Would someone please explain what is the difference between "downtown" and Central Strip"? Thanks. Is downtown not the Las Vegas Blvd?

Downtown Las Vegas, is also called the old downtown. Alot of it is on Fremont Street and is probably (corrections please!), 3 plus miles from Central Strip.

Downtown is North of the Strip, passed some of the less desirable areas of Las Vegas. Freemont Street Experience is part of Downtown Las Vegas.

Generally the "Strip" is divided into 3 sections:

South Strip: Mandalay Bay, Luxor, MGM, etc

Mid Strip: Caesar's, Bally's, Paris, Billagio, etc

North Strip: Wynn, TI, Venetian

Off Strip is generally parallel to the strip but east or west (Rio, Palms, Hard Rock)

The Stratosphere is generally considered the Northern most point of the strip...and interestingly enough, the only strip hotel in Las Vegas (The rest of the strip is technically in Paradise, NV...NOT Las Vegas)

thank you for your input....need to know before I bid on priceline.

I have done priceline for Vegas before. Have your read www.betterbidding.com and www.biddingfortravel.com first? It helps you know how much to bid.

Weekends are priced completley different (and a lot more) than during the week. If my trip spans days during the week and a Fri+Sat, I do two seperate bids. You might be at two places.

I have gotten the 5* Venetian for $120 before and the Westin for $80. The Westin is off the middle of the strip but on Priceline it's considered "strip".

Also look at Hotwire, they have some deals too, and better bidding helps you figure out what the hotels are on Hotwire.

Another thought, I got great rates from individual hotels.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask.

thanks so much beachkomer.....very helpful input.. I know where to look now!

Don't forget to read about the "rebids" if you are looking for a higher level of hotel. Bidding for travel goes into all of that.

Another thought: I have read that the Venetian doesn't release rooms at a low rate until about a week before your dates.

Also, on Priceline you can rebid every 24 hours. SO, keep track of the times and what you bid. If you bid too soon, they will re-set the clock and you can't bid again for another 24 hours. If anyone has had other exeriences, please post. These are my experiences.

We stayed in Maui on Priceline and I had a 5 night stay at the Sheraton, and then did a two night bid and another two night bid: luckily we got the Hyatt both times and didn't have to switch.

It's a great deal, but you have to know what you're doing because it's non-refundable!!

I book airfare first THEN play with hotels and Priceline.

Just curious, when are you going?

thanks beachkomer, will be there on 20/11. When you say the Venetian releases low rates, I gather you mean I would book directly with them?

Hi beachkomer or anyone else, it's my first time bidding on hotwire. I can see a 4 star hotel in central strip for $129 for the dates I am after. But when I tried to work out which of the nine hotels it is, that's where I get stuck! Any clues please?

It's probably Bally. I wouldn't do Hotwire or Priceline yet for a Nov. stay. They will hang on to inventory until just a few weeks before.

I meant the Venetian relases rooms to Priceline if they aren't sold thru their website. This is what I have gathered on those websites that I mentioned. (based on what people report).

thanks again beachkomer....will wait until closer. Guess I am far too eager!

I don't know which hotel you want (Venetian?), but another way to get deals is to go to Venetian's website http://www.venetian.com/
and go to the top right for Email Promotions and sign up. We stayed here a couple weeks ago (didn't use any special rate), but I get emails from them about once a week with special promotional rate deals.