Where do you want to go. It is time to make your reservations. I was in Las Vegas last week and you could watch the prices rise as it became more crowded. Las Vegas and Florida are ahead of the Travel Curve and realizing the benefits.
If you are looking to travel, the first thing to do is book your rental car before you book your flights or hotel. The rental costs are through the roof and don’t look to get better for a long while! At the start of the Pandemic, the rental car companies sold off their inventory of cars and now due to the “chip” shortage, there are no new cars for them to add to inventory. Without rentals, you will need to look at all in vacation sites. Disney, Universal Key West, and all-inclusive where you don’t need to leave the property.
Next week we head to Hawaii (look at all I do for you). Maui has added an at the Airport 2nd Covid test, which will be pleasant. We will also have to take another test 2 days before heading to the Big Island. It is crucial you or your travel agent know the rules before you go. That’s why you use me as your travel advisor!!
My Las Vegas Sweet 16 review:
The trip was plotted by me using FunJet Vacations. I like to try out different vendors on personal trips to vet them for you. This trip was originally planned for the 2020 NCAA Tournament but as you know Covid! The cancellation last year was done easily, everything else was hours on the phone. I would not recommend FunJet on your own and only use them if you don’t like your travel agent! Message me if you want more info on FunJet, it was too much work changing the reservation to this year. We flew out on Spirit Airways a $79.00 Round Trip ended up costing $180 with all the additional fees. The flight was fine and they even had a food and beverage cart. If you have a regular “frills” airline you use you will be disappointed in the “No Frills” airlines. this includes paying an extra fee for your seat and fees for both carry-on and checked luggage. These fees are much higher if you wait for the airport.
Arriving in Vegas, lots of cabs at the airport and rides to the Hotels are now fixed fee, you will see the fee for your hotel before entering the cab. Uber and Lyft right now are long wait propositions in Vegas (20 minutes at the hotel pick-up spot). I would check your ride-share app to see projected wait times.
On the Strip, we stayed at Park MGM formerly The Monte Carlo, a very nice Hotel with a lot of quicker dining options including the U.S.’s only Eataly. Between Park and NY NY there is a walkway to the T-Mobile arena which has a lot of sport-themed dining. The prices in Vegas for drinks are still on the high side Beer is $5 and up with most places in the $7 to 10 dollar range. Cocktails start around $10.00 and move up from there. Poolside drinks start at $15 and jump quickly.
Dining prices are very comparable to big city prices, there are no Buffets right now and if there was they are no longer cheap. You need to go to the chains if you are looking for cheaper breakfast or lunches. We had an excellent dinner at The Steak House in Circus Circus and a highly recommended brunch at Ellis Island casino.
I toured the Cosmopolitan, Virgin, and the Circa a new casino on Freemont Street.
The Cosmo is fantastic, great lobby, casino, and pool.
The Virgin was a huge letdown from the Hard Rock that was there before. A lot of money was spent to make a very corporate-looking hotel and a casino that would fit in Carson City as easily as Vegas.
The Circa is very interesting. They have a giant swim-up sportsbook, Circa Swim. It was amazing. Fremont Street is growing up, not sure if that is a good thing or not. Circa is a wonderful addition.
Freemont Street is crowded it was the only place that was extremely 2019 if you have any Covid issues it probably is not the place for you yet. The Strip still has a lot of protocols in place including masks and barriers in the Casinos. Masks are required at the pool but the long sip no mask was more likely, Chairs and Loungers were spaced at least 6 feet apart so I was very comfortable at the pool.
I would highly recommend Las Vegas if you are looking for a quick out of your house and a place where you can be comfortable without a lot of effort. Call me to plan your Vegas getaway I am a certified Las Vegas Planner and I can find the perfect spot for you.
