Hello all,
Thanks to Lee and LeeAnn for your info on hotels in Nov - we are changing to October and trying to decide whether to stay over Columbus Day holiday. We have our selections down to the Mirage or the Flamingo I have been checking hotel rates with wildly varying prices. I have been checking with hotel web sites, 800#'s, vegasbargains.com,travelocity.com, hoteldiscounts.com, etc. Any others that I should check.
It is confusing - sometimes the prices are higher because of the holiday and sometimes the prices are the same on the holiday. Any suggestions/companies, etc that are helpful?? Thanks for your help, Jamie G

Jamie,

A couple questions. Do you gamble very much and what do you play. These questions will determine MY suggestions for getting the best rate.



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Jeff, Gambling Moderator
jeff@talkvegas.com

Jamie, watch this bb for Veronica's posts of the LA Times deals. These are bargain rates put into the ads in the LA Times in order to attract people from LA to go to Las Vegas. There is usually an offer # or code # or you have to mention that you saw the rate you want in the LA Times add.

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John
Moderator Dining Forum
john@talkvegas.com

Jamie: Also, keep checking the topic under Hotels & Casinos called "LV Hotel Promotions. (The current one is called "LV Hotel Promotions IV".)

Thanks to all for the replies,
As far as gambling - I will be a 1st timer and plan on playing blackjack, others in the group have mentioned craps, roulette, and slots. I will check the other topics on promotions, etc - lots of good info. Didn't realize how much prices can vary, etc. Although we aren't going to Vegas until Oct, for most destinations it is best to reserve far ahead for best prices, but perhaps we should wait a little longer and check for more promotions. Thanks, Jamie

Jamie, you're off to a great start. First, you are using a wide variety of sources to check prices regularly. Being somewhat flexible helps too. If you can avoid Friday and Saturday nights, you'll save lots of $$$.

You might want to make reservations on a couple (or few)of your favorite deals and keep good records. When a better deal comes along, cancel an an old reservation, and sign up for a new one. Most hotels require cancellation at least 48 hours before arrival date, so you have plenty of time to play with. Of course you would want to verify cancellation policy and get the persons name on your notes...just in case. Then when you get down to the last few days before your trip, call and verify the reservation that you want, then cancel the ones that you don't want.

Suggest that you watch for JMT and Veronicas comments along these lines as they are VERY frequent LV visitors and are up to date along there lines. Needless to say, the cheapest isn't always the best. JMT steered me to the Orleans and it has become one of my favirotes - a relative new (3 years) hotel/casino with what I consider to be great prices. Although it is off-strip, their shuttle buses to the Strip run every 20 minutes. The secret is getting out as I could not book it during March or April during the times I wanted and
had to settle for the RIO (MY SECOND FAVORITE) - A bit pricier but and exccellent place to stay. One thought to remember is that you will probably spend more time out of your romm than in it - at any rate ENJOY.

I agree with Wendell's recommendation of the Orleans. The shuttle buses take you to the Barbary Coast, in the heart of the strip across from Caesars and next to the Flamingo. Also, the Orleans has low stakes single deck blackjack, a good variety of both slots and full-pay video poker, good restaurants and a nice showroom with reasonable prices for a variety of headliners.

Wendell, I hope our April dates overlap!

Hi Daisy - long time no see - maybe soon. I
moved my trip up to March, wanted to catch Willie at the Orleans, Wayne at the Stardust,
and want to check out Bill Acosta at the Luxor, have heard good comments about his performance. Our paths WILL cross again.
Best - Wendell