Yes it was my idea. What's your point?

That I forgot that I, too, will be facing a college tuition bill next September!! And my younger is receiving Confirmation in the spring and graduating from middle school in June. The parties alone may bankrupt me long before I would get NEAR a Vegas blackjack table. And I may have hinted to the children that, since it's such a special year, we could perhaps visit la famiglia over in Sicily...

Here's a perfect example about staying between Sunday and Thursday vs. Friday to Sunday :


Paris Hotel, between Sunday July 6th 2008 and Thursday July 10th 2008 is only $119 per night! That's a really great deal because Paris is a beautiful hotel ( I believe only 7 years old) and is centrally located in the middle of the strip.

Now if you want to stay in the Paris Hotel between Friday July 11th and Sunday July 14th, the room shoots up to $239 per night.

We're in basically the same boat. I knew you forgot!

Between tuitions for college, graduation parties for both kids ( daughter is graduating middle school in June), proms, etc. I'm lucky if I have enough money left to go to White Castles for dinner and check into a motel 6 for a night!

That's absolutely true DC. There are always deals during the weekedays and especially in the summer.

Keep in mind too, that it's good to check a date in advance or have a couple possible dates. Even though Vegas has it's down seasons and slow times, "IF" there is a convention (and believe me they have all kinds of conventions there)rooms will be sky high and basically unavailable.

When I first moved to CA, my husband and I decided to go to Vegas on a whim. We were new to CA and Vegas was so close. We figured we would get a room when we got there.

Well, there was some car convention of some sort and there wasn't a hotel to be found. We had the kids with us and needed to stay somewhere. We found this dive on the strip and paid $100 for one night (this was in 1980 and that was a lot)

I learned my lesson. Even if I were going on a whim, I'd check a couple hotels (now I can check on line) and see if they are all booked. Just food for thought.

TIS

I will make it my business to go see that next time I go. It looks great there. But I refuse to drive in all that traffic. I'll take my chances with a cab ride.

I was in Vegas once, as a kid, so couldn't enjoy it as much (though I did see a burlesque show open up for Bill Cosby - that was enough for me then )

I REALLY wanna go there now as an adult... I don't care where/when... I just need a job at Rutgers or something to be sure I can afford it!

In any event, I'm there!

Mig, I never rent a car when in Vegas. We cab it wherever we want to go. Who wants to have to worry about having a drink or not and then having to deal with all that traffic when you are on vacation?

I'll see if I can get you one of those $12/hr jobs, you have no idea what you can buy with that kind of money

This hotel is 34-story tower fashioned after the historic Hotel De Ville in Paris, France. The property offers authentic replicas of famous Paris landmarks including a 50 story half-scale replica of the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Louvre and the Paris Opera House. Dining options range from a signature dining experience, 17 stories above the Las Vegas strip in the Eiffel Tower, to an upscale art decor rotisserie, to a stylish brasserie and a charming working bakery. This resort has 83,000 square feet of gaming space. In addition it features a fabulous on-site theater providing live entertainment as well as three lounges, clubs and bars. Guests can also enjoy shopping on a typical Parisian boulevard.

For those who have never been to the Paris Hotel here are some pics :









This is INSIDE the Paris Hotel :

Ok honey, you just let us know when you grow up and we'll take you there. (couldn't resist).

It's really not the rooms/food that are expensive, it's really how much you want to "lose". But yea, you can't go to Vegas without money, that's for sure. I think in a group like this, I'd tend to spend less than when I go by myself or with one other person, because I'll keep on the move more.

TIS

The biggest jackpot I ever won (odds-wise) was when I was with TIS. We were in her hotel's casino and I couldn't really find a game that interested me so I played a nickel slot poker game just to have something to do while TIS was playing her slots... (I NEVER play nickel machines). I hit a $100 jackpot (which, if it was on my usual dollar machine, would have been a $20,000 payout).

I remember that SC!!! I thought you had won more though. At least someone won!!! I keep forgetting that Vegas is for "losers".

Another argument "for" Vegas next year. They have tons of lounges with tons of entertainment in the lounges. Most lounges just require a two drink minimum which should be a piece of cake (or two drinks :p) for this group.

TIS

Why is that? I guess I need to start drinking then

Well if anyone in the group chooses not to drink please order a Vodka Tonic and send it my way

I'd better mention that, although I've been to a couple Vegas lounges as of late, I haven't been to one for the entertainment (evening show) for a couple years, so it's possible they raised the drink minimum but whatever it is, I'm guessing is very reasonable. And Mig, you can order two cokes if you want...of course you'll pay "drink" prices.

For drinkers, they make it pretty easy. A couple years ago I was walking down the strip I stopped in the Barbary Coast (which is now King's Palace or something) and got a large 99 cent mararita. As I continued walking (and drinking :p)I passed the Frontier (also now closed)where there was an Elvis impersonator standing by the door luring people in for the afternoon lounge show. Well, how could I say no to Elvis?

I had two more maragritas at the show. This impersonator wasn't bad but wasn't wonderful either. However, he had such a nice personality he made it fun. Plus after a couple more drinks he sounded fantastic!!!


TIS

Because the Hotel Lounge is NOT charging you for the entertainment that they are providing.

Here's one of the better shots that my girlfriend got of the Paris Hotel:



The inside of the hotel is gorgeous as well, but I didn't get any shots of it.

Vegas has all the bases covered. If you'v noticed they make "everything" easy. They have change for bills readily available (now I sse there are no more change places but rather machines that chang any bill); they have atm machines everywhere; they try to make Vegas kid friendly starting with Circus Circus and now a couple others; pawn shops are available for those wo "need" more money. I have seen cheap "bond bailsman" signs for which I'm not quite sure that,other than trying to rob a casino, what you would need one for. This all along with free drinks if you continue to gamble.

Let's not forget too, the wedding chapels. You can get drunk, spend your money, buy a cheap wedding ring at a pawn shop and go to an ATM for more money all in one spot.

I'm sure it's not really funny to the people who may get caught into this trap. It's hard to believe, but people do.

TIS

Shoot, I took some great shots of the Bellagio inside, but didn't have a digital camera then and didn't put them on a disc. It is really really beautiful as well.

Btw, we walked through the MGM and it must have been years since I've been there, but it seemed old and kind of "raggedy" or something. It didn't keep the niceness like Cesar's does.


TIS

P.S. I'd love to continue to talk Vegas, however work calls for my attendance. An hour to think about the smoke/s I cannot have.

Sweet! So if I *accidentally* got married or anything, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas? Nice.

What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas? Not likely Geoff.

Yeah, you'll have to pay for the hooker's, errr, I mean, lady's airfare back to Jersey.

Oh my dear Geoff. Do you really think we'd all come back to the BB and remain silent?? You know us better than that.

Oh, and "accidentally" get married? That's a new one.
It would make for an interesting trip though wouldn't it?

TIS

Accidentally get married? Did you trip on something? (SB will appreciate this).

Here's an interesting idea. Evidently this hotel doesn't exist any longer. However, I never heard of it. And it says it's on the strip. Hmmm. Anyway You could get a gangster themed room. Check it out.

http://www.alasvegashotel.com/gangster.html


TIS

Wow TIS, that is something! If Geoff decides to get married, he can even have a gangster themed wedding in their wedding chapel.

Is this the bed in DMC's room after a night of 16 drinks??

This hotel reminds me of the MADONNA INN in St. Luis Obispo California with the themed rooms. Ever been there TIS?

Wow! No I haven't heard of it, but it looks nice. I've only been thru St. Luis Obispo once or twice. If I remember, it's a very nice/prestigious/expensive area.


TIS

Btw, the link I posted had a virtual tour, but I couldn't get it to work.

It's on Sahara Avenue right near the strip. I'm trying to visualize what major Hotels are near Sahara Ave.