The secret to visiting Vegas without losing your shirt
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It’s no secret that Vegas hotel prices go stratospheric on Friday and Saturday when domestic tourists flock in for a weekend away. By the same token, rates on Sunday and Monday are often rock bottom. I’ve seen rooms at the excellent Vdara for less than £150, or the Wynn Encore for £200. Both of them are premium options on the Strip.
For years, Vegas hotels had a dirty secret: their minibars were fitted with sensors that automatically charged you for removing items (even if you later put them back in). These days they are at least upfront about this charge. Although that just makes it harder to contest the costs at check-out.
Sadly, ATM fees are a fact of life in the US. But some of the ones in Vegas are a different matter. It isn’t uncommon to find hotel casinos charging $9.99 for each withdrawal. Luckily, alternatives aren’t too hard to find, even on the Strip itself. Just venture to the nearest CVS and pay much less.
Despite what you might think, it’s perfectly possible to eat well cheaply in Las Vegas – provided you do your homework. Some budget options – like the famous Tacos el Gordo – have become a bit of a cliché. But who cares about that when you’re enjoying delicious asada and salsa for less than $10?
You might think you’ll never shop in those casino concession stores, but you may be wrong. One casino insider tells me that hangover remedies like Alka-Seltzer are a particularly reliable money-spinner. Channel your inner Boy Scout and prepare for every eventuality.
Old hands like to say that downtown Vegas – the vibrant cluster of casinos around Fremont Street – is better than the Strip. In reality, it depends what you’re looking for. You certainly won’t find pyramids or roller-coasters on Fremont. But if you want to drink, gamble and eat for less, it’s definitely the place to be.
