Las Vegas

This trip we stayed at the Hyatt Place London Heathrow Airport both the night we arrived from Las Vegas and the night prior to departing for Hong Kong. Transit from Terminals 2 and 3 via red buses was fast, easy and economical both directions with a bus stop almost right outside the hotel. We had a meal at the hotel restaurant the night we arrived which was fine and full breakfast both mornings which was also great especially in comparison to some of the country hotels in the USA.

We have actually flown this same flight previously, last time in economy. This trip we were in business class upstairs on the Boeing 747 experiencing British airways unique front to back seating. Pre flight the lounge was the same as last time. Previously flying economy we had lounge access via Priority Pass this time due to being in business class. The seat is very different if anything it does not feel as wide as the Qantas Skybeds but there is plenty of legroom.

This is the second time we have stayed at the Signature MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The review of the first time we stayed at the Signature MGM Grand Las Vegas is here.

This time we booked the room with a balcony following our experience the first time here so the room was the same type. There were differences this time as follows.

While we were based in Las Vegas we took the opportunity to drive out and check out the Little A'le'Inn at Rachel Nevada which is not too far from Area 51. Although there is not much out there this was a memorable experience driving out the Extraterrestrial Highway and stopping at the Little A'Le'Inn which was portrayed in the movie "Paul" for a burger and fries and check out the photos and memorabilia.

An hours drive out of Las Vegas is a great day trip visiting the Valley of Fire State Park. From our accommodation we drove from East Tropicana Street and followed the I-15 N to exit 75 towards Valley of Fire E/Lake Mead. There is plenty to stop and see and hikes to take through this picturesque valley and state Park.

We departed Las Vegas Nevada Signature at MGM Grand guest car park early morning, followed E Tropicana Avenue to I-215 then exit 1 towards Bolder City continuing on I-11 then US-93 S to Kingman Arizona where we merged onto I-40 and followed I-40 to Williams before exiting at Historic Route 66 taking AZ-64 to Grand Canyon Village and South Rim. As this was a day trip returning to Las Vegas that night we did not even have time to stop at attractions along the way such as the Planes of Fame Air Museum.

After flying with Qantas Sydney to Brisbane then on to Los Angeles our connection to Las Vegas was with American Airlines flight number 1495, equipment scheduled for our flight that day was an Airbus 320 scheduled departing time was 10:45AM. This aircraft was almost brand new and we were seated in row 2. As we taxied after leaving the gate I fell asleep, the many double espresso's I had in the lounge prior did not keep me awake! i did wake as the aircraft began turning and I saw that we turned and lined up on a taxiway not the runway.

These would be the best accommodation experiences during 2013 and 2 from late 2012

Pan Pacific Serviced Suites Beach Road Singapore November 2013

Hotel Haven Helsinki January 2013

Hotel Schweizerhof Bern Xmas day week 2012

The Signature at MGM Grand Las Vegas late December 2012

This flight for the time being confirmed my preference for the B747 over the A380 and we had middle row seats on this B747 flight and our row was full!

The seats are much better padded and more comfortable.

Not a lot of inflight service on this particular flight and the cabin during the night got uncomfortably overheated and hot. Delays landing, the flight had to hold for some time over the UK and the immigration line in Heathrow was over 45 minutes long.

Used the United Club Las at Las Vegas before leaving which was a nice lounge with good service.

Last time in Las Vegas we stayed at the MGM which was not that flash, did not get the room we booked the first night, moved to the correct room the second night which had a noisy air conditioning unit and noisy parties in adjacent rooms all night.

This time we booked The Signature at MGM Grand.

Checking in we got upgraded to a room with a balcony which was an excellent room. The room was very large with a spa in the large bathroom which even had a separate toilet which was almost as big as some bathrooms we have had at other hotels.