MilesBuzz! - Vegas Hotels

I'm going to be heading to Las Vegas in November for COMDEX and would like to pick up some points for the hotel stay. I thought Caesars was a member of Starwood, but their website doesn't say much about them any more.

Does anyone have thoughts on hotels to earn points? I'd like to have a casino on site so the Marriott's are out. I need to be on the strip so the new Hyatt is out as well. Any thoughts on ways to maximize points for what will be some very expensive nights?

Caesar's is no longer a part of Starwood as of a few months ago. It is a nice place indeed with nice jacuzzi's and it is the only place I stayed when it was a Starwood property. Starwood has the Desert Inn down the strip from Caesar's that will earn u some points so u may want to shoot for them.

Desert Inn is running a cheap special, but Starwood is out of Vegas completely now. Try the DI for a great deal, though.

You will NOT earn points at the DI any more, though....

[This message has been edited by BoSoxFan45 (edited 08-21-2000).]

Some how I thought the nice Desert Inn was to be closed for a big re-do by then.

I doubt the DI is going to be open for COMDEX. Rumours have it closing any time now.

The Flamingo is still a Hilton for awhile.
MGM Grand gives American Airlines miles for slot play.

you can get Hilton points at Paris and Ballys, right?

If you are considering a Hilton, there is the Las Vegas Hilton. Its directly next to the Las Vegas convention center.

Jay

dingo,

I am planning a trip to Vegas just after the first of the year and have been doing some research over at http://www.vegas.com/ubbcgi/Ultimate.cgi There is some good information there (although not quite up to quality of FlyerTalk, IMHO).

The Desert Inn is supposed to close at either the end of August or September. As noted, Caeser's no longer has a connection with Starwood. I do vaguely remember reading about some type of connection between Starwood and the MGM Grand (could easily be wrong about this).

Marriott does not have any type of casino properties in Vegas, making Hilton the only major chain with with a casion presence there. In addition to the Hilton, they have the Flamingo Hilton, Paris and Bally's. The Flamingo will drop the Hilton name, but remain under Hilton's 'wing'.

There are also a couple of Holiday Inns which have casinos: Boardwalk and Fitzgerald's.

Marriott has properties in LV without casinos. DI closes on 8/31. It's the LV Hilton that has been sold.

And if you are going during COMDEX, you'll be more concerned about just finding a room.

Stayed at the Regent the past weekend. Splendid place!!

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Beware of the LV Hilton. They class it as a resort so you only get the flat 500 points. I earned 10,000 points there one Comdex only to find out 9,500 weren't credited.

Unless I'm wrong, I believe that Hhonors no longer distinguishes resorts with the flat 500 base points. You should expect to get the full 10 points per dollar. I have stayed there (LV Hilton) many times and have always received full base points.

When is Comdex Convention? Dates?

Comdex Las Vegas runs Nov 13-17. Book your hotel sooner than later.

Sorry, duplicate post.

[This message has been edited by Nevada1K (edited 08-22-2000).]

The last time I stayed at the Las Vegas Hilton, about three years ago I recieved the full number of points, so many per dollar.

Jay

Originally posted by hedoman:
Marriott has properties in LV without casinos. DI closes on 8/31. It's the LV Hilton that has been sold.


A friend and I got a suite at the Residence Inn earlier this month and it was quite nice.
It slept 6, but we had fewer than that http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
The one main reason I mention it was that it was A. Cheaper than the hotels and B.Literally right across the street from the Convention Center.

I'm figuring this must have been a normal/semi-normal rate since we were only there in LV for the Black Hat Briefings and DEFCON which were not @ the CC but down a ways at the Alexis Park.

Hedoman, I agree with you about the Regent. While, yes it is quite a bit away from The Strip, it is a beautiful property at the foothills of the Red Rock country. I just made reservations there for a couple of days just following Comdesx (11/17--20). It does have a small, yet nice casino and sports book, but also great golf and enormous rooms--all with whirlpools. They seem to offer some cheap rates during the summer, but they go up considerably in the fall/winter.

Another site for Vegas hotel info is http://www.vegaswatch.com. Check the bulletin boards.

BillMorrow: I noted you said that the Flamingo will remain under Hilton's wing after the end of the year. Do you have any info on just what that entails? I ask because while I was making reservations for New Years Eve at the Flamingo they said that I wouldn't get HHonors points for stays commencing 1/1/01 and after. I assume that applies to Bally's and Paris as well. Boo Hoo.

Didn't Park Place (the Hilton gaming properties company) buy Caesar's recently? You may want to check and see if so, would you earn HH points.

I stayed at Las Vegas Hilton last time there, and will point out it is NOT located strictly in the main strip if you have not been there.

Not too far from anything of course, but walking in hot weather really got to me a few times, back to hotel, as it is set back off the strip a little.

I am going to need a stay in LAS for nite of Thurs Sept 21. Would prefer Luxor, as that looks great.

Anyone seen any decent specials/deals running for Luxor for next month? Anyone going to in LAS then please lets know and we might catch up for a drink!

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~ Glen ~

Sparticus, you're right about Park Place buying Caesars from Starwood, I believe its a done deal. Park Place Entertainment is a sub
of Hilton that owns their gaming properties. Check out their website (Park Place Entertainment) for a listing of their properties in LAS and elsewhere.

bj-21.

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Thanks for heads up on Expedia.

I think it is faulty right now. I asked it for Sept 21 and first FIFTY matches simply said "no availability".

Thought "Whhhooops .. must be a convention on, darn".

Then tried your dates Sept 10-13, as you indicated you'd got some choice, and same deal for the first 50! Don't think I'm doing anything wrong?

I do not want to use Priceline as sure I'll get a * * * * * at some decent price but my wife has DECREED we shall be at Luxor this time!

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~ Glen ~

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Nice to see it is playing up for you too .. thought I'd done something wrong! How can the 50 top hotels in Vegas be sold out on a WEEKDAY was my first reaction! Seeing the biggies have 4000-5000 rooms each the top 50 must offer about 100,000 rooms!

Some convention that would be. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
OK, around $100 for Luxor seems to be the mark .. I'll phone the hotel direct and ask! Who knows .. it IS LAS after all!

Lying to them saying I am a high roller will not work. The richest person in Australia could hardly afford the all-you-can-eat buffet, the way OUR Pacific Peso is going lately. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

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~ Glen ~

Someone up there doesn't want me to go to LAS? Someone e-mailed me privately (thank you!) about a site to look at called:

http://www.lvrs.com/hotdeal_detail.cfm?ID=1042&


They had $89 deal at Luxor with a "Nefertiti Package", thrown in but of course expired a week before I arrive. When I use their own engine to find September 21, that also is faulty. Oh well - phone the hotel!

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~ Glen ~

United Vacations has Luxor that night for $109 including tax.

QuietLion.. thanks! Just tried Expedia again, and it has come to life. $89 for 2 queen beds. Great.

Go to book it. Filled out all usual tedious stuff. Submitted. "Not valid for Australian".

OK -- went back, did phone and address and zip for US buddy, with MY VISA card. Submit.

"Card owner not at address given". (How the heck did Expedia know?!)

Went back, did it all agian. Used Amex this time. I'd fool em. Ha.

2 seconds later - "card owner not at address given".

WHO says computers run our lives. Stumped! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

(And QL ... think UA Vacations has same nonsense about not selling direct to Non North Americans .. think I went down that path before!)

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~ Glen ~

If you're looking for convention dates ... on some of the las vegas web sites, they list which events and where they what convention centers that are at. Try:

http://www.lasvegas24hours.com

[This message has been edited by neo_781 (edited 08-23-2000).]

I stayed at the Las Vegas Hilton earlier this month and earned full points. The North Tower outdoor glass view elevator was about 15 feet from my room entrance, very convenient!

All this great advice, and no response from Dingo. My husband used to go to Comdex and, I can tell you, if you do not have reservations by now, you have a problem. Comdex is LV's biggest show. HOWEVER, I did get him wonderful accomodations at a reasonable price by going to an air/hotel vacation package for gamblers. I guess LV still wants gamblers after all and saves a few beds for them. His company, playing it straight, was getting quotes of $100 or more for Motel 6 or the equivalent. I got him Treasure Island for about half that and a free car for one day!

When there's no citywide convention in town, I generally can book the Monte Carlo for $89. The Monte Carlo is a fine, mega full service hotel on the Strip with casino, multiple restaurants, sports bar, shops. Blessedly, the registration desk is NOT in the casino. The only thing the Monte Carlo lacks is the buzz of the Venetian, Paris and Bellagio.

0524, isnt that so... just checked, right after the labour day wknd, rooms in Paris is $59.00 for four nights straight! what a deal!

Belle-
Please tell...Where did you get that rate for the Paris???????????

pointman, easy, www.paris-lv.com (http://www.paris-lv.com)
click on their current special offers
you’ll see...
(and you get Hiton points too)

Dingo, I had my 2-br lockout timeshare at HGVC Flamingo Hilton available for Comdex but rented it this month on ebay. Wound up splitting it into a 1-br and a studio and rented them for ridiculously cheap prices for Comdex week.

Karen2,
I'm reading them...give me a break. I'm still trying to figure out what hotels award points. As near as I can tell it is just the LV Hilton which is too far from the action for me.

I will be calling Hilton and ask them for the full scoop and will post my findings here.

Now if I could only find a hotel that awarded 10 points per dollar LOST in the casino...I'd fly you all to Vegas on the free tickets!

Here is a site that lists all the Park Place Entertainment Properties, and their Special Offers.
http://www.parkplace.com/specials/

I believe all offer Hilton HHonors Points & Miles. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Besides the Hiltons, and Paris don't forget that Embassy, Doubletree, Homewood, and Hampton Suites are now all members of HHonors. I know there is an Embassy suites very close to the convention center. There also are the Holiday Inn and Best Western properties that you can earn mileage at too.

One other place to check is www.aavacations.com. (http://www.aavacations.com.) I think if you book with them you get 2000 AAdvantage points.

I have noticed the last two years that the hotel prices are high to start and go down just before Comdex. I got a deal last year. There have been so many rooms added in the past few years, Comdex does not fill them all. You may want to book something now and canel it later if you find a better deal.

Good luck!!

Here's the poop. Bally's, Paris and the Flamingo earn Honors points. Caesars doesn't yet "but will very soon" according to the reservationist at Caesars. So now here is my new question:

Flamingo
Ballys
Paris?

1st Choice Paris
2nd Choice Bally's
3rd Choice Flamingo Hilton

Two responses:

First, MRLIMO, would love to hear the criteria for your rankings. I enjoy seeing how others prioritize their travel decisions.

Second, dingo, I don't want to confuse things but I got an e-mail from HHonors today in response to an inquiry I sent about HHonors points in Las Vegas next year. I realize that your stay is in November (have lots of fun!) but this thread got me curious about how we can earn HH points in Las Vegas in the future.
Anyway, the HHonors folk said that (in 2001) we can earn points at all Hilton properties EXCEPT for the Flamingo and Caesar's. This seems to directly contradict what the Caesar's people told you, so maybe we'll have to wait and see. In any case, maybe Bally's, Paris and the LV Hilton will still give points. And your points in November seem safe. Whew.

rainlady, I selected....
Paris due to its theme concept and also, that it is less than one year old. I feel that it offers a French experience rather than just a beautiful hotel visit. In addition, I thoroughly enjoyed their television commercials prior to their grand opening in September, 1999.

Bally's because of its exterior and casino interior decorating and layout. Throughout the years they have made an effort to keep up with the changing times, I believe. Nothing as extravagant as the newer casinos, but nevertheless, crisp and pleasing to the eye.

Flamingo Hilton, as my third choice because I felt the other two were superior. I've always been pleased with this property but all else being equal, I feel the other two are better choices.

Any of these three hotels should be fine. The guest rooms, restaurants, room service and various facilities of all three properties should meet or exceed expectations, some better than others perhaps. Visitors usually don't stay in their hotels for any extended length of time. There's just too darn much to do elsewhere in the city that never closes.

Thanks, MRLIMO --- Great descriptions!

has anyone tried the brand new Aladdin? which chain does it belong to?

Thank you so much for the hotel recommendations and rationale. I will probably book this weekend so don't be shy about chipping in with some info, especially if you've ever been to Paris (Las Vegas).

Dingo

dingo, the following trip report by Craig6z should be helpful:

Paris - Hotel, that is...
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum81/HTML/000318.html

everytime thinking i would stay at Bellagio because they had a discounted rate, i ended up staying in Paris, because Paris always had a much much lower rate.... three times within a year...for example, next week after labour day, Bellagio: $139.00, Paris: $59.00, and Rio: $79.00

There should be no question about the ranking. Paris is actually part of the Bally's complex and connected through the shopping mall. Paris is a fancy resort. Bally's is a decent hotel. Flamingo is a dump.

The Aladdin is not part of any chain.

There used to be a difference between the Bellagio and the Paris, therefore the difference in the rates. But all bets are off now, that MGM bought The Bellagio! The Bell might be living on it's past reputation.

I agree with QuietLion's assessment and description. I stayed in Paris last month- wonderfull ! $20 tip at the front desk got me an upgraded room with a view of the Bellagio's fountain show. Got HHonors points and all the bonuses, including airline mileage.
Bally's and Flamingo don't even come close.

Stay at the Paris--was there a month ago--lots of fun--good restaurants--and by the way, if you want cocktails in the Eifel Tower, you can have them there without having to have dinner in their Eifel Tower restaurant--they don't seem to promote the cocktail part--but it's great--wonderful views and it's "quiet"--especially in comparison with most of the other cocktail areas there.

Just an update on the Desert Inn earlier in the thread. It closed, albeit a month early. http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/construction/2000/aug/28/510690557.html

Dingo,

I'm sure you've made your plans by now. But just thought I would give you and everybody else some info. I stayed at the MGM Grand, and they give a flat 500 AAdvantage miles for every stay there. In addition, they give you 250 AAdvantage miles if you go see EFX, which is a Broadway-style show they have playing there (I don't think you have to stay at the Grand to get the points for the show). They also give One AAdvantage mile for every two points you earn as member of the Directors' club, which is their club for slot and table play.

The MGM and New York, New York are part of the same group of hotels (Primaddona), but I don't know if the AAdvantage offer applies to New York, New York, though.

I stayed at the Paris in May and the Mandalay Bay in June. IMHO the Paris was much nicer-- the staff was friendlier, and the public areas of the Paris are delightful. The Mandalay's pool area is pretty neat, and the monorail makes it easy to get access to other nearby hotels. I don't gamble, so I can't help you choose there.

The Paris breakfast buffet is truly excellent , though their lunch and dinner selections include a lot of French-themed dishes that may not be to your taste. The Mandalay's restaurants are pretty undistinguished, though the House of Blues serves decent jambalaya and red beans.

Two other notes: if you like desserts, the Bellagio buffet restaurant has the best caramel sauce I have ever eaten. Watching the sun set from the rooftop lounge at the Rio hotel is not to be missed.

Mandalay Bay has several of my favorite restaurants: Red Square, rumjungle, Trattoria del Lupo, and Red Lobster are all great. Aureole is one of the finest restaurants in Nevada. Charlie Palmer Steakhouse (in the Four Seasons part) is excellent but I had spotty service. And I haven't yet tried China Grill, which they say is also great.

Of course, who says you have to eat where you stay?