Las Vegas - Some help with Vegas on NYE

Hope you can help me with this.. I am a Vegas-virgin and could use some pointers.

Planning to be in Vegas from 30th Dec 09 to 2nd Jan 10. I am going with my lady and we will be looking for (reasonably priced!) party central in a nice modern hotel.

Looking at hotels now, it looks like the best deals are about 150-170 all-in at Flamingo and Circus Circus, but the online reviews are pretty crappy. Best deal I have seen is around 225 all-in for Luxor which looks pretty nice. (It appears to have a strip club too.. but shhhh.. don't tell the wife!! On the website is says "perfect for couples!" so maybe I can convince her to go with it...?? Ahem.)

Anyway, these seem quite expensive. Especially with our terrible exchange rate just now.

Do rates improve nearer the time? Should I book now on a refundable rate and hope for a better deal?

And, most importantly.... What should we do for NYE???

I can write a longer response later, but basically there are 3 important points:

1. Having NYE be your first Vegas trip isn't the best way to get a Vegas experience. The Strip is *CRAZY* that night. Forget seeing shows, gambling, enjoying the pools, going to any clubs....NYE is a humongous throbbing party, good and bad.

2. Flamingo is my favorite middle-tier hotel in Vegas. Circus Circus is garbage and you shouldn't stay there. Luxor is lower-end and I wouldn't stay there either.

3. Book now, if it's refundable. Then at least you're guaranteed a room. If good deals come up later you can book the deal and get a refund for your current reservation.

Don't worry about your hotel being "party central". If it is on the Strip you will not be able to leave the door of the hotel without being in the party.

trump is $220/nt all-in

NYE is the busiest time throughout the year for Vegas. Busier than the Superbowl (second most busy time), Christmas, Thanksgiving and Chinese New Year (loads of Chinese gamblers visiting). Sadly, I am ashamed to say, we have visited Vegas during all these periods in the past; i.e. we love Las Vegas.

We did NYE once in Vegas. The feedback is that we are glad we did this but would never do it again. Would not recommend it for a Vegas virgin. You may never want to visit again. We go to Las Vegas about once or twice a year and we still have that the view that we would never repeat the NYE Vegas experience. We would visit again for any of the other above occasions.

To get the best views of the fireworks from the various hotels, you really want to be based around the Flamingo/Ceasers/Bellagio area so that you get a good view of the fireworks going off from all the hotels around the Strip.

Crowds everywhere, table stakes go way high (remember seeing several $1,000 min tables and one $10,000 min table at Bellagios). First time I got to see a Bellagio $10,000 chip. Saw one punter staking $50,000 on BJ per game on the main floor. Did not want to know what the minimum stakes in the high roller room. Forget about seeing any $10 or even $15 minimum table on the Strip. Its $25 minimum at best on NYE.

Queues at restaurants there ridiculous and we were glad that we had made reservations way in advance (like a month or two) ahead in advance. Dinner at all the restaurants will be for a set meal and expensive.

Also all the flights into Vegas on the 30th and out on the 2nd also tend to be over-booked given the crowds that want to party in the New Year there. So you really need to book your flights early and get to the airport early so you do not get bumped. It really does not make for a relaxing break.

Christmas is relatively quiet at Vegas and the prices are not as high if you want to visit around the same time of year.

I've been to LAS for several NYE's. While the crowds on the streets can cause problems, many of the hotels restrict access to registered guests, so inside the casinos things can be a bit tamer than outside. Last year, the fireworks turned out to be a "dud", they were launched from ground level and few people got to see them (the Monte Carlo roof fire was used as the reason). I once stayed in Bally's and the room I was in gave me super views of 3 different fireworks displays.
Getting around LAS after 5 pm on NYE can be a problem, since Las Vegas Blvd shuts down--only the Monorail can get you between the Casinos it serves.
As others have suggested, book a refundable room and see what happens later on--if the economy is still in bad shape, the prices might drop, since many people will stay home.
[The CES, Consumer Electronics Show, in early Jan., usually has so many attendees that the room prices are marked up; this past Jan., room prices were being discounted to make up for the people (and exhibitors) who stayed home.]

I've been going to Vegas for NYE for the last 5-6 years, and I've had pretty good fun.

I like the Luxor, personally. The rooms in the pyramid itself are a bit tired, but you get the fun of slanted walls and getting to ride the inclinator. The tower rooms in the "ziggarut" building are newer and in better condition. The Luxor doesn't have a "strip club" - they do have an "adult show". I like the location of the Luxor because it has a tram that goes between the Mandalay Bay and Excalibur.

I would not stay at Circus-Circus. Haven't stayed at the Flamingo.

The strategy of booking a refundable room now and then looking for deals is a good one. Last new year's eve, I changed hotels 3 times pursuing better deals. I ended up at TheHotel at $200 a night which is very good for that class of hotel. I would book the Luxor now and keep a lookout for better deals.

As for what to do on NYE, you can do just about anything. Go to a show, join a party, hit a club, gamble, walk the strip, etc. They shut down the strip around 5 p.m. to cars. Usually, you get a couple hundred thousand people crowding the strip to watch the fireworks at midnight. It gets rather cold, so dress warm if you want to join them. It can get a bit crazy with the drunk revelers, but I haven't had any problems. As noted, things can get really crowded during NYE, but some advanced planning can mitigate most of that.

This last NYE was slower than usual - the recession was really hitting. No problems walking up to a restaurant around 7 p.m. without reservations on NYE and getting a table. Gambling minimums weren't as high as previous NYE's as well.

Additional dated, but related information here:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/las-vegas/621378-5-strip-las-vegas-hotels-during-new-years-eve-weekend-how-do-get-best-rates.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/las-vegas/610521-vegas-new-year.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/las-vegas/621812-how-can-one-get-good-view-new-years-eve-fireworks-strip.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/las-vegas/630478-new-years-las-vegas-update.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/las-vegas/772811-best-non-strip-view-new-years-stip-fireworks.html

Luxor is much better than Flamingo. The common areas were completely renovated last year.

QL

Luxor is much better than Flamingo. The common areas were completely renovated last year.

QL

Definitely agree with this. Just read some reviews over on Las Vegas Advisor. Flamingo has the GO Rooms that are nice, and probably some decent renovated rooms, but they also have some God Awful standard rooms. If you are coming in on NYE and not an invited guest (7*, Diamond, Platinum) then the odds are that you could end up with one of these dilapidated rooms.

Thanks for all the help so far..

I have confirmed reservations LAS-SFO on 2nd Jan in US F so getting out is no problem. Heading up to Vegas from Mexico (where i'll be for Xmas) is about 200USD in whY on DL.

Looking at the Trump T&C's:

Deposit Policy:
All reservations require a credit card deposit of the first nights room plus tax at the time of booking.

Full pre-payment for Penthouse reservations is required if dates of stay include 12/31/2008. This deposit will be non-refundable.


Cancellation Policy:
Reservations must be cancelled at least 72 hours prior to arrival to avoid a penalty of one nights room and tax.

I assume that the "This deposit will be non-refundable" applies only to Penthouse suites?

Can someone confirm? I would hate to get a bill for 250USD if we switch hotels later on.

Trump is nice, but it is very far from "party central", especially with no casino.

Some see this as a nice thing, especially if you want to avoid the crowds, but in your OP you mentioned desiring "party central" so keep this in mind.

Not sure about the deposit part, but I'd give them a call. Obviously they haven't updated that link in awhile since it refers to December 2008.

I second the "reserve something" idea. You might even reserve 2-3 hotels (low, medium, high) & check every 2-4 weeks to see if the price has changed. Four Seasons at $299 looks like quite a steal!

Don't do non-refundables unless you see a ridiculous deal (or it's 1-4 weeks before New Years)

Mitchell

Low: (3-4*)
Imperial Palace $118
Flamingo $136
- These are both across the street from Caesar's, Bellagio, Mirage.
- Flamingo is a little old, but the pools are nice (and waaay better than Circus Circus)
- I haven't stayed at the Imperial Palace. Next-door to Flamingo

Mid: (4-4.5 *)
Paris $206
- Next door to the Flamingo, and my favorite Harrah's property aside from Caesar's Palace
Mirage $276

High (4.5* - 5*)
Four Seasons $299
- Can't believe it's at this price... It's on the southern end of the strip though (a 2-3 mile strip...), so not in party
central.
Bellagio $332

Best:
Venetian $509
Encore ???

Thanks for the help.. I have gone with the "reserve something" option. I booked a King Deluxe in the tower at Luxor. It was 616USD all-in.

I'll keep an eye out as we get closer to the time - hopefully a mega bargain later on!

My sister enjoyed the Luxor on her last visit.

Personally, I think the Flamingo is in a better location for being close to the parties. Luxor is on the south end of the strip, and probably has better rooms.

From the Flamingo, the Bellagio water fountain dance is across the street. it's easier to walk north to Caesar's Palace, Mirage, Treasure Island, Venetian, Palazzo, Wynn, Encore. Pure is a nice club on Caesar Palace's room - way too crowded on NYE unless you do bottle service, but you can see the party & hear the music from the outside. Caesar's is a convenient place to see the fireworks.

Luxor is very convenient to Mandalay Bay, which has very cool restaurants and a really nice decor.
If you like the Luxor area, the Four Seasons is next-door at an incredible price for $299.

Try the Bird's Eye view here. You can scroll North & South to see the whole strip. http://maps.live.com/#JnE9eXAuMzU1NStMYXMrVmVnYXMrQmx2ZCtTJTJjK0xhcytWZ WdhcyUyYytOZXZhZGElN2Vzc3QuMCU3ZXBnLjEmYmI9NTQuOTI 3MTQxODY0NTQ2NCU3ZS00My4yNDIxODc1JTdlMjAuOTYxNDM5N jE0MDk2OSU3ZS0xMjIuNzgzMjAzMTI1

"3555 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, Nevada" is the Flamingo address.

Disclaimer: I'm banned by Harrah's, so haven't personally stayed at the Flamingo since 2007.

For me, doing Las Vegas on NYE was like doing NYC on NYE: I dreamt all my life of doing it, and now, having done it, I never want to do it again! Las Vegas and NYC are two of my favorite cities to visit, but if I had visited them for the first time on NYE, I would probably have written them off for good.

It sounds as if you have your mind set on Las Vegas on NYE. The only thing I ask (whether you have a good time on NYE or not) is that you visit again on a non-holiday weekend so that you can enjoy LV the way it was meant to be enjoyed.

You couldn't have said more perfectly what I was thinking when I read this thread. My thoughts exactly.

For me, doing Las Vegas on NYE was like doing NYC on NYE: I dreamt all my life of doing it, and now, having done it, I never want to do it again! Las Vegas and NYC are two of my favorite cities to visit, but if I had visited them for the first time on NYE, I would probably have written them off for good.

It sounds as if you have your mind set on Las Vegas on NYE. The only thing I ask (whether you have a good time on NYE or not) is that you visit again on a non-holiday weekend so that you can enjoy LV the way it was meant to be enjoyed.

For me, doing Las Vegas on NYE was like doing NYC on NYE: I dreamt all my life of doing it, and now, having done it, I never want to do it again! Las Vegas and NYC are two of my favorite cities to visit, but if I had visited them for the first time on NYE, I would probably have written them off for good.

It sounds as if you have your mind set on Las Vegas on NYE. The only thing I ask (whether you have a good time on NYE or not) is that you visit again on a non-holiday weekend so that you can enjoy LV the way it was meant to be enjoyed.

Hehe.. Well OK.. I will bare in mind that it is going to be messy.. but my options were limited. We're in Mexico for Xmas and the GF wants to see some more of the States (only been to NYC before) so we thought that we would end our Mexico trip with 6 nights in the States.

Las Vegas isn't a "destination visit" but California is convenient for Mexico and Vegas and San Francisco are "must-do"'s I am told..

Heaving, sweaty, over-priced, over-crowded bars and clubs... We're from the UK and lived in Newcastle for 5 years - it can't possibly be worse than the Bigg Market, can it??