Another Luxury Choice in Vegas

Vegas is already decadent.  Aria has introduced a new level of luxury to their hotel. "Tower Suites"

This introductory offer, includes a $200 resort credit when you stay 2 or more nights. The special offer code is ARIATS15. The offer needs to be booked by the end of December but you may travel until the end of May 2016.

The tower suites rooms are available at $250 per night, at non peak times. Up to $650 or more at New Years.

A good price for a "normal" room is $119 per night.

One of the most notable perks with these new suites at Aria is that luxury airport transportation included with your reservation.

Vegas for Valentine's Day

This price just dropped tonight. If I wasn't working in a flower shop and taking kids to hockey that weekend, this is exactly where I would want to be.

Great price! Stay in any number of great MGM hotels. Monte Carlo is centre strip. MGM Grand has a hot nightclub scene. Or stay at Aria for amazing meals and first class romance.

Look at the price checking IN on Valentine's Day! Yikes!  So in this case, early is better.

www.westjetvacations.com
www.redtag.ca

If you're not sneaking away for a weekend, or even if you are, BOOK YOUR PLANS NOW!! Next week will be too late to book in for most great restaurants/hotels/spas.

7 Days Sin City $427 Taxes In

Sometimes you just need to escape.

Sometimes the budget says "road trip" and your soul screams "VACATION."

So what about a week away... $289 plus $138 in taxes, at a 4 star hotel? Sadly it's not on a beach, but it is a veritable hot spot. Or, at least 50C warmer than you are in the 204. And people say the pool there is really nice. You could just enjoy the pool area and NOT be in a parka. So where is it?

Vegas.

Vegas at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

The "catch" in this case is the flights are not direct. You have to travel either thru YYC or YEG. And it's flying out of YWG.

But this IS on road trip budget.

Now this is a full week. And it's a week that includes Super Bowl! Where is the best place on earth to watch the Super Bowl if you are not in New York AT the Super Bowl? Well, Las Vegas of course!

But what if you only wanted a couple days?
Take a look at the second screen shot. The $249 price, for 4 nights ($138 taxes) includes direct flights.
And if your flight is on time,(January 12th) you should be able to score some last minute discounted tickets to see the Zac Brown Band which is playing at the Hard Rock that very night.

But, you know me, I prefer to stay centre strip, where all the action is. And in Vegas, a little enhancement of the budget and you are REALLY going 5 star.

So why not a week at the Cosmopolitan or Aria? Both are amazing. And a typical week at either will normally cost you about $1200.

This is, of course, the kind of deal that makes me want to pull my hair out. I really would LOVE to just chill at Aria for a week, eating crepes and drinking Baileys. But, alas it's not in the cards. With hockey games and a new puppy, well, I'm on an 8 foot leash myself.

Basically, all Vegas is cheap in January. The prices only go up from here, until November when it will be super-el-cheapo again. (sigh)

Just go to westjetvacations.com and find yourself an escape! Prices shown as as of January 8th.

Vegas from Brandon $359 plus tax

Indeed, you can connect through Calgary and be in a Las Vegas casino before sundown!

And if you go on September 30th, as shown here, you can get one heck of a bargain! A bargain right in your own back yard! A bargain that includes airfare and 3 night's hotel.

 Did you ever imagine such exciting possibilities from Brandon?

Thank you Westjet!

Can you see what I see?

Who can spy a bargain here?  $269 is at the Quad. (Right on the centre strip.) $289 is Hard Rock. $329 is the Monte Carlo.  Heck, I'd book the Quad just for the flight price and stay across the street at the Bellagio.

Low taxes.

And it's Westjet.  Win - Win. Win!

Go now. www.redtag.ca

Vegas Cathie

There was a California Cathie edition. Obviously there should be a Vegas edition too!

The Vegas version of me:

1.  Is in her element.

2. Rocks a 5 inch heel every night.

3. Is at home at a Blackjack table.

4. Is outgoing, cheerful and a big tipper.

5. Stays out late. Gets up early and enjoys every moment.

The Vegas version of me also:

6. Wears a skirt.

7. Is happy to hang out by the pool.

8. Would rather tattoo my own arm than see a Cirque event or Celine Dion.

9.  Loves fine dining.

10. Wants to go back right away. Does it show?

Vegas Before School Resumes

Vegas is awesome.

Vegas is hot. (Unlike this lousy Manitoba August weather.)

Vegas rocks it 7 days a week.

You should see for yourself. And Westjet Vacations has some pretty intense bargains right now. If these hotels or dates aren't to your liking, just search their site, or one like redtag.ca for the hotel and dates that DO work for you.

Now, the Hard Rock hotel is just off the strip, so if you plan to stay here, also budget for taxis to take you to the heart of the action. But if concerts are your thing (they have Motley Crue in residence for a couple weeks starting September 18th.) then this might be to your liking. They also have karaoke nights in case your Bucket List includes rocking the stage at the Hard Rock in Vegas.

5 Reasons I LOVE Vegas

1. It is NEVER the same vacation twice.

2. Vegas is as much fun at 35 as it is 22, or 27 or 90. Whatever age you are, is perfect.

3. Vegas can be as much of a bargain as you want it to be, or as expensive as you can afford. It's your choice.

4. Dining.  Celebrity chefs, 5 star restaurants, worldly tastes.... or $3 tacos, or 2AM warm corned beef sandwiches (MGM, next to the sports book) it's all sooooooo good.

5. Whatever your entertainment preferences... concerts, clubs, art, exhibitions, variety, burlesque, comedy, magic, glitz, there is something you'll enjoy. And chances are.... there's a kiosk on the corner offering discount tickets.

Ok.... 6 reasons.... but I could probably give you a hundred.

6. Wear anything. Dress up. Be trendy. Wear a costume, a wig or feathers in your hair. You're perfect. You fit just the way you are. It's VEGAS!

Vegas and the Hype

Last week I took a quick jaunt to Vegas to recharge my batteries.

It was great fun staying at the MGM hotel the days leading up to the big Mayweather vs Guerrero fight. The whole hotel was a buzz with activity and anticipation of the main event (literally) in the MGM Gardens arena.

Celebrities were arriving and the hotel had a real vibe. The staff were obviously busy with preparations and taking security very seriously. Everything about the week was professional and first rate. The MGM certainly knows how to stage an event. 

I was leaving before the fight, not that I would have attended considering the $1500 ticket price, but I would have loved to see some of the nightclub entertainers and acts that were also booked for the weekend. Hakkisan nightclub/restaurant was also recently opened and was featuring musical acts like Deadmau5 and Calvin Harris.

Vegas is just Vegas. Bright lights, big city. They know how to put on a show and I love that about it. Vegas. Ahhhh, Vegas. When can I go back?

Flexible Dates

What a difference a day can make! This has always been one of my best travel bargain tips... search the dates around your first choice travel date. Be flexible where ever possible and use the on-line search travel tools available to you. There can be several hundreds of dollars difference between two consecutive departure days. See this chart for evidence.