December 2, 2004 -- You have to wonder how deals to Las Vegas can keep getting lower. At this rate, they'll be paying you to go soon. With its big hotels, huge pools, gambling rooms the size of football stadiums, five-star restaurants and shopping thoroughfares, Las Vegas is more appealing than ever.
Southwest Vacations, (tel. 800/243-8372; www.swavacations.com), is offering two-night trips to sin city from Los Angeles for $104 per person with air and hotel included. Accommodations for this trip are at the old school Imperial Palace Hotel built in 1970 and renovated in 1998. Departures are on Monday or Tuesday for travel that must originate from Dec. 6 -- Dec. 21, 2004 & Jan. 3 -- Jan. 11, 2005. Perhaps the best deal to Las Vegas on the Southwest docket is a two-night trip with airfare that puts you up at Vegas's premiere hotel, The Bellagio. Starting at $214, airport taxes, departure fees and the September 11 security tax are not included. The same travel restrictions apply to travel dates. Other accommodations are available and departures are available from El Paso, Texas and Phoenix for prices below $200.
Four Discount Travel (tel. 800/323-6347; www.4discounttravel.com) offers a four-night five-day Vegas trip starting at $249 from Dallas, Texas. You need to book these trips by December 9, 2004, with travel dates being dispersed through December until as late February. See the website for specific dates from different locations including Chicago ($299), and San Antonio ($299). Accommodations are at the Treasure Island, a popular and fun for adults and children. Hotel taxes are included as well.
Choice Vacations (tel. 800/219-5026; www.choicevacations.com) has similar deals to the Mandalay Bay Hotel. Large grounds and spacious rooms, the Mandalay marks the southern terminus of the famous Vegas Vegas Strip. Book by December 16 and travel between December 12 to December 23, 2004 to enjoy such prices as $349 from Baltimore, $369 from New York, and just $315 from Philadelphia. In addition to airfare and hotel, you get a free magic show, all airport transportation, hotel taxes and a buffet breakfast, Las Vegas-style.
While in Vegas, enhance your enjoyment with a little visit to the famous Double Down Saloon (tel. 702/791-5775; www.doubledownsaloon.com), Las Vegas's famous dive bar. Open 24/7/365, the Double Down is known for it's friendly service to gamblers who won or lost, their crazy murals, and melting pot crowd that attracts locals, tourists, and Hollywood types who came to Vegas to do more than just gamble. Down the street from the Hard Rock Hotel, the Double Down can be as busy at 7 a.m. as most bars are at midnight.
Speaking of the Hard Rock (tel. 702/693-5544; www.hardrockspecials.com), the hotel that quickly became young Hollywood's gambling spot of choice, has some dirt-cheap Internet-only specials. Starting at $65 and going up to $129 dollars a night for mid-week travel beginning on Sunday, rates are still available for December and January travel. The Hotel itself rocks with such live shows as Green Day on December 7, 2004 and Danzig on December 28, 2004.
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