HBB On The Road To Las Vegas
The following was put together by the lady organizing the LV meet-up. We are expecting a German documentary film-maker to do some interviews. “It’s official! The first International HBB Meeting will be held in Las Vegas Friday, February 20th through Sunday, February 22nd!”
“We have two hotels at which we will be staying. Both are strip hotels and both are family friendly. Hotel A, also the hotel which has the meeting suite, we estimate to be about $170 per night although we will be working with the hotel to get that price as low as possible. Hotel B is easily accessible to the meeting hotel and we estimate prices to be under $70 per night. (We are only telling registrants the hotel names.) Hotel B is probably a little more kid friendly.”
“We are trying to keep the registration fees under $100 but it is dependent on how many people are going to sign up. Our biggest cost is the meeting suite, but we also want to cover all of Ben’s expenses (stop arguing Ben!) and perhaps invite a guest or two. We’ll know more when we have a better head count.”
“If you are planning to fly Southwest Airlines I would recommend buying your tickets ASAP as rates go up for that weekend soon (if you can stay through Monday you’ll save a lot on airfare.) We’ll also be organizing carpools online later (possibly through the Forum) so if you’re close enough to drive and are in an HBB member area think about that option.”
“If you think there is a 90% or better chance that you are going to be able to attend can you please post below or e-mail sd.re.b@hotmail.com so that we can determine the reg fees and have a better bargaining position with the hotels. Let us know if you would like Hotel A, Hotel B or will be staying elsewhere.”
“If you have any questions or comments feel free to e-mail me at sd.re.b@hotmail.com.”
Hi Seattle people - Southwest is have a half price special if you buy your tickets today or tomorrow.
http://www.southwest.com/landing/seattle50off.html
If anyone hears about a great airline deal, has a sharable coupon or code, or any other cheap travel suggestions let us know. Thanks!
Susan asked me to open up these comments so she can give you some info on air prices, etc.
BTW, I was just out in LV recently and room prices are very competitive. Also, I’ll be driving so if anyone wants a ride to Vegas from Flagstaff, let me know. I’ll be going out there on Friday and returning on Sunday.
“BTW, I was just out in LV recently and room prices are very competitive.”
Keeping this in mind, those room rates seem high. Is it perhaps because they are being booked in blocks on the same floor or something? Are they suites? From my experience with hotel/casino’s, they will sometimes overcharge at their discretion.
See below - they’re already dropping fast.
$7 at Buffalo Bill’s near Primm!
$170 is way too high for any hotel. Last time I checked Expedia, it was offering hotel and flight combinations in which you could stay at the Wynn for less than $100 a night and it is one of the best hotels on the strip, and some say the best. Please check Expedia before you book.
I just checked, it looks like Fri and Sat nights are expensive at the top hotels (around $550 for flight and accomodations for both nights), but staying Sunday night and each night thereafter only adds $100 or less. It’s a good way to dollar cost average.
Again, please see below. Prices are already under $100 for Friday.
I’ve stayed at most of the better ones, and the Wynn kicks ass. We stayed at the Encore (sister hotel of the Wynn, but really part of the Wynn in all but name) for $129 a night a couple of weeks ago. Granted, that was casino rate.
RE: so if anyone wants a ride to Vegas from Flagstaff, let me know.
A “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” road trip fer sure here!
“We were somewhere around Barstow on the edge of the desert when Ben’s drugs began to take hold.”
I’m about 90% sure I’ll be able to go, actually. I have a business meeting in LV that same weekend and am already staying at a strip hotel. Hopefully I can come to some evening activities when I’m not otherwise occupied with my own work.
Will be in touch later…
Are there are any peeps interested in renting a large house and splitting the cost? That might be more cost effective than a hotel.
Why rent when you can buy?
Buy it for the weekend then walk away.
OMG, I ran it across the wifers, and she’s thinking about it!
I need some questions answered:
1. How hard do y’all party? I don’t have a preference (and by no preference, I mean I’ll drink until I set the hotel on fire and end up in a hospital), but it would help me decide whether or not to bring my littleman.
2. Do both hotels have high-speed internet (need it for work)? I know most of you think it’s a given, and you’re right, but there are too many tooth/plumbing optional hotels in Florida.
‘How hard do y’all party? ‘
That’s a tough one to answer generally, but if Big V or Professor Bear and the San Diego Diehards show up, they’ll need another brewery in Vegas.
Big V or Professor Bear and the San Diego Diehards show up, they’ll need another brewery in Vegas ??
Huh…I’ll take that challenge although I don’t drink those “designer” beers the youngsters drink…I am in fact in Las Vegas right now as I hit the key board…We are suppose to be in Reno on February 21 to go see Wynonna …I will see if we can shift gears and head to L/V…I will not need any accommodations…I will only need to know what the schedule is and what bar we are going to..
I salute you, %@$# hicup
…X3 cheers for scdave!
I just keep drinking until someone tells me to go home.
Come on V, have another…
Hi Muggy:
1.) I think you will find a wide crowd from wild partiers (Big V and PB
) to up all nighters (CA renter) to in bed by 11 (Me!) There will be drinking in the meeting suite but I would worry more about shouting matches between the lefties and the righties than I would wild partying. The meeting suite will probably be boring as heck for a kid but should be very safe to come in and out of for checking in. Hotel A better for older (teens) kids and B for younger I think but I’m not a parent.
2.) Called the hotels and they both offer it. Hotel A is either eithernet or WiFi (not a techie sorry if spelled wrong) at $14.99/24 hours and hotel B is cable (so must be hooked up in the room?) at $13.99/24 hours.
Hope that helps.
There were children at the CA meet ups and everything was fine. But we stayed a long time. In SD, we talked for 8 hours or so, and the same in SF.
I keep drinking until I get a nice buzz or when my lower lip goes numb. I know then enough is enough.
Well, you’re a sweet heart Gal. I hope you can make it.
#1) I actually managed to get arrested once in Vegas, which is hard to do.
#2) Buy an EVDO card. If you travel more than 5 days a month it’s worth it. I’m not allowed to stay in the tooth-optional hotels in Vegas anymore.
Hi Seattle people - Southwest is have a half price special if you buy your tickets today or tomorrow.
http://www.southwest.com/landing/seattle50off.html
If anyone hears about a great airline deal, has a sharable coupon or code, or any other cheap travel suggestions let up know. Thanks!
(Sorry if this is a double post.)
My bad on the hotel guys. The prices are dropping even faster than I expected. I just registered for Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights (I’m coming in early to get things set up) and the three nights combined at Hotel A were $316.07 for tax and all. So if hotel A is about $100 - $120 night B should be about $50 (although I had a special deal which I will pass on as people register.) Most people will like Hotel A better, unless they have little kids and you can decide once you register and you get the names and deals.
OK, I’ve posted the link twice and it still hasn’t shown up so here goes the third try.
SEATTLE People. Southwest Airlines is half price through tomorrow so buy your tickets quick! Go to the main page and click on the “Special Offers” tab to see the Emerald City half off deal.
Half price ends today - Thursday!
I’d absolutely be up for it. I’m in Vegas at least once a year anyways, and I’ll probably be in LA the week before for work anyways… so save a beer for me!
I’ll be the male lingerie model at the hard rock holding two frogs.
You had me at male lingerie model…..
frogs don’t do anything for you?
I’m afraid I’ll show my age if I admit I have absolutely no idea what that refers to.
Nah, you’d just be admitting you don’t read every thread on Ben’s site. Particularly those relating to nuptial pads, amplexus, and olympia.
No, I actually read almost everything, I simply have the memory of a newt. But actually I think I blocked out much of the Olympiagal’s writing when she delved into her strange frog fetishes. I mean, I can understand gerbils, not agree with but understand, but frogs? Strange and unnatural things in this universe. On the other hand, they should be very good bait for you to use.
(I hope you’re coming Olympiagal. The male population will be heartbroken if you’re not! And the frogs will be lonely sitting there at the Hard Rock drowning their sorrows in beer and the occasional fly that flirts by.)
RE: holding two frogs.
OlympiaGal will be right there beside you with a 3rd frog in her teeth!. Not sure about the Victoria Secret attire though…
Hard to upstage OG when frogs are involved.
Looking forward to it!
San Diego die-hard looking for a brewery.
Actually, I don’t really drink, but HBB get-togethers are special occasions.
I have been to Las Vegas exactly two times in my life and both times were like something out of Dante for me. It’s been two decades past, and I still shudder involuntarily when someone mentions visiting the place.
HOWEVER…!
I would absolutely LOVE to meet up with the HBB community there, (I’m told it’s undergone some major changes since Mr. Hughes left,) if for no other reason than to thank you all in person for helping me get back on my feet after this summer’s little mishap…and maybe scare the bajabbers out of some of the local citizenry with my Warrior Princess scars.
Perhaps we could prevail upon some disgruntled local realtor for a foreclosure tour? I would definitely kick in for a stretch SUV if were could get out en masse at open houses and collectively low-ball some overblown propreties. What FUN! I’ll do my best to be there. Maybe can convince my kid to come along too.
I was thinking that some kind of tour would be fun. To look at stalled condo towers, half finished subdivisions, would be unique. UHS would try to run us through stinky foreclosures with the hard sell. I would like to see the highlights and folly of LV development/speculation.
To look at stalled condo towers ??
I am sitting in my R/V right now staring at two Ben…They are each about twenty stories, are completed and are eerily empty…Last night I saw about a 1/2 dozen lights on…The remainder are see through glass…These building seem to be about 200 units each…
“try to run us through stinky foreclosures”
LOL. I mean, that -alone- would almost make it worth it! I will try to be there but when it comes to “hard partying” all I can say is it’s usually best to time my first drink and then “schedule ahead” with the LVPD for a pick-up in 4 hours.
( It’s just so much easier that way )
one thing about it, you could tour at any time of the day or night, no diff
Allena,
I’ll be driving there, let me know if you need a ride. I can do Fri-Mon time span.
Hwy - Can you e-mail me (see above) and I’ll get you Allena’s e-mail. She’s interested in sharing transportation. Thanks!
(Assuming you are going, do you have a hotel preference?)
Yes, …prefer the best kid friendly one… Mr. Cole will be attending…I hope I can find a Bugs outfit for him.
I’ll e-mail you both. Thanks in advance to both you & Ben for all your efforts.
Hwy,
E-mail me (through SD RE Bear), as I might bring mine if you and others would be interested in having other kids there. I won’t take them to “The Party Suite”
but maybe we could work out some kid functions or arrangements.
Comment to CA renter:
“Well now pilgrim, let me tell ya..this here is a big country…big enough for the wee little ones to fill in the spaces”…(read as those the “Duke” was thus speaking)…
Oh, by the way…very tricky of you to pay for my x4 “Longboard Lagers” and sneak my tip money backwards to be spent on more female Bling…Me thinks I’ll have a naked “frog holding” surprise sent to your room…as a small repayment!
For contrast, you may also want to look at the ‘drastically reduced again’ fake Italian mansions of Lake Las Vegas, Zip 89011.
On the way, enjoy half dead CRE, but out there, other than the architectural monstrosities, it is actually even pretty, and away from the gambling fever. Quite something, how the desert can be transformed.
North LV is a must on the tour. I don’t know where the sea of roofs is worst, but west of 95, that’s a memorable sight.
All right, it sounds like a tour is a must.
Head north on 95 until almost out of town.
Count me in. I think a foreclosure tour is a must!
It would also be fun to get the local media to drop by. Maybe some of those Vegas housing analysts that have been so much fun the past few years. (Yes, guys, I’m calling you out!)
As far as a foreclosure tour just yesterday there was a news segment that said three of the “Top 10″ foreclosure zip codes were here in Las Vegas… Unfortunately I did not write them down but that info should be available..That may be a good place to start for mapping out locations to tour…
I live here.
I can be available for on-the-ground reconnaissance.
I’d be glad to help with set-up/tear-down/what-have-you and can provide (meager) advice on locations, amenities, etc.
That’s cool, thanks!
Lavi d….Been was interested in touring some half finished condo’s…I am sitting in the Oasis R/V park right now at the intersection of I-15 & Windmill Parkway..Directly across the freeway from Outdoor World and the Silverton Casino…Anyway, there are two condo towers right next to us…Maybe 200 units each…Last night it appears 98% of the buildings are see through glass…Maybe you could get some info…
Been was interested in touring some half finished condo’s…
I’m trying to get my mind around this whole “Magical Misery Tour”.
I like the idea of riding around in a bus with a bunch of literate, opinionated, loudmouths (like myself) - but I’m not sure of the logistics.
Construction sites are notoriously hostile to trespassing; the poor, honest folk stuck in doomed developments might not appreciate our cheerful schadenfreude…
If people will make suggestions, I volunteer to drive to the sites and figure out what I can - try to assess the entertainment value of each - folks with “enhanced” MLS and deed access could fill in the details…
I’m spitballing here…
What say you all?
Oops, forgot to close italics!
Yeah, if you could start putting together a list. Even if it’s lots where condos never got started. I especially would like to see the Centex site, the condo kings site and some reversions.
Yeah, if you could start putting together a list.
Okay folks - Give me your suggestions - I’ll go check them out, snap a few shots and send them to Ben to post.
I have a few of my own, but I’m sure there’s plenty I don’t know about.
scdave
I’ll swing by the Silverton area this afternoon after work - you want to meet? EMail me the details:
lavidavegas @ gmail . com
I especially would like to see the Centex site…
I found this:
http://www.city-data.com/forum/las-vegas/316365-centex.html
and this
want me to swing by Ardiente and check it out, or did you have another Centex development in mind?
Lavi d…..Got your email to late to meet…I have been down town all day…You will see the two towers next to the R/V park….
Ben & Lavi d…I spent a lot of time down town L/V today…Its apparent to me that the stalled condo’s complexes are north of the “Wynn” on Las Vegas Blvd…Their is also another west of the I-15 next to the “Rio Casino”…
For the board…If you were the lender how would you like to have “TWO” 200 unit condo towers fully completed and basically empty 9 miles from the downtown core of L/V…Basically they are apartments with no tenants…
Its apparent to me that the stalled condo’s complexes are north of the “Wynn” on Las Vegas Blvd…Their is also another west of the I-15 next to the “Rio Casino”…
(Sorry if this is a duplicate)
Okay, correct me if I’m wrong, but I think I’m reading 3 different locations here:
1)East of the i15 across from Silverton
2)North of the Wynn on the Strip
3)West of the i15 near the Rio
Is that it?
Repartments
I thought Silverton is on Blue Diamond and I-15. It could be another Silverton.
Anyhow, I’m not from LV but visit LV quite often.
3 Brother-In-Law have homes in the Mountain’s Edge area. You all should check it out.
thought Silverton is on Blue Diamond and I-15 ??
Windmill Parkway & Blue Diamond @ the I-15 are the Same road…You have the correct Silverton casino…
Here’s a list of conventions which will be in town in Feb.
http://www.lvol.com/conventions/conv0209.html
Nevada Assoc of Realtors is meeting that same weekend.
Ohh! Well, that produces some interesting ideas. The chief economist might be in town. Perhaps he would address our little meeting?
I’ll bring the rotten tomatoes.
I have some winter ones still on the vine…but the skins are to thick… ;-(
I can do a pretty mean hissssssssss and throw in some boos for free
I can also buy a bunch of shoes from Salvation Army or Goodwill and we can throw them at the so called chief economist.
shoes from Salvation Army or Goodwill and we can throw them ??
Funny Girl
Darn, this is the next weekend…might be useful for those needing to re-coup their 401-K funds.
02/25 - 03/01 - American Academy of Anti-Aging
Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino - 300 Attendees Expected
About five of the conventions are auto based. How many will book for next year?
Green Valley Ranch and Spa
Monday, February 23rd, 2009
11:30 am - 1:30 pm Lunch
2009 Economic Update
Keynote Speaker:
Lawrence Yun
Chief Economist
National Association of REALTORS
Where are you guys finding all these cheap plane tickets to Vegas? I’m looking $200-$360 round trip from the Bay Area. That doesn’t seem very cheap to me. The $360 is a refundable ticket, which I always try to get. I hate nonrefundable tickets.
I’m looking at $390 non-refundable from NY (non-stop, I hate connections). Not the cheapest weekend to fly.
Even long holiday weekend Feb 14-16 (usually most expensive) is about same price. I think it’s because too many conventions are in town.
I’m seeing less than $300 from DC, 1 stop (sidestep.com). I always check for direct flights with JetBlue and Virgin America as well, but they’re running closer to $500. That’s worth it for me to have nice seats, and a TV screen for a 5-6 hour flight.
Don’t you guys think it’s weird that a ticket from San Jose or San Francisco should be the same price as a ticket from DC?
Southwest still has some $49 seats from SFO on Friday (none of the best times though) and the same if you can return on Monday instead of Sunday. The earliest flight gets you in at 8am. Sunday seems to be really booked up. You may want to try Priceline but I’ve never done it.
Does anyone have discount airline codes to share?
Cheapest from Honolulu is 358, with a stop in Pheonix, gah.
Non stop is over 700. I guess since we don’t have any tourists left they need locals to stay put.
If I can’t make it I’ll have to send the special Crash Proof singed by HBBrs, I’ve been holding onto it for too long and feel a little guilty.
Aloha
Interesting. In the “computer hacker” world and many other geeky things they have cons. Short for conventions. DefCon is the hacker con held in Vegas. This sounds like a Housing Bubble Con. Needs a catchy name. CrashCon… BubbleCon. Sounds like fun no matter the name! Everyone have a good, safe time!
A german women film maker making a documentary about a epic event.. why does that ring a bell….
Could it possibly be because her name was Bertha Helen Amalie Riefenstahl who was a documentary maker for Hitler and Germany’s Third Reich?
I will not be able to make it. Airfare is a little steep, and we’re in the grey area where my wife isn’t quite ready to part with the littleman for a weekend… and 5+hours (if all goes well) is too long for my littleman to be on a plane.
I am totally up for a Tampa area meetup. We’ll discuss that later…
Question here from an admitted single guy……why don’t you just go by yourself???
Question here from an admitted single guy……
You just answered your own question. Muggy probably wants to stay married.
Boy oh boy! I just hope someone does photos of the regulars. I checked out the pix from the Cali grand tour; it’s alot of fun to see how much– or how little– faces actually look as I imagine them.
Lemmie check the work schedule- I am always up for a Vegas trip! The wife and I will make up for Muggy not comin- x2 (or 4)! Party on Garth!!
Second attempt-Lemmie check the work schedule- I am always up for a Vegas trip! The wife and I will make up for Muggy not comin- x2! (or 4) Party on Garth!!
at the risk of sounding stupid, what dates are we talking about?
February 20 -22.
What time do the festivities start and end on those days? My wife and I would love to book online tonight. I think I found a five-star condo for $79 per night!! May fly or drive from the OC, depending on price. Could share a ride?
Thanks
What start time on the 20th and end time on the 22nd? My wifre and I will drive in from the OC and may be willing to rideshare.
Offically 3pm on Friday and 11am on Sunday (more details tomorrow) but some people aren’t coming in until Saturday and some people want to get together on Sunday outside of the meeting suite like for lunch. (There may be a group that stays through Monday morning because the flights are much cheaper and they may plan something for Sunday night too.) Just get there when you can!
I think my post got lost. Official start time is Friday at 3. End time is Sunday at 11. (When we get in and out of the suite.) However, some people are coming on Saturday (work) and some will be staying through Monday (cheaper flights) and I’m pretty sure we’ll do a lunch on Sunday after we check out of the suite.
Friday afternoon (check-in) through Sunday late morning (check-out). Non-stop.
Thanks! Booking now! 5-star condo for $79 per night (see
hotwire.com -:)
Just considering it. I have (had) firm (?) plans to go from Morro Bay to SFO 20th-21st, wish your gathering had come to my attention a bit sooner. thinking thinking thinking
Stop thinking. You’re coming.
There, problem solved.