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Welcome to El Cortez, now leave!

Discussion in 'Downtown Hotels' started by Jimbo338, Aug 21, 2013.

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  1. Jimbo338

    Jimbo338 VIP Whale

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    A few years back, apparently responding to research that shows most folks reduce gambling as their stay increases, The El Cortez initiated a policy that when a party booked for more that 7 days, they would add a penalty of $25 per night, not just on the 8th day or more but on the original 7 as well.

    When checking reservations at the EC online, I kept getting the message "one or more of the days you have chosen was booked or not available......"Yet, you could book 8 or 9 days with a broker. So I called Reservations at the LC and asked. She explained that after 7 nights there was a $25 surcharge on that night plus the original 7. However, I have been able to book with several discounters for 8 or 9 nights. She explained that you can book for 8 or more nights with the the discounters but they charge you when you leave on your hotel bill. I want to stay for 8 nights this year so I guess the first will be near Tropicana, then the EC the next night.

    Thought I would pass the word so there won't be any surprises.

    Jimbo338
     
  2. merlin

    merlin MIA

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    Dewey mentioned this policy a while back, seems like a shortsighted policy, you just have to spread it around I guess.
     
  3. VegasDave

    VegasDave Addicted

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    If you are going with someone, just book two rooms and switch in the middle?

    If it were me, I wouldn't give them any business if I was staying for a long trip, just go somewhere else.
     
  4. Guy

    Guy Captain of the Heads

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    Could it be that some of the Zappos/New-Downtown types are living out of the El Cortez rather than renting an apartment?
     
    Easter 2024
  5. Gino

    Gino "The King of Inappropriate."

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    Dumb policy. I really don't get it. I looked at the elco for my upcoming trip, and was shocked how expensive the rooms had gotten (booking direct). Checking in Thursday Nov. 7th and checking out Monday Nov. 11th in a Tower king non smoking room, really nothing special, total was $644.10..:eek:..I wound up booking a Gold Club Luxury room at the GN for $750, and will get a comped upgrade because of the Landrys card (plus a nice tip to get the Spa Tower Suite:beer:)
     
  6. gregluvsvegas

    gregluvsvegas Roller

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    Maximum stay policies are not that uncommon. Basically this just discourages unsavory types from turning low priced hotel rooms into an alternative to a low rent apartment.

    For those up on thier Vegas history, you'll know that Howard Hughes once overstayed his welcome at the Desert Inn. He avoided eviction by buying the place.
     
  7. 21wins

    21wins VIP Whale

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    Glad the Orleans didn't have this policy stayed there 9 nights last month.
     
  8. C0usineddie

    C0usineddie VIP Whale

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    I can understand their policy. Its a cheap place to stay for the price so of course construction workers and other transient workers will stay there for long periods, use the services and do no gambling. Basically they are taking up space and not generating any profit.

    They want more tourists there to gamble, eat, that sort of stuff. i have no problem with it.

    Just stay down the street for a night if its that big of a deal.
     
  9. merlin

    merlin MIA

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    Not sure whats going on then, but I'm staying there next week for about $26 a night(tower room), try easy click travel - they seem to have the lowest rates at the El.
     
  10. Jimbo338

    Jimbo338 VIP Whale

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    That's the plan!

    Jimbo338
     
  11. drdestructo

    drdestructo Low-Roller

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    While it's not optimal, I can live with this easier than the "resort fees". The Elco still does not charge them and is definitely in the minority as even the downtown properties charging them has increased dramatically.
     
  12. LolaDoggie

    LolaDoggie VIP Whale

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    It's a shame they have to go this route but, Cousin Eddie is probably right with his summary.
     
  13. Oxygenator

    Oxygenator Low-Roller

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    The one time I stayed in a Pavilion room, for I think $15 bucks a night, this certainly was the case. Whole families were camped in some of the rooms, and you could tell looking in the rooms walking by they had been there a while. This was before this policy was enacted. I Can't really fault them for it.
     
  14. Dewey089

    Dewey089 VIP Whale

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    I thought that policy was a bit odd, especially the details. The fee kicks in at more than 7 nights in a calendar month, so you could stay 5 near the end of a month and come back the next month for 5 more, but not 5 at the beginning of the month and then come back at the end of the same month for 5 more. When I called a year or so ago, the fellow in charge said that one could technically book the end of a month and then the beginning of the next month and not pay a fee. I was thinking of doing it, went to the Gold Spike instead, and never thought about it again.

    Most places that limit do so for bookings longer than a couple weeks.

    Also ironic is that the Stratosphere does just the opposite. Last I talked to them you could book for 24 nights and after 5 went by, they stopped charging the resort fee. Yet you still got the amenities attached to the fee for the entire stay. So if you booked 10 nights, that would drop the resort fee to one of the smallest now in Vegas, under $8 per night.

    Always so much math now just to book a room.

    I knew a lot of down and out guys who played low limit poker at the El Cortez. None of them stayed there. They all got better long time accommodation in cheap area motels. I know the old Blue Angel is closed, but there are plenty of options and usually they come with some laundry access as well. So, I think that one can argue the El Cortez wants to discourage long time renters who don't gamble, but that it is more likely that the bean counters computed that statistically keeping gamblers much longer a week won't get any more bankroll from them on average. And if guests do play large every day, that fee can be waived.

    Well, I only use the El Cortez with the ACG coupon to flesh out my downtown stay with two inexpensive nights although I have gone upscale and pay the extravagant $54 for 2 nights at Cabana rather than the frugal $34 for 2 at the Pavillion. Hey, I deserve it!
    The D resort fee may change some of my booking strategy, but so far it seems like the rates are low and make the resort fee a wash. I'd rather stay there because on just a bit of gambling they offer two for one deals and good coupons as well as great access to the 4 Queens when it comes to check out and check in. I get the best comps at Four Queens and the VP is better.

    I also have found that booking to overlap months is a good strategy in general. As a low level, frugal gambler I get offers at the D and at the 4 queens that are good for anytime in a calendar month, but not twice. So whenever I can, I overlap the months. 4 Queens gives me three nights (including weekends) free, so that means I can get 6 free ones with another BOGO 4 sandwiched between and 2 ACG nights at the El Cortez and I have a 12 night trip covered.
    Of course, I'm never satisfied with less than a 20 night trip, but covering 12 nights cheaply is a good start, and if I manage to overlap just the right 2 months, I can tack on another 4 BOGO at the D and stay at average rate of under $20 a night for the trip.
     
  15. Jimbo338

    Jimbo338 VIP Whale

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    Merlin, I did better than that in May and stayed in the Tower but Easy click travel has no rooms at the EC for February yet. I have plenty of time so I'll wait and see. I can get almost as good a deal from Booking.com at either the Vintage rooms or tower. I have stayed at both and since I am solo for my trade show they both meet my needs but that extra room in the towers is nice! Both are clean, comfortable and well maintained. I don't mind the small bathrooms and the stairs don't bother me. I am a non-smoker but the rooms are fine and I can tolerate a tv in the next room as well as the doors slamming all night upstairs. I have taken a late flight in on a Monday and need to help set up an exhibit on Tuesday morning so my plan is to take the WAX to NYNY or maybe a shuttle and stay one night, check out and get picked up to set up the booth leaving my bag in the trailer. When we are done mid afternoon they can drop me off at the hotel. I'd like the EC cause I like the staff and the rooms, the restaurants and location. I don't care about a view, I like the distance from the noise of FSE and will use the free shuttle back to the airport.

    I do have my airfare with SWA so I can change if a better day or better time comes up. I don't think the price will get any better than $258 from NH! I am flexible so it is fun to keep planning. I take notes when in here and refer to them for new places to see, new shows and restaurants etc.

    Jimbo338
     
  16. makikiboy

    makikiboy VIP Whale

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    I agree with merlin, I just checked easy click travel and got the same dates (nov 7 - 11) for $54 a night average (not sure if it includes taxes though) so probably half of the rate that you found on the EC site. The problem is that the dates you want also is during the veterans day 3 day weekend, probably the last big holiday before thanksgiving and xmas and new years and so rates may be higher and it could be busier.

    I usually check with the EC website to check out rates and availability then check kayak and other sites to see what their rates are for a particular date. Sometimes the EC has the lowest rates, other times sites like booking.com or hotels.com have lower rates. A few years ago I was at the EC when someone wanted a room for the night, since direct rates were a lot more expensive the front desk clerk suggested the guest go through a third party site to book the room instead.

    btw, other hotels like the Cal and MSS only offer 7 night stays on their web site. if you stay longer you have to make a separate reservation. you may also have to move with the separate reservation, that happenned to me once when I stayed for more than 7 nights.

    As others mentioned, because the EC has some of the lowest rates around they probably want some guest turnover so frown on stays longer than 7 nights. I guess if you get comps then it will be up to a host to allow longer stays based on your play and as others mentioned, with longer stays usually the guest plays less so they make up for it by charging higher rates.
     
  17. chef

    chef Resident Buffetologist

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    Here in Illinois, our state campgrounds have policy of a maximum 14-day stay. It is done to prevent folks from squatting all summer, which is what the El Co is attempting to do.
    Super low room rates in Vegas I'm sure create similar concerns, hence the El Co policy.

    On another note, I'm torn between staying at Cabana Suites or Bally's North Tower next week for a 2-nighter.
    Love the comfortable beds at Cabana, plus El Co is my fave downtown casino.
    Bally's has primo location, a pool and most of my time would likely be spent center Strip area.
    Bally's $80 total, Cabana Suites $50 (LVA 2-1)
     
  18. gerry53

    gerry53 VIP Whale

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    I know what you mean chef.

    I visited solo in july and stayed 2 nights at the d and 3 at bally`s

    although bally` s was nice I really think staying downtown was better.

    If u play slots I think they were also way better downtown,harrah`s sucked.
     
  19. Sallymander

    Sallymander Freedom 55

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    Chef, does that $80 Bally's rate include the resort fee? and the charge for the in-room safe? After splitting my last trip between the Strip (Planet Hollywood) and Downtown (Golden Nugget) I'm giving the Strip a pass this trip and staying put at the Nugget. You can purchase a bus pass and hit the Strip whenever you want and come back to ElCo for a good sleep in their wonderful bed! :thumbsup:
     
  20. MikeOPensacola

    MikeOPensacola El Jefe

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    Do what Howard Hughes did at the DI when they wanted to give him and his entourage the boot for loss of gaming revenues. Just buy the place........just kidding. This practice does seem underhanded, and I for one would not give them my business.:peace:
     
    Annual CCA (Casino Collectibles Association) Show at South Point
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