The Palms...

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Let me chime in real quick...for those of you over 21 I would highly recommend what I did. When you're wasting your money in all those casinos sign up for their players' clubs. In particular, sign up for the Ballys/Harrahs/Caesars/Flamingo/Paris chain's Total Rewards Club. Sign ups are free and afterward you get mailers and emails every several weeks that typically include coupons for discounted show tickets and free gambling cash, but most importantly FREE HOTEL NIGHTS!! Usually it will be two free night sun-thurs usable once in a 3 month period. You can takc days on either side for a reasonable price. That's how I got a pretty awesome room in Bally's FOR FREE! Get on it. The only catch is, I think you may only be able to sign up AT one of the casinos.
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On the "Motel Six" thing, that place is filled with hookers and frisky politicians! :)

The hotel thing is really a catch 22. Because of the last minute nature of attendees, generally people will wait too long to book their rooms and the rates skyrocket which means they can't swing the cost. Or if we get a low rate on a block, there's always a large percentage that'll say, "Well, it's X-$5 down at the Flagstaff YMCA!"

We got really lucky this year because the rates on the block continued to decrease compared to previous years. Hopefully since it was shifted to late weekend/early weekday, we'll get some attractive room and meeting space rates.

It's going to be a pretty interesting NJC08 as I've got a lot of ideas on how to keep it fun and a lot more educational.
 
I hate to revive an ancient thread, seeing as you all have decided on The Sahara already; however...

I definitely recommend the Palms for next year. It's a swanky, 20's/30's-oriented place, with clubs and a tattoo shop and stores inside, and with bartenders who will even make you creative drinks suited to your specified mood and tastes. It's new, and doesn't have that "old Vegas" feel (and lack of smoke ventilation) so many talk about. There are two great quality, but reasonable restaurants in there that I tried, too -- Little Buddha (Asian), and Garduño's (Mexican).

As far as it being off-strip, it isn't much of a problem...you can walk across the street (literally) and utilize the Gold Coast's FREE shuttle to Bill's Gambling Hall/the old Barbary Coast, and then walk to your hotel almost anywhere on the Strip. The shuttles come every 10 minutes or so until the wee hours of the morning - it's definitely doable.

I also highly recommend the Orleans hotel/casino, which also has a free shuttle to the main strip. It's more of a locals place, affordable, but quite a bit of fun.

Just my two cents...
 
The Palms is too expensive for us now...for any year....

we could use it as a M&G/bar location but as far as meeting space goes, forget it, we're not paying those prices unless we can guarantee we'd come out in the black.
 
yea.. it's sad how expensive vegas have gotten and if you have some type of name attached to ya.... even worse :(
 
Kristie said:
yea.. it's sad how expensive vegas have gotten and if you have some type of name attached to ya.... even worse :(
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I know what you mean.

I guess that I'm unusual in the way that I'd rather stay off-strip, rather than upstairs in some ritzy casino. I'm not much of a gambler; I just enjoy those places for the..sociological experience. Of course, I'd love the benefits of a fancy place, and roman jacuzzi tub, but I'd much rather stay for 7-10 days, instead of 3.
I was able to get an extended-stay hotel-apartment, with a separate bedroom, tv, internet access, a full kitchen, a pool, and a laundry facility for ~$375 total for 8 days. The place was steam-cleaned before I got there, and in a relatively safe area, too. I was pretty impressed for the price. The only bad thing I can honestly say is that the couch kind of sucked, but after a few drinks, I couldn't have given a blob less. :laff:

There are definitely bargains in Vegas if you look for them...I guess one would miss out on any gambling offers/clubs, though.
 
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