Will be in Vegas on the way cross-country from Maine to LA for one night the week of June 27. Two 50-something women. Just want to walk down the strip, see the lights, maybe see a show. Last time I was in Vegas was '83, not too much has changed, right? (!) Not gamblers but just wanting to take in the atmosphere for an evening. Expedia, etc. show really cheap rates (less than $100) for some of the 'name' hotels on the strip. Can they be trusted? We don't need elegance, but if we can experience a great hotel for that price all the better. Advice?
Also, any show or restaurant advice? Sorry, we're on a limited budget and won't be able to dress up, etc.

Thanks! Fodorites are always helpful and right!

I am about to head over to Vegas and got a great deal at Trump Towers through booking.com website. The rate was fairly good for a city view room and we also have a late 4pm check out. The hotel is apparently about a 10 minute walk to the main strip which we don't mind and also doesn't have a casino in it. Looks amazing though - good luck finding some where!

Mon Ami Gabi has good affordable food, and it's right across from the beautiful Bellagio fountains. Jersey Boys is a good show.

Summer weeknights are very inexpensive in Las Vegas but Friday and Saturday nights will double. If you want center strip, then Bellagio, Caesars, Paris, Mirage, Planet Hollywood, and Ballys are all fine (in that order).

Some of those hotels have 48 or 72 hour cancellation notices, however, so if you're not sure how far you'll be driving each day, you might want to hold off on booking something. Wait until the night before to book, or actually on summer weeknights you can wait until day of arrival as long as your heart isn't set on a particular hotel. Just have something in mind and then phone them up, or have a friend back home book it for you online.

Thanks for your replies. Do you think 'same day' rates if I call on the way would be approx. the same as Expedia, etc.?

If you want to get a "same-day" rate, I'd recommend bidding on Priceline. Just know what part of the Strip you want to stay on, and do some homework on Biddingfortravel.com to find out the going rates. I don't know if you can get good deals directly with the hotels or not ... I suspect so if there are rooms available. But if you make a reservation a couple of days in advance using an online service, you might get a better rate.

Sorry ... I pressed "Submit" too soon. I meant to add that you should do some research NOW to find out the going rate on your approximate day of arrival ... at least that week ... to make sure there's no convention or big event going on the night you expect to arrive. If you find that rates are really high on a particular night, it may mean there's something going on, and you might want to adjust your schedule accordingly.

Thanks again. Using my Cap One rewards account I'm getting low prices or 15,000 miles that I don't think I can beat. Excalibur=$36, Luxor=$70, Hard Rock=$70, New York=$73,Falmingo=$83, Golden Nugget=$49, Circus Circus=$31. I know there are fees on some of these, but it still seems crazy.

No, this is not crazy. Las Vegas now has far too many rooms for the number of visitors, so prices are way down (but fees and ancillary charges are way up and do tend to balance things out).

No, those are not crazy rates at all for weekdays in LV. Avoid Circus Circus and probably Excalibur. Basic rooms at the Flamingo are getting very tired and worn out as well, but $83 must be for their newly-renovated rooms. I've seen the basic rooms at closer to $39 this summer. Hard Rock and Golden Nugget are not on the strip.

So I just got TripAdvisor's email with the 10 best pools, and the one at the Golden Nugget with the shark tank is on the list. Since we'll only be in Vegas one night, does it make sense to just stay there and do the Fremont Experience thing? Too many choices! Keep in mind that I haven't been to Vegas since '83 so all the hotels are new to me.

No, don't stay downtown. If you want to be in LV and only have one night, spend it on the Strip. If you want a cheap hotel with a great pool, stay at the Flamingo (in a renovated room). That puts you mid-Strip within easy striking distance of many of the major casinos.

Thanks! That helps narrow me down.

Cindyj -- Check out Bill's Gamblin Hall and Casino....absolutely the best location on the strip, reasonable rates, and easy easy in/out parking. We stay there often.

Bill's is next to the Flamingo and I believe that guests can use the pool at the Flamingo (at least they used to be able to). If you can get a good rate, that's worth checking into. As a hotel, I'm not that fond of the Flamingo, but I love the pool.

I agree with the others, don't stay downtown, go for a mid-strip location.

If you want inexpensive try Monte Carlo - http://www.vegashotelspecial.com/ind...l/monte-carlo/

Or Bally's - http://www.vegashotelspecial.com/ind...pecial/ballys/

Both are fairly inexpensive, have great locations and are good hotels. Nothing fancy, but good for exploring the Strip. Monte Carlo does have a $16.80 a day resort fee (you do get free internet, so that may make it worthwhile) and Bally's does not have a resort fee.