Cheapest stays in Vegas -- December 30, 2003

My ever-entertaining webmaster friend, Michael Bluejay, inquired if he could promote his newsletter called 'Car-Free World.' As the name suggests, it critiques the prevalent car culture. I mentioned that in return for the promotion, he would need to create a newsletter related to gambling. Michael is quite knowledgeable about budget-friendly options for staying in Vegas and offers invaluable insights into affordable lodging in the downtown area. Since I typically rely on biking for short travels and only drive about 3000 miles each year, I resonate with Michael's advocacy for non-car users. If this topic piques your interest, you might want to give his newsletter a shot. We share a policy against spam and make it easy to unsubscribe. Thanks to Michael for providing another delightful and informative newsletter (you might recall he sent one while I was in Hawaii). Here’s to all my newsletter subscribers in 2004—may luck be on your side.

-- The Wizard

Cheapest stays in Vegas

by Michael Bluejay, Your Go-To Budget Expert

I approached the Wizard and asked if he could feature my exciting newsletter in his publication. He agreed but said I needed to mention it myself and write an article centered on Vegas or gambling. Ugh... Well, the Wizard got me there, so I'm diving into the article. But I also get the link to my newsletter, and you, dear reader, benefit as well because you're about to read an exhilarating article that's exclusive to this platform. It’s a win-win situation! After all, isn’t winning what Vegas is all about? Car-Free World Naturally, you can see why the Wizard prefers I stay away from public spaces too often. Anyway, my upcoming article will focus on the absolute most affordable accommodations in Vegas, and I consider myself quite the expert on the matter. Jean Scott, who wrote 'The Frugal Gambler,' doesn't hold a candle to me—I've mastered the art of thriftiness.

The most budget-friendly option would obviously be staying with the Wizard while I'm in Vegas. However, he lives quite far away, in the mountains, about an hour from the bustling downtown (by bicycle, my preferred mode of transport), and I can't say I'm a fan of his outdated 1980s Clavinova electronic piano or the rather unusual atmosphere, including kids referring to me as 'Mr. Bluejay.' So that's not a viable choice. Luckily, there are several other affordable options.

Hostels are generally thought to be exclusively for international visitors, but LVBH sometimes welcomes Americans too, especially during the quieter winter months. The last time I stayed there, the rate was just $13 per night. The downside? You might be sharing your room with three others. Yet, if you can handle that arrangement, it's hard to find a better price.

If your Vegas trip extends over a couple of weeks, you could consider working at the hostel in exchange for free accommodation by taking on a cleaning role or other tasks. I gave this a shot, but it amounted to around three hours of work each day for an entire week—totaling 21 hours for a bed that cost $91, which isn't the best deal ever. However, it turned out to be an interesting adventure. One of my co-workers was an intriguing Belgian fellow named Ronald, another cool roommate was Todd, a waiter from the Venetian, plus there were strippers who chose to stay there even though they could afford hotels because they appreciated a sense of community. There was also an Australian girl who humorously offered me money or a romantic connection if I would marry her to help her stay in the country. However, I was puzzled by her accent, which made me think she was offering me 'six,' while I believed I should hold out for 'seven.'

The Western is my all-time favorite casino. What makes it special? Its extreme affordability and thrilling danger! You can't have one without the other. It's important to have realistic expectations when you find $1 blackjack and $0.25 roulette in a rather rundown establishment that’s brightly lit and situated in a less-desirable neighborhood. I remember one night, two guys followed me out of there, likely hoping to snatch the $67 I had just won. Thankfully, I sensed something was off and managed to navigate back to a safer area before anything untoward occurred.

The Western, $22
899 Fremont St., 800-634-6703

Now, let's discuss the accommodations: The Western used to offer rooms for the unbelievable price of $16 a night, even on weekends! I took advantage of this incredible deal back in 2001. No amount of danger could deter me from those $16 rooms. Unfortunately, the price has since risen to $22. The audacity! But I suppose it's hard to fault them for that.

So what can you expect for $22? Surprisingly, more than you might realize. My room was relatively clean and adequately functional, providing a peaceful place to rest, which was my primary concern. However, the safety of reaching and leaving your room? That’s a separate issue altogether.

If you’re not a fan of perilous excitement, you might prefer the Western's sibling casino, the Gold Spike. The rates there are a bit higher—$25 for weeknights and $30 during weekends—but what do you think comes with avoiding the allure of purchasing narcotics on your way to your hotel? Personally, I don’t like the vibe there as much; the casino is smaller, the lighting is dimmer compared to the Western's bright fluorescents, and it’s not as adventurous.

The Gold Spike, $25-30
400 E. Ogden, 800-634-6703

A friend has a humorous anecdote about the Western. He prefers to remain anonymous, so we'll just refer to him by his initials, W.I.Z. He had a coupon for a complimentary breakfast at the Gold Spike that he wasn't planning to use. As he stepped outside, a homeless man approached him for some money to buy food, so W. generously offered him the coupon. The homeless individual examined it and replied, 'Forget it, I ain't *that* hungry.'

And lastly, I hope I've entertained and informed you enough that you'll consider subscribing to my newsletter.

The Wizard is a subscriber to my newsletter, and I think I heard him mention that it's actually not as terrible as you might imagine. Car-Free World Find mathematically sound strategies and insights for various casino games such as blackjack, craps, roulette, among many others you can play.

Written by: Michael Shackleford