Las Vegas Top Ten Values

1. Room Rates - Boulder Station - - $11.50 and up

Given the current state of things, we were anticipating a healthy drop in room rates in our annual July survey, but we weren’t expecting to see the freefall that this year’s study reveals. Check out the numbers in Couponomy: rooms for as low as a dozen dollars at Boulder Station, Plaza, Vegas Club, and Sahara, under $30 at Circus Circus, Orleans, and Tropicana, and under $40 at the Flamingo, Harrah’s, and even the Rio! And that’s just from traditional booking sources. If ever there was a time in the last decade to secure bargain lodging in Las Vegas, it’s now.

2. Steak Dinner - Ellis Island - 24 hours - $6.95

The complete steak dinner at Ellis Island is the best-value meal deal in a city full of good-value meal deals. It’s a 10-ounce filet-cut sirloin, which comes with salad, garlic green beans, choice of potato, and fresh microbrewed beer, all for $6.95.

3. Shrimp Cocktail - Golden Gate - 11 am-2 am - 99¢

All you have to do is show a players club card to get the shrimp at the old 99-cent price; otherwise, you pay $1.99. Sure, the extra step (if you’re not already a member) is a little inconvenient, but a couple of sign-up bennies mitigate the five-minute detour. More important, the shrimp are bigger and better than ever. Note that we’ve heard the Gate is now imposing a limit of two-per-card on the number of shrimp cocktails you can order at the 99¢ price. The shrimp is $1.99 without a GG club card.

4. Buffet - M Resort - Daily - $8.95-$25.95

We finally tried M Resort’s Studio B Buffet and all we can say is “Wow!” This spread sets a new standard for buffets in the Buffet Capital of the World. Yes, the lines are still a problem, but once you’re inside, the huge turnover of patrons ensures that the fresh food keeps coming and coming and coming. The freshness, quality, and variety (when was the last time you saw a chocolate souffle at a buffet?), along with prices that are among the lowest for a Las Vegas superbuffet, dictate that M’s Studio B take over the best-buffet position on the list.

5. Prime Rib - South Point - 24 hours - $12.99

The prime rib deal at South Point is a stunner. It's advertised as 10 ounces, but that’s underestimating it by about half. Plus, it’s served 24 hours a day in the coffee shop, with your choice of soup or salad, potato, and rolls if you ask. If you have a hankerin' for a prime rib special, it's worth the trip down to South Point.

6. Dollar Days - Sahara - Daily - $1

A new addition to this month’s list is “Dollar Days” at the Sahara. Talk about the new power of the dollar in Las Vegas—at the Sahara, just a buck will get you a beer, a shot (with a free souvenir glass), a hot dog, or even a hand of blackjack. It all takes place in the rear casino, with the drinks and dogs sold at the bar and the games (up to seven tables) running in the pit. It’s touted as a 24-hour offer, though we’re told that getting hot dogs in the early morning is sometimes a challenge.

7. Fontana Bar - Bellagio - Daily - $6

The $6 charge at the Fontana Lounge is the cost of a beer to satisfy the one-drink minimum and see the show in Las Vegas’ classiest lounge, which overlooks the dancing fountains and the center Strip, and has live music from 10 pm on weekdays and earlier on weekends. Note that the Fontana Bar closes on occasion for poker tournaments and it’s closed through July 7 this month. It’s a good idea to call Bellagio and ask the operator if a tournament is in progress before you go. There’s a one-drink minimum, which accounts for the $6 charge (for a domestic beer).

8. Lunch Comp - Crown & Anchor - Daily - $20 buy-in

Rooms might be priced at rock bottom (see #1), but games and comps seem to be tightening. Bucking the trend is the long-time lunch comp at the Crown & Anchor pubs. The free lunch with a $20 video poker buy-in has appeared in the Top Ten in months past, but we revisited it recently and it’s still going strong. Plus, if you miss lunch, the $20 buy-in entitles you to a free appetizer (including the great chicken fingers) from 3 pm to midnight. And all the while, you’re also drinking comped premium draft beers from around the world. It’s ironic that the best comp in Comp City is now available outside the casinos (locations are at 1350 E. Tropicana and 4775 Spring Mountain).

9. Show Discounts - Cirque du Soleil - Daily - Five shows

Cirque du Soleil’s ticket deal continues in the Top Ten from last month. Buy one ticket to any of the five Las Vegas Cirque shows (Mystère, O, KÀ, Zumanity, and LOVE) and get a second ticket for $25. We’ve never seen anything like this for any Cirque show and all indications are that you can save a bundle.

10. Steak & Eggs - Arizona Charlie's Decatur - Daily - $3.99

Competition among breakfast deals has suddenly heated up. There’s the previous Top Ten $1.49 bacon & eggs that’s still available at the Gold Rush, along with multiple good options. After due consideration, we’re going with the $3.99 steak & eggs at Arizona Charlie’s Decatur, based on its strong showing in our audit. You can get the ham if you prefer, or go to AZ Chaz East if that’s more convenient (where it’s 70¢ less, but not served 24 hours). The $3.29/$3.99 prices apply when you show a players club card; at AZ Chaz Decatur, it’s $6.99 without (four people can get the deal on one card). The hours are 6 am to midnight Monday to Friday and round the clock Saturday and Sunday.