Ongoing Las Vegas 'pro-tips' thread - Advice on all things Vegas

[Fire]

Originally Posted by Maritime Q-Scout

When's the best time to book a hotel in Vegas?

It seems like hotel prices are double to quadruple the price in March than they are in December or January (could be a travel/demand thing).

For four nights at the Monte Carlo I'd be looking at $527.52.

New York New York in the first week of January is $64/night, but when I'm looking in March is $134/night.

Am I better off booking my flight now and hotel later?

There is no harm to book a hotel right now, because if you go through the hotel itself you will be able to cancel the reservation within 48 hours for no charge. Check the cancellation policy because some hotels could be different. March is definitely a more popular time to go to Vegas so that's most likely the reason for the higher prices. March Madness draws a lot of people to the sports books.

[FireFly]

Originally Posted by Maritime Q-Scout

When's the best time to book a hotel in Vegas?

It seems like hotel prices are double to quadruple the price in March than they are in December or January (could be a travel/demand thing).

For four nights at the Monte Carlo I'd be looking at $527.52.

New York New York in the first week of January is $64/night, but when I'm looking in March is $134/night.

Am I better off booking my flight now and hotel later?



I checked the rates for when we're looking in March and it appears to be an extra $30 per night.

If you go to their website http://www.bellagio.com/ and search the dates you want the room selections then pop up.

Depending on when you're going in March, the NASCAR race is being held which will inflate the cost of rooms. If you're not set on dates, check out a calendar of events in and around Vegas and plan your trip when there are no such large events.

Alternately, book a hotel off the strip. We booked our hotel for 10 days in March around the races and paid $477. Sure, it's not as convenient but you don't do much in your hotel other than sleep, right?

[Buff]

Originally Posted by Calgary14

Has anyone stayed at the bellagio in a room facing the front (strip) with a view of the fountains? Just curious how much more $ that would be compared to a room facing the other side

I did a couple of years ago. At that time it was $100/night extra. I was there for a conference that was held at the Bellagio so my employer paid for my room during the conference and then I stayed an extra night and switched to a strip view room for the last night, at my expense. For one night only, I thought I may not get that chance again so I did. It was definitely cool, but for the extra $100... I felt like I had to stay in the room for a couple of hours watching the fountains. I wouldn't do it again at that cost.

I did look recently and it wasn't nowhere near an extra $100/night for a strip view room so I must have been staying there at a bad time (it was Halloween week).

Originally Posted by Maritime Q-Scout

When's the best time to book a hotel in Vegas?

It seems like hotel prices are double to quadruple the price in March than they are in December or January (could be a travel/demand thing).

For four nights at the Monte Carlo I'd be looking at $527.52.

New York New York in the first week of January is $64/night, but when I'm looking in March is $134/night.

Am I better off booking my flight now and hotel later?



I checked the rates for when we're looking in March and it appears to be an extra $30 per night.

If you go to their website http://www.bellagio.com/ and search the dates you want the room selections then pop up.

The best time, if you're looking for lower cost, is to go when there isn't much happening in town... or in the case of Vegas, when they have the least amount of stuff happening in town. For my aforementioned comments about paying extra for a strip view room. I was in town during Halloween week, which was also the week of SEMA, one of the biggest conferences in terms of attendees. I think there was also some cowboy/rodeo thing happening at that time too. I once found a website that listed all the major conferences and when they happen in Vegas.

[Maritime Q-Scout]

We're looking at after NASCAR (thankfully, no disrespect to NASCAR it's just more people driving up the prices of hotel rooms).

Our travel dates are limited due to March Break from school. We're looking the 15-19th.

There has to be a website that gives traditional hotel prices, right? Right?

[Regular_John]

Originally Posted by Maritime Q-Scout

We're looking at after NASCAR (thankfully, no disrespect to NASCAR it's just more people driving up the prices of hotel rooms).

Our travel dates are limited due to March Break from school. We're looking the 15-19th.

There has to be a website that gives traditional hotel prices, right? Right?

Last time we went we found arriving on Sun/Monday and staying till Wed/Thur was a heck of a lot cheaper than arriving Thurs and leaving on Sunday. So budget is of concern avoid Fri/Sat nights.

[spetch]

Originally Posted by Maritime Q-Scout

When's the best time to book a hotel in Vegas?

It seems like hotel prices are double to quadruple the price in March than they are in December or January (could be a travel/demand thing).

For four nights at the Monte Carlo I'd be looking at $527.52.

New York New York in the first week of January is $64/night, but when I'm looking in March is $134/night.

Am I better off booking my flight now and hotel later?



I checked the rates for when we're looking in March and it appears to be an extra $30 per night.

If you go to their website http://www.bellagio.com/ and search the dates you want the room selections then pop up.

March Madness my friend. Vegas makes a killing off that tournament (I think it is the busiest times of the year, but I could be mistaken), hence why they charge more for rooms. Add that it is also spring break, so no the rooms are not going to change very much that month.

[Maritime Q-Scout]

Alright, my wife keeps making fun of me saying most people just go to a travel agent, but I keep researching and checking prices.

Here's my spreadsheet, are any of the hotels worth the extra expense?

[Buff]

Originally Posted by Maritime Q-Scout

Alright, my wife keeps making fun of me saying most people just go to a travel agent, but I keep researching and checking prices.

Here's my spreadsheet, are any of the hotels worth the extra expense?

Take Hooter's, Excalibur, Harrah's and Linq out of the equation. I can't comment on Rio, and it isn't on the strip, although it is close. I'd rather stay at a place right on the strip.

The rest are good or good enough.

My best friend stays almost exclusively at Monte Carlo. From your list I've only stayed at NYNY and I'd stay there again.

[Regular_John]

Had friends stay at Monte Carlo and I've spent some time on the property. It's not too bad at all. Of your list I'd go with NYNY with Monte Carlo a second choice.

[spetch]

Originally Posted by Maritime Q-Scout

Alright, my wife keeps making fun of me saying most people just go to a travel agent, but I keep researching and checking prices.

Here's my spreadsheet, are any of the hotels worth the extra expense?

Spoiler!

You plan on staying at the Excalibur? Really it all depends on what your plans are. The Excalibur is not very central to anything, so it would be a decent hike to get around. Some of my favorite restaurants (Mesa Grill) and my favorite casino (Oshea's) are more centrally located on the strip so I would pay the extra 150 to stay at the Flamingo. The Excalibur is similar to the Linq in quality of rooms, but the Linq is right beside the Flamingo and has a nicer, updated casino.

Vdara would be the only other upgrade I would do over Excalibur. The other's are just not worth the price difference.

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by Maritime Q-Scout

Alright, my wife keeps making fun of me saying most people just go to a travel agent

Those still exist?

[Northendzone]

can you graph the spreadsheets results please?

[Antithesis]

I'd eliminate anything not on the strip from your list straightaway. It'd be too huge a pain to navigate back and forth. Additionally, I'd remove Linq from there as well. Of your list, I've been to NYNY (don't think I'd stay there again, had a room that the rollercoaster seemed to go right by) and Vdara. Vdara was nice, quiet, and smoke free and is probably easily the nicest hotel in your list. No clubs or anything in the hotel so you don't have to deal with anything that goes with it. Whether that is a positive or not depends on what kind of Vegas trip you're going for! I'd also consider Flamingo as a possibility. They have some renovated rooms that I'm sure you could look at upgrading into when you check in, and the location can't be beat.

Have you considered downtown?

[CMPunk]

Why is everyone eliminating Linq off the lists?

[rubecube]

The Flamingo is the best bang for your buck on that list. Perfect location, good atmosphere, and apparently the newly renovated rooms are quite nice. Mind you, I'm speaking from the perspective of a guy who stayed there with a buddy and got liquored all three nights, so take that into consideration.

[Maritime Q-Scout]

Originally Posted by kunkstyle

Those still exist?

Oddly, yes. Wives still do exist.

[Buff]

Originally Posted by CMPunk

Why is everyone eliminating Linq off the lists?

Formerly known as Imperial Palace. It's done some renos but it will take a little longer to get the stains out of its reputation.

[Suzles]

I'm staying at the Linq in January.

[bigtmac19]

My friends stayed at Bally's said the room was terrible, old and dirty. I stayed at Trump Hotel it was great. Really nice suite, 2 bathrooms, full kitchen.

[Tron_fdc]

I've stayed almost everywhere in Vegas. I have a place in Havasu, so when we go down we usually stay a night and shop.

MQS: Why are you going? To get wasted and act like a tourist? Or are you going to different events and don't mind driving or taking a cab? This will impact where you stay.

The most bang for your buck is either in the new tower at the Nugget, or off strip at a place like Green Valley Ranch. I REALLY liked GVR; it was one of the nicer properties I've been to. It's not crowded, had a casino, was cheap, and seemed very high end. Close to the hiway, easy access to the strip and airport, and had a mall attached to it. I think I paid $80 with breakfast for a room that was easily comparable to a high end room on the strip. It is TWICE the quality of all the hotels on your list. Personally, I wouldn't stay at any of them.

Strip hotels tend to be run down and expensive unless you stay at a new property which is usually nicer, but will be expensive. If you HAVE to stay on the strip, Monte Carlo (new side) or Planet Hollywood would be my choice. Probably PH, because it has a mall attached to it.

Keep trying sites like Kayak, Expedia, etc. Something will come up. I would keep off strip locations in mind though, they can be nicer and WAY cheaper.