WAHM Forums

Ok, I'm trying to plan our trip for the Leadership Convention in Las Vegas that I'm attending. My husband is coming with me. We have to do this on a shoestring budget, I mean literally! How much are we looking at per meal there and has anyone ever stayed at a downtown hotel (we're at The Golden Nugget) and are there any mini-marts in that vicinity? I really can't afford the 11 meals for 2 people figuring $10 per person per meal! That's just too much. So, I'm kind of thinking of taking something along for breakfast, but I don't know what would be portable or if I should even try to take a cooler and check it with the luggage. Any thoughts?

Does your room have a refrigerator? If you have medications that need
refrigeration, the hotel is required to supply you with a refrigerator...if the
rules are still the same...

Take a couple of boxes of cereal, buy milk there, (take bowls and spoons!),
and take energy bars for lunch and some fruit... Take an extra suitcase if
you need to with non-perishable food...

Okay, I have to be honest and tell you that my first answer was hilarious, but
would have not been appreciated.. But Ihope this helps some.

Nondy

That's kind of what I was thinking, but I need to know if there's even a place to buy milk nearby.

How are you getting from the airport to your hotel? I have found that if you
are NOT getting free shuttle service, it may be just as expensive to take a
van shuttle as a cab. If you take a cab, just pay a little extra and have him
stop at a store on your way to the hotel?

Nondy

How are you getting from the airport to your hotel? I have found that if you
are NOT getting free shuttle service, it may be just as expensive to take a
van shuttle as a cab. If you take a cab, just pay a little extra and have him
stop at a store on your way to the hotel?

Nondy

PS,

You might also be able to share the cab if you know someone going to the
same hotel...

Hmm, that's a thought. There isn't a free shuttle, so I'll have to see. And I might actually get to the hotel quicker too. Last time I took the shuttle and it took more than an hour (but that was in Orlando too).

It is actually better to take a taxi. It does not make a ton of stops and you can stop. They will charge you for a wait period. Have you called the hotel, they probably know of a close store. On the strip there is a Walgreen that is huge with groceries but I am not familiar with the downtown are. The Golden Nugget is nice. If you can, eat a later breakfast and then have some fruit or energy bars to tide you over until dinner. Get online and look for "cheap eats in vegas" or look at a Frommers book at your library for inexpensive alternatives. Vegas is getting more expensive in the food aspect but you can still find good places. The Tropicana is older but the buffet is outstanding. Stay away from the new places like Paris Paris or Alladin's. On the strip there is a Perkins that is reasonable.


Have Fun

We had breakfast in our room with things like instant oatmeal (using the coffee maker to make hot water) or a healthy cold cereal, we could either eat in with sandwiches or we would find somewhere to go and split our lunch to get through the day and then for dinner go somewhere like Denny's for their specials. I believe there is a Denny's on the strip and you can watch the fire and water show if you get a window seat. LOL


If you're not up to the walk to the Denny's remember that sometimes places have half orders that they don't put on the menu. Just ask the waiter...it couldn't hurt. Edited by: BrendaLP

If you do take a taxi, map out the route (and find the fastest) or call the hotel and ask them the fastest way to the hotel from the airport. I plan lots of meetings in Las Vegasand have known taxi drivers to take a...less direct route...to increase their fare. Just be aware.


And have fun on your trip!! smileys/smiley1.gifEdited by: MamaK

Definitely take Mama K's advice! The taxi's can be VERY expensive, especially if they take you down the strip, it's all stop and go. Perhaps the hotel has a shuttle from the airport that you could take?


Have fun!


smileys/smiley1.gif

It has been a few years since I have been to vegas, but packing oatmeal, apples, snacks that don't require refrigeration can bea bonus for you. I pack styrofoam bowls and plastic spoons along with the oatmeal in my suitcase. The other bonus is the stuff you eat leaves room for a suvenior for those at home. Downtown is farther away from the airport than the strip. There is the city bus but if you are bringing luggage it might not be the best way to commute.


I'm not sure when you are going, but to add to your budget can you do an extra show or orders to earn some commission to pay for the extra costs. You might check out the vegas tourism website for information as well.


Have fun at your training. Take lots of notes and ask lots of questions of the other attendees. I have learned some great ideas by doing this at my conventions.


Lynn

Thanks for all of your help! I think we're going to take a small insulated lunch box with yogurt in our carry-on and some fresh fruit of some kind for breakfast. Lunch and Dinner we'll buy, and I'll bring along snacks. Since our company is so small and this is manager training there will only be about 30 or so people there so snacking during meetings isn't really an option. smileys/smiley2.gif The shuttle from the airport is about $12 round trip, not bad compared to Orlando last year. I'll see about a taxi for cheaper, but I'm not sure I want to risk slow drivers either. The hotel doesn't have a shuttle service I already checked.


I checked out a "cheap eats" site and it doesn't look like there's much for cheap that's decent, but the Buffet at the Golden Nugget wasn't rated to bad for food or price. We won't do any gambling, so that's not even an issue. Well...maybe one slot machine just to say I've done it, but that'll be it.


Sometimes I hate these conferences and the expense involved, but I'm getting awards and I know there'll be lots of freebies too, so that's the big reasons I'm going. Plus the training is always great. Just once I'd like to have a cash "surplus" so I could enjoy my trip rather than stressing over cost. I only have 4 parties scheduled between now and then and with the lateness of January, I'm not sure I'll get anymore in. Most all of it is paid for with the exception of food and one hotel night and incidentals, souvenirs (not too many though, just for the kids), etc. And I'm getting $200 in cash when I get there for incentives I've earned. Last year I had $7 left after our conference in Orlando, that's how closely I planned the budget. People thought I was nuts, but at least I was there.


Anyway, I'd still appreciate any other incite anyone has into Las Vegas, this is my first trip there and although I'm VERY excited about it, I'm also nervous (no more watching CSI for me, it just might be "based on a true story"smileys/smiley36.gif). But thanks to all of you that have helped. I think I have it figured out now what I should do!

Hi,


Glad to hear you have a plan now. One thing I should have mentioned was a tip from Rachael Ray. She has many shows on the food network and one of them is about how to eat while traveling. Her daily budget is a bit more than yours, but she still has some great ideas.


If you are going to buy a big meal, do it at lunch because you can often get the same meal at lunch than you will at dinner for a better price.


Also, a great resource if you have the nerve to ask around, is to ask some locals. They have to live and work there and they might know a place that isn't normally advertised.


Just some things to keep in mind,


Brenda


Let us know if you see them taping any CSI episodes. smileys/smiley2.gifEdited by: BrendaLP

Just remember to relax and have some fun,too! There's a lot to do in Vegas without spending a ton, and the people watching is fantastic!!


smileys/smiley36.gif