Going to Vegas next year, need opinions

[Canuckian]

As a person who usually takes the stay-cation over vacations, I find myself yearning to get out and give it a go.  In February of next year I'll have a little bit of money to play with and, in a fit of un-Canuckian like behaviour, I decided to take a trip to Vegas instead of doing the sensible thing of re-investing it.

Air fare from Vancouver will take up a quarter of my budget, so now I'm looking at places to stay.  At first I tried one of those package deals to stay at one of the Hotel-Casino Resorts (tm) but it was waaay too much money (over half my budget), so I put on my Internet Savvy hat and browsed around.  So far I have two really good options and one iffy. 

There are two Best Western locations that are reasonably priced, the more expensive of the two being within walking distance of The Strip (and only $50 more expensive), and the cheaper one being quite a ways away but within transit distance.  But the one that intrigues me is a place called America's Best Value Inn, which is even closer to The Strip than the closer of the BWs and it's also reasonably priced.  The fact that it's directly across the street from the Hooter's casino is purely coincidental  O:)

So what's the low-down on this America's Best Value Inn?  I've never heard of this place and am looking for opinions.  Also looking for ideas of other places to check out while I'm there.  I've found an indoor sky-diving place that has piqued my interest, but what else is there?

[Caeli]

If you're going with friends or can arrange to have State-side friends come visit Vegas while you're there, I highly suggest going clubbing, if that's your kind of thing. Even if it isn't your kind of thing, dancing with your friends is a lot of fun. The point isn't to get drunk or to hook up, it's mostly to go to an energetic environment and have a blast.

You might also want to hit some musicals or shows in Vegas while you're there. I don't know what's playing now, but a quick Google search turned up this link. I don't know how often the shows change throughout the year, but they're usually shown at Hotels on the strip, as well as some other locations. Depends on what you enjoy, but I've heard only fantasmic things about The Lion King. 8)

I wasn't sure which street your America's Best Value Inn was on, but a Yelp! search turns up some reviews that you could use to browse through and see if it's to your taste. I haven't ever stayed there myself, so I can't help you there.

Good luck with your searching. :D

[RubySlippers]

Casinos are FAR apart on the strip right next to one could be two miles to walk to a BIG casino just to thefront door. If its summer the heat and sun is crippling.

I'd look for a package hotel, some gaming comps and airfare you can save money.

[Oniya]

'Right next to', according to Google maps (I searched Hooter's Casino Vegas, and then 'search nearby' for 'hotels') is about 200 meters, give or take a few.  Reviews are all over the place (from 1 to 4 stars).  It looks like you might be getting what you pay for, but the location might make up for that.

[Canuckian]

'Right next to', according to Google maps (I searched Hooter's Casino Vegas, and then 'search nearby' for 'hotels') is about 200 meters, give or take a few.  Reviews are all over the place (from 1 to 4 stars).  It looks like you might be getting what you pay for, but the location might make up for that.

Yeah, that's what I figured I would be getting.  I'm not adverse to walking quite a bit (more walking means less gambling  ;D) but the location seems to be the best of the bunch.  The Best Western I was looking at is close to the monorail though...

[Dark Rhain]

HI!!

Ive been to Vegas twice and before that I was a travel agent !

Let me give you a little tip

The price of a night in ANY given veags hotel can shift DRAMATICALLY from one night to the next, depending on if there is a big convention in town or a fight in one of the casinos. The last time I went I stayed at the Hard rock Hotel and the room I was in was normally a 129 anight and I got it for 69 the next night the SAME room was gunna be 264 Because of a title bout going on.

as far as Best westerns and americas best DONT do that..the MAIN selling point of Vegas is fantasy STAY someplace memorable even if that means one less night.

If your dates are flexible even one night one way or the other it can make a HUGE difference in price!!
go mid week and THAT will save you tons

and book Directly with a hotel it WILL save you money.

I just looked for instance if you go stay at the Luxor the last week in feb its 80 anight mid week, but just a week later its down to 65! a night, just change you dates range in upper right hand corner!
https://reservations.mgmmirage.com/bookingengine.aspx?host=hotel&pid=LUX&show=rates&__utma=1.1254964869.1285098779.1285098779.1285098779.1&__utmb=1.3.10.1285098779&__utmc=1&__utmx=-&__utmz=1.1285098779.1.1.utmcsr%3d(direct)%7cutmccn%3d(direct)%7cutmcmd%3d(none)&__utmv=-&__utmk=43807653

I would pick either the Luxor or the Excalibur  for the tropicana ALL are at or near four corners and ON the strip I love Veags I cant wait to go again...hope this helps!!

[Callie Del Noire]

I'm more curious about the cost of living myself, since I just got a NICE job offer out that way that might pan out in 4 to 8 months.

[Oniya]

Keep in mind that a good portion of Vegas is not the Strip, and it's only a short drive before you hit desert.  The further from the Strip you are, I imagine the less the cost of living is.

[Callie Del Noire]

Keep in mind that a good portion of Vegas is not the Strip, and it's only a short drive before you hit desert.  The further from the Strip you are, I imagine the less the cost of living is.

Considering my prospective job's office is like six blocks from the North Vegas City limits (and my work space is MILES away) I don't think i'll have to worry about being near the strip.

[Dark Rhain]

as far as COL one of the agents I used to work with moved out there BECAUSE the standard of living there is SO good...the schools the streets are all funded by tourist dollars and the taxes too are mostly paid by the visitors

[Inkidu]

Don't seriously try to win money on roulette. It's a fool's game. :)
Oh, and know house rules.