Some people hate Vegas, some can't live without it. Count me somewhere in between. I've visited many times over the last 20 years, both for work and pleasure, and never fail to enjoy myself.
I try to visit during the twice-yearly retail sales in late July and January for some amazing price reductions (room rates tend to be lower then, too). And even if you visit for just a night or two, Vegas is the ideal base to explore the natural wonders of the Southwest. (I think the most memorable trip I've ever taken was a circle trip from Vegas to the Grand Canyon, Bryce, Zion, Monument Valley and Mesa Verde, staying in the iconic national park lodges.)
Everything -- the shopping, the nightclubs, the shows, the restaurants, the museums -- are within an easy walk of each other, and except in high summer, the weather is pleasant. Plus, unless there's a big convention in town, airfares (see a list of current rates) remain more than reasonable almost anytime of year.
1. They're practically giving away luxury hotel rooms
Did the bank cancel your Platinum Card when you weren't looking? Whatever, because you no longer need to go into debt to do Vegas right. Check this: Published weekday rates of $169 at Wynn Las Vegas, $129 at Bellagio. Are where else can you stay at a Four Seasons Resort for $200 per night plus tax, plus get a $100 resort credit? (Not for nothing is the Vegas property rated No. 1 on TripAdvisor). Only in Vegas, baby.
2. You deserve some pampering
The home of the groaning buffet is also a major spa capital. Sophisticated facilities such as the Qua Baths at Caesars and the Bathhouse at Mandalay Bay's THEhotel are a must. Many resorts are discounting spa experiences right now. Over at the Mirage try the "Awaken" package, a massage and a facial, for $135.
3. It's cheaper than cooking at home
So why cook? Vegas is one of the world's great dining destinations, and restaurants all over town are offering big incentives to get you in the door -- and not just the cheap eats places but the luxe ones too. The Cosmopolitan, for example, is offering a $50 credit on a two-night stay that can be applied to in-resort dining and other purchases, while the Wynn is offering a $75 credit (both for stays through Feb. 28, 2012, but these deals pop up regularly).
4. It's cheaper than living at home
Say you hail from New York. Or Boston. Washington, maybe? San Francisco? Say you want to cut back on your living expenses. Did you know that it may be cheaper to move into a Las Vegas hotel than continue paying rent? Based on published rates that start at $24.95 at the Tropicana or $23 per night at Circus Circus (found via Hotels.com recently), you're looking at a bill for, say, the month of June, of about $1,350 before taxes. Just think, though: That includes utilities. And daily maid service! And a nice pool! You won't even have to change a light bulb (they have staff for that).
5. Asia without flying to Asia
It seems weird calling Spring Mountain Road -- just off the Strip -- "Chinatown," seeing as it's really "Asiatown." Name a country or a type of cooking and you should be able to find it. Strong suits are regional Chinese, Japanese (Raku at 5030 Spring Mountain is a must), Korean and Vietnamese, but don't stop there. Las Vegas is jam-packed with Thai restaurants, many of them better than you might be used to back home, unless home is, say, Thailand. Make your first stop Lotus of Siam, for their tasty Northern specialties menu. Warning: Do not be tempted by the bad lunch buffet.
6. You'll feel better about not finishing that home improvement project
You remember how that last trip to, say, Puerto Vallarta, you noticed all these weathered concrete stubs, complete with with rebar sticking out, construction projects at a dead halt due to lack of funding? My, you said to yourself, It's so strange that they just leave it sitting there. Well ha ha ha, that's Las Vegas these days, both on and off the Strip. Check out Echelon at Las Vegas Boulevard and Desert Inn Road, where work stopped months ago on a project that was to include four hotels, including a Delano and a Mondrian, iconic brands dreamed up by Ian Schrager a couple of decades ago. Oh, and what's that construction project towering over the Doge's Palace at The Venetian? Nothing to see here, just a half-finished St. Regis Hotel. Whoops, maybe later!
7. 99-cent 'ritas
The Vegas so many of us grew up loving is back in full force, with the craziest drink deals and some pretty terrific happy hours. Of course, at Bill's Gamblin' Hall & Saloon, right at the corner of Flamingo and Las Vegas Boulevards, happy hour runs all day, and the margaritas really are just 99 cents. Need something slightly more high brow? Hit Las Horas Locas at Agave, a classy Mexican restaurant out by the Red Rock Resort. Every day, from 4:05pm to 6:27pm (for real), they've got 25 cent tacos and $1 Coronitas.
8. It's naturally beautiful
Maybe not Vegas itself, but minutes from town, you can be hiking in Red Rock Canyon, which certainly hasn't cut back on its beauty in these tough times, while just north of the city, there's cool, green Mount Charleston, towering 12,000 feet above the valley floor. Don't forget Death Valley. Or the Grand Canyon. In fact, Vegas is the perfect jumping off point for a tour of the Southwest's most memorable natural attractions, the so-called "Grand Circle"of Mesa Verde, Monument Valley, Bryce Canyon National Park, Zion National Park and of course the Grand Canyon itself.
9. Don't gamble? See some museums!
Such as the Atomic Testing museum, the Erotic Heritage Museum (where you can "behold and explore the vast array of socio-cultural perspectives depicting our erotic heritage, including a special emphasis on the unfolding of the American Sexual Revolution of the 20th Century"), the Neon Museum and the recently-opened Mob Museum ("dedicated to the thrilling story of organized crime and law enforcement"). More ideas here.
10. The shows must go on
The best ones are still going to cost you -- the acclaimed Cirque du Soleil show, LOVE (it's the Beatles one) just now started offering locals discounts, while for the rest of us, tickets are still running $99 and up. Discounts to "O" at Bellagio? Don't even ask. (Yet.) Still, how about 35 percent off Criss Angel's Believe (also a Cirque production) at Luxor? Not shabby. Get the discount (based on availability) at his website. Also check out one of the Tix4Tonight booths, scattered around town. So maybe Nathan Burton at the Flamingo isn't your first pick, but for 50 percent off the $34 ticket price, you can't fail.