Sailordude’s Low Rollin’ Game Plan
I like to visit Vegas for as cheap as possible. I am without a doubt a low roller, and that works for me. Take my last trip to Vegas as an example.
- I visited in early January which is ‘slow season’.
- I flew Spirit Airlines from Detroit, not a fancy airline by any stretch.
- I gambled at downtown casinos and Ellis Island and got my fix at low limit tables.
- I ate at places like IN-N-OUT and Denny’s. We did splurge on Peppermill for breakfast.
- I partied at Chateau Nightclub. No Calvin Harris surcharge for me.
- I stayed at Excalibur Hotel and Casino. My favourite for low-cost rooms.
A little background about this trip, it was my 9th trip to Vegas. I normally visit with my wife once a year and with the guys once a year. This trip was a guys trip. Three friends from work and I did a quick Saturday to Monday jaunt to blow off some steam. I was in charge of booking the flights, the accommodations, and the bottle service at the club. So with that, I found flights on Spirit for just over $200/guy, the hotel for two nights (4 to a room) was under $50/guy, and the bottle service at the club on Saturday night was $125/guy. So for travel/accommodations/entertainment we were in for <$400 each. A trip to Niagara Falls can be more expensive than this…and you’d freeze your nuts (or ovaries) off there in January!
The thing about Vegas for me isn’t the shows, or the fancy rooms, or the celebrity chef meals, I’m there for the energy. I find walking up and down The Strip, or walking Fremont Street, all the while enjoying a few beverages is a great time. Our routine is simple: we throw some pints in a backpack, walk over to IN-N-OUT for a tasty burger, hit the Roller Coster at NY NY, then walk up and down the strip. We would pop in and out of different casinos. Dropping $5 here and there on roulette. Buying frozen drinks with our winnings. This got us ready for Chateau that night.
Chateau isn’t a fancy club like Omnia or Hakkasan (did I spell those right?), but my priorities aren’t to see a name brand DJ. No, my priorities are to be in a busy place with my buddies, with cheap bottle service, and good music. I had never been to Chateau before, I normally go to LAX which is also a good option, but I was very happy with our choice. As I said, it was about $500 for the table and the bottles (Sky vodka). One of the things that made Chateau great was their staff. The big security fellas at the door weren’t dicks. The DJ played a good mix of old school/new school hip hop and dance tunes. The waitress always made sure our drinks were topped up and our table was clean. And Tony our security personnel was just an all around great guy! For the value, I would highly recommend Chateau as a club option.
The last thing I wanted to mention was my stay at the Excalibur. I have been a guest at the Excalibur before, and I knew what to expect…A GREAT FRIGGIN’ TIME! Sure the place is a little tired, but it was built in the 1990’s during a different era, The Vegas Family Friendly Era (personally I like the Sin City era better). But for $50/night plus resort fee ($29 w/ Tax) it’s a hell of a deal.
Here are the things I like about ‘The Ex’.
The Staff – Everyone! The front desk, the dealers, the bartenders, even the wait staff at McDonalds were all great. In my three trips, I’ve never had an issue with poor service.
The Gambling – I didn’t have time on this past trip, but I normally play in the morning poker tournament for $40. It’s a good way to nurse a hangover and have fun at the same time. You can also find $5 tables here but the Blackjack is 6:5 payout.
The Pool – It was closed this time, but on past trips I have brought my own beer to the pool and nobody seemed to care. Try this at Bellagio or the Wynn and see where it gets you!
The Food Options – You’re not going to find Giada or Gordon Ramsay here! No, you get Dick’s Last Resort (again with great staff), and Cinnabon (which should be spelt “Sinnabon” in Vegas). I don’t know what a $100+ steak tastes like, but I do know what a Big Mac tastes like at 4:00 am and it’s glorious.
The Rooms – YES, I said it…The rooms, and here’s why. They are clean (enough), they are comfortable (enough), and they are cheap (did I say that before?). Yes, the Excalibur rooms are just fine. I mean, who goes to Vegas to spend their time in a hotel room anyway, right? My last stay I was upgraded to a Tower 2 room without even having to ask. Thank you, Excalibur!
The Other Guests – Having a good time with good people is awesome. I like to socialize, and meeting new people at the Excalibur is easy. The pool, the lounge, the craps table, it just seems that ‘Excalibur-ers’ (I just made that up) are fun people.
So there you have it, my Vegas on a budget game plan. Give it a try and see if you can have just as much fun Low Rollin’!
[Images: Greg C]
Husband, Father, Yachtsman, Rum Drinker, Beer League Hockey Goalie, Canadian, and now Writer (I guess?). Darren loves to visit Vegas a couple times a year and considers himself a low roller extraordinaire. “Long time lurker of VegasChatter, I’ve learnt the ways of those that came before me (to Vegas).” – Sailordude
16 thoughts on “Sailordude’s Low Rollin’ Game Plan”
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Enjoyed the report! I am going to pass it along to my son and his buddies who are heading to Vegas soon.
Hubs and I and all of our friends have used Chris for 6 years. Equal parties male to female get in free to all clubs and day parties. Men had to pay 10 bucks for Rehab @ Hard Rock. If they are all just guys they can find some pretty woman on line and can still get in free.
http://www.freevegasclubpasses.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/free-vegas-club-passes-las-vegas
Glad to see some good comments about Excalibur. My wife and I have stayed here more than any other property. Have always stayed in Tower 2 (contemporary) and have never had a complaint about a room. The pool is never shadowed by the towers (looking at you, Monte Carlo), it isn’t a 4-mile walk to get to the rooms or pool (MGM, Caesars), and yes, all the staff has been great. Just ignore the timeshare hawks and it’s a great resort. Best of all, $5 craps all the time!
Love Excalibur! Even flew over from England to have our wedding vows renewed for our 10th anniversary. Give me a low budget fun resort over an over priced poncey place every time!
Great report! Did you find the Canadian exchange rate being so poor change any part of your trip? I was shocked the first time gambling at Ellis Island and ordered a beer. I had no idea they brewed there own and it was gigantic.
If you don’t mind, can you provide detail expenses such as cab rides, tips, and other expenses to give a full clear picture of total expense? Thanks
great info, thx for the report! I too am a proud Vegas budget traveler. I bounce around the downtown hotels or the Gold Coast or the Orleans. if I don’t have a comped room, I can usually score a low rate. coupons or comps for meals as well. I have even stayed at 3 different hotels on a 6 night trip. that might sound extreme to others but I don’t mind it. the less I spend on food and lodging, the more I have to gamble. I usually travel solo to Vegas, but if I share the room with a friend, I may “splurge” a little. also, this allows me to go 2-3 times a year instead of 1. gotta luv it!
Great article but just to let people know with all the positive comments for excalibur I had a horrible stay there. If you want cheap luxor next door another mgm prop was a lot better.
Interesting article, I must say I have some tips on the club side of things. You should always buy tickets online through the event calendar of the day club or night club’s website. This allows you VIP access with bottle service line so no general admission which is great in case your party is running late or on a heater at the craps table before the club. Yes the bottle service gets you a place to sit (well at least as long as your bottle last) and a couple drinks out of it. However, I find if you bring mini bottles into the club (little harder at pool parties but sunscreen bottle is always a good way to sneak booze in) then go to the bar an order your favorite mixer, coke, Pepsi, red bull, sprite, juice or whatever; then go into the restroom stall and mix your drink yourself.
My husband and I are low rollers also. I would like to add.. I go to groupon and living social to take care of our dinners. I find great deals and we get to eat on the strip. I also take get take the bus or walk I rarely take a cab. Luxor and Excalibur seem to have the best rates for us. However, when we missed one our yearly trips We got an offer to stay at the Delano in a suite for 3 nights and $100 free play. Not sure how that happened as we only play penny slots.. The energy and people watching is the best in Las Vegas that is why we go every year.
Loved this article!! Now I am definitely feeling a return to the VegasChatter vibe! Low roller here, but love a cheap way to throw my midlife crisis self around town!
I love reading low roller articles. The 2 times I’ve been to Vegas, I’ve been on a low budget, but sometimes a girl just has to get away. The flight and hotel eats up so much money when you have no one to split a room with so tips and suggestions for everything else are always appreciated. :)
Didn’t Beer Park take over the Chateau? If not I’m happy it’s still around since the reviews on Yelp and what you noted hear say they play top 40 and hip hop. Can’t take too much EDM music. I have heard NOTHING but horrible things about Spirit. You are gutsy to fly them. Agreed about the energy. I do go to party and eat but at places where locals dine. We went a car all the time (not sure how that will work out with the new parking fees? Never been in January cause the day parties are not opened and its quite chilly then. Also Casino Royale, across from Mirage. is a super clean and nice hotel with NO RESORT FEE!!! My trip for 6 days was 450- 500.
Chateau is an exceptional club – very friendly to all demographics.
I also hear you don’t have to wear killer heels to get in there and its pretty casual like Ghostbar. XS made me put my shoes back on while waiting in line for them to open. YES I had my shoes off in line. The price of beauty hurts.
We love Excal, too! When we stay on the strip (we usually stay DT) that’s where we stay! Love the location, love Dick’s, love Buca di Beppo, love the casino and rooms!. And music in the lounge is fun, too!