An Update on Room Rates in Las Vegas Reveals That Sin City is Still Having Problems

The price of a suite at the ultra-deluxe Vdara Hotel on the Strip in Las Vegas has just fallen to its deepest low ever. On August 28, 29, 30, 31 and September 1, and then again on September 5, 6, 7 and 8, glamorous suites at the Vdara will rent for $99 a night. We have never seen a price that low -- for suites, mind you -- at any ultra-deluxe hotel in Vegas.

The discounts are almost as dramatic in late November and during the first three weeks of December. Then -- and you can check this by going to the booking charts either at the websites of Vdara ( www.vdara.com ) or at MGM Resorts ( www.mgmresorts.com ) -- suites will rent for $105 a night per suite on November 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 29, 30 and December 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22.

The very cheapest digs in Vegas? Those are undoubtedly at the El Cortez Hotel, recently refurbished, on Fremont Street, where rates dip as low as $30 a night for a "vintage" room. $30 a night, did I say? Negotiate, and (according to people I trust) you'll end up with a decent room for $27 a night. This, of course, is in a somewhat seedy district of Vegas, but safe nonetheless, and in a 300-room hotel with a small fitness gym and other goodies.

Clearly, Vegas is still going through a difficult period. And your very best bet is to phone up the Vdara and negotiate for a suite at even lower prices than the ones I've cited.