Las Vegas Hotels are Going Green

These days, just about everyone’s getting involved in the craze to “Go Green”, but for good reason – it saves money! Las Vegas Hotels are no different from any other business – their bottom line is what counts and that bottom line relies heavily on tourist demand, consumer interests, and now more than ever, a forward thinking strategy that integrates eco-conscious hotel operations with the more traditional style of “doing whatever it takes to get them in the door”.

It’s been a long time coming, but hotels around the world are taking notice of the efforts that their patrons have made in their own homes and especially in terms of the dollar amounts being saved by reducing energy consumption, reducing eco-footprints, and just generally being more conscientious about their impacts on the environment. Red Rock Casino, Resort & Spa in Las Vegas is just one of the many hotels currently producing a dedicated effort to reduce their ecological footprint, and it’s already paid off in spades.

Red Rock’s “Going Green” campaign has included adopting some pretty basic techniques employed by other hotels in Las Vegas, such as replacing traditional lighting with compact fluorescent bulbs, replacing nonessential air conditioning units with energy efficient ceiling fans, utilizing “used linen cards” with instructions on how to reduce water usage and installing low-flow shower heads in their guest rooms, but they’ve also taken things up a notch in other directions.

The deployment of energy efficient urinals, for one thing, seems like a no brainer, but how many other hotels in Las Vegas have taken similar measures? (Anyone?). Motion sensors in the restrooms, meeting rooms, and exercise rooms is an old-trick, but are any of Red Rock’s competitors utilizing LED based lights for ALL of their marquee signs on the buildings, or sending ALL food scraps for reuse and recycling animal feed? I’m sure some of the mega-resorts on the Strip are turning their used kitchen grease and fryer oil into bio-diesel fuel too, but how many of them have installed drift eliminators to automatically shut off water features when the wind is blowing?

Red Rock’s efforts don’t just read well on paper either – they’ve created considerable reductions across a variety of measurements: the Resort recycles about 35 tons of solid waste, 10.5 tons of plastic, aluminum and glass, and 24 tons of cardboard every single month. They’ve reducing energy consumption of their marquee signage by about 85% over conventional incandescent designs, and they’ve saved on average about 8% in electricity annually each year since their Green campaign first launched in 2006. That’s enough electricity to power 375 homes in the Las Vegas Valley!

But it doesn’t stop there, for the Hotel has plans to deploy additional measures estimated to save about the equivalent power of 125 additional homes over the next year. To Red Rock, and other hotels who have implemented similar green-energy practices, we applaud your efforts and we will continue to support you in whatever way possible. Congratulations on achieving record consumption rates while also increasing your bottom line (we noticed that you were fully booked throughout the month of April!). We appreciate your dedication to being one of the only green hotels in Las Vegas!

Interested in Las Vegas vacation travel this year, but working on a budget? Take advantage of this year’s excellent and limited time opportunities, like an affordable Las Vegas vacation hotel, so you can visit Sin City without the sinful price tag. Besides, who wants to waste money that could better be used on a night at a show or gambling? The following short-and-simple Five Secrets to an Affordable Las Vegas Vacation should get you moving on the right track to spending a couple hundreds of dollars instead of several hundreds to thousands.

First Secret: Pick Up Rooms Off the Strip

Check out the Las Vegas vacation hotel packages available just off the Strip. These snazzy hotels have all the fun and glam of the Strip without the $100s nightly cost. In fact, the limited Las Vegas vacation travel deal provided at that link gets you a whole weekend for just $125, including a $100 discount booklet! Imagine your rooms for the weekend costing just $25.

Second Secret: Try Your Gambling at Different Casinos

You’re hard pressed to find an affordable blackjack or roulette table along the Strip, but there are still plenty of casinos with better odds and payouts! Try out Jumbo Bingo, Jumbo Keno, Jumbo Hold ‘Em and Jumbo Pennies!

Third Secret: Get Your Show Tickets Same Day

Tix 4 Tonight, located behind the giant Coke bottle at 3785 Las Vegas Blvd. — or 7 other places around town — sells tickets for same-day shows that have not yet sold out. You’re not going to find the popular shows that require advance booking here, but if you’re looking to see a magician or just have a night of fun during your Las Vegas vacation travel, this is definitely the place. If you visit their website, you can even download a coupon for an additional $2 off every ticket. Enjoy savings of up to 50%!

Fourth Secret: Visit During the Off Days

If you go to Las Vegas on days other than Friday, Saturday and Sunday, chances are you’ll not only get better hotel rates, but better show selections and less hassles. There are also several Las Vegas restaurants that offer discounts to weekday dining.

Fifth Secret: Don’t Skimp on the Strip

Now that we’ve told you to check out a Las Vegas vacation hotel and casinos off the Strip, it’s time to backtrack a bit: make sure to visit the Strip during your stay, but avoid all the luxurious fees in sleeping overnight. This may include wandering around Paris and Mandalay Bay and taking it easy on the $10 and $20 tables.

Here are some must-see hotels on the Strip in Las Vegas that everyone should visit during their stay:

• Bellagio
• Caesars Palace
• Circus Circus
• Excalibur
• Luxor
• Mandalay Bay
• MGM Grand
• Mirage
• Monte Carlo
• Paris
• The Stardust
• Treasure Island
• The Venetian

Was this guide on Las Vegas vacation travel useful to you? Feel free to leave comments or questions about the Five Secrets to an Affordable Las Vegas Vacation!

There is no question that Las Vegas continues to suffer heavily under the strain and slow-down of the current United States economic recession. However, for travelers looking to save a few bucks, there has never been a better time visit Sin City, because record breaking deals, discounts, and incentives are on offer all over the city. Las Vegas Hotels, Resorts, and Casinos, from the most posh Strip properties to the relatively unknown local favorites, are offering the lowest room rates and the best package deals in recent memory. “I never expected it to come in this low,” says Las Vegas Advisor’s Anthony Curtis. “It’s an amazing time right now.” For the deal-savvy, Las Vegas has never been such an attractive destination, so don’t let this opportunity slip away without taking advantage of it!

If you’re looking for great odds, discounted rooms, deals on food and drinks, friendly service, cheerful environments, and good gambling, consider skipping the Mega-Casinos of the Strip and giving a shot to one of the smaller players, known affectionately as the “local casinos.” These charming hotels, resorts, and casinos can be found conveniently just off the strip and throughout the entire Las Vegas Valley.

Multiple hotel chains catering to local tastes, including Station Casinos, Cannery Casinos, Boyd Gaming, and Coast Casinos, compete vigorously for their share of Las Vegas’ large contingent of resident gamblers. Though most tourists aren’t even aware of their existence since they don’t have properties on the Strip, some of these hotels actually offer unparalleled value, with the dining, gaming, and entertainment options found on the Strip, at a much reduced cost!

So What’s the Difference?

Given the very public lamentations of Las Vegas’ woes, and such incidents like the recent tiff over President Obama’s controversial warning that “You can’t go take a trip to Las Vegas… on the taxpayers’ dime” it may seem like Vegas is being reclaimed by the desert sands from which it emerged, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth. In fact, Relocation.com, a leading online resource for moving services, recently predicted that Las Vegas would continue to top the list as the number 1 destination for people looking to make a long distance state-to-state move. And while people’s motivation for moving varies, from job prospects to weather conditions and a variety of other reasons, it’s anecdotally understood that a significant percentage of new Las Vegas residents share one very prominent passion; their love of gambling.

The 2008 yearly Clark County Residents Study conducted by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority found out that “Gaming” (euphemism for “Gambling”) was the second most popular activity for Las Vegas residents; with 18% of the population claiming to regularly take part in Sin City’s most famous pastime. The survey results reported that only attending the cinema outranked gambling in terms of the percentage of population taking part in the activity, with just 2% more of the population heading to the movies rather than the casino. Straight from the report itself: “Gaming was first among activities done ‘most often’ (9%) and was tied for first among ‘favorite’ activities (7%).” Additionally, 44% of residents who gamble admitted to testing their luck at least once a week. And many of Vegas’ local gamblers are quite serious about it, with two-thirds of them claiming to budget at least $25 a day for gambling, and 46% of them admitting to budget at least $50 per day for the casinos!

It should be pretty obvious that such regular gamblers know both what they’re doing, and where to do it, especially given their close proximity to so many different gambling venues. After all, these aren’t your weekend-warrior types who flock to the Strip Mega Resorts for the latest and greatest inventions in light-sound-and-noise, but savvy, money-wise people looking to make some cash on the side while having a good time. The locals know where to play, so tracking their movements and following in their footsteps is a strategy that all of us should probably consider. Without further ado, let’s introduce some of their favorite hotspots.

Off-Strip Diamonds in the Rough

Because local casinos aim to draw the same people through their doors several times a week, they cater to locals, rather than tourist’s tastes, emphasizing quality service, food, and gaming instead of fancy floral arrangements and the latest design fads. Food and drinks, famously overpriced on the Strip, are much more affordable, and often arrive in far more generous portions. Slot machines are looser, with better odds and larger payouts. Local venues are also more likely to feature newer machines for the purpose of attracting seasoned local veterans tired of the same old games found on the Strip. Table games are less intimidating, friendlier, and offer better odds and payouts. And even niche games with throngs of fanatical followers like bingo and baccarat find themselves a permanent home at the local gambling houses- a rarity on the Strip.

Additional benefits advantages of local casinos include avoiding the crowds and neon distractions of the Strip, finding better deals on rooms and amenities, and getting more bang for your buck in the value department. Off-the-Strip properties frequently offer more liberal coupon policies, excellent package deals, and gaming comps. Parking spaces are far easier to find, traffic is much less of a headache, and vacations are typically more convenient since all the attractions are located at the same property. And fine diners can avoid the sticker shock of the Strip’s celebrity chef restaurants, finding refuge among the scenic mountains and beautiful desert landscapes surrounding local casinos on the outskirts of town, as noted by Eric Noland in his (now dated, but still relevant) article highlighting “Las Vegas’ best off-Strip restaurants”.

Local Favorites from Station Casinos

Red Rock Casino

Red Rock Casino, Resort & Spa offers the same glitz and glamour of the Strip, with frequent celebrity appearances, “Cherry”- one of the hottest Las Vegas nightclubs, and upscale contemporary fine dining. It’s also a locals favorite, taking home the vaunted prize of Best Locals Hotel in both 2007 and 2008 by the voters of the Las Vegas Review-Journal contest. Just 10 miles away from the Las Vegas Strip, this Las Vegas Casino Resort & Spa rises in the foreground of serene red sandstone mountains and is easily identified by its huge unique “Backyard” pool area and futuristic glowing red highlights. Locals and tourists alike flock to Red Rock for its distinctive décor, impeccable service, and the excitement found in their state of the art Vegas Casino. Red Rock’s Vegas Spa Packages and Spa Services are also second to none, with over 35,000 square feet of tranquil, luxurious surroundings designed to provide the ultimate experience in relaxation.

Aliante Station

Aliante Station is one of the newest Las Vegas Resort and Casino properties, which opened with a lucky twist: the date and time of its opening was centered on the number eleven. During its first few days, someone hit a $100,000 slot machine jackpot – perhaps the opening time bestowed some magic upon this “special”Las Vegas Casino? Magic or not, this newcomer is by no means a slouch, featuring premier attractions such as an 18-hole championship golf course, a multitude of restaurants, a 16 screen movie theater, and a 1,500 square foot fitness center. Aliante Station’s contemporary style and great gaming are easily accessible, at just 20 minutes from the hustle and bustle of the Strip, making it one of the most convenient “locals” casinos.

Green Valley Ranch

Green Valley Ranch is a luxurious AAA Four Diamond award-winning Las Vegas Resort, Spa, and Casino that both pampers and excites in a lush, Mediterranean setting. With eight choices offering some of the best in Las Vegas fine dining, one of Vegas’ largest outdoor concert venues, the European-inspired casino, and some of the best hotel packages in town, Green Valley Ranch Resort has something on offer for everyone. Tourists and locals alike love the fantastic spa, the huge sand-bottomed pool, and the expansive shopping area, “The District”, with over 50 fine shops, boutiques, and restaurants.

Santa Fe Station

Santa Fe Station immerses its visitors with a Spanish villa styled theme. Catering to the needs of gamblers, while also offering family-friendly activities, Santa Fe Station’s Las Vegas Hotel and Casino has something for everyone. Low buy-ins at traditional Vegas table games offer parents the greatest bang for their buck, while kids can enjoy playing in the 24-hour video arcade, stay in the supervised nursery center, or go bowling at the on-site state of the art bowling center. It’s no surprise that Santa Fe Station was ranked the Best Locals Casino in 2008 by the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Fiesta Rancho

Fiesta Rancho caters to food-lovers and gamblers alike with a colorful Mexican-themed style. Fiesta Rancho’s Vegas Hotel and Casino boasts five well-rated restaurants, a bakery, an ice cream parlor, and 1,200 of the self-titled “loosest and most frequently hit video poker machines on the planet.” The Garduños Restaurant and Cantina was named “Best Mexican Restaurant” four times by the readers of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, and the Festival Buffet remains one of the city’s most popular buffets.

Texas Station

Texas Station offers the size, glamour, and Texas-style friendly service of a complete Las Vegas entertainment experience, with full-service restaurants (Austin’s Steakhouse is a frequent award winner), a massive Texas-themed gaming floor, and a huge movie theater equipped with stadium seating and THX audio. Gamblers and visitors to Texas Station’s Las Vegas Gambling Hall & Hotel need not fret, as this casino is filled with a vast amount of gaming options reminiscent of the huge Western frontier – with 125,000 square feet of gambling space and some of the Vegas’ loosest slots and best odds.

Boulder Station

Boulder Station features the look of a traditional western train station, with hardwood walkways circling the entire casino floor, and beautiful stained glass features surrounding 42 table games on offer. Boulder Station’s Hotel and Casino features a mammoth 75,000 square foot gaming floor, a 270-seat combination comedy and country music club, and a Kid’s Quest area providing children’s supervision, allowing parents to take advantage of the many gaming options on offer here including: blackjack, bingo, Caribbean Stud poker, video poker, and more.

Sunset Station

Sunset Station presents visitors with stunning Spanish and Mediterranean architecture and styling, as well as a “sky ceiling” that must be seen to be believed. Sunset Station was honored with the award of Best Locals Hotel in 2008 from the staff of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Offering typical Station Casinos value to both tourists and locals alike, Sunset Station’s Vegas Casino & Hotel offers family friendly entertainment, including a 13-screen movie theater, the 72 lane “Strike Zone Bowling Center”, and a Kid’s Quest child-care facility, along with some of the finest gaming options in town. With their 300-seat “Club Madrid” lounge frequently offering live entertainment, traditional Las Vegas gambling tables, and a wide variety of full-service restaurants, there is enough on offer here for visitors of all types.

So next time you make your way to Sin City, take a second look at your options and consider something other than the latest Strip mega-hotel. Your bank account will thank you for it later!