Room rates fall steeply just before Christmas

The holiday season is prime time for finding a low room rate in Las Vegas, and this year is no exception. Last week researchers at the Las Vegas Advisor canvassed every casino in town, looking for the best leads on lodging in December. The rates below were available either by consulting casino websites, using third-party reservations facilities or through the reservation codes on LasVegasAdvisor.com.

Even if you don’t use the internet, the list is a guide to potential low rates you can secure by phone. Rates are higher during the National Finals Rodeo, which runs through Saturday. The deepest discounts are available Dec. 13-24. All told, 41 casinos have rooms going for less than $40 this year. Here’s the lineup (rates change often and are not guaranteed).

Under $20 Club: Circus Circus, Golden Gate, Palace Station

Under $30 Club: Arizona Charlie’s Boulder, Artisan, Bally’s, Boulder Station, the D, El Cortez, Ellis Island Super 8, Excalibur, Flamingo, Four Queens, Hard Rock, Harrah’s, Hooter’s, Luxor, Plaza, Rio, Silver Sevens, Stratosphere, Sunset Station, Texas Station, Westgate, Wild Wild West

Under $40 Club: California, Cannery, Downtown Grand, Fiesta Henderson, Fiesta Rancho, Fremont, Gold Coast, LINQ, Main Street Station, Monte Carlo, Palms, Rumor, Sam’s Town, Santa Fe Station, Tropicana, Tuscany

High end: The pre-holidays also offer a great opportunity to stay at the more expensive casinos at bargain prices. The following all quoted midweek rates of $85 or less: NY-NY, Orleans, SLS, Golden Nugget, Planet Hollywood, MGM, Paris, Palms Place, TI, Mirage, Mandalay Bay, Green Valley Ranch, Red Rock and Cromwell

Question: Do MGM casinos intend to continue their pay-for-parking policy in 2017?

Answer: All indications are that they will. And brace yourself, Caesars Entertainment and Wynn Las Vegas say they will do the same. One salvation: Wynn says it will charge for valet only.

For more information about Las Vegas shows, buffets, coupons and good deals, go to LasVegasAdvisor.com.