Yet I haven't stayed many different places; less than a dozen actually. This is largely due to the fact that I found a home at the Sahara over the last 4-5 years, for the cheap room rates and even cheaper gaming.

But there was a day when the drill was simply to call all over town, checking for the lowest rates. The column at right is my exhaustive list, in alphabetic order.

  people are different  

So you don't see Bellagio or Caesars Palace listed here. Thing is I go to Vegas a lot, usually just for a few days at a time and generally on a smallish budget—and sometimes on very short notice. As an example, one July 2nd I called on impulse to check availability over July 4th... Expecting to hear that the whole town was sold out, I figured best case would be to pay astronomical rates. To my pleasant surprise, the Sahara came through not just with availability, but even at the usual (very inexpensive) casino rate.

Being able to pull that off anytime—much less on a major holiday—is simply worth more than any extravagance or trendiness... I simply don't spend any appreciable time in the room, so a bed, air conditioner, and room-darkening drapes are really all that matters.

Excalibur

(South Strip) Stayed here twice, maybe three times, years ago. Back then I tended to  prefer that south end of the strip and sought the lowest-priced rooms within a half-block of the intersection of Tropicana and Las Vegas Blvd. This place was okay although it's really targeted more at families with kids—sort of a bigger, newer Circus Circus. I used to have one 'lucky' slot machine here but have generally moved on.  Quick fact: With 4008 rooms the Excalibur is the  sixth largest hotel in the world!

Gold Coast

(Near Strip) Stayed here once when I couldn't get anything on the strip. Turns out it's a fairly nice, friendly locals casino. On Flamingo convenient to the Rio (next door) and I'm guessing to the Palms as well (across the street and down a bit, although I don't know how easy it is to cross Flamingo right there.) Anyway, I don't dislike a place like this, but don't find them particular interesting either... Seems like they had some $3-minumum blackjack tables when I was there. Didn't play any machines here although I would expect it's a decent video poker scene, catering largely to a local crowd.

Luxor

(South Strip) The Pyramid! I really like this hotel although I've only stayed here once. (It's generally a little pricey compared with anything else on this page.) Be fun to try one of their corner Jacuzzi suites if/when I ever stay here again. On a clear night, the light beam (on top) can be seen from as far away as California! (see The Drive)  Quick fact: With 4408 rooms the Luxor is the  third largest hotel in the world!  Quick fact: The light atop the Luxor can be seen  ten miles into space!

MGM Grand

(South Strip) Stayed here several times, maybe three. Nice hotel although HUGE. (It is the 2nd largest hotel in the world.) Some of the hallways extend into vanishing point! It's too big, really... It can take forever to walk from say your room to the buffet or especially the parking garage. The casino has a confusing non-linear layout as well. It seems nice, clean, modern and airy, yet I've never really felt much like playing here for some reason. Whenever I stayed here, I always gambled at the Sahara. Overall, it's got typical "Strip Mega-Resort" atmosphere and character... Many, many international tourists stay here. (I've stood in the lobby and heard five different languages spoken simultaneously.)  Quick fact: With 5005 rooms the MGM Grand is the  2nd largest hotel in the world!

Palace Station

(Near Strip, north end) Stayed here once, circa 1991. Typical Station casino (actually this was Station Casino's first property I believe). Never played in the casino here though; would imagine it's a lot like Sunset Station (see further down).

Riviera

(Mid/North Strip) Stayed here three or four times; still in the slot club. (Once got comped a night here just based on slot play.) Shades of downtown, i.e. the "Riv" is an aging property which gets an older crowd; a more-or-less low-roller casino. Got my first ever Vegas jackpot here in 1995: $200 on a quarter slot machine! Still play $5 blackjack here when other places are too crowded e.g. primetime on a weekend night.

Sahara

(North Strip) This is the usual place! Primarily because of the $1 blackjack and other inexpensive games. Place is considered a dump by many but I always have fun here. Can't beat the price. For more on my "home away from home" click here.

Sunset Station

(Henderson, NV) Stayed here once one weekend. A nice locals casino; typical Station casino i.e. clean & friendly with inexpensive gaming. You can see the Las Vegas strip in the distance from the higher west-facing / north-facing rooms... (For some reason I encountered here the worst static electricity ever in my entire life, though; ouch.)

Tropicana

(South Strip) Stayed here once or twice... The Trop usually has relatively inexpensive rates for that corner of the strip (Tropicana and Las Vegas Blvd). Roughly on par with Excalibur, price-wise. The Trop however has a more "old school," Sahara/Riviera/ "shades of downtown" feel to it. Just be warned that it's a helluva hike to that back tower, especially after being up all night! The pool is indoor/outdoor and has swim-up blackjack (see photo left).

                click on any of the hotel pictures for website

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