New Year’s 1999: Book early, plan to spend a bundle

Monday, Feb. 15, 1999 | 10:09 a.m.

As many as 750,000 visitors are expected to jam the Las Vegas Strip next New Year's Eve, and they'll be paying prices unlike anything ever seen here before - up to $2,500 a night.

Caesars Palace will be charging $2,000 a night, with a four-night minimum, or $2,500 a night with a three-night minimum.

Bellagio will also charge $2,000 a night, but for a three-night minimum.

Many of the resorts will have a limited number of rooms open to the public, with blocks set aside for high-spending casino customers.

The Alexis Park hotel is charging $1,100 a night for a three-night minimum, according to Las Vegas Reservation Systems, and New York-New York will be charging $1,000 a night with a three-night minimum.

Family-oriented Circus Circus, known for its low rates, will be charging $450 a night with a four-night minimum. On slow weeks, the rate there is $39 a night.

Most hotels are asking for payment in advance, in some cases as early as July 1.

"The rates reflect that Las Vegas has become one of the favorite destinations for celebrating New year's Eve," said Rob Powers, spokesman for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience," Caesars Palace spokeswoman Debbie Munch said. "Las Vegas and Caesars Palace have always been a popular destination for New Year's Eve and that will be even greater this year as we bring in the new century."

Texas Station, an off-Strip hotel-casino, is charging $750 per night with a three-night minimum, according to the reservation service.

The company said some hotels are already sold out for Dec. 31 and Jan. 1, including the Gold Coast, Orleans, Barbary Coast and Plaza hotels.