Best non-chic, non-strip Hotel choices in Las Vegas??
Mar 11th, 2014, 05:29 PM
#21
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OK, you folks are awesome with suggestions. I really appreciate it and now have homework to do!
I need to get a better idea of what our friends want to do (eg - a few days in Vegas, then 3or 4 days drive to Grand Canyon, and maybe back to Zion, then back to Vegas area?) BUT:
Debit: it appears that with "thankyou" points, we can even stay at Mandarin Oriental or Four Seasons! Big choice! And with Marriott Rewards, maybe it is just Marriott- affiliated hotels. I have to check that.
Will return with more answers, (and questions, no doubt)
I need to get a better idea of what our friends want to do (eg - a few days in Vegas, then 3or 4 days drive to Grand Canyon, and maybe back to Zion, then back to Vegas area?) BUT:
Debit: it appears that with "thankyou" points, we can even stay at Mandarin Oriental or Four Seasons! Big choice! And with Marriott Rewards, maybe it is just Marriott- affiliated hotels. I have to check that.
Will return with more answers, (and questions, no doubt)
Mar 11th, 2014, 10:56 PM
#22
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Marriott points can be used at the Cosmopolitan. SPG points can be used at the Caesar's hotels. Hyatt points can be used at MGM properties. Honestly, though, unless you have a ton of points or prices are high, I've never found redemptions in Vegas to be very good value.
Mar 12th, 2014, 03:54 AM
#23
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Agree with travel. You can probably put your points to better use elsewhere - and just find a good deal while staying in Vegas - unless some huge convention is in town.
Just keep checking the rates.
Just keep checking the rates.
Mar 12th, 2014, 06:11 AM
#24
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I'm not sure I'd ever pick a non casino hotel. It seems you get less for your money at those places, while the casinos offer more for your money and make it up in their casinos. I also agree, I'd save Marriott points for other destinations instead of generally "cheaper" Vegas.
Mar 12th, 2014, 06:18 AM
#25
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Although I ended up staying at Paris because of price/location, my two final contenders when I did my research were Vdara (all non-smoking, non-casino) and The Signature. Both have kitchen facilities. And, definitely use the smartervegas website for promo codes DebitNM (thanks, btw) mentioned.
Mar 12th, 2014, 06:23 AM
#26
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I'm not sure I'd ever pick a non casino hotel. It seems you get less for your money at those places, while the casinos offer more for your money and make it up in their casinos.
I wouldn't stay at a mid-market non-casino hotel, as I would agree that you get better value at many casinos. But at the high end, both the Mandarin Oriental and the Four Seasons will offer better service than you will get in one of the big casinos (unless you are a high roller, or staying in an expensive suite). Crowding and wait times for services can also be an issue at some of the larger casinos.
For example, I stayed at the Encore over Christmas. Nice facilities. Good service, for the most part. Room was definitely five star. But you saw the downsides - you couldn't call ahead for your car, there was no turn-down service, ice was down the hall (rather than brought to your room), you waited in a line (complete with ropes) for check-in. Just little things that set the Mandarin Oriental apart. Now, some of that is of limited value (I actually like having ice down the hall), but a five-star casino hotel is not the same as a true five-star.
In May, though, I think the single biggest reason to favor the Mandarin Oriental (or Four Seasons) is the pool situation... You get your own quieter private pool. The chairs are nice. There are umbrellas available. There is chair service. The pools at the bigger resorts are often zoos or, worse, pool parties.
I wouldn't stay at a mid-market non-casino hotel, as I would agree that you get better value at many casinos. But at the high end, both the Mandarin Oriental and the Four Seasons will offer better service than you will get in one of the big casinos (unless you are a high roller, or staying in an expensive suite). Crowding and wait times for services can also be an issue at some of the larger casinos.
For example, I stayed at the Encore over Christmas. Nice facilities. Good service, for the most part. Room was definitely five star. But you saw the downsides - you couldn't call ahead for your car, there was no turn-down service, ice was down the hall (rather than brought to your room), you waited in a line (complete with ropes) for check-in. Just little things that set the Mandarin Oriental apart. Now, some of that is of limited value (I actually like having ice down the hall), but a five-star casino hotel is not the same as a true five-star.
In May, though, I think the single biggest reason to favor the Mandarin Oriental (or Four Seasons) is the pool situation... You get your own quieter private pool. The chairs are nice. There are umbrellas available. There is chair service. The pools at the bigger resorts are often zoos or, worse, pool parties.
Mar 12th, 2014, 04:31 PM
#27
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Definitelt great ideas here, for which many thanks.
I suddenly have office work to finish, but then must definitelly make the call to our friends in The Netherlands and firm up dates.
Must say, Travelgourmet, the Mandarin Oriental is sounding very good!
Our favorite hotel stay , EVER, was at the Mandarin Oriental in Hong Kong!
I suddenly have office work to finish, but then must definitelly make the call to our friends in The Netherlands and firm up dates.
Must say, Travelgourmet, the Mandarin Oriental is sounding very good!
Our favorite hotel stay , EVER, was at the Mandarin Oriental in Hong Kong!
Mar 12th, 2014, 04:46 PM
#28
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" but a five-star casino hotel is not the same as a true five-star."
I doubt I'd disagree with that, but do the true five star non casino hotels offer special rates even remotely close to the five star casino hotels? I mean if money is no object, then sure. Maybe I was wrong, but I assumed when the OP asked, it wasn't really a "sky's the limit" question.
I doubt I'd disagree with that, but do the true five star non casino hotels offer special rates even remotely close to the five star casino hotels? I mean if money is no object, then sure. Maybe I was wrong, but I assumed when the OP asked, it wasn't really a "sky's the limit" question.
Mar 12th, 2014, 06:24 PM
#30
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Well, Neopatrick, a woman can change her mind, can't she?
Truly, What has changed my perspective (and maybe my mind) is that I realized I have accumulated hundreds of points, so, by using them, we might pretend the fancier hotels are not really so expensive.
Of course, our friends may nix the idea of a Mandarin Oriental type hotel! To be continued....
Thanks for helping me to collect as much info as possible to make a good trip.
Truly, What has changed my perspective (and maybe my mind) is that I realized I have accumulated hundreds of points, so, by using them, we might pretend the fancier hotels are not really so expensive.
Of course, our friends may nix the idea of a Mandarin Oriental type hotel! To be continued....
Thanks for helping me to collect as much info as possible to make a good trip.
Mar 12th, 2014, 09:19 PM
#32
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do the true five star non casino hotels offer special rates even remotely close to the five star casino hotels?
Both the 4S and the MO are at the the high end. When I have looked, the 4S is usually on par with the Wynn and sometimes is cheaper. The MO is usually a bit above the Wynn by maybe $25 or so.
Both the 4S and the MO are at the the high end. When I have looked, the 4S is usually on par with the Wynn and sometimes is cheaper. The MO is usually a bit above the Wynn by maybe $25 or so.
Mar 13th, 2014, 03:44 AM
#33
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Then I stand corrected. I wasn't talking about "rack rates". We get Wynn offers for around $129 a night (Sun to Thurs) fairly often. So you're saying that Mandarin Oriental runs specials frequently at around $ 154 a night? That surprises me. Or did you miss that what I was saying is that casino hotels OFTEN give amazing deals, but I was unaware that the non casino hotels did the same.
taconictraveler, sure a woman can change her mind (and men can too), but honestly I missed the post that suggests you were changing yours. I was really speaking to those talking about the really chic and fancy hotels that I thought you specifically WEREN'T looking for.
taconictraveler, sure a woman can change her mind (and men can too), but honestly I missed the post that suggests you were changing yours. I was really speaking to those talking about the really chic and fancy hotels that I thought you specifically WEREN'T looking for.
Mar 13th, 2014, 03:59 AM
#34
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I wasn't talking about "rack rates".
Neither am I. I am talking about opening your computer and going to Expedia or similar and comparing prices. For the gambler, yes, you may see better specials if you are in the players' club at a casino. It does not, to me, sound as if the OP is a big gambler.
So you're saying that Mandarin Oriental runs specials frequently at around $ 154 a night?
I don't tend to go to Vegas in the most dead periods, so wouldn't really know. I typically see the Wynn at between $250 and $350 when I look.
Back to the OP, one option for you (may not help your friend), would be to look at vacation packages. That is what we did for Christmas, and the savings worked out to be something in the $100 per night range. I think the savings was really off the quite expensive airfare, rather than the hotel, but it was savings over the total cost.
Neither am I. I am talking about opening your computer and going to Expedia or similar and comparing prices. For the gambler, yes, you may see better specials if you are in the players' club at a casino. It does not, to me, sound as if the OP is a big gambler.
So you're saying that Mandarin Oriental runs specials frequently at around $ 154 a night?
I don't tend to go to Vegas in the most dead periods, so wouldn't really know. I typically see the Wynn at between $250 and $350 when I look.
Back to the OP, one option for you (may not help your friend), would be to look at vacation packages. That is what we did for Christmas, and the savings worked out to be something in the $100 per night range. I think the savings was really off the quite expensive airfare, rather than the hotel, but it was savings over the total cost.
Mar 13th, 2014, 04:11 AM
#35
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OK, sorry, for the use of the term "rack rates". But honestly, there is a huge difference between paying the typical $300 or so listed with Expedia or someone and using the very frequently offered specials of $129 or so.
The bottom line? I don't think I've ever paid more than $129 to stay at Bellagio, Palazzo, or Wynn (at least during the week), and those discounts are easy to come by. But I don't think you can get anything like that for non casino hotels. OK?
The Vegas hotel market works totally different from any major city hotel market in the US. I certainly might use Booking.com or Expedia in most cities, but it would be "throwing my money away" in Las Vegas. If you're even thinking of going to Vegas, sign up for specific casino hotels' specials and stand back for the avalanche of emails and mailers.
The bottom line? I don't think I've ever paid more than $129 to stay at Bellagio, Palazzo, or Wynn (at least during the week), and those discounts are easy to come by. But I don't think you can get anything like that for non casino hotels. OK?
The Vegas hotel market works totally different from any major city hotel market in the US. I certainly might use Booking.com or Expedia in most cities, but it would be "throwing my money away" in Las Vegas. If you're even thinking of going to Vegas, sign up for specific casino hotels' specials and stand back for the avalanche of emails and mailers.
Mar 13th, 2014, 04:46 AM
#36
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If you're even thinking of going to Vegas, sign up for specific casino hotels' specials and stand back for the avalanche of emails and mailers.
I sign up for those emails, but do not really gamble (when I do, it is low limit at the El Cortez). I've usually been able to replicate the rates I receive on Expedia. And I haven't seen an email from the Wynn or any other high-end hotel since January 2nd. I have, however, gotten a lot of emails from Excalibur.
I don't think I've ever paid more than $129 to stay at Bellagio
I don't think I'd pay that much for the Bellagio. Good location, but it is a dated hotel that exemplifies the fact that money does not buy taste. The F&B program there is also kind of wanting considering the space it wants to play in.
Regardless, I don't disagree that the casino hotels are cheaper. I even think that the likes of the MGM or Mandalay Bay represent outstanding value. What I do disagree with, however, is that the Wynn is in the same league as the Mandarin Oriental or Four Seasons.
I especially think that, during the summer months, the more pleasant pool experience at those places is worth a fair bit of money. The casino hotels would seem to agree, given that they charge a pretty penny to upgrade to a comparable experience.
The Vegas hotel market works totally different from any major city hotel market in the US.
It isn't that different. The notion that casinos want to give away the rooms to get you into the casino hasn't been true in 10 years or more. They know that people have a lot more options to gamble and that they have to sell the resort. It is the same reason you don't see $3 buffets or $1.99 prime rib specials. All of the big casino companies seek to have non-gaming revenue comprise well over 50% of their total revenue. How it differs is that they have a lot of capacity and highly cyclical demand. This leads to some deep discounting, but not terribly dissimilar from the absurdly cheap rooms you see at business hotels on weekends.
I sign up for those emails, but do not really gamble (when I do, it is low limit at the El Cortez). I've usually been able to replicate the rates I receive on Expedia. And I haven't seen an email from the Wynn or any other high-end hotel since January 2nd. I have, however, gotten a lot of emails from Excalibur.
I don't think I've ever paid more than $129 to stay at Bellagio
I don't think I'd pay that much for the Bellagio. Good location, but it is a dated hotel that exemplifies the fact that money does not buy taste. The F&B program there is also kind of wanting considering the space it wants to play in.
Regardless, I don't disagree that the casino hotels are cheaper. I even think that the likes of the MGM or Mandalay Bay represent outstanding value. What I do disagree with, however, is that the Wynn is in the same league as the Mandarin Oriental or Four Seasons.
I especially think that, during the summer months, the more pleasant pool experience at those places is worth a fair bit of money. The casino hotels would seem to agree, given that they charge a pretty penny to upgrade to a comparable experience.
The Vegas hotel market works totally different from any major city hotel market in the US.
It isn't that different. The notion that casinos want to give away the rooms to get you into the casino hasn't been true in 10 years or more. They know that people have a lot more options to gamble and that they have to sell the resort. It is the same reason you don't see $3 buffets or $1.99 prime rib specials. All of the big casino companies seek to have non-gaming revenue comprise well over 50% of their total revenue. How it differs is that they have a lot of capacity and highly cyclical demand. This leads to some deep discounting, but not terribly dissimilar from the absurdly cheap rooms you see at business hotels on weekends.
Mar 13th, 2014, 04:51 AM
#37
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I apologize to everyone for trying to offer what I thought was a helpful comment. Obviously I couldn't have been more wrong. Carry on. You have the best expert on Vegas in the world. Heed the advice!
Mar 14th, 2014, 05:34 PM
#39
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Wekewoody: if you mean me, sure I'll probably write one, because I now realize people are really interested and also have opinions about Vegas.
FWIW, I am one of those people who wants to stay in the best hotel, (usually a small boutique one) (but prob not in Vegas) for the best price, but not a big, flashy, noisy one. I also like to be sure I haven't missed any deals. If there were a hidden secret great hotel in Vegas, I'd love to know about it. So, maybe I should have described it differently in the first place.
FWIW, I am one of those people who wants to stay in the best hotel, (usually a small boutique one) (but prob not in Vegas) for the best price, but not a big, flashy, noisy one. I also like to be sure I haven't missed any deals. If there were a hidden secret great hotel in Vegas, I'd love to know about it. So, maybe I should have described it differently in the first place.
Mar 14th, 2014, 07:01 PM
#40
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The Mandarin is very nice - but I for one am not a huge fan of the Four Seasons. Stayed there once - when it first opened - and even though the pool Cabanas were first come first serve (now several hundred $ for the day?) - it's just a big box hotel to me, and at the far end of the strip.
Further IMO - the Bellagio pool is second to none - and love the amazing fountains, good spa, arboreteum, chocolate fountains, Palio coffee shop - even though now - our favorite upscale hotel is The Wynn.
As far as a special - small/boutique hotel in Vegas - don't think that is the market for it - compared to say SF or NYC.
Further IMO - the Bellagio pool is second to none - and love the amazing fountains, good spa, arboreteum, chocolate fountains, Palio coffee shop - even though now - our favorite upscale hotel is The Wynn.
As far as a special - small/boutique hotel in Vegas - don't think that is the market for it - compared to say SF or NYC.
