I may not be remembering far back enough, but Las Vegas mid week room rates are just about as inexpensive as ever

I just finished an extensive search of $20 and less Las Vegas hotel room rates (mid-week) and found ten (10) fairly decent hotels offering rooms for $20 a night or less. (I searched the three days - Dec 20 through 23.)

Resort Fees (if any in the winter are a ripoff and are not included here)

Eleven in the $21 - $25 range.

Nine in the $26 - $30 range.

And the rest .... Gradually, but very gradually, up from there

The least expensive advertised room nites were the Fiesta Rancho and the Texas Station at $15 per room per night..

The least expensive room night on the Strip was at the Imperial Palace at $24

And the most expensive was the Mandarin Oriental at $195 per night.

And let me add some casual recommedations:

Best Downtown Cheap Place to Stay - El Cortez at $20
Best Downtown Place to Stay - Golden Nugget at $45
Best Strip Cheap Place to Stay - Imperial Palace at less than $30
Best Strip Place to Stay - The Wynn or Encore at $140 / $160

Before christmas, it's always super cheap will. These rates don't shock me, nor do they reflect the economy. Remember, a lot of the shows also go dark at this time of year for a couple of weeks.

For what it is worth, Ellen got an offer for Aria at $79 weeknights, $139 weekend good through January. Includes 2 for 1 buffet, $50 freeplay. We have never been to CityCenter but normally do sta at MGM properties. About $30 a night better than our offers from Wynn.

Do those Aria rates sound enticing to you? It's been a very long time since I've reserved rooms here, but they sound a little steep for a slow time of year in a hotel that is hurting and can barely average lukewarm reviews.

The buffet was very disappointing to me, and I've heard they are working on cutting back to help the bottom line $$$. The $50 freeplay divided by the two of you over your stay isn't much.

OTOH, the Wynn has been going through a top to bottom remodeling project on their rooms, and I think it's about complete.

If you are a loyal MGM, MRI customer, then the Aria is the crown jewel and worthy of a try. I'd be interested to hear what you think about it, especially compared to $30 higher Wynn room.

will800 you are so right about the hotel prices. Now with these prices almost everyone can stay at almost any hotel and feel secure .

VEGAS TALKER