When Vacationing In Las Vegas You Have A Choice – A Hotel Off The Strip Does Offer Advantages

Everyone knows of the Las Vegas Strip; the lights, the sights, the sounds and unfortunately the crowds and the traffic. The home of big hotels with thousands of rooms such as MGM Grand and The Venetian. Some of the best dining to be found anywhere and high prices to match. World class entertainment. And of course the casinos, with table games and slot machines as far as the eye can see. But when it comes time to plan your vacation, staying off the strip can present some advantages.
Most of the hotels and casinos located off the Strip are referred to as ‘local’s casinos.’ This is due to the fact that locals, those of us who live and work in Las Vegas, do not frequent the Strip casinos that often. We prefer to stay close to home and have found that many of these casinos offer amenities similar to those on the Strip. And the best part is the prices you pay for these amenities are less than what you would pay in the better known casinos on the Strip.
The Green Valley Ranch Resort is by far one of the best off-strip hotels in Las Vegas.
Actually, Green Valley Ranch is not located in Las Vegas, but in the city of Henderson. It is easy to travel to the Strip either by car or taxi and your no more than 15 minutes away. Room rates generally start from $139 a night, of course this depends on what time of year you are planning to travel to Las Vegas. The décor of the rooms is comfy and contemporary without being overly modern and intimidating. When you reserve your room and when you check-in be sure to ask for a room that offers a view of the Strip.
There are so many dining options at Green Valley Ranch you will never need to have a meal at the same place twice. On the high-end you will find Hank’s, a steakhouse and martini bar. Or you may prefer some Asian fare or sushi at China Spice. If an Italian meal is more of you liking then head over to Terre Verde. Sure there aren’t big-name celebrity chef’s attached to these restaurants but you also won’t pay the big prices for those chefs, as you will at the restaurants located on the Strip.
One of the local’s favorites at Green Valley Ranch is The Original Pancake House. A Las Vegas institution since 1953, The Original Pancake House serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and it is all reasonably priced. But as the name suggests they are famous for their breakfasts, especially their huge omelets and the incredible variety of pancakes. Whether you plan to go for breakfast, lunch or dinner you must order breakfast.
The Feast Buffet and the Grand Cafe both offer great value and quality food. The buffet can get very busy on the weekends and in the evenings. Try to stop by for breakfast or lunch during the week or arrive early for dinner. When the local’s are out on force on the weekends, there will always be a wait, but usually you will never wait longer than 20 to 30 minutes. The menu at the Grand Cafe covers breakfast, lunch and dinner and they are open 24 hours.
After the sun sets you can put on your dancing shoes or if you just prefer a cocktail or two you have options without traveling to the Strip. How about a hearty beer at Quinn’s Irish Pub or a drink in the center of the casino at the Drop Bar. If you wish for a little more excitement head outdoors to Whiskey Beach and party under the stars and around the pools. You can even take off those dancing shoes and run your toes thought the sandy beach.
If you want to take in a show you probably should head to the Strip. The only entertainment at Green Valley Ranch, besides the movie theaters, is the occasional concert in the Ovation club or at Whiskey Beach. If you are looking for something on the caliber of Cirque du Soleil or Celine Dion plan a evening on the Strip and book your tickets well in advance.
Shopping at Green Valley Ranch does not come close to the offerings on the Strip, but you can spend a nice relaxing afternoon at The District. Located adjacent to the casino, The District has small shops and big name stores such as Sharper Image and REI all in an outdoor setting. There are also many restaurants most offering outdoor terraces so you can enjoy your meal under that warm Las Vegas sun.
If you plan on doing some gambling during your stay one of the first things you should do is sign-up for their players club. The Boarding Pass, as they call it, gives you more generous rewards than the casinos on the Strip. You can even sign-up before you leave home on their website. The rewards can add up fast and who wouldn’t like a free meal?
While you are visiting their website to sign-up for the player’s club it would be worth your while to give your email address. This can be especially beneficial if your travel dates are flexible or if you are not yet sure when you will be traveling to Las Vegas. Periodically they will send you promotional offers for great package deals or special room rates.
Booking a hotel room off the Strip does not mean you have to sacrifice luxury, comfort or convenience. The Green Valley Ranch Resort is a prime example of this. It does mean you can have all the benefits offered by the big-name hotels, like Wynn Las Vegas or Bellagio. You can always take that excursion to the Strip, but you can also escape the big crowds and retreat to a more relaxed setting. And the best part, your pocket book will have a little more cash in it so you can enjoy a few more hands of blackjack.

Whistler Accommodation: The Aspens – Your Source for Affordable Luxury

When choosing your next Whistler accommodation, take advantage of first class luxury and convenience without paying hefty nightly rates. The Aspens on Blackcomb Mountain combines amazing amenities and an excellent location to ensure an incredible mountain getaway. Many units in the Aspens are rented out directly by the owner (so they avoid middle agent fees and some taxes) meaning nightly rates are often much cheaper than hotel accommodation.Amazing AmenitiesAs one of the most spacious and lavish Whistler accommodation choices, the Aspens includes a range of remarkable amenities. Have a splash in the lodge’s heated outdoor pool or relax in one of three slope-side hot tubs. Fitness and laundry facilities are available for guest use and each Aspens unit features a fully equipped kitchen, fireplace and private balcony boasting fabulous mountain views.Convenient LocationStay close to all the action of Whistler village, but escape the noise and bustle of the crowds. Situated on Blackcomb Mountain, the Aspens is just a short walk or complimentary shuttle ride away from Blackcomb’s Upper Village and Whistler’s main village. As a ski in/ski out Whistler accommodation, the Aspens allows quick and easy entry to the slopes and is just steps away from Blackcomb’s Wizard Express Chair.During the Summer season, enjoy Whistler’s natural beauty and wildlife at Lost Lake Park. Just a short stroll from the Aspens resort, Lost Lake Park offers a variety of trails and paths ideal for hiking or biking ventures and lots of open space for family picnics and barbecues. A short walk down the hill from the Aspens brings you to Blackcomb Base – the ultimate destination for families travelling with children. With activities such as zipping down the Westcoaster Luge or testing your acrobatic limits on the bungy trampoline, the Adventure Zone offers excellent fun and entertainment for the young and the young at heart.Reasonable Nightly RatesTake advantage of a Whistler accommodation that offers luxury and comfort at a budget-friendly rate. An owner-direct two bedroom condominium rental in the month of April (2009) can go for as low as $125/night at the Aspens, while in the village rates start at $149/night and offer less amenities. As you can see, the Aspens offers first class comfort and convenience without the need to spend a fortune.

Eating On A Budget In Las Vegas Restaurants

A Las Vegas vacation for many familys is an experience to enjoy for everyone with all of the food, drink, gambling, and kid-friendly games. In fact, one of the biggest reasons that people visit Las Vegas is for the delectible Las Vegas restaurants. You do not have to be wealthy to experience many of the exquisite Las Vegas restaurants – you just have to know where to go!
Las Vegas has so much more than gambling to offer its thousands of visitors. The days when gambling was the only income stream for casinos is gone, the casinos have had to develop a multitude of income avenues to remain successful. The Las Vegas of old is nothing like the Las Vegas of today. Las Vegas has been changing year-to-year to cater to all walks of life and become the ultimate travel destination for everyone! Look at the Las Vegas sky line right now and you will be hard pressed to find any of the old Las Vegas casinos.
Las Vegas is quickly becoming a city that offers five star world-class food to its residents and tourists. Las Vegas has some of the best dining anywhere on the planet. Many of the best dining experiences are located within the Las Vegas strip casinos, but they would not be as successful as they are if there was not a reason to keep the tables full. Obviously, diners don’t tend to dine if the food isn’t any good, and for a first-class Las Vegas restaurant, one bad review will travel around the world faster than ten good reviews. This means that all of the world-class Las Vegas restaurants really must work hard to earn their badges of honor in order to bring in the customers to stay in business.
However, not all of the Las Vegas restaurants will cost you an arm and a leg. I personally tend to look for the dining bargains and that is what this particular article focuses on. There are many great places to eat in Las Vegas that will not have you busting open your wallet. Now my wife is a steak loving woman so I always try to look for good steak bargains around town. She loves the Sahara’s Caravan Cafe. Here you can get a complete prime rib dinner with a baked potato and your choice of soup or salad for only $8.99 (4:30pm to 7pm). They even offer a large T-bone steak dinner for just $13.99. This is truly one of the many unknown Las Vegas restaurant gems that is known for providing good food at a price that easy on your wallet.
This is just one of the many Las Vegas restaurants that a family can get an affordable, and great tasting meal in a Las Vegas strip casino. Not all great bargains involve steaks though, as there are a lot of high quality, inexpensive Las Vegas restaurants to be found. Many Las Vegas casinos offer valuable coupon books, provided that you ask for them at the front desk. Please note that you will want to be cautious of these coupons because many of them have fine print. So make sure to read the coupons fine print before you try to use it! Oftentimes, they will have some type of restriction that could cost you in the long run. However, using coupons effectively can and will save you money that you can then use for whatever you desire! Go ahead and put some of that money you saved on dinner and put it on the tables – you just might get lucky!
Eating cheap in Las Vegas by no means indicates a lack of quality. While it may not be as pricey as some of the five star Las Vegas restaurant offerings, you will find that a lot of the cheaper places to eat will taste just as good as many of the more high-class Las Vegas restaurants, and it’s just nice to get away from buffet food lines once in a while during your Las Vegas stay. You can only endure so many buffets before they all begin looking and tasting alike.

Ascend to Aspen

Three hundred inches of snow per year, four resorts to choose from, and enough bumps, trails, and thrills to make each ski run different from the last, Aspen is the place to satisfy your need to speed down the mountainside. You’ll be especially well-suited to this vacation destination if you have a taste for luxury, because while it’s not required to go all out, Aspen certainly has a way of inspiring you to live life to the fullest.

If you have mountains on your mind, Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highland, Snowmass, and Buttermilk are all within 12 miles of the town of Aspen and offer some of the finest skiing and snowboarding conditions to be found. This region also contains much of the White River National Forest and other designated wilderness areas, so all you city-folk will feel the odd sensation of being immersed in nature while you’re here (that’s a good thing). As you forget what it’s like to hear the traffic of the city, you’ll find yourself becoming newly aware of stunning alpine profiles, swaying branches, and the blinding brilliance of the sun glinting from the snow.

If you’re more of a flatlander, then consider cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, or snow camping to get your fill of the winter wonderland. And don’t forget that skiers and non-skiers alike will appreciate coming in out of the cold, warming frosty fingers by the fire, and sipping a cup of cocoa to chase away the final nip of the outdoors. Small pleasures like this make up an important part of a cold-weather vacation, so don’t overlook the small things.

Of course, Aspen doesn’t become undesirable in the summer when the snow has melted, in fact it doesn’t lose much luster at all. The white gives way to vibrant green, punctuated with a few cheery wildflowers. Ski trails are gone, and hiking and biking trails take the spotlight. If adrenaline is still what you’re after, then raft or kayak down a raging river or search for footholds on a sheer rock face. Take to the skies in a hot air balloon, or settle down near a cool stream for the most picturesque picnic you’ll ever have.

When you feel the need to venture back to civilization, Aspen is filled to the brim with fine cuisine, live music, special events, and family-friendly offerings of all kinds. Twelve blocks of eclectic shops scattered with trees and bronze statues make up the central business district, so hopefully you’ll have room in your luggage to bring home a western-themed souvenir or a purse imported from Italy. From kids wear to sports equipment, Aspen shops will doubtlessly reveal whatever it is that your heart truly desires.

While you’re in pleasure mode, be sure to take advantage of the many spa offerings in the area. From pedicures to cutting edge beauty techniques, you’ll be sure to return home looking gorgeous and feeling relaxed. This might not be everyone’s cup of tea, so just send the spa-fearful members of your traveling party off to the tennis courts or the golf courses while you undergo your well-deserved pampering session.

So as not to neglect your artistic side while in Aspen, try to visit one of the festivals that will be going on while you’re here. The Food and Wine Magazine Classic attracts the very brightest culinary stars to showcase their talents and advise the attendants on how to cook, pour, and entertain like champions. The Aspen Arts Festival brings together the works of over 200 painters, sculptors, and jewelry makers in a gallery setting like none other. If neither of these strikes a chord, then just wait a few days for the next big event. Be it music, fireworks, or theatre related, there is something that everyone will be interested in.

From your perch in the mountains of Aspen, you’ll feel lucky to be alive and motivated to experience and appreciate everything that you can. The final way to ensure a stellar vacation for you and yours is to reserve a vacation rental that will complement all that you plan to see and do while in this heavenly spot. A condo steps away from a ski lift would be ideal during the winter, and a quiet little cottage within earshot of a babbling brook would make your summer visit postcard-perfect.

The amenities contained within most vacation homes far outdo standard hotel accommodations, so if you really are planning to take the vacation of a lifetime, go online to reserve the Aspen Vacation Rental that will make your trip the best you’ve ever had.

How to Find the Best Las Vegas Discount Packs

Aspen Vacation Rentals

Aspen is an extremely popular winter vacation destination due to the amazing skiing that can be found on its four challenging and breathtaking hills. Celebrities and laymen alike flock here when snow begins to blanket Colorado so they can get the first taste of the steep slopes and open terrain that constitute this ski and snowboard playground. Aspen is not for the faint of heart but if you feel up to the challenge, get ready for a heart-pumping and jaw-dropping adventure on the Rocky Mountains.
If you believe you are ready to learn on the open space of Buttermilk or drop into the hair-raising Highlands Bowl, then you will need to find accommodations that fit your particular Aspen style. Staying in a typical hotel is certainly out of the question since you are in a mountain paradise, where the ordinary feels so tame and out of character. A mountain lodge or resort is always an option, however it can be difficult to get time to yourself when all you want to do is cozy up by the fire after a long day in the winter cold. What, then, is a diehard skier or snowboarder to do for the ultimate winter getaway?
An Aspen vacation rental is the perfect choice for anyone who wants to tailor their vacation to there individual needs and desires. Since each condo, home, and cabin offers unique amenities, you can customize your accommodations to contain exactly those extras which will be most beneficial to you. If you know you will be spending every single day in the snow, a washer and dryer will allow you to keep your clothes fresh and make packing up at the end of your trip a much simpler task. Considerations such as these can easily be forgotten at other lodging options but with vacation rentals, these amenities are highlighted so you know exactly what is available and what you will receive.
An Aspen home rental is more than just your lodging, it is your home away from home. Inside, there is a fully-stocked kitchen, enough bedrooms to comfortably sleep your entire family, a living room, and all the other spaces you would expect to find in a well-appointed house. With the space of an entire home at your disposal, rather than just a few small rooms, your entire traveling party can spread out without every feeling like you are stepping all over each other.
In addition to the inside amenities, the ones that you can find outside are just as important. With other accommodations, all you have is your little room to call your own. With a vacation rental, however, you can enjoy the area surrounding your home, whether it be slopes for sledding, an expanse of land for building a snowman or engaging in a snowball fight, or woods for hiking and viewing native wildlife. Your rental is more than just a place to sleep; it can facilitate other kinds of outdoor amusement before or after a day of hitting the slopes.
While the features of your lodging are important, the overriding aspect of Aspen accommodations is their proximity to the ski hills. Fortunately, many of the homes and condos are within walking distance of the lifts so you don’t have to worry about packing up your car and searching for a parking spot before your day of fun can begin. All you need to do is step outside with your supplies in hand and you are essentially ready to cruise Snowmass or challenge the steep slopes of Ajax. Aspen vacation rentals are ideally situated throughout the town and with a variety of amenities to meet the needs of even the most discerning guest. For the ultimate ski vacation with maximum excitement and minimal inconvenience, begin your search for the perfect home or condo rental today. You may be pleasantly surprised by all it has to offer and just how much more relaxing and enjoyable your Aspen getaway can be with the right accommodations.

Las Vegas Vacation-tips, Tricks And Cautions

These “cautions”, “tips”, and “tricks” are offered to help make your Las Vegas Vacation as enjoyable, fast and easy to plan as possible. Whether this is your first trip to “Fabulous Las Vegas” or you are a veteran, you’ll find some useful tips and tricks here.
Las Vegas Travel Tips: First and foremost, the biggest mistake many travelers to Las Vegas make in planning a trip is to book the cheapest air fare/hotel package “available anywhere”. These are offered everywhere from your hometown newspaper to television ads to especially, e-mail spam. Beware!
Why? A Cheap Las Vegas Vacation is good, we agree! BUT, did you know virtually all Las Vegas Hotels have 2- 3 levels of room quality (or options)? Now, we mean even many of the five star, “big ones” many of these are just plain substandard rooms, maybe with a nice view of the air conditioning system! (This actually happened to me personally, and was it Loud!)
Things like older bed mattresses, no safes, old decorating, long walks to the casino, restraunts, shows, or even a taxi. Did you know there are monorail trains running right behind some of the rooms? How about a roller coaster right outside your window? And lots more. Just remember “cheapest” is just that. Ask at the front desk at check-in exactly where your room is, look at it before signing in if possible.
We aren’t pushing for only high dollar rooms here, just get the best quality room your budget will allow, you will be very glad you did.
Why book your Hotel first? Las Vegas is booked up an average of 94% year round, so plan ahead (at least 30+ days is recommended) to get the exact days you want, where you want, room quality you want. Plus, usually it’s less expensive to book well in advance. Did you know that Sunday through Thursday is less expensive? When you get your selected Las Vegas Hotel booked, then you can book a flight to fit the days in and out to fit YOUR schedule.
Makes sense doesn’t it?
Once you get your Las Vegas Hotel booked first. Then you can book the Las Vegas Shows that you want, when you want. Be sure to check to see if your particular show choice isn’t “dark” on your selected days. Holidays are a good example of dark days.
Then book your Las Vegas Tour. (If you have never experienced the thrill of a Helicopter Ride at night over “Glitter Gulch and Downtown”, or a daytime trip over the Boulder Dam and Grand Canyon this is something you will never forget!) It isn’t as expensive as you might think! Check our tours links for prices and times.
This is the entertainment capital of the World, so allow yourself enough time to take in as many attractions (dozens are free) as possible, it will make your Las Vegas Vacation much more memorable. If possible, book an extra night stay just to allow for a special Las Vegas Tour or a day of Las Vegas Golf.
Las Vegas Gambling Tips:
Gambling is the lifeblood of Las Vegas. You didn’t really think those billion dollar hotels were built by “winners” did you? Set a daily budget for gambling and stick to it! You do have a good chance at winning. Hundreds if not thousands of “Hand Pay Jackpots” are paid every day. Be careful though, those chips, tokens and ticket-in/ticket-out seem too much like “play money” they are not they are your real money! Stick to your budget! Did I say that already?
Get a “players card” everywhere you go and use it, or if you are a “table player” ask the pit boss to “rank” or “rate” you. They will track your play and comp you accordingly with all kinds of free stuff. Such as meals, rooms, clothing, limos, gift shop points and even cash. These really help put the odds in your favor.
Seems like my “budget” is always too small, but try your best to set a reasonable daily goal and stick to it, don’t tap into tomorrows budget! Just maybe you’ll walk away a big winner! It happens every day. Remember the phrase: “Walk away when ahead”!
It’s not my place to preach, but here are some very useful Las Vegas tips on handling your money. All that cash in the casinos you see everywhere attracts some pretty shady characters (read Crooks!) Security is excellent, but there are always a few, and it just takes one to ruin a perfect vacation.
Las Vegas Security:
Ladies, bring or buy a small purse with a neck strap or waste pouch, or fanny pack, something that is comfortable enough to keep on your person all the time. Never ever set your purse on the floor or next to a machine, or on a stool next to you. This is a magnet for thieves! Keep that strap around your neck.
Most thieves work in pairs, one to distract you, the other to snag your purse. Just a couple types of distractions they use are: one will drop a coin or dollar bill or two near you on the floor and ask you “is that your cash on the floor?” while the other grabs your stuff, or overly talkative “players” will sit down next to you and jabber to get your attention, while their partner grabs your stuff, or hits the payout button and walks away with your ticket. Believe me. This does happen. They are very slick and fast, so just be aware.
When you do accumulate a couple winning tickets, hide them in your wallet or purse until you are ready to cash them in, and then stash the cash. Remember the “walk away” tip?
Men: It isn’t degrading to wear a waste pouch. Okay, if you just don’t want to, then fold your bills and keep them in your front pants pocket. If they “pickpocket” your wallet with all your credit cards in it at least you’ll have your cash, or vice versa, just keep them seperated. And, watch those tickets.
If you do hit a good size jackpot, take the money to the safe in your room or take it to the Hotel desk for safekeeping. Or, ask for a Security escort to your room or car. They are happy to provide this service. Don’t walk around the casino or streets with a big wad of cash!
The Security at all Hotels and Casinos is excellent. With all those thousands of cameras (Eyes in the sky) every inch of the casino is being taped continuously. (Did you know that Nevada law requires casinos to have this level of security?) It is for your protection as well as the Hotel/Casino.
Now please understand, we are not trying to scare you away here, but rather just make you aware! It is real easy to get caught up in all the flashing lights, noise, overhead shows, people watching and normal distractions of a casino. Just don’t give them an opportunity to ruin your fun.
Follow these Las Vegas Travel Tips and they will make your Las Vegas Vacation a lifetime memory.
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Home Is Where The Aspen Snowmass Lodging Is

Depending on the reason why might be planning to travel to the city of aspen, there are a variety of options you may want to choose from as you look into Aspen lodging. Remember that this is a resort town, and so you have a lot of opportunities. Don’t just jump at the first one!

Aspen lodging has been key to what this town is about since almost the day the community was born. It started out as a mining camp, so it was a place where men and women lived so they could make the easy commute to work. But when the work dried up the people stayed, and that’s because this was a good place for body and soul. The early vision of Aspen Colorado was exactly that, and that’s why so many people continue to make the trip out to visit this wonderful retreat in the mountains.

So when you are thinking about Aspen lodging be sure to ask yourself how long you plan to be there. Hotel Reservations for Aspen lodging can be made at Cheap Hotels or luxury suites. Hotel Rates range from the Hotel Bargains variety to the pricy hotel variety. You can book a night in a rustic chalet with your feet in front of the fireplace looking out at the falling snow or you can set yourself in the lap of luxury and forget what its like outside the moment you step into your room. Maybe you want half your stay in one place and the other half in the opposite! Certainly there are a spectrum of experiences to be had with Aspen lodging and they might even be had across the street from one another.

Another thing to consider would be whether or not you could see yourself making a trip to Aspen a regular event. If you’ve been there before you very well know that you are quite likely to want to go back. Maybe you want to make an annual vacation out of it, or better yet come once in the summer and once in the winter. If this is the something you could be interested in and you have the resources or the connections you may want to look into organizing a time-share and purchasing one of many Colorado Condominiums.

Imagine having your Aspen lodging to visit a few times a year! If you own a business you could wine and dine a client with a weekend at your condo in Aspen! Send someone to the comedy festival. Give someone the gift of a week of skiing away from the city lights and noise. These become options if you own or part-own a condominium. It’s like having a hotel to call your home. They say that home is where the heart is. I say, Aspen is where the heart is??