Las Vegas - Group Travel to LV?

Anyone have any advice on group travel to Vegas? There will be a group of 60 or so of us splitting a $10,000 prize to fly out and stay probably 2 nights. We can put up to 4 people in a room. Are there hotel packages we should consider? If so, at which properties? We would probably tilt more toward first-class accommodations on the Strip. How about air discounts (we're fairly near a Southwest Airlines city with direct service). A Friday and Saturday night trip would be best (yeah, I know, more expensive). Any creative ideas on how to maximize bang for the buck?

I believe each hotel has agents specifically to cater to groups. Call the casino and find out your options.

If you're looking for First Class, then Bellagio would probably be your best bet. Then maybe Venetian and Mandalay Bay (Palms and Hard Rock for the younger crowd - neither on the strip however). Next tier would be Mirage and Caesars. Hopefully Quiet Lion will chime in as he knows a lot more than I do.

Get a few prices and compare. For me, the hotel room accomodations is not as important as I spend very little time there. YMMV.

Once you select a hotel, you may want to run the options that the Group Agent gives you on this forum. For instance, the $10K pool can pick up the room charges (especially with 4 to a room). If you allow it to pick up incidentals, then a lot of the $10K could be lost to phone calls which sometimes get to $100s because people don't know the rip-off policies of in-room phones.

Also, there may be some ideas from some people on this forum as to what to negotiate from the Group Agent such as discounts, line passes (so you don't have to wait on line), etc.

I believe each hotel has agents specifically to cater to groups. Call the casino and find out your options.

If you're looking for First Class, then Bellagio would probably be your best bet. Then maybe Venetian and Mandalay Bay (Palms and Hard Rock for the younger crowd - neither on the strip however). Next tier would be Mirage and Caesars. Hopefully Quiet Lion will chime in as he knows a lot more than I do.

Get a few prices and compare. For me, the hotel room accomodations is not as important as I spend very little time there. YMMV.

Once you select a hotel, you may want to run the options that the Group Agent gives you on this forum. For instance, the $10K pool can pick up the room charges (especially with 4 to a room). If you allow it to pick up incidentals, then a lot of the $10K could be lost to phone calls which sometimes get to $100s because people don't know the rip-off policies of in-room phones.

Also, there may be some ideas from some people on this forum as to what to negotiate from the Group Agent such as discounts, line passes (so you don't have to wait on line), etc.

Chances are people will be on their own for variable cost items like incidentals, food, etc. Our main goal is to get everybody there and provide a place to crash as needed (this is a group of mostly 20-somethings who will probably go all-out while there and then start the recovery on the plane ride home). The strip location has mostly to do with the sumble-back-to-the-room-from-the-casino/show/club factor and bragging rights about where we stayed.

Please keep the ideas coming!

When are you thinking of going?

When are you thinking of going?

Probably February or April, depending on the convention calendar and pricing of flights and hotels.

Anyone have any advice on group travel to Vegas? There will be a group of 60 or so of us splitting a $10,000 prize to fly out and stay probably 2 nights. We can put up to 4 people in a room. Are there hotel packages we should consider? If so, at which properties? We would probably tilt more toward first-class accommodations on the Strip. How about air discounts (we're fairly near a Southwest Airlines city with direct service). A Friday and Saturday night trip would be best (yeah, I know, more expensive). Any creative ideas on how to maximize bang for the buck?

There is a group quote option on Travelocity.

Anyone have any advice on group travel to Vegas? There will be a group of 60 or so of us splitting a $10,000 prize to fly out and stay probably 2 nights. We can put up to 4 people in a room. Are there hotel packages we should consider? If so, at which properties? We would probably tilt more toward first-class accommodations on the Strip. How about air discounts (we're fairly near a Southwest Airlines city with direct service). A Friday and Saturday night trip would be best (yeah, I know, more expensive). Any creative ideas on how to maximize bang for the buck?

If you want high end on the strip I would go Belligo or Paris since both hotels are in the center of the strip. The only issue with Bellegio is the rooms can be a bit small but it is a great hotel.

Additional high end would be Venetian - (Plus they have the biggest rooms) next would be Mandalay (or the new tower THE HOTEL) both are great hotels but are a bit further away on either end of the strip.

As for the airfare I would look at pricing it out as a group to see what discounts you may get. Plus as the organizer you get miles/rewards based on the number of passengers

Since you said 20 somethings I would definitely recommend Palms and Hard Rock. They are not on the strip however they definitely attract the under 30 crowds.

With your name being "Seal Beach" I am assuming you may be in the southern CA area? If not Southwest may not be your best airline choice. If you are, I think Southwest usually has the best prices from the LA area.

You can call the airline and ask for their group desk. They will arrange sometimes only a 5% discount or if you will all fly together arrange to clear 60 seats at the lowest fare. They also have a tour desk and might be able to arrange hotel and room packages that are well priced.

Hope that helps.

I would definetly contact the various hotels you are considering and ask for the group reservations department. Depending on the number of rooms/nights you are looking at, the hotel might offer better deals.

I have contacts at the MGM Grand hotel, as well as Tabu and Studio 54, who might be able to help. If that is one of your possible destinations, feel free to drop me a line. Please contact me via regular email. My address is on my web site.

Thanks
Michael
http://www.biztrip.com

Southwest has a group desk that can handle your flight reservations. Their number is 1-800-423-5683. Actually, just about every airline has a group desk. Many of the airlines, especially Continental and Northwest, have some flexibility on fares. I know with CO that you can actually request a specific fare and they will submit the request to revenue management - it's almost like Priceline where you make a bid and see if they will accept it. If they don't, they will reply with their best offer. Also, ask the agent if there are certain flights that are more likely to get you a better fare - they can look at the load and indicate which flights have the most availability.

Of course, the closest airport to Seal Beach is LGB, where America West offers a couple of direct flights to/from LAS daily.