I love going to Vegas. Even if you don’t want to gamble, there are plenty of things to keep you busy for weeks. So I thought I’d share some info on how to shoot like you’re rich in Vegas…or at least have a good time.
Hotels:
I almost always use Priceline for my hotels and “Name my own price”. You can specify where you want the hotel to be located and what star level. Request and receive a 5 Star Hotel for $100/night. The last time I did this, we stayed at the new Trump International and had a suite with a full kitchen. The bathroom in this thing was the size of a normal hotel room. Pros/Cons: Non-smoking hotel, There is no casino in this hotel. For a cheaper hotel, use Priceline too. Name your budget and walk away with a little better place.
Other Hotels I Recommend: Paris, The Luxor, The Bellagio, The Wynn, The Palms and The Hard Rock Hotel
Play:
The best places to bet are definitely in the city center. Slot machines are more flexible and table minimums are much cheaper. One bright star I have found on the Strip is the Sahara. This is one of the oldest hotels on the strip, so they make up for it with a $3 Blackjack. You can sit down with $100 at a BJ table and unless you hit a losing streak, you can play for hours at $3 a hand. If you have to play slots (me too), make sure you play Max Bet. Yes, your money goes faster, but I can’t tell you how many times a $300 win would have been a $3000 win if you hadn’t been cheapskate.
Food:
Las Vegas is one of those places where you can eat very cheap or first class. For a cheap but amazing meal, go to Lucky 7’s at the Hard Rock Hotel and order the steak special. It’s steak, salad and potato for $7, but it’s NOT on the menu. For another cheap steak dinner, head to Ellis Island for their famous $6.99 deal that includes one of their craft beers. Partying until 6 in the morning? Eat a meal in the middle of the night. After 11 pm, you can find $2-4 breakfast deals at almost every casino. For a more memorable dining experience, try Nobu at the Hard Rock. It will cost you around $100-150 per person because everything is a la carte. But it’s amazing Asian cuisine, and you can’t miss the Kobe beef tenderloin!!!! Another more expensive meal not to be missed is the Gourmet Buffet at the Bellagio. It will set you back around $35 but rest assured this is the BEST buffet on the strip.
Entertainment:
If you have money to spend, I highly recommend ANY of the Cirque Du Soleil shows. I’ve seen KA and O, and they’re both $100 per person. Still want to see a show, but won’t turn around? Go see the Follies Bergere at the Tropicana. It’s the oldest showgirl show in Las Vegas, and you can usually find a deal on tickets for around $30 per person. You can also try the last-minute ticket booth on the strip for special day-of-show deals. Still don’t have enough money for a show? Head to the Rio All-Suites food court, where they put on a Mardi Gras show right there for free. See the acrobats at the Tropicana, see the fountain show at the Bellagio, see the Pirates show at TI, the Lions Show at the MGM, the Tigers at the Mirage, the light show on Freemont Street Experience. Simply walking through each hotel gives you something interesting to do, and you will NOT have time to see everything. There are roller coasters and rides at New York New York, Circus Circus and the Stratosphere. Whatever your budget, there’s plenty to keep you busy.
Night life:
This is where it will be a bargain for you to be a VIP. Make arrangements before you travel with a VIP Host, whether it’s one you find online or through the hotel. NEVER PAY A SERVICE FEE! Tipping once you get there is up to you. Decide in advance where you want to go and reserve a table. You will be required to purchase a bottle of liquor. Prices hover around $300 a bottle. But if you have 4 friends per bottle, your cut drops to about $120, including tip. You are going to pay $10-14 per drink in Vegas and there is nowhere to sit for free. You could also have your own comfy couch, table, all your mixers are included, and make your own drinks right there at your table. In addition, you have security to watch your bag while you dance and your drink. It is definitely worth every penny. And who doesn’t want to party like a rock star when they’re in Vegas?