So you’re heading to vegas for a trade show or conference. Maybe the National Association of Broadcasters or the Nightclub and Bar Show? Huzzah! This is another post by guest contributor Nick in a three-part series on how to roll in pleasure with work. We’ve covered how to get into the trade shows and where to eat on the cheap. Now we’ll go over how to get your stay on for cheap:
1. Never pay retail for a Vegas hotel.
Don’t hop on a resort’s website and start plugging in your dates without a full arsenal of promo codes. Las Vegas takes advantage of the casual tourist in every way imaginable, so start out on the inside track with websites like BestofVegas.com.
2. Take full advantage of promo codes.
To get the really good promo codes, you’ll need to register. These hotels and casinos don’t care why you have the discount code, so use them, combine them if possible, and compare them. Oftentimes when you register for a trade show they’ll share “convention pricing” for a handful of hotels and casinos. Throw these in the mix and compare again.
One other resource that may be comparable to booking directly with a hotel is using a booking site like Booking.com, TripAdvisor, Hotels.com
, Expedia
, or Priceline
. This is the best option for non-casino hotel stays. No matter the method, 15 minutes of comparison shopping could save you 80%+ over retail price (so use that extra money for fun things!).
3. Always look at rate calendars.
Sunday—Thursday stays are typically a fraction of the cost of a weekend stay. If the show you’ll be attending spans multiple days, you’ve got flexibility at your disposal to maximize your dollar. Bigger trade shows can disrupt this rule, especially when the hotel is in close proximity to the convention hall, so see the transportation tips and think outside the vicinity.
Using a promo code, most casinos offer a calendar of rates to see a week or a month of prices at a glance. Often the night before the first day of a show, or the last night, is cheaper than days in the middle of the show’s span. Opening day may also maximize your swag.
4. Stay at a casino—whether you want to gamble or not.
As casinos generate their money from gambling, and high-end food/drink and upscale events, typically room stays are a loss for the casino, especially when you use a promo code. As a business person visiting for a convention, you can advantage of this situation, regardless of whether you choose to gamble.
Other than price, you’ll have free parking, easy access to public transportation, quality pool, dining and spa options, and 24-hour entertainment right downstairs. The downside is a smoky, noisy, and sometimes labyrinthian route from parking to check-in desk to room…and the occasional all-nighter in the room across the hall.
5. Know what quality you’re comfortable with.
The casinos run the gamut from world-class 5-star accommodations (i.e.,Wynn, Mandarin Oriental, Palazzo, Vdara) to “clean but that’s about it” (i.e., The Quad, Circus Circus, most of Fremont Street). It’s easy to spend $200-$2,000 a night on a stay, but just as easy to spend $20 a night. Just know what you need.
Do you need to bring a pet along?
Most Caesars/Harrah’s network casinos have dog-friendly rooms for a fee. The best deals for a pet stay is typically the Motel 6 on Tropicana—modern, clean rooms a block from the strip with pricing from $30-80 a night. You can also try La Quinta Inns. There are multiple locations, which offer clean rooms with kitchen amenities. Both allow two dogs for free.
5. Watch the “resort fee”.
All major Vegas casinos now tack on $15-$30 to the total, supposedly to cover the pool, internet, and if you’re lucky a bottle of water. It’s a rip-off, but still makes the total cheaper than most hotel chains. Just keep an eye for it during reservation and checkout.
6. Consider how much time you’ll actually spend in the room.
If you’ll be hitting up the trade show during the day, dinner/drinks, nightlife, late night specials and activities, and maybe the pool the next morning you’ll find that you spend very little time in your room (at least with your eyes open). Due to this fact, bring friends and share the cost, unless you travel the city together it’s likely you may not even cross paths in the room.
Las Vegas is a true 24-hour city. Depending on your fortitude you may be able to go a day or two without even needing a hotel room—just play it safe.
Nick Zynda is a freelance designer with an emphasis on product packaging. His clients have included Tapout, Costco, Tommy’s Chili, Artisan Brand Snacks, The Soy of Life and many small and growing businesses from around the world. He lives in San Diego with his wife, newborn baby, and rat terrier.
