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Five hidden hotel values in Las Vegas
Finding a hotel in Las Vegas can be overwhelming. There are countless options to choose from, both on and off the Strip; some feature different types of accommodations within one location; some may be local brands you've never heard of. It's enough to cause all-out anxiety before you even hit the craps table!
Stress no more: Here are five hidden hotel values in Las Vegas. More than just sensibly priced, these hotels also offer a little something extra—be it a great location, distinctive room features, or value-added perks included in the room rate. To appeal to a broad spectrum of travelers, I've included hotels both close to the action (e.g., on or just off the Strip) and a little ways removed. Take a look at my five picks, and be sure to suggest your own Vegas hotel favorites in the comments section below.
Bill's Gamblin' Hall & Saloon
Many of the entertainment, gaming, and hotel conglomerates on the Strip are known for their gargantuan size—and prices to match. Not so with Bill's Gamblin' Hall & Saloon, an unassuming spot right at the heart of the Strip. Guest rooms have 42-inch plasma television sets; some also boast a view of the Strip. The property has a casino, a steakhouse, and a 24-hour restaurant, as well as a nightclub and a lounge. Additionally, all guests have access to the four pools, two hot tubs, and poolside amenities at the Flamingo, located next door, for no extra charge. Rates in autumn start at $60 for weeknights and $120 for weekend stays, based on double occupancy.
Desert Rose Resort
The Desert Rose Resort is a non-casino resort hotel, located a block and a half off the Strip. Ideal for travelers who want to be near the action but not stay in a casino itself, the Desert Rose offers suite-style accommodations with fully equipped kitchens, living rooms with sofa beds, cable television, high-speed Internet access, and balconies or patios. Complimentary breakfast is available each day, and a manager's reception with drinks and refreshments is offered on weeknights. Additionally, the hotel has a pool, a hot tub, a fitness center, and a barbecue area. Prices for autumn stays start at $105 for weeknights and $150 for weekends, based on double occupancy. Discounts are available for Arizona, California, and Nevada residents; government employees; UNLV alumni; and members of the military. The resort also offers multiple savings packages, ranging from free nights with minimum-night stays, pre-payment discounts, and more.
Suncoast Hotel & Casino
Want easy access to the action, but also be a bit removed from all the hustle and bustle? If so, consider the Suncoast Hotel & Casino, about 20 minutes away from the Strip. The hotel has both standard guest rooms and suite-style accommodations, each with coffee makers and refrigerators, cable television, and high-speed Internet access. There is also a pool, a 24-hour fitness center, several on-site restaurants, a showroom for live entertainment, a salon, and a video arcade. Additionally, Suncoast has a casino with over 2,000 slot machines, a bingo hall, and more than 30 table games. Autumn room rates range from $39 to $119 per night, based on double occupancy. Special offers, including golf stay-and-play packages, seasonal savings, and dining getaways, are available.
The Carriage House
It may not look like the traditional style of building it's named for, but the atmosphere at The Carriage House seeks to provide a non-gaming respite from the rest of the Vegas craziness. Located one block off the Strip, it has 155 suite-style guest rooms, each with a fully equipped kitchenette, high-speed Internet access, MP3 clock radios, and DVD/VHS players. The property has an outdoor heated pool, a whirlpool, tennis and basketball court, a fitness center, a business center, and a convenience store. Complimentary parking is available to all hotel guests. Per-night prices in fall start at $79 for weekdays and $94 for weekends, based on double occupancy; discounts are available for AAA and AARP members.
Element Summerlin
Perhaps you're heading to Vegas not just for gambling, but also for hiking in nearby Red Rock Canyon. If so, the Element Las Vegas Summerlin may be a good home base, as it's located close to the natural attractions of the region, and is also about 15 minutes away from downtown and the Strip. The eco-friendly hotel features guest rooms with kitchenettes, high-speed Internet access, high-definition flat-screen televisions, and DVD players. Complimentary breakfast is available daily; there's also an evening manager's reception three times a week. The hotel also has a pool and a fitness center. Room rates start at $124 per night for weekend stays and $145 per night for weekdays, based on double occupancy. At publication time, a host of seasonal specials were available, including an offer where if you stay one night, you'll get the second for 50% off.
Great Vegas Deals For All
There's some great deals to be had right now in America's Playground (Las Vegas) with some high end hotels practically giving rooms away you'd be smart to take a look at las vegas for your spring getaway. Here's a few of the best deals to be had right now.
Stay at the Mandalay Bay Hotel for $66 or at THEHotel for $86 - book now and receive One Fly Back Free Voucher* for your next visit! Book by Sept. 9
Stay at The New Luxor Hotel for $36 per night, book by May.12 and recieve free upgrades
Check out the NewYork NewYork Hotel - Book NOW and receive:
Rates from $42
2 Free Drinks
2-for-1 Breakfast at Il Fornaio
2-for-1 Roller Coaster
25% off Spa Services
2-for-$79 Tickets to ZumanityHow about a Luxury Suite Package at The Venetian from $109 - You Must Book by Friday,May 7
- Luxury Suite at The Venetian or The Palazzo
- 40% off tickets to Blue Man Group
- $30 off a purchase of $60 or more at Dos Caminos
- 20% off your food bill at Lagasse's Stadium
- $50 pocketcasino gaming credit
- 2-for-1 tickets at Madame Tussauds
- $25 in Grazie Slot Credits
There's also great deals to be had at The Monte Carlo Hotel with rates from $39 and suites from $77. You will also receive these great inclusions
*two for one Buffet
*two for one appetizer at d.vino or Dragon Noodle
*two for one drinks at Brandexpires May 25 so Book NOW
There's much more deals to be had in sincity so check back often as we'll post them as we hear about them.
10 Hottest Hotel Pools
Park Hyatt TokyoPark Hyatt
Why It's Cool: Sure, Bill Murray took a dip here in Lost in Translation, but it's the view from this sleek, 47th-floor swimming pool that's truly remarkable: Floor-to-ceiling windows frame jaw-dropping vistas of Tokyo, and even venerable Mount Fuji, while the steel-and-glass pyramid-shaped ceiling floods the pool with natural light. The 65-foot-long, four-lane pool is striking at night, too, when the city's skyscrapers light up.
San Alfonso del Mar, Algarrobo, ChileWhy It's Cool: You can take small sailboats out on this saltwater pool that Guinness World Records calls the largest in the world. At two thirds of a mile in length, the massive stretch of water has room for several man-made sand beaches. For nighttime swimming, head to the temperature-controlled beach inside the pool's centrally located glass pyramid—the water and the sand are heated.
Hotel Caruso Belvedere, Ravello, ItalyHotel Caruso Belvedere
Why It's Cool: The Hotel Caruso Belvedere is set at the highest point in the sun-splashed Amalfi Coast town of Ravello, so the open-air infinity pool offers unobstructed, panoramic views of one of the world's most dramatic coastlines—and the sea beyond. It doesn't hurt that the pool itself is flanked by 11th-century Roman ruins.
Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur, IndiaUmaid Bhawan Palace
Why It's Cool: In a massive, 347-room palace overlooking the Blue City of Jodhpur in the Indian state of Rajasthan, this serene, temperature-controlled swimming basin takes advantage of natural candlelight—with rose petals sometimes strewn on the surface. The hotel is run by the Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces, which shares the property with the palace's owner, the Maharaja of Jodhpur—who has been known to swim laps with the guests from time to time.
Why It's Cool: In a city loaded with cool pools, the recently opened pool at the Viceroy stands out. The two-acre pool deck—with Japanese blueberry trees and swanky chaise lounges and beds—features three types of pools: an 80-person hot tub, a wading pool, and a football-field-size swimming pool. Perhaps coolest of all, it's 15 floors above the street, with in-the-middle-of-it-all views of downtown Miami and glimpses of Biscayne Bay in the distance.
InterContinental
Why It's Cool: Set on the third floor of the InterContinental Hong Kong, the hotel's three pools—two hot and one cold, but all with underwater music piped in—give the almost unnerving illusion that you're floating in Victoria Harbor. After your swim, park yourself in one of the poolside cabanas and gaze out at Hong Kong's skyline.
Golden Nugget, Las VegasGolden Nugget
Why It's Cool: You'll swim with five species of sharks (16 sharks in all) at the Nugget's $30 million pool complex. The Tank, as it's called, houses a three-story waterslide, waterfalls, and the pool's pièce de resistance, the 200,000-gallon shark tank. You're in more danger at the Golden Nugget's roulette wheel: The sharks, stingrays, massive Queensland grouper, and silvery jack crevalle are separated from the swimming pool by a four-inch clear acrylic wall.
Quincy Hotel
Why It's Cool: This brand-new, glass-enclosed pool is cantilevered from the 12th floor of the futuristic-looking Quincy Hotel, suspending swimmers high above the passing cars and pedestrians at street level. At night, special lighting effects make the pool appear to glow. Bask and swim for a bit, then retire to one of the rattan chairs at poolside for a nap.
Al Bustan Palace InterContinental Muscat, Muttrah, OmanAl Bustan Palace InterContinental Muscat
Muttrah, Oman
Why It's Cool: After an extensive 18-month renovation, this InterContinental property in Oman recently reopened with a major pool upgrade—which the roving pool butlers (you heard us) are more than happy to tell you about, after refreshing your rose-scented spritzer. The spacious, 164-foot-long infinity pool is flanked by shady, palm-studded islands. The water is temperature controlled, so it's always an oasis-like 84 degrees.
Anantara Koh Samui Resort & Spa, Koh Samui, ThailandAnantara Koh Samui Resort & Spa
Why It's Cool: You look straight out into the Gulf of Thailand from the 98-foot-long infinity pool at this stylish resort on the island of Samui, Thailand. If the views aren't soothing enough, order a stiff drink at the swim-up bar and laugh it off with the comical, spitting monkey statues along the pool's perimeter.
Take a flying leap off this Vegas casino
The Strip has a new attraction for highflyers.SkyJump Las Vegas, promoted as the world's highest controlled free fall, plunges the fearless 830 feet from the 108th floor of the Stratosphere Hotel & Casino at speeds of 40 mph. It officially opens Tuesday.
The thrill ride, which costs $99.99 (800-998-6937, skyjumplasvegas.com), is aiming for the Guinness World Record for "highest commercial decelerator descent" facility, currently held by Sky Jump at Macau Tower Convention and Entertainment Center. The Macau drop is 764.4 feet, Guinness says. SkyJump Las Vegas will be evaluated by Guinness to see if it deserves the crown.
Meanwhile, those who prefer more grounded pleasures — poolside with drink in hand — can drop into the giant REHAB party at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas. The Sunday institution opens for a seventh season this weekend with a bash scheduled to include a performance by Wyclef Jean.
Thousands of partygoers are expected to swarm a 3-acre pool complex that includes stretches of sandy beach, palm trees, cabanas and swim-up blackjack. REHAB cover charges vary, but start at $50 this Sunday for men, $20 for women. Information: hardrockhotel.com or 702-693-5555.
#Vegas Rolls Dice on City Center
When it comes to celebrating the holidays, images of Las Vegas don't exactly come to mind. But this season, Sin City is hoping to boost its fortunes with the opening of the new City Center -- an $8.5 billion dollar gamble.
City Center officially opens Wednesday, unwrapping its luxury spas, casino and new Elvis Presley tribute. While it's a huge risk, many are hoping City Center is a gift that will keep on giving -- there hasn't been a lot to cheer about this yearin Vegas, which has been hit hard by the recession. Still, Donny Osmond told CBS News, "Christmas in Vegas is so different than any other place. It's not about cuddling up next to the fireplace--this is about a neon party land." But Vegas gifts can't be found anywhere else. Cirque de Soleil is opening "Viva Elvis" -- with 75 acrobats, a five-story stage, and rare home movies. "Viva Elvis" opens in the new Aria Hotel, part of the $8.5 billion City Center. Its 67 acres include custom art, high-tech suites and high-end shopping. Eva Longoria Parker just opened her Beso Restaurant at City Center. Bill McBeath, chief operating officer of Aria, gave "Early Show" national news correspondent Hattie Kauffman an exclusive look inside the Aria, including the high-ceiling coffee shop and poker room. The City Center has set the bar pretty high this holiday season, Kauffman said, but added visitors shouldn't count out the rest of the Vegas strip. Donny and Marie Osmond have added holiday music to their show. Marie, a mother-of-eight, even moved her family to Las Vegas. According to Marie, "You can walk to see a great show, you can walk to a great restaurant. You can walk and see some of the best shopping in the world. You can have it all right here." Donny added, "If you want an entertaining Christmas, this is the place to be." At the Bellagio, thousands have discovered this winter wonderland in the desert. The Four Seasons Gingerbread Village features an edible carousel, and a quarter million cranberries fill the Palazzo's pool. And do you MISS the cold? Mandalay Bay offers faux furs and cold drinks inside the minus five degree ice lounge -- and snow falls in the Qua Spa at Caesar's Palace. Cher is also strutting her stuff at Caesar's Palace where Jerry Seinfeld will make a rare appearance. Also, Garth Brooks is out of retirement playing the Wynn. John Mayer will also appear at The Hard Rock Café, and the Black Eyed Peas will ring in the New Year in Vegas. Kauffman added on the broadcast this holiday season is serious business for Las Vegas. City Center alone, she said, has opened up 12,000 new jobs for a city hit hard by the recession.Life at the top: Luxury vacations for less
-- There's a name for what ails you, and it's called "luxury guilt." Even if you can afford to travel, you reason, isn't it wrong to indulge when times are so tough? Well, if you haven't been swayed by the open-your-wallet, shorten-the-recession argument, how about this one: You may be missing a rare chance to visit some of the finest hotels on the planet at prices you aren't likely to see over the next decade. The deals now are better than in the aftermath of the Asian economic crisis, 9/11, or SARS, says Jan Freitag, vice president of Smith Travel Research, making travel to just about any place in the world from 30% to 50% more affordable than last year. One note: If you don't find these rates on the hotel website, call to book.
Beaching it
The general rule here is, go as far as your frequent-flier miles will take you. For example: The Four Seasons Resort Hualalai on the Big Island of Hawaii, where Julia Roberts vacations with her family, is giving $1,000 resort credits good for anything on the property (including room rates) for those staying at least four nights. At the Four Seasons Maui, rooms are starting at a (relatively) affordable $395 per night and include extras like outrigger-canoe excursions and introductory scuba clinics. In Bora Bora, at the St. Regis, an entry-level room used to be $1,300 per night, but now every second night is half price. Bonus: You're near the lagoon James Michener once called the "most beautiful in the world." For groups, check out the "second bungalow for half price" package.One other romantic spot worth considering: Sandy Lane in Barbados, where Aristotle Onassis once rowed in from his yacht to frolic alongside Princess Margaret and Frank Sinatra. The resort was completely renovated in 2008 and has numerous packages, with rates ranging from a few hundred to thousands of dollars off typical prices.
City escapesRitz spokeswoman Vivian Deuschl says the Ritz has never before offered savings like the ones this summer. Particularly appealing: the Ritz-Carlton Peace of Mind package available at all the Ritz U.S. and Caribbean hotels as well as those in Dublin, Lisbon, Marbella, and Egypt. You get one free night for a three-night stay, two for five nights, and three for seven. Also included: breakfast, kids' programs, valet parking, and waived resort fees. The savings can be anywhere from the low hundreds to the low thousands.
For something more exotic, the Peninsula chain will give you a complimentary second night in a suite at all its hotels around the world (except Beverly Hills). And plain old rate cuts mean that at the newly refurbished Peninsula in Beijing, just steps from Tiananmen Square, a room costs just $431 for two nights.
Deals abound in other European cities: In Venice, for example, at the spectacular Hotel Gritti Palace built for the Doge in 1525, or at the Hotel Bristol in Vienna, you'll get a free fourth night, resulting in a minimum $400 savings (other members of Starwood's Luxury collection have similarly dramatic deals). In London, Claridge's is debuting a Timeless Weekend summer package; rooms that are regularly $738 drop to $375 Friday through Sunday, including breakfast.
Another excellent deal on the higher end is the luxe Mandarin Oriental properties: When you book a suite at any Mandarin in the world for three nights, you get one night free, a free breakfast, and a spa credit that varies by hotel.
Family affairsFinally, if you're traveling with kids, you'll need plenty of space -- and plenty to do. At the famed Connaught in London, a family package includes two double rooms for the price of one (savings of at least $866 per night). Check out the mahogany staircase: Ralph Lauren reportedly loved it so much he built an exact replica in his New York City flagship. For those interested in some history closer to home, at the St. Regis in Washington, D.C., where President Calvin Coolidge cut the ribbon for the hotel's 1926 opening, rooms typically run $845 per night. This summer they are $495, including continental breakfast, a $50 food credit, and kids' DVDs.
Perhaps the most intriguing deal of all is in the Cayman Islands, where one child per paying adult flies free from any Cayman Airways gateway city -- Miami, New York, or Tampa. Nearly every resort, including the Ritz-Carlton and the Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort, has a five-nights-for-four option, where kids stay free in rooms with adults.
A final option: heading for spots that are out of season. At Little Nell, the ideally situated resort at the base of Aspen, summer rates typically begin at $530; this summer you can choose from an adjoining room for 50% off or a fourth night for the price of three. In India, the Taj Hotels company has priced four nights at one of three spectacular Taj Palace properties and two nights at a Taj hotel in either Mumbai or Delhi -- with breakfast, dinner, and discounts on spa -- for $2,190 per person based on double occupancy. Given that a single night at a Taj Palace typically runs around $800, if you can brave the high temperatures, those may be the lowest prices you'll see for some time.
A private suite at the St. Regis in Bora Bora . Deal-hunting etiquette Feeling bold? You may be able to wangle an even better deal than anything you see advertised if you follow these rules. Plan ahead. Before you book, call the hotel and ask for the manager's or, better yet, the sales director's e-mail or phone. Then see if he or she can beat other prices you've found. Ask for extras. If the manager won't budge on price, request a spa credit, meal credit, or greens fees, advises Alan Fuerstman, CEO of Montage resorts. Get upgraded. The place to ask for an upgrade is at the front desk. Chitchat for a few minutes with the personnel. Ask how long they've been at the hotel. They've heard it all, and the nicer you are to them, the nicer they'll be to you. After you've handed over your credit card, ask, Is the hotel full, or is there any chance for an upgrade? If it's a special occasion (birthday, anniversary, first vacation without the kids, etc.), say so. Tip well. If you plan to return, be generous. A handwritten note to the manager can also make a big impression.
