Hotwire Hotel: Tips for Getting a Strip Hotel Room on New Year's

[mykeyhope]

Hi all-

I've used BetterBidding and Priceline while staying in San Francisco many times but never used it for the Las Vegas area.

I'm planning on heading to Las Vegas for New Year's and wanted to know what a competitive rate would be for a room on the Strip.

I received a marketing e-mail for a room at Mandalay Bay for $199 and I'm wondering if I should jump at that price or if I might do better via PRICELINE or HOTWIRE.

Any advice or tips?

Thanks!

[thereuare]

What are the actual date(s) of your stay? Do you only want a 5* hotel or are you willing to accept a lesser star rated property? Would a hotel in the strip zone, but slightly off-strip (such as the Trump or Westin) be acceptable?

Let us know and we'll advise accordingly.

Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases.

[mykeyhope]

I'm looking at Dec. 30 - Jan. 2. I'm open to 4 and 5* hotels and on- or off-strip.

It would be great to learn about the price difference between choices (on vs. off, 4 vs 5*)

And most importantly if $199 is a good rate for that weekend or if I can find better.

[yellowdog]

mykeyhope

Have you gotten the $199 rate confirmed from MB or is this only a mail that says "Rooms starting.."? I took a quick look at the rates and i can't see the $199/night for your dates.

If you're willing to stay slight off the strip is there a 4* on HOTWIRE for your dates for $169 (Casino, Restaurant, Pool, Fitness, Smoke Free, Hi-Speed Internet, Business, Spa, Golf) Best guess would be the Westin Casuarina. But i belive that you can do better on PRICELINE

I also think if you can accept staying at a 4* on the strip can you beat the $199 rate.

If you would like to get help with a bidding strategy so please post your budget/night 4* vs 5* and the zone(s) you're willing to stay in.

Yellowdog.

Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases.

[mykeyhope]

Thanks yellowdog.

I'm on the newsletter list for Mandalay Bay and received a marketing e-mail that they're having a 72-hr sale that ends this evening specifically reducing rates for NYE. Basic 550sq ft rooms are $199 on the 31st. THE Hotel has rooms for $249. I did a preliminary search on the hotel websites and it's a signficant savings off of their normal rate, as you pointed out. It sounds like I could get an even better rate for another hotel if I went the Priceline route though. Sounds like maybe I should put a few bids in to see if I can get a nice hotel and if I can't get a decent rate, I could always go with the $199 rate by 5 pm.

[mykeyhope]

Regarding my budget - I'd pay up to $200, but was hoping to get something less than that, so I guess anything <$200/night would be considered a win by me. If Hotwire rates are at $169, I could probably go even below that for Priceline, right?

I'd appreciate any assistance with a bidding strategy to lock in a good rate for a 4* or 5* hotel near or on the Strip.

I will probably be arriving on the 30th and staying through until Saturday or Sunday of that weekend.

Thanks!

[thereuare]

We'll need to know the actual date(s) you decide upon in order to suggest a strategy for you to follow.

As well, are you willing to pay more for a 5* hotel vs. a 4* hotel OR is your goal the least expensive 4* or better for this stay?

Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases.

[mykeyhope]

Like I mentioned, I'm looking at 12/30 - 1/2 or 1/3.

My goal is the cheapest "nice" lodging option, 4* or better.

I've stayed at the MGM Signature Suites and really liked it there (such a nice spacious room!) but I recognize that options on the cheap will be limited given the high demand for the New Year's Eve timeframe.

[AaronJB]

The Trump is $208.81 on Orbitz.com, and then coupon code FABSAVE10 takes an extra 10% off = $188.01. Orbitz.com also notes a 4PM check-out time for this property, as well.

Orbitz.com also has the Palms for $225.66 - 10% using the FABSAVE10 coupon code.

Please use the site's Orbitz.com link if either of these ideas are of interest.

[thereuare]

We'll need to know the actual date(s) you decide upon in order to suggest a strategy for you to follow.

Like I mentioned, I'm looking at 12/30 - 1/2 or 1/3.

What will be your actual check-out date?

[mykeyhope]

I haven't decided but Saturday 1/2 is more likely.

So it would be 3 nights, from Wed. 12/30 - Sat. 1/2

[AaronJB]

Any thoughts on the Trump deal above?

[bbbb]

Any thoughts on the Trump deal above?

I don't think I would want to stay at the Trump on NYE. It won't be easy getting a cab back to the hotel and I would not walk it. Also if you have never been to Vegas for NYE You might want to stay around your hotel on the big night. The hotels will not let you in after midnight unless you have a room key for their hotel. Also the Strip is not a very safe place to be when every one starts pushing their way out of that mess at 12 am. I am not a small guy and I was a little scare that some one was going to be hurt or killed two years ago. I am not trying to scare any one, just trying to help people avoid some of the mistakes we made.