Las Vegas - Booking Hotels in Las Vegas - A Newbie Guide To Maximising Your Value for Money

UPDATED 5 MARCH 2006 to remove out of date references:

I am off to Vegas in February 2005 and have been researching various accommodation and show options for my four night midweek stay.

As prices and booking options seeemed somewhat confusing to me at first, I thought I would put together this "newbie" guide with all the information I have learned in the past few weeks. Any comments/corrections are welcomed and will be incorporated into this document.

ACCOMMODATIONS

The first choice you are faced with is whether to go on or off "The Strip" officially named Las Vegas Boulevard. This is where the action is, the lights and big name casino hotels you see on TV.

Off strip is understandably cheaper than on strip BUT even if budget is a priority for you, you should consider the downsides of an off strip hotel, which may end up costing more.

Such costs include higher cab fares from the airport, cab charges during your stay (particularly in the high summer when walking more than a few hundred yards can be oppressive), the potential for a LOT of walking even in cooler weather, and for those staying just a day or two, time spent getting to and from central strip attractions.

You may also be far away from the ubiquitous "all you can eat" food troughs which are a feature of strip hotels, though the bargains here are less good than they used to be. Plus IMHO, part of being in Vegas is being in the thick of the action, walking througha Casino to your room, perhaps ina branded/themed hotel - for the most part you need to be on strip to experience Vegas full-on.

There are certain off strip hotels which have more of an "on strip" feel about them, and I would include Hard Rock Hotel, the Palms and the Las Vegas Hilton in these categories.

The re-introduction of the Monorail in 2005 has in particular made the Las Vegas Hilton a more attractive option, as it has its own station on the monorail and the regular strip service is a great benefit.

Within the strip there is South Strip and Main Strip. This list is not exhaustive.

South Strip

Mandalay Bay
Four Seasons
THE hotel at Mandalay Bay
Luxor

Main Strip

Bellagio
Paris
MGM Grand
Venetian
New York New York
Mirage
Wynn

Mid Strip

The Flamingo
Bally's
Monte Carlo
The Imperial (inexpensive/cheap)

North Strip

Treasure Island
Circus Circus (avoid)
Stratosphere (not really on strip, but great view from its restaurant)
Sahara (not long for this world)
Hilton Vacation Club
Hilton Las Vegas (off strip but in same area)

When booking your accommodation, it is important to know that Vegas, as the first city of capitalism, has an almost perfect market in hotel rooms. That is to say that a well informed consumer can be sure to get a bargain deal as information on prices and promotions is plentiful. Prices are markedly less midweek (Mon-Thurs) than at the weekend (Fri-Sun).

Having said that, there are times of the year when prices will be high, due to fights, conventions or other seasonal factors. Therefore it is often best to plan to go to Vegas and THEN set the date of your trip dependent on the bargains available. Changing your trip date a few weeks can mean the difference between a standard room at the Luxor and an amazing Suite at Bellagio, if you play your cards right!

For those not used to the plus tax pricing in the US, it is important to note that there will likely be charges on top of the headline rate you see on the hotel website, such as tax and booking fee, though these should be clearly stated just prior to the payment stage.

Note that things like breakfast, access to the gym, pool (where premium services like cabanas may be offered, too), net access are usually at additional cost unless stated otherwise.

Having roughly decided your budget, I suggest starting out at www.expedia.com which gives you a broad idea of relative prices, allows you to see maps of hotel locations, search by facilities offered and by location on the strip. You can also see images of the rooms for most hotels as well.

Then once you have an idea of the hotels you are interested in based on your tastes and personal requirements, go directly to the hotels' own websites. These usually allow pricing up to four months in advance and you can see which weeks are going to be pricier than others.

Sign Up for Offers

You would be well advised to sign up for each hotels own special offer email list. This is truly the way to get bargains in Vegas, not just on room rates in absolute terms, but also on fringe perks such as discounts in restaurants and for spa services, which can prove lucrative.

Some hotels also have a "Player's Club" or high rollers club. Even if you do not intend to gamble, it may be worth taking out a membership of these clubs (usually free online signup) as anything you have in your arsenal for establishing your credibility as a potential big spender at check in may enhance your chances of getting a better room, and some of these clubs have fringe benefits such as priority access to tickets and special offers.

If you are gambling, these clubs are an essential way to ensure your spend is tracked by your hotel, and if substantial play has occurred, the resort may offer "comps" or freebies to enhance your stay, or invite you back for free next time! Comp City: A Guide to Free Casino Vacations (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0929712366/qid=1141568482/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/002-1074243-5820839?s=books&v=glance&n=283155) is a must read if you plan to return regularly, and are not averse to some responsible gaming; just avoid this is you are compulsive and/or addicted to Airline Mileage plans....! At the end of the day you get nothing for free in Vegas - you might get a free hotel room, but you will expend at least what it would have cost on the tables. But if you are gambling anyway, then with concentrating your play in a structured way you can reap rewards.

While the best deals are usually reserved for the special offer email lists, some special offers may be visible on the website booking engine itself. You should also look out for special packages, for instance spa or dining specials included in your room rate.

Shows

If you plan to visit shows or other attractions, find out which hotels these are located at and check the hotel websites for special offers. For instance the Las Vegas Hilton offers a "Nemesis Package" which effectively gives two free tickets for Star Trek: The Experience and two free dinners included with a two night stay. Hilton also has great Manilow: Music and Passion packages. Caesar's Palace offers excellent package deals for Celine Dion and Elton John.

If the main purpose of your visit is to view a show, then it may be worth staying at the hotel at which the show is playing, even if it costs slightly more, as this will enable you to book tickets through the hotel concierge service, which may get you priority seats.

This will mean better value for high price advance purchase seats as you are likely to be in the semi-VIP area nearer the stage than is available to normal punters through ticketmaster etc. It may also allow you to book lastminute for sold out shows.

Alternatively, try joining the "fan club" of the star you are going to see. Barry Manilow, Celine Dion and Elton John all offer membership for around $10 which gets you access to premium seats not available to the general public; if this is the only time in your life you will see there people perform, and you are not purchsing using a package, then it is money well spent - even if you have to bear the horror of opening circulars with glossy pics of Celine Dion for months to come!

If your interest in a show is marginal, and you do not need to guarantee best seats or a specific night for a special occassion, then there are at least two half price ticket booths on the strip which sell tickets on the night of performance, and most shows have return booths, but be prepared to queue and be disappointed, at the most popular shows.

The Booking Engines

Most hotel websites have transparent booking engines showing prices for each night stay. These are per room, per night. If you are staying in a group, do not rule out a suite with two or even three bedrooms - it may be affordable if you are splitting the cost.

If the booking engine at the hotel you would prefer to stay in shows either fully booked OR returns only the high price suite options, and you still want to stay on those dates, do not despair. Rooms are often still available on other sites (eg expedia) but you have obviously chosen a high season, and so prices will be higher no matter where you book.

One tip if you are booking a lengthy stay is to reduce the booking by a day or two. If for instance you are staying four days Sun-Thu, but on Sunday all the standard rooms are sold, the computer will automatically remove the standard room option from you pricing results for the whole stay. Removing the Sunday night may reveal that standard rooms are available for the remaining three days, meaning you can then either book the Sunday night at another property, or try and get a room using the non-hotel websites, who may have standard room availability that night.

Do consider issues like:

- smoking/non-smoking rooms. Many people have stays ruined by smoky, smelly rooms so seriously consider if you really want a smoking room if you are just an occasional smoker.

- view. Prices vary wildly depending on the view you have (usually Strip, Pool, Mountain). Make sure you are informed about what you are getting for your money. I have found some sites offer "deluxe" rooms but do not specify views and this can be an important factor for choosing to book through the hotel direct, so at least any special requests are guaranteed.

- Vegas is growing, which is great news for tourists as more capacity opens up, but not so great if you have a 24/7 view of a building site, with attendant noise, or worse your own hotel is under construction. Do check this out with your chosen hotel before committing to a reservation.

If you do end up in a noisy/smelly/grotty room, COMPLAIN!!! This seems to be the surest way of getting an upgraded room, where space is available.

Nearly There!

Well you are nearly there, you have decided your budget, hotel location, property and room type and have access to the hotel website prices and signed up for special offers.

Now you need to use the best tool on the web for comparing prices. Download www.travelaxe.com into your PC and it will update with the latest deals from all websites (expedia/orbitz etc) allowing you to compare prices and see whether the hotel rate is on the mark for your selected dates.

Note: some people have mentioned there may be spyware associated with this program I have had no problems with it myself, nor have any knowledge of spyware, but do exercise caution if this concerns you.

Personally I would take the rates from travelaxe and ask the hotels to match the rates. I would recommend this course of action as if you book direct with the hotel there is less chance of your reservation getting lost, your room being given away if you check in late and I would imagine puts check in agents in a more favourable frame of mind when it comes to offering upgraded accommodation.

But mostly, the hotel's own website is best as they will only take a deposit at booking stage, usually for one night's stay, with a no-fee cancellation policy. If you book though other websites the charges for the whole stay are usually billed instantly, non-refundable, and sometimes it can be less than clear exactly what sort of room you will be getting, with only one room category offered. Not such a good idea to book several months in advance, only to find the room rate has plummeted, but your booking is non refundable.

Tripadvisor

Once you have found the rate you want for the date you want at the property you want, pause a moment and check out www.tripadvisor.com - this will have recent reviews from people who have stayed at your property, and will offer hints about prevalence of construction noise , service, whether to get a room near the elevator/high floor or other experiences which might enhance your stay.

Priceline

Because Vegas operates in an almost perfect market already, there are fewer amazing deals IMHO on Priceline than are available in other locations.

However, deals can be had especally in low seasons and if your stay plans are flexible check priceline out, in concert with www.biddingfortravel.com which also gives information on discount codes in case you signed up after special offer emails were sent. An example of a great deal is priceline offering suites at The Venetian for $99/night. This is the only five star property presently offered on priceline on The Strip. The Westin Causuarina is also a great hotel offered on Priceline at great rates, and only short walk from the Strip.

Sweet Spot

From what I can gather, given the propensity for hotels to offer special deals which are usually released two to three months in advance of the period to which they apply, there is a "sweet spot" of between six and eight weeks before your stay which is the best time to book where you are in the best position to get a bargain.

Convention Timetable

However, it pays to check the convention timetable (available on travelaxe and other sites) to see when Vegas is busy; 10,000 people in one convention will have only minimal effect on room rates, EXCEPT in the hotel where the attendees are staying, but some conventions can be the size of small principalities (35,000+) and these should be avoided at all costs.

I have also found a great deal if you are prepared to attend a short seminar on vacation ownership (also called timeshare). These can be hard sell and are compulsory, but you get a nice suite for just $50 per night ($199 for two nights, plus $100 entertainment or gaming credit) so if you are eligible, have the time to spare, and on a strict budget then this might be an option for you: sign up by entering your address below
http://www.hiltongrandvacations.com/vacation-package-specials.php.

If you are looking for a very sizeable room without the temptations of a casino on site, I would recommend the Hilton Grand Vacation Club on the strip - rooms all have kitchen, free wifi net access in the lobby, newly built and very competitive rates. Four Seasons also has no casino.

Also, you may be interested to note that properties in the MGM/Caesar's Group have special Check In at Las Vegas McCarran Airport; as hotel check in can often be a scrum this can be a great option if you are arriving by plane at a busy time of the week.

Other tips for economising include shopping for soft drinks, water and snacks at the many convenience stores, requesting a fridge in your room to store food/wine alcohol and bringing your own plastic cups or glasses if you fancy a drink as the hotel may charge for this especially if you need many for a large group/pre-dinner drinks party.

Some people have reported good results from tipping the check in agent and securing better views/floors or even upgrades as a result. Whilst undoubtedly the best way to ingratiate yourself with any check in agent is IMHO to be as charming, polite and amenable as possible, some monetary inducement may work, however having never tried this I would welcome hints from other FTers as to how this should be accomplished and what amounts might be appropriate.

The Unofficial Guide to Las Vegas 2006 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0764583409/sr=8-2/qid=1141568273/ref=pd_bbs_2/002-1074243-5820839?%5Fencoding=UTF8) has been strongly recommended by others as a good overview resource.

You might also note that the nearby Lake Las Vegas has some great hotels, notably a super Ritz Carlton (http://www.ritzcarlton.com/resorts/lake_las_vegas/) , which might offer a tranquil respite en route to the Grand Canyon or Hoover Dam for those planning longer stays or on road trips.

So there it is! These observations are my opinions based on a few weeks trawling for the best deals and two previous stays in Vegas; they may be flawed and I welcome any corrections and additional information as appropriate.

Have a great stay!

A few thoughts:

- Downtown is a viable option for many visitors. No car required and no long walks needed.

- There are several mid-range properties along what I guess you would call the "North Strip" that offer attractive prices for bargain hunters.

- I agree that the best prices are mid-week when there's not a big convention in town. Additionally, summer and the pre-Christmas period usually yields the best bargains.

- Caesar's Entertainment has airport check-in for their hotels.

- There are few "bargain" buffets left on the Strip, at least in reputable places. See Bellagio pricing, just as a for instance. In fact, as restaurant quality has improved in Vegas, bargain food is harder and harder to find. (Which can be a good thing, depending on your persepctive.)

Enjoy your first trip to Vegas. If you're like me, it will become a life-long habit.

Good summary which should provide valuable information especially for first time or infrequent LV visitors.
As one who has visited Vegas three or more times per year for the last 15 years I offer a slightly diffrent perspective abou getting around.
a) Rental cars in LV is just about the cheapest anywhere in the country and unless you plan on just visiting a few properties I would recommend renting one. You might find it much cheaper in the long run plus the flexibility it affords cannot be beat.
b) If you do rent a car and want to get around much more easily stay a a hotel on the west side of the strip( Venetian/Paris/MGM) since there is a number of access roads (eg Koval Lane) which will put you into the rear of those properties very, very easily.
On a weekend night when strip traffic is at its usual standstill it is not unsual to take upwards of 30/40 mins in taxi from Mandalay Bay just to get to the Venetian.
The taxis wont use these routes unless you insist and if you are on the east (Bellagio/Mandalay Bay) just crossing over LV Blvd is a hassle.
But I can guarantee to get you from Tropicana to Venetian in under 10 mins.

mike

It's important to add www.betterbidding.com.

This is a great site to check Priceline/Hotwire bidding reports.

Some would say that there are better deals downtown Las Vegas, rather than the strip. YMMV.

Great summary. Should be very helpful to first timers.

The previous posters have touched on many of the important additions.


By all means when you have an idea of what you want to do (shows, resturant reservations etc.), send an e-mail or fax to the concierge in advance of your trip. See them first when you check in and tip them well.

Count me as another one for renting a car. BUT...Make sure you join a Fastlane, Hertz #1 Club etc to avoid a long wait.

Car provides easier access to some of the great non-strip dining like Rosemary's and Wild Sage (under a new name now I think) as wellas some non-strip attractions.

I hate waiting and when you don't know Vegas well you will find youself wating in line for Taxi's wating in a rental car line, waiting in hotel check in line, waiting in buffet lines, waiting in traffic, and the lines at the Airport can be very long.

Advise about airport check in, and traffic is on target. You can frequently bypass or get into a shorter line at buffet's if you are a guest of that hotel, member of the players club.

Many of the Near Strip (West?) Hotels Rio, etc have shuttles that will take you to the strip.

I wouldn't reccomend downtown for the average first timer. Very good bargains to be had downtown, but I think a strip - near strip is best for the first timer.

I also like some of the resort properties JW Marriott, Hyatt Lake Las Vegas that can be had a great rates through PL for a change of pace, or to break up a stay. My last trip I did a few nights at THE Hotel and a few nights out at the resort.

Great thing about LV is that there is something for everyone at almost every price range.

Forgot to add cheapovegas.com as a great internet resource in planning your trip.

http://www.cheapovegas.com/index.php

South Strip

Mandalay Bay
Four Seasons
THE hotel at Mandalay Bay
Luxor

Main Strip

Bellagio
Paris
MGM Grand
Venetian
New York New York
Mirage

Some people have reported good results from tipping the check in agent and securing ebtetr views/floors or even upgrades as a result. Whilst undoubtedly the best way to ingratiate yourself with any check in agent is IMHO to be as charming, polite and amenable as possible, some moentary inducement may work, however having never tried this I would welcome hints from other FTers as to how this should be accomplished and what amounts might be appropriate.


Thanks for your positive responses! Can anyone help expand my list of hotels by location (and maybe a few of the better ones on downtown?). I must admit when i last visited I was warned off going to downtown as people said it was more dangerous.

Also as I have always driven over from LA? Palm Springs can anyone add a section on what to do on arrival in the airport eg - where the check in desks are for Caesars/ MGM, where to get the best cabs and what to ask/tell drivers re routings etc. Are there any meet and greet limo services or stretch companies you recommend?

The point about being a member of the Rent_A-Car frequent reneters is a great one, any other benefits for being AAA member or similar?

Finally any input on tipping the check in guys/gals would be appreciated.

i hope to edit this document (sorry had not time to spell check it last night), incorporate your answers and re-post in a sticky FAQ thread if I can find a moderator to do so.

apudme,

Downtown isn't dangerous and shouldn't be seen as such - as long as you stay within the hotel district or under thge canopy of Fremont St. I have been approached by 2 panhandlers in 7 stays downtown - compare that to my commute home in London? No contest :)

I prefer downtown and as one of the few brits who regularly stay down there, I think it is much better value than the Strip (last trip in Sept we did 3 days on the Strip in Bellagio as it is my fave hotel, and then 4 days downtown. Bellagio was of course perfect, but in all honesty, I was happier to be downtown.)

I have stayed downtown for 7 of the last 8 trips I have done to Vegas since 2000.

Best and class of Downtown is The Golden Nugget, I also regularly stay at the Las Vegas Club. Also of note is Main St Station, 4 Queens, and Fremont Hotel. Binions is nice to visit, and even though they have new matresses on the beds, the rooms are not what they could be. Golden Gate has a fine fine coffee house, but the rooms are just too small. Fitzgeralds has never appealed to me, but people say good things about it.

Don't write Downtown off, but also, don't tell too many people about it<g>.

I'll be staying at the Golden Nugget in Feb and flying in on "that" BMI biz deal :)

Heid
xx

b) If you do rent a car and want to get around much more easily stay a a hotel on the west side of the strip( Venetian/Paris/MGM) since there is a number of access roads (eg Koval Lane) which will put you into the rear of those properties very, very easily.
On a weekend night when strip traffic is at its usual standstill it is not unsual to take upwards of 30/40 mins in taxi from Mandalay Bay just to get to the Venetian.
The taxis wont use these routes unless you insist and if you are on the east (Bellagio/Mandalay Bay) just crossing over LV Blvd is a hassle.
But I can guarantee to get you from Tropicana to Venetian in under 10 mins.
mike

This is my top tip to friends who are going to Vegas. I have been going to Vegas 3-6 times a year for about 15 yrs now, and have only stayed on "The Other Side" twice. It is an absolute nightmare, more so on weekends, for traffic purposes on that side. Koval Lane saves so much time getting anywhere, it truly is an insiders tip.

And when travelling with buddy's when you are only spending 3 hrs a day in the room, don't forget the Imperial Palace. This is one of the most affordable hotels considering location in Vegas. Nothing fancy, but clean and perfect location.

We just returned from our second Vegas trip in 2 months. An excellent first step is to buy "The Unofficial Guide to Las Vegas", by Bob Sehlinger. It is head and shoulders above all the other guides I've ever seen, giving detailed, unbiased and accurate info on hotels & motels, shows, restaurants, getting around, how to beat the hotel's convention rate, and even how to play the gambling games. A package deal from an airline, a hotel, a tour operator or wholesaler can include 2/1 buffets & show tickets & other discounts. There's at least two Half Price Ticket outlets, with best deals the evening of the show. We saw the I-15 sign "No Services for the Next 47 Miles", about 47 miles north of Vegas and it was true! Only found a high-priced gas station near the airport car return area. If you like to walk, Las Vegas is a great place as everything is pretty well spread out. Enjoy your visit!

In addition to checking LVCVA for convention schedule, you should also look here:

http://www.vegas.com/traveltips/calendar.html?f=m0gu&t=caltxt

for non-convention events that can throw off hotel booking rates. Something like the Superbowl or National Finals Rodeo may not be at the front of your mind, but can cause significant booking availability and rate changes for hotels.

This may be of interest for several recent posters so I will bump it.

Spent a great NYE at Paris, great hotel and terrific view of Bellagio Fountains and fireworks from room!

Did any mention free valet parking at all the major hotels/casinos?

Also sign up for the casinos - you may get FREE stuff and 2 for 1 buffet coupons. Look for the coupon books at the player clubs.

Unless you are a a very discerning diner I doubt that you will be disappointed at any buffet.
My whole family (7 of us) at brunch at one of the Station buffets for less than $20.00. You cannot beat that.

I will be back in Vegas for a convention Feb 20 - can't wait.
This time staying at the Luxor

What was the BMI Biz deal?

Some of us over on the BMI Board snagged a fare error which allowed us to book J Class return tickets from Manchester, Uk to Las Vegas direct for GBP249, about $450 including taxes.

The flight should have been priced at GBP2490, but someone forgot to add the extra "0". Oops! I saved GBP2240.

Trip Report bmi MAN-LAS-MAN in "the business" (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=400550&referrerid=24296)

If you are going to Vegas, LEARN HOW TO GAMBLE WISELY before you arrive. Play only low percentage games, and make only low percentage bets (e.g. basic strategy blackjack or pass line in craps with full odds). Study at home before you hit the tables. Read "Comp City" and learn how to get your room and food comped for not that much action.

Sterling work apudme! ^

So much sage advice that I've emailed your tips to a couple of friends as a good way to go about getting the most of our pounds (and yen).

LOTS of differing opinions as to how awful (or not) the Downtown area near Fremont St is - I'm going to follow Heidster's lead and check out the Goldn Nugget for myself (and I got a night at the Venetian through Priceline).

Now all I need are some guidelines as to how to get the best tour possible of the Grand Canyon on 1) a budget and 2) as a fiercely dedicated non-driver. This is proving even more tricky than the Hotels!!!

Sterling work apudme! ^


Now all I need are some guidelines as to how to get the best tour possible of the Grand Canyon on 1) a budget and 2) as a fiercely dedicated non-driver. This is proving even more tricky than the Hotels!!!

1 and 2 might be incompatible. But I find the one of the best ways to see the Grand Canyon is by small aircraft, plus you get to see areas not accessible by roads. There are tons of the air-tour operators who fly out in 8 seater planes, trip takes about 2 to 2 1/2 hours and costs about $35 ( it been a while since i did it so the cost might be dated)

mike

$35? Mike, was that in 1975? :)

Air tours of the canyon via small plane run $99 to $200 per person from Vegas. Helicopter tours run from $175-400. Cheaper gets you Hoover Dam and touches on the south rim, more expensive gets you the whole canyon.

Helicopters have the edge in quality as they obviously go lower and slower.

$35? Mike, was that in 1975? :)

Air tours of the canyon via small plane run $99 to $200 per person from Vegas. Helicopter tours run from $175-400. Cheaper gets you Hoover Dam and touches on the south rim, more expensive gets you the whole canyon.

Helicopters have the edge in quality as they obviously go lower and slower.

You' re right the last time I took a air tour was in 1992 ( boy does time really fly :) ) Price was discounted because of group rates.
You Ftalkers sure know how to date a guy :D

mike

This is such a good thread, should I make it a sticky?

This is such a good thread, should I make it a sticky?

^

This is such a good thread, should I make it a sticky?

Not sure why you would want to do this. Starts off with thoughts for picking a hotel, veers into a mileage run discussion, gets sidetracked by gambling advice, and recently finds new life as tips for seeing the Grand Canyon. :eek:

Originally Posted by apudme
South Strip

Mandalay Bay
Four Seasons
THE hotel at Mandalay Bay
Luxor

Main Strip

Bellagio
Paris
MGM Grand
Venetian
New York New York
Mirage

Some people have reported good results from tipping the check in agent and securing ebtetr views/floors or even upgrades as a result. Whilst undoubtedly the best way to ingratiate yourself with any check in agent is IMHO to be as charming, polite and amenable as possible, some moentary inducement may work, however having never tried this I would welcome hints from other FTers as to how this should be accomplished and what amounts might be appropriate.

Thanks for your positive responses! Can anyone help expand my list of hotels by location (and maybe a few of the better ones on downtown?). I must admit when i last visited I was warned off going to downtown as people said it was more dangerous.

Downtown isn't dangerous, just a little more shabby. The Golden Nugget is actually rather nice, but there are some very cheap and tacky casino/hotels downtown.

As for adding to your list:

Mid-strip, moderately priced, and offering a lot of bang for the buck are:

The Flamingo
Ballys - both of these are perfectly located

(and for a little more money) Monte Carlo

Caesars is higher end and, in my opinion, one of the more fun casinos, capturing more of the feel of "old Las Vegas" than the newer properties.

The Imperial: some people report it's a good bargain, but in my opinion it has a rather cheap feel to it. The owner is obsessed with Nazi memorabilia and has a small museum on the second floor.

South strip:

Luxor (not well located, north only of Mandalay Bay)

MGM Grand (a large green warehouse for package tours and families). I wouldn't consider it mid-Strip; it's on the same corner as NY NY and Excalibur.

Excalibur (run by the same company as Circus Circus -- not too clean, needs renovation and over-run with families with small children)

North strip:

Treasure Island -- next to the Mirage and across from the Venetian, the property is trying to target younger, party-hearty adults.

Circus Circus: avoid at all costs. Bad location, dirty, shabby and THE destination of choice for the kind of person who thinks its a good idea to drag young children to Las Vegas, give them a couple of bucks and then send them off to fend for themselves. Reputed to have the worst buffet on the Strip. Comes up on Priceline a lot.

Stratosphere: In my opinion, so far north it's not really on the Strip, but for a great view it's worth going up in the tower at night.


If you're looking for higher end, my personal preference is the Venetian over Bellagio. The standard Venetian room is suite-like, with a sunken living room, televisions in the bed and living room, a generous work table (with a fax machine), and a very nice, spacious bath. The Bellagio has both rooms and suites. I find that the Venetian is true 5-star in terms of amenities and service, whereas my one stay at Bellagio was a disappointment: our suite was a huge hike from the elevators, not well-maintained, and the staff throughout the hotel had an real attitude.

Not sure why you would want to do this. Starts off with thoughts for picking a hotel, veers into a mileage run discussion, gets sidetracked by gambling advice, and recently finds new life as tips for seeing the Grand Canyon. :eek:

Why not start a new one then?

Why not start a new one then?


I'm all for that - but then lets "sticky" to the subject in hand :D

^ I'm all for that - but then lets "sticky" to the subject in hand :D

^

This is my top tip to friends who are going to Vegas. I have been going to Vegas 3-6 times a year for about 15 yrs now, and have only stayed on "The Other Side" twice. It is an absolute nightmare, more so on weekends, for traffic purposes on that side. Koval Lane saves so much time getting anywhere, it truly is an insiders tip.

And when travelling with buddy's when you are only spending 3 hrs a day in the room, don't forget the Imperial Palace. This is one of the most affordable hotels considering location in Vegas. Nothing fancy, but clean and perfect location.

Well you actually may want to reconsider the "other side", which is the west side, btw. Frank Sinatra Drive is now open & runs from Russell to Industrial, with Industrial going to & past Sahara. Less Traffic & fewer lights than Koval, although it's still a good choice for the east side.

Also, when the new consolidated rental facility opens next year, it will be south of the airport just off LV Blvd. Russell is the road before Mandalay Bay as you head north to the strip, so using FS Dr. will offer the west side very easy access.

bumpp

All this talk about saving money on Las Vegas hotels is all and good. But when you save $50 on a hotel room and lose $100 at the tables, is it really maximising your dollar?

All this talk about saving money on Las Vegas hotels is all and good. But when you save $50 on a hotel room and lose $100 at the tables, is it really maximising your dollar?

I suppose that's why they call it gambling. :D The other way to look at it is it's a great deal if you spend $500 a night on your room but win $5000 at the tables.

For a strip hotel, Imperial Palace is a decent deal. Yes, it's a bit dreary and could use a bit of renovating but it all depends on what you want in a hotel. If you want basically a room to stay that is clean, Imperial does the job. We're staying there in December and the rooms were $29 a night with a $50 credit that can be applied to the room so for three nights, it'll be around $40.

Granted, if I had a choice, I'd stay at Paris but it usually runs around $129 a night.

I agree with most of your helpful hints, and would add the following:

As for the casino/slot clubs, by all means sign up. However, I have found most of these cards to be virtually worthless to low rollers like me, i.e. $25/hand blackjack, or $1.25 (5 coin) video poker slots. Despite hours of play, I have received zero, repeat zero discounted room offers from Aladdin, Hard Rock, Palms, Caesars, Venetian, Mandalay or Mirage. (They tend to sell out on weekends so why discount?) So if you are not playing big at these properties (or haven't signed up yet) don't worry about it because you won't miss anything.

The notable exception is Harrah's/Rio (which now owns Caesar's). All you need to do is play a few hands or better yet, a few slot machines, and you will start getting monthly offers for free and/or discounted rooms like clockwork. The Hilton (no longer owned by Hilton) also used to send out periodic offers.

There are, however, other ways to get discounts. You would be well advised to sign up for the Venetian specials email, which provides discounted rate offers just about every month. Contrast to Mirage and Hard Rock, which also have emails but rarely have anything useful in them. Aladdin also runs frequent specials, watch the SPG forum for posts.

Finally, I would add that I would not rule out off-strip properties, which may actually be far more convenient if you plan to travel beyond the strip to local restaurants, death valley, grand canyon, etc. Also, they can actually be closer, timewise, e.g., Rio to Bellagio, than getting stuck in strip traffic on a weekend. Walking in Vegas is overrated. :)

Over the years, finding cheap rooms in Vegas has become tougher and tougher, particularly for weekends and high demand periods. IME, it is difficult to find anything under $200/nt for a good 4* strip property on Friday or Saturday nights. If you can travel midweek, you will save a bundle on both air and hotel. Downtown is also cheap.

The prices for the passing Oct. 29th night and Nov. 4th night are rather high.

.... and people say Vegas hotels are cheap. :eek:

Super thread. Anything new for 06? I am sking since all the several dates we tried for indicate either no availibility or very high rates.

I visit Vegas 4 times a year and will only stay at Bally's - biggest regular rooms on the strip, and the casino is uncluttered with wide-eyed tourists, like you get at Wynn's or Bellagio. Rent a car, period. Ever done the stress dance in the taxi line, the one where you hop around sweating it out as to whether or not you'll make it to the airport on time? No fun. Go see the Hoover Dam, and if they start running the hard hat tour again, take it. Good way to kill a few hours away from the tables. Speaking of tables, it may be boring, but concentrate your play in one casino, ideally the one you sleep in. I'm an average $75 bet and Bally's always pays for my room, food, and gives me a $300 flight credit, so consolidate your gaming and get to know the casino staff where you play. Forget about looking for Paris Hilton, and concentrate on having fun and maximizing your time there. The previous advice to buy a book on gambling may seem obvious, but as any frequent visitor to Vegas can attest, the site of some poor hillbilly unloading his last $100 on a field bet at craps is waaaaay too common. Study the games to at least have a fighting chance of leaving with some dough. Finally, go to a good sports book and, after studying a book on the subject, take part in the action - it's a great way to pass some time while limiting your downside.
Enjoy Vegas - it's the best!

Excalibur (run by the same company as Circus Circus -- not too clean, needs renovation and over-run with families with small children)



In addition to Circus Circus and Excalibur, this company you mention also runs

Mandalay Bay, Luxor, NY NY, MGM Grand, Monte Carlo, Bellagio, Treaure Island
Mirage and Bellagio.

In addition to Circus Circus and Excalibur, this company you mention also runs

Mandalay Bay, Luxor, NY NY, MGM Grand, Monte Carlo, Bellagio, Treaure Island
Mirage and Bellagio.
Which explains why they've gone down hill.

We recently stayed at the Bellagio after a hiatus of many years during which we stayed, primarily, at the Venetian. We definitely won't make that mistake again.

You're not suggesting that Circus Circus and Excalibur are top-quality hotels, are you?

Which explains why they've gone down hill.

We recently stayed at the Bellagio after a hiatus of many years during which we stayed, primarily, at the Venetian. We definitely won't make that mistake again.

You're not suggesting that Circus Circus and Excalibur are top-quality hotels, are you?

No just saying that you can't judge Excalibur by the fact that it is associated with Circus Circus. It would be like saying you'd avoid Caesars because it is owned by the same company that owns the Horseshoe Casino.

Aside from Wynn and Venetian, every major casino is owned by one of 3 corporations - 4 if you include local casinos. These corporation each own a variety of properties that range from luxury to dump. So no matter where you stay you will be indirectly slumming it.

Thought this needed a bump since it was exactly what I was searching for. Very helpful to the fisrt time planner (me)!

South Strip

Mandalay Bay
Four Seasons
THE hotel at Mandalay Bay
Luxor

Main Strip

Bellagio
Paris
MGM Grand
Venetian
New York New York
Mirage
Wynn

Mid Strip

The Flamingo
Bally's
Monte Carlo
The Imperial (inexpensive/cheap)

North Strip

Treasure Island
Circus Circus (avoid)
Stratosphere (not really on strip, but great view from its restaurant)
Sahara (not long for this world)
Hilton Vacation Club
Hilton Las Vegas (off strip but in same area)

I feel like this grouping isn't really all that helpful to new LV visitors. There is no such distinction that I've ever heard called "Main Strip." I'd say South, Center, and North are more appropriate. For example, under "Main Strip" you list MGM, NYNY, Bellagio, and Wynn. But it's quite a long walk from MGM-Wynn. Then you list Mid-Strip, including Bally's and Flamingo, this is where Bellagio and Paris belong. North Strip is also deceiving because TI and the Strat are not exactly in the same area. If north strip is to mean TI, it should include Venetian and Wynn, but the Strat, Sahara, CC, and the Hilton need a separate grouping. Also, it's not "The Imperial" but Imperial Palace. Just my $.02.

Oddly enough, except for Luxor and TI that's also classified somewhat by "hotel star class", though not exactly (yes, I know the differences, but look at the relative groupings). The directionality of those groupings is somewhat suspect, as NYNY and Wynn are on opposite ends of all of what is supposedly called "mid strip". It sounds more like a marketing thing, especially when they don't want to call it the IP.

Having never used Priceline.com to get a room, never mind a room at the Venetian, how does one do so without risking that you'll get some other hotel at the current rack rate that really isn't a deal?

Having never used Priceline.com to get a room, never mind a room at the Venetian, how does one do so without risking that you'll get some other hotel at the current rack rate that really isn't a deal?

Specify a 5* hotel. The Venetian is the only PL 5* hotel in Las Vegas. Remember, if you use PL for a room in Las Vegas, you won't get it comped later.

Priceline is a useful skill worth learning unless you like overpaying for hotels and cars. Go to "Travel Bidding" or betterbidding.com

Specify a 5* hotel. The Venetian is the only PL 5* hotel in Las Vegas. Remember, if you use PL for a room in Las Vegas, you won't get it comped later.

Priceline is a useful skill worth learning unless you like overpaying for hotels and cars. Go to "Travel Bidding" or betterbidding.com

Interesting, since we don't really gamble in Vegas, the liklihood of getting the room comped is extremely unlikely. I take it that you've priceline before? Is priceline only good for 1 or 2 nights or is it good for 5 nights too?

Interesting, since we don't really gamble in Vegas, the liklihood of getting the room comped is extremely unlikely. I take it that you've priceline before? Is priceline only good for 1 or 2 nights or is it good for 5 nights too?

Five nights at the Venetian at $99 may be difficult because of the general disparity between Fri/Sat/Sun and the other nights of the week. www.betterbidding.com can give you some tips on "splitting your bid."

Or, for general low prices, I've found the best sites are www.kayak.com and www.jetawayvegas.com. Better Bidding also links to www.easyclicktravel.com, which has unidentified "off the record" hotels...that you can identify back on Better Bidding using their "reverse easyclick" feature. That's two steps too much for me anymore, so I prefer Kayak and JetawayVegas.

And I almost forgot TravelZoo! http://hotels.travelzoo.com/las-vegas-hotels/
They are generally good at posting current promos and deals at various hotels.

The Tuscany Suites (http://www.tuscanylasvegas.com/) is a great bargain for those who want a clean, spacious room and don't feel compelled to stay at one of the major casinos directly on the strip (though it is only a 10 minute walk from Bally's).

Good tips. Keep them coming if you have more. :)

What's typically the best price for the Tuscany?

I'll have to make my way over to www.betterbidding.com. Looks like there's lots of reading to do. There is no short or condensed version, is there?

Does anyone have any links to screenshots of how priceline's results work? I was just wondering if you make a bid, does priceline come back with a counter-bid if yours is too low?

Does anyone have any links to screenshots of how priceline's results work? I was just wondering if you make a bid, does priceline come back with a counter-bid if yours is too low?
Betterbidding.com or Biddingfortravel.com would be the places to go for all that info. I'm sure they have FAQs or primers there.

Good tips. Keep them coming if you have more. :)

What's typically the best price for the Tuscany?

I'll have to make my way over to www.betterbidding.com. Looks like there's lots of reading to do. There is no short or condensed version, is there?

Does anyone have any links to screenshots of how priceline's results work? I was just wondering if you make a bid, does priceline come back with a counter-bid if yours is too low?

I have stayed at PL hotels hundreds of times and I would never again consider paying rack rate (full price) for a hotel. Sometimes PL will come back with a counter-bid, and often the best strategy is to ignore it. PL has all kinds of misleading info for you which you must ignore. Again, there is no substitute for drilling down into betterbidding.com . You will be well rewarded.

I found great rates through a site called cheapovegas.com. On the home page, in the right column there is something called the Bargain Bin where people share great deals on air, hotel, cars, and how they got them (i.e., which websites or calling hotel directly or coupon codes).

Thanks for the infos provided.

I will be staying at the aladin for some days and was wondering if I can stay in one hotel and without problem play at another casino or would that be stupid?
I am more a low player and would probably do some slots or such. :)

Thanks for the infos provided.

I will be staying at the aladin for some days and was wondering if I can stay in one hotel and without problem play at another casino or would that be stupid?
I am more a low player and would probably do some slots or such. :)

America is a free country, you can do patronize any casino you like. :p

America is a free country, you can do patronize any casino you like. :pComeon, we are here on flyertalk! where we aspire to make the best out of the system!

(I cannot believe I am falling for a third system to understand and crack ...)

What I understand til now is especially that there is a difference between time and money to play. It is better to play one day for example X in slot than three days the same amount over three days because it makes your spend / day higher.

hints to websites with more information are taken with lot of thanks - and I think that could make a fine new list as a single posting as well.

people reading flyertalk are not necessary just some players - we do play a different game. ;)

If you're playing at multiple casinos, it's always better to concentrate your play in a single day at a given property than to spread it out over multiple days. That holds for properties that are part of a chain as well.

For low rollers, playing at Harrah's properties will generate the best room offers. Caesars Palace has the best quarter video poker of the Strip resorts.

QL

bump. . . excellent thread.

Caesars Palace has the best quarter video poker of the Strip resorts.

QL

Not any more!!!

Kurt

Nope, it's allllllllllll gone.

QL

Thanks for the infos provided.

I will be staying at the aladin for some days and was wondering if I can stay in one hotel and without problem play at another casino or would that be stupid?
I am more a low player and would probably do some slots or such. :)

Like Frequent Flyer plans, you are recommended to focus your play at the hotel/hotel group at which you are staying, unless the volume of your play allows you to play the field.

Wow! There is great information in this thread!

Wow! There is great information in this thread!

And wait 'til you explore the rest of FT! Welcome!

I have to agree, this thread has been a lot of help.

I am a Vegas virgin, planning a trip in September and want to get the best deals possible. Have searched everywhere, so it's very good to hear that there will be better deals closer to the date (though I do want to note that Vegas.com has given me the best deals so far)....now I will just have to sit on my hands for a month or so :)

ttt...since the board defaults to "threads in the last 10 days" would it be possible for this thread to become a sticky for the many guests that stop by...as well as the members with short term memories! ;)