We'll be spending the first 2-3 nights of our trip to NV and AZ in early October '06 in Las Vegas.

I'm one of those who prefers to plan in advance to get good rates, but I'm getting a bit discouraged at what I'm seeing online at the moment for room rates in some of the better-known hotels -- upwards of $300-400/night. I've stayed in 4-5 star hotels in Europe for half that price, so I'm hoping that these are 'rack rates' that might get lower if I wait awhile to reserve.

Can anyone tell me: are room prices likely to get lower if I wait until closer to the travel date to book? If not, can anyone offer suggestions as to how to get a decent hotel room relatively convenient to the usual LV attractions at a reasonable rate? I'm not expecting Bellagio for $50 a night, nor am I looking for a $100/night room in some mom'n'pop flea-trap 75 miles out of town...

Fritzl

Sign up with each hotel as a frequent guest and while waiting for the e-mails, check the Internet daily.

You may have to wait until 2 months before the trip, but who knows!

October is prime convention season. It's likely the organizations have booked out the hotels in advance for their attendees. If you wait until the last minute the organizations will return any unsold rooms to the hotel who will sell for what they can get - may be high or low depending on demand.

I would make a cancellable reservation you can live with now and then try that the week before the trip. But don;t count on getting any bargains at the larger/better places.

I doubt very much if you will see lower rates in Oct. It's a huge convention month. Some of my friends and myself will be at the Mirage in early Oct. and we are having to pay top dollar for our rooms too. $250-$400+ is pretty "normal" for October I am sorry to say.

I'm in Vegas about 4 times a year and room rates are going higher every year. Yes, there are some "bargain" times but they are fewer and fewer it seems.

You might check the Orleans, it's off strip but they run a shuttle to and from. It gets good reviews on tripadvisor.com

I might add that it would be wise to make a reservation now at whatever hotel you think works for you. You will have to pay a deposit but they are refundable if you find something else. Monitor the rate you got and if it goes down call the hotel immediately and ask for the lower rate. This occasionally happens and whenever I've done it the hotel was happy to oblige. (just don't count on rates going down and you won't be disappointed )

Thanks, everyone. You've all provided very valuable info -- looks like I should start soon to seriously book some beds!

Fritzl

I'll chime in with everyone else - no, you're not booking too early. And if you're interested in going to any of the popular shows - you need to book those ASAP as some of them sell out months in advance.

The Tropicana is probably between $79.00 to $150. depending on when in October and the day of the week. The tower rooms are clean and comfortable. The garden rooms range from nice to awful.

I would also check the MGM, but their rates vary from $125 up.

October is a pricey month in Vegas. My friend ened up off strip last year at Fiesta Rancho (www.station casinos.com). It was still over $100.- with tax on the weekend. Good luck!

http://www.stationcasinos.com/templates/hotel.aspx