The holiday season is always an excellent time to find a low room rate in Las Vegas. Last week, the Las Vegas Advisor called every casino in town, looking for the best leads on December lodging. The rates below were available by calling in, consulting casino Web sites or using third-party reservations facilities. Prices change quickly, though, and rates are higher during the National Finals Rodeo, Dec. 3-12. The deepest discounts run Dec. 13-24. All told, 45 casinos have rooms going for under $40.

Under $20: Fiesta Rancho, Gold Spike, Golden Gate, Hooters, Palace Station, Texas Station, Wild Wild West.

Under $30: Arizona Charlie's Boulder, Binion's, Boulder Station, Circus Circus, El Cortez, Ellis Island Super 8, Fiesta Henderson, Fitzgeralds, Four Queens, Imperial Palace, Lucky Club, Plaza, Riviera, Sahara, Sam's Town, Santa Fe Station, Stratosphere, Tropicana, Tuscany, Vegas Club.

Under $40: Bally's, California, Cannery, Eastside Cannery, Excalibur, Fremont, Gold Coast, Golden Nugget, Greek Isles, Harrah's, Longhorn Super 8, Main Street Station, Orleans, South Point, Sunset Station, Terrible's.

High end: The pre-holidays are a chance to stay at the more expensive casinos at bargain prices. The following all quoted mid-week rates of $89 or less via phone or Internet: Luxor, Las Vegas Hilton, Hard Rock, Monte Carlo, New York-New York, Rio, Paris, Palms, TI, Green Valley Ranch, Planet Hollywood, MGM, Caesars, M, Trump, Mirage, Red Rock, Mandalay Bay.

Easily. In fact, the first three components — Vdara, Crystals, and Mandarin Oriental — open within the next few days, and Aria will follow Dec. 16.

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