Help with Vegas Trip

[kbheap]

Ok. I know that if this board can't help, noone can. I am looking to plan an anniversary trip for my husband and I at the end of June to Vegas. Anyone know a really great place to stay that will totally not break the bank. I want something on the strip. Also, does anyone know when is the best time to purchase the airfare. Will it go up or down the closer we get to the trip. Right now, if I price out the Venetian with airfare and a king size room, with car it is running about 650/person. Not really bad, but not fantastic either. It seems like last year airfare to Vegas was super inexpensive. Maybe I am missing something. Any suggestions or info on how to save money on this trip or how to book it cheaper. Thanks.

 

[bear_mom]

Well, the Ventian is one of the more expensive hotels, there are less expensive ones. We stayed at MGM on our last trip and enjoyed it.

Is there a reason you need a car? We have gone twice and just use the buses for travel up and down the strip and use a taxi to get to and from the airport. After walking up and down the strip, not somewhere I would really want to drive.

I don't know much about the airfare.

Emily

 

[minniemee]

What is your nightly rate for the Venetian? If you sign up for the Grazie club they will probably send you emails with a room discount. I just got one in the mail for 99/night. We stayed there last August, great hotel!!!! Sometimes the Palazzo also runs specials which is connected to the Venetian & is also a beautiful hotel.
Also, we did not rent a car, we found taking a taxi to work great.
Good luck!!!

 

[steph124ny]

A post after my own heart!!! I'm actually a destination expert on Vegas at Tripadvisor.com!! If you want to PM me your budget and dates, I can certainly help you out! Also, check www.smartervegas.com for really good discount codes.

Vegas is a place where it is generally cheaper to book airfare and hotel seperately and directly with the hotel. Most 3rd party sites will lock you in and not allow discounts if the price on the room drops. It often does in Vegas. You'll also want to check the convention center calandar because if there is a huge convention in town, the prices will skyrocket. Rooms will be priced 3-4 times higher on weekends than mid-week.

Let me know what I can do to help!

 

[minniemee]

Oh and check out travelzoo's website for discounts on shows if you want to see any! We got discounted Cirque tickets through one of their links!!

 

[LuLuO]

Check out the Signature at MGM Grand. We haven't stayed yet but have booked a Junior Suite just after Christmas for DH 40th. It is just off the strip adjacant to the MGM Grand.

http://www.signaturemgmgrand.com/

 

[Bren's Mom]

Definitely book stuff separately.

Sign up for the e-mail 'club' for MGM, Treasure Island, The Mirage, Venetian, Caesar's...they'll start sending offers.

And don't bother with a car. You can do the strip easily by walking/trolley/bus, and other areas with the monorail.

 

[lovetoscrap]

We have a Forum here for Las Vegas. On the main page look down the list for the Disneyland section and there is a forum for other western destinations including Las Vegas. You can probably get some good ideas over there too.

 

[gabrismom]

DH and I went for our anniversary 2 years ago and we stayed at the MGM in the West Wing. It was a much different feel from the rest of the MGM and other typical Vegas hotels. It had more of a boutique hotel feel as well. Although it was attached to the MGM it had a completely separate entrance. The prices were very reasonable too.
We didn't rent a car either. We used the train or taxis and it worked well. One thing we did which was really cool was the helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon. A bit pricey but a once in a lifetime experience. I highly recommend it.

 

[Kimmumum]

Check out the Southwest vacation packages. They had awesome deals about a week ago (haven't checked since then). Have a great time. We just got back about 2 weeks ago.

 

[jessicaerv]

I wish I had the paper with me (I'm at work), but my DH and I received an offer (unsolicited) from Wynn Encore for 3 nights in a King Suite for $299. Brand new, 5 star resort -- can't beat that. I think they even had a "friends and family rate" for $369 or something like that.

PMAN if you are interested. I can go digging through my papers at home...

 

[kbheap]

Well, the Ventian is one of the more expensive hotels, there are less expensive ones. We stayed at MGM on our last trip and enjoyed it.

Is there a reason you need a car? We have gone twice and just use the buses for travel up and down the strip and use a taxi to get to and from the airport. After walking up and down the strip, not somewhere I would really want to drive.

I don't know much about the airfare.

Emily

I guess I just assumed it would be cheaper to rent the car rather than pay taxi fare and shuttle fees.

A post after my own heart!!! I'm actually a destination expert on Vegas at Tripadvisor.com!! If you want to PM me your budget and dates, I can certainly help you out! Also, check www.smartervegas.com for really good discount codes.

Vegas is a place where it is generally cheaper to book airfare and hotel seperately and directly with the hotel. Most 3rd party sites will lock you in and not allow discounts if the price on the room drops. It often does in Vegas. You'll also want to check the convention center calandar because if there is a huge convention in town, the prices will skyrocket. Rooms will be priced 3-4 times higher on weekends than mid-week.

Let me know what I can do to help!

I will definitely check on pricing everything separate. Maybe that will come out a little better. Weekend is really the only option for us b/c of our work schedules so we kinda have to stick with that.

Oh and check out travelzoo's website for discounts on shows if you want to see any! We got discounted Cirque tickets through one of their links!!

I will check

Definitely book stuff separately.

Sign up for the e-mail 'club' for MGM, Treasure Island, The Mirage, Venetian, Caesar's...they'll start sending offers.

And don't bother with a car. You can do the strip easily by walking/trolley/bus, and other areas with the monorail.

I am signing up now. Thanks.


Thanks for all of the good advice. Keep the info coming if you have anything.

 

[digitalsiren]

I'm in the end stages of my planning for our July trip. I recommend booking things separately first of all. We don't plan in staying in the room much so we are likely to book a room at the Stratosphere which is an extremely great deal, and even maybe TI for a night (although I read the check-in lines are atrocious.) Be VERY careful to read all terms and conditions as many hotels post low fares, but they charge a "Resort Fee" at check-in. This resort fee can not be waived. There are websites dedicated solely to this like this one: http://www.vegashotelspecial.com/in...en-fees-at-las-vegas-hotels-dont-be-a-victim/ Buffets have become very expensive there I have noticed as well.
I don't plan on buying any tickets for events until I get there, and we will purchase discount tickets from the booth which is by the bottle near M&M world/MGM grand. Hope this helps you! Oh, and I got the best tickets for us dirently through Southwest's website.

 

[wolf29]

Not sure how fancy you are looking to go. Go to hotel websites and sign up for alerts. You will routinely get offers of room discounts as well as dining & shows. Vegas economy is completely destroyed nowadays, so they are VERY aggresive in their promos. I get offers daily for Strip rooms @ $35 or less. I'm not a huge gambler and haven't paid for a room there in 10 yrs.

 

[deide71]

We are going to Vegas in June too. We go every year around this time, and you are right...airfare is much higher this year. We were able to use frequent flyer miles, but prices are almost double what we paid last year.

The Venetian is a beautiful hotel. The rooms are big and well appointed. The bathrooms are to die for. If your priority is being pampered and spending time relaxing in the room definitely stay at The Venetian. If you are more concerned about value but still want to be in a good location on the strip check out Bills Gamblin Hall. It's a small hotel/casino and the rooms are modest but it is clean and well run and the location and price can't be beat. The Stratoshphere is really too far removed from the action on the strip to be a good choice, especially if you don't have a car IMHO.

Have a great trip!

 

[vegasnative]

Browse Cheapo Vegas for other discounts/offers.
http://cheapovegas.com/index.php

You can probably get rates cheaper by not staying at the Venetian. Try the Monte Carlo, still on the Strip, but their rates are usually pretty good. Have fun!!!!

 

[lindsey]

Another vote to not renting a car. There are taxi's, and the monorail, and trolley busses. And walking. It will be very hot in June, but it's fun to walk from casino to casino to cool off. Check the different sites already listed for the fun free stuff to see also. One of my favorites (it's been a few years since I've been), is the 3d show at the M&M store. We enjoyed the Luxor, although it is at the far end of the strip.

 

[mlclements]

We really love the Paris hotel. It is so pretty. We get email updates for around 69-79 dollars. I would stay there anytime. It is in a great location.

 

[kbheap]

Not sure how fancy you are looking to go. Go to hotel websites and sign up for alerts. You will routinely get offers of room discounts as well as dining & shows. Vegas economy is completely destroyed nowadays, so they are VERY aggresive in their promos. I get offers daily for Strip rooms @ $35 or less. I'm not a huge gambler and haven't paid for a room there in 10 yrs.

I signed up about a week ago, so hopefully I will start to get some offers in soon.

We are going to Vegas in June too. We go every year around this time, and you are right...airfare is much higher this year. We were able to use frequent flyer miles, but prices are almost double what we paid last year.


The Venetian is a beautiful hotel. The rooms are big and well appointed. The bathrooms are to die for. If your priority is being pampered and spending time relaxing in the room definitely stay at The Venetian. If you are more concerned about value but still want to be in a good location on the strip check out Bills Gamblin Hall. It's a small hotel/casino and the rooms are modest but it is clean and well run and the location and price can't be beat. The Stratoshphere is really too far removed from the action on the strip to be a good choice, especially if you don't have a car IMHO.

Have a great trip!

I thought airfare seemed a little high, so at least I know I am not imagining things.


I definitely want a beautiful hotel room and feel like we want some place nice.

We really love the Paris hotel. It is so pretty. We get email updates for around 69-79 dollars. I would stay there anytime. It is in a great location.

I looked at some rooms at the Paris and I LOVE the new red rooms. They are beautiful, but so pricey to stay at.

 

[2luvmickey]

I agree with signing up with each hotel.

Last year, we had two free nights at Treasure Island because we purchased tickets to Mystere (Cirque show). We wanted to go to this show with our kids anyway, and the 2 free nights were worth it!!

I couldn't book the offer online, so I called and a nice agent was able to get the special rate.

If you are used to walking around WDW, walking the Vegas Strip is nothin'!

Check out the hotels at the newly opened CityCenter. There are supposed to be some great deals.

Have a great time. Remember, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas