Comped nights (good)-- but annoyed at settling for a certain hotel (bad)?

So, I'm a frugal low-roller that's always looking for a good deal. And when I found a bargain-basement roundtrip airfare rate, I took it. I fly out on a Saturday afternoon; fly back on a redeye which leaves LAS on Thursday at 11:55pm.

With airfare all set, I went to book my hotel. I figure I need six nights, namely Saturday through Thursday (even though I'll be checking out Thursday around 9pm or so, it'd be nice to have the room up until I have to leave for the airport).

So, here's where it gets interesting...

I haven't set foot in the old Imperial Palace-- now known as The Quad-- in years. I have stayed in the hotel before in my younger days, actually more than once. No real problems when I did, I got a good deal and the room was adequate (but nothing special). I know I.P. gets picked on a lot here. I'm not a hater of the property, but...

This was years ago and I told myself then that I've moved on to other properties. But guess what... I was offered FIVE (5) nights COMPED at the Quad.

The lowroller in me found it too irresistible to pass up. Other CET properties-- even other low-to-mid tier ones-- didn't offer me 5 comped nights, and booking them instead of The Quad would cost me hundreds. Not sure about you, but I'd rather save hundreds and have it to game with, than to spend it on hotels.

I booked The Quad, Sunday through Thursday nights. I figure I would just book a separate hotel on the Saturday night.

I'm just slightly annoyed with myself that I need to "settle" on I.P. again, so I decided to vent a little. Some worries:

1) Construction noise. I understand it's under renovation and will be until the end of this year, with the LINQ and all. Any advice to avoid this? I'll probably try the $20 trick at the front desk to see if I can at least get a quiet room.

2) Never liked the smell of the old I.P. and the fact that the casino seems to be in the basement, more-or-less (notice how you have to step down when entering it). I'm wondering if the renovations might help this a bit? Oh well, I figure the old "I don't spend much time in my room" and "I can always gamble elsewhere" addages are true.

3) I'm not used to paying Saturday night rates for a Vegas hotel room, and these are somewhat high. Some of my favorite places don't even allow a Saturday night arrival. But I figure even if I do pay for 1 night out of 6, that's X divided by 6 and my total hotel expenditure is still really low. Right?

4) VP paytables. *ALL* CET properties have nothing great at the quarter level. Even at the dollar level it's not that great. I did play 8/5 Bonus at the dollar level at The Rio last trip, but they downgraded those machines. This annoys me to no end. I really wish CET would have decent VP. The best I can find that fits my bankroll is quarter 7/5 Bonus with Progressive at Bally's (98.01%). Anyone know of anything better at a CET property at the quarter level? Dollar level if I'm feeling lucky?

Anyway, thanks for letting me vent. I guess I'm lucky to get 5 comped nights, even if it isn't my first choice of property. Similar stories? Comments?

 

It all depends on what you value.

You clearly prefer a great deal over fancy hotel accomodations.

Me, personally, I'm a bit of a hotel snob. I'm a low roller too. But I'd much rather pay for a nice room than stay in a comped room at a less than desirable hotel.

On one of my last trips, my buddy and I stayed at different hotels. He had four nights comped at PH and I paid something like $600 for four nights at the Cosmopolitan.

After seeing his room, I felt my money was well spent. I had never stayed at a CET hotel, and don't plan to after that. How PH qualifies as a four star hotel is beyond me. Compared to the rooms at the four star MGM hotels, PH was sorely lacking and gave me a bad impression of the CET brand as a whole. From the dungeon-esque hallways to the drab rooms with the tiny windows. I was not impressed. He wasn't either. He doesn't like the Cosmo because he thinks it's like one giant nightclub that he feels out of place in, but even he said he would rather have paid for it.

So, to each his own. I can totally understand why someone would stay at IP/Quad if it was comped or super cheap. I just value a fancy hotel more than I do getting a great deal.

 

Free is free. Especially on a long stay, if thats the only hotel I was comped at, I'd stay there.

As for the Saturday night, one option is to stay off strip the first night. Keeps it cheaper, gets you out somewhere you may not otherwise check out, and the rooms are still usually much better than if you pick the cheapest strip room you can find.

For instance, South Point has a free shuttle from the airport. You could arrive and take the shuttle there, stay the night, and then cab it into IP. But I think you just missed a 72 hour sale for them.

Can't help you in terms of better VP at CET as I don't play it. But nothing says just because they comped you you have to play there. Cash in the free room and play where you would play anyway.

 

Looking at the vpfree2 website, you should find 7/5 Bonus at most of the CET shops at the quarter level, but you may have to look around for them. That's about the best.

Casino Royale next to Harrahs has quarter 8/5 Bonus, even at the bar. Good drink service there, and you can earn food comps for Dennys in addition to freeplay (as long as you're low rolling, go for it).

Take yourself downtown for a day - MSS, Cal, & 4Q all have very good VP games available. You may even get some offers back from it. You can also check all the places downtown for your Saturday night hotel stay.

Have fun & good luck!

-

 

All hotel rooms in Vegas look the same with your eyes closed!

That said, if you're trying to bring broads back to your room, it can make it tough.

Santé,
TL

 

1) Construction noise - They don't work at night, but do start early morning. Just get hammered every night and you'll sleep right through it.

2) Was just at The Quad 2 weeks ago. It's even more of a basement right now! The construction and remodeling inside gets very noisy while gambling there. We couldn't wait to go up the escalator to HHaGG and eat breakfast. No construction noise up there! Afterwards we had to go elsewhere more quiet to gamble.

3) As mentioned, go stay off strip for your Sat night. It's cheaper and I love staying or seeing something I haven't experienced before.

Have fun whatever you do.

 

I would try it for a night or two

Then, if you cant stand it there,.have them move you to another hotel and pay for a few nights.

 

I'm the same way. I'd rather break down and after throwing my tantrum...pay for a nicer hotel room than stay for free in a dump.

 

Thanks for your responses, everyone.

I'm going to try the Sunday-Thursday at The Quad. How bad can it possibly be?

I booked a single Saturday night at Four Queens downtown (I do like downtown... a lot) via Hotwire. Was only $44 plus taxes, this ends up being $58 for that night. So, $58 for six nights = less than $10/night overall. Not bad!

To make matters more confusing, though, I got a free 2 weeknight offer from The Palms (for a "Superior Room"). I'm thinking about taking them up on this for Tuesday and Wednesday nights, as long as there is no resort fee involved.

I'd be double-booked for two nights.

So, this means:

Saturday: Four Queens
Sunday: The Quad
Monday: The Quad
Tuseday: The Palms
Wednesday: The Palms
Thursday: The Quad, up until around 9pm, then fly home

Sure, there's some moving around... but it's doable.

Thanks for reading.

 

I have reservations at the Quad for my trip next month but after reading review after review after review on Tripadvisor and having them ALL say the same thing I got really worried and just booked at Ballys. The Quad rooms were $16 a night for a supposed deluxe remodeled room. Only all the reviews say that the remodeled rooms aren't all that remodeled yet. At Ballys I got my room for $35 a night plus tax in the newer remodeled rooms. No complaints there and the customer photos back up the website version of room appearance. Oh, and with no construction, I know I can get a taxi when I need one.

 

You might be able to book a cheap night at Terrible's, free shuttle from airport about a 12 minute ride. The 202 bus runs up to the strip on flamingo.
2 bucks one way.

 

Unfortunately no. Actually the Quad has some of the best video poker for quarters or less in the CET family since their "All Star Poker" machines offer 7/5 Bonus Poker with Super Times Pay for as low as nickels, so you can give a crack at 3 or 5 play without busting your roll. But if you play them during the daytime, you'll probably have a vibrating seat...lol The Super Times Pay bonus bet raises the return of 7/5 Bonus Poker from 98.01% to 98.29%. The next best option is $1 9/5 JoB (98.45%) at multiple CET properties.

You're much better off playing VP at 4 Queens and Palms unless you really, really insist on playing at CET properties for comps.

http://www.vpfree2.com/casinos/by-region/las-vegas.html

 

I was hesitant also, but ended up booking IP for a Sun-Thurs (Feb 10-14) for $17/nite. Doing a solo act on this trip and figured for el cheapo rates, why not.