Vegas trip

[deepdish]

I'm planning a trip to Vegas with a local SP. [I know her well so I don't expect her to pull a Lexi on me]. Any ideas how to find some deals of flights and hotel? I'd like to be on the strip in a hotel with a pool and a room with hot tub.

3 or 4 star rating preferred. In other words, not the Bellagio but not the Travel Lodge motel. All help welcome.

I've been cheeking out expedia and destina. It looks like a $2,000 estimate to get flight and hotel.

I also want to see some shows. Will I be able to get tickets for the Cirque Soliel shows when I get there or do I book before I go? Sheesh ... I think she wants to see Celine Dion as well. The things endured for good sex.

I'm thinking I can get away from work from January 1-January 4.

DD

 

[shack]

I just booked for mid-Jan. A connection got me a suite at the Mandalay Bay at casino rates. I've never been there but I heard it's great.

I booked my own flight with Air Canada. Leave T.O. Thursday a.m. and depart L.V. Sunday p.m.. $665, tax included.

 

[Rounder]

You shouldn't need advance tickets to see Cirque de Soleil. I would recommend that you buy the tickets shortly after your arrival though.

You may need advance tickets to see Celine Dion.

 

[Rounder]

Also, although I've always got a flight/hotel package (I've been 9 times), a friend told me that I would be better off booking a flight and getting a room when I arrive in Vegas. He said that it was cheaper.

 

[stmichaels]

you can always try priceline.com to book your hotel room
and also www.biddingfortravel.com to check out the hotel rates before using priceline.com

 

[h_upmann]

January should be a cheap month in Vegas. I'd recommend the Flamingo (unbeatable location) but I'm not sure their pool is open in January.

Mandalay Bay probably has one of their pools open but it's at the extreme south end of the strip.

 

[gabe-reardon]

mandalay

i can second that, mandalay bay is a great hotel but way too far down the strip to do any hotel hopping, better to be more central.

 

[Silkroad]

Well, I guess I have to ask. . . if you have to ask about prices after you have invited the sp, you probably can't afford it.

 

[h_upmann]

You've got a point there, Silkroad. If you've spent the money for the right lady, you might as well go to the Venetian (quite affordable in January, I think).

 

[lickie00]

Vegas booking

I just booked Dec 11 - 15 with Jetsgo for two - total price including taxes for flight only was $647 CDN. My room at the Aladdin (5 star) was $226 USD$ in total for the 4 nights. I asked for special pricing since I've sayed there 2+ times before - I booked by calling them directly. So the total cost in CDN$ was $1,000 - not bad!

FYI, over a weekend stay the rooms are always more expensive $100 - $300 per nite. For weekdays (Mon - Thursday) you can get a room anywhere from $30 - $100 per nite.

You could booked with a charter (signature etc) for about $1500 - $1700 return. Howwever, you will have to pay additional for a room with a hot tub - but ask if you can be upgraded. During slow season they will try an accommodate you.

Hope this helps!


cheers

 

[papasmerf]

If you fly thru Buffalo you can go for as little as 230 USD

 

[Chivas Regal]

I have just returned from Vegas, 4 nights at The Venetian. PM me for $$$, and specifics. I was compted shows but I went on the slowest week of the year.
My bartender informed me that the first week of Jan. is the start of conventions, and the start of the busy season. The 1st being the AOV awards the week of Jan. 8. You will NOT get 'O" tickets unless you have booked in advance but Zumanity is an excellent show. I have seen Mystere in T.O.
I agree with earlier post, Man Bay is a nice hotel but not in the heart of the strip, you will spend $$ on cabs.
If you are travelling with a SP I would assume that you are going to enjoy the company of the Lady. You have - I assume invested a fair amount for the trip on her, so what is a few hundred $'s to enjoy the room???
I don't understand cheaping out on the little things when travelling. If you are going to blow your wad so to speak, do it with some class. Believe me, Vegas is awesome, but I wouldn't eat Raunchy Ron's all week just to save a few cents!!!

Chivas

 

[Dong Joe]

Bally's is my pick. I've stayed there before, and it is classy, great location, nice rooms, and modestly priced.

If money didn't matter, Bellagio would be the spot. A check clerk there told me that people always ask where they can buy the pillows they use there. They go for like $1000 each.

For a real bargain, you can stay at Budget Suites, off the strip. It has weekly and monthly rates. This is where the poker pros live. I've stayed there and it's not bad. You get your own kitchen so you can make your own meals. Ahhhh Vegas, I miss you!

 

[jerbear]

Stayed at mgm which was nice ,used my airmiles for flights and hotel only cost me one night $150.

 

[galt]

ok...I just typed a really detailed post about vegas but it timed out on me and I lost it

I go to vegas about once every 2 months and I've stayed at most of the hotels at the center of the strip and now only stay at the Mirage

The Venetian is too expensive and their comps aren't very good
The Imperial Palace is a pit
Caesars is expensive and really caters to the hard core gambler
The Flamingo and Harrahs are pretty good but starting to show their age
TI (formerly Treasure Island) would be my second choice for hotels at the center strip but in the Treasure Island days it had a few too many kids for my liking
The Mirage is reasonable...has great restaurants and one of the better casinos in vegas..(not intimidating like caesars but large with varied stakes, good ventalation)

Mandalay, MGM, NY NY, Luxor and Monte Carlo are too far south for me

Bally's is starting to look run down

The Bellagio is great and surprisingly not as expensive as the venetian but I just prefer the Mirage.

Don't bother with anything north of TI (Stardust, Circus Circus, the Sahara etc) Anything north of TI and you're in a varitable wasteland.

Don't book a package...book your flight and then just book your hotel over the phone (ask for a casino rate). If you gamble get a players card and don't ask for comps at the table....just sign everything to your room and go see a casino host before you check out....he'll take items off your bill in the order of Room, food, Premium Beverages (Premium Beverages actually includes more than just Beverages, it includes show tickets, limos etc). Contrary to popular myth your comps are not dependant on how much you win or lose....comps are dependant on your average bet and the amount of time that you spend playing...win or lose you'll still accumulate comps. If you book a package, the casino can't give you that money back.

Stay away from Strip Clubs...they're overpriced and crappy compared to here

 

[Chivas Regal]

ok...I just typed a really detailed post about vegas but it timed out on me and I lost it

I go to vegas about once every 2 months and I've stayed at most of the hotels at the center of the strip and now only stay at the Mirage

Stay away from Strip Clubs...they're overpriced and crappy compared to here

Some very good info here, and all very true. I would have liked to seen the original post, it probably would have made a good sticky on travelling.

Chivas

 

[galt]

If I get some time later I'll retype the content in the original. I'll also add some stuff about how comps are calculated in vegas, some of the better clubs to go to and some of the benefits of having a casino host (the benefits are huge).

The big issue here is there are basically four versions of vegas.

1) version one - vegas as a place to live (most residents don't partake in the silliness of the out of town guests)

2) the once every 5 year, non gambler tourist - they'll play a bit in the casinos but only see the surface side of vegas and not even come close to realizing the potential fun of the town

3) the regular visitor that gambles - this is where I fall, you get to see a lot of stuff and get a ton of fringe benefits that most people aren't aware of. They can usually acheive an RFB status which means that it is assumed that Room, Food and Premium beverages are covered prior to you even checking in. You don't need to ask for comps...they are just assumed....They'll let you come once and a while and not gamble (i.e. entertain your spouse, do the tourist thing etc) but there is an expectation that you will retain your rate of play. They'll invite you to come for golf tournaments and all you have to do is cover your flight

All comps are calculated based on a four hour gambling day. They take your average bet, multiply it by the house edge, times the number of bets you place in an hour times the number of hours played (based on a four hour day) then take 1/3 of that and give it back to you in comps (but you have to ask)

Basic rule of thumb at the Mirage is if you play blackjack for 4 hours a day with an average bet of $100 per hand your room and food will be covered. If you play 8 hours a day then $50 will cover it

4) the fourth version of vegas is the whale....they get flown in on private jets...gamble in private rooms, are given gifts etc....unless you're michael jordan you're not getting into this category lol

God I love vegas

 

[deepdish]

Thanks for the help. I ended up booking the Westin out of desperation as we decided to spend New Years Eve in Vegas and no hotels will accept New Year's Eve's bookings after 6 pm on December 31. Argh. Apparently they don't want paying guests clutterting their lobby while they prepare for the festivities of the evening.

Anyone know the Westin? I think it opened in November and I've heard negative things that it opened too early and most of it is still under construction. It's the only option at this point as I don't have any connections to check in on December 31 and I don't want to have to switch hotels.

DD

 

[stang]

Couple of packages in the Star this morning, Imperial Palace next week for under $300 cdn. Might fly down for a break myself at that rate.