Vegas - March Madness Question

[WinOne]

I know it is a bit early but has anyone noticed that the hotel prices have doubled and in some cases tripled from the last year. I typically stay at Mandalay (last 5 years) with buddies, we get in on Wednesday morning to play some golf and hit the tables before the feast of games Thur - Sun and we leave Monday evening. The weekends are typically higher but Wed/Thur are typically thrown in for us or less than $100/night, Fri/Sat about $150-200.

Just curious.

WinOne!!

 

[GreenDoberman]

It is the biggest gambling weekend of the year. Has surpassed New Year's by far and is equal to Super Bowl week.

 

[WinOne]

Granted, but it seems that the rates in the past had not gone up like this.
Air Fare is down but hotel rates have tripled.

WinOne!!

 

[mightyvol]

Win one: Where are you getting your information. I am curious. I absolutly loved the time i had out in Vegas last year during the tourney. It was my first time their during this time, and believe me it wont be my last. I loved it. Thanks for the input.


Mighty

 

[KYWILDCAT]

Did some pricing myself last month as we usually make a trip out there and for sure prices have gone up big time, seems way to damn high of a increase based on what we paid last year,

We still hammering on them since we been going out for many years and I know it is one of the biggest sports bet weekend out there but hey,, no need ripping folks off

Old Cat

 

[WinOne]

OldCat, MightyVol:
Thank for the input.
We've been going there every year for the last 10-12 years for the BB games. I just wanted to make sure that I was not the only one seeing outrageous prices. I basically surf the web for fares, discounts, etc. I have 2 nights credits at Mandalay since I go out there 3-4 times a year. Trying to see if they will give me those nights on the weekend or with 2 rooms. The posted standard internet rates are $100-200 more than same time last year. I have tried most of the media outlets that I know and the hotel prices are high everywhere. The air that I got was really cheap since I will be coming from Dallas, which is surprising since airfare out of DFW is some of the most expensive in the US.
I have a pretty good repore with one of the managers there, and when he gets back from vacation I will call him personally to see what he can do for our group. I was just really surprised at how the hotel rates have been jacked up across the board for that time of year.

Thanks,
WinOne!!

 

[WildBill]

Every price has gone nuts. People were thinking that the opening of Wynn at the end of April would reduce visits for a bit leading up to that, but no evidence so far. Could just be there is also a big convention in town that week and also this year Easter is coming earlier than usual so might be throwing off the spring break dynamic as well.

 

[RockChalkJHAWK+]

Vegas Advice

Vegas Veterans. Please help me out. My buddies and I are going to Vegas for the tourney this year for the first time. What are the best books to plant ourselves in and watch the games and soak up the atmosphere? Do we need to call anyone ahead of time or do they allow you to reserve spots?

Also on cost. We went through a travel agent and it took him 2 weeks to get us 12 flights and hotel at the cost we wanted. We are doing hotel and airfare Thursday-Saturday for $350 a person. We considered this a great deal, but again it is our first time.

Thanks in advance for your replies.

 

[REDEYE]

You can't get any better atmosphere the the Mirage

 

[KYWILDCAT]

Rock,

just depends on what ya looking for as far as space etc out there,, the price isn't to bad but where are ya staying,,

Since just guys going we normally stay at the old imperial and usually we get comp rooms,, their sports bet is small but they open a big room and we just get a table etc and sit there during the day,,

This year damn morons quoted us $185 per night,, hell for that price it should include a lady LOL.. we told them hell no,,

Vegas is becoming a damn rip off ,, we got line of credit etc set up but seems that doesn't count now so we are looking at maybe finding a spot off the strip or even going back downtown,,

but your deal doesn't sound to bad to me

Old Cat

opps Winone going to try to see what I can get there thru my players card at Mandalay also.. work thru the Goldstrike in Tunica since I know some folks there,, also since MGM is buying the Circus properties that might also be screwing things up, we got good rates on SW out of nashville direct since we avoid dallas anytime we can LOL
Good luck and if i find something will pass it along to you

 

[WinOne]

Rock Chalk - For my mone, you can't beat the atmosphere at Mandalay. I think they have the largest SportBook and numerous windows for cashing those tickets. Just curious, for $350 where the HECK are you staying???? That sounds like a deal. I partied with a group of KU guys and gals last year. They were a blast.

OldCat - we've already got out air from DFW. I should know more about the room situation at Mandalay later in the week. I'll keep you posted. I hate to use the comp rooms that I have as I like to keep those in the back pocket for those last minute, unplanned getaways.

RedEye - never tried the Mirage, how does it compare to Mandalay. I really used to like the book at the MGM but then they screwed it up completely and I have not been back since. I cut my teeth at the Vegas Hilton when I first started going. They were good folks and were very hospitable although it was a bit cramped.

WinOne!!

 

[RockChalkJHAWK+]

Thanks for the feedback

We are staying at the Luxor, I believe. I've been to the books at TI and Mandalay. I like TI because the drinks were free, kind of small though. Mandalay Bay was giving out drink tickets and only when you bet. With so many of us going some are not sports gamblers so some will just be watching and hanging in the book. Caesars and Rio books also seem pretty cool but I've only been in the summer, not really in heavy sports times. I just am looking for a big area to accomodate the group, a good view, and free drinks. Not asking for that much on the busiest weekend in Vegas!! Thanks again for all your feedback.

 

[WinOne]

If You Don't Have A Room Booked In Vegas For March Madness, You Probably Wont Get One For A Decent Price. There Are A Couple Big Conventions, St Patricks Day, And Erik Morales Is Fighting That Saturday Night.

Gl,
Winone!!

 

[Coast2Coast]

I always book my room a year in advance...easier to get a deal when you're already staying there. And establish a line of credit at the tables at one particular casino...that way they will be better able to help you with your room needs. However...having said that, if that's not the situation you're in, there are some off-strip hotels that you can probably find a decent price. Everybody wants to stay at the strip of course...but if you're just looking for a decent room price, look off-strip...you won't be in the room much anyway.

 

[WinOne]

Even the off stip hotels are completely booked. All the national franchise chains are booked as well. Lady friend who's a travel agent said that basically because of the expected traffic, hotels tripled their prices. She has been putting people in Primm, NV because everything is so booked up. My party was fortunate as we stay at Mandalay and was able to get taken care of because my party has stayed there for several years now. They gave us our 3 rooms for our normal rate for Wed-Monday.

GL,
WinOne!!

 

[Coast2Coast]

There's an executive from one of the off-strip hotels who frequents this board. I'll tell him about this thread and see if he has anything to add to this discussion. I do know that the vacancies that most hotels "post" on public availability lists available through travel agents and websites does not necessarily reflect "true" vacancies. They always leave unlisted vacancies for last-minute important customers and "friends of the program".

 

[WinOne]

C2C,

That would be great. My party and I are good but I am sure there are others that may be having problems or have not even begun to start looking yet and will be extremely surprised by the rates and lack of rooms.
WinOne!!

 

[pops69]

Vegas Hotel

guys check out the link below to the suncoast casino here if vegas, about 20 min from the strip, has free shuttle service from the airport, and free shuttle to all of its casino's including down town.

also one of the best sports book in vegas, every game will have half, o/u. you can bet 50k without blinking an eye.

it's my old stomping grounds, but i still make most of my larger bets there.

if your looking for just a room, the sante fe station is very reasonable and easy trans to the strip. the sport book is ok, does not have the amount of bets as the suncoast and much lower limits. if you got any questions message me in my RX basket ball BS thread.

http://suncoastcasino.com/