Unless things have changed, most hotels (not the big glitzy ones on the strip) are very inexpensive and food is unbelievably cheap. I ate terrific dinners for 5 and 6 dollars. I would do the same as you have decided. Either rent a car or find a hotel with a bus service to the location of the conference. Regardless, I think Las Vegas is very economical. You might enjoy catching a couple of the dinner shows while you are there.

>I have been looking for any "who goes to Las Vegas" thread for a while and as I am not able to find one I open one this way.
>
>* I am not willing to spend the money required by Marriott
>* I have never been to Vegas but from what I see in a map the conference hotel is located in the middle of nowhere - hard to get there from another hotel
>* my idea is to rent a car and stay in a cheaper hotel, possibly extending my stay there and make a trip outside Vegas before the conference
>
>Any ideas what others do are welcome!
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>Thanks in advance!
>
>i-+