There are two prime discount months: July and December. The combination of the intense summer heat and kids being home from school depresses visitation in July, while preparations for the holidays cause December to be slow.
The absolutely least-expensive time, however, is the week or so before Christmas. There’s a five- to 10-day stretch (which varies from year to year, depending on the calendar), between the big National Finals Rodeo convocation and the Christmas rush, during which the casinos practically give away their rooms. Discounts and deals abound, and crowds are thin. (Even the traffic is lighter.) Every year for 15 years or so, we've called around for the best room rates during this Golden Week and the rates have been number one in the LVA's Top Ten.
Last year, 35 casinos had nightly stays for less than $30 in this period, with Palace Station coming in lowest of all: Rooms were available at a rate of $15. Golden Week for 2005 actually occurs over an 11-day stretch from Monday, Dec. 12, through and including the night of Thursday, Dec. 22.
Note that a number of Las Vegas shows are dark during this period and that few, if any, special events are taking place. But if you simply want the best values, shortest lines, easiest bookings, and potentially better weather than the rest of the country, plan your trip for this period.
