Las Vegas Hotel Rates Drop as Low as $19.99

Are you still looking for a room in Las Vegas? According to the Las Vegas Advisor, room rates have dropped as low as they were 5 years ago. Based on a survey they conducted, by contacting local hotel room providers, Las Vegas Advisor reports that half of the 84 casinos surveyed offer July rates of $49 or less per night. This is great news for those of you planning a trip to our famed city, but not so great news for the hotel industry.

For the past few years, room rates in Las Vegas have increased annually, but due to the rising costs of gas and the current slump in the housing industry in Las Vegas, the hotels are now swallowing their pride and breaking out some incredible deals. All you have to do is be savvy in your search to find deals in Las Vegas.

The survey shows the following best rates in Las Vegas for July:

• Palace Station $19.99
• Monte Carlo Hotel $60
• Hard Rock Hotel and Casino $69
• Treasure Island $76
• The Mirage $81
• The Rio All Suites $99
• Loews Lake Las Vegas $103
• Caesars Palace $110
• The Bellagio $159
• Palazzo $159
• Trump $196
• Venetian $199
• The Wynn $199
• Four Seasons $275

Best Ways to Save Money On a Trip to Las Vegas

Shop those Hotel Rooms Online

The rising costs of gas doesn't mean you need to bow out of a visit to Las Vegas. In fact, it's perhaps your best opportunity to visit the famed city. Right now, the prices on hotel rooms have dropped significantly - with that in mind, you have many options to make up for the costs of gas. Take the MGM Grand for example, this hotel is normally reserved from the mid 100's to 400's depending on your choice of room, right now - savvy shoppers are able to find rooms at the MGM, Hard Rock, The Mirage, Planet Hollywood and even more Las Vegas hotels for under $100 a night - some might even score bigger savings such as the Palace Stations offering rooms at $19.99. I advise that you shop online for any and all rates before booking your hotel, it's your dollar, and every hotel in Las Vegas recognizes the value of your visit a lot more than they have in the past - so shake it up and do some shopping before you book.

One particular website to utilize when shopping online is TripAdvisor.com, utilize their forums, check out how others have found incredible deals. Call the hotels direct for any specials you might have missed, look into hotels.com and by all means get them to make you a deal.

Gamblers Should Never Be Charged for a Meal

If you are like most visitors to Las Vegas, you are looking for some fast gaming action with hope that you can turn that extra cash into some fast money. Here's a tip for you, if you are gambling at any casino in Las Vegas, make sure that you check the Pitt for any comps you might have earned during your gaming time. Most casinos offer a buffet, with price ranges from $5.95 to $31 a head! With the average table game at $15 a hand in Las Vegas, you're sure to be surprised at how quickly the staff is willing to host you at the house buffet. You'll never know until you ask!

Of course, you shouldn't expect everything comp'd unless you're in there betting big - for me, I never pay a dime for a meal at a casino I play at. Mostly because I play at $50-$200 a hand, earning me a rating where all my meals and rooms are complimentary.

Join The Club

No matter what hotel or casino you choose to play at, make sure that you apply to be a member of the house club. The clubs usually offer a card with free play attached to it, this ranges anywhere from $3 to $500 and even more, depending on the Casino. There's no fee to enter, but what this does, is allows the hotel to record your play throughout your stay, at the end of your stay, depending on your play average, you may qualify for additional comps such as your room stay at no charge, future invitations that include free rooms and many other offers.

Stay away from Taxis

Taxi rates are increasing due to the cost of gas, so if you can avoid them, do so. If you are staying on the strip, there is absolutely no reason to utilize taxi services if you can help it. The Mono-Rail is a much cheaper option, and the Deuce is as well. Most casino's offer shuttle services to sister properties - take advantage of this! If you plan to stay at the Rio or the Palms, both these casinos are off-strip, but both do offer a free Shuttle service to the Strip - use them!

Take Advantage of Package Offers

I enjoy golfing, and there are many great golf courses in Las Vegas to choose from. Price shop and you'll be surprised at what you might find. I ran a search this morning, and found a great deal for this winter, the top 3 golf courses in Las Vegas for just $599 with my hotel rooms free - the offer comes out of Las Vegas Golf Adventures! Now I know those rates are just amazing, especially for the dates the package is good for, you're talking about 3 Amazing golf courses which usually rate at $200-$400 a round at an incredible deal, plus I can stay at Harrah's which is right on the strip FOR FREE! They did all the work for me! Fantastic!

There are many ways to save on your trip to Las Vegas, my advice is to shop online before you make your final decision. After all, it's your money, and the hotels in Las Vegas are very aware of the value of your dollar, everyone's willing to take that extra step to insure you have an enjoyable visit to Las Vegas.

Where Barack Obama Should Be Golfing to Win Swing States

This is a fun article on where Barack Obama needs to golf to bring in those Swing States and hopefully practice that Golf Swing while on the Campaign Trail.

read more | digg story

Barry Manilow Live in Concert at the Las Vegas Hilton

When a friend asked me to secure tickets to see Barry Manilow, I was a bit skeptical, after all my taste in music has changed through the years, I wasn't sure how this was going to turn out. Perhaps, when I was younger, Barry Manilow was the king of love songs, but the thought of high school crush memories flooding my mind, was something I wasn't sure I wanted to relive.

From the moment Barry Manilow appears out of a smoky room at the back of the stage, he grabs your attention, with his smooth voice that fills up the entire Theater at the Las Vegas Hilton. I was shocked at how youthful his voice sounded, and wondered if perhaps he was lip syncing, but as time went on, I was convinced that such was not possible.

Barry Manilow's popularity throughout the years, is defined by his music, with hits like I Write The Songs, Mandy, Looks Like We Made It, Copacobana and many others, his music has touched the hearts of many. Manilow performs all these hits including tributes to other artists such as Barbara Streisand, Frankie Valli, the Bee Gees, Christopher Cross and more. The performance was well put together, and there's no doubt in my mind that Barry Manilow has made an impact to the music industry past and present.

The highlight of the entire concert was his performance of the mega-hit "Mandy", here Manilow begins the song with a video from the Tonight Show, where his younger self is performing to a live TV audience. Manilow joins in - and performs a duet with his younger self, a very powerful performance, and well worth the entire ticket price. He ends the concert with the popular dance hit "Copacobana" - a very colorful performance that left the audience in awe.

If you only recall the song "Mandy" from Barry Manilow's plethora of number 1 hits, the concert is well worth your time. You'll be quite surprised, as I was, to how much this entertainer has done throughout his life, and how he still captures your heart just as he had done for over 30 years. I give this concert a thumbs up!

Tickets and information on Barry Manilow's Music and Passion at the Las Vegas Hilton.

Apple megastore in Las Vegas CityCenter in 2009

CityCenter is a massive new multi-use building project designed by architectural rock star Daniel Libeskind. It is currently under construction in Las Vegas, and -- according to AppleInsider -- the jewel in this glittering crown will be a supermassive Apple Store, located directly in the front of the complex right along Las Vegas Boulevard.

read more | digg story