gamermeow

Hi all! My husband and I will be visiting Vegas for the first time this Dec 13th-18th. We are flying out of Chicago.

We're hoping you guys can help us decide on a hotel. We're thinking we want to be on the strip and we will be doing a lot of walking everywhere.. we don't want to rent a car.. so being in the middle of the action is ideal.

We're lower end gamblers.. not big partiers and we don't really drink. He wants to try out table games but I enjoy slots more.

We were thinking about Monte Carlo but I've read some things recently that are making me rethink that. We don't want a totally crummy room, but since we will just be sleeping there, we'd rather spend the majority of our money on experiences/gambling rather than going for a high end room.

Is the Monte Carlo our best choice if we're wanting to stay under/around $60 a night? We will try the $20 trick at check in.

Thanks so much for the help!

gengar

I don't know much about Monte Carlo so can't compare it with other properties. You could also consider Planet Hollywood for a central location at under $60/night; that's where most of my buddies stay when they come into town and the rooms I've seen seem reasonably nice. Your visit is during a very slow period for Vegas so most rooms should be inexpensive - you should have lots of choices.

I do agree that first-time visitors should stay on the Strip and at a property that has gambling.

Jay71

Dec 13 - 18 is right after National Finals Rodeo and before the xmas rush and is typically one of the low seasons/cheapest times to visit Vegas (and one of my favourite times to visit). I suspect you'll be able to find reasonable minimum table limits at a few casinos.

Our friends stayed at the Monte Carlo a few years back and they thought it was ok. I'd probably consider booking it if I could find it for under $60/night. What did you read that's giving you second thoughts?

That said, I'd probably prefer to stay at Planet Hollywood too; like the vibe better. NYNY and Paris might be within your spec too.
If you're not finding a room for $60/night, I think your cheapest options on strip in that vicinity are Bally's and Excalibur. I've stayed at them before too and while they're definitely not my favourites, the rooms are fine IMO and it's kind of easy enough to hop over to a more interesting neighbouring casino.

If you do the $20 trick, my suggestion is just be nice to the clerk and politely ask for a upgrade, if even a for a view of the strip instead of getting a default view to the parking lot.

kettle1

Bally's Jubilee rooms were recently renovated. I just stayed in one. They did a good job. To save water they removed the bath tubs during the remodel. They now have large showers. Make sure to ask for a high floor "Strip" view in the Jubilee Tower. The other tower is still old and rundown. Like mentioned above that is right after the rodeo leaves and before Christmas. There are no major conventions. Midweek room rates should be very low.

corky

I have stayed at MC a couple times and thought it was fine...not fancy pants but nice big clean room and friendly staff. Unfortunately the pool will be closed as they have a fun wave pool.
I have had a decent room at ballys but the lobby is a dump. Maybe Paris or Treasure Island will have a deal.
But as others have said. ..you should have no trouble getting a cheap room for that time so you might be able to find something nicer especially for mid week.

tvelinsk

I wouldn't book your room yet. Sign up for the email deals at all the hotels you might be interested in, and see what kinds of deals they are going to be offering for that week. That week is the least busy time of the year, so you should be able to get some fantastic deals. Start thinking about looking for a room around Nov 1st. The hotels should start putting out their December deals around then. And when you look at the price of a room, be sure to add in the resort fee. It won't be in the room price you see in the offer, but every hotel you look at will have one.

Also reconsider the rental car - you should be able to get a fantastic rate for that time (and after booking keep rechecking the rate - if it drops you can change to the lower rate). It will cost you at least $20 plus tip just to get each way from the airport, and if you only take a taxi one or two more times during your trip, the price of a rental car will be cheaper. The hotels all look close together, but it is deceiving - they are huge and it takes a lot of walking just to get from one to the other. With a car you then have the flexibility to go check out downtown, visit some of the off-strip casinos (Red Rock, M, Green Valley, etc), and I would even recommend a trip out to Red Rock Valley National Park for something different.

Yahtzee

Paris has rooms that week starting at $59. I would lock that in and then explore some of the suggestions from tvelinsk. You can always cancel. Paris will be less of a party hotel than Planet Hollywood and the location is just as good. Maybe try $20 trick for a Bellagio fountain view.

kettle1

I stay in all types of Hotels depending on the trip. I looked at your dates December 13-18. The rates are VERY good during that time. This is what I found before taxes and resort fees (usually $30 per night). This is the average per night.

Bally's $39 (Get a high Jubilee Strip View room - very nice)
Monte Carlo $42 (getting run down)
Treasure Island $43
Linq $46
Paris $59
MGM $65 (Avoid the West Wing Rooms - that is the former Marina Hotel - very small rooms)
Mandalay Bay $68
Cosmo $98 (very good rate)

I would either book Bally's (if you want a very nice remodeled Jubilee room for a very good rate) or Cosmo (if you want to splurge at a fantastic hotel with a great rate). The Bally's lobby is fine. It has been remodeled. It is all marble floors and the check- in agent we had was great (just a few days ago).

Upgrades should be easy to get during those dates as Las Vegas is very slow midweek right before Christmas. Some of the shows will be "dark" during that week, some will have a Christmas theme.

You also might want to do a Priceline bid that week for a 5* resort for no more than $70-$80 per night. That does not include taxes, fees or resort fees. If you want to avoid the Trump International state that you want the resort to have a casino (Trump does not). You can select that when bidding.

Good luck! You will have a great time.

gamermeow

Thank you all SO very much for your help! We appreciate it so much!

cogitate

I have stayed at the Monte Carlo many times and think it would be fine given your stated preferences in your original post. You can get a quick and economical breakfast and lunch in its food court, which includes a Subway, Sbarro, McDonalds, Manchu Wok, and others. Of course there are also pricier options. The buffet includes an Indian station.

DenverBrian

Absolute Center Strip as well; best value play for a couple wanting to walk to all the attractions.

Definitely depends on your definition of "run down." Tired, perhaps. But still a good Center Strip option.

I've always liked TI and its location is great for the Venetian and Wynn, plus the Fashion Show Mall; and it's connected by tram to the Mirage. A good choice for a walkable LV experience.

An Imperial Palace by any other name smells just as stale and old. Ew. Not recommended.

Only if you could snag that rate for a Bellagio fountain view.

Agreed, plus: MGM is too far south IMO for the request of the OP.

WAY too far south to make for a walkable LV experience.

...and yet, still highly overrated.

ibdsux

Just an aside...as Kettle mentioned, if seeing some shows is part of the Vegas experience you are looking for, be aware most major productions are dark during this period. Still, it's a great value to visit at that time of year.

vhrum

No kidding... that's a great rate for the Cosmo.

vhrum

For me, much less overrated than most of the places on the Strip.