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Please play "What Would You Do?"

Discussion in 'Downtown Hotels' started by Vegas Insight, Aug 31, 2016.

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  1. Vegas Insight

    Vegas Insight MIA

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    It’s time for everybody’s favorite game, “What What You Do?”

    Today’s scenario: You’re looking at rooms downtown for four nights, perhaps 60 days from now. Room rates are high that week due to major trade show action. You can get a room for about $400 total at Four Queens. You can also get a room for about $400 total at Plaza. Which do you choose?

    Bonus question: You’re fairly confident that the unnamed downtown hotel Priceline is offering at a fixed rate is at Downtown Grand, but it’s one of those deals where you have to purchase in advance and it’s non-refundable. The rate is $340 total. Now what would you do?

    In case it matters, you do have a rental vehicle to park, you do need two queen beds rather than one king and you don’t have club card benefits of significance from any property.

    Thanks for playing!
     
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  2. LolaDoggie

    LolaDoggie VIP Whale

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    Downtown Grand. I don't play enough for comps. I think I would like their pool better.
     
  3. SH0CK

    SH0CK Stylin' and Profilin' Quasi Tech Admin

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    4 Queens as long as it's refundable, then keep looking for a better rate.
     
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  4. hammie

    hammie VIP Whale

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    "Fairly confident of Priceline" and "needing two queens" are mutually exclusive terms.

    Rooms booked via Priceline are considered "run of the house" and you will get what's available. You might end up with one double bed in a smoking room if occupancy levels are high.

    I would book the room to lock in the rate and monitor it as you get close to your dates of travel.
     
  5. mwig

    mwig VIP Whale

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    I would go with 4Q and continue checking as mentioned previously. Last time I checked Priceline there was a way to narrow downtown to only the Golden Nugget based on star ratings. I know, I went outside the bounds of the bonus question. If you need a certain room type, Priceline isn't an option anyway.
     
    • Disagree Disagree x 1
  6. Vegas Insight

    Vegas Insight MIA

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    thanks for the suggestions on Priceline. didn't consider that a Priceline room could mean one bed. deal breaker. (Downtown Grand seems to be the only 3.5-star property Priceline lists downtown, which is why my confidence is high regarding the deal they're offering.)

    pool is not really a consideration in 60 days. average high is 73F on Nov. 1. i've been in Vegas on the first week of November in the past, stayed at an off-strip timeshare property with a pool 6 or 7 years ago. sunny and near 80 each day, great time to be by the pool. but warm and sunny afternoons aren't guaranteed, and for this trip the pool is a nonissue based upon other factors, FWIW.

    so the early returns favor 4Q over Plaza? why is that?
     
  7. MikeOPensacola

    MikeOPensacola El Jefe

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    FWIW, I never book via a third party site. Booking with the casino gives you much better flexibility and you won't get stuck with a run of the house room, which are usually the least desirable rooms in a given property.

    :peace::beer:
     
    Annual CCA (Casino Collectibles Association) Show at South Point
    Long Overdue Stay At The Golden Nugget
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  8. makikiboy

    makikiboy VIP Whale

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    Be aware that the resort fees may not be included in your $400 price. Make sure to read the fine print as the resort fee will probably add another $100 or more to your bill (if not included).

    Also note that the DTG also charges a resort fee so if the $340 doesn't include resort fees then it would be more expensive than the $400 rate at the 4 queens.
     
  9. Vegas Insight

    Vegas Insight MIA

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    resort fees, as well as taxes, were figured into all of my price quotes.

    typically i book via the casino directly, and usually with some sort of offer. this trip presents a rare set of circumstances in my life. i can't remember the last time i went to Vegas with more than one person.
     
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  10. makikiboy

    makikiboy VIP Whale

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    IMHO I think the DTG is a nicer stay than the 4 queens but it is also a little away from the FSE casino action. Some people want stay in an area that is close to the action.

    I would like to book directly through the casino but many times I find rates from third party sites (like booking.com) to be better than the rates from the hotel itself. That is the case with my planned January CES trip, I found booking.com rates to be lower than the rates I get when I log onto the B connected site for MSS or Cal. I get $42 a night with booking.com, even weekends but on the B connected I see $80+ a night for the weekend of the CES.

    Also remember, some third party sites allow you to cancel your room with no charge so you can always book now and cancel if you find better rates from the hotel or other sites.
     
  11. Vegas Insight

    Vegas Insight MIA

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    good point. unfortunately the only way i've been able to find that sub $400/rate for DG is thru Priceline, and they're non-refundable. and as others pointed out, i'm at DG's mercy, so even if i could cancel, it wouldn't be worth the risk.
     
  12. makikiboy

    makikiboy VIP Whale

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    Agreed, go with the sure prices and cancel and rebook if the prices (hopefully) drop.
     
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  13. hammie

    hammie VIP Whale

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    Did you book your airfare yet? Not sure if you have checked out Southwest Vacations, or even just "added a room" when looking at flights, I think every airline offers this option. I would also check with any players club that you have membership with, call and ask if there are any marketing offers for you.

    I had to attend a trade show in late September last year, rates were very high. The previous year I ran a couple dollars through VP and played some blackjack. So for sh!ts and giggles I called Circus Circus and ended up getting 3 nights at discounted rate which saved me a nice chunk o' change.
     
  14. LindaP

    LindaP Low-Roller

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    If you find a decent price online you can try calling the hotel to match it. I only did this once, but they verified the online price and gave me the same deal.

    - Linda in TX
     
  15. caroleehs

    caroleehs Low-Roller

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    The plaza south tower is quiet. Contact Gary who posts on this site. He is great.
     
  16. Vegas Insight

    Vegas Insight MIA

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    Gary has reached out to me, and I'm leaning toward Plaza at this point. DGrand was never really a consideration because of Priceline and its pre-pay, non-refundable terms. Knowing that I may get stuck with a king bed, or a smoking room, sealed the deal.

    I suppose it wouldn't hurt to try to work DGrand a bit. I did stay there in 2015 and gave them some play, although it didn't end up being much during my two nights there.

    Airfare is booked, and perhaps I should have looked at packaging more seriously this time because I am not using an offer. But the flight was free from Southwest by using points, and I actually need three rooms, not one.

    I'm still curious what people like better about the Plaza or the 4 Queens. I stayed with the Queens many years ago, but that's it. I ate at the Hash House in 2015, but that was it.
     
  17. Blonde_4_ever

    Blonde_4_ever LasVegas4ever.com

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    I would book the Plaza over the Four Queens. (Not even considering Priceline at all..I hate unknowns)
    Why?
    • It is very important to me to have fast strong wifi. Plaza has it. Your resort fee covers that. At the Four Queens it is an additional charge.
    • Plaza has many quiet rooms. I stay in the North tower facing the mountains...don't hear a thing. (Just make sure you don't face the Main Street Stage.) I have stayed in the South Tower too and it was also quiet. The Four Queens has Fremont Street out front and the Downtown Event Center out the back. It is getting more and more difficult to locate a quiet room there.
     
    Last edited: Aug 31, 2016
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  18. TableToddyy

    TableToddyy VIP Whale

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    never mind
     
  19. Sndor

    Sndor Tourist

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    I would go with the Plaza if I was paying, the rooms are nicer and all the places are close enough downtown, 2nd choice would be 4 Queens , the Grand is fine but the location and no refund is a minus.
     
  20. AllenAndRossi

    AllenAndRossi VIP Whale

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    If you're talking about Priceline Express Deals, Downtown Grand IS the only 3.5 star on the list. It will be displayed one of two ways(without the name of the hotel, of course):

    3.5* Downtown Grand Hotel and Casino
    Resort Fee:
    This hotel charges $18 per room per night
    Bed Choice:
    2 Queen - Non-smoking - Deluxe
    1 King - Non-smoking - Deluxe
    Indoor or Outdoor Pool, Restaurant, Free Internet, Casino
    -OR-
    Resort Fee:
    This hotel charges an additional USD 22.34 per room.
    Bed Choice:
    2 Queen - Non-Smoking - Deluxe
    1 King - Non-Smoking - Deluxe
    1 King - Smoking - Deluxe
    1 King - Non-Smoking - Premier
    1 King - Smoking - Premier
    1 King - Non-Smoking - 1 Bedroom Suite
    Indoor or Outdoor Pool, Restaurant, Free Internet, Casino, No Smoking Rooms/Facilities

    The resort fee is also a giveaway. Priceline won't bill you for the resort fee. You pay that directly to the hotel. So you could get the resort fees comp'd off on the backend.

    Also, Priceline Express Deals ARE NOT run of house. You can book specific rooms at different prices and you are guaranteed that room. For example, looking to book DTG for on Priceline Express Deals for the random dates of 9/20-9/22, you have the following choices:

    Choose Bed:
    2 Queen - Non-Smoking - Deluxe $26/night
    1 King - Non-Smoking - Deluxe $26/night
    1 King - Smoking - Deluxe $26/night
    2 Queen - Smoking - Deluxe $26/night
    1 King - Non-Smoking - Premier $36/night
    1 King - Smoking - Premier $36/night
    1 King - Non-Smoking - 1 Bedroom Suite $52/night

    You CAN choose your specific room this way.

    DTG is a 2 or 3 minute walk(at most)to Fremont St. and the Fremont, 4 Queens and The D.
     
    • Informative Informative x 1
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