First Time in Vegas -- need 1 night hotel suggestion

Hello everyone --- this board seems extremely useful; I've already lurked for hours.

Anyhow, I'm going to Vegas for the first time in April with some friends.

I happen to love getting drunk and playing No limit holdem so I'm already greatly looking forward to the trip :banana:

Anyway, my friend already found lodging for us for 3 nights at the Westin, which is awesome; my vacation schedule is a bit more flexible though and I was going to get in the night before (better airfare too).

So I need to find a good-priced hotel for one night (Wed night). I'd ideally like to spend up to $60 or $70 for the one night. Lower the better so I can spend more on fun stuff.

Any thoughts? Using my powers of deductive reasoning, it looks like I may be able to score the Rio or the Palms on priceline for $60 after taxes ($80 with resort fee if the palms).

Hell, I'm tempted just to low ball bids over the next few days for 4 stars in the south strip area and see what comes up. I wouldn't mind any of the hotels --- looks like the lowest priced one is the Tropicana. Maybe somebody will take something low. Any thoughts or strategies you guys have used?

 

Also, does anyone have any thoughts on Excalibur?

If I'm only going to stay somewhere one night (and I'll probably check in around 7 pm) --- perhaps I'm overthinking things.

I know it's not the Ritz-Carlton.

By the way, I'm in my mid-twenties and younger people/ decent bars/ clubs nearby is also a plus, though that may be a silly question in Vegas.

 

If you like being at the pool Flamingo. If that isn't important to you then try Bally's. Both are fairly close the the Westin.

 

For 1 night & your 1st time there, you should stay on the strip. Since you are staying one night, and are looking for Poker, young vibe, etc. Here is what I'd suggest.

1) Planet Hollywood - Hip, Young place. Lots of eye candy & poker room
2) Mirage - Cool Poker room, little older, but club is a good time
3) MGM - Cool club, poker room, big, mixed crowd, but closest hotel to the airport

 

Planet Hollywood its liveee

 

Stay on the strip that first night, especially if you're staying at the Westin afterwards. The Westin is half a block off the strip but it's still nice to be able to walk right out onto the strip.

There's lots of promo codes available for Excalibur. Check out the Hotel Offers and Discount section of this board to find promo codes for Excal and others. Personally, yeah there are better hotels out there, but it'll give you a chance to explore the south strip that first night. Westin is near the middle so don't waste any energy walking up and down the strip the first night. Just stick around and area and you'll be fine that night.

 

there are plenty of options mid-strip..the quad,flamingo,ballys and harrahs are all cheap options(with the quad being the cheapest but very low end). staying at any of these properties will keep you close to all the good poker rooms

 

Those all sound like great fun, but it looks like they are all about $90 - $100 after taxes and resort fees, at minimum. I'm looking to spend $60 - $70 all in, or lower.

I may get lucky and be able to snag on using the bidding feature, but it would be any 4* on the north or south strip, which is fine by me. Not sure if those places would go as low as the Rio or Palms, though, except maybe the Trop.

I can try bidding on 3.5* places on the south strip --- that would open up the flamingo and luxor.

 

If you haven't yet sign up for a Total Rewards card and an Mlife card. Make sure you sign up for special offers and check the internet for promo codes. The last CET property promo code i received was SEMI13. Those prices you quoted seem high unless there is something huge going on at that time.

UPDATE: I just checked....

April 3rd Flamingo is $61.20 - Bally's is $61.80
April 10th Flamingo is $124.95 - Bally's is $126.00
April 17th Flamingo was $91.80 - Bally's was $51.60
April 24th Flamingo is $74.80 - Bally's is $85.80

Seems it depends on what is going on that week. Check out these sites to help avoid huge conventions and save some money.

http://www.vegasmeansbusiness.com/planning-tools/convention-calendar/

https://www.totalrewards.com/reserve/

 

The rates I'm quoting are including taxes and resort fees, which most discussion don't include, for some reason.

Using SEMI13 at the Rio's website yield a total price for that Wednesday, after taxes, at $120.

I think it's pretty hard to beat Priceline's hidden hotel rates, especially if you try to bid $10 under them.

I'm almost 98% sure the Rio is currently listed on there (hidden) at $60 for the same night. If I bid, I *might* be able to get it at $50. I'm thinking a place on the strip may be better for my first night in Vegas.

 

vegas

try hooters

 

Bally's could be a good option for you. I recommend it mainly because then you could walk to the Westin pretty easily (no $ on cab ride). Flamingo would also work for that and be similar price, but I don't know their rooms as well.

Here is the CET hotel rate calendar (has several Vegas hotels). You can use it to compare rates for your dates.

Priceline, etc, are all very well, but if you book through the hotel you can cancel up to 72 hours before if a better deal comes up.

 

Hotel Tonight

If you want to start gambling a little earlier, use an app called Hotel Tonight the day you arrive. Deep discounts for day-of hotels. Typically can find strip hotels for dirt cheap rates on weeknights. I've seen hard rock for $39.

 

IMHO --

Harrah's.

Price, location, decent room.

 

Excailbur has a rate (before the resort fee $15) of $38 for The last 2 Wednesdays in April if that's when you'll be there. Promo code web1020.

 

Well, how are you getting to the Westin after your first night? cab? friends picking you up? rental car? Just thinking that the Rio or Excaliber may save you a little $$ upfront but you still have to get to the Westin. All CET properties have no resort fee which includes Bally's which is right up the street. It's a great location for the strip and a very easy walk to numerous hotels with poker rooms. here's one other link to a poker site for Vegas poker rooms so you can see what type of clientel hangout at each. Personnally, I've always liked playing at the Mirage. The Venetian is nice, but some serious poker players there. And don't forget about the Quad if they still have their poker room(?). played there a few times, nice dealers, younger players, drunker players, lol...but not the nicest place and they are going thru renovations I believe.

http://www.allvegaspoker.com/

 

This board is great because of the variety of questions and priorities. If u really like getting drunk and playing no limit hold 'em I would think u will be able to look back and ask yourself why you were trying to save 40 or 50 $'s the first night with such an agenda. But good luck on the room. And good luck with poker too.

 

That's true. I did blow more than that at the bar this weekend.

I don't know --- I want to minimize money on the hotel so I can spend more on gambling, drinking, and food.

But yeah, I may have to take a look another look at Bally's or the Flamingo. Excalibur seems like a front runner as well just because the price. Still like hearing opinions.

 

Can the reservation for the Westin be cancelled?

Not that it isn't a good hotel. Westins are some of my favorite hotels to stay at. They have the most comfortable beds I have ever slept in. I would even like to stay at the Westin in LV. However, I am 41 and have been to LV many times. The Westin is not where I would want to stay on my first trip to LV.

The Westin has very little LV vibe. It feels like a business hotel. Even though it has a casino, it does not have the excitement of other LV hotels. If I was you I would stay at the MGM where there are mostly younger people.

 

I would stay on the strip for the first time to Vegas and like the previous poster said the Westin isn't much a LV feel as the other on the strip spend the extra cash and have fun!