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Mrs. Kiwi, Los Angeles Age and Occupation in 06: 27, Bookkeeper Fiance's Age and Occupation: 27, P.E. Teach/Coach @ private schools in LA Engagement Date: March 31, 2006 Wedding Date: November 3, 2007 Venue: Radisson Hotel About Me: I'm a bookkeeper who failed high school algebra. I'm currently living in Los Angeles, literally a street over from where I grew up with Mr. Kiwi, my honey of three years. We have a jumbo mini-dachshund (seriously, he's huuuuge), and we're planning an autumn themed wedding on a shoestring, paid for by ourselves. The wedding date is my late grandma's birthday, I needed her there somehow, and that seemed like the best way for us. I can't believe I'm a Bee! I couldn't be more proud!
About Mrs. Kiwi

Upgrade or Not?

September 10th, 2007 @ 5:50 pm by Mrs. Kiwi

Mr. Kiwi and I are thinking of upgrading our “pyramid deluxe” room at the Luxor for the two nights we’ll be there post-wedding. We’re not really looking for a huge suite, but something a little fancier than just a bed, an armoire and a toilet. Random bit of info: I fit in the armoires.

The pyramid is where I want to stay. Mr. Kiwi has never been in the Luxor, and I know he’d get a kick out of the odd elevators that take you up slanty-like. Sure, he may throw up a little, as he gets slightly sick on motion simulator rides and weird slanty type rides, but he’ll enjoy it nonetheless. Anyway, the pyramid deluxe has these features:

z108875

* 420 Square Feet
* One King or Two Queen Beds
* 27″ Color Television (everyone, aaaah with me)
*AM/FM Radio with Alarm (fancy!)
* Oversized Showers (good for not small Mr. Kiwi)
*Internet Access Available (for a price, but we’re willing to pay it!)

The price for this fancy room? $199.98 for two nights. Bargain!

Now, for the stats on the upgrade we’d like, the “pyramid spa suite”.

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* 590-800 Square Feet (how is there that huge of a difference? “Oh, about 500 to 1000 square feet, depending on the room.” “Well, can we have the 1000 square foot room?”)
* One King or Two Queen Beds
* 27″ Color Television
* AM/FM Radio with Alarm
* Spa Tub (Yay! Does this mean I can scrub down in the window??)
* Separate Sitting Room (Perfect for when Mr. Kiwi and I pick up hookers on the strip. Just kidding, I swear!)
* Internet access also available for a charge. (Um, paying more for this room, you’d think internet was included?)

The total for this room would be $339.98, a $70.00 per night difference. Really, that amount isn’t too huge of a step up, considering we’ve already paid the 199.98 amount when we booked the trip (package deal resulting in airfare for $99.00 each, roundtrip.), and we’ll only have to pay for the upgrade.

Here are more pics of the cozy jacuzzi (thanks everyone who posted at Trip Advisor!):

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I like how you can see the tub more clearly.

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Awesome view of the inside of the pyramid.

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As I looked through the various pictures I started getting excited. We’re getting married!!! Hopefully some of my “Eeeeeeeeeeeee! We’re just married!!!” vibes will radiate and get us a free upgrade. Hey, I’m not ashamed to ask! If this were you, would you upgrade?

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23 Responses to “Upgrade or Not?”

1.
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Guest
jodi

I’d go for it!

 
2.
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smartl (message)  543 posts, Busy bee

I would upgrade if it’s not out of your budget - maybe it’s just that I’ve been reading wedding propaganda for too long but it doesn’t really seem very “honeymoon-like” to just have a standard room. I’d want the jacuzzi tub, it’s romantic :)

 
3.
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TriciaJ

Wait, how did I miss that you’re spending your ‘moon in Vegas??? You have easily been my favorite bee to copy/steal ideas from, and I totally missed it. :)

Aaaannnyway (my stalking aside,) I’d say go for it. We haven’t decided where we’re staying in LV, but I plan on upgrading until my checkbook calls it quits!

 
4.
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Jessica

Normally, I’m all upgrading everything on your honeymoon. But I guess the question here is, do you think you’ll use the jacuzzi at some point during those two days? If so, do it. If you think it’s just a cool idea in theory, but you don’t see youreslf actually getting into it (it looks kind of small?), than I’d skip it and just do something else to make the room super-special. Chilled bottle of champagne waiting for you every night, for example…

 
5.
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Bee
Mrs. Bluebell (message)  294 posts, Helper bee

Yeah, I say go for it!! You’ll feel all fancy and important and that spa tub looks awesome! And yeah, make sure to ask for one of the larger square foot rooms with your “on our honeymoon!!!” vibes. :-)

 
6.
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Stephanie

If you have a choice, get a room in the tower, its newer, cleaner, and a lot nicer.

Plus they don’t smell like an ashtray even when you’re in a non-smoking room.

 
7.
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na

Not sure how you feel about this sort of thing, but here is another option: the $20 trick. You can read about it at either website below (its pretty common in Vegas):

http://www.thetwentydollartrick.com/
http://frontdesktip.com/

Basically, you slip the check-in person a $20, ask for a complimentary upgrade and see what happens. This worked for FI and I during our trip in May (at Treasure Island). We got a room upgrade, and since we said we were celebrating our engagement, they sent us a free bottle of champagne our first night.

I’ve read they usually only upgrade one step up, so I’m not sure if they would give you a suite or not. The other downfall: its not guaranteed, and often depends solely on room availability. Just another thought for you. Good luck!

 
8.
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aoedorothee (message)  248 posts, Helper bee

Even if the $20 trick doesn’t work, upgrade anyway. It’s your honeymoon. and as long as it won’t kill the bank, go for it girl!

 
9.
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amysue (message)  1,499 posts, Bumble bee

i agree. upgrade, upgrade! when else in your life will you have such a good excuse to splurge??

 
10.
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Guest
VenturaBabe

I say upgrade! For my bachelorette party we stayed in a regular pyramid room. It was nice and new and everything- but the shower is NOT a tub, so if you want any possibility for getting in a tub, you should go for the upgrade. I’m not really a tub person myself, but we did use the jacuzzi tub on our wedding night!

 
11.
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christigpa (message)  172 posts, Blushing bee

You could always stick with the regular room and let the front desk know (upon check-in) that it’s your honeymoon. Let them know you thought some of the suites were so amazing looking but you didn’t have it in your budget. (Which may or may not be the case anyway!)

I’ve always thought of the folded twenty in a handshake to the front desk or maitre d to be such a Sopranos moment. Just my humble opinion!

 
12.
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Bee
Mrs. Lime (message)  94 posts, Worker bee

i’d upgrade, but to the towers or to another hotel. just my opinion. ;)

 
13.
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Guest
Cindy

UPGRADE!!! we did the 20 dollar trick at the venetian, and we got a better tower (not the monster suites, but a nicer location).

but for only 70 bucks, i’d do it. the room at only 400 sq ft is a bit small.

of course, my favorite hotel so far that i’ve stayed in at vegas is mandalay bay.

 
14.
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smartl (message)  543 posts, Busy bee

na - the $20 trick is kind of a risky move. It really depends on the person you get as check-in staff. Some of them are all for the tip, and others consider it extremely rude and condescending - if you try it with the wrong person they’ll probably tell you no upgrades are available even if they are. I used to work at the front desk of a hotel when I was 20 and I fell into the latter category, I thought it was extremely tacky to try to buy my cooperation with a $20 bill. Asking nicely or telling me it’s your honeymoon would have worked far better. So just be aware that it’s kind of a risky move, it can get you an upgrade or it can ensure that you never get an upgrade.

 
15.
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Lydia

I don’t know–will you honestly use the jacuzzi? I actually think the regular room looks nicer, because the window lets in more light. In the room with the tub, the window is off-center, and it’s kind of dark (unless you like it dark). I’d rather spend the $70 on a spa treatment, personally.

Either way, you’ll have a great time!

 
16.
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Guest
ForSure510

Go for the upgrade, but I’m going to chime in with the crowd and say think about the tower . . . I’ve never been impressed with the rooms in the pyramid (but yes, the elevators are awesome.)
The whole time you’re there though, tell EVERYONE you encounter that you just got married. I used to do this almost every time I went to Vegas (including when I was there with male friends who were game to play along) and you get so much awesome stuff. People are SO excited for you. I’ve gotten free rides on the New York, New York roller coaster, free seat upgrades to shows, and free drinks pretty much everywhere. (and yes, this is possibly a little dishonest, but when you’re 19-21 it’s also really really fun.)

 
17.
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Guest
cyan

one thing to maybe look into - i stayed at the luxor back when it was brand new, and something with the whole shape of the building - the casino in the middle, and all the rooms funneling up towards the ceiling trapped all the cigarette smoke in the rooms. all my luggage came home reeking like cigarettes. they might have rooms that aren’t subject to this funnel-effect.

 
18.
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Bee
Mrs. Snow Pea (message)  473 posts, Helper bee

Upgrade - I regret not staying in the “nicer” room. Your the bride and groom and have worked really hard for the wedding. Treat yourselves and what a deal!

 
19.
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mrspeterson (message)  2 posts, Wannabee

upgrade!!! We stayed in the palms for our honeymoon about a month ago. We originally booked just a regular room in the old tower. We told them we were on our honeymoon, and they moved us to a suite in the new tower for free!!!! No slipping them a $20 or anything…. It pays to just mention your on your honeymoon!

 
20.
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Kelli G

Upgrade to the Tower - much nicer. I got upgraded (gratis) to the Jacuzzi Suite in the Pyramid and it was just OK. Kind of dark and old.

 
21.
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Bee
Mrs. Lemon (message)  427 posts, Helper bee

If you can stay in the tower… do it! The rooms are much nicer than the pyramid rooms, and are HUGE! Plus they’re non-smoking and make getting in/out of the hotel soooooo much easier than the inclinators.

And just in case you wanted to ride on the Inclinator… you can… just flash your room key to the guy and you can ride it. They just don’t want NON-hotel guests going up. But it’s sort of a pain if you have a top room, since you have to take multiple trips… and the thing honestly makes me woozy.

 
22.
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Member
deluscious (message)  21 posts, Newbee

upgrade! in-room jacuzzis are very romantic and that location next to the window is totally unique - way to do something risque on your honeymoon!

you can cheaply upgrade the romance level in the room by bringing some tealights for the rim of the jacuzzi tub. don’t forget to bring bubble bath (make sure it’s a brand you’ve used before so it doesn’t surprise irritate your skin)!

 
23.
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Guest
WeddingChic

I would stay at the Wynn for $199 and have AMAZING rooms (5 star), this is a little too motel-y and its your honeymoon!!!!

 


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Mrs. Kiwi Mrs. Kiwi, Los Angeles Age and Occupation in 06: 27, Bookkeeper Fiance's Age and Occupation: 27, P.E. Teach/Coach @ private schools in LA Engagement Date: March 31, 2006 Wedding Date: November 3, 2007 Venue: Radisson Hotel About Me: I'm a bookkeeper who failed high school algebra. I'm currently living in Los Angeles, literally a street over from where I grew up with Mr. Kiwi, my honey of three years. We have a jumbo mini-dachshund (seriously, he's huuuuge), and we're planning an autumn themed wedding on a shoestring, paid for by ourselves. The wedding date is my late grandma's birthday, I needed her there somehow, and that seemed like the best way for us. I can't believe I'm a Bee! I couldn't be more proud!
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