Tag Archives: Las Vegas

How to plan your summer Vegas trip

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Heading to the desert this summer? Planning a Vegas trip will help you make the most out of your getaway.

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When I think of summer vacation, I picture sunning on gorgeous beaches, kayaking or rafting in oceans and lakes, and cabins in the woods, with decks leading to the water. In other words, I don’t often think of escaping to the desert.

But according to Kayak.com, Las Vegas is one of the top destinations for summer vacations. The glistening pools plus endless entertainment options for kids and adults make it not only a great place for singles, but also for family travel. So before you book that last-minute flight, you might want to consider putting a little effort into planning, to make sure you’re not sharing a pool with two hundred of your closest friends.

Here’s what you need to know:

Package deals are good options. If you’re booking flights through Expedia, Travelocity, or Kayak (or any of the online booking sites), be sure to check out their package deals. Many times they offer hotel and rental cars along with discounted flights. If you want to book directly with your airline or credit card company and use miles, some airlines also offer travel packages. Southwest offers discounted hotel and car rentals along with purchasing your fare online. There’s no need to make extra work for yourself when you could get a great deal by purchasing a package.

Be flexible with dates. Airlines are putting more and more restrictions on booking flights with miles. Look for those flights during the week (and not around 4th of July or Labor Day weekend). Later in the summer (think August) the airfares tend to go down. In addition to flights, there are better rates at hotels during the week than on the weekends. Plus, you won’t have to deal with the huge pool crowds or being unable to buy tickets for one of the Cirque du Soleil shows if you opt for weeknight stays. Sometimes taking a few vacation days off from work can pay off in the long run with how much you’ll save on your vacation.

Decide how you want to spend your time. Las Vegas isn’t all about the casinos, but of course, if that’s your thing, you want to take advantage while you’re there. But if you know you’d rather spend time at the pool, or shopping, or watching shows, or hopping in the car and driving out to see the sights like Hoover Dam or The Grand Canyon, it’s good to decide beforehand. Often during the summer places are crowded and seats sell out. If you know you want to spend a lot of time at the pool, check into offerings at your hotel. They might provide private pool access for an extra fee, or rent you a cabana for the afternoon (so figure that cost into your budget). If you’re planning a road trip, it’s not necessary to spend a lot of money to stay at places along the strip. Opt for downtown Vegas and drive over to the strip if you want to check it out one night. And if you don’t want the expense of renting a car, Las Vegas has an excellent public transit system between The Deuce (bus system) and the monorail. If you’re just trying to get around town, I’d recommend these.

Have a good trip!

 

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Looking for Happy Hour in Las Vegas?

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Screen shot 2013-04-19 at 3.35.47 PMHere’s where to find some of the best in the city.

A trip to Vegas means late nights of clubbing and gambling, but what about getting the party started with some happy hour cocktails? While Vegas is known for its nightclubs, not much is shared about the best happy hours the city has to offer. But when four o’clock rolls around, people are just getting started with their evenings, and looking for a good place to go.

Check out some of these happy hours if you’re so inclined:

P.J. Clarke’s at Caesar’s Palace. If you’re looking for an oyster fix in the desert, head over to P.J. Clarke’s Oyster Riot, where you can taste an array of fresh oysters for $1 each. Seriously, $1 each. The chef chooses the oysters you’ll inhale, which have included Evening Cove, Gold Creek, Hama Hama and Penn Cove Selects from Washington, and the Nootka oyster straight from British Columbia. Oh, and don’t forget to take a friend to share their two-for-one drinks.

Level 107 Lounge in The Stratosphere. There’s nothing like enjoying a drink from the top of the city, and Level 107 promises just that. With stunning views and two-for-one martinis and half price appetizers, it’s a great way to start the evening and plan for what’s next.

Blue Martini Lounge. If you’re into martinis, you can’t beat the 50% off drinks special (along with up to half off of your appetizers). It offers a little something for everone’s taste – an outside cabana-esque space for some lounging time and an interior club-like space for those who want to get the party started. Also, happy hour prices last until 8pm.

Public House at Luxor. If you’re on a diet or trying to shed some of those Vegas cocktail pounds, Public House offers a healthier menu for happy hour than most of the Vegas bars and restaurants. Try their Hummus Plate or an Asian chopped salad, or if you’re feeling indulgent the Mac-n-Cheese squares. $3 for select beers and half price for cocktails.

Hussong’s at Mandalay Bay. This is a happy hour for those among us who always crave a margarita and some good Mexican cuisine. Hussong’s Cantina offers buy one get one free margaritas and beers, as well as a $4 grilled corn plazero (which I’m told is heaven on earth), and $6 happy hour nachos. You could make a meal of it at a great price.

Vanguard LV. If you want something a little off the beaten path, try Vanguard in downtown Las Vegas. They offer what’s called a “reverse happy hour” as well from 10pm-2am, with half off beer, wine and well drinks. They are known as a mixology venue, with specialty crafted cocktails like the Pink Pear (part ginger/pear/basil) offered for $7 during both happy hour and its later counterpart. (It’s also one of the few who offers their happy hours on Friday and Saturday nights.)

 

 

 

Plan Your Las Vegas Honeymoon

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planning a romantic las vegas honeymoon

While many people associate Las Vegas with getting married, many forget that it is also a great place to honeymoon too.  There are many different activities and a great deal of sight seeing that can make a honeymoon not only romantic but filled with many different activities.  There is so much to see and do in Las Vegas that you can go on your anniversaries too and still get to it all.  Some couples may prefer to have a romantic trip to Vegas while others would prefer to have one that is filled with sightseeing and gambling.

Romantic Las Vegas Honeymoons

There are many things that a newlywed couple can do in Las Vegas that is romantic and will make the honeymoon extra special.  All of the hotels and casinos have honeymoon suites that they offer with special pricing for the new couple.  With this many choices, how can you find the best hotel for your Las Vegas honeymoon?  The following are the most romantic hotels in Las Vegas:

  • THEhotel at Mandalay Bay – Rating 5 Star:  At THEhotel, you will find two room suites with a full living room and dining area and a separate bedroom.  Pour you and your new spouse a cocktail at the full wet bar or soak in the luxurious bathroom created in marble and granite.  There is a separate tub and shower so both of you can relax and get ready for the night out at shows and intimate dining.  When you are dining in, you can watch movies or television on the forty two inch plasma screen television.
  • Venetian – Rating 5 Star:  If you want the romance of Italy but cannot afford an international flight then you should definitely take your honeymoon at the Venetian.  Not only does it offer some of the best suites and rooms with all the romantic furnishings you could want, it also offers gondola rides.  There are nearly twenty restaurants located within the hotel/casino so you never have to leave in order to have meals for just the two of you.  There is also a large shopping area with middle and high end shops as well as a full spa for relaxing after gambling or tourist activities.  The best part is you do not even have to speak Italian!
  • The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas – Rating 5 Star – As you walk into the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, the first thing you see is the Chandelier Bar which sports one of the largest chandeliers in the world.  If this stunning site were not enough to sell you on this hotel/casino then the rooms will.  They are large and spacious and come with terraces for looking over the Las Vegas Strip and city.  This is one of the newest hotels in Las Vegas and they went all out with many four and five star restaurants as well as a casino for those who want to do a little gambling while in Vegas.
  • Red Rock Casino, Resort and Spa – Rating 5 Star:  Now most people know that the great casinos are on the strip, but the Red Rock Casino, Resort and Spa is a top of the line establishment that is not located on the strip.  For those who do not want the hustle and bustle of traversing the crowds, then this is the hotel/resort for you.  You can choose from deluxe rooms or suites and all offer either mountain views or views of the strip.  There is over three acres of pool side relaxation or you can rent your own private cabana if you prefer.  The spa is top of the line and offers a wide range of services for the newlyweds who want spend their time relaxing rather than fighting with the crowds on the Strip.
  • Ravella at Lake Las Vegas – Rating 5 Star:  This hotel is not located in Las Vegas but in Henderson which is just outside of the city.  This hotel is based on the Mediterranean style and is considered an oasis in the desert.  The setting is dramatic as it overlooks Lake Las Vegas and offers stunning views of the city as well as mountains.  Like the Venetian, you can take a romantic gondola ride or go for a sightseeing cruise.  You will sleep like never before on luxurious feather beds and all the amenities you could want.

Booking Your Las Vegas Honeymoon

The best time to book your Las Vegas honeymoon is during the off peak times during the week and at the height of summer.  This is when the hotels are not as full and you can get a great deal on your rooms.  Weekend and peak prices are nearly triple so this is a great tip for those who want to have a romantic honeymoon on a budget.  Also, you can book package deals with airlines to get even more savings.  If you shop around you can find even more savings.

Conclusion

If you cannot afford to go overseas for that romantic trip for your honeymoon, choose one of the top romantic Las Vegas hotels.  You can save money and take that overseas trip for one of your many anniversaries.  Las Vegas not only offers great nightlife, sightseeing and gambling but has many things that a newly married couple would find perfect.  Take a gondola ride at the Venetian or Ravella and then dine at one of the many five star restaurants in of the hotels on the strip.  If you want the ultimate experience, make sure you book some time at one the many top of the line spas.