I checked into the new Tower Suites at Hard Rock hotel, and there were two agents working. The Suites just opened Dec. 28th and have a private check-in area. A reservation agent on the phone had told me they were all the same, but differed according to view. I sandwiched her $20 and asked for any complimentary upgrades available. Got a higher floor and a pool view room (but the pool was under construction so nothing to look at). I think she could have offered a corner room or something nicer, so not sure I got much for the money. She did put us on the guest list for the club at my request, but then they ended up scheduling a private party for the night we were on the list. I also sandwiched at two other hotels the same week (Bellagio and TI) and only got higher floors and excellent views–not a suite or room with any special features. Oh, and the rooms were immediately ready, so that was nice.

Checked in around 3pm and got a male clerk around 26 or so. Chatted briefly with him and gave him my $50 sandwich and asked if there were any upgrades that would include 2 side by side rooms. He took the money and slid it in his pocket then told us he could give us 2 rooms on the 15th floor of the brand new paradise tower next to each other. Worked perfectly.

I just went up to the clerk the called me over, about 30, female, looked like a supervisor most likely. I checked in around noon, she asked for driver’s license and cc card, I slipped all three objects to her, she didn’t flinch, put the 20 to the side and I asked if there were any upgrades available, she said sure, I could get you into a pool view room in the paradise tower, there was a low floor room ready, but she asked if I wanted to wait an hour for the 11th floor. I did, decent turnout, not that great of a view because of the construction, but hey it’s 20 bucks.

Checked in on Saturday evening around 6pm- got a nice youger male clerk who we chatted with about Ohio football, I thought we were going to get an upgrade but he handed the $20 bill back and said he didn’t have anything- he said we could try back the next day. NO DICE…not only did we not get an upgrade, our room had the absolute WORST view I have ever had from any hotel anywhere. Seriously, it was a concrete parking garage with a row of cars practically within arms reach. Eeeek, That was the beginning of the bad luck that I had on this trip. They did move us to a higher floor the next afternoon, soooo much better. NEVER stay lower than the 8th-9th floor in the new Paradise Tower at The Hardrock.

I tried the trick with two people working the one check-in station so I was a bit nervous. I assumed one of them was being trained. The lady who checked me in (and who I gave the tip to) upgraded me to the suite while the other lady just watched. I couldn’t hear if the trainer explained the tip when I left the counter.

Checked in about 8 PM on a Friday night. Slipped $20 between ID and credit card, and asked for “complimentary upgrade.” Clerk checked for upgrade and gave it to me. I’m not even sure she saw the $20, as she later said “Aw, you didn’t have to do that.” Still, I was happy to spend the money, as the room was very nice, with living room, couch, fully stocked mini-bar and great view of pool and strip. This was a pretty slow weekend in Vegas (2 weekends before Christmas), so not sure if this will work all the time, but I was certainly happy.

Asked for any complimentary Upgrades, got a room with pool view and about 10 coupons including free VIP access for 2 at Body English and free use of the Spa.

Was very hopeful for an upgrade as I would be there for 7 nights, and was doubtful because my stay included all of Labor Day weekend at the Party Central hotel with tons of people reserving rooms just so they can get into the famed Rehab party on Sunday. Picked out the only male clerk who turned out to be concierge helping out at front desk. Put a quartered $50 between my passport and credit card. He put the $50 to the side and immediately said something like “I see you’ve booked a King mountain view, let’s see if we can upgrade that.” Took him about 30 seconds to offer me the pool view. Then the interesting part. He handed back the $50 and said “excuse me, you accidentally left this with your passport.” I waved it back to him and said it was for him. According to their website rates, which is what I was paying, the retail value of the upgrade from Mountain View to Pool View for this period of time totaled approximately $1100. For those who don’t understand, the Hard Rock pool is perhaps the single greatest people watching venue in the world, especially on weekends, and especially Sundays on holiday weekends when people line up literally for blocks to try to get in to the party. Similar to nightclubs, the groups of girls with the smallest bikinis stood the best chances of getting in. Was also overlooking several evening concerts at the pool. The Mountain View rooms on the other hand overlook a parking lot and some strip malls across the street, and probably some jets landing at McCarron. I probably could have gotten away with a $20, but really wanted the upgrade.

We got a offer in the mail for a comp. room so we made a reservation for a standard room. When we got to the front desk I gave the girl a $20 tip & asked about a upgrade. It worked great, she gave us a great suite with a strip/pool view!

went up to the desk, had reservations for 2 nts ,mountainside deluxe room, handed the woman a 20 and asked for any upgrades, she offered my the poolside suite on the top floor , great room