We're looking to book 8 or so rooms for a mid-week stay (S-TH) in early Aug. Since this is normally a down time for Vegas, we're hoping to get a better than posted rate (vegas.com, expedia, or direct hotel site). I'm looking for advice from someone who has booked a block of rooms and negotiated "A deal." Ideally looking to stay on the strip and at hotel/casino with a decent-to-good pool (i.e. Flamingo). Price range is flexible but would like to keep it at or below $100 a nt. If it helps, we're all gamblers. Thanks for any help!

Call the hotels 1-800 number and ask for "group reservations". They will be able to give you rates for a block of rooms.

I didn't think Vegas had a down time any longer. Prices seem higher than they used to be. It was explained to me by a hotel worker on my last visit that while prices are high for Americans - with the weak dollar, foreign travelers have been picking up the slack from Americans who can't afford the stay.

Calling and asking for group reservations is your best bet. I'm not sure how much of a deal you'll get for only 8 rooms, but it certainly doesn't hurt to ask. Keep in mind that rates posted on the hotel website will already be taking into account that it's a slow period (if it is), and will therefore be considerably lower than during a very busy time. They may or may not be willing to reduce them more. But, as I said, certainly won't hurt to call and ask.

I tried to book 25 rooms and got a rate that was higher than the website rate! When I asked about it, I was told that you essentially pay a penalty for them to lock up the rooms in advance and not let the market loads dictate the rates (Caesars was a tad snooty about this). Maybe a lower tier property will be willing to negotiate but I tried at Caesars, monte Carlo, Bell, and MB. Monte Carlo will at least lock a block at the prevailing web rate, and if that rate goes down, you can call them and typically have the rate re-adjusted to the lower rate as long as you get the right person on the phone.

My 25 rooms didn't get a lick of interest. Good luck, though, maybe things will go better for you.

If you are all gamblers, you should be booking through the casino, you'll get the best rate that way but you'll be expected to gamble. Call the desk and ask for "casino host", they'll ask what games you play and how long each day and give you a corresponding "casino rate". For those that play poker, call the poker room and book through them.

I rather doubt if 8 rooms qualify for a group rate at any of the major hotels. There really is no down time anymore in Vegas either .. perhaps a day or two here and there where rates are lower, but the days of "inexpensive" lodging are gone forever. You might check out Monte Carlo as they occasionally are less then other major hotels. Also Bally's might be. Otherwise, you need to face facts that there are no deals anymore.