Gone are the days of the $3.99 prime rib dinner, $5.99 buffet and getting that 2:00 am breakfast “comp” from your friendly pit boss. Today’s Las Vegas can be expensive!
But you can still travel to Las Vegas well for less with a bit of research and planning. We’ll show you how!
Today’s Las Vegas is a food lover’s dream destination with what seems like every celebrity chef with at least one restaurant. These include Emeril Lagasse, Wolfgang Puck, Gordon Ramsay, Bobby Flay, Hubert Keller, Joël Robuchon, Thomas Keller, Giada De Laurentiis, and Julian SerranoIt to name just a few. It is luxury at its best for the high rollers and those who want to be at Caesars Palace, Bellagio, Wynn, Aria, and more. And the entertainment is offered literally from A to Z (Absinthe to Zumanity), and everything in between and for all tastes.
We are going to explore the following
- Lodging
- Dining and Drinks
- Shows and Entertainment
Lodging in Las Vegas Well for Less
There is a hotel room in Las Vegas for any taste and any budget. Las Vegas over 152,000 hotel rooms making it the city with the most hotel rooms in the world, narrowly beating out Orlando’s 150,000 rooms. It is a bit daunting to decide on where to book a room and prices online are deceiving . All of the “major” casino hotels charge a “resort fee”. The cost is usually between $30- $45 per room per night on top of the rate for the room booked. Plus, room rates change daily. Events scheduled in the city on any given night, the season, day of the week etc. have a direct impact on daily rates.
Narrow your Search
The easiest way to Enjoy Las Vegas Well for Less it to search a few of the hotels or booking sites and look for lower priced days that work for your schedule. Knowing the location of the hotel can be important. During a visit in December of 2017 we found that the rates our first choice to be $150 per night more than our second choice. This was due to an event taking place next door to our first choice hotel. Our second choice hotel was at the opposite end of the Strip, As it was further from the event taking place, the prices were less affected by the event. However, we checked a different set of dates and were able to book our first choice.
Find your Deal
There is no reason you can’t stay in a wonderful resort for less now that you know to check both multiple locations and / or have flexible dates when looking fora great deal. A great resource for starting your search would be Vegas.com/resorts Once you have narrowed down to a couple of properties and dates we would recommend searching additional online search resources including directly with the desired properties. The often have “lowest price guarantees”.
Dining in Las Vegas Well for Less
Nobody visiting Las Vegas should say they couldn’t find something to eat. You can dine in luxury and pay for it. But for us, it seems the prices are way over the top for what we consider to be casual dining. Walk up counter services in food courts also seems to be expensive. But this doesn’t have to be the case.
Casual Dining
One outstanding option, and it the main reason we have returned 3 times, are the food options at NewYork-NewYork Resort. The Village Street Eateries in a replica a New York City’s Greenwich Village offers Sirrico’s New York pizza, famous neighborhood sandwiches at Greenberg’s Deli, fish, chips, and more at Fulton’s Fish Frye, fresh baked pastries at the Village Bakery and the best hot dogs on the strip at Times Square to Go.
Special Deals
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Starting at 8 a.m. and running until noon chow down on New York-New York’s Il Fornaio Italian 2 for 1 deal. You won’t find it advertised, all you had to do is tell your server before ordering you would like the 2 for 1 special. We took advantage of this special in August 2018.
In the mood for Asian fare? Right next to Il Fornaio you will find Chin-Chin. A free appetizer is offered for sitting at the counter. We took advantage of this in December 2017, April 2018, and most recently in August 2018. Ask the host for this special and to be seated at the counter.
Buffet of Buffets
For those coming to Las Vegas with a voracious appetite, there are the endless buffets. Check out the 24 hour Vegas Buffet pass called the Buffet of Buffets Pass. This pass can be purchased and used at Flamingo, Caesars, Harrah’s Planet Hollywood, Bally’s, Paris, & Rio. It is good for 24 hours from time of purchase. We did this once a few years ago and managed to get 6 meals in during the 24 hours. Breakfast, Lunch, Late Lunch, Dinner, Midnight Snack and Breakfast again. Current information on this pass is posted by Caesars Entertainment.
Old School Deals
Old time Las Vegas dining deals are still out there. Head downtown to Fremont street and find $0.99 shrimp cocktails, $8.99 prime rib dinners, or $11.99 steak and lobster dinners at Sam Boyd’s Fremont Casino. Or enjoy Ham Steak and Eggs for only $8.99 at Binons Casino.
Shows and Entertainment
In Las Vegas, there are shows and entertainment for all ages and tastes. Traveling with children, be sure to check the show rating before purchasing your tickets. We have found Vegas.com to be an excellent source of discount show tickets. The down side is you purchase by “section” or “type” such as lower right mezzanine. Seats are guaranteed to be together. Tickets can be picked up at the show box office anytime after purchase up to showtime. Show prices from the box office are usually the most expensive but may be the only option. When we visited in April 2018 we really wanted to see Elton John. We couldn’t find any discount tickets but were able to pick up 6 seats through the box office web site.
Diner Shows
An excellent way to experience Las Vegas Well for Less are dinner shows. Some dinner’s are part of the show such as Excalibur’s Tournament of Kings, Tony and Tina’s Wedding, and Marriage can be Murder. Other shows package a dinner with a show ticket that can result in a total price less than if purchased separately. Using a ticket discounter will yield even greater savings.
Summary
You can visit and enjoy the hotels, dining, and entertainment of Las Vegas Well for Less without too much effort. But as always, do you research as you plan your trip. It will ensure you have a bit extra in your pocket when you try your luck at the tables or slots.
Safe Travels
Ken and Karen
