Las Vegas Hotel Tips

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Landing the Best Room

Somebody has to get the best room in the house. It might as well be you. You can start by joining the hotel's frequent-guest program, which may make you eligible for upgrades. A hotel-branded credit card usually gives its owner "silver" or "gold" status in frequent-guest programs for free. In the case of Las Vegas, joining a casino hotel's players club may net you upgrade privileges. Always ask about a corner room. They're often larger and quieter, with more windows and light, and they often cost the same as other rooms. When you make your reservation, ask if the hotel is renovating; if it is, request a room away from the construction. Ask about nonsmoking rooms, rooms with views, rooms with twin, queen-, or king-size beds. If you're a light sleeper, request a quiet room away from vending machines, elevators, restaurants, bars, and discos. Ask for one of the rooms that have been most recently renovated or redecorated.

If you aren't happy with your room when you arrive, say so. If another room is available, most lodgings will be willing to accommodate you. And while it may seem hopelessly outdated, the fact is that tipping a desk clerk in Las Vegas -- if you can do it with a straight face -- can still sometimes produce results.

In Las Vegas, asking the following questions is also useful before you book a room:

What's the view like? Cost-conscious travelers may be willing to pay less for a back room facing the parking lot, especially if they don't plan to spend much time in their room. A room on a higher floor with a view of the Strip can cost up to $20 a night extra at some hotels. (Paris Las Vegas, for example, charges more for rooms that overlook the Bellagio fountains.)

How far is the room from the main entrance, the casino, and other amenities? We know one exercise fanatic who didn't mind skipping her workouts in Vegas because her room was almost a mile away (or felt like it), one-way, from the hotel's entrance. Most of the world's largest hotels are in Las Vegas, so make sure your room is close to the action if you don't want to hoof it too often.