Budget Hotels on the Las Vegas Strip
Though millions of people visit Las Vegas every year, there is no shortage of hotel rooms to accommodate everyone. In fact, with nearly 125,000 rooms in the city, hotels are often scrambling for your business, which means it’s easy to find a cheap hotel room on the Las Vegas Strip.
If you’re short on cash or you know you won’t be spending much time in your Las Vegas hotel, there’s no reason to spend a fortune. In fact, most hotels offer promotions that include room upgrades and credit to spend at the resort’s casino or spa. You don’t have to sacrifice fun for a discounted room rate in Las Vegas. Though they might not be as luxurious or prestigious as other hotels on the Strip, there are several that are relatively inexpensive. Keep in mind that holidays and peak seasons are more expensive; to find the cheapest rates, book early, in the off-season and for stays during the week.
As you begin your search for a place to stay in Las Vegas, consider the following hotels, which all offer stays for less than $50.00 per night at least occasionally. Keep in mind that base prices at these hotels do not include resort fees, so figure that you’ll spend at least another $5.00-$25.00 per night, depending on the hotel.
Bally’s Las Vegas
Centrally located on the Las Vegas Strip, Bally’s has more than 2,800 rooms, several restaurants and a handful of shops. It is also home to Jubilee!, a classic Las Vegas showgirl revue. Although it’s certainly not one of the largest or most luxurious properties on Las Vegas Boulevard, guests will have the opportunity to experience old school Las Vegas.
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Bill’s Gamblin’ Hall & Saloon
Formerly known as the Barbary Coast, Bill’s Gamblin’ Hall & Saloon is located near several of the Strip’s most popular properties. It’s a small hotel with only 197 rooms and 13 suites, and it also lacks a pool, spa and entertainment. However, its nightclub, Drai’s, has become a hot spot on the nightclub circuit.
Circus Circus
Known as one of the most family friendly properties on the Las Vegas Strip, Circus Circus provides not only a place to stay but also hours of entertainment at its Adventuredome and a daily free circus act. Nightlife, late-night shows and adult entertainment are minimal, but there are plenty of dining options available. Rates at Circus Circus rarely go above $100 per night and are frequently significantly less than $40.00.
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Excalibur
This family-friendly, medieval-themed resort has a massive casino and nearly 4,000 rooms complete with a midway arcade, several shows and lots of high energy. Several rooms were recently remodeled at Excalibur and now include iPod docking stations and granite counter tops in the bathroom, but its the standard rooms that are the least expensive.
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Flamingo Las Vegas
A Las Vegas icon, Flamingo Las Vegas has more than 3,600 rooms, a large casino floor, a 15-acre pool area, several restaurants and a variety of shows. Though there’s not a whole lot in the way of nightlife at Flamingo, the hotel is close enough to several other properties with nightclubs.
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Harrah’s
Harrah’s is, for the most part, a fairly basic hotel and not a destination in and of itself, but its location makes it a great place to stay on the Strip. The hotel has a large pool, several restaurants and a handful of shows, but there aren’t a lot of attractions or nightlife options here. Nonetheless, room rates at Harrah’s are rock bottom, which makes it a popular draw.
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Imperial Palace
Located in the heart of Las Vegas Boulevard, Imperial Palace doesn’t offer an extensive array of high-end amenities on site, but it is within easy walking distance of countless dining, shopping and entertainment options. The hotel has more than 2,600 rooms, and many guests think the property is showing its age, but with rooms starting as low as $30.00 per night during the week, perhaps you can look beyond the worn interior.
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Luxor
This pyramid-shaped property on the south end of the Strip is not only unique in structure but is also a hot bed for nightlife. Luxor has more than 4,400 rooms, several attractions, extensive spa services and a five-acre pool area. Though room rates may be several hundred dollars per night during the high season, on select nights during the week in the low season, guests can stay for less than $50.00 per night.
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Monte Carlo
Centrally located on the Strip and accessible to Las Vegas’ hottest properties, Monte Carlo is surprisingly affordable considering its vast array of amenities available to guests including a wide variety of dining options, a large spa and a variety of pools. Though there is nightly entertainment at Monte Carlo, there is no established nightclub.
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Riviera
With more than 2,000 rooms available to guests, Riviera has more than enough room to invite you in too. Located south of Sahara, this hotel isn’t as conveniently located as others on Las Vegas Boulevard, but it is a good budget option if you need to get to the Las Vegas Convention Center. Riviera has a decent-sized casino and some nighttime entertainment, though you’ll probably want to get out of your hotel to get the full Las Vegas experience.
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Sahara
Editor’s note: The Sahara closed permanently in May 2011.
One of the older hotels on the Las Vegas Strip, Sahara still maintains a bit of that old school Las Vegas flair. Located on the northern end of the Strip, Sahara has more than 1,700 remodeled rooms and suites. It is best known for its Cyber Speedway and NASCAR Cafe, though nightlife is all but nonexistent at this resort.
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Stratosphere
Stratosphere is located on the north end of the Las Vegas Strip, which means its a bit removed from all the action, but what it lacks in convenience it makes up for in affordability. This resort frequently has promotions that include severely discounted rooms and access to its rides and attractions. Stratosphere’s amenities include a spa, full-sized casino and sports book, several pools and nightly entertainment.
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Travelodge
Located on Las Vegas Boulevard about one block from both New York New York and MGM Grand, Travelodge is a standard hotel without the frills (though it does offer free wifi). There is no casino at this hotel, but it isn’t located far from many others on the Strip. Guests enjoy a free continental breakfast.
Tropicana
Originally opened in 1957, Tropicana has gotten a bit rough around the edges in recent years, making it both affordable and accessible. It has nearly 1,700 rooms, a nice pool area and a 50,000-square-foot casino, but it does lack a spa, notable nightlife and plentiful shopping. Prices vary wildly from day to day and week to week at Tropicana, but it is possible to book a room for less than $50.00 a night.
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Photo credits: Bally’s (Bill Gracey) , Bill’s Gamblin’ Hall (Urban Mixer), Circus Circus (earley curley), Excalibur (msmail), Flamingo (loop_oh), Harrah’s (Hakan Dahlstrom), Imperial Palace (tux96), Luxor (Motel George), Monte Carlo (hshuldman), Riviera (Vipal), Sahara (H4NUM4N), Stratosphere (Reigh Sierra), Travelodge (chriswatkin), Tropicana (Hakan Dahlstrom)