Las Vegas - 5* The Strip Las Vegas Hotels during New Year's Eve weekend - how do get best rates?

How do I get the best rate for the three of us (my wife, my 10 yr old daughter, and myself) on at least 2 consecutive nights (and perhaps all 3 nights) on Dec 29, 30, and 31 nights?

I have looked at various hotel web sites, and I am working with a travel agent who is a Virtuouso agent; I wonder if there are any other ways to find a "relatively" cheaper rate (realizing that the rates are relatively sky high, being the New Year Eve weekend, and with that weekend being less than 2 months away - therefore, most rooms would be booked). I might be willing to pay US$500/night (although I would prefer to pay less than this amount).

As a reference, I have stayed in the basic suite at the Venetian - I would prefer a room or suite of at least that size and quality.

I would prefer access to indoor swimming pools.

I would prefer complimentary (at least continental) breakfast. I would guess that hotel lounge access would be make the room extraordinarily expensive.

It would be nice to have access to some other hotel shows or services, on a complementary basis - but of course, I do not expect that to happen.

There are no indoor pools on the Strip. Paris has a concierge lounge you can pay to use (I think it's $45/day) with nice continetnal breakfast and hors d'oeuvres, but it's not really the quality of Venetian. Other than that I don't know of any resorts in Vegas with free breakfast. Most of the hotels do have buffets.

You've picked the most expensive and rowdiest weekend of the year. I hope you have a leash for your 10-year-old.

QL

The Tropicana does have an indoor pool in the rear tower, and it is on the Strip, but the property is in transition (more 3* than 5*). OTOH, you might be able to get a good rate there, and it might be just your speed. Another property you might consider is the 4* Westin Casuarina just off the Strip (easy-to-access cozy outdoor heated pools on 2nd floor). The true 5* properties, the Wynn, Venetian, and Bellagio are going to be tough that weekend unless you are a high roller. You could also try the 5* Four Seasons at Mandalay Bay.

The Tropicana does have an indoor pool in the rear tower, and it is on the Strip, but the property is in transition (more 3* than 5*). OTOH, you might be able to get a good rate there, and it might be just your speed. Another property you might consider is the 4* Westin Casuarina just off the Strip (easy-to-access cozy outdoor heated pools on 2nd floor). The true 5* properties, the Wynn, Venetian, and Bellagio are going to be tough that weekend unless you are a high roller. You could also try the 5* Four Seasons at Mandalay Bay.
the trop hasn't been a 3* for about 25 years.

if off the strip works for you, the JW Marriott has the best standard room in Vegas.

While not 5*, Starwood reward rooms are available at the Westin & Alladin. We originally booked the Westin, but after reading a few reviews and realizing it was a very small casino with out a poker room, we switched to the Alladin. I believe there is still construction going on - not sure what impact this will have on upgrade options when we check in.

Cheers,
Jeff

How do I get the best rate for the three of us (my wife, my 10 yr old daughter, and myself) on at least 2 consecutive nights (and perhaps all 3 nights) on Dec 29, 30, and 31 nights?

I have looked at various hotel web sites, and I am working with a travel agent who is a Virtuouso agent; I wonder if there are any other ways to find a "relatively" cheaper rate (realizing that the rates are relatively sky high, being the New Year Eve weekend, and with that weekend being less than 2 months away - therefore, most rooms would be booked). I might be willing to pay US$500/night (although I would prefer to pay less than this amount).

As a reference, I have stayed in the basic suite at the Venetian - I would prefer a room or suite of at least that size and quality.

I would prefer access to indoor swimming pools.

I would prefer complimentary (at least continental) breakfast. I would guess that hotel lounge access would be make the room extraordinarily expensive.

It would be nice to have access to some other hotel shows or services, on a complementary basis - but of course, I do not expect that to happen.

BEST Rate, Strip, 5* and New Year's won't happen.

The absolute worst night(s) of the year to visit if you are looking for a bargain (or even a reduced rate) --- I suggest you grab something right away, and NOT worry about the $$$ if you really desire to be on the strip for New Year's eve. (you can still grab a resort room at Wynn for an average price of $550/nt) Only postive thing I can think of is that you "might" get an OK rate for the 29th -- but, forget about anything reasonable (and 5*) for the 30th and 31st.

This is the one time of year your loyalty and patronage to a specific Casino can really pay off --- though, personally, I rather be in the Carribean.

Yup, don't expect discounts or deals for New Year's Eve weekend. I've seen prices dip a bit last minute during slow years, but this doesn't look like a slow year.

If you have an Amex Platinum Card, try using the FHR benefit to book a room on the strip. They usually throw in a benefit like an upgraded room and vouchers for breakfast.

New Year in Las Vegas is the busiest time of year for strip hotels; the busiests of all the holiday times. Even getting a room this late in the year at rack rates will be a severe challenge. And getting a confirmed seat on a plane in or out of LAS will be the next challenge. Do not think about standby if you want to fly out on Jan 1.

You normally have to booked really early in the year to stand any chance of a deal.

A warning about your child if you go out on the strip to watch the fireworks at midnight. It is rather packed all along the Strip and can be a little frightening for a small child.

Also, if you are a novice gambler, a world of warning. The minimum stakes at all the hotels go up, some big time.

I am glad I experienced seeing the New Year in Las Vegas once in my life. However, it is not an experience I care to repeat (and I love Las Vegas and go there every year)

Congratulations - you have picked the most expensive weekend in Las Vegas, and as has been mentioned, prices skyrocket...even the dumps downtown charge prices that would make Louie the Icepick blush.

I also agree that a 10 year old on the Strip on New Year's Eve could be a bit much...the crowds get rowdy and it is pretty much elbow to elbow on the entire Strip, as they close down the street for the masses out to see the fireworks and party hearty. Most locals wouldn't go near there if you held them at gunpoint, and the local TV news lets you know that if you do go to the Strip on New Year's Eve, plan on getting down there at about 3:00 PM at the latest to park your car. And don't even think about getting out of there until the wee hours of the morning.

However, if you want to come, now is the time to book...but get everything in writing and make sure you have confirmation numbers etc. There have been some ugly stories of places being overbooked and reservations supposedly "lost" or non-existent.

But "cheap rate" for Las Vegas on New Year's is like asking Ticketmaster if they have any half price seats for the Superbowl.

New Year in Las Vegas is the busiest time of year for strip hotels; the busiests of all the holiday times. Even getting a room this late in the year at rack rates will be a severe challenge. And getting a confirmed seat on a plane in or out of LAS will be the next challenge. Do not think about standby if you want to fly out on Jan 1.

You normally have to booked really early in the year to stand any chance of a deal.

A warning about your child if you go out on the strip to watch the fireworks at midnight. It is rather packed all along the Strip and can be a little frightening for a small child.

Also, if you are a novice gambler, a world of warning. The minimum stakes at all the hotels go up, some big time.

I am glad I experienced seeing the New Year in Las Vegas once in my life. However, it is not an experience I care to repeat (and I love Las Vegas and go there every year)

I am a SuperElite in Air Canada's Aeroplan frequent flyer program. That means that I can get confirmed seats on any AC flight, anywhere it flies, provided that the flight is not sold out or oversold. Yes, most of the discounted economy seats are gone - but from my point of view, that is irrelevant.

The money saved in not buying airline tickets will be used to splurge for the hotel rooms!

To get confirmed rooms, I will likely go through a reputable travel agent, or through one of the hotel's web sites.

One option to consider is the Green Valley Ranch. This casino is technically in Henderson and is about a 15 minute drive to the strip. I stayed there a few times before I moved here--and can usually be found at the card tables there. :D

Seriously, though, the rooms are beautiful, and they are showing availability on your dates: $169,$369,$369 for the three dates which is a relative bargain; you can use the money you save to rent a car or pay for a taxi. If traffic is moving, it will cost about $40 from the strip. They also have an infrequent shuttle that provides a complementary trip to and from the strip.

Their pool is also quite well done, but I doubt it is open in December. Their buffet is very good and is a bargain when prices are compared with that on the strip--their most expensive buffet is Sunday brunch and is about $17, I think. They also just opened up a new poker room.

I don't work or own the casino, I just occasionally give them my money at the tables, but I think you would enjoy your stay there.

Incidentally, the other "locals" casino that is fantastic is Red Rock. I haven't stayed there so I can't comment on the rooms, and I don't know if they have shuttle service to the strip, but it is fantastically well done as well, and it is located in Summerlin.

DONT DO IT especially with kids.

I have been in Vegas 4 NYE since the Millenium ( anyone remember that)

In addition to the info posted above:
1) Barriers are put up on LV Blvd to keep the crowds off the sidewalk ( and onto the street)
2) You will not be able to get into any Casino/hotel from say 600pm to well after midnight - unless you are actually staying there ...you have to show a room key.
3) Outside is going be surpriningly cold, the temps might be in the teens Farenhiet and the crowd on the street will have been drinking a lot for hours, since not much else to do.

People do some crazy things
One year a drunk climbed up an electric pole to above the high tension wires (at the corner of Flamingo and LV Blvd)... then fell ...was his last NYE.

mike

One option to consider is the Green Valley Ranch...

I strongly agree with everything you have said, NerveEnding!

However, you do know that this is all supposed to be a secret for locals, and you just blabbed it out there for the world to see!

(And I will wave to you over at the card table...I am the guy who has done quite well on those silly video keno machines recently.)

For most people, Green Valley Ranch might as well be in Arizona as it is so "far from the Strip"...and yeah, if you want to roam the Strip, it is a bit of a schlep to get there, but I think the 15-20 minute drive is worth it. The rooms are very nice, the casino has some great amenities, and it is actually friendly, peaceful and fun later in the evening. Quite a few celebrities have stayed there, especially mid-week, as they can have a good time without having to put up with drunk tourists hitting them for autographs...because it is basically a locals' casino and the foot traffic disappears at night.

Now promise me, those of you reading this, don't tell anyone else!