Wife and I want to go to Vegas for a week at end of June to celebrate our 45th Anniversary but are on very tight budget. Having hard time deciding where to stay and if we need to rent a car to see some sites away from strip on weekend. Any experiences of using consolidators like Cheap Tickets, Expedia, etc to book hotel and airlines or book separate with hotel and airline? Have heard people have been hit with an additional tax/fee on the cost of the room when checking out after room was already booked and paid for in advance?
We are not gamblers or drinkers just want to have some clean fun to celebrate and enjoy the sites. Please, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Hi there, I have spent two years living in Las Vegas. There are multiple casinos/hotels that are off the strip in Henderson, and they would be cheaper per night (in general). For instance, the "Sunset Station" and the "Fiesta" in Henderson. However, they are far enough from the strip that you would need a rental car. The buffets at these places are much cheaper and nice.

Anything on the strip can fluctuate constantly in price. One person pays $250 and the other pay $95 for the same hotel. It's about daily volume, seasonal prices, the current economic state..etc.. I know that's not much help, but it's the most honest answer.

I have heard that some places are being ridiculous and adding "fees" to the bill on checkout, but your best bet is to call and ask before you book. If you are going to rent a car, then Henderson is quite nice and only about 15 minutes (if that) from the strip. Good luck!

Thanks so much Lukerb,

We just about gave up on going at the end of June because of several people advised (posted on the the US Forum on LV)that it would be too hot and that 3 days is more than enough time vs a week as we planned. Henderson sounds like a better choice so now my question is what month would you recommend. Also is there a bus from Henderson to the Strip to avoid using our car if we decide to drive it from Idaho?
Second, what's the best way to get to Hoover Dam from Henderson?

Hello,

Yes, it would be hot in June. The heat here in LV is very dry, so it feels a bit different than a humid climate would. Most people react more to the dryness here than the heat. The only time that it's generally not hot is between Nov-Feb. It's one of those things that if you stay in the shade then it's not too bad. So, as far as recommending a month, then either in the cool months or pretty much anytime in the summer months if you're okay with the heat.

There are buses that you can take all over. A bus ride from the "Sunset Station" to the trip, might take a while and required more than one bus, mainly because of the stops and side streets. It is very easy to park on the strip. All of the parking garages on the strip are free and there is almost always room at one of them. You can easily park in one casino and walk to another without a problem. So feel free to drive to the strip if you bring you car. Although, keep in mind that Las Vegas Blvd (the strip) can be slow. Many of the garages are accessible from the streets behind the casinos.

Hoover Dam is closer to Henderson than Las Vegas. You would simply jump on the highway and go east towards Boulder City. Google maps would be a great source for looking at the distance and directions. It's easy to get to from Henderson. It's about 22 miles from the Sunset Station Casino, and any of the Casinos would help to point it out on a map. The highway there is called "93","95", and "515", but it's all the same road.

Please take the time to research hotel prices on the strip through Orbitz.com or a Hotels.com. You just might find a great price that way that would be comparable to staying outside the strip. Hope that helps!

I was in Vegas last year the week before the 4th of July. Stayed at Bellagio for around $100 a night. We were there from Sun to Fri. I found that by avoiding the weekend we got a better room rate and there were still plenty of people around while not being overcrowded. While we were there we saw the Cirque show 'Ka' at MGM and it was well worth the money. The heat was an issue for me. I'm from the south and can deal with heat but I found I wasn't to interested in sightseeing during the day.

Hubby and I were in Vegas the first week of February. Our first visit there was September (too hot) but February was great. Temps in the 50's most days, with cool nights. We aren't gamblers, but love seeing all the casinos, shops, etc. and there are lots of free attractions. My advice is rent a car then you can stay and eat off strip to save lots of $$$. There is free parking at all the hotels and you can sightsee around Hoover Dam, Red Rock Canyon, Valley of Fire, etc. Have fun!

I think you better coach serfing, and then spent money on city 'investigation'.
I guess this will be fun, and you will save lots of money.
Also, you can drive there with somebody (you find on Internet) to safe money and make 4-.. people pay for the car rent (not two of you).

Think...there are sooooo many ways to save money) and spend it in a right place!!!