Follow us on twitter.

One of the hottest subjects in communications right now is “social media” – a high-tech term for a very old-fashioned idea: connecting one-on-one with a business or an individual. What makes it new isn’t the function but the form. In today’s split-second world instead of hanging out at the water cooler and getting all the latest news on your friends, you can now get it online or on your phone screen.

So while you can keep up with your friends online, it’s also through places on the Web such as Twitter and Facebook that businesses such as casinos can get information out to customers on an immediate basis as well as provide the type of “inside info” that everyone loves. If you aren’t using these venues to keep up with your favorite Las Vegas casinos, you’re not only missing out on the latest news but also on some of the best Las Vegas deals available.

Here are some of our favorite ways to connect with Las Vegas casinos and keep up on all the hottest LV news –

Facebook –

Every major casino in Las Vegas has a Facebook (FB) presence. Just enter the casino name into the search box and see what pops up. Once you find the casino you’re interested in, simply “like” their page and you’ll add their posts to your Facebook wall. For starters, we regularly find interesting news of upcoming events plus special deals at Your Vegas Beat, the social voice of MGM Resorts properties. (Each property also has its own page such as Bellagio Las Vegas and MGM Grand Las Vegas.)

We also love the FB page hosted by Planet Hollywood Casino where a current “Buy One Spice Market Buffet and Get One Free!” deal is yours by “checking in” with your Smart Phone. (The Spice Market Buffet is, by the way, one of our favorite spots for breakfast and for weekend brunches.)

Twitter –

For even more Las Vegas deals, check out the Twitter accounts of all your fav casino resorts plus news from such “tweet organizers” as @VegasTweetsInfo; club info from spots like @LAX_Nightclub and @chateaulv and even dining deals from individual restaurants such as @MorelsLasVegas and @CommeCaLV, one of the new Cosmopolitan’s hip dining spots.

Plus, be sure to follow @vegaschatter for all the news on what’s hot in Vegas. (And trust us, you’ll want to subscribe to their daily newsletter as well.  It’s filled with off-beat news told in very entertaining terms.)

No visit to ARIA is complete without a stop at Jean Philippe Patisserie for indulgent desserts and more.

Here’s a brand new offer from MGM Resorts for their ARIA Resort & Casino at CityCenter Las Vegas.  With this hotel promo code, you’ll get a free upgrade to a City View Deluxe room plus a $40 max per room credit towards the resort’s breakfast buffet.

We found qualifying mid-week rates in May at ARIA for $139 per night (plus a $20 per night resort fee) at this, the newest of MGM’s Vegas properties.  This offer is good for travel arrangements made now through June 30.

If you do choose to stay at ARIA, be sure to take time to indulge your sweet tooth at Jean Philippe Patisserie located on the main floor adjacent to the casino.  There you’ll find made-to-order crepes, a seasonal selection of gelatos and sorbets, exquisite pastries in all colors and flavors plus a wide array of take-home treats such as handmade chocolates and candies.

Aff. link — ARIA “Special Offer with Breakfast” *Be our guest on select dates Now through June 30, 2011 and receive a Complimentary Upgrade to a City View Deluxe Room and Breakfast Buffet Credit (*see site for additional details and restrictions). Promotion Runs: Feb 18 – June 30, 2011. Promo Code: ARBB1 (Exp 6/30/11)

The Spring Fling sale from MGM Grand Las Vegas gives travelers up to 20% off on select dates.

If you do find yourself staying at MGM Grand, be sure to check out a couple of our fave restaurants — CraftSteak from “Top Chef” head judge Tom Colicchio and Nobhill Tavern, a Michael Mina restaurant.  Both are outstanding and offer diners some terrific menu options.  We particularly like sitting at the bar at Nobhill and noshing on the selection of chilled seafood and the French onion soup with tiny grilled cheese sandwiches.  The desserts are always yummy, too.

While at MGM Grand, you might want to take in the hotel’s long-running stage show, KÀ by Cirque du Soleil. Our Best of Vegas affiliate link will get you a free upgrade on tickets. KA, a theatrical masterpiece by Cirque du Soleil. Limited Time Free Upgrade!

Here’s our link: MGM Grand Las Vegas “Spring Fling!” Book now and start your Maximum Vegas experience! Save up to 20% on room rates! Promotion Runs: Feb 16 – Dec 29, 2011. Use Promo Code: 3DAY216 (Exp. 2/21/11)

You missed Brad but not the 30% off ticket discount.

Did you see Brad Womack from “The Bachelor” fly across the Elvis stage during his recent quest to find love?  (Doesn’t everyone take 6 or 7 suitors to Las Vegas on an epic journey to find “the one?”)  While Brad the bachelor was a one-night-only thing, Elvis the show goes on at ARIA five days a week — dark Sunday and Monday — and we found a way to get 30% off your tickets.

From now through February 28, get a big discount on Viva ELVIS tickets through Facebook and ARIA.  To get the discounted tickets, use your mobile device to “check in” on property at ARIA with either foursquare or Facebook.  When you do, a coupon will pop up on your screen and by simply showing that at the Box Office,  you can purchase your tickets for 30% off!  With the discount tickets can range from $120-$70 each.  You can redeem this every time you check in online!

Tip:  This is NOT your typical Cirque show.  Viva ELVIS focuses on singing and dancing not high-flying acrobatics.  Fans of Elvis and his music will love it while those looking for a Mystere-like stage show will be disappointed.  So go for the King, not the trapeze artists.

For all the details, here’s a link to ARIA’s Facebook page:  ARIA Las Vegas fb

Here’s more on how to use the “check in” feature on facebook:  Facebook places

Reviews on the show are happening here:  Cirque du Soleil Viva ELVIS on Yelp.

We greeted the news of the Hash House a Go Go opening at Imperial Palace with much elation. We love this joint and for good reason. The food is diner-delish with lots of fun twists on old favorites. Thinking a stack of pancakes — or, as they call them, flapjacks — might taste good after pulling that all-nighter at the tables? Take your choice of Blueberry Pecan, Brown Sugar Banana, Blackberry Granola, Snickers, Butterscotch Almond, Apple Cinnamon, Mango Coconut, or Strawberry Frosted Flake.  No, really, and you’ll get a huge portion of them as well.

Lunch, dinner, you name it — the food is terrific and more than enough to share.  So the opening made our little cholesterol-clogged hearts go all aflutter but the news that you can now use Restaurant.com coupons to purchase a prodigious platter of pancakes gave us reason to stand up and cheer.  (Honestly.  We did.)

Buy Hash House coupons here (check out the coupon code below to save even more!):   Hash House A Go Go @ Imperial Palace

Check out the Hash House a Go Go menu and hours here:  Hash House Las Vegas menu and more

Treasure Island is the home to Mystere, a grand show from Cirque du Soleil.

Mystère, the original “grand dame” of Cirque du Soleil shows in Las Vegas, is a must see show for anyone visiting Vegas for the first — or the fiftieth — time.  This is the show that started it all!  Featuring a circus theme, gravity-defying aerialists, outrageous costumes and more, Mystère takes the stage at Treasure Island to the delight of Vegas visitors of all ages.  We saw this show soon after it opened in 1993 and were mesmerized by all the ooh-and-ahh-inducing acrobatics taking place on stage — not to mention the audacious costumes and make-up.

Here’s what discount ticket giant, Best of Vegas, has to say:  “Mystère by Cirque du Soleil is a vibrant 90-minute circus-style production that combines whimsical grace and beauty with powerful and precise athleticism. Mystère is as colorful as it is amazing. With a cast of 75 artists, a live orchestra playing Taiko drums, and a hint of humor, Mystère is sure to delight all the senses.”

See the show now and get a BestOfVegas Special Offer: ““Complimentary Upgrade to Category 2! Valid Sundays – Wednesdays. Now through February 28, 2011 – A $25.00 Value! ““

Get 25% off this spicy Thai Beef Salad -- and your entire food and drink bill -- with this special offer from Serendipity 3 in Las Vegas.

Lots of people will be heading to Las Vegas for Harrah’s — now Caesar’s — Great Gift Wrap Up 2010 (GGWU) so there’s no better time to feature some hot Las Vegas deals.

Here’s a stellar offer from Serendipity 3, that candy pink and creamy vanilla confection of a restaurant perched smack dab on the sidewalk in front of Caesars Palace (which just happens to be the location of the GGWU happening December 2 – 6):

Get a sweet 25% off your tab at Serendipity 3 at Caesars Palace just for mentioning Caesar’s Pulse of Vegas Blog, the Facebook page for Caesars Palace or the Caesars Palace Twitter account.  No strings, no hoops, it’s just that simple!  This special insider discount is good Mondays through Thursdays from Dec. 1 through Dec. 17.

With all the yummy and gargantuan stuff on the menu — footlong hot dogs with all, and we mean ALL the trimmings; massive salads such as the spicy, crunchy Thai Beef and plenty of over-stuffed sandwiches and cheesy good pasta dishes and more — be sure to save rrrroom for the famous Frrrozen Hot Chocolate dessert.  (We like ours served with a shot of Bailey’s on top.)  The 25% off deal is even good on cocktails so live a little and order one of the Cotton Candy Martinis or fruity Mojitos.  Trust us, you won’t be disappointed.

We get asked  — a lot — about the best Las Vegas Strip happy hours and so think it is our duty to check out as many as possible.  One that stood out recently for both food and drink is Cabo Wabo at Planet Hollywood.  The Strip-front location makes it a people-watching fave plus the half-price appetizers — think nachos with big chunks of juicy chicken — and frozen drink and beer specials are perfect for unwinding after a long day of playing video poker.  Happy hour here takes place from 3 – 6 p.m. Monday to Thursday.

If you’re in town on December 3, you can help Cabo Wabo celebrate their 1st Anniversary.  If you look and sound like Sammy Hagar (whoa), you might want to join in on the Karaoke contest happening that night.  Check out the Cabo Wabo party details here.

From the exciting new Aria and Vdara resorts at CityCenter to MGM Grand and Signature Suites to Mandalay Bay and more, you can save up to 30% through the links below.

This “7-Day Special” is good on travel between October 25 through January 31, 2011 – perfect for planning festivities in Vegas this holiday season!  With these great rates, we’re thinking a “girls holiday shopping trip” may be in the cards for us this December.

Just check out these prices: (all are per night rates depending on date of stay)

• New York New York from $34
• Monte Carlo from $35
• Luxor from $38
• MGM Grand from $49
• The Mirage from $55
• Mandalay Bay from $63
• The Signature at MGM Grand from $76 (these are gorgeous rooms for the price)
• Vdara at CityCenter from $83
• ARIA at CityCenter from $97
• The Bellagio from $103

Click the link below to get your great savings.

Use these special offer codes and links when booking your next trip:

Las Vegas Sale: Get up to 25% off at prime Las Vegas Hotels and Resorts – Expires 11/17/10

Expedia Holiday Bonus: Book a flight now, get $200 off your next vacation! – Expires 12/20/10

Budget Special: $25 off your weekly car rental! Use Coupon Code #MUWZ022 – Expires 12/31/10

Book a stay at the Mirage and enjoy big discounts during this special sale.

This week, MGM Resorts is offering special discounted rates at a number of their Las Vegas hotels when you use the featured promotion codes.

For instance, choose the 20% off rate at ARIA and pay just $127.20 per night on select days to stay at the Strip’s newest luxury hotel.  Sleek, hi-tech rooms feature touch-screen technology to control temperatures, lighting and more.  The resort offers guests three pools, 16 restaurants, 10 bars and lounges including a nightclub plus an 1,800-seat theater housing Viva ELVIS™, a tribute to the life and musical legacy of Elvis Presley from Cirque du Soleil®.  Adjacent to the resort is the stunning Crystals retail development with its selection of exclusive stores and more restaurants for guests to enjoy.

Other properties on sale this week include:

• Mandalay Bay
• Luxor
• Excalibur
• MGM Grand
• Mirage

This is a limited-time offer but reservations can be made for dates through January 31. Use the links and promotion codes below to take advantage of these special savings today.

ARIA ARIA “7 Day Sale.” Rates from $127.20/nt *  ARIA would like to invite you to take advantage of an exclusive offer – Receive 20% off our Room and Suite rates, on select dates(*See site for additional details and restrictions). Sep 27, 2010 – Jan 31, 2011. Promo Code: AR7DAY (Exp 10/3/10)

MIRAGE Mirage “7 Day Sale” Rates from $64/nt. *  Book Now and enjoy 20% off our lowest rates(*See site for additional details and restrictions). Sep 27, 2010 – Jul 31, 2011. Promo Code: MIR7DAYW (Exp 10/4/10)

MANDALAY BAY Mandalay Bay “7 Day Sale” Rates from $71.99/nt. *  Book your stay within the next 7 DAYS and enjoy up to 20% OFF(*see site for additional details and restrictions). Sep 27, 2010 – Jan 31, 2011. Promo Code: PA7DAY (Exp 10/3/10)

MGM GRAND MGM Grand Las Vegas “7 Day Sale!” *  Maximum Vegas is at MGM Grand – You have seven days to make a one minute decision: Book your room with rates starting from $55/nt(*see site for additional details and restrictions). Sep 27, 2010 – Jan 31, 2011. Promo Code: 7DY1MN (Exp 10/3/10)

LUXOR Luxor “7 Day Special” *Rates starting at $38/nt  (*see site for additional details and restrictions). Sep 27, 2010 – Jan 31, 2011. Promo Code: L7D927 (Exp 10/3/10)

EXCALIBUR Excalibur “7 DAY SALE” *Rates starting at $28/nt (*see site for additional details and restrictions). Sep 27, 2010 – Jan 31, 2011. Promo Code: X7D927 (Exp 10/3/10)