Vegas Parking Garages

This thread is a spin off of the Pet Peeves thread. The purpose of this thread is the discuss the best, and worst, parking garages in Vegas. I'll get the ball rolling with what I think is the best.

Nomination for best parking garage -- The Wynn

The Wynn parking garage is right off of the Strip. Unlike hotels like the Paris and Planet Hollywood, where the self parkers are led to the back of the property, at the Wynn as soon as you turn off the Strip you are immediately heading up the ramp. At each of the four levels there signs indicating the number of spaces available on that level. Unlike other garages, where the valet gets the lower levels, in this garage the common folk get the whole thing. That is because there is a separate entrance, south of the garage, for valet parking. I don't even know where the valeted cars go, probably an underground garage.

The spaces and lanes in the Wynn garage are nice and wide. I have never had trouble finding a spot on the top level, where I always head to. Once you park the stairs and elevator lead you directly to the Ferrari showroom, which just a one-minute walk to the main casino, and very close to the poker room and sports book. The Wynn garage is always very clean and well lit. I think they have atmosphere music, but I can't swear to that. If you're heading to the Encore there are separate stairs and elevators going there on the north side of the garage.

When it comes to parking in Vegas, it just doesn't get any better than this. I can't think of a single improvement to suggest. Bravo to Steve Wynn for a great parking garage.

So, what are your favorite, or least-favorite, parking garages in Vegas?

What's up with all the shoe prints in the parking garages in Vegas?

Edit: BTW, thanks for mentioning my friend Dr. Paul in the last Gambling With An Edge.

Quote: Wizard

.... At each of the four levels there signs indicating the number of spaces available on that level.

In my limited experience, the reliability of those signs is extremely questionable. I don't mean that the signs have indicated vacancies where I have found none, but I have seen a sign saying 2 or 3 spaces available and found that there were really dozens of empty spaces. Maybe I just have visited while there were malfunctions galore.

I do like the Wynn garage. On the other hand, I don't complain about Bally/Paris garage, since I can enter from multiple directions and find the access to both Bally's and Paris reasonable. I often use that garage when I just want to wander center-strip. There and the Bellagio garage are my preferences for that area.

In contrast, I find the garages for Flamingo and Harrah's to be terrible.

I finally figured out that valet is the way to go.

I've not had a lot of experience with garages in Vegas, but the best garage I ever used is at ShowBoat Atlantic City. Check it out:

Admin note: removed image www.djteddybear.com/images/showboat_garage.png

There are four aisles, fairly wide. The two inner aisles are on an incline, while the outer aisles are level. You can follow the traffic (if there is any) going up the next incline every time, or go around and take the other set of inclines where there is never traffic. This also means you generally see other less used sections of the garage where there is a greater chance of spaces.

The rounded corner on the right of this structure is an exit corkscrew. Each revolution around is down two levels, so you get down and out quickly. THAT'S a great feature.

The corner on the left is where the elevators are located. There are FIVE elevators, and they run quickly. Once inside, at the bottom there are restrooms right next to the elevators. Very handy.


FYI: The blue thing on the bottom right of this photo is the pool, on the fifth floor above the main entrance. It's round, about 3 feet deep, and METAL. It sucks, but the beach is close...

Why do you use parking garages when there's valet
parking? I always use valet, even in the local casinos,
I hate that looooong walk to and from the parking
garage. It makes me feel so average.

Well lit and "open" feeling. Spotless too! If its not comfortable for the wives, the husbands will be going to other casinos! No use building function rooms and exhibit rooms if the garage is uninviting or confusing.

Too many casinos favor the faux greeting and unloading of luggage. It becomes a traffic jam and even if greeted by name, its not fooling anyone.

You want happy customers.... get them (and their cars) in FAST! Wide lanes, large, clear signs, etc.
Sure those "Most spaces on Level Five" may be out of touch with reality but they are better than creeping along behind someone who dawdles.

Quote: Doc

In my limited experience, the reliability of those signs is extremely questionable.

Nice to see you Doc. I would agree that the Wynn signs tend to err on the side of understating the number of available spaces, which if you must be wrong, is the way to go. I wonder how that sign even begins to estimate a number.

Quote: EvenBob

Why do you use parking garages when there's valet parking?

It depends on the casino. For example, I always use the valet at the Bellagio, because it is very convenient to Flamingo, and the alternative would necessitate a right turn onto the Strip, and then the inevitable tourists who park on the Strip itself to watch the fountains (I should have listed that as one of my pet peeves). The exit is even more inconvenient, involving two left turns (one onto, and off of) the Strip. However, I would argue that self parking is faster at the Wynn, considering the time it takes the valet guy to get your car. Not to mention the cost of the tip.

Quote: Wizard

considering the time it takes the valet guy to get your car. Not to mention the cost of the tip.

Tipping the valet driver is a pleasure, he's one of
the few people in the casino actually doing something
worth of a tip. Him and people who wait tables and
make the beds.

Quote: buzzpaff

I finally figured out that valet is the way to go.

Quote: EvenBob

Why do you use parking garages when there's valet
parking?

I have tried valet a few times at hotels and casinos. My opinion is that it is just fine, provided you have plenty of time to waste and don't care how badly your vehicle is treated. I have seen long lines waiting to pick up cars from valet while it is quite easy and quick for others to get their own from the garages. It's like tipping someone for providing a service that is worse than no service at all. This is particularly true right as a show lets out; same as the problem with taking taxis after shows. It's fine to stand in a valet or taxi line if you have nothing else you want to do and don't mind standing in lines.

I think the TREASURE ISLAND garage is very convenient.

Easy in / out off of Spring Mtn road, so that automatically
reduces some of the Strip congestion. I have always been
able to find a spot there easily.

Quote: Doc

provided you have plenty of time to waste

The few times I've had to wait longer than normal
for a car is well made up for by pulling to the front
door and being inside playing, while Joe Blow is
still going up the ramps in the parking garage. I
truly believe most people don't use valet because
they don't like tipping. There are some that don't
like to wait for their car sometimes, but for the most
part people are dyed in the wool cheapskates and
will do anything to save a buck.

The worst are the people that drive nice cars and
have money. My brother ran a camera store in the
best part of town for years and he constantly complained
at how some guy would pull up in a $60K car, have
on $300 shoes, and try to beat him out of $2, or
spend 10min going thru the 50% off bin of crap that
never sells because its, well, crap.

Quote: Doc

My opinion is that it is just fine, provided you have plenty of time to waste

Agreed 1000 %. It's not the tip, it's the waiting, waiting, waiting.......

I HATE Valet. It ALWAYS takes longer than parking myself. Last time I valeted was at dinner to honor doc at my hospital. No real option. When the thousand people were all leaving simultaneously.....

Quote: JohnnyQ

Agreed 1000 %. It's not the tip, it's the waiting, waiting, waiting.......

You have to know when to use valet. I never
ever play for real money after 6pm.
I only play when I'm at my sharpest, and thats in
the afternoon. After 10 I rarely leave the hotel
I'm at and just play for fun, nothing serious. Thats
why I like staying Downtown, if I want I can walk
100ft and be in another casino. The Strip valets
are rarely busy in the afternoon on weekdays.

Quote: Wizard

Nice to see you Doc. I would agree that the Wynn signs tend to err on the side of understating the number of available spaces, which if you must be wrong, is the way to go. I wonder how that sign even begins to estimate a number.

Sensors, very little different than those used to count traffic flow in areas that are soon to undergo construction.

There's a sensor for each level. The way it works is that every car that enters a level triggers the sensor, so the sensor accounts for that car. If the car moves on to the next level, then it is programmed to reduce the level below by one car, there may also be a time delay when the car enters the lower level and if the upper level does not have a car added by that time, it is construed as a parked car.

When a car from the upper level departs, the sensor on that level (working the opposite way) also picks that up and subtracts a car.

Here's a link:

http://www.transportation-tech.com/products/parking/redstorm_space_counting_system/page1/

Quote: EvenBob

The worst are the people that drive nice cars and
have money. My brother ran a camera store in the
best part of town for years and he constantly complained
at how some guy would pull up in a $60K car, have
on $300 shoes, and try to beat him out of $2, or
spend 10min going thru the 50% off bin of crap that
never sells because its, well, crap.

That's how they got the 60k car, I should wish to be so frugal, but I just don't have it in me. I'm pretty much only a penny-pincher when it comes to grocery shopping, but that's because it is more of a game to me than anything.

Quote: bigfoot66

What's up with all the shoe prints in the parking garages in Vegas?

Edit: BTW, thanks for mentioning my friend Dr. Paul in the last Gambling With An Edge.

I have noticed that too on the ceilings.

Wynn has a great garage for sure. Cosmo is similarly convenient with its Harmon exit and signs telling spaces available but I do not think anyone in town beats Wynn.

In Biloxi, there are geographically distant "valet kiosks".... as you wander by, you slide your room key across the card reader....and the electronic request goes directly to the valet desk. By the time you continue your journey and arrive at the valet-parking area, there is a pretty good chance your car is already waiting for you. If not, its sure not going to be long.

Quote: FleaStiff

In Biloxi, there are geographically distant "valet kiosks".... as you wander by, you slide your room key across the card reader....and the electronic request goes directly to the valet desk. By the time you continue your journey and arrive at the valet-parking area, there is a pretty good chance your car is already waiting for you. If not, its sure not going to be long.

What hotels would this be at? Certainly not Treasure Bay!!!

Quote: EvenBob

I truly believe most people don't use valet because
they don't like tipping. There are some that don't
like to wait for their car sometimes, but for the most
part people are dyed in the wool cheapskates and
will do anything to save a buck.

Well, we used to have a member here who loved valet parking, felt he got quick service, and was quite willing to tip for it. In this post regarding the Golden Nugget, he described the best part this way:

Quote: JerryLogan

The coolest thing about valet parking there is that when waiting for your car, if it's got some power then you can hear the valet screeching around corners as he zooms through the garage to get your car out to you as fast as possible. It's all done in a very professional way, and if you're not anal about your automobile then you'll enjoy the experience like I do.

I guess I'm "anal", because I don't like to have anyone abusing/risking either my car or one I have rented in such a manner. Hearing a valet drive my car that way would make me feel as if I had entrusted it to an idiot, not a professional. But perhaps you agree with Jerry Logan.

Quote: Doc

I guess I'm "anal", because I don't like to have anyone abusing/risking either my car or one I have rented in such a manner.

In the 35 years I've been going to Vegas, the
only time I ever saw cars being driven like that
were by valets in the movies. Hot rodding is
strictly forbidden and will cost you your job
in most places. It leads to damaged cars and
sued casinos.

Ahhhhh memories! What would Jerry think of the escapades of our Hot Blonde??

At the risk of getting back on topic....

Another parking garage I like is the one for the Miracle Mile
Shops / Planet Hollywood.

The entrance is off Audrie, which is parallel to the Strip, which
allows you to avoid all that traffic. I have usually been able to
find a parking spot here pretty easily.

From the garage, it is a comfortable air conditioned 5 minute
walk to Casino.

Best: Palazzo
Worst: Circus Circus

My, "best parking garage" list would include the Las Vegas Hilton and South Point. Easy to get to, secure, logically laid out, wide aisles and sensibly sized spaces, and clearly marked access to the casino elevator.

At the top of the "worst" list would be the Plaza. Low ceilings, blown lights, narrow aisles and spaces, tight corners, and dirty. As for security.. I imagine that Coalition Forces may have had it slightly better pulling their Humvee into the lot at the Baghdad Dunkin' Falafels and Al-Qaida Recruiting Center.

I would have nominated "Oshea's" for worst, but it was so bad, they imploded it.

I have to agree with the Wizard: Wynn is the best