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CBS News
20 hours ago
- Business
- CBS News
Las Vegas may still dazzle, but its sparkle is coming at a steeper price: "No longer a bargain vacation"
Las Vegas — The "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign is usually the first stop for millions of tourists. But the line to snap a photo is noticeably shorter this spring as inflation, which has brought on higher prices for visitors, has hit "Sin City" hard. "We were here last year, almost exactly the same time," John Fischer, who is visiting from the United Kingdom, told CBS News. "And it was probably 20% more [expensive] this year." U.K. tourist Stuart Woodfall said he was surprised to pay $9 for a coffee. "In the U.K., we pay 4 pounds, 5 pounds for a coffee? So yeah, crazy," Woodfall said. Those higher prices haven't stopped convention traffic, but casual trips are down. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority said 3.39 million people visited in March, down 7.8% from the same time last year. April saw a 5.1% drop in visitors from April 2024. Hotel occupancy also slipped, as the average nightly rate on the Las Vegas Strip reached $203 in April, the LVCVA said, up from $194 at the same time last year. The hotel occupancy rate rate in April was 84.5%, down slightly from 85.5% in April of 2024. "I think what's driving that largely now is just a drop in consumer confidence," Steve Hill, CEO and president of the LVCVA, told CBS News. Hill says big resorts can absorb a few empty rooms if the price is right. "The philosophy in Las Vegas prior to the pandemic was, at any cost, fill a room," Hill said. "Now, that has moderated somewhat. And so there is a balance point that they have found that is actually a little bit below the occupancy that we saw at a peak, which was about 88% in 2019. They're comfortable in that 85% range at a little higher price." Another sore spot is that Las Vegas is seeing fewer international visitors, Hill explains. They are the ones who generally tend to stay longer and spend more. "It's an investment in a trip, and we're typically a bucket list," Hill said. "They want to come here, spend more days, really enjoy the experiences that are here. And so when we lose them, we're losing a very valuable customer." Tourists who do roll the dice in Vegas are currently dealing with heavy vehicle traffic. Months of construction and road closures for special events can turn a 10-minute ride into a crawl on the Strip. "We've had so many customers say, 'We're never coming back to this city, you can't get anywhere,'" said Will Tryon, co-owner of Adventure Photo Tours, which he operates with his wife Donna Tryon. Their company does tours in the surrounding region, including the Grand Canyon, Area 51, Zion National Park and Death Valley. The couple said higher fuel and insurance costs leave little room to cut prices. Some tours priced at $75 before the COVID-19 pandemic are now $109. "The economy, the money, they don't have the money to spend," Donna told CBS News. "And the fact is that Las Vegas is no longer a bargain vacation." Even so, plenty of visitors are still shelling out for hot tickets like Dead & Company's residency at the Sphere this spring, and Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter Tour, which is coming to Allegiant Stadium in July. "It's like, you can go for the fancy experience, but then you can find a place that's a pretty good price," said Marc Kutzin, who is visiting from New York. The summer calendar is full of concerts, festivals and sporting events, and Hill believes the city will be resilient. "Las Vegas is gonna respond to this," Hill said. "We are going to have a great summer."
Forbes
a day ago
- Business
- Forbes
Las Vegas For Less: New All-Inclusive Summer Travel Packages
Las Vegas is one of the world's top tourism destinations, but that may suffer due to current ... More economic circumstances. All-inclusive resorts are all the rage in places like Mexico and the Dominican Republic, but pretty much unheard of in Las Vegas—until now. There has been a lot of concern in the travel industry over current consumer fears about inflation, tariffs, wild stock market swings and day-to-day uncertainty, which could lead travelers to start cutting back. At the same time, international travelers to the U.S. have been increasingly discouraged, and last year one in eight visitors to the city were from abroad. Las Vegas is especially sensitive to this kind of impact, and after many recent record years, things have started trending down, with a nearly 8% drop in visitor volume for March 2025 from March 2024. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority recently projected a 5% decrease in room taxes for 2025, and just the decline from Canadian tourists alone could cost the local economy more than $4 billion, according to local station 8 News Now. So, to woo worried visitors, one Downtown casino hotel rolled out what it claims is the city's only all-inclusive hotel room package last summer, and is about to bring it back, offering Las Vegas for less. Luxury travelers will not confuse the classic Plaza Hotel & Casino with the opulent suites of the Strip's shiniest Forbes 4 and 5-Star resorts, Wynn, Resorts World, Bellagio, Aria or the like. But those cutting back who are still looking to visit Las Vegas on a predictable and more affordable budget may be pleasantly surprised (I write frequently on LAs Vegas news and travel and recently covered the newest Las Vegas airport lounge opening here at Forbes). The world's largest casino when it opened, the Plaza has been recently renovated, with nearly 1000 ... More rooms and in its iconic glass dome, beloved Oscar's Steakhouse. Even in its recent record setting tourism years, it has often been possible to find bargain priced lodging in the city, where room rates swing radically based on conventions, concerts and sporting events in town, and likewise, it is often cheap to fly to Las Vegas. But no matter when you go, extras such as food, cocktails and entertainment often seem to run more than budgeted for, and these are the things many visit Las Vegas specifically to indulge (or over-indulge) in. There is also an overarching feeling of extras, with many properties imposing vague 'resort fees,' extra daily charges on top of the room rate, for things that have always traditionally been included in hotel rates until now, such as using the pool, while parking fees have become a sore subject here for many visitors. These are all issues the Plaza hopes to address with its new all-inclusive packages, re-launching in a couple of days, on June 1, and running all summer through the end of August, with eye-popping rates from $125. 'At a time when tourists are concerned about increasing costs in Las Vegas, including resort fees and paying to park, we wanted to give our guests a more affordable summer vacation option by again offering our all-inclusive hotel room package,' said Jonathan Jossel, Plaza CEO. The Plaza recently redid its extenisve rooftop pool deck—including cabanas, food truck and 13 ... More Pickleball courts The package includes overnight accommodations, breakfast and dinner daily from a choice of various dining outlets on property, and in the classic style of all-inclusive resorts worldwide, bottomless drinks from two venues, the Omaha Bar and the Sports Book Bar. The package also waives all usual resort fees, giving guests free access to the fitness center, rooftop pool, and parking. Perhaps most interesting at a time when some famous Vegas hotels have started charging an extra (and really annoying) fee for early check-in, even when rooms are available, ready and sitting vacant, they are also throwing that in. Inclusive dining options do not include the hotel's most famous eatery, high-end Oscar's Steakhouse, by former Vegas mayor Oscar Goodman. I have eaten at Oscar's and it is both excellent and a lot of fun, definitely in the upper tier of the city's many great steakhouses and set in a unique and historic domed glass domed structure. It is one of the top destination dining spots in all of Downtown. However, the package does include special discounted nightly Happy Hour appetizers and cocktails at Oscar's for those who still want to experience its vibrant atmosphere, and the included 'free' dining spots include ultra-popular Hash House a Go Go, a chain known for its Southern and farm-influenced comfort foods, served in very generous portions. In summer, the hotel also puts on an impressive fireworks show every Friday night. One of the most popular nearby attractions in Downtown Las Vegas is the unique outdoor Neon Museum. While on the 'boutique' size by Las Vegas casino mega-resort standards, The Plaza still has nearly a thousand rooms and would be a huge hotel in any other city. It sits in the heart of Downtown on pedestrianized Fremont Street, within walking distance of many other casinos, hotels and restaurants, including several standout independent chef-driven eateries that have helped fuel a Downtown revival. It is also convenient to popular Downtown attractions such as the Neon Museum and Mob Museum. Interestingly, The Plaza opened in 1971 as the largest casino in the world. After changing hands, it closed for renovations in 2010, and tens of millions have since been poured into the property, with Oscar's opening the next year. More recently, the hotel did a complete renovation of its rooftop pool complex, with new private cabanas, hot tub, and food truck. Oddly, the Plaza has its own rodeo arena, Downtown's only open-air equestrian facility, as well as one of the city's largest pickle ball complexes. Additional renovations of the building frontage along Fremont street added new indoor and outdoor drinking venues and was just completed last year. Given how self-contained every large casino resort in Vegas is, with endless dining, drinking and entertainment options, plus and vast pool and fitness facilities, the all-inclusive model actually makes a lot of sense here, especially if it is limited to certain outlets on property. I'm hoping the Plaza's concept will catch on and become a more widespread trend. The city has a long, rich history of tourism innovation, experimentation and remaking, and a rash of all-inclusive packages, especially on The Strip, could be just what visitors need to get what so many of them want: Las Vegas for less.
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The Independent
2 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Las Vegas's only all-inclusive hotel package launches, with deals from $125 and ‘bottomless drinks'
Las Vegas's only all-inclusive hotel room package is returning on June 1, with deals available for just $125 per person per night. The package is coming back for stays in June, July and August at the Plaza Hotel & Casino, located in downtown Vegas opposite the Fremont Street Experience mall. In a statement, the hotel, which first introduced the package last summer, revealed that the all-inclusive package fee 'waives all resort fees', and that guests 'will enjoy free access to the fitness center, rooftop pool and self-parking'. The package also includes bottomless drinks from the Omaha Bar and Sports Book Bar on the casino floor and breakfast and dinner 'from various dining outlets'. The hotel points out that smart lockers have been installed by the pool, that new double sunloungers that can accommodate two guests have been added poolside, and that the Plaza Pool's Food Truck will be open all summer, serving light bites, pizzas, hot dogs and burgers. 'At a time when tourists are concerned about increasing costs in Las Vegas, including resort fees and paying to park, we wanted to give our guests a more affordable summer vacation option by again offering our all-inclusive hotel room package,' said Jonathan Jossel, CEO of the Plaza Hotel & Casino. Is the deal good value? Rooms only cost from around $60 a night at the Plaza anyway, but for those guests spending a lot of time at the property, the all-inclusive package could well be a sensible option. Plus, it's a lower tariff than the average Vegas room rate of $191 and the price of the most expensive room in the city — reportedly the Empathy Suite at the Palms Casino Resort, which commands rates of up to $100,000 a night. The Plaza Hotel & Casino first opened in 1971 and was built on the site of the original Las Vegas railroad depot at 1 Main Street. It boasts of being a 'one-of-a-kind destination for cocktails, gaming, entertainment, and dining'. Do guests agree? Reviews on Tripadvisor are mixed, with the property garnering an average score of 3.7 out of five. Google reviewers have been more generous, with the Plaza rated four out of five from 17,000 reviews.
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Travel + Leisure
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Travel + Leisure
Get Paid $2,500 to Eat 'Hangover Food' in Las Vegas—How to Enter
On June 5, 2009, "The Hangover" debuted in theaters. With just a $35 million budget and no big-name stars (at the time), the film wasn't expected to be an enormous hit. But something about the movie just seemed to click with audiences, helping it earn more than $450 million worldwide and eventually earning it two more sequels, too. It also became a de facto advertisement for all the most debaucherous parts of a Las Vegas getaway. And now, in honor of the film's anniversary, is looking to send one lucky fan on the trip of a lifetime to be its Official Hangover Food Tester. "We've all been there … that pounding headache, questionable flashbacks, and a strong craving for something greasy, cheesy, and slightly unhinged. But let's face it, when in Las Vegas, hangovers aren't a possibility—they're practically part of the itinerary," wrote on its giveaway page. As part of the giveaway, the website will fly one person to Las Vegas and cover all the expenses for a weekend stay (worth $2,000), and it will pay them $2,500 to spend their time "recovering from hangovers (real or imaginary—we don't judge) by taste-testing six of Vegas' wildest post-party recovery foods" and reporting back about each one. Those foods include the Hangover Pizza at Slice of Pizza, which is a pizza "filled with double sausage gravy, cheeses, green pepper, yellow onion, potato bacon, and ham," and the Hangover Dog at Haute Doggery, a pork and beef frank with "french fries, cheese sauce, fried egg, pico and bacon bits." There's also the Hangover Tater Kegs at Slater's 50/50, the Hangover Burger at Ellis Island, the Hangover Burrito at Born & Raised, and the Hangover Breakfast at Morning News Las Vegas. In order to apply, you must be 21 or over and be based in the U.S. You must also be willing to taste-test and rate the six hangover dishes on a scale of 1-10. The team noted there is "no actual drinking required—just a big appetite for cheesy, greasy comfort food." You also need to be able to travel before Aug. 31. All you need to do is pop in your details into the simple submission form by June 12 at midnight and keep your fingers crossed to win. The website noted that winners will be notified within five working days after the deadline, and once the winner accepts the trip, they will be given $1,500 to purchase the food they need to eat and rate, and for transportation to each destination. Anything left over, they get to keep. Then, once they complete their taste-testing assignment, they'll receive the extra $1,000. Hopefully, they also come home with all their teeth and no tigers in tow. See the complete rules and apply at
Condé Nast Traveler
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Condé Nast Traveler
15 Unwritten Rules of Visiting Las Vegas
Las Vegas is a collection of contradictions. An oasis of hospitality; a labyrinthian casino. A poolside cabana; heatstroke on a sidewalk. A jackpot; an empty bank account. It's the greatest night of your life; it's the worst mistake you've ever made. Still, most people come here in search of the same thing: a good time. In 2015, I moved from the woods of Montana into an apartment directly behind a Las Vegas casino, as one does. I had been working in the national parks and wanted to live in the real world—in retrospect, Las Vegas was an odd choice for that. Since then, I've learned a lot about how to navigate this strange and beautiful city. I know its secrets and myriad hustles. My decade-long Vegas staycation has taught me the rules for a good Vegas vacation. With the right mix of planning and spontaneity and a little insider information, you can not only have a good time in Las Vegas, but the best time. Read our complete Las Vegas travel guide here, which includes: A common Vegas mistake is to expect pool weather year-round—but the Venetian poolside is better enjoyed at some times than others. The Venetian Pool Deck 1. Respect the tipping culture The Las Vegas etiquette guide is written in dollars and cents. Here, we tip everybody, so bring cash—and take it out of your account in advance to avoid the astronomical casino ATM fees. Tip your bellman, your housekeeper, your tour guide, the dancers at the strip club, the cocktail server who brings you free drinks at the slot machine. Sometimes tipping gets you upgrades—slipping a $20 to the front desk agent occasionally results in a better room—and even if it doesn't, it's what we do. 2. Hydrate Don't let the fake Venetian canals fool you. Las Vegas is in the Mojave Desert, so drink water. Order it in between cocktails. Carry one of those bottles with the time stamps. Drink the tap water—even other locals judge me for this but I will die on the hill that it is fine to drink the Vegas tap water! Hydrate like your life depends on it because when it's 115 degrees, it does. 3. Don't overestimate the walkability of the Strip That casino may appear to be a short walk, but it's a mirage. (Side note: RIP to the locally beloved Mirage Hotel & Casino, which closed in 2024; we miss you every day.) Many casino exteriors use design tricks, such as grouping windows together, that make buildings appear smaller. But the Las Vegas Strip is about 4.2 miles long and is not as pedestrian-friendly as it should be. Walk if you can—and wear comfortable shoes—but don't be afraid to take an Uber if you need to. 4. What happens here doesn't (necessarily) stay here I am sorry to tell you that 'what happens here stays here' is a slogan created by advertising firm R&R Partners, not an official declaration about how Las Vegas responds to crime. There are cameras, security, and police everywhere. And in the harsh light of day, consequences. Red Rock Canyon is just one of the options you have to get out into nature while visiting Vegas. Getty Images 5. Get into nature From climbing in Red Rock Canyon to boating at Lake Mead to hiking at Mt. Charleston, the desert wilderness outside of Las Vegas is incredible, and closer than you think. You can even day-trip to Zion National Park in Utah or Death Valley National Park in California and be back in time for your dinner reservation. 6. Have a meal in Chinatown Some of the best Las Vegas restaurants are in nondescript strip malls, specifically in Chinatown. The neighborhood less than 10 minutes from the Strip is home to some truly life changing Asian food—everything from hand-pulled noodles to soup dumplings to late-night izakayas. Try Chengdu Taste for Sichuan, James Beard nominated Shanghai Taste for soup dumplings, Lamaii for Thai food paired with a really good wine list, or Trattoria Nakamura-Ya for Tokyo-style Italian food (miso carbonara!!!). 7. Check out the Arts District In Downtown Las Vegas, you'll find Fremont Street and the Arts District. The former is known for its older casinos, massive LED canopy, and drunk zipliners, and the latter is a walkable neighborhood with local galleries, theaters, shops, and restaurants. If you want to sit at a bar without looking at a video poker screen, the Arts District is where you can do that. Fremont Street and the Arts District are the places to go for a drink when you don't want to look at a virtual poker screen. Getty 8. Don't expect pool weather year round Every winter, Las Vegas is full of tourists shivering in shorts and saying, 'No one told me it would be this cold.' Well, I'm telling you. In January, daytime temperatures are in the 50s and nighttime temperatures can dip below freezing. In 2019, we even got some snow (and had no idea how to drive in it). Pack layers and other winter essentials if you're visiting November through February. 9. The locals will correct you if you pronounce Nevada incorrectly It's 'Neh-VAD-uh,' not 'Neh-VAH-duh.' And please don't call Downtown Las Vegas 'Old Vegas' or put an extra e in Fremont Street. 10. Avoid mobile check-in Mobile check-in is convenient, but it's unlikely you'll get an upgrade or have special requests honored if you use it. It's true that the lines to check in at the front desk can be brutally long, but that's what those foot-long frozen cocktails are for. 11. Not everything is 24 hours Las Vegas was once known as a place where almost everything was open 24 hours a day. Covid-19 changed that. Coming out of the pandemic, businesses that used to be 24/7 reopened with limited hours, and most have remained that way. There are still plenty of late night options, but know that when you tumble out of a nightclub at 4 a.m., you may have to look a bit harder than you used to for a slice of pizza. A room at the Golden Nugget—avoid any dispensaries within 1,500 feet from this casino or any other. Vincent Knakal 12. Avoid fake dispensaries In 2017, Nevada legalized recreational marijuana. Since then, the number of dispensaries has ballooned from a handful to…well, let's just say they've probably opened three new ones in the time it took to read this sentence. Unfortunately, fake dispensaries have also proliferated. A fake dispensary sells hemp and CBD but markets itself like it's selling actual weed. How can you avoid this scam? Keep in mind that dispensaries are required to be at least 1,500 feet from casinos, so if you walk out of the Golden Nugget and see one, don't trust it. 13. Use a nightclub promoter Avoid the pricey cover charge at nightclubs by using a promoter. Nightclub promoters are paid by the venues they work for to fill them and can be found on Instagram. As long as it's not a busy weekend like Memorial Day, they can typically get you in for free. You're probably still going to spend $25 on a vodka soda though. 14. For hard to get reservations, talk to a concierge Hotel concierges aren't magicians—Las Vegas has enough of those already—but their ability to get you a last minute reservation at a popular restaurant is an impressive sleight of hand. They can also offer personalized recommendations and advice, like where to get the best views of Fourth of July fireworks or which shows are actually worth the ticket price. 15. You don't have to do Vegas like a local—at least not the entire time Travelers often feel compelled to do what the locals do, but there's nothing wrong with being touristy in Las Vegas. This city is about hospitality and is filled with people who genuinely enjoy giving you a memorable experience. While you should definitely get off the Strip at some point to explore a neighborhood or nature, Las Vegas Boulevard was created for you, and there's nothing wrong with embracing it.
