Saturday, February 01, 2014

One Place to Avoid Resort fees

One place generally left off lists is the Super 8 on Koval right next to Ellis Island. It is not a casino hotel, but it is very close to being one. If you pay for rooms, take a look at it.
It is not fancy,
(think better than El Cortez Pavillion, similar to Four Queens or D,)
but you can avoid resort fees and get plenty of amenities:

free wifi
coin laundry (I do a load midtrip and use wifi right in the laundry room)
free coffee in the lobby (I think in the rooms as well but I've forgotten)
I like the fancy coffee in the lobby.
free shuttle to and from the airport
heated pool open 24 hours
Turner Classic Movies on the television and three HBO channels


Ellis Island is right there for an easy breakfast.
Or I like rolling in hungry after a night of poker with no supper and grabbing an early morning steak special. You won't find lines at Ellis Island at 2 AM.
The Boyd shuttle now picks up just a block away in the back of Bally's.
The 202 bus will take you out to Boulder, or in to Caesar's if you don't want to walk, or back to Koval if you stay out late for just $5 for 24 hours. Less for seniors who have an Id. One way for those folks is just one dollar. And sometimes a Medicare card is enough for ID.
Note that the Boyd shuttle now takes luggage. I took two free nights at Orleans and backed them up with a week at Super 8, using the shuttle to get me close with luggage.

It won't satisfy high end desires.
The folks really getting hit by resort fees are the low end consumers who have been getting frugal hotel deals that resort fees increase by 50%.
A luxury room renter, even paying the highest $28 resort fee has only increased the cost by 20% on a $140 a night room.
This place will often be a good deal for low rollers.
It is not like staying at other motels either. The casino is right there. Late night 9/6 Jacks or better means an easy stagger into the room.

And it is good for those so angry about resort fees that they won't pay them.
One added advantage is that price goes down for longer bookings. Even 3 nights saves a bit. A week will often get you a free night. So, all that hopping in and out of hotels, common for those of us who have patched together frugal deals in the past, is eliminated.

Be careful not to book a deal that can't be changed or cancelled. You don't save much on that.
Do ask for AARP/ AAA rates.
Sometimes you can use a coupon from Room Savers for a walk in deal. The clerk said that is often the cheapest way, but I never arrive in Vegas unbooked.


Do pay attention to earned Wyndam points for free rooms.
And again, I'd book directly and not with a discounter. It might be a few dollars more, but it is insurance against bad paperwork or a change by one day in plans.

I always ask for room 3045. Seems nice enough.

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