Keep Cool on the Way to the Hot Spot

Getting there: Laughlin is 90 miles south of Las Vegas on the Colorado River. It is 300 miles from Los Angeles by way of Interstate-15 to Barstow, I-40 to Needles and Arizona Highway 95 to Laughlin via Bullhead City. Much of the route is hot desert. Make sure your car is prepared and start as early in the morning as you can.

Air travel: U.S. Air Express has three flights daily from LAX to Laughlin/Bullhead City. One-way fare is $99 with three-day advance purchase, otherwise $112. (800) 428-4322. Air L.A. flies everyday but Saturday from LAX. One-way fare is $79, except on Friday and Sunday, when it is $89. (213) 641-1114. Free transfers to Laughlin casino hotels.

Hotels: Midweek (Sunday through Thursday) starting room rates are for one or two persons per night. Colorado Belle, $25, (800) 458-9500; Edgewater Hotel, $25, (800) 257-0300; Flamingo Hilton (opens Aug. 1), $31, (800) HILTONS; Golden Nugget, (rooms across the river in Bullhead City), $37, (800) 237-1739; Harrah’s De Rio, $29, (800) 447-8700; Pioneer Hotel, $29, (800) 634-3469; Ramada Express, $25, (800) 272-6232; Riverside, $29, (800) 227-3849; Sam’s Town, $19, (800) 835-7903. Weekend and holiday rates range from $18 to $20 per night higher.

Senior discounts: Laughlin hotels do not have a senior discount on the low seasonal rates. However, they do offer lower group rates and often provide subsidized buses for senior tour groups. For more information, check with the hotels’ group-sales departments. For more information: The new Laughlin Visitors Bureau does not yet have a permanent office. For the present, contact the Laughlin Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 2280, Laughlin, Nevada 89029, (800) 228-5245.