jacobla

In December, we are flying in to Las Vegas because it was the least expensive way to get to Palm Desert. We will have 2 days in Las Vegas (with our 19 year old son) and are seeking input on where to stay and what to do.. I have signed up on Groupon to see their deals and wonder if we should use Priceline for our hotel? If so, what is the best area to stay in? We will rent a car and drive to Palm Desert afterwards to meet friends at the Marriott resort so advice on renting a car or ideas for the Palm Desert would be appreciated too!

happytrailstoyou

We like to stay mid-Strip in Las Vegas. Room rates are lower Sun-Thu than on Fri-Sat. Check out Bally's which has large rooms, good rates, and a great location.

Here is a source for discounts on some shows: http://www.goldstar.com/las-vegas/events

HTTY

qwovadis

www.betterbidding.com bidding priceline.com always best

Weekdays cheaper than weekends but got the Venetian

for $80 bidding priceline when there last.

Got marriott that was nice similar in Palm Desert

tripres.com good no bid site

carrentals.com out of LAX rented from FOX last very cheap

to drive classic.mapquest.com

Have fun,

tomfuller

For a car rental in Las Vegas use Priceline. You are much more likely to have a problem with a rental with FOX than with any other rental car company.
Are you planning on going south on US95 to Blythe or I-15 down to San Bernardino on your way to Palm Desert?

jacobla

Thanks for all the good advice and links. I was looking at Pricline with a co-worker who has been there 8 times. Some places she liked with good locations like Flamingo, Excalibur and Paris were really cheap for Wed-Fri like about $50! They aren't the fancier ones but that's what she said she likes. Would you suggest the name your own price or just picking one on Priceline?
Tomfuller, I don't know which route we'll take. What would you suggest?

tomfuller

Last time I rented a car in LV I named $14/day on Priceline (plus fees).
The car had less than 800 miles on it when I picked it up last Christmas.
The route depends on whether you like to drive on a 2 lane road through the desert or the Interstate through San Bernardino etc.
MapQuest says the US95 route takes 15 minutes more but is 10 miles shorter.
Your son might like the roller coaster at Buffalo Bill's in Primm if you go the Interstate route. Buffalo Bill's also has rooms for less than $50/night.

clarkgriswold

If your son is sharing a room with you, be advised that priceline doesn't guarantee two beds.

Book directly with the hotel, there are some great deals in December (except for 30, 31) and you have the freedom to change your reservation if a better deal pops up or if you change your travel plans due to weather etc. Sounds like you're looking for deals, so consider Flamingo, Ballys, Harrahs, The Monte Carlo....all well located and not as pricey as the nearby properties. You can check all their current offers on harrahs.com and they do not add the "resort fees" that other properties hit you with.

With only two days for LV, you won't have any problem trying to find things to do and see, you'll barely scratch the surface.

jacobla

You're right! We knew about the 2 person deal with priceline and took a chance in Chicago and got Hotel Felix and they said they didn't have any rooms with 2 beds. The rooms are nice there but very small and he had to sleep on the floor so we probably don't want to do that to him again. LV was just a better deal to fly into but I'm really looking forward to it and it's not going to be enough time!