Las Vegas 2007 bargain hunt + tips

ferf1223

jules40 wrote: »

hello all
would love to take my bf to las vegas next march for 3 or 4 days, from 11th to be back at work on 17th, looking to spend around 1000 pounds, flying from manchester , however am going mad going looking at all different websites, any advice would be gratefully received on where to go, where to stay and how to do it fairly cheaply xx

Wait until after Christmas to see if any airfare sales are available...I think that given your short window finding a good deal may be difficult as you don't have flexibility to move to different dates to save some money and the MyTravel flights (which can be insanely cheap from MAN) aren't an option...last minute may be your best bet but no guarantees you will find something. I think it is still the case that you will pay a premium for flights without a Saturday night stay so with your dates, I think you will struggle. You may get lucky though - keep your eyes open!

ferf1223

Some good deals from travelzoo.com - mostly to the end of this month, some into Jan.

http://shows.travelzoo.com/las-vegas-shows/

Including Zumanity, Stomp Out Loud, Mystere, Spamalot, Mamma Mia and 30% off the Papillon Grand Canyon helicopter tour.

luci

jules40 wrote: »

hello all
would love to take my bf to las vegas next march for 3 or 4 days, from 11th to be back at work on 17th, looking to spend around 1000 pounds, flying from manchester , however am going mad going looking at all different websites, any advice would be gratefully received on where to go, where to stay and how to do it fairly cheaply xx

Not sure when March Madness and Spring Break are next year, but these usually happen in March and make the price of rooms in Vegas sky rocket. Not so sure if they have a bearing on flight prices from the UK.

ferf1223

luci wrote: »

Not sure when March Madness and Spring Break are next year, but these usually happen in March and make the price of rooms in Vegas sky rocket. Not so sure if they have a bearing on flight prices from the UK.

That's a really good point. I had a quick look at the rate calendars for a couple hotels and that particular week is really expensive. The rest of the weeks in March have decent rates, but that week the nightly rates are 2-4 times more expensive than the rest of weeks that month.

OK, just noticed - there's a massive convention in town that week from the 11th to the 15th - 135,000 attendees...so I really don't think that a £1000 budget is going to be nearly enough if that is the only week that is an option.

chesterfield

If people dont mind moving hotels during the stay, you can often find that one Hotel may offer a more competitive weekend rate, and one a more competitive day rate.

We once went to Vegas during March Madness and by moving hotels during the stay it reduced the costs by about £100 per person. I did however get the feeling that the bar prices had been put up to discourage excess drinking by the thousands of basketball fans in town.

trets77

hey guys i'm back :beer: had a great trip pretty much all round.

Flight out was great when we finally found where they were boarding it. :rolleyes: BMI posted gate 141 on the info boards when it was in fact 041. so us and about a quarter of the Plane were sitting at the wrong gate until 10 mins before take off :mad: . they had even posted the flight number up at gate 141. there was a mad dash to gate 041 when people then realized the mistake. nice one ground staff :rolleyes: . didn't upset me too much as i had Gemma Atkinson queing next to me for coffee a half hour earlier :happyhear . The twilight check in payed dividends as we got assigned the bulkhead seats right at the front of economy. even better the people behind us payed to upgrade while on the plane so my wife stole their 2 seats to herself while i had our 2 seats and the legroom into premium all to myself . nice :T .BMI are better than Virgin in seat config and seat pitch. i would use them again no question if the price is right.

MIRAGE was loads of fun . they have really kept pace with the new bits ect ( a tad OTT with the whole Beatles thing for my taste though).The Revolution lounge attracts a lot of gawpers ( like me ) with the half naked girls swinging around the entrance sign .
the rooms while spotless and comfy lack :eek: WOW factor.i guess it is easy to forget the place is nearly 20 years old now. $20 trick got us a upgrade to a Volcano / Strip view room high up only though. worth it but a suite would have really been the cherry on top

WOW factor is certainly not something THE HOTEL lacks. the room was nothing short of stunning. from the big comfy sofa , the Plasma and wet bar in the living area . The massive comfy bed , floor to ceiling glass , a huge telly and enough wardrode space for 4 in the bedroom . The Bathroom also has it's own TV , a walk in shower , and a waterfall bath tub that comes up to your chin when you sit in it and 2 toilets to boot. if you want luxury on the strip you have to put this place on your shortlist . $20 trick only got us a high floor with strip view but we were okay with that.

shows we saw were
The Producers @ Paris , which was not really my cup of tea from what i remember of it . made the classic mistake of going to a show 1st night with out catching any zzzzzzz's . i'm pretty sure i fell a asleep somewhere between ordering the largest cocktail the theatre had and the bit where the Nazi dude comes along. My wife enjoyed it though. half price at Tix4tonite.

as was Phantom of the Opera which was amazing. i had never seen it (or the film) so didn't know what to expect.i really enjoyed it they say the theatre alone cost a few million $, and it shows :T . highley recommended.

Spamalot has replaced Avenue Q at the Wynn. if a show like Avenue Q cannot put together a decent run, i doubt spamalot will. it was okay at half price , but i would not pay full price to see it. most of the gags and songs are from the Monty Python films anyway, so there is not much new.

Dirty a hypnosis show at the Krave on Harmon Ave was a riot. very very funny and again half price at Tix4tonite. Krave Theatre is perfect venue for this type of show IMO. small and rowdy. it is definatly one for the boozed up 20-30 something crowd.

we saw 2 afternoon shows Mac King @ Harrahs and Popovich comedy Pet theatre At V. Mac king is always voted best afternoon show and it is easy to see why. loads of fun for the bargain price of $10 a head ( with drink included !!) when you sign up for Harahs players club. Popovich is a good show , how he gets Cats and Dogs to do the tricks they do , god only knows.

Last show we saw was Jubliee @ Ballys. but we had to pay full price ($88 each for 2nd best seats) . my wife wanted to see a old fashioned Las Vegas showgirl show , and i needed little Persuading , with all thoose topless show girls running around . Grand in scale , sets , performers and costumes it does what it says on the tin. the Variety acts in betweeen skits were also very good .

i only got to eat in one of my planned restaurants in the end. best laid plans and all that :rolleyes: . guess it is foolish to try and say your defintaly going to eat here or there when it's so easy to get side tracked. Les Artisans in Paris was one of thoose restaurant2nite deals for half price entrees. nice food but overpriced at half off let alone ful whack IMO. Isla @TI was good , if a little quirky.if you like Mexican it's worth visting . House of Blues @ Mandalay Bay was pretty nice Entrees and desserts ( if a little quite given it was tuesday in low season). Carnigie @ Mirage was a good Breakfast choice as was RED WHITE AND BLUE in Mandalay bay. Old Fav The Cheesecake factory @ Forum was packed as usual and was up to it's previous high standard.
which brings us to the buffets . we only re visted Cravings at Mirage and it was a very high standard . but i agree with others Spice Market Buffet takes some beating at $16.99 . it no surprise it is the only remnant of the Aladdin left in Planet Hollywood casino . but if you can spalsh the cash , boy to you get your moneys worth at The Bellagio Buffet . you cannot eat anywhere better for $30 a head. the Alaskan King Crab legs where piled very high on my plate. ( one of 4 i had for mains). i then crammed in 2 creme brulees , 2 pumpkin pies and Key lime pie on top. amazing food . Flavours @ Harrahs was my wife fav for some reason. it was pretty good but overpriced at $20 a head compared to spice market . again signing up for Harrahs players club get's you a $5 a head discount to make it worth trying.the all night diner at Bills Gambling Hall ( Barbary coast) was a pretty good fare for early hours eating.

will post some pics later

PandaPants_2

I saw the Pet Theatre when i was over in January and i thought it was amazing! Aparently he rescued all the animals in the show.
Im off to London tomorrow then Vegas on Sunday and im bouncing off the walls with excitement!!!!

luci

Great trip report Trets! Many thanks for posting.

pennylane99

PandaPants wrote: »

I saw the Pet Theatre when i was over in January and i thought it was amazing! Aparently he rescued all the animals in the show.
Im off to London tomorrow then Vegas on Sunday and im bouncing off the walls with excitement!!!!

have a good trip

I am off to Vegas tomorrow for a few days...then Orlando for New Year.

:j :j

jules40

thanks for your advice, trust me to pick a stupid week doh... will look at other dates x