Coming to Vegas!! Hotel and tips please!

hody folks!

First I've gotta say that I'm always the shy quiet one in any party... And likewise for this website...


I've been occasionally reading posts on this site for over 2 years now, but rarely post or reply.. I suppose I might be shy that way eh?


Anyways.. I'm really excited because at the end of this month (June) I have been invited to go to Vegas for the weekend!

I'm curious about a few things:

1) Where or how can I get the best "last minute" rate on a hotel... I'm not too picky about being right on the strip or anything, I'd just like a clean room in a safe area


2)I'm an average player but will be going with someone who does not gamble at all... I typically play 10-20 so I was wondering of good places to play while in Vegas.


3) I'm also interested in suggestions for what else I can do while in vegas (esp. for the non-gambler) Are there any good nightclubs, shopping malls, other tourist attractions that would be interesting? (Any advice on the night clubs would esp. be helpful as we both love to party and have a good time!)


Thankyou for any assistance

With a Questions, without a clue.

1. Expedia.com is the best for booking last minute hotel rooms. You can get a good deal on a nice hotel there, even at the last minute. If you are willing to pay 100/night you will definitely get something good on the strip or just off. Staying downtown is a little cheaper, but the money you'll save on your hotel room you'll spend on the 15 dollar cab fare to the strip (if you don't have a car). I have stayed at and like the Venetian, the LV Hilton, and the Rio this year and they were all very good. I stayed at the new Tuscany which was dissapointing (the room was HUGE but there was nothing in it, stay somewhere else). I also stayed at Binions for 2 nights during the WSOP. It was clean and a steal at $29, but their poker room is a dump. I would rather pay more and be on the strip. Without naming the myriad other hotels, anything 4 stars or better should be fine /images/smile.gif. Half of the fun of being a tourist in vegas is staying in the nice hotels, don't miss out. Plus, the facilities in the big hotels will give your friend stuff to do (the Venetian has 2 museums and a mall in addition to a bunch of other stuff I didn't have time to see--I think there's even a rock-climbing wall).


2. Mirage has 6-12, 10-20, and 20-40. Bellagio has 8-16 and 15-30. The Bellagio 8-16 is really fun at night, but is not a great game during the day. The 15-30 varys but is generally nothing to be afraid of. The Mirage games also vary, but are generally very beatable. Binions and some other places also have 10-20 but once you go to the Bellagio and Mirage you will not want to bother.


3. The nice hotels like the Venetian, Bellagio, Rio, etc... have shopping, trendy clubs, and lots of things to do. Just explore and you'll have no trouble keeping busy even without gambling. The strip hotels are great but make sure you go downtown once to Binions and the Fremont Street Experience. Downtown is hardcore.

For a reasonably priced room, try the Barbary Coast. It has an excellent location on the Strip but shouldn't cost much.


If you're playing 10-20, you should play at the Mirage. 8-16 can be played at the Bellagio as can 15-30.


Are there any good nightclubs, shopping malls, other tourist attractions that would be interesting?


You obviously don't know much about the modern Las Vegas. An entire book could be written about the non-gambling attractions which are now available just on the Strip.

Check out the Park Place properties, Bally's Caesar's Paris, Flamingo. All great locations. They sent me something in the mail promoting good rates for the summer. The Flamingo was the cheapest, but I don't remember what it was. From those places you can shop, play poker, and nightclub with ease. A lot of places are putting in nightclubs for the young and beautiful if that is your thing. For other kinds of nightclubs, any cabbie will help, maybe their kickbacks are being allowed again.

If you want to stay somewhere nice, try Aladdin. 4-star hotel currently at $69/night. You can get the rate online or by specifically mentioning it to them. I found the rate through the LA Times ads. All the LA Times ads are posted on a couple sites online...just go to Yahoo and search 'Las Vegas LA Times ads'. You'll see it as the first or second match...can't remember.


Mojay

The Bellagio poker rate, if it is available, is great. 99-129 depending on when you're there. Mirage also has a poker rate, but you have to pay twice the number of hours and the rooms aren't nearly as nice.


If you plan to play at Bellagio, check out the Monte Carlo. There is a convenient tram.


RH

How many hours do you have to play to qualify for the poker rate?

I just got back from an internet package at the LV Hilton. Two nites for $88.00. The package included two show tickets to Sheena Easton or the Righteous Brothers, four $10 matchplays, 2 for one buffet ticket and a couple drink coupons 2 for 1. Nice pool area with few children. Lots of pretty convention people. Rooms were clean and the mattress I had was very comfortable. $5.00 "21", $10.00 Pai Gow, $3.00 craps and a limited sportsbook. You might also try Flamingolv.com to check out their rates. Hope this helps.

Also, take a look at www.hotel.com (http://www.hotel.com) web site. This place advertises very aggressively lately claiming to offer the best deals in the country.


Good luck!

The Belligio requires six hours one time only. Pre- arrange with the poker room before you travel.

They must have upped the ante, so to speak. When I was last there it was only 4 hrs/day. Mirage was 8 when I was there in May.

I'm staying at Bally's our next time out (mid-july). I got a deal through AMEX for $65 a night on wed/thurs and $99 for fri night. 2 for 1 buffets, spa and show as well as match plays and the other standard stuff.


Here are some good places to look:


www.funjet.com (http://www.funjet.com)

http://www.swavacations.com/


For info about hotels I'd really recommend this site:


www.cheapovegas.com (http://www.cheapovegas.com)


That site rules - all the information you need about all the strip/off-strip hotels - including shows, restaraunts, and casino info - most importantly they have info about the hotels that have poker tables - including how many tables, type of games, etc...


I would also check out southwest airlines ticket prices right now. Wed - Sat is a great price as they have some awesome fares going right now. I got $79 each way on those days from Texas - killer deal.


Finally, I usually always break down and call my companies travel agent and ask her if she knows of anything going on right now - in fact, that's how I found the AMEX deal at Bally's. Try to find an agent that spends alot of personal time in Vegas (mine does) and knows what's going on - mainly because they are trying to find good deals for themselves and will pass them on to their clients. Often times if they can find a special deal - it will be less than anything you can find off expedia or orbitz.


My wife and I are going in July and I paid less than $600 for our entire 4 day 3 night trip - hotel, plane tickets, etc...


There are good deals out there - just have to do some research.

The 8-16 at Bellagio and 6-12 at Mirage are much easier games than most of the 10-20 games I have played in Vegas.