Las Vegas Budget board???

[maggiew]

Thank you for all of your suggestions! They are very helpful. Sadly I am not going on this trip. DH is going with a friend. His only requirements were that it was "near the action" i.e. somewhere along the strip. I guess downtown would be ok too.

Is the Plaza an OK hotel? It seems to be significantly cheaper than the other hotels. The Plaza averages about $55 per night for his travel dates, while the Stratosphere is $155, NY NY and Planet Hollywood around $180 and the others more (Bellagio). Would you think the Plaza is ok for 2 guys who are probably going to be out gambling all the time? DH has never been to Vegas, so he has no idea what to expect.

Also, is the Monty Python show playing somewhere? I thought I heard about it opening up in Las Vegas?

Maggie

 

[tinknme]

Here is a message board I read quite a bit before our trip to Vegas last Nov.

http://www.vegasmessageboard.com/forums/index.php

HTH!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Also see www.everythinglv.com

 

[M4travels]

Also, is the Monty Python show playing somewhere? I thought I heard about it opening up in Las Vegas?

Maggie

Spamalot is playing at the Wynn.

 

[everylastbreath]

Thank you for all of your suggestions! They are very helpful. Sadly I am not going on this trip. DH is going with a friend. His only requirements were that it was "near the action" i.e. somewhere along the strip. I guess downtown would be ok too.

Is the Plaza an OK hotel? It seems to be significantly cheaper than the other hotels. The Plaza averages about $55 per night for his travel dates, while the Stratosphere is $155, NY NY and Planet Hollywood around $180 and the others more (Bellagio). Would you think the Plaza is ok for 2 guys who are probably going to be out gambling all the time? DH has never been to Vegas, so he has no idea what to expect.

Also, is the Monty Python show playing somewhere? I thought I heard about it opening up in Las Vegas?

Maggie

I would not stay downtown (personal opinion) little seedy- love to visit down there, but would never stay there. Depends on what type of "action" they are looking for, but if it's the club/party type stay on the strip. I wouldn't recommend the "action" downtown....

If they are gamblers, do they have player cards anywhere? because most good gamblers are comped everything. Where do they usually play?

 

[simonkodousek]

If this is their first trip to Vegas, or if they just want to stay where all the action is, the Strip is the best bet. Downtown is sort of a dump in my opinion... you would definitely get the wrong image of Vegas is you stayed downtown all the time. On the Strip, Bill's Gamblin' Hall seems to be the best bang for the buck. Large rooms, windows that open, and plasma TV's.

 

[deide71]

We are going to vegas in June.

Call me weird, but I kind of like downtown. It has that "old vegas" feel.

We are staying one night at the El Cortez. After reading the trip reports at Cheapo Vegas I think it sounds like an adventure .

We are staying the next 2 nights at TheHotel at Mandalay Bay. Talk about extremes. I got a deal that was too good to pass up.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I would not stay downtown (personal opinion) little seedy- love

Oh, I dunno - there are some pretty decent places dowtown (Golden Nugget comes immediately to mind, but I've also stayed at Main Street Station, where I felt entirely safe).

I forgot to share my favorite bargain. Based on the lesson "always ask about discounts"... if you donate blood at a place called United Blood Centers, and ask, you get a voucher for two free tickets to see Penn & Teller.

 

[mzlee]

If your husband wants to be near the action then I would definitely recommend staying on the strip. The Plaza is downtown near the Fremont Street experience, which I enjoyed.

 

[dvcnewgirl]

I would not stay downtown (personal opinion) little seedy- love to visit down there, but would never stay there. Depends on what type of "action" they are looking for, but if it's the club/party type stay on the strip. I wouldn't recommend the "action" downtown....

If they are gamblers, do they have player cards anywhere? because most good gamblers are comped everything. Where do they usually play?

I just got back and stayed downtown for the first time. I LOVED IT! SO much better than staying on the strip, we have stayed at TI, Mirage etc. I found downtown so much more convient. If you are looking for Model types and "party" atmosphere I agree the strip may be better for you. I was looking for a fun gambling time and not having to take a cab to get to another casino was great. It was really our favorite trip to LV. BTW, we stayed at Four Queens it was newly renovated, and we enjoyed it.. not upscale just FUN!

 

[kaytieeldr]

You're gonna "make" me stay downtown for my entire next trip, aren't you, dvcnewgirl?

 

[Ennazus8810]

openvegas.com has very informative and knowledgeable forum boards.
Cheapovegas.com is great to get some basic info, (and is an entertaining read) but double check info from there, as it has not been updated in some time.
DH and I were married in Vegas almost a year ago (at the Bellagio), and can't wait to go back! Have a great time!

 

[maggiew]

I would not stay downtown (personal opinion) little seedy- love to visit down there, but would never stay there. Depends on what type of "action" they are looking for, but if it's the club/party type stay on the strip. I wouldn't recommend the "action" downtown....

If they are gamblers, do they have player cards anywhere? because most good gamblers are comped everything. Where do they usually play?

When DH says they want to stay by "the action", I am hoping he means the gambling action only.

DH has never been to Vegas, but his friend has. His friend has a players card, I am not sure from where though?? DH isn't a big gambler, he has only ever gambled when we went on cruises. We live in Chicago and I don't think he has every been to the casinos around here. This is just supposed to be a long weekend with his friend from boyhood that he hasn't seen in awhile.

How much do you have to gamble to be "comped everything"? Do you really mean they comp hotel rooms or food?

Thanks,
Maggie

 

[srandsr76]

We just booked a trip for Aug - our first trip. Got a GREAT deal at the Luxor from their website. $67/night!!!

Thanks for posting - I have read all comments and gotten some good information as well!

Good Luck!

 

[dvcnewgirl]

You're gonna "make" me stay downtown for my entire next trip, aren't you, dvcnewgirl?

As long as you do not take my room!

 

[minnierocks]

How much do you have to gamble to be "comped everything"? Do you really mean they comp hotel rooms or food?

Thanks,
Maggie

The more you gamble...the more you get comped. When you check in to your hotel, you use a credit card so that you can charge to your room. Then they tell you to charge everything to your room. Then at another counter, sign up for the player's card...some of the hotels are linked so that if you gamble at any of the linked casinos, you will earn player's club points. MGM is a big one...you can gamble in about 10 different casinos and earn points. At the end of your stay, they look at how many points you have earned and on a tier system...figure out how much you can get comped. Comps can be meals or your room...or both, if you gambled enough...
DH and I are not big gamblers...all we got was a free T-shirt!

 

[Ricky's Girl]

Lots of great info. Thanks everyone for sharing. I've been thinking about finally going to Vegas next year and this thread sure supports that idea.

Apart from watching the big conventions - when is the best time to go? We don't mind temps in the 80's but we plan to do a lot of sightseeing in the area so I'd prefer not to do it in 100 degree heat.

 

[tinknme]

We went in Nov. last year & the weather was perfect. Short sleeves for the day & a light jacket at night

Lots of great info. Thanks everyone for sharing. I've been thinking about finally going to Vegas next year and this thread sure supports that idea.

Apart from watching the big conventions - when is the best time to go? We don't mind temps in the 80's but we plan to do a lot of sightseeing in the area so I'd prefer not to do it in 100 degree heat.

 

[everylastbreath]

When DH says they want to stay by "the action", I am hoping he means the gambling action only.

DH has never been to Vegas, but his friend has. His friend has a players card, I am not sure from where though?? DH isn't a big gambler, he has only ever gambled when we went on cruises. We live in Chicago and I don't think he has every been to the casinos around here. This is just supposed to be a long weekend with his friend from boyhood that he hasn't seen in awhile.

How much do you have to gamble to be "comped everything"? Do you really mean they comp hotel rooms or food?

Thanks,
Maggie

I knew I was going to take a beating when I said Downtown was "seedy" but that's just my opinion. We love to visit there, but prefer to stay on the strip, I think for a 1st time visitor, downtown would be a mistake.

I would suggest finding out what player card DH's friend has and then checking into what kind of deal they would give him to stay at their properties. As previously said "the more you gamble the more you get comped" If you ever plan on going back to Vegas, tell DH to sign up for that player card when he gambles (anything) because they will always try to get you back, by offering discount rates, free buffets, gifts etc. Worth signing up if you plan on going back with him someday.

Book a room center strip for them - would be best.

 

[libertycdamac]

I have been to vegas many many times. Here is some info that has not been covered. First you need to go to all the group hotel sites and register at their website to get their newsletters. They will send you the best prices that they have. I have stayed at Monte Carlo, Bellagio, Excalibur, MGM, New York New York, Luxor, Wild Bills, etc. I have stayed down town also. Downtown has improved a lot over the last few years. By registering for the sites they will send you the deals. Always travel if you can during the weekdays. The weekend triples in prices. Go see all the free stuff it is so much fun. Ignore the street people that hand out stuff and take your spouses hand while you walk they will hassle you less. I would agree that you need to stay at any of the hotels south of Mirage for your first trip. There is too much to see in that area. I prefer down by New York New York but that is my preference. Don’t rent a car unless you wish to go off the strip but there is so much to see on the strip you wont have time to leave. Taxis are easy here in this town but you need to not go up and down the strip when taking a taxi have them take the side roads you will save a lot of money. I like it down on Freemont Street for one night. It is not an area you can leave Freemont Street. Don’t think you can just walk the strip down there it is a lot farther than you realize. Spend the money and go see a great show. I love O... It will never be able to travel so enjoy it in Vegas. You can very easily stay on the strip for 60-80 dollars on a weeknight and 140 on a weekend. Really is not worth staying off the strip for your first trip. The traffic is a nightmare there with lots of people that don’t know that area and too many people that have had too much to drink and try to cross Las Vegas Blvd. See the fountains at Bellagio, Mirage volcano, the dolphins, the tigers, and the show at TI (Treasure Island). You will have a great room pretty much at any of the main strip hotels. PM me if you want some other suggestions. Don’t stay at Circus Circus it is the only hotel that you cannot get away from kids and too far down the strip. I love to stay up on the corner by New York New York plenty of hotels for a good price up there. If you get a chance take a shuttle over to RIO I love there all you can eat Seafood it is price but oh so worth it. The free show at the RIO is so much fun. Just look up their sight they have "hotel partners" on the strip that you can get a free shuttle back and forth. If you get frommers travel guide from the library you can find out a lot of good stuff. The websites that have been suggested are not broken down well enough unless you have hours to do research. Go and have fun.