Vegas -- WHEN to book (not where)

bolgenmod · #1 03-10-2007, 05:59 PM

I will be going to Las Vegas for the first time in mid-August. I read this forum regularly, so I have some idea of where to stay, but is there a good time to book the room to get the best price? That is, should I really be looking now, or would I be able to get a better price at a particular time (for example, one month in advance)?

If it helps, I am thinking of something like the Imperial Palace. I don't really want to be tied to one place with a poker room rate since it is my first time. And I don't have a lot of money to spend on the room -- reasonably clean, reasonably safe is good enough for me.

Thank you!

McMelchior · #2 03-10-2007, 06:12 PM

Apart from occasional "mid-week" offers (including free nights) for slot-club members I haven't seen any fluctuation in the low-end rates for fixed periods over the last couple of years. Book thru the hotels website and you're pretty sure to get the best possible rate, no matter when you do it.

EDIT: I've stayed at The Orleans the last 4 times - very good value if you have a car and are willing to pony up a little extra for spacious room and well maintained surroundings. If not I'd look at Gold Coast or Tropicana, both much less dingy than IP.

rrb · #3 03-10-2007, 06:19 PM

I don't like to book the poker rate either. I like to be free to move around.

Anyway, I usually book 1 month to 1.5 months in advance. I will usually book directly with the casino's website. Once your booked, keep checking the rates. If the rates go down, call the hotel and they will give you the better rate (no problems, no questions asked). There's been a couple times when the rates just kept going down and down. So I had called multiple times to get the better rate. I've also cancelled reservations 3 days before departure, and re-booked with a better hotel and better rate. All with no problems or hassel.

IP is a little run down, but its nice enough to crash for the night. And its Center Strip; great location

bav · #4 03-10-2007, 06:20 PM

Book early, but not through a place like hotels.com. Book directly with the hotel and most places will charge your credit card for the first night only and it is fully refundable as long as you cancel 24-72 hours prior. Then keep checking the web every few weeks for better deals. If you find one, rebook. Continue this up until a few days before your trip.

mucked4u · #5 03-10-2007, 06:20 PM

This is generic but better then nothing.
Mid week is best for decent prices and of course the summer months offer good rates.

sternroolz · #6 03-10-2007, 07:26 PM

Check out rates for the Harrahs owned casinos via third party sites....travelaxe.com, kayak.com, expedia, travelocity, i4vegas, vegas.com.

Harrahs, Flamingo, and Ballys are all much nicer than IP. Harrahs has a best rate guarantee where they will match the third party's lower price and then reduce the rate 25% more. It requires a LOT of jumping through hoops, but has saved me a ton of money in the past.

Also if you have a car, consider Golden Nugget downtown. They run seasonal specials and I believe this summer their "special" rate will be $79 or so on weekends and $49-59 on weekdays. They recently renovated and have an awesome new pool area.

I also agree with the poster that suggested Orleans if you have a car. That place is very nice for the money and a five minute drive from Bellagio.

StevieG · #7 03-10-2007, 08:43 PM

[ QUOTE ]

I also agree with the poster that suggested Orleans if you have a car. That place is very nice for the money and a five minute drive from Bellagio.

[/ QUOTE ]

Even if you don't have a car, but you are the type that only sees their hotel room for sleep and a shower, then Orleans can work for you.

But if you need to touch base at your room two or more times a day, and you aren't planning on playing at the Orleans and eating there, then it is not going to work for you. I think that would be true even if you had a car.

pig4bill · #8 03-10-2007, 09:22 PM

I will re-iterate the recco for the Orleans. It has a Friday's and a 24 hour Subway inside. You would be surprised how fast you can burn up a few dollars savings from the room on the food at most Vegas hotels.

The other thing nobody has mentioned is that the August heat negates the prime location of the IP. Unless you live in Phoenix, by the time you walk from the IP to the Bell in 110 degree heat, you will have sweated off 3 pounds of water.

FCBLComish · #9 03-10-2007, 10:23 PM

[ QUOTE ]
I will be going to Las Vegas for the first time in mid-August. I read this forum regularly, so I have some idea of where to stay, but is there a good time to book the room to get the best price? That is, should I really be looking now, or would I be able to get a better price at a particular time (for example, one month in advance)?

If it helps, I am thinking of something like the Imperial Palace. I don't really want to be tied to one place with a poker room rate since it is my first time. And I don't have a lot of money to spend on the room -- reasonably clean, reasonably safe is good enough for me.

Thank you!

[/ QUOTE ]

I stay at the IP often. It is reasonalbly safe and reasonably clean. I use my room to sleep and shower, and that is about all. It is a waste for me to have a "good room" somewhere. The location is the nuts!

bav · #10 03-11-2007, 12:35 AM

[ QUOTE ]
The other thing nobody has mentioned is that the August heat negates the prime location of the IP. Unless you live in Phoenix, by the time you walk from the IP to the Bell in 110 degree heat, you will have sweated off 3 pounds of water.

[/ QUOTE ]
Then you don't do it right. You pop out of IP and zip straight into O'Shea's and pause a minute. Then out of O'Shea's and into the Margaritaville entrance to Flamingo. Out of Flamingo and into Barbary. Then out and across two streets and into Bellagio. Basically it's like running barefoot on the beach from shady spot to shady spot.