How much should I budget for this trip?
I’m planning a solo trip to Las Vegas for later in the year. I’ll be flying business class. I’d like to spend one week at a good hotel (two or three star) and see one of the big shows while I’m there. I’m planning at least two nights at Casinos and I’d like to eat at reasonable restaurants while I’m in town. I plan on renting a midsize car, but I might treat myself to a sexy sports car if its not too much more. One day at the spa is on my agenda, and I’d like to spend a day or maybe two shopping. How much money do you think I should set aside for this trip? I am a good bargain hunter, but please give me your estimate without any discounts. I’ll probably find some good deals, but I’d like to know what my "maximum" will be.
If you need to know more about me I am a single professional woman who doesn’t smoke, has no pets, drinks only in moderation, and is very "sensible" mindset. I’m not planning to waste a ton of cash in a Casino or get drunk and abducted by some weirdo. 
I do plan on spending some cash on clothes, especially high heels. You know what I’m talking about, ladies.
Thanks in advance for the help as I budget for this little treat for myself.
I normally would’ve skipped this question right over but I went to LV a couple of times for two seminars. I’m really curious as to how close I come on this.
1) 7 days @ a nice hotel (*): $325 Check for some here….this is what I used to shop for a nice one last time) (http://www.180096hotel.com/cgi-bin/pickinput?SID=HRN&LKF=HRN&TRK=H1-link&Dest=LAS)
2) 7 days of food $315 – eating out mostly but with a light b-fast
3) 7 Days for a rental car: $275 (Enterprise has great deals through Expedia or Travelocity)
4) 1 Spa Day $250 (this could fluctuate depending on what kind of spa)
5) 1 Nice Show $115 (depending on seating etc)
6) 2 evenings at the casino ($100) (Can you tell I would be a frugal gambler!?)
7) 2 shopping outings ….dare I guess!? ($250)
1 Airfare RT – probably around $380 depending on where you depart
9) $150 Misc./ gas, petty cash, tips etc.
A couple of really ‘epic’ & cool things to do while you’re there:
a) If you’re not afraid of heights & love great expansive western views, go up to the
Stratosphere —108 stories above the skyline. They have some amusement rides up there
too if you’re an ‘xtra thrill-seeker’ like yours truly. $15 for the elevator trip up +/- and $15/ride
if you do that fun stuff.
b) Helicopter ride through the grand canyon – Wow!! Very cool if you like helicopters. There’s one
tour operator that does a deal where they fly you out to a ranch on the indian reservation and
let you have dinner then fly you back. 40 minutes round trip with truly amazing scenery (and
over the Hoover dam too! A separate option is a sunset helo ride down the strip. ($175 for
former if you’re a bargain shopper like me & $90 for the latter).
c) A side trip to Utah to Zion National park – about 3.5 hours north. Very, very cool if you like
canyons, western topography & hiking (get’s my vote…but I don’t wear high heels though
(Great day trip!)
d) Hit the Chamber of commerce which is not far off the strip the first day when you get there as
they have a great display of all the touristy & sight seeing sort of things to do.
(* I stayed at "Sam’s Town" in Boulder city when I attended a seminar there. It’s a off the strip but it’s a self contained city with casinos, multiple restaurants etc. What a great place! I had a room on the top floor with 10 foot ceilings with a scenic mountain in the back and it was like $35/night! All the gamblers subsidize the rooms & food. Great deal for those of us who don’t gamble much. There are other places like it near the strip. Also stayed once at hotel at the Golden Gate Hotel & Casino. It’s old and night times are a bit loud as it’s right on the corner of Fremont & Main St…but it’s quaint and historic).
I’m curious as to how close I was!!
Have fun & best regards,
Eric J
MoneyNFLA@aol.com
September 2nd, 2010 at 1:42 am
Judging from everything you want to do you don’t want to spend a lot of cash but the things you want to do require a lot, for instance flying business (if you fly economy you will save a lot to spend on other things for your trip). There are no reasonable restaurants except for fast food, two nights at the casinos (well it depends on how much you have budgeted for gambling) a sexy sports car in Las Vegas is not cheap, the spa, and I have no idea of how much you plan to buy duringyour shopping experience. Well looking in from an outsiders it appears you may get by with the minimum of $5000 to the maximum amount of $10,000.
References :
September 2nd, 2010 at 2:29 am
I would throw a ball park estimate of around 4000 to 4,500 through a reputable travel firm, If go along I would by the high heels for you
References :
September 2nd, 2010 at 2:50 am
I normally would’ve skipped this question right over but I went to LV a couple of times for two seminars. I’m really curious as to how close I come on this.
1) 7 days @ a nice hotel (*): $325 Check for some here….this is what I used to shop for a nice one last time) (http://www.180096hotel.com/cgi-bin/pickinput?SID=HRN&LKF=HRN&TRK=H1-link&Dest=LAS)
1 Airfare RT – probably around $380 depending on where you depart
2) 7 days of food $315 – eating out mostly but with a light b-fast
3) 7 Days for a rental car: $275 (Enterprise has great deals through Expedia or Travelocity)
4) 1 Spa Day $250 (this could fluctuate depending on what kind of spa)
5) 1 Nice Show $115 (depending on seating etc)
6) 2 evenings at the casino ($100) (Can you tell I would be a frugal gambler!?)
7) 2 shopping outings ….dare I guess!? ($250)
9) $150 Misc./ gas, petty cash, tips etc.
A couple of really ‘epic’ & cool things to do while you’re there:
a) If you’re not afraid of heights & love great expansive western views, go up to the
Stratosphere —108 stories above the skyline. They have some amusement rides up there
too if you’re an ‘xtra thrill-seeker’ like yours truly. $15 for the elevator trip up +/- and $15/ride
if you do that fun stuff.
b) Helicopter ride through the grand canyon – Wow!! Very cool if you like helicopters. There’s one
tour operator that does a deal where they fly you out to a ranch on the indian reservation and
let you have dinner then fly you back. 40 minutes round trip with truly amazing scenery (and
over the Hoover dam too! A separate option is a sunset helo ride down the strip. ($175 for
former if you’re a bargain shopper like me & $90 for the latter).
c) A side trip to Utah to Zion National park – about 3.5 hours north. Very, very cool if you like
canyons, western topography & hiking (get’s my vote…but I don’t wear high heels though
(Great day trip!)
d) Hit the Chamber of commerce which is not far off the strip the first day when you get there as
they have a great display of all the touristy & sight seeing sort of things to do.
(* I stayed at "Sam’s Town" in Boulder city when I attended a seminar there. It’s a off the strip but it’s a self contained city with casinos, multiple restaurants etc. What a great place! I had a room on the top floor with 10 foot ceilings with a scenic mountain in the back and it was like $35/night! All the gamblers subsidize the rooms & food. Great deal for those of us who don’t gamble much. There are other places like it near the strip. Also stayed once at hotel at the Golden Gate Hotel & Casino. It’s old and night times are a bit loud as it’s right on the corner of Fremont & Main St…but it’s quaint and historic).
I’m curious as to how close I was!!
Have fun & best regards,
Eric J
MoneyNFLA@aol.com
References :
My vast reservoir of personal experience!
Eric J
MoneyNFLA@aol.com