Las Vegas 2007 bargain hunt + tips

trets77

what did you do last time ?????

ferf1223

mookybargirl wrote: »

I'm now starting to think about what we'd like to do when we go to Vegas (in 30 days). I'm getting really excited now :

> The thundershow storm at PH
> Dinner at the top of Strat or in Paris in the tower.

The thunderstorm is cool, but don't make a special trip for it...we happened past it once and enjoyed it, but was definately not something we would go specifically to see - and we love thunderstorms.

If you choose Top of the World - be sure to go for the view, not the food...the food wasn't very good (at least we didn't think it was) and for the price, it was a bit criminal...the view was great and so the overall experience may be worth doing, but manage your expectations about the food.

Not sure what you have done before, but if you haven't, try Mon Ami Gabi at Paris for dinner - patio seating (you can't reserve the patio so it's first come first served, but worth the wait we think). Great food, amazing view of Bellagio fountains and good value...we enjoyed this 10x more than we enjoyed Top of the World and at 1/2 the price.

Our video here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-fXnwS8yeI

As Trets said, maybe if we had a list of things you've done we could suggest others?

mookybargirl

trets77 wrote: »

what did you do last time ?????

Um, let's have a think. Will list hotels we took a wander around and if we did anything more specific in them as well and then list the other stuff we did.

Mandalay Bay, Shark Reef
Luxor
Excalibur
NYNY
MGM - Lions
Monte Carlo
Alladin
Paris - Show, went up the Eiffel Tower
Bellagio, reception flower display
Flamingo, learned craps here
Caesars (stayed here) Forums shops
Imperial Palace - Car Museum
Venetian, Madame Tussauds
Mirage, Volcano, Secret Garden, dolphins, white tigers
Treasure Island, TI show (hated this - lol)
Circus Circus
Stratosphere

M&M's World
Coca Cola
Elvis Museum
Grand Canyon by helicopter
Freemont Experience (Binnions etc)
Shopping! Outlet centre somewhere....

Ferf - can't open your video as I'm at work but will check it out later. I'll def visit the Mon Ami Gabi then and wait for patio seating. I'm staying a Paris for a couple of nights anyway so it's not far to walk!

DM2007

trets77 wrote: »

i assume your friends deal was a package deal.

i,m flying on the 13th of Decemeber for 7 nights, our flights cost us £292 and hotels if i go for the ones i have already booked ( Mirage is definate )

Mirage has cost us $449 ( including to Fri and Sat night) =£225

Paris has cost us $291 =£145

so £292 x2 = £586 + £225 +£145 = £956 / 2 = £478 per person.


and yes it is regarded as the Vegas quite period. ( week or 2 after new year too, with new year being probably it's busiest !!)



unfortunalty none of thoose rates are available now but if you chanced a My travel late flying on 5th a sub £300 fare should be achievable . between now and then book any hotels you like the look of knowing you can get a full refund if needs be. i would not advise leaving booking till the day before though keep and eye on the prices from start of novemeber onwards and swoop when you think it is as low as it's going to get without selling out.

if your determined to go via a package the price you quoted is not unreasonalbe ( for a package) , however the comprise is the quality of your Hotel. the Strat, Circus circus and the Excalibur are the ones most likely to be your choices at that sort of price. try to Get Imperial Palace as a alternative if you can . your weekend paper travel supplement ( i recomend the The Times and The Mail) often have offers like this in. but do really want to be low balling it in these hotels knowing me and the OH are living it up in the luxury hotels for about the same price??? if you are prepared to do your own leg work , it;s always better to



:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: how long have you got ???? Shopping is a HUGE !!!concern in Vegas . Most of the Big casinos have Malls that make places like the Bullring in Birmingham for example look like kids stuff. your only limitations with regards to shopping is your budget. and there are numerous places for every Budget. The Forum Mall @ Ceasers Palace for example has to be seen to be appericated , and has some great places to eat inside too. for bargain hunters see my post a few pages back on the Factory outlets available.



:rotfl: :rotfl: hey do you know they have Gambling in Las Vegas now ??? i bet if you knew nothing else about the place you knew that.!

a good quote ( not mine) i like to use is that Gambling as regards to Vegas is like a Iceberg. it's probaly only a 8th of the all the great things there are to do , yet it is all some people who have never been can see . hell 2 weeks isn't long enough for your 1st trip IMO , the chance's of getting bored or running out of things to do in a week there are ZERO. that said a Grand Canyon stop over ( espically a helicopter trip) is a fantastic idea...do it !!! and no Vegas is not all about Casino Games . pop into Mandalay Bay for Example and see the Race and sports Book area ( where you place bets on any and i do mean any sporting events ect) to see what i mean . again you will have to see it to appericate it , all i can say about it is WOW :eek: and all Casino's have a sports book unless i,m mistaken.


this is entirly up to you. if you don,t want to rely on Taxis or buses or the Monorail and intend to do a fair bit of casino hopping it will be a good idea. if you want to have freedom to drink and wander around on foot ect like myself then there is ample choice of cheap transport around the strip 24/7.

THANKS for the reply.

So you reckon I should book my flights now?

Nobjocki

Where's the best place for a bit of low-life action in Vegas ?

Kezza25_2

low-life???

photome

mookybargirl wrote: »

I'm now starting to think about what we'd like to do when we go to Vegas (in 30 days). I'm getting really excited now :

Here's a few things we missed last time that are on our list so far;
> Bellagio Conservatory
> Rio hotel to see the FREE show
> The thundershow storm at PH
> Dinner at the top of Strat or in Paris in the tower.
> Coyote Ugly bar in NYNY

Can you help with more suggestions?

Def go to bellagio conservatory it changes about 4 times a year,and while you are there go round the corner to the chocolatier and see the worlds biggest chocolate fountain.

TangoBunny

In my search for a cheaper place to lie my head on the strip someone on another board suggested a place called the Carriage House.......as it happens it's coming out more than the Excalibur but I was just wondering are there any other non gaming hotels on the strip or almost on(within short walking distance)....Maybe some of the timeshare properties that are also available to rent???

mookybargirl

photome wrote: »

Def go to bellagio conservatory it changes about 4 times a year,and while you are there go round the corner to the chocolatier and see the worlds biggest chocolate fountain.

Can you believe we've seen the fountain but somehow missed the conservatory! :rotfl:
Mmmm chocolate.....

trets77

DM2007 wrote: »

a few questions if you dont mind.

Thinking of going for 1 week early december.
I have been told early december is the quietest time and thus the cheapest.
Is this true?
Friends went early december last year. They booked 4 days prior to depature and it cost them £410 each including taxes for flights and hotel at the stratosphere.

Is this sort of deal common when booking last minute?

Are the flights very cheap the day before?

Is it worth hiring a car?

Is there good shopping oppourtunitys for the wife?

We dont gamble (I dont mind the dogs and horses - but vegas is all about casino's) - so is a week to long or would we be best spending 3 nights vegas, 1 night grand canon, 3 nights vegas?

Are things in vegas as cheap as florida?

thanks for any replies.

THANKS for the reply.

So you reckon I should book my flights now?

i don't like saying yes or no , because if i advise you to wait for the My Travel flights to come down and it sells out you might be scuppered , also book now and you might pay 100's more than you need. it all comes down to a question of risk. are you prepared to risk waiting and getting a good price with the possiblilty of having to find a flight PDQ from different carrier if it sells out. or do you have a price your happy to pay and have certainty.

Early Dec will be quiter as regards numbers flying out of UK. however i believe Nation Rodeo finals are in the first week of december so rooms might not be rock bottom prices. the 2 weeks before xmas ( after rodeo) and 2 weeks after new year are regarded as the quietest times.

My travel flights for 5th or well pricey now IMO and i would definatly wait. but thats only if i were booking it . follow the My Travel late booking tips in post #310 #463 and #548

if you want certainty i advise a look at a Virgin money and miles fare. see post #500 i cannot look that up for you as i,m holding of opening a account there till i need it.

Um, let's have a think. Will list hotels we took a wander around and if we did anything more specific in them as well and then list the other stuff we did.

Mandalay Bay, Shark Reef
Luxor
Excalibur
NYNY
MGM - Lions
Monte Carlo
Alladin
Paris - Show, went up the Eiffel Tower
Bellagio, reception flower display
Flamingo, learned craps here
Caesars (stayed here) Forums shops
Imperial Palace - Car Museum
Venetian, Madame Tussauds
Mirage, Volcano, Secret Garden, dolphins, white tigers
Treasure Island, TI show (hated this - lol)
Circus Circus
Stratosphere

M&M's World
Coca Cola
Elvis Museum
Grand Canyon by helicopter
Freemont Experience (Binnions etc)
Shopping! Outlet centre somewhere....

Ferf - can't open your video as I'm at work but will check it out later. I'll def visit the Mon Ami Gabi then and wait for patio seating. I'm staying a Paris for a couple of nights anyway so it's not far to walk!

:eek::eek::eek: quite a lot then :T:T

ride The Manhatten Express at NY NY Canyon Blaster at Circus Circus and Speed at Sahara. play the Nascar thingy at Sahara while there.

Go Bowling at one of the Coast Casinos

go for a knees up at Hoffbrauhaus ( i,m planning on checking it out this trip)

get partying at Rum Jungle with it's wall of fire in Mandalay bay

Elvis o rama

will post any more that pop into my head :cool: