Advice on where to stay

[Heather2102]

Hi all,

Just looking for some advice on where to stay in Vegas. Will be going in April (far away I know but coming from Sierra Leone, Holland and Uk so trying to plan ahead!) with a group of girls. Looking for a decent hotel with a good pool and location and reasonable value for money. Between us we've previously stayed in Excalibur, Flamingo, Vdara and Mirage. Basically trying to decide if location and cheaper (e.g. Flamingo) is better over the bellagio or Venetian. Any advice? Thanks

[tomm0]

OK so its all down to budget. Also where you think youre gonna go. If you're planning on going to EBC, XS, Tryst, Surrender, Tao, Tao Beach etc then its wise to stay in the Wynn or as close as you can.

If you're gonna be at Marquee alot then the Cosmo.

Remember cabs are bucks and that costs mounts up big time.

If I were you i'd stay at Wynn or Encore, cos the couple of hundred it is over the likes of Excalibur are saved in cabs ten times over.

[Heather2102]

Hi, thanks for the reply. We're prob looking at going to tao, tryst and hakkasan at least and a pool party (suggestions welcome!). I'll look into the Wynn/encore - haven't looked at them yet. Where do you find you get the best deals - booking direct or through expedia/hotwire?

[artedm]

you can check the hotel websites or a site like www.kayak.com
You can go really low end if you want to maximize your party budget-
also ask about resort fees- some charge up to around $30 a night on top

[Heather2102]

Thanks, i've been checking expedia, kayak etc. Group has agreed to stay somewhere nice rather than save on accom for party money so we're looking def 5* and def centre strip. Have been using hotwire and they do great secret deals on 5* centre strip - anyone know what would be the worst hotel you could end up with in we took a chance on that?

[peoplemore1]

I believe 5 star center strip will be either Cosmo, Bellagio, or Vdara

[kp3205]

Definitely sign up for hotels emails. Usually they'll send a welcome aboard email with a percentage off your first stay and then send you emails throughout with updates and other deals.

Aria may be an option also.

Usually on the day after Thanksgiving through that Monday evening the hotels do crazy deals/rates also online. Thanksgiving is on 11/27 this year.

When are you going in April? Colleges are moving spring break back into April which usually raises the price. Also Easter is April 5th next year and the NCAA basketball championship is that Monday April 6th. Not sure how many gamblers will be in town for the Final Four that Saturday plus he final.

You can also always book direct early online and then watch the rates throughout the time and then call to re book if the rate goes lower. I've done that with Aria, Monte Carlo and Planet Hollywood.

Hope this helps.

[MikeK32]

[QUOTE=kp3205;246937]
You can also always book direct early online and then watch the rates throughout the time and then call to re book if the rate goes lower. I've done that with Aria, Monte Carlo and Planet Hollywood.

QUOTE]

+1
This is what I always do. If you are booking direct then it's almost always fully refundable (check the fine print) so I book at the best deal I have and then keep checking back and cancelling and rebooking for a lower rate. One trip I cancelled and rebooked at the Planet Hollywood 3 times as I kept finding lower rates.

[Heather2102]

Thanks all, KP and Mike I'll have a look at the direct hotel deals, great idea on the rebooking. Peoplemore - I think you're right, 1 is def vdara (no casino etc) and the other I think is bellagio. We will be there 23rd - 28th April 2015.

[LDW-BDAY-4TAYTree]

Look up last minute travel club fee waiver. It usually costs $50 bucks to join, but there are a few fee waiver sites that will get you a membership for free.
I got rooms at Encore MDW for $126. And Trump for $68 last week. I also used if for a Palms Place for $33 one time and I have seen Petite Suites at HRH Tower for $17 a nite.
www.lmtclub.com not just last minute travel, but last minute travel CLUB...hope this helps.

[CisternaChyli]

Thanks, i've been checking expedia, kayak etc. Group has agreed to stay somewhere nice rather than save on accom for party money so we're looking def 5* and def centre strip. Have been using hotwire and they do great secret deals on 5* centre strip - anyone know what would be the worst hotel you could end up with in we took a chance on that?

i didn't do the Hotwire secret deal last time i went to Vegas, back in last December. I did the secret deals on Expedia and i got Aria for $87 at night. That's 5 star, center strip. Hotwire would have the same selection pretty much.

[tperk]

I have seen some good deals on Aria through my M-Life program. You could try signing up online for an account and see if you get good rates.

Also, check smartervegas.com for hotel discount codes/offers.

[steverob22]

I would book direct through the hotel. If the price changes is near impossible to get the cheaper rate through Hotwire, expedia, and other sites like those.