have to wait til next time.

I think I'll give a trip report after I get back (Sept 17th). So yeah, awesome.

Re: Imperial Palace vs. Venetian
 

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I've stayed next to rooms which had 6-8 girls in each rooms.

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possible interesting trip report here??

Re: Imperial Palace vs. Venetian
 

If you're only going to have 2 queens in the room, I'd suggest you find more queens. More likely available at the IP.

(Hey, don't look at me like that. He said two queens and two couches. I don't know what couches are, but I know what queens are. In a group of 8 guys, there have to be a couple of queens.)

Good luck getting in the clubs with your budget. Plan on spending a few hours standing in line, finding out it's going to cost most of your bankroll, and the chicks won't talk to you.

Just gamble and drink like normal college kids do. And chase 'tang back home.

Re: Imperial Palace vs. Venetian
 

If you're all semi-broke give up on the clubbing thing, you can't afford it.

The $20 trick will almost certainly not work when dealing with front desk personelle. $40, same deal.

I also would not make it obvious that you're packing more into a room than standard occupancy. That includes 8 of you trying to go past elevator security all at once.

These casinos have little sense of humor and don't "let things slide" very much any more. Welcome to disneyland boys.