Frustrated about the costs of visiting Las Vegas?…A few hotels are offering all-inclusive packages starting at US $330, AUD $476, for two nights, for two guests…

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Luxor Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas with its pyramid structure and Sphinx replica
Exterior view of the Luxor Hotel and Casino on the Las Vegas strip.Credit: Nicola Patterson/Getty Images

From today’s Travel + Leisure Magazine, shown here.

“These Popular Las Vegas Hotels Are Launching All-inclusive Packages for the First Time Ever—Starting at $330…

MGM’s new all-inclusive Las Vegas deal at select hotels bundles accommodations, dining, entertainment, and parking into one price. By Stacey Leasca Published on March 25, 2026

Planning a trip to Las Vegas is about to get easier thanks to a brand-new all-inclusive package available for not one but two of Sin City’s favorite hotels. And yes, it includes access to all the food, entertainment, and sights on your list.

On Wednesday, MGM Resorts International announced it’s launching an all-inclusive experience that will bundle hotel accommodations, daily resort fee, dining, entertainment, and parking into a single upfront price. The best part? That package is starting at $330 (plus tax) for a two-night stay for two guests at either Luxor Hotel & Casino or Excalibur Hotel & Casino.

The package includes two nights at either hotel and three meals per day per guest, redeemable at a selection of MGM Resorts restaurants across Luxor, Excalibur, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, and New York-New York. Each meal also includes one select beer or wine, along with non-alcoholic beverages (gratuity is not included, so make sure to tip your server). Guests can choose from a dedicated menu laid out just for them at spots like The Buffet at Excalibur, Diablo’s Cantina, Pyramid Café at Luxor, Noodle Shop at Mandalay Bay, and the MGM Grand Buffet.

The Excalibur Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas with castlethemed architecture and colorful conical roofs
The colorful towers of the Excalibur Hotel and Casino. JacobH/Getty Images

Guests will also receive two tickets to one show during their stay. They can pick from shows like Blue Man Group, Carrot Top at Luxor, The Australian Bee Gees Show, The Mac King Comedy Magic Show, or Thunder from Down Under at Excalibur. Plus, they’ll get two rides on The Big Apple Coaster at New York-New York and self-parking for one vehicle at any MGM Resorts Las Vegas property.

“Las Vegas has long been known for its diverse collection of unforgettable experiences, and this new option combines many of them together in a fresh, compelling way,” Mike Neubecker, president and COO of MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, New York-New York, Luxor, and Excalibur, said. “By bundling hotel, dining, entertainment, and parking into a single upfront price, we’re offering guests a convenient, turn-key way to explore our hotels and make new memories without any hassle or surprises.”

Want to stay longer than two nights? You can book back-to-back all-inclusive experiences to extend your stay for as long as you wish. The experience is booking now for stays beginning April 6. There are no blackout dates, so you can buy and then book whenever you’d like. See more at mgmresorts.com/allinclusive.”

Lately, we’ve found ourselves paying closer attention to the murmurs surrounding tourism in Las Vegas, perhaps more than we ever would have in our earlier lives. When Nevada becomes part of your story, even in a small way, you begin to notice the subtle shifts. The conversations have grown louder, filled with concerns about soaring prices, mounting resort fees, and the gradual disappearance of those little perks that once made a stay feel special.

There was a time when a visit to Las Vegas felt like stepping into a world designed to delight. Buffets were abundant, parking was free, and the overall experience seemed to offer more than what you paid for. Now, it feels as if the balance has tipped, leaving many travelers wondering if the value is still there. It’s not that the city has lost its sparkle, but rather that the cost of enjoying it has risen to a point where people are beginning to hesitate.

As Nevada residents, we’ve watched these changes with a bit more interest. It seems inevitable that, given broader economic conditions, resorts and casinos may need to reconsider their approach. Much like hotels in other parts of the world that have adjusted pricing or added incentives to draw guests back, Las Vegas may find itself at a similar crossroads.

On our recent trips to visit son Richard and tend to practical matters like renewing driver’s licenses, we’ve avoided staying on the Strip altogether. Instead, we were fortunate to find a comfortable condo in Lake Las Vegas, a quiet retreat that offered both value and peace of mind. Had that not been available, we would have been faced with far steeper costs, whether in a resort or a holiday rental.

Looking ahead to our next visit, likely in 2027, the uncertainty lingers. If that delightful condo is no longer an option, we may have to navigate a very different landscape, one where the price of a stay requires far more consideration than it once did. It’s simply the way things are unfolding in the world right now, and like so many others, we’ll adapt as needed.

Tomorrow, our friend Salli will arrive from Hobart to spend the weekend with us. We are looking forward to her visit.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, March 26, 2016:

Taking photos of one of the two pink cockatoos while living on the farm in New Zealand, through the narrow chain link fence, was tricky. For more photos, please click here.

Who’ll Stop the Rain…

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Horses on the grounds of Namale Resort.

The Credence Clearwater Revival song, “Who’ll Stop the Rain,” came to Tom’s mind when early this morning, I asked him about a piece of rain-related music as, once again, the rain continued. He’s a “rock and roll” kind of guy, choosing this song.   

Today, we have to get out. Mother Hubbard’s cupboard thing… it’s bare. We don’t have anything left to eat except for three cans of tuna and two dozen eggs. Yeah, I know tuna salad which we prefer in hot weather, not when it’s cool and rainy.

Here’s the 10-day forecast for Fiji.  It looks like we’re in for a lot more rain. 

The sign near the Namale Resort & Spa entrance where we’re booked for our anniversary and photos.

My bill hat and parka are ready to go, although neither is waterproof.  There’s no umbrella here or in our luggage. Besides, we’d look foolish with an umbrella, although many older Fijians carry umbrellas as a parasol to protect themselves from the heat of the sun (when it’s shining). The Fijian people don’t seem to mind walking in the rain. 

We’ve been soaked many times during these past three years. This time won’t be any different, and we’ll carry on as we have in the past, getting drenched to the bone. In no time at all, we’ll be back home, changing into dry clothing.

Speaking of these past three years, in 16 days, on October 31st, it will be our third anniversary since we left Minnesota to begin our journey. We decided to celebrate and, in doing so, hopefully, create some good photo opportunities along the way.

The Blue Lagoon beach is near Namale Resort.  We’d taken these blue sky photos when we were out on a partially clear day a few weeks ago.

Yesterday, we booked a special tour and lunch at Namale Resort, owned by the world-renowned motivational speaker, Anthony Robbins, whose seminars son Richard and I attended over the years. Namale Resort is where hungry-minded travelers come from worldwide for the costly and inspiring seminars held on-site at the exclusive resort in Savusavu. 

The all-inclusive resort doesn’t allow entry from non-guests for dining or tours. I wrote to the marketing department, and they’ve agreed to let us do a story on the resort (after they checked out our site) and will host a lunch for us to celebrate our third anniversary.

We’ve chosen lunch instead of dinner to ensure we’d be able to take photos in daylight. Besides, the steep, uneven, and unlit walk from the road to our house would be too dangerous to tackle at night in the dark.

Another popular resort in the area, Savasi Island Resort. Prices aren’t posted online.

We considered an overnight stay at a resort or a boat charter but, it didn’t make sense with the constant rain and expense. What a disappointment it would be to have arranged and paid for a boat charter when it could quickly be raining. We’ve certainly had that experience many times over these past years.

As for booking a night or two in a resort to celebrate our anniversary, that idea didn’t make sense when we’re already living in a lovely spa with an ocean view, a pool, housekeeping services, and basically, all we need. What would be the point of paying for two resorts simultaneously? 

Our tour of Namale Resort has been arranged with open arms, and we look forward to sharing details of the upscale property where a standard ocean view room is around  US $2000, FJI 4273 a night.  We look forward to sharing the details and photos of the experience as we celebrate yet another year in our lives of travel.

As for upcoming photos, we’re chomping at the bit. With enough on hand to get us through another ten posts, we’re looking forward to getting out on a sunny day or at least a partially clear day. 

The beach along the road near Namale Resort was lined with vegetation.

Many throughout the world live in climates with frequent, if not daily rainy weather. Here’s an interesting slide show of the ten rainiest places on earth, including two in Hawaii. We lived in both of these locations this past year.

While in Kauai for four months, it rained to some degree almost every day. The mountain and waterfalls shown in this slide show were in our view from the backyard in Princeville. 

When we soon head out at 1 pm for the trip to the village, we’ll bring along the camera as always. One never knows what treasures we may find.  We’ll be back tomorrow with more.

Have a fine day!

Photo from one year ago today, October 14, 2014:

USS Missouri photo was taken from the launch to World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument. For more photos, please click here.

A little on Maui’s history…Upscale hotel in Kaanapali Beach or a condo in quiet area?

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As we stood at the cliff, the ocean was swirling at the shoreline. The color, difficult to see here, was a beautiful aquamarine.

Maui, as well as the other Hawaiian Islands, has a rich history:

“Legends say the demigod Maui pulled the Hawaiian Islands from the sea and lassoed the sun atop Haleakala, the island’s highest peak. The island of Maui was named after this mythological being, perhaps because the shape of the island is said to resemble his head and body.
King Piilani was the first ruler to unite all of Maui under a single family of all (royalty) in the early 15th century. In 1790, King Kamehameha, I defeated Kahekili, Maui’s last king, after a fierce battle in the iconic Iao Valley. Kamehameha took control of Maui and made Lahaina the new capital of the unified Hawaiian Kingdom.
For nearly five decades, Lahaina served as the center of government for Hawaii. Simultaneously, the town experienced a surge in its whaling industry. At the height of the whaling era (1840-1865) as many as 500 ships anchored in Lahaina’s port.

Maui’s first sugar mill began operations in 1828. As the sugar industry in the islands grew, an influx of plantation workers from China, Japan, Puerto Rico, Korea, the Philippines, Portugal, and Europe arrived in Hawaii. These immigrants became the foundation of the multi-ethnic culture of Hawaii today. You can experience these influences at places like the 

Lahaina Jodo Mission and in the fusion of flavors found in Hawaii Regional Cuisine. “

A pleasure boat at a distance.
For more details on the history of Maui, please click here which we found to be some of the most comprehensive histories on Maui we found online.
Although on this visit to the islands, we’ve only been to Oahu and Maui so far, having been to the islands many years ago, I am certain, my favorite will continue to be Maui. On December 1st, we leave for the Big Island, also known as Hawaii, and later on January 15th, we head to the island of Kauai until May.
A simple reflection of the sun on the sea.
There are many aspects to Maui but the two most appealing to tourists is as follows:
  • The busy, shopping, restaurants, nightlife hotel row of Kaanapali Beach, Kapalua, and other resort sections of the exquisite beaches of Maui as found at this link
  • The quieter beaches with less tourist activity such as where we are in Maalaea Beach and dozens of other similar areas, easily found online
It’s simply a matter of personal preference.  In my younger days, Kaanapali Beach was the place to stay, although many tourists in the over 50 crowd prefer to stay where the “action is” in Kaanapali staying for perhaps a week or two, can better afford to pay the high prices in the hotels along the beach. 
It would have been prohibitive for us to spend the six weeks we’re in Maui in that area. Although truth be told, had it been affordable, most likely, it would have been impossible to resist.
Had we spent six weeks at the Hyatt in Kaanapali Beach we’d have paid $288 per night plus another $250 per day in meals, taxes, and tips for a total of $538 per day for a total of $24,210, no car needed.
For our entire 45 days in Maui, we paid  $5788 for six weeks ($128 per day) in this lovely condo, plus $20 a day for a car at $900 and averaging at $40 per day at $1800 for groceries and dining out.  Our grand total (estimated as of today-will post total when we’re ready to leave) is $8488 at $189 per day.
In other words, by forgoing a fancy hotel, we’ve saved $15,722.  Of course, one wouldn’t usually stay in a hotel for such an extended period.
Many shorelines in the Hawaiian Islands consist of lava rock.
The question becomes for the retiree considering a visit to Maui – to stay a short time with the convenience of a resort strip on a beach with one hotel and restaurant after another or, choose a quieter location at considerably less cost away from the more popular areas, cooking one’s own meals, renting a car and being away from the hustle and bustle. It’s a matter of personal preference and finances.

For the younger tourists staying for a week or two, the hotel’s fabulous beaches are popular choices if prices are affordable. And, there are numerous condo and resorts in Kaanapali, many at affordable rates that may appeal to a tourist for a short term stay. Maui has many vacation/holiday options available from vacation rental houses (expensive) to studios (less expensive) all over the island.

For our current six week stay, we couldn’t have been more content in another location. We have the beach outside our door, a beautiful pool with views, impeccable grounds, a mid-sized rental car at an affordable rate and easy access to visit Kaanapali Beach, where…by the way we’re hoping to visit tomorrow with many photos to share on Tuesday and Wednesday. 

The humidity was heavy when we took this photo as shown in the brush.
We’ll be back tomorrow with more photos and a post before we hopefully depart for Kaanapali Beach later in the morning. 

Today, as soon as I hit “upload” we’re on our way out to the pool where we’ll lounge for an hour, eyes peeled on the ocean for signs of life. 

Have a wonderful Sunday!  We plan to! 
                                           Photo from one year ago today, November 9, 2013:
On this date, one year ago, we visited the goats in the backyard of the house in Kenya, always laughing over how they’d stare at us. Check out those “bedroom eyes.” For details of that date, as we began to wind down our time in Diani Beach, please click here.