IOL Bash 2002, Las Vegas

Date: October 19, 2002, Las Vegas, Nevada

COUNTDOWN:

HOTEL INFORMATION:

I expect most of us will stay at the Tropicana, located on the Strip's four corners nearest to the Mandalay Bay, the anticipated location of the 2002 Mr. Olympia.

We arranged a group rate of $115 per night (per room, double occupancy) Friday and Saturday, $65 per night the days before or after. These rates will hold for us until September 18th, when the un-reserved rooms will revert to the going rate at the time, probably in the $160 range. I think it's $10 per person to add up to two more. That's for either a king bed or two queen beds. All the king rooms (and none of the queen rooms) have mirrors along the wall and over the bed; for a group of bodybuilders, we thought this was important to know in advance. (Guess it's a "ya love it" or "ya hate it" type of thing —not exactly what I want to wake up to..)

Our group number is SDDI02, Dave Draper's IronOnline. I was told if you get stuck, use the name "Draper" and they'll be able to find it. The phone number for reservations is toll-free (800) 634-4000. The sales rep will ask for your credit card number; your card will be charged for the first night in order to hold the reservation, but that charge will be refunded should you need to cancel the reservation up to 48 hours prior to scheduled arrival.

The check-in desk will also provide you with a "fun sheet" for 2-for-1 shows and food at the hotel.

RESERVATION NUMBER: (800) 634-4000
GROUP NUMBER: SDDI02 — $115 & $65/night

Click here for Tropicana website

Those not on a tight budget and/or less interested in the Mr. Olympia and fitness events might like to stay on the opposite end of the Strip. It's a bit fancier, although this does not necessarily mean "dress up;" the Las Vegas dress code is non--existent -- the Strip's a tourist area is packed with every combination from Bermuda shorts to tuxes.

The fountains of the Bellagio and the pirate show at Treasure Island are both free and are must-see events scheduled throughout the evenings. The indoor/outdoor shopping walkways of Paris and the Venetian will soak up a full day, even if you don't open a dusty wallet.

I believe if we were taking a vacation to Las Vegas and money wasn't an important aspect we'd probably stay at Paris. It's unique, central, and you can barely tell you're standing in a [smoky] casino. As with all the Las Vegas hotels, early reservations are based on today's going rates, which are significantly cheaper than they will be nearer to October.

Click here for more on Paris, Las Vegas

If you're travelling by RV or camping, look here:

Click here for more on camping in Las Vegas

And if you're bringing the kids, you'll be amazed at how kid-friendly Las Vegas has become. With younger kids, you may want to check out Circus-Circus (if you go the Circus-Circus route, you may want to rent a car -- it's a bit further down the road); for teens, New York-New York:

Click here for more on Las Vegas family vacations

Click here for Circus Circus

Click here for New York, New York -- Las Vegas style

Here's a map of the Strip area; the Tropicana is # 5 -- Bellagio (and the Bellagio fountains and indoor gardens, which you *must* see) is # 20, about a $6 cab ride, a 3-minute tram ride or a 30-minute walk down the boulevard.

Click here for a Las Vegas "Strip" map

The Tropicana has a good fitness center (better than average as far a hotel centers go) and costs $17 per visit. There's an outdoor pool that's very nice, and, if the weather holds, it flows into the indoor pool so you can swim in and under the hotel and back out into the palm-encased oasis. The oasis was the final selling point for us, by the way; a couple of days into our LV research trip we were desperate for a place to sit -- away from the smoke and the noise, but not in the room. The Tropicana pool is a great place to hang for an hour with a book, or wait to meet up with some IOL pals.

Look for more Vegas stuff here, while you're waiting:

Click here for Vegas.com

Click here for Destination Las Vegas

Click here if ya got culture

What's the IOL email group anyway?
Click here for more information about our IronOnline email group.

How do I sign up for IronOnline email?
Simple. Enter your email address in the box below and press the "join eGroups" box.

More later, surely, as thoughts arise. Meanwhile, hope to see you in the Group! Laree