Who pays the exorbitant hotel/resort room costs?

[HoneyBBQ]

Two items:

So, I have one trip coming up to Las Vegas for a hockey tournament so we are scouting out locations.  As everyone knows, Las Vegas hotels runs the gamut from $29/nt rooms to multiple thousands. I've been to Vegas a few times, always staying in reasonable mid-range strip hotels.

One friend recommended the Cosmopolitan, which looked nice. Then I looked at the room prices which STARTED at $500/nt and were closer to $1500/nt for a bigger/nicer room. I understand there are some serious high rollers and Las Vegas is an international destination for many people for a holiday but I'm absolutely aghast that there can be THAT many hotels with THAT high of price point. I mean, 3000 rooms, at least 20 hotels, these are some seriously big numbers. 

AND,

On my facebook feed there was some 'top spa and resorts' of 2015. Which I saw a ranch in Wyoming which looked beautiful. Then I again looked at the prices which STARTED at $1500 a night and went up to $4500/night. Ok, WTF. This is WYOMING we are talking about. How could enough people even afford to stay there to VOTE for this kind of place? How can it stay in business? I mean, it looked beautiful and amazing but 4 digits per night!?!

I cannot fathom who can spend that kind of money on a hotel room for the night. I mean, I'm a freaking 1%er and I am just   at that. Is it once-in-a-lifetime only? Honeymoons? Old money? 

What am I doing wrong? Am I supposed to be dropping $20k for a holiday? WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE and WHERE DO THEY COME FROM?  I still balk at $100/nt for a regular hotel room!!!!


Please explain.

[The Captain]

Sorry, I'm not even in the same county as those zip codes.  Got nothing for you.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

LOL!

We're going to France next month, and I've been trying to firm up our hotel plans for those 2 weeks.  For the most part, I've been able to keep the rates under $200/night (mostly in the $100-150 range), even in Paris.  I probably could go cheaper, but I have some requirements that I need to help me out for this trip.  However, some of the hotels I've been looking at have had rates of $2000+/night.  Ummm......I don't think so!

I normally book a lot of hotels through Hotwire and have discovered a nasty little trick that some resorts are doing.  When you get your list of hotels and choose one, make sure that you look at the FINAL balance before you hit 'buy'.  What some hotels have been doing is adding a $30 'resort fee' to the bill, along with the taxes.  This last happened to us in VT, when our flight got canceled.  2 hotels, both $80/night.  I chose one and noticed that the final total was $130.  I looked a little closer and saw the resort fee.  I backed out of that, went to the other hotel and the total was around $100.

[HoneyBBQ]

Yeah, there's like $30/nt +++ resort fees tacked on to everything in Vegas, too. I guess I always look for it there (in Vegas) but not so much at other locations.

When I did the bulk of my international traveling (before kid), I often stayed in hostels, ranging from $5 to $50/nt for a PRIVATE room. I guess I am so skewed in my idea of normal that I just don't even know what other people do with their money.

[Deleted]

My guess with the Cosmopolitan is that most people aren't paying that much a night.  I looked them up on Expedia for some random 3 day weekend in February and they started at $262 (which includes the $30 resort fee) a night.  You factor in early cheaper booking, people who are members of discount clubs, or getting special discounts and I think the actual average is probably less. 

[busymom]

Check out the different websites where you can book hotels at discount prices. I never pay "sticker" price anymore.   Take a look at Trivago.com, or one of the other sites.  Good luck!

[The Captain]

So I'm going to a conference soon in a major city.  Get notification of the hotel rates at the same time as some of my peers.  I call them in shock (it's $280 a night) and they go "Yea, that's cheap - when I went with my friends we paid over $500 a night"



Umm, ok. 

[NancysSummerSip]

Dayum....this kind of thing makes a hotel in NYC look downright cheap. I was considering the NYC half-marathon in March. Big range of hotel prices around Central Park, where the race starts. Around $600/night was the high side, but I also found $230/night, which in the city, is quite reasonable.

[Deleted]

I suspect some people who have more money than sense pay those prices so they can brag about their $1500/night hotel room in wherever. Business travelers may also be less price-sensitive. I once had to go to London on fairly short notice and my boss' Admin reserved a room at The Grange, which was about $500/night 8 years ago. It was a decent room, there was a view of part of the old Roman wall from my room, and the indoor pool was Olympic-sized, but no way I'd ever pay that myself. Some of those rooms get given away as free upgrades, too. A few times I've ended up in a suite- always when I was on business and DH wasn't with me!

I've also gotten into some expensive places for meetings of my professional society- they book years in advance and usually get a favorable rate, although hotels now reserve the right to make some adjustments closer to the date.  In general, I haven't been impressed by these places.  Nice rooms, beautiful settings, but you get gouged on all the little stuff, from pop in the vending machines to camera batteries. 

DH and I have done VERY well with hotel points. Our best score was the Hilton Dubrovnik for 50,000 points/night several years ago. The posted room rate was 600 Euros a night. When we can't redeem points, between Orbitz and TripAdvisor I can usually find something manageable. DH needs more rest than I do so now I make sure we have a room with a sitting area if possible. We stayed in a great place in Reykjavik for $250/night and that included breakfast.

[Cookies Galore]

Ooh, I'd love to stay in one of those overpriced fancy suites! Hubs and I do an annual "fancy hotel night," as we call it. We always stay at a Kimpton hotel. It was a tradition we started back in 2011 when a trip we had planned was postponed the morning we were to leave because Tropical Storm Lee flooded our entire driving route (luckily, the inn we were supposed to stay at held onto our deposit and we rebooked for the following May - and got engaged on that trip). We were like "what the fuck?" so we booked a suite at the Hotel Palomar in Philly, and have visited many Kimpton properties since then. I always book when we have a great deal. We have a free night coming to us soon.
So, I will probably never spend a gagillion dollars on a suite. But I sure would like to be in one!

[wvugurl26]

I went to Vegas in July for my birthday. We were there over the 4th. I think it was $200/night then at Vdara. Other nights were down around $100. Cosmopolitan was more expensive when we looked.

To be honest though I was staying at Vdara or Cosmopolitan. I went previously in 2011 and got sicker than I've ever been before due to all the damn cigarette smoke at the Luxor. By the time it was all over I was diagnosed with asthma and a bunch of new allergies. So this time I was staying at a smoke free property end of story.

I have season football tickets to my alma mater. Most other nights a room is $100/night in a variety of hotels. Football weekend it's $200/night and up everywhere. I try to consider what's going on that might be driving up the price when I book. DC during the week is another example of $200/night being the going rate.

[swamp]

Nov 2, 2015 12:39:44 GMT -5 HoneyBBQ said:

Two items:

So, I have one trip coming up to Las Vegas for a hockey tournament so we are scouting out locations.  As everyone knows, Las Vegas hotels runs the gamut from $29/nt rooms to multiple thousands. I've been to Vegas a few times, always staying in reasonable mid-range strip hotels.

One friend recommended the Cosmopolitan, which looked nice. Then I looked at the room prices which STARTED at $500/nt and were closer to $1500/nt for a bigger/nicer room. I understand there are some serious high rollers and Las Vegas is an international destination for many people for a holiday but I'm absolutely aghast that there can be THAT many hotels with THAT high of price point. I mean, 3000 rooms, at least 20 hotels, these are some seriously big numbers. 

AND,

On my facebook feed there was some 'top spa and resorts' of 2015. Which I saw a ranch in Wyoming which looked beautiful. Then I again looked at the prices which STARTED at $1500 a night and went up to $4500/night. Ok, WTF. This is WYOMING we are talking about. How could enough people even afford to stay there to VOTE for this kind of place? How can it stay in business? I mean, it looked beautiful and amazing but 4 digits per night!?!

I cannot fathom who can spend that kind of money on a hotel room for the night. I mean, I'm a freaking 1%er and I am just   at that. Is it once-in-a-lifetime only? Honeymoons? Old money? 

What am I doing wrong? Am I supposed to be dropping $20k for a holiday? WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE and WHERE DO THEY COME FROM?  I still balk at $100/nt for a regular hotel room!!!!


Please explain.

I've always wondered this myself.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Nov 2, 2015 13:15:49 GMT -5 HoneyBBQ said:

Yeah, there's like $30/nt +++ resort fees tacked on to everything in Vegas, too. I guess I always look for it there (in Vegas) but not so much at other locations.

When I did the bulk of my international traveling (before kid), I often stayed in hostels, ranging from $5 to $50/nt for a PRIVATE room. I guess I am so skewed in my idea of normal that I just don't even know what other people do with their money.

With my mobility problems, I have to pay attention as to the location of the hotel rooms.  It is best if we are VERY near the metro and the building has an elevator.  This rules out a lot of hotels that might be cheaper for us.  

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

On my facebook feed there was some 'top spa and resorts' of 2015. Which I saw a ranch in Wyoming which looked beautiful. Then I again looked at the prices which STARTED at $1500 a night and went up to $4500/night. Ok, WTF. This is WYOMING we are talking about. How could enough people even afford to stay there to VOTE for this kind of place? How can it stay in business? I mean, it looked beautiful and amazing but 4 digits per night!?!


One of the things on my bucket list is I want to stay in an overwater hut.  I'm not going to be picky as to where, the South Pacific would be nice, but the Maldives or areas in the Indian Ocean are not out of consideration.  Those are going to run around $1500/night.  I'm guessing we're not going to do a full week there, but maybe 3-4 days would be nice.....

[Tiny]

I once heard a story from a woman (and her Hubby) who was quite a gambler (not poker and not a 'professional') who while in Las Vegas was given a swanky hotel room and services as a "comp". She kept saying the room was a 'comp', I was 'comped' a lobster and champainge dinner in the expensive restaurant, etc.

I couldn't figure out if it was because she had lost so much money gambling and the Casino wanted her to stay and keep loosing... or if it was because she had won too much money and the Casino wanted her to stay and keep gambling so she could loose it all back to them again...

It sounded like the "comp" services and what not were all really high end... maybe it's all about the prestige of being 'comped' a 2K a night suite (even if the suite never gets that price when/if it's in the general rotation of rooms). Kinda like a 'retail price'....

[whoami]

We are booked at the Waldorf Astoria in Amsterdam next year. Its $2k Euros for 2 nights.    Has nothing to do with wanting to "brag" either as I dont tell anyone in "real" life what we spend on vacations. I dont want to be hassled for loans. 

Ive also stayed in a 1500+ sq ft room in Vegas with all the bells and whistles. It was less than $200.  You can often get a suite for a substancially reduced rate if you show up at the last minute or have been there before. Last time I was in Vegas, I was booked in a $200 room at Mandalay Bay... I was upgraded to a suite at the Four Seasons. 

[HoneyBBQ]

Nov 2, 2015 14:08:22 GMT -5 whoami said:

Ive also stayed in a 1500+ sq ft room in Vegas with all the bells and whistles. It was less than $200.  You can often get a suite for a substancially reduced rate if you show up at the last minute or have been there before. Last time I was in Vegas, I was booked in a $200 room at Mandalay Bay... I was upgraded to a suite at the Four Seasons. 

I go every year for this tourney and have never gotten more than a free drink or two. Do tell??

[beergut]

Nov 2, 2015 14:03:32 GMT -5 Tiny said:

I once heard a story from a woman (and her Hubby) who was quite a gambler (not poker and not a 'professional') who while in Las Vegas was given a swanky hotel room and services as a "comp". She kept saying the room was a 'comp', I was 'comped' a lobster and champainge dinner in the expensive restaurant, etc.

I couldn't figure out if it was because she had lost so much money gambling and the Casino wanted her to stay and keep loosing... or if it was because she had won too much money and the Casino wanted her to stay and keep gambling so she could loose it all back to them again...

It sounded like the "comp" services and what not were all really high end... maybe it's all about the prestige of being 'comped' a 2K a night suite (even if the suite never gets that price when/if it's in the general rotation of rooms). Kinda like a 'retail price'....

It could be a little bit of both (on the winning or losing question). 

Poker players don't get comped, because the casino only makes the rake off the games. 

I don't pay for rooms in Vegas or Shreveport or really anywhere there is a Harrah's/Total Rewards property. 

The 'comp' is based on how long you play and how much you play. The casinos figure out how much you average per hand at blackjack, for example, and how many hours you will play. At 60 hands per hour multiplied by how much you bet on an average hand, they can figure out how much you can be expected to lose to them every time you play. Generally, they will take one-third of the expected loss, and comp that to you in order to entice you to come there and gamble. 

So he could be winning or he could be losing, the important thing is that he is playing, and that is all they care about. 

As for getting a high-end suite, I was once comped a $2500 a night suite. The casino had screwed up and given my room to someone else, so they put me in the suite. It was nice. 

I don't play often enough or bet big enough to earn those suites all the time, though.

[mojothehelpermonkey]

I bet most people don't pay sticker price. I booked a last minute room at the Imperial Palace (not one of the nicer hotels, but right on the strip) a few years ago for $28. We checked in fairly late at night, and I think the clerk felt bad for us because someone cut in front of us in the line to check in. He ended up putting us in a suite that had multiple rooms and a jacuzzi tub. It was nice, but we both agreed we wouldn't book a room like that unless we were with a group or it was a special occasion.
We have also gotten fairly good deals at the MGM by choosing a weekend when there are no major events going on.

[weltschmerz]

On my facebook feed there was some 'top spa and resorts' of 2015. Which I saw a ranch in Wyoming which looked beautiful. Then I again looked at the prices which STARTED at $1500 a night and went up to $4500/night. Ok, WTF. This is WYOMING we are talking about. How could enough people even afford to stay there to VOTE for this kind of place? How can it stay in business? I mean, it looked beautiful and amazing but 4 digits per night!?!

I don't think it costs that much to stay at the Chateau Frontenac or Chateau Laurier, and they're bloody CASTLES!

[Anne_in_VA]

I was in Vegas last year for a conference at Caesar's Palace and I paid about $250 a night.  I was in San Diego last month and paid almost $300 a night at the Hilton Bayfront.  I won't pay those prices when traveling if I'm not om business.  I'drather spend my money on side trips.

[TheOtherMe]

Have a friend who is a big loser with Harrah's Total Rewards.  They comp him whenever he goes, including picking him up at the airport. 

Last few times I've gone to Vegas, he's comped me.  Last time was the first time they had the resort fee and they made me pay it.  He called his slot hostess when I told him and they refunded it.  I always get free meals at any of the Harrah's properties also.

I couldn't tell you the last time I've gambled.  One time when he comped me a room, he got mad because on my first 5 quarters, I won $1200.  Didn't bet any more money.

[seriousthistime]

Caesar's Palace is my favorite Vegas hotel.  I've stayed at nothing but great rooms there.  But this year there's a big event going on that weekend so all the rooms are priced high.  I booked a room at the Linq (the redone Imperial Palace, obviously banking on the "redone" part), and then things got all switched up.  Some friends decided to go along.  Other friends decided to go too.  Then someone decided to go AND share a room.  Then other people started canceling.  Then others joined up, so we're staying all over the place on the Strip.  

Turns out I'm staying at Polo Towers, which is apparently non-smoking -- but, unfortunately, no casino.  

Seriously, join Total Rewards.  I don't gamble enough to get comped anything, but I do get promotional hotel deals all the time.  

[movingforward]

One of my board members always stays at the Cosmopolitan.  I typically stay at the Golden Nugget on Freemont Street.  It is SO much cheaper.  I always like to rent a car anyway so I can go wherever.  You can rent a car right there at the Golden Nugget so if you only want it for a day or two that works out fine.  Getting a car and staying at the Golden Nugget is generally less than staying on the strip and it also allows you to go to some of the state parks that aren't very far away. 

Also, the food on the strip has gotten utterly ridiculous.  Vegas used to have cheap eats when I first started going there 20 years ago but that has completely changed.  It used be great because you could get cheap food, cheap rooms, etc. because of the gambling.  Now everything has gotten expensive.  I still enjoy going but it's not what it used to be. 

When I go for work, as opposed to pleasure, I generally stay in a suite on the strip and I don't have to worry so much about the food costs. The company puts me in a suite so we can host all our business meetings there.  It was around $700 a night this past September.  It was nice but no freaking way I would pay that on my own.  When I go for fun all I do in my room is sleep and shower.  No way I am paying a ton of money for that!

[Deleted]

Nov 3, 2015 13:50:52 GMT -5 movingforward said:

Also, the food on the strip has gotten utterly ridiculous.  Vegas used to have cheap eats when I first started going there 20 years ago but that has completely changed.  It used be great because you could get cheap food, cheap rooms, etc. because of the gambling.  Now everything has gotten expensive.  I still enjoy going but it's not what it used to be. 

I agree- DH and I have been at casino hotels for some non-casino events (e.g. the Olympic Swim Trials in Omaha) and have found the food prices pretty steep. I suspect that's another area where being a member of their loyalty program really makes a big difference- even if you don't get free meals you might get coupons for half-price or some other deal. I wanted to play the slots with my loose change at one (I know the odds are terrible but I'll gamble $5 for fun) and there was no way to use coins.  You had to get one of their darned cards.  They REALLY want to know who you are and what you're worth to them. 

[billisonboard]

Nov 2, 2015 19:34:48 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

... He called his slot hostess ...

Is that a typo?

[wvugurl26]

Nov 3, 2015 14:10:53 GMT -5 @athena53 said:

Nov 3, 2015 13:50:52 GMT -5 movingforward said:

Also, the food on the strip has gotten utterly ridiculous.  Vegas used to have cheap eats when I first started going there 20 years ago but that has completely changed.  It used be great because you could get cheap food, cheap rooms, etc. because of the gambling.  Now everything has gotten expensive.  I still enjoy going but it's not what it used to be. 

I agree- DH and I have been at casino hotels for some non-casino events (e.g. the Olympic Swim Trials in Omaha) and have found the food prices pretty steep. I suspect that's another area where being a member of their loyalty program really makes a big difference- even if you don't get free meals you might get coupons for half-price or some other deal. I wanted to play the slots with my loose change at one (I know the odds are terrible but I'll gamble $5 for fun) and there was no way to use coins.  You had to get one of their darned cards.  They REALLY want to know who you are and what you're worth to them. 

I did it in July at Aria and Bellagio without cards. They wanted you to to have one but it took cash.

[Rocky Mtn Saver]

Nov 2, 2015 12:39:44 GMT -5 HoneyBBQ said:

Two items:

On my facebook feed there was some 'top spa and resorts' of 2015. Which I saw a ranch in Wyoming which looked beautiful. Then I again looked at the prices which STARTED at $1500 a night and went up to $4500/night. Ok, WTF. This is WYOMING we are talking about. How could enough people even afford to stay there to VOTE for this kind of place? How can it stay in business? I mean, it looked beautiful and amazing but 4 digits per night!?!

I'm guessing this was somewhere around Jackson Hole? Not that I'd pay $1500 a night even there, but it's the 90210 of Wyoming I think. 

[HoneyBBQ]

Nov 3, 2015 21:23:31 GMT -5 Rocky Mtn Saver said:

Nov 2, 2015 12:39:44 GMT -5 HoneyBBQ said:

Two items:

On my facebook feed there was some 'top spa and resorts' of 2015. Which I saw a ranch in Wyoming which looked beautiful. Then I again looked at the prices which STARTED at $1500 a night and went up to $4500/night. Ok, WTF. This is WYOMING we are talking about. How could enough people even afford to stay there to VOTE for this kind of place? How can it stay in business? I mean, it looked beautiful and amazing but 4 digits per night!?!

I'm guessing this was somewhere around Jackson Hole? Not that I'd pay $1500 a night even there, but it's the 90210 of Wyoming I think. 

www.brushcreekranch.com/

[Artemis Windsong]

If you have transportation while in Vega, look up the Stratosphere.