comboprof: Hotel near IGI

[comboprof]

For the third week of October
I'm looking for a modest priced hotel
within walking distance of the IGI
(International Gamming Institute) on Swenson
and Flamingo. For example how long is
the walk from the Flamingo say, or the IP. How terrible
is Terrible's ? I would prefer a poker room,
as I don't play BJ much anymore. Also is it better to
book with say travelocity, etc. or to call directly
and ask for a poker room rate.

[Parker]

> For the third week of October
> I'm looking for a modest priced hotel
> within walking distance of the IGI
> (International Gamming Institute) on Swenson
> and Flamingo. For example how long is
> the walk from the Flamingo say, or the IP. How
> terrible
> is Terrible's ? I would prefer a poker room,
> as I don't play BJ much anymore. Also is it better to
> book with say travelocity, etc. or to call directly
> and ask for a poker room rate.

It is a good healthy mile from the strip to Paradise along Flamingo, and another half mile or so from Paradise to Swenson. By mid-October Las Vegas has cooled off, making walking more pleasant.

Terrible's is nothing great, but not really terrible at all. Rooms are large, clean and nicely furnished (hair dryers, coffee pots, etc.) but nothing fancy. The tower rooms are newer and feature flat-screen TVs. However, I don't believe Terrible's has a live poker room, although they have some decent video poker.

To get the best rate on a room, use a multi-faceted approach. Call the hotel directly, check the hotel website, visit Travelocity and Expedia, and use Travelaxe (www.travelaxe.com), which is a meta-search engine that queries about a dozen smaller online booking agencies simultaneously and displays the results in a chart.

Then go with the best price.

However, there are a few caveats when using an online booking agency:

1. Your credit card is usually charged the full price at the time of booking.

2. There may be a non-refundable service charge if you cancel the booking.

3. As a rule, casinos will not comp rooms booked through onine agencies.

[comboprof]

Thanks for the info. I decided after a long debate to stay at IP. I found their "stay and pay" package called "Imperial escapes" gave me the best deal at $350+tax = $380 for the WThFS nights I'm staying. That puts me in center strip in a good location for a poker player and within walking distance to the IGI. Looks like about 1.5 miles. If its too much I'll take a cab. I hope the room will be adequate. I read some bad reports, but all I need is a non-smoky place to sleep. Smoke which I have now become allergic to is one of the reasons I gave up blackjack. The other is that poker is easier. Anyway what are the good nearby restaurants and which ones should I avoid. I've never stayed center strip before!

[Parker]

The room should be fine. The IP is a Harrah's joint now, and they have done some renovation. If you don't like your room, ask to me moved to another one - they've got nearly 2700 of them, so this should not be a problem.

This is a big sprawling hotel that has been expanded many times, so you may have a long walk from your room to, well, anything.

Avoid the Emperor's Buffet at the IP at all costs, even if you get a comp! It is one of the worst, if not the worst, buffets in all of Las Vegas.

However, The Embers is actually a pretty decent steak house, and the coffee shop (called the "Teahouse") is okay.

If you're in the mood for a buffet, walk over to Harrah's next door. For a really over-the-top buffet (with an over-the-top price) cross the strip to Bellagio.

If you have a craving for a first class gourmet meal, and don't mind paying what you're spending for the room that night or more, there are plenty of options at Bellagio or Caesars.

If fast and cheap is more your style, there is a food court in The Forum Shops at Caesars.

Getting back to the IP, the Auto Collection is a really extensive collection of antique, classic and historical cars. It is worth seeing even if you have to pay for it, and you probably won't - look in the tourist mags for a freebie coupon.

You're within easy walking distance of Caesars, Bellagio, Paris, the Venetian and much more, so get out and do some sightseeing.

[THE PLAYER]

from the mexican fast food restaurant in front of the
stratosphere tower casino.
After having 2 or 3 of them, and a fresh coke, it is good working.

[Greasy John]

Avoid rooms that face the garage (any rooms) or the pool if you are on the first few floors);the noise and frivolity can try your patience. And as for the buffet, I've eaten there several times and always found it good.

GJ

> Thanks for the info. I decided after a long debate to
> stay at IP. I found their "stay and pay"
> package called "Imperial escapes" gave me
> the best deal at $350+tax = $380 for the WThFS nights
> I'm staying. That puts me in center strip in a good
> location for a poker player and within walking
> distance to the IGI. Looks like about 1.5 miles. If
> its too much I'll take a cab. I hope the room will be
> adequate. I read some bad reports, but all I need is a
> non-smoky place to sleep. Smoke which I have now
> become allergic to is one of the reasons I gave up
> blackjack. The other is that poker is easier. Anyway
> what are the good nearby restaurants and which ones
> should I avoid. I've never stayed center strip before!