While the vast majority of TripAdvisor users surveyed are looking for less expensive accommodations, some of the first lucky guests to stay at the new Wynn Las Vegas have posted their reviews on TripAdvisor (http://www.tripadvisor.com/), the leading travel information and recommendation site on the Web. Here's what they're saying:

   1. TripAdvisor Member -- California (May 2, 2005)
      "Even in its opening week, when one could expect things to be a little
      rocky, the rooms, the service, the atmosphere were terrific.  We
      stayed up on the 30th floor and the view was incredible ... I don't
      want to mislead anyone - I did not have to consider cost."

   2. TripAdvisor Member -- South Carolina (April 28, 2005)
      "This mega resort is amazing.  I just wish the art museum was open.
      It makes the Bellagio and Venetian look dated.  I don't think there
      was another gathering of billionaires in one place like there was for
      the opening.  I just wish I was one of them.  The only reason I was
      invited is because my son helped design the property."

   3. TripAdvisor Las Vegas Forum User -- Washington (May 2, 2005)
      "Stayed at Wynn on opening night.  The place is fabulous.  I have
      stayed at Venetian, Bellagio, Caesar's Palace.  Wynn LV outdoes them
      all in most every category ... Make sure to bring lots of cash if you
      stay at Wynn.  It is not for the person on a budget."

In a survey conducted this week, 84 percent of TripAdvisor users told us they look for a weekend hotel room rate of less than $250 in Las Vegas, significantly less than base published rates for a weekend night at the Wynn. Whether or not the new Wynn resort is in the cards, TripAdvisor offers travelers an honest guide to Las Vegas with an insider's look based on the opinions of real travelers. Las Vegas is always hot and rather than rolling the dice with your travel plans, hear what TripAdvisor users have to say about what's in and what's not for your next trip to the 'Strip.'

"Our Las Vegas forum is one of the most active areas of our site," said Michele Perry, TripAdvisor spokesperson. "So we wanted to share with the world some of the great insights that these Vegas zealots impart."

  TRAVEL BUZZ -- TripAdvisor Las Vegas Forum tips on being a winner in Vegas
   1. Manage your money -- Opt for cash or travelers' checks since ATMs have
      daily limits and credit card advances come with fees.  Casinos may
      charge an additional fee.  Bring mostly hundreds with some small
      bills for cabs and tips.  Keep your cash in your front pockets for
      easy access/monitoring.  If you bring travelers' checks -- there's no
      charge for AAA members -- keep your registration number and checks
      separate.  Store your cash or travelers' checks in your room or hotel
      safe, so you don't have to carry much with you.
   2. Dress for success -- The Vegas dress code is casual but some clubs do
      have dress codes in the evening (no shorts, tanks, flip-flops, etc.),
      so call before you dress.  Even in the blazing hot summer, hotels and
      casinos like to crank the AC, so pack a sweater.
   3. Tip of the day -- Always be tipping.  Bring plenty of singles and
      fives and tip service personnel -- the valet who delivers your car,
      the porter who delivers your bags, housekeeping, wait staff and most
      importantly, the dealers at the casinos.  If you're unsure how much
      to tip, ask someone.  Here's an extra tip, if you tip the maid at the
      beginning of your stay, rather than just at the end, you're likely to
      get special service.

  MUST SEES -- TripAdvisor's top picks for Vegas entertainment
   1. Blue Man Group
   2. Cirque du Soleil -- Mystere, O or KA
   3. Fremont Street Experience
   4. Fountains at Bellagio
   5. Star Trek: The Experience
   6. Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area

HIDDEN GEMS -- TripAdvisor users hit jackpot with secrets for a successful visit

   1. Shop 'til you drop -- Best bets for shopping in Vegas are the Forum
      Fashion Mall, Canal Shops, Desert Passage Shops in The Aladdin and
      the Fremont Street Experience downtown
   2. Celebrity spotting -- If you happen to be in Vegas on the day of a big
      fight, you're sure to see some stars.  Other hot spots for celebrity
      sightings are the Palms, Hard Rock Hotel, Bellagio, The Four Seasons
      and the new Wynn.
   3. That's right, family-friendly in Vegas -- TripAdvisor users recommend
      the following hotels as family-friendly: The Orleans, Excalibur,
      Flamingo, Mirage and Mandalay.  All have nice pools and fun
      activities and attractions for kids.

  RANTS & RAVES -- Pearls of wisdom from experienced TripAdvisor travelers
   1. Skip to the head of the line -- "Suggestion...if you're arriving in
      LAS at a high volume time (not sure what that is...thought it was
      early evening Fridays/Sats...but we arrived at 1:30 AM and still
      waited in the horrendous taxi line for an hour...never again)...rent
      a limo ahead of time and have them waiting for you by luggage..."
      (posted on TripAdvisor April 30, 2005)
   2. Brave the bus -- "Do brave the 301 Bus to Downtown in the early
      evening to dark time frame. Don't be afraid to catch it at any stop
      along the strip..enjoy the ride...and save a bunch in cab fare.
      Perfectly safe...just takes longer b/c of all the stops."
      (posted on TripAdvisor April 30, 2005)
   3. Bring your camera -- "Only in Vegas can you see an older gentleman
      with Bermuda shorts and black socks pulled up to his knees sitting
      next to Eurochic woman sporting full makeup, stilettos, and pushup
      bra at 8:00 am?!"
      (posted on TripAdvisor May 2, 2005)
   4. Be up Front -- "Open a Front Money account at the Cashiers cage when
      you first arrive. When you go to a table you can take out money as
      you need. Do the floor supervisor a favor and take it out in $500
      increments."
      (posted on TripAdvisor May 3, 2005)
   5. Get Outta Town -- " ... get out of Vegas to the Grand Canyon for the
      weekend (rooms in Vegas twice as pricey and v busy on Fri and Sat)."
      (posted on TripAdvisor May 3, 2005)

  TOP HOTELS -- TripAdvisor best bets at different price points
   1. $100-200
      The Carriage House, 105 E. Harmon Ave.
      42 Reviews, most recent posted on April 10, 2005
      Average Price: US$ 149

   2. $200-300
      JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort, Spa & Golf, 221 N. Rampart Blvd.
      94 Reviews, most recent posted on May 5, 2005
      Average Price: US$ 216
      TripAdvisor Best Hotels on the Web 2004 - Winner:
      http://www.tripadvisor.com/pages/bhotw_usa.html

   3. More than $300
      The Hotel at Mandalay Bay, 3950 Las Vegas Blvd. South
      102 Reviews, most recent posted on May 1, 2005
      Average Price: US$ 423

TripAdvisor calculates an average price for each hotel, which is based on the rates of available rooms obtained from booking partners and other independent sources of pricing information. In addition, average hotel prices are updated nightly based on prevailing conversion rates. These are only estimates and not guarantees.

  TOP RESTAURANTS -- TripAdvisor's Vegas dining favorites
   1. Rosemary's Restaurant, Las Vegas, 8125 Sahara Ave.
      Phone: 702-869-2251
      Cuisines: American, Seafood, Contemporary, Eclectic, International
      Average price:  US$ 80
      Special features: Romantic, Business, Local cuisine

   2. The Steakhouse, Las Vegas, Circus Circus Hotel & Casino, 2880 Las
      Vegas Blvd., S.
      Phone: 702-794-3767
      Cuisines: American, Steakhouse
      Average price:  US$ 21-50
      Special features: Breakfast/Brunch, Child-friendly

   3. Lawry's, The Prime Rib, Las Vegas, 4043 Howard Hughes Parkway
      Phone: 702-893-2223
      Cuisines: American
      Average price:  US$ 35

  About TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor.com is the most popular travel information and recommendation destination worldwide (according to comScore Media Metrix, January 2005), with more than 1.6 million unbiased reviews and opinions and covering nearly 200,000 hotels and attractions. A popular travel homebase with more than 13 million unique monthly visitors, TripAdvisor.com offers easy access to major worldwide online travel sites, including Expedia, Orbitz, hotels.com, American Airlines and Travelocity, for the best deals on the Web. TripAdvisor offers travel suppliers a cost-per-click marketing platform, guaranteeing the budgeted number of leads (not just impressions) with every campaign. Winner of dozens of awards, including PC Magazine's Top 100 Web Sites and Forbes Best of the Web, TripAdvisor is part of IAC/InterActiveCorp .

  CONTACT:
   Kelly Burke, Mullen
   (978) 468-8936
   Kelly.Burke@mullen.com

SOURCE: TripAdvisor