March trip help

[21guns]

First of all, hello! Ive been lurking for about a week reading about the discounts, comps, best slots, and other stories. Finally today I decided to join because I need help.


So in mid march me and two friends will be staying for 2-3 nights in Vegas. I need some help with a few things

I have a budget of $1.5k (Id like to make $1.5k my max) for the 2-3 nights including the hotel cost, so Id like to make the most of it. My friends have a lower budget hence why Im willing to pick up some cost but dont want to shell out too much xD Im considering getting a single night on the weekend at a decent place to end the trip as well. I am kind of considering just going for a decent place altogether and splurging but im iffy. I havent really treated myself in a long time so I will appreciate your opinions on other places

We're trying to save money on the hotel but we want to get as close as possible to the strip so we could drink and walk back to the room without worrying about being in a bad area.

So far the cheapest of course is Circus Circus ($350ish) but considering the distance, kids + some shady people (from what Ive read online) it doesnt seem ideal to enjoy the spring break vibe.

The alternative Ive found is staying in Howard Johnson ($230ish) since its right next to mgm and such but i read quite a few reviews claiming the rooms rarely have working micrwaves (were definitely going to need for snacks xD), A/C, and fridges. Worst of all pest problems (both bugs and people). We wouldnt mind the noise but we want to avoid any drama or trouble on our way in and out of our room.

Im considering shelling out the extra $320 to stay at the Excalibur ($625) but I keep thinking about how I could use that extra money for entertainment vs being right on the strip.




My friends would rather just stay at a nearby cheap place and ride uber/cabs/etc vs paying extra to stay in a strip hotel. Considering it will be March Madness+spring break craziness, the rates will definitely be insane. Last October? during the iHeart radio festival an uber ride for 3 people cost $15 early morning from one end of the strip to the bottom end. I can only imagine how much it would be for late night during this eventful time X a few trips.

Plus im sure one of us will end up having to return to the room early due to drinking xD So it would be a great inconvenience.

Ive been looking at the deals on this forums + been searching online for best rates without sacrificing distance, quality of room, or environment but Im pretty much indecisive about what to get. I know we have to book the room ASAP so I need some help from you regulars choosing.

Id also appreciate any suggestions on where to eat, any good entertainment, etc last time i was hear was just for the festival and we barely did anything other than drink, eat and sleep for the two nights (the company was under 21 + one guy wouldnt agree what to do not the best experience).

The last time I had real fun was several years ago and I was not even 18 xD

 

[MiDenny]

You have come to the right place, that's for sure! I'm sure you will get a lot of great advice on here. For my 2 cents, I would suggest taking a peek at the rate calendar available on caesars.com if you haven't already. If you click on "Book Now" at the top left of the page and then select "Flexible Dates", select March 2017 from the list, it will show you the entire month of rates at all of Caesars properties. If you are flexible with your dates at all, maybe some good options there. I just looked at Flamingo's rates. Depending on your dates, you may be able to find it close in $$. Keep in mind that there will also be resort fees added to the posted rates though.

I'm steering you here because, if it were me, I'd be trying like crazy to be ON the strip. Our trips have changed over the years. We used to stay mainly at the Rio, near the strip, and get a cheap rental car. Now we tend to stay at Planet Hollywood, Paris, Ballys or Flamingo and walk everywhere. Cheers!

 

[seanmcsean]

Welcome!
Right, this is a tricky one and no doubt you will get bundles of input, here's my 2 cents...
I would rather spend less on the hotel, save my money for entertainment & gambling... neither of which is cheap in Vegas!!
For the kind of money & location you want, I'd have a look at the Super 8 @ Ellis Island. No frills, believe me!
Now, some people here will hate Ellis Is, some will love it... but considering the requirements...
- It's close to the strip... like 5 minutes to walk, no need for taxi's, Uber's, etc...
- There's good cheap eats & beer on site, saving you money with some pre-strip drinks
- It's not a bad place to hang out, in fact I would say no Vegas trip is complete without at least a visit!
- It's got Karaoke!
Best of luck! Enjoy

 

[Screwball]

What are your dates? We could take a look at different available offers and try and find you the best rate.

Check out sites like www.smartervegas.com and look at the different promos to see what comes up with the best rates.

 

[smerrian]

Stay mid-Strip. For what you're looking for (a good party with the younger crowd) anything other than mid-Strip will be 'less'...much 'less'. Best rates can probably be found at Harrah's, Bally's or Flamingo. As MiDenny said, check www.caesars.com and check "flexible dates" to see the full spread of what you can get rooms for at all of their properties. And as Screwball said, don't forget the $35+/night 'resort fee' that they'll charge you. The resort fees are NOT in the quoted rate.

As for food in the area. The best bang for the buck is at Ellis Island Casino which is located behind Bally's on Koval Road. There is a Motel 8 connected to it and that is the sign that stands out when you look for the casino. Good food, great prices.

WELCOME to the board!

 

[21guns]

You have come to the right place, that's for sure! I'm sure you will get a lot of great advice on here. For my 2 cents, I would suggest taking a peek at the rate calendar available on caesars.com if you haven't already. If you click on "Book Now" at the top left of the page and then select "Flexible Dates", select March 2017 from the list, it will show you the entire month of rates at all of Caesars properties. If you are flexible with your dates at all, maybe some good options there. I just looked at Flamingo's rates. Depending on your dates, you may be able to find it close in $$. Keep in mind that there will also be resort fees added to the posted rates though.

I'm steering you here because, if it were me, I'd be trying like crazy to be ON the strip. Our trips have changed over the years. We used to stay mainly at the Rio, near the strip, and get a cheap rental car. Now we tend to stay at Planet Hollywood, Paris, Ballys or Flamingo and walk everywhere. Cheers!

Thanks.

Yeah I was checking that out a bit ago. Were hoping to go during the week of March 12th preferably March 15-18th or so, trying to fit in friday night at least since that weekend is when Vegas will be most active most likely

What are your dates? We could take a look at different available offers and try and find you the best rate.

Check out sites like www.smartervegas.com and look at the different promos to see what comes up with the best rates.

Ill add it to my post, but yeah week of March 12th preferably March 15-18th or so
Thanks Im checking that out.

Stay mid-Strip. For what you're looking for (a good party with the younger crowd) anything other than mid-Strip will be 'less'...much 'less'. Best rates can probably be found at Harrah's, Bally's or Flamingo. As MiDenny said, check www.caesars.com and check "flexible dates" to see the full spread of what you can get rooms for at all of their properties. And as Screwball said, don't forget the $35+/night 'resort fee' that they'll charge you. The resort fees are NOT in the quoted rate.

As for food in the area. The best bang for the buck is at Ellis Island Casino which is located behind Bally's on Koval Road. There is a Motel 8 connected to it and that is the sign that stands out when you look for the casino. Good food, great prices.

WELCOME to the board!

Yeah exactly, im leaning towards just going for those instead of saving the extra money. Ill check Ellis Island Casino out.

So far for dates 15th-18th I found for 2 queen beds

Rio at $736~
Flamingo $858~

to be the cheapest unless we stay from 14th-17th missing out on Friday night.

What would you guys recommend from here?

Also I forgot to ask if there any which also have sofas included? I stayed at a Marriot branch last October that had a sofa bed which was great but its fully booked now apparently.

Thanks for the quick responses! I was looking through some sites for attractions, foods etc the whole time and came back expecting maybe single response if I was lucky xD


EDIT:

Seems that week is no promo week due to March Madness being mainly on that week xDD


EDIT:

So I noticed if I changed the guest from 3 to 2, the price for the rooms change drastically

Do they keep an eye out if people lie about the guest amount? xD I know i know im a cheapstake

But i mean the price different for the same dates is:


3 guest 15th-18th 2 queen beds

Rio at $736~
Flamingo $858~


3 guest 15th-18th 2 queen beds

Rio at $634~
Flamingo $656~

Could I get away with saying 2 guest only?

 

[21guns]

Also I see theres an offer for MGM hotels you get free $200 resort credit, are any of those near the mid strip and worth it vs Flaimngo, Bailys

 

[Basil]

Went through smartervegas.com. I used march 24-27, and looks like you can get Excalibur 2 queen beds for $398 +taxes (but including resort fees) or Luxor for $428.

 

[21guns]

Went through smartervegas.com. I used march 24-27, and looks like you can get Excalibur 2 queen beds for $398 +taxes (but including resort fees) or Luxor for $428.

Thanks but that would be past the week of March 12th, I couldnt edit my OP in time to add the date my bad

 

[21guns]

Welcome!
Right, this is a tricky one and no doubt you will get bundles of input, here's my 2 cents...
I would rather spend less on the hotel, save my money for entertainment & gambling... neither of which is cheap in Vegas!!
For the kind of money & location you want, I'd have a look at the Super 8 @ Ellis Island. No frills, believe me!
Now, some people here will hate Ellis Is, some will love it... but considering the requirements...
- It's close to the strip... like 5 minutes to walk, no need for taxi's, Uber's, etc...
- There's good cheap eats & beer on site, saving you money with some pre-strip drinks
- It's not a bad place to hang out, in fact I would say no Vegas trip is complete without at least a visit!
- It's got Karaoke!
Best of luck! Enjoy

I overlooked you post somehow
I checked and for $430 it seems like a okay price to be behind the strip. Thanks. Ill be taking this into consideration especial since its at ellis

 

[makikiboy]

Search web sites and you can find good deals. Booking.com offers circus circus for a total price of $362. It also depends if you want a hotel with a casino or just a hotel. You can get Howard Johnson by the airport for around $215 total ("dumpy" hotel though). You just have to sneak your other guest in, lol. But in the strip hotel/casinos it would be easier to sneak in a third person. There is a motel 6 near the in n out on Tropicana for $268. Ellis island you can get a room with 2 queen beds for $400. Stratosphere for $460. All depends where you want to stay and what kind of accommodations you want.

You are correct, your stay is during the spring break and march madness and so rooms everywhere will be more expensive, especially on the strip and nearby.

 

[Basil]

Thanks but that would be past the week of March 12th, I couldnt edit my OP in time to add the date my bad

Those dates get more expensive but it looks like Excal is $505 for 2 queens 15th to 18th. (Again, with fees but no tax). Nothing else really competitive from smartervegas.

Not my favorite hotel but it gets you right on the south strip with access to lots of other hotels. And they're used to some rowdy young drinkers there (Dicks last resort depends on it). Should be a step up from Circus, and on strip compared to the Rio. I've never stayed at Flamingo, but based on comments from this board may be worth spending a little extra there vs the excal.

And definitely book for 2 people. Don't have the three of you checking in together and you should be fine.

 

[smerrian]

Definitely book for 2 guests, not 3. You can easily get 3 guests into the room except only 2 will be in their computers. Follow these rules:
1) Don't flaunt the third person. Have the third person wait around the corner at the slot machines with their bag. You'll come for them later.
2) Get two keys. Register 2 people on the room. Leave the front desk area. Meet up with your third friend out of sight from the front desk.
3) Go up to your room and drop off the bags. Have your friends wait up in the room. Come back down alone and tell the front desk you left your room keys in the room or in the car, whatever...you need another key to get into your room.
4) After they give you another key go back up and make sure ALL THREE keys work. Sometimes when they issue a new key they disconnect the old keys from working. You're set.
5) Remember that the third person will not be able to get a key to the room if he looses his key...he's not in the hotel computer.

 

[smerrian]

If you have a Total Rewards Player's Card with Caesars Corporation, call the reservation number and ask if you can get a "casino rate" for the dates you're looking for. You may be able to get $100, or so, off of the rate shown on the internet.

 

[OhioStateAlum]

I'd look into the Jockey Club as well.

I'll preface this next part by saying I've never stayed anywhere but on the strip, though I would've if I knew what I know now.

I (along with many others I'm sure) was in your shoes not long ago on my first few trips to Vegas- limited budget traveling with buddies that also had a limited budget. IMO if you can be ON the strip at Flamingo, Ballys, Harrahs, Excal, etc at the same price you'd be paying for Ellis Island/something comparable barely off-strip, then absolutely go for it. However, if you can save what is a significant amount of $ TO YOU by staying a block or two off the strip, then do that. To some, $10 is significant. To some, $100k is insignificant. Only you can make that distinction.

You can walk from Ellis Island to the strip very quickly. On my first trip we stayed at MGM because we felt like we needed to be on the strip. We poured a decent amount of our budget into this feeling. Little did we know that the walk from our particular room at MGM to Bellagio was further than a walk from Ellis Island to Bellagio. Had I known that at the time, I would've absolutely pocketed the extra $ and I can say for certain my trip would've been more enjoyable given my age and financial situation.

 

[greekjim]

Yea that is the opening weekend of March Madness, prices are insane for rooms and viewing parties

 

[spicole]

You already have some good replies. The only thing I would like to add is maybe check out Elara, which is right center strip and attached to PHo. They have multi-bedroom suites with some good reviews from folks on this board.

 

[Champster1]

"March 15-18th". Definitely puts you smack dab in the middle of March Madness AND St Paddys day. Don't want drink and drive? How about Sams town ( $54 weds, $79 Thursday and $145 Friday = $278.00 ) also has a shuttle that runs from basically 10 a.m. till 8 p.m.. The Orleans, South point and Gold Coast are sold out Friday night or I would have also suggested them too!