Earlier this week on Monday, I posted a deal about the Excalibur Las Vegas hotel offering rooms starting at $20 with a $20 drink and dining credit. Since I had already booked two nights at another hotel this week, I figured I could tack an additional night in Vegas with a stay at the Excalibur for practically nothing.
Now, I was hesitant about booking the Excalibur, but I was truly intrigued with this property once Hyatt partnered with mLife and you could actually gain a stay credit and night credit from this hotel. I was hesitant because I’ve stayed at the Excalibur 8 years ago and did not have a pleasant stay. It was dark, dingy, and was practically a motel on the Las Vegas Strip. The rooms were filthy and there were cobwebs in the lamps.
I ultimately decided to pull the trigger and book the hotel because I’ve blogged about the Excalibur offering amazing deals several times:
Earn Hyatt Diamond Elite Status for $980 or Less at the Excalibur Hotel in Las Vegas
Rooms At The Excalibur Hotel in Las Vegas Are Now $21 With A $20 Dining Credit!
$20 Rooms at the Excalibur Las Vegas Hotel with a $20 Dining Credit
I could not find any reviews about the Excalibur hotel from the travel blogging community and I’m sure many of them have taken advantage of the amazing deals. Perhaps publishing a review of the Excalibur hotel could tarnish their reputation or it’s simply too low class to them for a hotel review. However, I cannot blame them because I’ve received a ton of flack when I mentioned on Twitter that I booked the hotel and even more criticism when people found out that I was actually staying in the room overnight.
I got to the Excalibur hotel at around 10:30pm which was a three and a half hour drive from Los Angeles.
I queue up to check-in with three people in front of me. There was no way I was going to use the $20 trick in Vegas for a $20 room (are you crazy?). Instead, I was polite with the front desk agent. My original booked room was a Queen bed in a Standard room (Tower I). I did my research beforehand and knew that the Tower II rooms were much better and are renovated. I asked the front desk agent to add my Hyatt Gold Passport number which she complied. While she was adding my Hyatt number, I asked her if there were any better rooms available and if I could have a King size bed. The only thing she said was “Is the 22nd floor okay?” I said sure (without knowing what kind of room she gave me). I later found out that I was indeed upgraded for free to Tower 2 and with a King sized bed.
When I went into the room, I was shell shocked. I couldn’t believe this was a room at the Excalibur hotel. This reminded me of a contemporary hotel. The room was unbelievably large with a small circular dining table and two chairs. There was also a modern alarm clock with a huge flat screen TV. Times have definitely changed from 8 years ago.
The bathroom featured granite countertops with toiletries. The downside with the bathroom is no bathtub, only a standing shower.
I was also amazed that I had some sort of view from my room. It wasn’t a Strip view, but I won’t argue for $20.
The amazing deal came with a coupon book which featured a $20 drink and dining credit at selected outlets within Excalibur and Luxor. There was also a coupon in the book for complimentary access for two to LAX Nightclub at Luxor.
Drinks are really cheap at the Excalibur hotel. I went to the Sherwood bar where there was a draft beer and hot dog deal for $5.00. The Sherwood bar is a participating outlet for using the $20 drink and dining credit. Basically, I had two beers (Newcastle & Orchid Cider), two hot dogs, and a Cranberry Vodka for $20. I paid the taxes and left a tip and was only out $6.00 for all of the above. It was an absolute bargain!
There is a downside to the hotel which is the dreaded $15 resort fee. Now, it’s possible to get this waived if you complain about the slow in-room wired internet. Yes, the Excalibur does not offer in-room wireless internet in the 21st century.
All in all, I had a pleasant stay for $20 but would not stay here in the near future. There is no in-room wireless internet which is a huge downside in my book. I am not reaching for Hyatt status, so I have no point in booking these $20 stays (you might). When I come to Las Vegas, the hotel room does matter to me and I’m proud to say that I survived staying overnight at the Excalibur hotel.