Just got back from Vegas and had a really fun stay at Sunset Station in Henderson. We did go to the Wynn to see a show and it was pretty impressive but too pricey. Anyone have any hidden gems in Vegas. My total for 3 nights at Sunset Station was $22.50 because they gave me free rooms since I have a players card. Just wish the Wynn would give free rooms.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/21/2017 05:44AM by teriraia.

I used to go more frequently than I do now, because a lot of my go-to bargain hotels have been torn down. I think the most I've ever paid per night is in the $40 range, and I've paid as low as maybe $15. Until recently I only stayed at major hotels on the Strip. I've had to expand to Downtown and off-Strip. And it's not because I gamble a lot; I don't. I've gotten some deals from players clubs or through Las Vegas Advisor, but mostly I just look for occasional specials and off-season rates.

But with resort fees, the big bargains are gone. And they almost all charge them now. Resort fees started at $3-$5 per night years ago. Now they're $20-$35 or more, which is more than an off-season room rate. And they don't waive them as much as they used to, either. I just feel like Las Vegas is no longer for me.

I used to always get credit card travel rewards that would pay for a 5-night stay about once a year at whatever hotel I wanted. Then my credit card changed its rewards program, and I stopped using the card as much, so it took several years to build the points for one 5-night stay, which I had to take at (ugh) Circus Circus because now they had very limited selection. The rewards travel booker told me the stay was paid in full from points, there would no additional fees, and got mad when I asked twice about resort fees. Of course, I get there and have to pay $30 or so per night resort fees. And their pool closes at like 7 pm so I used it exactly once.

The best deal ever was when I got to stay at the Mirage (classy joint!) free a few times, due to an online game where you played a slot game for points that would slowly accrue enough for a free buffet or hotel night. Someone found a glitch that caused the points to skyrocket, and I made several trips to the Mirage and New York New York hotels, saw a Rick Springfield concert, and ate several free buffets at the Bellagio and Paris. We even got to check in at the VIP desk! It was too good to be true, and alas, eventually they ended it while I still had a few thousand points banked. Can't complain though.

I wish I knew of more hidden gems like that!

I have stayed at Bally's the past few years, good location, can walk to many hotels without problem. The old section has adjoining rooms 400 sq. feet, I get a room for 38.00. My ex was (before retirement) the Commercial Appraiser for Caesar's Palace, in the old days that was the Grandaddy. Summer has bargains.....
Today with so many more hotels, location is what I go for, refuse to drive the strip or pay for parking., I'm very spoiled. We used to go many times a year, now I'm lucky if I get there twice a year. I knew the old Vegas well
we got comped on everything at Caesars....but I recommend Bally's, they do have a heafty resort fee, which is BS. I did receive a sale at Wynn's, 3 days for 299.00, thinking of it. Overdue for a trip.
Edited to add: Downtown has low rates if price is your goal.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/21/2017 04:12PM by Irene_L.A..

Many years ago we stayed at the Sand's, our room was part of the Rat Packs. Great place in those days! I paid $29. a night, private pool, when the Rat Pack wasn't there. We stayed in the guest room. Irene you remember!

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/21/2017 10:23PM by shopper8.

The Sands, Dune and many old Rat pack (Sinatra) hotels have been torn down, those days a dinner show was 35.00...not anymore everything is a concert and dinner before, it's another world....I miss old Vegas.

I love staying downtown. Rooms and food are so much cheaper there. Also, the casinos are so clustered together, you can walk them all quite easily. Table minimums are low there too.

I've stayed at the MGM Grand both times. I'd love to stay at the Fontainebleau.

I can't believe they now charge for parking in some casinos. Especially Downtown. I went to one, can't remember which, and they only had valet but due to space they restricted it to hotel guests. I asked where to park and they said they have a lot several blocks away! And this was at night! Too sketchy for me. He suggested I park at the neighboring casino, play long enough to get validated, then mosey over to his casino. Well, 2 out of 3 ain't bad. They lost a customer.

Downtown, I've only stayed at the Plaza. I don't know if you heard the story of how they had put aside a modest budget for complete remodeling, just when a bunch of new hotels went belly up. Having cash they were able to pick up high-end furnishings worth several times over what they paid. Still, you can dress it up but sadly just a few months after the refurbishment, there were tiles missing not being replaced, those expensive furnishings were not being maintained. But even the Plaza charges resort fees, what a joke, although I'm glad they remodeled their pool but I haven't been back to check it out.

@Irene_L.A. wrote:

I have stayed at Bally's the past few years, good location, can walk to many hotels without problem. The old section has adjoining rooms 400 sq. feet, I get a room for 38.00. My ex was (before retirement) the Commercial Appraiser for Caesar's Palace, in the old days that was the Grandaddy. Summer has bargains.....
Today with so many more hotels, location is what I go for, refuse to drive the strip or pay for parking., I'm very spoiled. We used to go many times a year, now I'm lucky if I get there twice a year. I knew the old Vegas well
we got comped on everything at Caesars....but I recommend Bally's, they do have a heafty resort fee, which is BS. I did receive a sale at Wynn's, 3 days for 299.00, thinking of it. Overdue for a trip.
Edited to add: Downtown has low rates if price is your goal.

Is the Fontainebleau a new hotel? Where is it?

@eyelove2shop wrote:

I've stayed at the MGM Grand both times. I'd love to stay at the Fontainebleau.

I did a job at Mandalay Bay and the fabulous Russian Ice Bar about 5 years ago, and loved it, since the shootings
you can get a room there for 30.00 it's been fixed up, would never know what happened.I may stay there but it's a bit far from the action, workwise as I enjoy doing upscale retail.
edited to add: it's gone up, now 59.00 a night.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/23/2017 07:44PM by Irene_L.A..

@ShopWhisperer wrote:

Is the Fontainebleau a new hotel? Where is it?

@eyelove2shop wrote:

I've stayed at the MGM Grand both times. I'd love to stay at the Fontainebleau.

Haha, no. It's in Miami LOL... My bestie is going to get a good laugh. We were just talking about taking a quick trip to Miami and we both decided to finally stay at Fontainebleau. Before we hung up, I said that I wad going to dream about the hotel. I logged into here before bed and posted. Fontainbleau was still on my mind, talk about a brain fart LOL, this is so funny!!

But in Vegas, my dream would be Venetian. I think the next time I'll probably stay downtown. I read The D hotel is nice for a 3* hotel.

The Venetian is a great hotel, has everything, location, shops, gondola's and more.....I always go there, but haven't stayed.....I feel like going. airfares here are so cheap till today, yes I'm definitely treating myself, job or no job.

I'll share this with you guys as I did a through research on hotels without the resort fee and found only one, which includes breafast buffet for 2. I booked (fingers crossed). Looks beautiful, not huge, but has everything including free wifi. My standby Bally's room was only $30.00, adding resort, fee is more than doubled. Leaving Dec. 12th, yahoo!!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/23/2017 07:45PM by Irene_L.A..

Have a great time Irene.

I usually stay at an Air BnB suite in Paradise, or in Summerlin (same owner). When on the strip, usually The Westin, The Flamingo, or even the Super 8 on Koval Lane when I'm in town for a 1-2 day event with work to do in town. Rates are usually reasonable, yet the resort fees can get stupid.