sherpahigh

I'm off to Vegas for the 2nd time for a buddys wedding in April.

The first time to Vegas for me was on a 2 week road trip from Calgary down to California and then up the coast and through BC back to Calgary. We were on a low budget and camping the whole way except for Vegas where we stayed in a cheap-ass motel on the very south end of the strip. The motel had a limo in the parking lot up on concrete blocks, a psychic in the lobby and a big fat shirtless hairy dude leaning against the heart shaped door of the "honeymoon suite".

This time around I'm looking at something a little more upscale than said motel but I'm not too interested in spending a whole lot on a room that I'll use just for sleeping a few hours a night. The wedding's taking place at the Luxor so I'd like to be fairly close to that area. I've done some looking around on the net and fount the San Remo has some decent rates and is fairly close. Anyone have any experience there? Good? Bad?

Also any other tips on must do/see things in Vegas are welcome. I am trying to keep costs down since I've got a wedding of my own, a honeymoon and a couple other unavoidable trips coming up.

Thanks.

Craven Morehead

I stayed at the San Remo last fall. I didn't have a bad experience but probably won't stay there again. Its clean, but not very upscale. Certainly does not have the mystique of the strip hotels. Definately does not attract an upper class crowd. In other words you'll find other places to party - its clientele is kind of older.

I booked it as part of a package through Southwest airlines. Could have selected other hotels but decided to go cheap. And it was cheaper but not excpetionally so. One thing I will recommend about the San Remo is their $4.95 steak and eggs breakfast and their $4.95 prime rib dinner. The breakfast being the better deal. Its served 24 hours a day and not on the menu eventhough its advertised on their sign. Check most major airlines websites for vacation packages. Most have flight/hotel and car (if needed) and you can choose the hotel you wish.

Good luck.

sherpahigh

That's about what I figured the San Remo would be like. I'm more or less just looking for a clean room where I can crash after having partied and entertained myself elswhere on the strip.

I've checked into air/hotel package deals online and have found that I can put together a cheaper deal than what is being offered. The cheapest package I could find for the weekend I'm going was around $1100 cnd. I've already found a flight for $480 with all taxes and I'm sure I can find a place to stay for 3 nights that's cheaper than $620 which will put me under their package deals. The San Remo for 3 nights works out to $340 cnd. with all taxes. The only difference with the packages is that they offer a direct flight wheras I'll have to transfer in Seattle. Oh well, I'd rather save the cash and have it to play with once I'm there.

Any others have experience with the San Remo or other hotels I should be looking at? The Excalibur seems like a decent deal for $100 more than the San Remo but isn't it kind of catered to families? Is it worth the extra money to stay in the Luxor? and if so why?

Thanks

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micah67

You can get a good Vegas experience and save some serious money by staying dowtown. Fitzgerald's, Main Street Station, Four Queens. Just not Binion's...

You can always drive up to the strip and park at one of the casino's for some gambling or to see a show.

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greytone

The Monte Carlo is fairly close and it is nice and clean even though it is not upscale. I have never been in a room there however. I do think there is a monorail you can take from there to the Luxor which might be nice if you are going back and forth.

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FleaCircus

The Monte Carlo monorail used to run to the Bellagio, but it's been out of commission for a while. I think because they're putting in the citywide monorail.

There's a monorail that runs from Luxor, Mandalay Bay and Excalibur.

As far as cheap rooms, get a player's card and track your play. Usually, that qualifies you for a casino rate on the room (not too useful this trip, but good for next time).

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vapusforever

In my frequent visits to vegas i have found the best deal to be the Stratosphere. Just tell them that you want a good deal and when they give you a price, ask for a better deal. This hotel has 50% of its rooms empty at all times and as long as you pay more than the $2 it costs for the water you use and the maids cleaning your room they are profiting. Try saying something like "I want to spend most of my money on your slot machines, not my hotel room" saying this will almost definitely enhance your price saving

sherpahigh

Have you tried this in the past? and has it worked? Is the hotel really 50% empty most of the time?

Does anyone have experience with getting last minute deals for hotels in Vegas? I'd imagine with the right conversation in the right situation you'd be able to get a good deal. Of course the whole thing could backfire, but in my case, my Uncle lives in Vegas and I could always crash there if I can't get a room around the strip.

All I really need to do for the weekend is perform as a groomsmen in a wedding on Saturday afternoon. The rest of the time I'm sure I'll be entertaining myself at various spots on the strip.

mirevolver

The Excalibur tends to have good rates. And it's next to the Luxor with a monorail connecting. (though it's an odd setup and you have to go to the Mandalay Bay, then change trains before going to the Luxor.)

You can also try the Tropicana across the street. They have good rates in an attempt to draw people away from the other Hotels on that end of the strip.

My best advice is to go to that hotel's website and check their rates.

Here's some hotels for that end of the strip.
http://www.mandalaybay.com
http://www.luxor.com
http://www.excalibur.com
http://www.nynycasino.com
http://www.tropicanalv.com
http://www.mgmgrand.com
http://www.monte-carlo.com

hope that helps

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yournamehere

We always stay at the Golden Nugget downtown - lots of stuff within walking distance and reasonable rates. If you go down the Strip - you can take the bus - I think it's only like $1.50 each way - maybe even cheaper.
Or - if you're doing well at the tables - take a cab. I don''t think the fare from downtown to the Luxor would be more than $10, including tip. $10 is nothing in Vegas.

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Golden Nugget is a 5 star hotel. Stayed there one night... asked for extra pillows and they asked back,"Foam or down?" Now that was good!

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sherpahigh

Thanks for all the tips! Looks like we're leaning towards packing into a room at the San Remo to save some cash so that we can spend it elsewhere in Vegas. Of course it won't matter how much I spend there since I'm sure I'll more than make up for it with all my winnings down there.

Anyway, if there's any other great deals you guys know about let me know. There's no agenda hammered down yet so I'm pretty open aside from the wedding on sat.

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scansinboy

Try Priceline.com granted you may be at the north end of the strip bu then again you may get lucky.

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frankgrimes

My travel agent got me a smokin deal at the Luxor a couple of years ago, I was there midweek when rates tend to go down drastically. I'd recommend it, the rooms are nice and its close to the action.

bond007

where you wanna stay also depends on your choice of extracurricular activities. for example, the Stratosphere is very close to Olympic Gardens...

edmos1

I would recommend staying at the spearamint Rhino. the quality of entertainment there is amazing.

Blackthorn

You can usually get a good deal at New York New York which is in this vicinity also. Nice rooms too. It's not nearly as pricey as Mandalay Bay or places of that sort.

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Boo

Sams Town is a good place. A bit away from the strip but nice and clean.

Where was a little mexican cafe in there called Pepe and Jose's that had AWESOME food.

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quadro2000

I've only been to Vegas once, just a few months ago. All I can say is that if you have your own wedding coming up, stay the hell out of the casinos! I didn't think I would get sucked in, and I got sucked in, and I didn't like coming home lighter int he pockets.

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greytone

I just got back a few hours ago. When you go, you have to go over to the Palms. It was the best for table games and video poker. I actually found a 9/6 Jacks or Better payout schedule ( and yes, it paid 2 to 1 on two pairs). It was in a small bank of just four machine on the way to the pool. The scenery was better there than anywhere else. That includes the players and the cocktail waitresses. I wish I had tried there earlier in the week. I have no idea what the rooms are like.

A few more things, the Mexican restaruant at the Palace Station was fantastic. Believe it or not, I found a $5 blackjack table at Bellagio. If you want to see a show, try La Femme at MGM. Any TFPer would like it and the audience was more than half women who seem to like it.

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frankx

I got a pretty good deal through Priceline for early June. Four nights at the Golden Nugget, plus round-trip air fare from New Orleans, plus a ride to and from the airport, all for about $700. Not a bad deal at all!

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sherpahigh

I'm not planning on getting "sucked" in at all. I fully intend to hit a few casinos for a little gambling. That's how I plan on paying for this wedding after all.

Seriously though for me it's just a form of entertainment. I'm well aware of the fact that the odds are against me and that's what makes it fun I guess. When I go to the casinos I always go with a set amount to spend and never dip in for more if I run out of that amount.

Leaving on thursday and I'm pumped for a weekend in Vegas. Should be a great time.

Manwich

Along those lines, the tail end of the strip, such as the Riviera and Sahara have decent rates too. A plus for low limit gamblers is that the Sahara has $1 blackjack tables most of the time except the busiest of weekend nights (and you won't be gambling on a Saturday night will you?)