Need Hotel - Best of 3? Excalibur, Circus Circus or Stratosphere

winr_winr_chicken_dinner! · Mar 1, 2009

Out of the three which one would you guys recommend? Sunday, Monday, Tuesday night - Found rates of 81.00, 74.85, and 97.17 including taxes and fees. I don't have a car to use, so I will depend on walking or the deuce. I do have shuttle service to/from the airport though. I'm thinking Excalibur but I have never stayed there. If you guys know something better in a similar price range or a little more that has free Wi-Fi too, that would be great. All 3 of these want that extra $14.00 per day for internet.

Cherry7Up · Mar 1, 2009

Tropicana?

Have you considered the Tropicana? They are right across the street from Excalibur and quite affordable. They also meet any published price (so if you find them cheaper on Orbitz, you can call the hotel and get that rate directly through them too).

winr_winr_chicken_dinner! · Mar 1, 2009

Cherry7Up said:

Hi, thanks Cherry7Up - I didn't consider the Tropicana but I will now. Is it better than the Excalibur? I can get in there for practically the same price.

Mimosine · Mar 1, 2009

they are all dumps! go for the trop.

Last year that had a pretty good funbook that I got two copies of.

rates were affordable, rooms were kinda shabby, but acceptable ($39 mid week I think? free internet) location is convenient. Skybridges to Excalibur and MGM.

circus and stratosphere are both really out of the way from everywhere else if you don't have a car.... IMHO.

all4tris · Mar 1, 2009

I would go to Excalibur. I've stayed there, it's not bad. Have you tried booking at excalibur.com? They're advertising $41/night on their site. I got a midweek rate at Luxor for $47/night in late march! GOOD LUCK!

winr_winr_chicken_dinner! · Mar 1, 2009

Mimosine said:

I like the free internet (didn't know that!) and the skybridge to the MGM. I do plan on putting in some play there. Looks like this will work for me. Thanks Mimosine

all4tris said:

Actually I found the Excalibur for $28.00 per night, but it looks like it will be the Trop since they have free internet, if they price match my Circus Circus quote. I sent an email to their reservations department requesting a price match - we'll see, but I think they will especially during the week in a slow time.

Cherry7Up · Mar 2, 2009

I have stayed at the excalibur and at tropicana (though not at the others you were considering). They are both in a fairy convenient/desirable "neighborhood" of the strip in my view, and of similary "luxury." I prefer the tropicana over excalibur because it seems to cater less to families with kids.

However, I was not aware the tropicana had free Wi-Fi. They do not tout this as a free feature on their website (http://www.tropicanalv.com/amenities_wireless.asp (Archive copy)), but perhaps it is a new/recent addition.

jimmtech · Mar 2, 2009

Priceline

I have had great success with the following:

Find the lowest price you can for the star rating/location you desire - eg: LV strip - (on Orbitz)

Then go to Priceline and submit a "name your own price " for about 25% less than the lowest Orbitz quote for your type hotel

Show up late (after 11 or midnite)

Within the last couple months, this has enabled me to stay in penthouse suites in prime locations twice for extremely low rates- if your arrival is going to be on the weekend or another otherwise busy time, they may be become fully booked, and numerous hotels take a gamble to "overbook" - as priceline is pre-paid they will be forced to accomodate you!

You may get lucky and find yourself with a jacuzzi, bar and a shower with 5 wall jets! (really cool!) for less than you might imagine!

winr_winr_chicken_dinner! · Mar 2, 2009

jimmtech said:

I never thought of that, good way to book it. I guess this makes sense especially if you don't want the room comp'd back to you. I wouldn't do it if you have a way of being comp'd on the room though, as a prepaid room will be a hard comp vs one booked directly can be soft comp'd right?

callipygian · Mar 2, 2009

This may not be a consideration for you, but Excalibur is an MGM-Mirage property, while none of the others are.

FLASH1296 · Mar 2, 2009

The Stratosphere has an EXCELLENT "funbook"
that virtually covers the cost of the room.

I have stayed there mid-week for $30 as recently as 2008.

Rates are DOWN all over town.

Give them a call and ask for a casino rate.

winr_winr_chicken_dinner! · Mar 2, 2009

FLASH1296 said:

Is their funbook available if you don't stay there but you do join their player's club?

winr_winr_chicken_dinner! · Mar 2, 2009

callipygian said:

Since I stayed at the Grand a few weeks ago and played there I have an idea...

Check in the Trop then go over to the Grand, hand them my Club Card and buy in for a few Thousand and start playing and ask for a Host to meet me.

"Hi there. I just enjoyed myself here so much a few weeks ago that I had to come back. I called and spoke to the reservation desk but the girl working just couldn't give me a decent rate on a room. I told her I was a repeat customer and played in the casino but she just couldn't help me out. Oh, I'm staying at the Tropicana. They gave me their Casino Rate and upgraded my room to a Tower Suite at no charge, it's too bad though, I really would have rather stayed here. Is there a convention going on that filled the place up or something that I missed? No, you have plenty rooms available? Huh, well I already paid for the other room, and I don't think I can get a refund on it now. Oh, you guys can put me up in a room at no charge? Wow, that would be great! I guess I could check out over there and move my personal belongings here. I will require a room with a safe please, I'm sure you understand. I should probably stay there tonight and do this tomorrow though. Their Host asked me to send for her before dinner and she would meet me at the table games with a dinner voucher for the Legends restaurant. I've never eaten there before, but she assured me I wouldn't be disappointed. I do enjoy Wolfgang Puck's and Seablue here though. My wife likes to play the High Limit Slots and it's hard to get her off of those machines, but last trip out we ate at the Seablue and she really enjoyed it. Since it's her birthday this month, maybe I should take her back, IF I can get her off the slots across the street. She doesn't like to move around too much once she finds machines she likes. What's that? You could take care of our dinner here also? That would be great! I guess we can come over now then instead of waiting until tomorrow. Yes I do belong to your Player's Club. The Pit Boss has my card. Ok, great I will meet you at the VIP Concierge desk in an hour then and you will have everything ready for us? Thank you very much. I guess I should call you directly next time when we are coming out this way instead of that reservations girl. I appreciate the card, thank you." And then to the dealer, "Color me up please, I guess I will see you later this evening!"

With slow season, beginning of the week, and an economy in recession I think this just might work. If so then I am on my way to being a comp whore! lol

callipygian · Mar 2, 2009

winr_winr_chicken_dinner! said:

I'm not sure that simply buying in for a few thousand is going to impress MGM-Mirage. They told me they expect $100 average bets for 6-8 hours a day in order to qualify for free rooms. Then again, this was at the Bellagio when MGM stock was $80/share, so maybe they've become less stingy since then.

But you've got the general idea. Comps are probably easier to earn at the other places you proposed, but comps at MGM Mirage may be more valuable because the places are generally nicer.

Good luck, and let me know how your plans work out.

FLASH1296 · Mar 2, 2009

Having just played at the MGM Grand I can comment on this issue.

I played a lot with an average bet of almost $150 (they told me)
and so, after two days, I asked to see a host.

They sent over a host who informed me that he could do no more
for me but get me a "casino rate" on a room for my next trip.

Eventually, the heat on my game finally withered and days later
another host was more congenial to me as many hours had accrued.

johndoe · Mar 2, 2009

callipygian said:

That's probably because it was the Bellagio, where they can sell rooms more easily. I found the Grand to be pretty liberal with their room comps, and I didn't play anywhere near that much on my last couple of trips, nor do I have much of a history there.

Guynoire · Mar 3, 2009

3 notes about the stratosphere

1) They advertise on their website if you play 4 hours of $25 a hand minimum they'll comp your room.
http://www.stratospherehotel.com/Casino/Gaming/Table-games

2) Don't sign up sign up for a player's card at the Stratosphere unless you've already done so at Arizona Charlie's, either Decatur or Boulder. They use the same card and if you sign up at the Stratosphere you'll forfeit the sign up promo at Arizona Charlie's which is the best one in town. It's a $100 loss rebate payed in free slot play.

3) Anyone can get the funbook, I think you might need a player's card.

winr_winr_chicken_dinner! · Mar 3, 2009

No Free Wi-Fi at The Tropicana

I just got off the phone with Guest Services at the Tropicana and their Wi-Fi is NOT free to guests but costs $13.99 per 24 hours billed to your credit card and not the hotel and is only available in the Towers and not in the Garden Rooms.

Mimosine · Mar 6, 2009

winr_winr_chicken_dinner! said:

it WAS free last autumn.

callipygian · Mar 7, 2009

Mimosine said:

Maybe they got sick of the extra cleaning they had to do when people surfed porn for free in their rooms.

Need Hotel - Best of 3? Excalibur, Circus Circus or Stratosphere

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