orca

Hi - after agonizing about where to get a suite to celebrate hubby's big b-day (family will be dropping in to celebrate) I finally decide on a Venetian Prima Suite only to find when I try to book it that there is a loooong "agreement" saying there is a deposit, they take a $150 deposit at check-in for any room charges etc. fine - but then it also says that the room type is not guaranteed, that the room is assigned at check-in. I've never encountered this when planning other trips. Is this a LV thing, due to VIPs bumping people? How can I possibly plan (and then relax) for a surpise for my hubby when we might get there and be told we only have a standard room? Any advice? I went into the Bellagio and Mirage websites, and they have similar caveats, although not as in your face. Basically I would only by "requesting" a suite, not booking it, as it seems. argh.

jlm_mi

I don't know what a "prima" suite is, but do know that all Venetian's rooms are suites.

That said, why don't you just call the hotel? That seems the most obvious solution. Talk to someone on the phone about how it actually works, rather than working yourself into a frenzy with worried speculation over what may turn out to be nothing.

Then finally, consider how horrible it would actually be to end up in a "regular" room at someplace like Venetian. They're still really, really nice rooms, right?

Neopolitan

I fully understand what you mean, orca. That's always been one of my big gripes about many hotels. People say to be sure to request the "room with a balcony facing the ocean" for example. But you may get there and end up with the room over the parking lot. I agree that you need to call and tell them like it is -- you're looking for a guarantee of a certain type of room, otherwise you need to find a hotel that can do that.

vegaslocal

Paying for something and 'requesting' something are two completely different things.

In general, when you pay for a specific room type (like a Prima Suite), you will receive it. However, if that room type is unavailable for some reason, you will be upgraded. If the hotel has an unusual circumstance and is unable to provide you the room you booked or to upgrade you (extremely rare), they will refund the difference between what you paid for the Prima suite and the rate for the standard suite. (All Venetian rooms are suites.) You would never be expected to take an 'inferior' room but be asked to pay a 'superior' price.

Having said that, bedding type and smoking or non-smoking are considered to be requests in Las Vegas. The hotel will make every effort to accomodate your request (king or 2 queens - smoking or non), but cannot guarantee it. Just like they cannot guarantee a room on a particular floor or with a particular view. It all depends upon what is available when you check in.

So now that I have you worried about that, just remember that the Venetian has thousands of rooms. The chances of not receiving your requested bedding type is miniscule, and would probably only happen if the hotel was completely booked.

Bottom line, if you want to pay extra for the Prima suite, go ahead and book it. Remember that the hotel will consider your bedding request at check-in and make every effort to make you happy.

tracys2cents

Most hotels have this disclaimer, not just Las Vegas. I think it has more to do with not always being able to find you a non-smoking room, or a king bed instead of two doubles. Believe me, they don't WANT to have a battle with you at check-in time, but they can't always be sure everyone is gonna check out when they say they're going to, etc. You'll be fine at the Venetian, at least you're guaranteed a "suite". You won't be bumped to some small dumpy room just because Paris Hilton decided to show up with 20 friends.

orca

Thanks everyone, for your replies. Although I know all the Venetian rooms are large, since we will be having about 10 family members coming by, the Prima Suite seemed ideal with the separate powder room and living area. Folks won't have to walk through the bed area when they come in as the bedroom is separate. What shocked me was that the Venetian was not just saying your room preferences for smoking/bedding was not guaranteed, but that the type of room was not as well, that you would be assigned at check-in. It specifically states that your choice of room type is just a "request". However, I will call and discuss it with them and hope for the best. Thanks, everyone, for the feedback.