Deals to Las Vegas during the winter seem to be a dime a dozen these days. We've spotted rooms from as low as $20 (but in budget spots off the Strip) or airfare-and-room deals that are priced from neighboring California. This one from United Vacations (tel. 888/854-3899; www.unitedvacations.com) shakes things up with a spring vacation. Prices start at $336 for airfare from Denver and three nights at the new fancy-pants Vdara Hotel.
Everything's larger than life in Las Vegas, and if you're going to a place like this, you might as well do it right. Vdara is one of several hotels in the relatively new CityCenter, along with Aria and Mandarin Oriental Hotels. Vdara is unique, though, because it's smoke-free and doesn't have a casino. Instead, it offers a spa, a salon, and a fitness center. Other potential enticements at CityCenter include the Daniel Liebskind-designed Crystals retail and entertainment complex; the building's design reflects its namesake and features a Todd English pub concept, a Wolfgang Puck restaurant, and more.
For this particular hotel, you can choose up to two tickets for one show, including a bunch of Cirque du Soleil productions: Viva Elvis, Beatles LOVE, KA, Zumanity, Criss Angel Believe, and The Sensual Side of Cirque du Soleil. If you're not up for acrobatics, Disney's The Lion King is also a possibility.
Benefits and terms of the promotion vary from property to property -- 42 of Vegas's finest are included -- so depending on which one you select, you could eligible for a room upgrade. Or perhaps you may receive dining discounts.
United advertises this promotion as saving up to $75, but that doesn't really spell out the nitty gritty.
When compared to booking this trip independently, we calculated that this package would save you at least $160 per person -- or about $325 for two people traveling together -- for the April 25 departure. (Round-trip flights from Denver to Vegas in late April start around $200 on United, according to a recent Kayak search. A three-night stay at the Adara in late April would cost $597 for two people, or nearly $300 per person, if booked directly through CityCenter.com.) Plus, this United Vacations package gives you a pair of show tickets at no extra cost.
Not convinced? Check out these 10 Reasons to Visit Las Vegas.
Trip Type: Air-inclusive; independent
What the Quoted Price Gets You: Round-trip flights from Denver to Las Vegas, three nights at Vdara Hotel in a deluxe suite, two show tickets, airline fuel surcharges, and up to 500 bonus miles on top of credited flight miles.
What Else You'll Have to Pay: About $25 in taxes and fees
When: Monday departures April 25, May 9, May 16; promotion is valid for travel through May 31.
Book By: Jan. 31 (show tickets included in the Vdara package must be reserved by Feb. 7). Other hotels included in the promotion -- which may not have the same incentives, like show tickets -- must be booked by Feb. 28.
Other Gateways: Atlanta (add from $123 per person), Chicago (add from $146 per person), and New York (add from $251 per person)
Other Details: There are two travel periods: Jan. 16-May 31 (what we've highlighted here), which requires booking code UV13024A; and June 1-Aug. 31, which requires booking code UV13024B.
Talk with fellow Frommer's travelers on our Nevada Travel Forum.
