Frommer's Las Vegas 2008 (Frommer's Complete Guides)
by Mary Herczog
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Book Summary Information
Author: Mary HerczogEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2007-11-05
ISBN: 0470165413
Number of pages: 336
Publisher: Frommers
Book Reviews of Frommer's Las Vegas 2008 (Frommer's Complete Guides)
Book Review: Just drink the Kool-Aid.
Summary: 3 Stars
Despite having been to Vegas a dozen times over the past ten years, it had been three years since my last trip. Knowing how much changes, I bought this guide to help sort out what was different for better or worse.
For the most part, its packed with solid advice. The narration takes a very skeptical voice, which is exactly what a place like Vegas needs. Its great to see hyper-advertised shows and hotels laid bare, such as with the very balanced review of Danny Gans and the honest perceptions of The Palms. Its also good to see off strip non-gaming destinations get some print, even all the way out to an Area 51 guide! Everything that's worth seeing gets mentioned.
However, that same skeptical narration is also too self aware. Rather than accepting that a person who has paid money for a guide book of Vegas probably has some idea of what they're getting into, the narration belabors the obvious to the point of mocking the reader for drinking the Vegas Kool-Aid. Stating that the décor is "giggle inducing" or that certain shows are simply so overrated that they're unreviewable is about as cynical as reminding us that Mickey Mouse is really just a guy in a suit, so be sure to look with scorn on children lining up to see him. I don't think anyone is going to select a hotel because of a plaster sphinx, but that's part of why you pick Vegas over Atlantic City or Orlando. Above all, a guide book should respect the reader's decision to go to a destination and perhaps future editions will remember that.
The guide spends copious amounts of text describing how things used to be. While the reflections of a veteran casino dealer are interesting, the discourse continues in the hotel reviews. Many of the hotels seem to be judged relative to how they were in the past; not against comparable properties as they are today. Its useful when used to accentuate something that has changed recently, but extraneous when belaboring how things were decades ago. New properties raise the bar, older properties lose their luster. We got it.
Another frustration is the lack of relative comparison between hotels. While the star ratings are accurate, the reasons why you would stay at one property over another with the same rating aren't spelled out very well. Since a wide range of price and quality are available, the nuances are what make an informed decision. With a lot of that glossed over, it would be easy to select a hotel that you weren't happy with because of a detail you felt misinformed about, say pool size or the general demographics the hotel is trying to attract.
Its easy to get disillusioned with Vegas and focus on what's different today as opposed to what makes a trip to Vegas different than a trip anywhere else. If anything, that's what this guide suffers from. Its like that one member of your family that finds fault with everything while you're on vacation; you wish they would just appreciate the fact that you're there and not somewhere else.
Summary of Frommer's Las Vegas 2008 (Frommer's Complete Guides)
You'll never fall into the tourist traps when you travel with Frommer's. It's like having a friend show you around, taking you to the places locals like best. Our expert authors have already gone everywhere you might go?they've done the legwork for you, and they're not afraid to tell it like it is, saving you time and money. No other series offers candid reviews of so many hotels and restaurants in all price ranges. Every Frommer's Travel Guide is up-to-date, with exact prices for everything, dozens of color maps, and exciting coverage of sports, shopping, and nightlife. You'd be lost without us!Completely updated every year (unlike most of the competition), Frommer's Las Vegas features lavish full-color photos of the spectacle that awaits you. This is simply the most frank, funny, outrageous guide you can buy?and it's much more up-to-date and indepth than its competition.
Our author is completely on top of the latest developments in this fast-changing destination, and she'll make sure that you never miss a minute of the fun. She'll give you an irreverent take on all the casino hotels, with all their attractions. She's also scouted out the very best restaurant choices on the very hot dining scene, and honestly reviews all the casinos, shows, clubs, shopping arcades, and golf courses in town. Frommer's Las Vegas also includes a 16-page full-color photo insert!
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