Best way / timing to book hotels in Vegas?
Discussion
I need to book 2 * hotels in Vegas for 2 different dates in Feb 2025
For the first one I'm looking at something like Tru by Hilton or Homewood Suites - close to the airport, close to the car rental lot, no messing about with valet parking, relatively cheap. Currently the availability for 2025 isn't on their websites (or booking.com), but if I put in some random dates in November, the prices are around $300 / night, which is more than double what I was expecting. I really don't want to stay on the strip for these 2 nights. 1st night we will have just arrived, collecting the hire car in the morning and then shopping for supplies for a 2 week roadtrip. 2nd night we need to be on the road by 8:30am for a rafting trip.
For the second one, I'm looking at the Vdara, but going direct via their website looks very expensive. Smarter Vegas has promo codes, but they all expire in 2024.
Normally, I book hotels directly on the hotel website, and I book them as soon as I've got my flights / ferries booked, but I get the feeling that this approach isn't the best for Vegas.
What's the best way to go about this? I'm not wedded to any specific hotel, but I want something cheap (but niceish) on the edge of town for 2 nights, and then something swanky on the strip for 3 nights a couple of weeks later. I would like the Vdara if I can do it, but if the best approach is to wait until the week before and then see what the best deals are, then I'll probably be happy winging it.
For the first one I'm looking at something like Tru by Hilton or Homewood Suites - close to the airport, close to the car rental lot, no messing about with valet parking, relatively cheap. Currently the availability for 2025 isn't on their websites (or booking.com), but if I put in some random dates in November, the prices are around $300 / night, which is more than double what I was expecting. I really don't want to stay on the strip for these 2 nights. 1st night we will have just arrived, collecting the hire car in the morning and then shopping for supplies for a 2 week roadtrip. 2nd night we need to be on the road by 8:30am for a rafting trip.
For the second one, I'm looking at the Vdara, but going direct via their website looks very expensive. Smarter Vegas has promo codes, but they all expire in 2024.
Normally, I book hotels directly on the hotel website, and I book them as soon as I've got my flights / ferries booked, but I get the feeling that this approach isn't the best for Vegas.
What's the best way to go about this? I'm not wedded to any specific hotel, but I want something cheap (but niceish) on the edge of town for 2 nights, and then something swanky on the strip for 3 nights a couple of weeks later. I would like the Vdara if I can do it, but if the best approach is to wait until the week before and then see what the best deals are, then I'll probably be happy winging it.
Check whats happening in Vegas at the time as well
US national holiday/sporting event/concert will all push up prices
FWIW we booked a long weekend at the Vdara (rec'd here and excellent) 6 months out on what turned out to be memorial weekend. Hotel prices were good however the city was rammed and getting restaurant reservations required all the skill of the Vdara concierge and some $$$$$$$
Enjoy!
numtumfutunch said:
Check whats happening in Vegas at the time as well
US national holiday/sporting event/concert will all push up prices
Indeed. You have to shop around as even when it is the peak rate at one hotel it might be super cheap somewhere else (eg. during the F1 weekend the hotels further away from the track couldn't give rooms away - the Downtown hotels are even running a free music festival this year on the F1 weekend to try to bring punters into town).US national holiday/sporting event/concert will all push up prices
My tip to the OP would be to book something cancel-able and keep an eye on offers and discounts and re-book if other things turn up, as February 2025 is a bit far out still. (I'd not rule out staying at an off-Strip or Downtown casino as they might give you better value than a chain hotel (which aren't especially good in Vegas))
(I've traveled to Vegas in February a few times, and think it is a good time to go, the weather isn't too hot, and it is still somewhat 'off season' as the swimming pools won't be open yet).
Edited by Truckosaurus on Tuesday 23 July 07:30
numtumfutunch said:
Check whats happening in Vegas at the time as well
US national holiday/sporting event/concert will all push up prices
FWIW we booked a long weekend at the Vdara (rec'd here and excellent) 6 months out on what turned out to be memorial weekend. Hotel prices were good however the city was rammed and getting restaurant reservations required all the skill of the Vdara concierge and some $$$$$$$
Enjoy!
We got married in Vegas. Chose a nice quiet romantic lakeside spot in a park.US national holiday/sporting event/concert will all push up prices
FWIW we booked a long weekend at the Vdara (rec'd here and excellent) 6 months out on what turned out to be memorial weekend. Hotel prices were good however the city was rammed and getting restaurant reservations required all the skill of the Vdara concierge and some $$$$$$$
Enjoy!
Didn’t realise it was actually Memorial Day.
It was not quiet. At all.
Slightly embarrassing to be a centre of attention, but the Americans around us all joined in and all came good.
The tip above is definitely the way forward. Book something with a decent length free cancellation and keep checking.
We were in Vegas at the end of Jan ‘22 and only booked the night before and extended our stay when we were there for a pittance so last minute bookings in the quiet season can be very cheap. It obviously depends on what’s on and the day of the week though.
We were in Vegas at the end of Jan ‘22 and only booked the night before and extended our stay when we were there for a pittance so last minute bookings in the quiet season can be very cheap. It obviously depends on what’s on and the day of the week though.
omniflow said:
.... I want something cheap (but niceish) on the edge of town for 2 nights...
One place I have stayed at that might fit the bill is the Best Western in Boulder City.https://www.bestwestern.com/en_US/book/hotels-in-b...
It's totally generic, but has an indoor pool (a rare luxury in Vegas), and is on the historic main street in Boulder City which is somewhat charming (the only place in Nevada with no gambling) with plenty of independent restaurants and bars.
Close to the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead, and on the main road out of Vegas towards the Grand Canyon, Route 66, etc.
Nowhere in the world adjusts it's room rates as dynamically based on demand as Vegas. The same hotel can see rates go up 5x from one day to the next, if an event is on or it's a Saturday etc.
This is the Venetian rates, $1,459 to $207 in the same week!
Just wait until the rates are widely available and choose days based on the rates. You'll get a 5* hotel for peanuts if you choose the right days.
This is the Venetian rates, $1,459 to $207 in the same week!
Just wait until the rates are widely available and choose days based on the rates. You'll get a 5* hotel for peanuts if you choose the right days.
Guyr said:
...
This is the Venetian rates, $1,459 to $207 in the same week!.....
If you look at the F1 weekend at the end of November, it goes from $2500 to $177 within 24hrs. (I think Luxor's published rate for the night of the F1 race is $32, which is probably the cheapest Saturday night of the year).This is the Venetian rates, $1,459 to $207 in the same week!.....
Around 3 - 4 months before arrival is probably best, book direct using smarter vegas codes where the rate is refundable and keep checking.
As has already been said weekends and events make a massive difference.
For your first couple of nights Southpoint might be worth a look. It is very old fashioned but rooms are clean, its south of the strip so traffic for your quick getaway not an issue. A few drinks and a nice meal (decent italian and steak restaurants) is much cheaper than the strip and good quality.
As has already been said weekends and events make a massive difference.
For your first couple of nights Southpoint might be worth a look. It is very old fashioned but rooms are clean, its south of the strip so traffic for your quick getaway not an issue. A few drinks and a nice meal (decent italian and steak restaurants) is much cheaper than the strip and good quality.
goingonholiday said:
...South Point...
I stayed there for a couple of nights last year. It is certainly good value, but I felt it was very smokey in the casino which fairly rare these days with better filtering and aircon systems in the newer resorts.Silverton is another resort in the same area, has a huge aquarium and an amusing Bass Pro Shop store if you need a speedboat or firearm for your trip.
Thanks for all the input. You've pretty much confirmed what I thought.
I now have a plan. Wait a couple more months, see what the score is, then probably book something cancellable as a backstop, and then keep an eye on prices. Also, look into other off-strip hotels including the 2 mentioned.
As I said in my OP, this is very far removed from my usual approach, so will require some extra patience on my part.
I now have a plan. Wait a couple more months, see what the score is, then probably book something cancellable as a backstop, and then keep an eye on prices. Also, look into other off-strip hotels including the 2 mentioned.
As I said in my OP, this is very far removed from my usual approach, so will require some extra patience on my part.
I booked a suite in the Venetian for Oct for myself and my son. Used Booking.com (got a blue light card). Kept checking, on one day the same suite was £250 cheaper than I booked, so canceled my original booking on the app and booked at the new rate. Very easy. Still checking but the suite is back to its original rate, so was just lucky I checked
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