Scootoir

We are planning a large family trip to Las Vegas for an anniversary in June. We are thinking of making a hotel reservation that we can cancel then watching for a better deal. Good strategy? When might we see lower rates, in April or May?

happytrailstoyou

The strategy you describe is the one I use.

When might we see lower rates, in April or May?

Impossible to know. Just keep checking. When a lower rate is posted, the hotel will give you the l lower rate if you request it.

HTTY

Scootoir

Thanks HTTY, good idea to just ask for the lower rate.

tomfuller

If you live close enough to an airport that has flights to LV by Allegiant, you can check their package deals. http://www.allegiantair.com/
They have a great variety of hotels and show tickets. You probably can do better shopping Priceline for a rental car if you need one. When you book with Allegiant, they offer transportation to your hotel for less than a taxi.

mike61

There are many hotels that offer discounts for booking 30 days or more in advance. Many also will guarantee that their on-line rates are the cheapest you can get. If you are coming here from California the M Resort is offering 30% off room rates for Cali residents. It's on Las Vegas Blvd but about a 20 minute drive from the heart of the Strip. Beautiful property. Room rates are usually based on supply and demand here. If you happen to try and book for a date when a big convention or major event is in town, the rates are going to be higher especially if you are looking to stay at the hotel that has the convention center such as Mandalay Bay, the Venetian or Palazzo. Something else to consider is trying to get a group rate since it's a large family trip. Also, if you are looking for a place to meet up as a family and do some activities together that's a lot harder to do in Vegas than you think. I've had family reunions here in Vegas so I speak from experience. It also makes a big difference in price depending on whether you need to be on the Strip, near the Strip, or if somewhere local is ok. Do you have kids with you who need to be kept busy? Do you want to go first class or is a clean room with decent amenities and a bargain price ok? Sorry if I sound like I'm making it complicated. Don't worry I've got some good answers for all this. Stay with me. First google las vegas convention calendar and see what conventions are here in June for the dates you want to be here and where its going to be held. If you need to be on the Strip and want inexpensive (cheap) try the Imperial Palace I've stayed there and had a blast.. If you want first class on the strip, Bellagio, Paris, Venetian, Palazzo are amazing. Check for online price guarantee at their website. Check Caesars.com and compare rates of 8 different properties that DO NOT CHARGE A RESORT FEE, Caesars Palace has it all and Bally's, Harrahs and Flamingo are nice properties. If Downtown will suit you the Golden Nugget is outstanding. About half what you'll pay on the Strip with rooms that are just as nice. For cheap Downtown check the newly renovated Plaza or Main Street Station. For the whole family to do stuff together try South Point or the Suncoast both local hotels & casinos. You can hang at the pool, do a big group bingo, etc. If keeping kids busy is on your agenda Circus Circus has cheap rates and free circus acts, a midway, arcade and an indoor amusement park with plenty of rides (not so cheap).To make the research easy go to lasvegasbylocals.com for a complete list of hotels and casinos with links so you can pop from one to the other easily. Oh yeah, check out Fox car rentals and save $$$ (not at the airport but close by).

emalloy

At most of the hotel sites you can pull down a calendar that has the cost of a room printed on each day of every month. The rates are usually higher on weekends and sometimes there will be a convention booked into a hotel that has rates very high for a few days there. In that case rates may be lower at the hotels near by. Avoid times that have big events like NASCAR races etc.

Scootoir

Lots of good advice--thank you! I had not thought about conventions or NASCAR so will research.

Mike, I will take some time and go through your suggestions. I really appreciate the time you took to reply. Our family wants to stay on the strip and there won't be many children along this trip.