Las Vegas - I keep hearing about great deals, but?

Everybody keeps talking about how much Vegas is suffering and about all of the great hotel and even transportation deals that are out there, but honestly, I am not really seeing the discounts. In fact, the last time I was in Vegas, August, it was hard to see much or an effect in the strip properties of a slowdown. Obviously the construction has slowed down but as far as "deals" go designed to attract our money, those were not really to be found. If anything, the only thing that has slowed down is perhaps the projected inflation of prices. I still get all of my emailing from various properties, but they are not offering great rates, they are offering slot play or something similar. Wynn, Red Rock, Bellagio has anybody really seen a real incentive?

Things have change dramatically since August. Have you gone to the individual property's sites and checked rates?

A friend of mine just booked Bellagio at $99/night through a promo... don't ever remember it being that low, even midweek. The deals are definitely out there. I've been offered a number of comp packages at Bellagio as well, including an extensive NYD package. They're definitely getting desperate.

Things have change dramatically since August. Have you gone to the individual property's sites and checked rates?

I'll look again. Maybe it is all of the base rates have been reduced and you do not need discount codes. I'll check that out. You used to really have to use the discount codes, even midweek to get a guaranteed suite upgrade, and maybe a $100 resort credit. Maybe the base rates compensate for the lack of "discount" codes. I'll check again.

i may know where OP is coming from.

seems to me there have been almost no amazing luxury deals anywhere. which makes sense, but is not what everyone/media has been saying.

OTOH, i saw a while ago a wynn tower parlor suite rate of $280 including $100 credit, and another slightly lower for same thing.

also a while ago, when checking the end of skylofts calendar, i noticed 2BRs were now as low as $700. ($595 with virtuoso/FHR discount)

while vegas may be cheaper, domestic ski resorts may be offering better deals this season.

The deals may not necessarily be deeply discounted rates. There are deals that still keep the room rates propped up but gives you credit towards dining, services, casino play, enhanced amenities, etc. Similar to what Kagehitokiri stated for Wynn.

Right now, with no discount codes being entered, I am getting the following rates for the Wynn, Monday to Thursday check out. I know Vegas rates vary week to week and I will continue checking, but I am not seeing a "deal" here. I'll look for discount codes next.

Resort Room $327
Resort Panoramic View $377
Parlor Suite $615 (This is what I am looking for...at one of these fabled rates)
Salon Suite $815

Encore starts higher and goes higher.

The deals may not necessarily be deeply discounted rates. There are deals that still keep the room rates propped up but gives you credit towards dining, services, casino play, enhanced amenities, etc. Similar to what Kagehitokiri stated for Wynn.

King, that is exactly what I think is actually going on here. I have not seen the base rates actually decline. The incentives are these other credits, primarily to slots. If Vegas were really hurting we would see some of the base lines be lowered, or at least incentives that were akin to resort credits. I do not feel that a slot credit is worth a penny to anybody except the casino.

I do not discredit the Casino's. I would be loathe to lower my base rates as well if I ran one. I simply do not think that the economy is hurting them as much as we think it is as the base rates are not really reflecting a desire to book the hotels to occupancy.

IIRC the 2 parlor suite promos i saw were for end of summer, even before economic implosions.

there are certainly cheaper wynn resort rates out there right now. not going to happen with encore though.

deals are out there.

i was able to book a room at the palazzo for thanksgiving weekend at $119 thurs 11/27 & $159 fri & sat. 11/28-29. this includes guest invited check in, free internet every nite, & $15 game match play & something else i can't remember.

planning to gamble some hoping i can get some other comps.

The OP doesn't give a lot of specifics; do you gamble much? Which players clubs do you belong to and what kind of action have you given them?

In my experience the most aggressive discounting has come from casino marketing (i.e. only to members of the players club who have given the property some action in the past.) I've seen quite a bit of aggressive marketing from Club Grazie (Venetian) and Players Club (MGM/Mirage) and has come since Sept-Oct, ranging from $149 (for a Saturday night at Mirage when a big convention was in town) to free (at Venetian.)

The offers being made to non-gamblers are much more meager, usually of either some sort of free/match play or of a credit for dining or spa services. And some other properties seem much less free with their offers; I've never gotten an offer for jack squat from TotalRewards (HET). I've heard other people have gotten significant offers from Wynn but I haven't seen any.

I've gone the past two Decembers and going again this December and personally, I think the deals have been generally better this year.

Flight-wise, we've seen Westjet offer flights for $79CDN each way for YVR-LAS direct. That's a great price and the range of dates they've offered it is wide. They've got that price extended into 2009. Allegiant even has a number of flights between $28-78USD each way for BLI-LAS direct.

Hotel-wise...
Last year, we stayed at the Wynn with an offer of something like $135USD (weekday) + $35 in slot credits. This year, my wife received an offer for $119USD (weekday) + $150 in slot credits.
This year we've also seen:
- Hooters for $12USD/night.
- Riviera for $35CDN/night
- Orleans for $25USD/night plus additional credits (I think the Orleans typically has $25USD/night in Dec but the more dates this year plus credits).
- MGM for $59USD/night
- Venetian/Palazzo for $119/night plus $50 slot credits each night (we're taking advantage of this one).

Some of the pricing is just crazy cheap but as mentioned by others, some of the credits thrown make the deal great.
The range of dates for the great deals seems to be so much wider also. In past years, the best deals seemed to be limited to between the end of NFR to Christmas. This year, very good deals can be had from November all the way to February (save for New Year's).

Trust me-the deals are out there.
BUT you must hunt for them and some of the best ones are not for the general publics eyes.
As an Example,I have to be in Las Vegas during the same weekend as the CES/AVN expo.Regular channels turned up rates that are throught the roof.
I did book something-but was not very happy with the rate.
Checking the rates at one casino I am a very light player at turned up a nice suprise-they are comping me for three nights-weekend nights -during one of the busiest weekends in the year!I would have been happy just to get a decent casino rate(the money I saved will be cycled through my favorite machines so they will probably still make money off of me((hopefully not))in the long run)so this was an extra special suprise.

So,If you are a regular visitor to Vegas-and you come here to do something other than look at volcanos and gondolas there are deals to be had :D

The OP doesn't give a lot of specifics; do you gamble much? Which players clubs do you belong to and what kind of action have you given them?


You are correct and it has been a while since I have been a frequent poster. I have stated this before and nothing has changed. I am a Casino hotels worst guest, probably. I come into Vegas on a Sunday. Spend 4 nights there hitting great restaurants, sitting by the pool and sending my wife to the spa. I DO NOT GAMBLE. Maybe one day if I can figure Craps out I'll give that a shot. It looks fun.

My point though is exactly what you said. These hard times perks are being offered to a core of regular visitors/gamblers. I would have thought that if the casino's were really hurting, they would simply lower the base rate in an effort to just get more people in the door. I have zero table time, but my money spent at the restaurants and in the resort is just as green,

For those of you who do recognize my login, you know that I am interested in what makes Vegas tick. Some things I just do not understand. Talk about huge shortfalls in visitors and no real reciprocal discounts, the Las Vegas Monorail, the Wynn/Trump/Harrah’s relationship. All fascinating to me :p

Since you don't gamble, Four Seasons has a 3rd night free and rooms as low as $300 on weekdays. While not a hot deal, it's very good for Four Seasons at what would be $200 a night for 3 nights. If you can get that rate with AMEX FHR it would be even better with free breakfast and $75 credit towards lunch/dinner.

The key is... When do you want to travel?
6 months from now? No one is unloading rooms at super discount prices?
Want to go next week? $169.00 week day at Wynn with breakfast and a onetime $50.00 F&B credit. Its all how their computer predict the rooms to sell and rates / promos are adjusted / launched accordingly

As an Example,I have to be in Las Vegas during the same weekend as the CES/AVN expo.Regular channels turned up rates that are throught the roof.
I did book something-but was not very happy with the rate.
Checking the rates at one casino I am a very light player at turned up a nice suprise-they are comping me for three nights-weekend nights -during one of the busiest weekends in the year!I've always understood that there is a perception that attendees of technology conventions are amongst the worst hotel casino guests, from a gaming revenue standpoint. If true, this might help explain the comp offer (a least partially).

My point though is exactly what you said. These hard times perks are being offered to a core of regular visitors/gamblers. I would have thought that if the casino's were really hurting, they would simply lower the base rate in an effort to just get more people in the door. I have zero table time, but my money spent at the restaurants and in the resort is just as green,


Lowering the base rate would mean lowering the rate paid by people like convention attendees and other business folks, which likely wouldn't generate any corresponding benefit (those people aren't paying for it anyway so they don't really care about the price.) Doesn't seem to me like it would be a smart move.

I'm staying here:

http://www.theplatinumhotel.com/

On a 3 nights for the cost of two, plus 25% off food/beverage charges, plus two free drinks in the hotel bar, coming up in December.

Because I've stayed there before, it's likely I'll be on a 17th floor, 1000 square foot suite with balcony, jacuzzi for 3 days for about $360 including tax. Oh, and the pool's heated.

The deals are out there- you just have to find them.

Got a great deal for a 2 BR penthouse suite at Bellagio just before Christmas. $499/night...even the reservations girl couldn't believe it. She kept trying to insist it was the 1 BR suite - I just told her to check her computer.

I am now seeing the Non gamers side a little bit as a friend wants to join me for christmas in Las Vegas.
I found the Hilton(not my first choice)for $66 for Thursday and Friday night.
I would prefer something a little more special.

I just got a nice offer from the V. 4 free nights and a couple other small bennies. I'm not a high roller so they must need everybody.

I think it depends on your definition of a great deal. I just reserved a Bella suite at the Palazzo in Feb. for $149 a night - that's a great deal to me. I expect rates to keep going down and promotions to flow even more freely as the economy gets worse - and it is probably going to get worse before it gets better, unfortunately.

We're headed out to Vegas Dec. 21-25 and booked the Palazzo at $189\night for a Fortuna suite. We get a couple of freebies thrown in there with some slot play and what not as well. I think it's a sweet deal, and have certainly paid more for less.

These hard times perks are being offered to a core of regular visitors/gamblers. I would have thought that if the casino's were really hurting, they would simply lower the base rate in an effort to just get more people in the door.
I think they are really hurting in the "gambling" department, not so much in the booking rooms department. No surprise that they're targeting gamblers.

I think they are really hurting in the "gambling" department, not so much in the booking rooms department. No surprise that they're targeting gamblers.

I would agree with this statement. I was out there last week for a conference. The one thing that struck me was the acres of empty slots. Granted, I was there Tuesday-Friday, but even the cabbies were saying that they have never seen it so "dead" in town.

I think they are really hurting in the "gambling" department, not so much in the booking rooms department. No surprise that they're targeting gamblers.

They're definitely hurting in the rooms department - it's just that they're following the airlines' lead of reducing capacity. For example, MGM Grand completely shut down 3 floors over this Thanksgiving (long) weekend. That's more than 10% of the rooms in the hotel!

Finished up a three night suite stay at THEHotel. Rate was $120 for the first two nights, and $160 for Thanksgiving. On top of it they gave me a $50 resort credit, which I used at Charlie Palmer's Aureole.

Everything at the hotel was first rate (room, service, personnel).

how do they shut down the floors? as in cutting off power, water, etc to those floors? or just not allowing people on them?

i mean, inherently, the rooms are physically there, serviced or not, they still cost money to sit?

Has anyone received any good promo rates for Bellagio or Wynn during 12/27-30? The Venetian deal was good, but not available on those dates.

i wonder what the wynn strategy regarding ~$200 rates will be once encore is open.

I've done allot of traveling to Las Vegas and was looking in January/Feb time and haven't see anything cheap. However, I usually book Suites at the Skylofts or Wynn Salon Suite and found that prices are actually HIGHER than what I've booked in the past???

i wonder what the wynn strategy regarding ~$200 rates will be once encore is open.I can tell you that I received an e-mail "promo" on the Encore opening from Wynn, and it didn't include any discounting of the rack rate at all - $447 and up for Encore, which apparently is all-suite.

how do they shut down the floors? as in cutting off power, water, etc to those floors? or just not allowing people on them?

i mean, inherently, the rooms are physically there, serviced or not, they still cost money to sit?It's more savings on housekeeping labor. They don't "shut off" utilities but they can let the floors sit with 55 degree thermostats and simply not use them for x number of weeks.

I can tell you that I received an e-mail "promo" on the Encore opening from Wynn, and it didn't include any discounting of the rack rate at all - $447 and up for Encore, which apparently is all-suite.

They must be marking it up for you then. I haven't received any special rates on Encore, but they have rooms as low as $199 on their website. Also, the "all suite" thing is a bit misleading. The standard room is 30-50 sq ft larger than a regular Wynn room and they simply put a divider in between the sitting area and the bedroom and put a swivel on the TV so you can watch it in either room. Kinda looks like this:

http://www.vegastodayandtomorrow.com/images/encore_room%20_1.jpg

I can tell you that I received an e-mail "promo" on the Encore opening from Wynn, and it didn't include any discounting of the rack rate at all - $447 and up for Encore, which apparently is all-suite.

Got the email too, must be the grand opening rates.

My point though is exactly what you said. These hard times perks are being offered to a core of regular visitors/gamblers. I would have thought that if the casino's were really hurting, they would simply lower the base rate in an effort to just get more people in the door. I have zero table time, but my money spent at the restaurants and in the resort is just as green,

I'll heartedly disagree.

A rare Vegas visitor and almost the non-gambler you are - only a taste of the sports book for college football and stud poker, a week doesn't pass without several email specials from a variety of Vegas hotels, from the second rate to the luxury. Most seem to come from prior relationships with hotel chains and mailing list acquisitions by folks "selling" Vegas and its hotels. They sure don't come from my gambling habits and visits so infrequent as to be almost non-existent.

This month, the Vegas CoC is hauling half the population of Cransfills Gap, TX to Vegas, a couple of hundred, free air and hotel, asa promo, a new TV commercial, temporarily dropping the "leave it in Vegas" theme for more agressive attempts to bring small citians to town.

The behind the scenes secret nobody advertises...

All the new and appealing hotels and attratcions in Vegas have brought far too many non-gamblers (or small change punters) into town. As for profits from restaurants, after paying inflated values for big name chefs' names over the door, the cost of space, finish, fixtures and supplies for an upscale resturant, operating costs, etc., unless you're buying some of the extremely overpriced vintages peering out from the wine list, I would estimate that you're at best a "fill the tables because we have to pay the staff even when they are empty" guest, at best allowing the house to do little more than break even.

The, international economic woes have slowed the flow of foreign visitors, while the drop in domestic travelers has to be noticeable on the bottom lines. Those advertised $39.95 rates at some of the more modest properties are "loss leaders", barely (if at all) generating money to keep the doors open and to maybe pay the interest (and no principal) on the mortgage.

I sure wouldn't want my "Pension Fund" to be front loaded with Vegas hotel mortgages. I can think of a couple of big unions for which their week in the barrel may be just around the corner of the calendar.

They must be marking it up for you then. I haven't received any special rates on Encore, but they have rooms as low as $199 on their website. Also, the "all suite" thing is a bit misleading. The standard room is 30-50 sq ft larger than a regular Wynn room and they simply put a divider in between the sitting area and the bedroom and put a swivel on the TV so you can watch it in either room. Kinda looks like this:

http://www.vegastodayandtomorrow.com/images/encore_room%20_1.jpgHoly crap - it's a gussied up Hyatt Place! :D :D :D

I wonder if my poker rate will work at Encore.

Holy crap - it's a gussied up Hyatt Place! :D :D :D

Unbelievable, I was thinking the exact same thing.

I landed 3 nights (Jan 2-5) for right at $300 in a Tower Deluxe at Mirage. So yes there are some good deals to be had. Here's that promo:

https://reservations.mgmmirage.com/bookingengine.aspx?host=promo&pid=160&kbid=335345&code=30VOLCANO

It gives you 30% off from 1/1/09 to 6/4/09. Change the code to "35VOLCANO" and you get 35% off 5/31/09 to 9/10/09.

I landed 3 nights (Jan 2-5) for right at $300 in a Tower Deluxe at Mirage. So yes there are some good deals to be had. Here's that promo:

https://reservations.mgmmirage.com/bookingengine.aspx?host=promo&pid=160&kbid=335345&code=30VOLCANO

It gives you 30% off from 1/1/09 to 6/4/09. Change the code to "35VOLCANO" and you get 35% off 5/31/09 to 9/10/09.That rate is good even during CES - quite a catch!

I'm still looking to score a room at either the Bellagio or one of the Venetian properties for 12/26-28. I got the Wynn deal from 12/28-30, and we're definitely looking forward to trying out that property - but hopefully some Bellagio or Venetian rooms will shake loose so we can get out of Planet Hollywood, which we're overpaying for at 159/n.

I'm still looking to score a room at either the Bellagio or one of the Venetian properties for 12/26-28. I got the Wynn deal from 12/28-30, and we're definitely looking forward to trying out that property - but hopefully some Bellagio or Venetian rooms will shake loose so we can get out of Planet Hollywood, which we're overpaying for at 159/n.

Palazzo is running $199 for those nights, or you might want to make "friends" with another comp guest, as Palazzo/Venetian has been running a $99 "friends & family" rate throughout December (subject to availability, of course).

Palazzo is running $199 for those nights, or you might want to make "friends" with another comp guest, as Palazzo/Venetian has been running a $99 "friends & family" rate throughout December (subject to availability, of course).

How does one make 'friends' with another comp guest? I saw a link to a 90/n f+f rate at Caesars, but their booking system appeared to be down, or at least unable to book it.

i recently stayed at palazzo during the thanksgiving weekend. the rates were $119 thurs, $159 fri & sat. upgraded to lux view with $20 tricks. anyway, last week i got a survey from palazzo about my stay. i gave them excellent marks because they treated me first class all the way.

then, i received this offer from club grazie 150,000 Wheel of Fortune® Slot Tournament and Sweepstakes January 3-6, 2009 for $79/nite with an option to stay sat. for the same $79/nite.

not sure about this tournament thing, but anyone got the same offer and is this free or do i have to put out my own money?

i recently stayed at palazzo during the thanksgiving weekend. the rates were $119 thurs, $159 fri & sat. upgraded to lux view with $20 tricks. anyway, last week i got a survey from palazzo about my stay. i gave them excellent marks because they treated me first class all the way.

then, i received this offer from club grazie 150,000 Wheel of Fortune® Slot Tournament and Sweepstakes January 3-6, 2009 for $79/nite with an option to stay sat. for the same $79/nite.

not sure about this tournament thing, but anyone got the same offer and is this free or do i have to put out my own money?

The tournament is free, you need to register when registration opens or do a late registration the morning of the first tournament day but by that time most of the morning tournament rounds are gone if that matters to you. You'll get an agenda when you check in.

If you had some decent play during your last stay you might ask for the room to be comped for the tournament. Or worse thing is they charge you the $79/night and you can have it reviewed by a host for possible comp during checkout.

thanks kingalien. this tournament thing sound really cool! vanna white is going to make an appearance and lots of cash will be giving away. so even $79/nite, it is still really nice rate. but way too soon for me to return tho.

i did play bj when i was there for about 3+ hours every night. ending up losing about $300 but that was about how much i'm willing to loose anyway. i had forgoten my toothbrush and i couldn't believe that they brought up a really nice giftbag. inside was 2 of everything, especially full size toothbrush (not like the flimsy ones at bellagio that you throw away after one use). and they brought it up within 10 minutes 2.

i paid so much more for bellagio last year and they were way below my expectations. they offered me 10% (whoop tee da) off next time i returned after i gave them bad remarks on their survey.

palazzo is my new dig now and i would def. go back as soon as i get a chance.

palazzo is my new dig now and i would def. go back as soon as i get a chance.

^ +1, just got back last week... and am hoping to make one more visit before the end of the year (December 25th to 28th).

The concierge staff, especially Helen, at Palazzo are also quite good; and really are responsive.... as well as the fact that they satisfy my "inner geek" by confirming everything via a PDF on Palazzo letterhead direct to my iphone. :D