The Best Hotels for Small Spenders in Las Vegas

Las Vegas is one of my favorite vacation destinations. I usually end up there at least a couple times each year, and although I've had a virtual buffet of experiences traveling, eating, gambling, and imbibing in Sin City, I have never had the stereotypical glamour-raunch "What happens in Vegas..." kind of time as seen in commercials and CSI episodes. To me, Vegas is all about 99 cent margaritas and $40 jackpots on a lucky Munster's penny slot machine, not top-shelf vanilla-pomegranate martinis and roulette.

Alas, the whole Las Vegas experience just isn't as cheap as it used to be. Just five or so years ago, it seemed like you could find a room at any of the middle-scale Strip hotels for $29.99 a night. Perhaps those prices are still around, but we haven't been able to score them for a long time. Now, anything $45 a night and under is a bargain.

On the strip, I have three recommendations, and as with most bargains, they all carry a small compromise or two. The Stratosphere and Circus Circus have cheap rooms, but they're right at the very end of the northern Strip. That's not necessarily a problem if you are really into walking, or plan to purchase bus day-passes. It is a problem if you want to stroll out of your hotel and be in the heart of the bustling Strip.

For those who have stayed in a hotel in this area previously, you should know that the fabulous Stardust casino has been torn down, and the New Frontier next door is currently being demolished as of this writing. The loss of these two old casinos makes for a huge gaping hole in the atmosphere of this budget area of the Strip. Of course, all is not lost; on the other side of the street are the Sahara, and Riviera casinos.

The rooms at the Stratosphere are clean, standard and all fairly new as the hotel itself is only about a decade old. The outdoor pool and hot tub are nice, and the buffet is mediocre to good. The Stratosphere is a good choice for those wishing to spend time both on the Strip and in downtown Vegas, the original Strip-- fabulous Fremont Street.

My recommendation of Circus Circus is based almost solely on its great rooms. For the cheap rates, the actual accommodations are unbeatable. The bathrooms are huge, the beds and pillows are actually comfortable, and the décor is almost attractive when pitted against Stratosphere rooms, with a kind of faux-Victorian-European circus flair. The parking is fairly easy and free. It's an obvious choice for families-there is an entire indoor amusement park complete with rollercoasters and all the standard rides, as well as hourly free circus shows under an indoor bigtop. The customer service is lacking, however, and other drawbacks are the crowds and chaos. There is usually a very long wait to check in (we waited nearly an hour.) The slot machine and gaming area always seems overcrowded, too brightly lit, and somehow just uncomfortable and ill-conceived. The buffet is terrible, and the presence of prunes should have been our fair warning.

If you are willing to stay a couple blocks off the Strip, there's a little-known hotel called Somerset House. The rates are comparable to Circus Circus, and the service was friendly and trouble free. Our room was large, but rather ancient, crumbling, and--I will just say the walls are thin. Earplugs are in order here. The benefits are an unbeatable old style 1950's era outdoor Vegas pool, easy parking, and a convenient small-but-full kitchen. Across the street is another little-known hotel with a very small casino and a mediocre to good inexpensive Italian restaurant called Yanni's, and a cozy, ongoing karaoke event with regulars.

On Fremont Street, I recommend the fabulous El Cortez, and the Plaza Hotel. The rates are comparable to the above mentioned hotels-within the $40- $55 range. We recently stayed at the Plaza, and the morning we checked out, received an invitation slipped under our door to stay an additional night for just $20. The El Cortez actually gave us a certificate for two free nights good for the following month.

As you make your travel plans, you may find there are even cheaper hotels, but unless you have been to Vegas before and are somewhat familiar with the area and really know what you're getting into, don't venture too far North or off the strip. On Fremont street, don't venture past El Cortez. Many of the dirt cheap hotels are dirty and cheap in the wrong way. Stick to the hub, and you won't compromise your safety or comfort for price. Likewise, with the hotel recommendations above, you can have a great Vegas vacation without compromising your wallet.