{"id":39,"date":"2015-07-14T10:50:13","date_gmt":"2015-07-14T10:50:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/themechills.com\/preview\/lily\/?page_id=39"},"modified":"2025-08-26T16:27:45","modified_gmt":"2025-08-26T16:27:45","slug":"our-las-vegas-guide","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/steveandgemmain.vegas\/?page_id=39","title":{"rendered":"Our Las Vegas Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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This isn\u2019t just a guide. It\u2019s 30+ trips worth of wisdom, questionable decisions, and Ubers that cost more than our hotel rooms. So grab a coffee\u2026 or a mimosa (Vegas is judging no one) because this is a long one.<\/p>\n

People have many pre-conceived ideas about Las Vegas.\u00a0 You can get ripped off here, you can spend thousands of dollars in seconds, and you can lose track of time and your cash!\u00a0 However, when you know what to do and where to go, Vegas can be done on a budget, you can avoid the tourist traps and common mistakes.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Therefore, we have compiled our own guide to Las Vegas, based on the 30+ times we have been here between us.\u00a0 \u00a0This page is designed to help you plan your trip, BEFORE YOU BOOK IT.\u00a0 Check here for hotel advice before you book your trip.\u00a0<\/p>\n

It is also designed to help you make the most of your time here.\u00a0 We want to help you make the most of the city that literally never sleeps!<\/p>\n

Please continue to check back here.\u00a0 We will provide updates as we have them.<\/p>\n

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Travel \u2013 Or, \u201cWhy You\u2019ll Be Bankrupt in Travel Fees if You Don\u2019t Read This\u201d<\/h2>\n

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Getting off the plane, you’ll see this.\u00a0 It’s a beautiful sign that invokes immense happiness.\u00a0 You’ll understand why the second time you see it!\u00a0 That’s because it will remind you of all of the fun you had first time around!<\/p>\n

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From outside the airport, do not be fooled by the view of the Strip. It looks close to the airport, but you will not be able to walk there to save a few dollars! Nor will you be able to walk the Strip in a day. It’s over 4.5 miles long! Always check out walking distance times on your phone map app because everything is further away than you think. You’ll get a lot of Ubers.<\/p>\n

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Your travel around Vegas will start as soon as you land at the airport. We would like to pick you up from the airport. We ask for your flight number on your RSVP form so we can arrange this. But if we don’t manage to get you, the cheapest way to reach your hotel is via a local taxi. This will be the only time you’ll use a local taxi. <\/strong> They have fixed prices to all hotels because they had to find a way to compete with Uber and are now cheaper. Head out of the baggage collection hall and the taxi rank is right there, always with a long line of taxis. You’ll not be waiting long, if at all. The rest of the time, use Uber for private transport.<\/p>\n

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If you want to use public transport while in Vegas, it is perfectly safe. Check out the monorail map here<\/a>. It’s cheap and a great way to see the Strip and get from one end to the other quickly.<\/p>\n

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Alternatively, if you want a slower way to get around, which is equally entertaining, get on the Deuce bus that runs up and down the Strip. Here is the route map<\/a> and you can buy a single ride ticket for $4 or a 24-hour ticket to hop on and off whenever you want for $8. Exact fares are needed.<\/strong> They don’t give change.<\/p>\n

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There are three main areas to Vegas, The Strip, Downtown and the Arts District. We much prefer Downtown as a location, love the Arts District and rarely visit The Strip. Downtown is huge fun, cheaper to eat and drink and has tons to do. First timers to Vegas might want to stay in a hotel on The Strip for the glitz and glamour. If you do that, still make time and 100% visit Downtown on a night time. It’s a feast for the senses!\u00a0 Don’t underestimate the appeal of the much, much quieter Arts District.\u00a0 It has some of the best bars and eateries in Vegas!<\/p>\n

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If you stay on The Strip, you will be able to walk loads of places. Be aware that you won’t be able to walk between North and South of the Strip because it is too far. You’ll need get either the bus, monorail or Uber. Staying Centre Strip will save you on Ubers.<\/p>\n

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Getting between Downtown and The Strip will require an Uber.<\/p>\n

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Outside hotels and other attractions, you will sometimes be offered rides by private drivers in black SUVs. If you’re ASKED if you want a ride, NEVER ACCEPT.<\/strong> They are most often premium rides in premium vehicles and you’ll pay a very high price. If you want a premium ride, as Steve & Gemma often do when heading out all dressed up in Vegas, book a ‘Premium’ category ride on your Uber app. It will be a pristine, luxury vehicle that you won’t get your gladrags dirty in and you’ll be arriving at your venue in style!<\/p>\n

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You will be able to fit 4 in an UberX. If there’s more then 4 of you heading somewhere, book an XL or Premium ride for up to 6 people. This will work out cheaper than 2x UberX rides.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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General Accommodation Information<\/h2>\n

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Vegas has an abundance of accommodation, from the famous hotels to Airbnbs.\u00a0 If you’re going down the AirBNB route, Steve has booked 200+ over the years. His advice is go for somewhere scoring 4.5*+ and preferably a Superhost. Make sure your choice has A\/C!<\/p>\n

\u00a0You can spend $20 per night or $20,000 per night in Vegas, depending on what you want.\u00a0 But everyone loves a discount code!\u00a0 Use the QR code below to download the ID90 app. Don’t ask how we know about it, but\u00a0 it offers discounts on many Vegas hotels. They vary and fluctuate, so be sure to check back and back until you book something. You can get some real bargains!<\/p>\n

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Some hotels require security deposits at check-in and your resort fee is payable at check-in too. You may want a credit card for this.<\/p>\n

The Check-in Tricks<\/h3>\n

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At check-in, never go to a machine. Always go to a person!\u00a0 That’s because you’re going to try the $50 Sandwich Trick!<\/p>\n

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The $50 Sandwich Trick<\/h3>\n

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You will be asked for your passport and payment card. Before you arrive at the check-in desk, do this: Fold a $50 bill in half and tuck it between your passport and payment card. As you arrive at the check-in desk, ask how the clerk is and if they’re having a good day. When you’re asked for your passport and card, slide it across the desk, casual as you like and ask in a normal tone ‘Do you have any complimentary upgrades today please?’<\/p>\n

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This can result in some major room upgrades, free vouchers, etc. You might get a strip-view room, a suite, etc. It will be at the discretion of the desk clerk. If they say they don’t have anything, discretely take your $50 back when they hand your passport back. This is one of the greatest and lesser-known Vegas hacks. <\/strong>Steve tries it every time he checks into a Vegas hotel. If it works for you, you owe him an Old-Fashioned!<\/p>\n

At every decent hotel in Vegas that Steve has tried this at, it works. If you’re in a budget hotel, it may or may not.<\/p>\n

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A Medical Fridge<\/h3>\n

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At check-in, ask for a fridge for medical purposes. Tell them you need to keep medicine in the fridge. They will then not charge you $50, as they normally do! You’ll get a fridge to keep some drinks and snacks in for free! When this works for you, you owe Steve another Old-Fashioned!<\/p>\n

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The Dreaded Resort Fee<\/h3>\n

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Be aware that when you book a hotel on the Strip or in Downtown, you’ll pay the room fee, PLUS a resort fee. The resort fee is detested by everyone, but there’s no getting out of paying it. It covers things like your internet, etc. It can vary from hotel to hotel and will be between $40 per room per night up to $60 per room per night<\/strong> in luxury hotels. This will be on top of your room fee, so be aware of this hidden cost when booking your hotel. Google the hotel’s resort fee before you book.<\/p>\n

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Some hotels are now waiving their resort fees. We know that the Sahara and Hilton Resorts World have now done this. We will update this page if there are further changes to resort fees.<\/p>\n

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Below is our breakdown of each major Vegas area with where to stay, eat and drink and where to avoid like the plague!\u00a0 It’s all based on our personal experiences.<\/p>\n

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The On\/Off-Strip Winners<\/h2>\n

Accommodation<\/h3>\n

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