Las Vegas Heats Up, From $202

UNITED VACATIONS

United, which features air/hotel packages to Vegas on an ongoing basis, is offering a special series of "exclusive summer values" such as show tickets, spa discounts, two-for-one buffet dinner deals, and coupons for playing the slots.

Ten hotels are participating (Circus Circus, Four Seasons, Las Vegas Hilton, MGM Grand, The Luxor, The Palms, Planet Hollywood, The Orleans, Riviera, or Stratosphere), and the specific perks, travel dates, departure city, and prices vary depending on which you choose. We dug up sample pricing for three of the options:

MGM Grand: Round-trip airfare on United and a two-night stay, with a $25 dining credit, two-for-one spa passes, and a 15 percent discount off all spa services starts at about $274 per person. When: The $274 rate is based on a departure date of Aug. 6, 2007. Rates were higher for July 23 ($364) and for Aug. 24 ($392). Note that you must depart by Sept. 6. Gateways: Los Angeles; add about $6 for Denver; $30 for San Francisco; $132 for Chicago; and $207 for Washington, D.C. The Fine Print: Hotel taxes are included. Based on double occupancy. Contact: United Vacations, 888/328-6877, unitedvacations.com.

Circus Circus: Round-trip airfare and a two-night stay, with a two-for-one buffet dinner coupon and one $25 free slot play coupon, from $202 per person. When: The $202 rate is based on a departure date of Aug. 6, 2007. Rates were higher for July 23 ($212) and for Aug. 24 ($278). Note that you must depart by Aug. 26. Gateways: Los Angeles; $6 for Denver; $30 for San Francisco; $132 for Chicago; and $207 for Washington, D.C. The Fine Print: Hotel taxes are included. Based on double occupancy. Contact: United Vacations, 888/328-6877, unitedvacations.com.

Planet Hollywood: Round-trip airfare and a two-night stay, with a $10 free slot play with a $20 coin-in, a Desert Passage Passport (complimentary shopping and dining passport good for discounts throughout the mall) as well as discounts on dining, spa, and fitness, from $245 per person. When: The $245 rate is based on a departure date of Aug. 6, 2007. Rates were higher for July 23 ($260) and for Aug. 24 ($360). Note that you must depart by Dec. 28. Gateways: Los Angeles; add $6 for Denver; $30 for San Francisco; $132 for Chicago; and $207 for Washington, D.C. The Fine Print: Hotel taxes are included. Based on double occupancy. Contact: United Vacations, 888/328-6877, unitedvacations.com.

COMING SOON...

As these projections suggest, Sin City's frenzied growth shows little sign of slowing down.

• The Palazzo Las Vegas, a sister property of the adjacent Venetian, is set to open at the end of the year.

• Trump International Hotel & Tower, the Donald's first Vegas high-rise hotel/condo (sans casino), is planned to open across from the Wynn Las Vegas in early 2008.

• Plans for 2009 include the enormous--and enormously expensive--$7 billion CityCenter, with four residences, an upscale hotel and casino, shops, and 15 to 20 restaurants. Las Palmas, a complex of four glass towers, will boast an infinity pool 400 feet above the ground and a 40,000-square-foot spa. W Hotels intends to bring its new, more affordable Aloft boutique brand to Paradise Road while the Hard Rock Hotel aims to double its size by adding a new hotel tower, a spa, and more shops and restaurants.

• Recent announcements include plans for a complex of five hotels with the works (spas, restaurants, bars, concert venues, a casino) dubbed Echelon Place and a yet-to-be-named resort at the north end of the strip by the intersection of Las Vegas Boulevard and Sahara to be run by MGM Mirage and Kerzner International Holdings.

For more on these latest developments, plus event listings and discounts of all sorts, visit vegas.com. And for more Vegas bargains, read our recent Real Deals, Patriotic Travel Ideas, and Las Vegas to Los Angeles.

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