AMDB7

Hi everyone,

Just hoping for some good advice from people who know best; I have my first ever trip to Las Vegas coming up in July! ^^

As an RA I've been looking at possibly staying at the Palazzo or the Venetian, but having a look around on some of the booking sites I've noticed some great deals elsewhere; Bellagio was coming out cheaper by about £20-40 per night, and the Mandarin Oriental and Four Seasons were also a little cheaper. There were some other slightly "lesser" hotels (but not dives) that were incredibly cheap.

I'm staying for 5 nights and I want to get the best deal I can, so I guess the RA upgrade would count for something at the Venetian or Palazzo. But the minibar limitation is a definite negative, and I don't fancy checking in and out between the 2 properties to maximise it. Not sure if I'd have much use for the VIP area. But the guest rooms here do look much bigger than a lot of the other properties, including the Bellagio.

I'd only be booking the basic room wherever I stay, to try and keep the costs down, so do you guys reckon I'd be better off staying here as an RA or saving my bucks for the casinos and staying elsewhere?? Any advice would be gratefully received!

PS to moderators - hope it's ok to post a new thread, mods, but it seemed as though the Venetian and the Palazzo each have thir own threads, so thought it best to start a new one for this particular question.

rfrost

At 720 sq. ft., the entry-level rooms at the Palazzo (which are larger than those at the Venetian) are, I believe, significantly larger than at any other hotel in Vegas and on both of my stays there I was upgraded as an RA to a Fortuna suite (943 sq. ft or thereabouts), which I think is the standard 2-level UG for RAs. So if the size of the room is important to you, the premium to stay at the Palazzo may be worth it. I enjoyed the VIP lounge, and if continental breakfast does it for you, you can have it there (but it would be criminal not to have brunch at Bouchon in the Venetian at least one time). Reports indicate that you can also ask for champagne (or presumably something else), which may slightly ease the $100 minibar limit pain, but be forewarned that over 5 days that limit would probably allow a bottle of water/day (which you'll need in Vegas in the summer, though you can also ask for that in the VIP room) and perhaps a couple of drinks.
On the other hand, I absolutely loved the Mandarin Oriental (I don't require a casino in the hotel), and you might want to contact a Virtuoso agent and see what rates they quote--I believe you'd get continental breakfast, a spa credit, and an upgrade (based on availability).

AMDB7

Thanks rfrost,
The room size is the one main thing drawing me to the Palazzo/Venetian. I hadn't considered the VIP room to be of importance to me until readng your reply....I had in my mind that it was just a very small pokey room tucked away somewhere where you could get a quick free drink. Don't know why I built that picture, because it must be a reasonable space if you can get continental breakfast in there too. Thanks also for the tip of brunch at Bouchon - will definitely try that if I do stay there.
The Mandarin Oriental looked good to me too - I definitely don't need a hotel casino either....there's plenty nearby, I think! Will check out about the virtuoso rates too. ^

rfrost

The VIP room is tucked away to one side of reception and it's not large, but there are various seating choices (couches, chairs, side tables, coffee tables) and there's a small room off that with the food selections. If I recall correctly, they have fresh fruit, pastries, coffee and tea all day, cheese and crackers in the afternoon, and maybe small sandwiches as well--sorry, drawing a blank.
Bouchon serves brunch on weekends--the brunch menu's chicken and waffles are justifiably famous--but weekday breakfast is very good, too.

janed9388

just back from the palazzo as a standard ambassador, not royal. We didn't find the VIP room, but when you are reading reviews, be careful not to confuse with the Prestige lounge as I don't think (but could be wrong), that the royal ambassador won't get you into the prestige lounge (23rd floor). The prestige lounge was very nice since we got a great deal with it included but I don't think I would pay the usual price to upgrade to it.

Also, we found the waitress service in both Palazzo and Venetian to be very very slow when playing the slots, especially when compared to the Wynn next door where we had to occasionally send the waitress away for coming back too soon ! If you are looking for some sun, the majority of the Palazzo pool doesn't get it until 12.30 / 13.00 and the little bit that does gets full very quickly (by about 0930)

tangey

For both venetian and palazzo, the VIP room is located beside the main checkin desk. Best way to describe both is to imagine walking right up to the checkin desk. Then, if in the venetian, turn right and keep walking and you'll see a set of double doors. If in the palazzo, turn left and keep walking. You'll go thru a set of doors, and then immediately on your right there is a darken set of doors, thats the VIP room.

In both, we never ordered drinks, just have the snacks and coffee etc, but i saw plenty of people ordering drinks.

WE had 5 nights, and did split between the two properties. Couldn't have been easier. Told the VIP desk what was happening, and they told us to leave our bags in the room and they would transfer them. Was able to check-in for the palazzo while checking out of the venetian. About 30 mins after we got to our Palazzo room, our bags arrived.

In terms of booking, I'd suggest if you have any frequent flyer miles, you go into the coupon connection forum and try bartering for a BOGO voucher. The 1 night rate that you pay might work out a bit more expensive that a regular one night, but it should still be a lot cheaper than paying for 2-nights with any 3rd party booking. Also note that regardless of whether you booking directly or via a 3rd party, your RA benefits should be honoured. Also, if you are happy with a "basic" room, and are points rich, perhaps book using reward nights, although many of the best RA benefits do not apply on reward bookings.

AMDB7

Thanks for the input rfrost and janed9388 - much appreciated.

Thanks also to you tangey. I'm going for 5 nights Monday-to-Saturday, so unfortunately won't be able to use a BOGOF voucher. That's a big shame and would have made the decision a bit easier, even with the slight premium for having to use the BOGOF booking code. But I was thinking about tagging a points night somewhere in the mix. If I tagged a points night on the back of 4 paid nights then I can't imagine they'd shift me.

Did you book through a 3rd party site and then just call to add your RA details to the res?

bello

used a BOGO and points for 3 nights - got the upgrade no problem. you can also get comped drinks in VIP with no issue at all

martyYYZ

With the BRG, you'd be better off booking directly with IHG although YMMV with BRG. Unless your savings are significant, I would not go with a third party.

I found that the VIP lounge was a good stop to grab a light breakfast and coffee/juice.

Typically, rates are cheaper during the week so if you're going to use points, the best vaue would likely be for Friday night.

janed9388

I booked direct with Palazzo and e-mailed to add in my priority club number, it was a good deal cheaper this way for what we got. the reate included a $50 / night amex reward card, prestige room (including lounge) and some other bits and pieces for about the same of a standard room on IHG

scienm

It's always better to book direct with Palazzo or Venetian and add a PCR No. later.
Cheaper than PCR official web and sometimes addtional benefits.

AMDB7

Thanks to all for the advice. I think that I've decided to spend my first 2 nights elsewhere, and then trade up to the Venetian for the last 3 nights. I arrive mid-afternoon, so the first day is mostly lost already, and I can check-in early as an RA on day 3, after my first full day of Vegas aclimatization!

TBH I would probably have just stayed there the full 5 nights if it wasn't for the pathetic $100 minibar rule for RA's, but I find that so irritating that I'm happy to take my bucks elsewhere to start with, so that I have something to compare to for next time.

AMDB7

So I've managed to get 2 nights booked at the Venetian directly at a great rate, and I've contacted them to add my RA details to the res.

They have emailed me back with the list of RA benefits and confirmed a one-level upgrade to a Luxury View Suite (not quite sure how I feel about that, but glad to have a view at least). But there's no mention of the VIP room, so how do you obtain access? Is it automatically assigned to your room profile because of your RA status, or do you have to show your RA card at the door each time you enter?

simmy2424

For me as an RA, they add access to your room key and you can get access through the slots area at Palazzo. You can also just walk in from the reception area, most of the time it's the same staff and they greeted me by name.

I used both the Palazzo and Venetian VIP area quite frequently, they take care of all your checkin and checkout and you can avoid the long lines, plus relax and enjoy a beverage or two. The food selection may not be that extensive compared to other RA lounges though, but was enough for a break during the day.

MagicWok

I'm seeing some good rates in Aug for both. Tempting to book and fly out and use the last of my VS airmiles. Especially as £ is doing well (better) atm.

Bonus of escaping some the olympics here in london.