In the Heart of the Strip and other Las Vegas, NV Hotel/Accommodation Reviews

We chose the Imperial Palace because of its central location on the strip. You can walk across the street to Ceasar's Palace, and Paris, Bellagio, and the Venetian are just a short walk away. The rooms themselves will never win any awards, but who comes to Vegas to sleep? Not a great pool.

Unique Qualities: There is a section of the casino where all the card dealers, etc are dressed as elvis, marilyn, etc. Looks neat to walk in a casino and see them there.

The luau is surprisingly good and well worth the money. The food is excellent and the entertainment is great. We were a little unsure but it was 3-4 hours of good times.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$40-80  » Currency Converter
Address: 3535 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Directions: Across from Caesar's Palace and the Forum Shops
Website: http://imperialpalace.com/

The rooms are pleasant enough, not fancy. The hotel has a great location on the strip and is connected by monorail to its sister properties: Luxor and Mandalay Bay. Excalibur is considerably cheaper than these other properties, so its a nice place to stay if you want to spend less money. I don't have kids but if I did, I would feel comfortable taking them here. The Tournament of Kings is also family friendly and decent for the money you spend. I would stay here again, especially if I brought my family.

Unique Qualities: I won a royal flush in the casino. In general, I've had more luck in this casino than any other.

The wedding chapel is beautiful and less garish than many other Vegas wedding chapels.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$40-80  » Currency Converter
Address: 3850 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Directions: Located at the four corners with cross walks to New York New York & the Tropicana, as well as monorails to Luxor & Mandalay Bay. Very convenient location.
Website: http://www.excalibur-casino.com

MGM Grand is a great place to stay, has a good location, lots of restaurants, and a fabulous pool. We saw Tom Jones perform there. It was so Vegas! The only downside to this hotel is that it's huge! You walk forever just to get anywhere. On the plus side, the monorail picks up here, and there are walkways to Tropicana and New York New York. Our room was a bit on the smallish side, but we don't stay in our room much anyway.

Unique Qualities: We spent hours at the pool, and I could have spent my whole vacation there. There are four swimming pools, a lazy river, and lots of cocktail bars.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$80-120  » Currency Converter
Address: 3799 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Directions: On the strip at the intersection of Tropicana, Excalibur, and New York New York
Website: http://www.mgmgrand.com

Tropicana is okay. It serves its purpose as a place to shower & sleep. The service was consistently rude. Buffet is decent. The one nice aspect of the Trop are the hallways leading back to the hotel rooms. There are pictures of celebrities (i.e. Marilyn, Frank Sinatra) from their visits to the Trop. It's a nice bit of nostalgia. The Tropicana has a decent location. You can access MGM, Excalibur, and NYNY by walkway.

Unique Qualities: They have a really nice pool area. Also, you can usually get tickets for buy one get one free shows, buffets, etc. here.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$40-80  » Currency Converter
Address: 3801 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Directions: Tropicana Blvd
Website: http://www.tropicanalv.com/

The Stardust was the first place I ever stayed in Vegas. It's a bit away from the action, but I'd never been to Vegas before and I had no idea. Still, the employees were friendly. I do believe that the Stardust has the most garish casino carpet, and that's a pretty competitive race.

I have stayed in far more expensive hotels on the strip, and the Stardust's rooms can hold their own. It's the largest room I've ever had in Vegas.

Alas, the Stardust is scheduled for implosion in the Fall of 2006. I stopped by July 2006 to say good-bye. Every little thing makes me miss my sister, but since this was our first vacation we took together, I feel particularly sentimental about this place.

Unique Qualities: I've heard the sports lounge is the best in Vegas.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$40-80  » Currency Converter
Address: 3000 Las Vegas Blvd. South
Website: http://www.stardustlv.com/

My sister and I went in July 2001. They had just remodeled and our room was magnificent. The staff went out of their way to be helpful, with the exception of housekeeping. Unfortunately, they only made the bed or brought new towels when we called down. And they looked at us like they were expecting a tip each time.

Unique Qualities: The pool area was very nice. It's very far out of the way, and for that reason I don't think I'd stay there again. I have been back to go up the tower and ride the rides. I've heard the restaurant is fabulous and I'd like to go there one day.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$40-80  » Currency Converter
Address: 2000 S LAS VEGAS BLVD, Las Vegas, NV 89104
Website: www.stratospheretower.com

Adam & I took our parents to Vegas for our renewal of vows ceremony. My brother and his wife were staying at the Hilton Grand Vacations at the Flamingo (the timeshare behind the Flamingo hotel) and we thought we'd stay close to them. It's center strip and on the monorail. I reserved the rooms at the Flamingo with some trepidation. It seems like such an old hotel and some of its reviews weren't great. The kid that checked us in at the front desk was none too friendly. Our flight was delayed and we didn't land until 10:00 at night, so by the time we got our luggage and a taxi it was getting late. And they only had smoking rooms available. He said he could switch our rooms the next day.

I was pleasantly surprised. It didn't smell like a smoking room, and my mom, who has terrible allergies, was able to sleep. We didn't end up changing rooms. Mom's room, and my in-laws room were both huge with views of the pool. Adam and I had a smaller room but with a fantastic view of the strip. It looked out over Caesar's Palace and we could also see the Bellagio Fountain Show on one side and the Mirage on the other.

Unique Qualities: The location was excellent and we had a blast at the huge swimming area. Lots of pools and waterfalls and slides. The wildlife habitat was beautiful and we felt like we were in a beautiful resort the whole time.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$80-120  » Currency Converter
Address: 3555 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Directions: Center strip across from Caesar's Palace
Website: http://www.harrahs.com/casinos/flamingo-las-vegas/hotel-casino/property-home.shtml