Post: #1

Impromptu trip to Las Vegas coming up very shortly without much advance notice. I'd like to book a room on the strip for a good value. Places I've stayed at previously for between 100-220/night last year (Luxor, Cosmo, MGM) are 250-500/night with short notice. I'm assuming because they jack the rates up when its only a few days away because these rates are during off-days, not even the weekend.

Any tips for snagging a room for a decent amount when faced with such a short notice?

Still 4 days away now. If I wait till the VERY last minute will prices go down or will I really be gouged?

Post: #2

1. Go to Kayak to price the rooms out.

2. Find where you want to stay

3. Go to the hotel website directly. See if they have any promos. I know Treasure Island gets you discounted rates and promos if you join their rewards club. Sometimes the rates are cheaper here, sometimes they are cheaper on Kayak.

That's usually how I do it. My brother does priceline and is good but you really need to know what you're doing otherwise you'll end up in the Westin or Trump hotel. Its more likely there is a big convention in town during that time and the rates are raised since it'll be packed, not because the time is closer to your booking. Generally, prices fluctate very minimally, they are what they are.

Post: #3

I checked this weekend, it seems pretty outrageous. I priced a hypothetical Saturday-Monday stay and Mandalay Bay looks like the best bet ($229) but the logistics are bad since its the very last hotel on the strip (or very first). Vdara was around 300 and is nice b/c it has a kitchen in it.

Post: #4

You should download an app called Hotel Tonight, that specializes in very, very short notice bookings. Typically, you can get better deals using this app since they have a deal where hotels inform the app of cheaper unbooked rooms.

At the moment, for a Saturday to Monday trip, the hotels I see under $220 that are on the strip are: Luxor($196), Circus Circus($156), and Excalibur($197) and Flamingo($202).

If you dont need to be on the strip(just near it) the hotels under $220 are: Westgate($153), Hard Rock($207), The Artisan($153), and Tuscany($189).

According to the app, prices are trending a bit higher right now, so those are your best options at the moment, although the inventory can change quickly. I used it to book Vdara this summer, on the same day I arrived in Vegas one weekend, and paid about $150, so this is your best bet.

Post: #5

Also try Hotwire, I used to like Priceline but they've refused my low bids the last several months when I was able to secure a room with Hotwire for even less than my bid. It's also great for airplane tickets. Note that the trick with HW is that you don't know the hotel or airline until after paying.

Post: #6

(09-22-2015 09:09 PM)monster Wrote:  Impromptu trip to Las Vegas coming up very shortly without much advance notice. I'd like to book a room on the strip for a good value. Places I've stayed at previously for between 100-220/night last year (Luxor, Cosmo, MGM) are 250-500/night with short notice. I'm assuming because they jack the rates up when its only a few days away because these rates are during off-days, not even the weekend.

Any tips for snagging a room for a decent amount when faced with such a short notice?

Still 4 days away now. If I wait till the VERY last minute will prices go down or will I really be gouged?

I'm a Vegas local currently, your best bet might be a cheaper hotel but by the main ones. Like Excalibur, New York New York, the Mirage, etc. Logistically, as long as your on the strip...you should be golden! Although i've only lived here a month, wish i could be of more help.

Hotwire like DJ Matt said is a very good bet!

Post: #7

(09-23-2015 08:49 AM)Joga Bonito Wrote:  You should download an app called Hotel Tonight, that specializes in very, very short notice bookings. Typically, you can get better deals using this app since they have a deal where hotels inform the app of cheaper unbooked rooms.

At the moment, for a Saturday to Monday trip, the hotels I see under $220 that are on the strip are: Luxor($196), Circus Circus($156), and Excalibur($197) and Flamingo($202).

If you dont need to be on the strip(just near it) the hotels under $220 are: Westgate($153), Hard Rock($207), The Artisan($153), and Tuscany($189).

According to the app, prices are trending a bit higher right now, so those are your best options at the moment, although the inventory can change quickly. I used it to book Vdara this summer, on the same day I arrived in Vegas one weekend, and paid about $150, so this is your best bet.

Palms is the best deal I have found there. MGM Grand is probably the second best deal, although it is a little more expensive than Palms.