Las Vegas thread and MSE guide 2009

sew109

The Volcano @ Mirage

MORPH3US wrote: »

Hi guys,

Just about to book a few nights in Ballys and wanted to check what the cancellation policy is if I book direct with the hotel on their "72 hour special" offer....

The policy says

"***Subject to availability and rates may vary. Not valid for groups or conventions. Offer is non-transferable and may not be combined with any other Harrah's Entertainment offer or event. Offer must be cancelled 72 hours prior to arrival. Management reserves all rights. Full deposit required. 2NT min/2NT max. Guest must sign up for Total Rewards card to redeem offer/inclusions"

So is that a 100% refund if I cancel at least 72 hours before?

that is what it says to me

ferf1223

The Bellagio Fountains

sew109 wrote: »

If memory serves correct the MGM was overbooked and they were putting people into Alexis park for the first night and they were priortising this with people who had not booked directly with them and to be fair this is beyond the control of Expedia et al.

Whatever it is at the back of my brain was a situation before someone was due to travel, receiving an email from Expedia saying that they couldn't accomodate the hotel booking and were giving an alternate hotel instead...when pushed they gave a discount for the alternate hotel (I think the alternate was Tropicana, but cannot remember what was originally booked) as it wasn't the same standard...it wasn't something where someone arrived at the hotel only to be told they were overbooked (which I agree wouldn't be an issue with Expedia but an issue with the hotel).

ferf1223

The Bellagio Fountains

MORPH3US wrote: »

So is that a 100% refund if I cancel at least 72 hours before?

Yes, it's a 100% refund of the 1-night deposit you would pay at the time of booking and no further obligation to pay for the remaining nights.

The only thing that might cause you to lose out a little bit is if you book, they take the first night's deposit and then the exchange rate shifts against you between the time you pay the deposit and the time the deposit is refunded...since they will charge you and refund in dollars it could be a different amount refunded than the amount charged.

I wonder if that would be a good sideline hobby? Making hotel bookings and cancelling to try to make some money on the exchange rate differential?

tully187villa

Hi everyone

First of all can i say a big thank you to everyone who has posted!

I get married on August 15th 2009 and at my fiances request we are intending on visiting Vegas for our 2 week honeymoon.

I wasn't too fussed to start off with and would have rather sunned myself on some sunny beach for 2 weeks but after reading this thread and others linked from it, i can't wait.

I have kept my fiance at arms length from this forum so that some of the gems remain hidden until we get there.

As i said before i have read quite a few of the forums and this is just a heads up just in case someone has some info that i have missed.

From what i understand i am best to book my flights as cheap and early as possible, and wait for the deals from the hotels.

I live in Birmingham and I have found a flight that leaves from Gatwick on the 17th August for £500 and will book our places at the end of the week if i can't find any better.

The hotels we were looking at staying are The Palazzo or The Venetian so if anyone spots any deals please contact me.

Is it reasonable to expect that i could get the hotel for 2 weeks at around £1000?

I am warming to the idea of staying in multiple hotels during the honeymoon what do you think, what are peoples experiences is it a pain or worthwhile?

Thank you

Tully

martmonk

ferf1223 wrote: »

I wonder if that would be a good sideline hobby? Making hotel bookings and cancelling to try to make some money on the exchange rate differential?

I inadvertantly did exactly that - booked the Signature for 3 nights and THEHOTEL for 3 nights way back in about Aug/Sept for the 1st week in Jan - then had to change the holiday to Apr. When I cancelled the bookings in Dec the difference was significant.

Wouldn't suggest it as a safe long term money making scheme though!

ferf1223

The Bellagio Fountains

martmonk wrote: »

Wouldn't suggest it as a safe long term money making scheme though!

Certainly not for me as I'd get my figures muddled up and end up losing on the deal when I thought I was making a gain.

sew109

The Volcano @ Mirage

martmonk wrote: »

I inadvertantly did exactly that - booked the Signature for 3 nights and THEHOTEL for 3 nights way back in about Aug/Sept for the 1st week in Jan - then had to change the holiday to Apr. When I cancelled the bookings in Dec the difference was significant.

Wouldn't suggest it as a safe long term money making scheme though!

I did my usual trick of having 5 hotels booked for my last trip cancelled 3 and made a few quid I also got more money back than I had paid out when I cnacelled mt Criss Angel tickets

tingtong

ferf1223 wrote: »

Love getting pairs of seats on their own - makes the journey so much nicer

Such a shame BMI have stopped the Vegas flights from MAN. Dreading the thought of flying indirect or from Gatwick.

ferf1223 wrote: »

I was thinking about the great deal you got on the hotel rooms - does anyone know what happens if Expedia says 'oops, sorry, can't honour that'? I don't know if they could do that or not - or if they have to make sure you get the room you booked or an equivalent?

I think I'm perhaps overly paranoid, but if it were me, given that you're going over a major convention and so occupancy rates will be high, I would probably book a cancellable back-up hotel I am happy with...just in case that Expedia trys anything on.

Well, I won't stand for any of that off Expedia if they try it on. They show plenty of better hotels on their website, so I certainly won't let them downgrade us. I'm not sure that we've got such an amazing deal, but I would say it's very good. What I'm saying is that I don't think it's a misprice, just a good offer.

Will have to arrange a meet up with yourselves and Stoneman.

mookybargirl

The Bellagio Fountains

I'm catching up after being offline for a few days for work.....

Oneil wrote: »

Further to that it became apparent that after my October trip the GF wouldnt let me go back for a good few years. So I bit the bullet and got engaged and now were going back for a wedding. I cant wait!

That made me laugh. Want another Vegas trip? Get married! :rotfl:

stoneman wrote: »

No, we stayed at Caesars but are staying at Paris in April. From what I have seen and been told it is a quality place, but will certainly report back

I've stayed in Paris, and honestly wasn't blown away. It was ok, but we'd pick Bally's over Paris (although not everyone would). The room we had at Pairs was tiny (after a tip to get a slightly better room). It was nothing special and I wouldn't rush back. The room was drab to me, but I prefer modern looking rooms. The location however is excellent.

dkent wrote: »

Hi all.
mookybargirl loved the TR you did, but just one question about it you said that you would be homeless if you ate in prime all the time (oh that rhymes),
but you did not say how much it was and I am looking for a good steak while I am there, could you let us know how much it was for the two of you please?
DK

OH got the bill on this one, but I think it was $350 pre tip. I should add that it was absolutely worth every penny. The food and service was fantastic. If you can afford it, do it!

Sew - how could possibly miss the fountains on your last trip?! That is top of my list...

tingtong

Stew68 wrote: »

I've not eaten at Prime myself but can certainly reccomend Craftsteak at the MGM Grand, three course tasting meal for two with drinks was about $360.00. Really expensive (well for me anyway!!) but the steak was to die for!!

Have not eaten at either of these, but I had a fantastic New York Strip Steak at Casa di Amore. It's a few miles off the strip but they offer a free Limo pickup and drop-off. Think we paid about $100 for two people, including a tip.

It's rated no.3 on Tripadvisor, have a look here:

http://las-vegas-hotels.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g45963-d423063-Reviews-Casa_Di_Amore-Las_Vegas_Nevada.html