don't have room reservations yet for 12/30 and 12/31 in vegas. where should i look for affordable rates on the strip? are there any nice hotels away from the strip? i would consider renting a car.
thanks!!

You're about 5 months too late! Affordable rates will be extememly hard, if not impossible to find. Most hotels are probavly sold out. Also, most of the stip is closed off to cars on New Year's eve. Be prepared to walk for 20 mins ea way to park & walk to the action. In other words, it may be too late. If you are willing to pay through the nose, I believe Mandalay Bay still has availibility. And then there's always Priceline for an off Strip hotel. Try biddingfortravel.com

Rio Suites right behind Caesars,not crowded because it costs the tourist cab fare,and the rooms aren't bad,all suites.They run a shuttle to the strip.Also Monte Carlo on the strip may be what you're looking for.

Rio is sold out & Monte Carlo is 335/nt. Pickins will be slim!

I checked New UYears today for Vegas and everything is sold out. Not even the dump hotels are available.