The Monte Carlo was pretty nice, without a lot of bling, and we appreciated the price too. We were aware of the "resort fees" which would be paid at the end of our visit.
This was our first trip to Las Vegas in 15 years, and so we were pretty much just wingin' it when we made our on line reservations. We felt we were getting the best room rate on the main strip, and checked TripAdvisor and other reviews, which are usually a fairly good indication. Honestly, I was expecting to be somewhat disappointed in spite of the great rate. I made the reservations about 6 weeks in advance, through tripRes.com.
We arrived on January 16, 2012. We took a shuttle bus from the airport, 7 bucks each person. Later, I found out that a taxi costs $14 bucks to Monte Carlo, even with 3 persons aboard. Checkin early evening Monday took probably 20 minutes, 8AM check out next Saturday much less time.
Everything here seemed like new, very well maintained. Facilities' service personnel were evident, starting around 7am. Housekeeping, normal. We had a plain non smoking room on the 11th floor, 2 queen beds and plenty of space for 3 adults; not the "Monaco" suite but good enough for our 4 night stay from which we have just returned. The room was fresh, larger than reported here, clean and shining, nice new modern flatscreen with plenty of stations. We had a great big rest room, also better than reported here in other TA reviews. There was a view from our room of the Aria, and the pool.
We were a little nervous that for the bargain room pricing, we would be stuck in a dump for a week. This was far from the actuality. Some room amenities were conspicuously absent, however: refrigerator; hair dryer; in room coffee maker and microwave. But the ice machine down the hall near the elevators worked great and we used it some. There are 6 elevators dedicated to the floors 1 through 12. 6 more for floors 13 to 22, and so on. We thought in most cases the customer service here was outstanding. I guess sometimes how you get treated depends a lot on how you present yourself, if you get my meaning. I saw some negative stuff about the service at the Monte, which did not come true.
Early one morning we went for the buffet breakfast, 7AM when it opens. There were two brunch buffets included in the deal when we paid for our trip. This was the only Las Vegas buffet I tried, but it was ok with me. Selection satisfied everyone in my party. For me breakfast is a light meal: Coffee, bacon and one egg, fresh fruit, juice and fresh roll is enough at 7am. There is also a food court, open 24 hours or so I am told, near the elevators, boasting a McDonalds, Sharro's pizza, a coffee bar and who knows what else.
The casino was just fine, even though I had to move sometimes to get away from the smokers. Casinos in other establishments, like Mirage, and especially downtown, were sometimes smokier than here. I did NOT notice any coverup smells as have been reported here, and my nose notices everything.
Drink service for players was the best I found in Vegas. One of the cocktail waitresses attending slot customers somehow remembered my beer of choice each night I went down to play a little. I was not lucky gambling at the Monte Carlo but I enjoyed it anyway.
If you care to walk to the back of the property there is an excellent free tram that goes as far north as Belagio. It goes about once every 6 minutes. I have a couple photos of the tram. The bus stops right in front of the Monte Carlo, but to go the other way (north on Las Vegas Blvd) you need to cross the Blvd. and go south one block to catch the bus.
For good value, I highly recommend the Monte Carlo Resort and Casino. If you prefer a more prestegious address, by all means, pay for it. I don't know. Like the other person said, how much time will you spend in your room, anyway?
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
