Deffo agree with Stratosphere always seems a little dark around the area....inside isnt too bad...

Wynn...... Couldnt afford to stop there....

since seeing the re-fit of the golden nugget at freemont i think would ignore anywhere on the strip these days...

Circus Circus, the state of the casino puts me off. Ditto Riviera.

Stayed at the Sahara 23 years ago, but wouldn't stay there now.

Stratosphere, too far north. Ditto LV Hilton.

Mirage and TI, never really fancied them at the price they're asking.

We haven't stayed at Wynn, but have stayed a couple of times at the Encore on an offer.

luci

I don't think I'd like to stay at the Stratosphere either. Others on my list are Sahara, Riviera, Gold Spike, Hooters and the Wild Wild West.

Having said that, I never say never. I would have had the Tropicana on the list as a no-no last year, but the renovations have made me re-consider it. They seem to be working hard to get it up to scratch, and have torn down most of the dreaded Garden rooms.

Just Vegas. Went there once, stayed 2 nights, about a night and a half too long, never again!

Pebbles, I went for the more obvious ones, but ditto about Wild Wild West lol! We stopped there to pick up tickets one time...scary.

Circus Circus and Riviera. Forgot about them too, they would also be on my list.

Mirage sort of intrigues me, but the price has never been right. TI had the right price once and we really liked it! Resort fee puts me off now though, the price would have to be quite low for me to consider it before counting in the resort fee. I liked it because it is nicely compact. Easy parking too...but there's Krispy Kreme temptation on the way to/from the carpark

I'll probably add Hooters and Casino Royale too now that I'm thinking about it.

Not quite sure about the Flamingo either....we booked a Go Room one time, but ended up with a better deal elsewhere so cancelled.

Tropicana has definitely moved up in my estimation too - it has entered the list of possibilities since their renovation. Easy access too.

Luci - LV Hilton makes me curious sometimes. I'd need to get a good deal though to pay for the monorail pass! We used to go out there for their buffet when there was ACG coupons - $15 for 2 for the dinner buffet, we even bumped into Louis Theroux out there when he was filming. Later saw the filming that we'd witnessed on TV.

Oh....how much I want to book now...hopefully won't be long till we can get booked!

last time we went we stopped at circus circus (part of a 3 centre holiday had little choice) check in was very poor and the hotel a bit shabby these days but we really enjoyed the rooms big size and pool area wasnt to bad either,in the end only sleep there so circus circus didnt make my list..

Can I go over the top and cover most of the strip and downtown saying why I wouldn't/would/have/ stayed there?

DOWNTOWN:

Golden Nugget - I like the vibe there. Have stayed 3 or 4 times now and although the hotel/casino itself has been done up very nicely, the pool area is a disaster in my opinion. Because of the aquarium built into the pool there's very little area left for sunbathing so what you have is rows and rows of sunbeds, almost like rows of seats in a cinema.....not impressed! Pay extra to go upstairs (as we did last year) and there's plenty of room, however, because it was windy they had used bungee cords with hooks to make sure the beds didn't blow away. We were then told to lay our towels over the top of the bungee cords and hooks and it would 'be alright' Couldn't believe they wanted people to lay on them like that, ridiculous. Because of the pool areas (as we use them a lot in Vegas) we won't be staying at the Nugget again. You have to pay to park there as well but get it back if you are actually staying there.

Other downtown hotels:
Seeing as the Nugget is by far the best hotel downtown, there isn't another one we would stay at to be honest. I'm tempted by the suites at El Cortez as I like the 'old Vegas' vibe in their casino but my O.H. isn't keen.

NORTH STRIP:
Stratosphere - I would stay there to be honest. Some really good deals on rooms, I'd certainly consider 3 or 4 days there if I needed to make it a 'cheaper' stay in Vegas. We sometimes go there for a gamble or to eat in Roxy's Diner. Pool area looks ok. I know what people say about the area, it's not great at night. However, if we were staying there and we went up strip we would probably go back by cab anyway (although we have walked down there around 11pm before)
Sahara - Nice and cheap to gamble but I really wouldn't want to stay there. Old, dated, looks unclean, cheap gambling attracts some undesirables in the casino.
Riviera - No, for similar reasons to the Sahara really.
Circus Circus - Will never stay there, too many kids, not a nice place anyway.
Trump - Wouldn't rule it out. Some decent deals available at times, a bit set back from the road but it's a possible.
Wynn/Encore - Beautiful inside, some of the best restaurants in Vegas, pool areas look nice......but the rooms look very very ordinary for the price they charge. The deals aren't great so it's a 'No' for me.
Treasure Island - We stayed there on one of our first trips to Vegas. Actually quite liked it. Problem is, now it's changed hands, for the prices they charge I think you can get better for your money, so it's a 'Not likely' but not a 'Never'.

CENTRE STRIP:
Palazzo - It appeals but similar to Wynn, the rooms look very expensive for what they are. If a great deal was available I would stay there but whenever I've looked, they've been over-priced in my opinion.
Venetian - This is one of the places I do want to stay at. Never quite seen a deal I thought was good enough to take but I'm holding out hope! It is expensive, but all suites and a good position on the strip. Pool areas look quite nice.
Mirage - Have stayed there a couple of times. Really like the casino/hotel, good vibe, good staff, pleasant surroundings and some good places to eat. Really don't like the pool area - sunbeds crammed in like sardines. Wouldn't totally rule it out but not a first choice.
Harrahs - Haven't really spent much time in there to be honest. It doesn't appeal that much. It tends to fall into that 'mid-price' category a lot of the time and I think there are better for similar money. It's a 'No' for me
Caesars - Would love to stay there but the prices are horrendous!! Even with deals the basic rooms are well overpriced so it's unfortunately a 'No'....not at those prices!
I.P. - Have stayed there. If you aren't interested in a pool then it's the one to go for. Great position on the strip, rooms are basic but clean and there are some great deals on rooms - as little as $30 odd a night. I would if I was visiting out of season. Please note: If you do stay there, ask for a room away from Carnival Court....VERY loud music until the early hours!!
Flamingo - I have a soft spot for Flamingo. We stayed there a little while back. The GO rooms are very nice, older rooms are VERY cheap! Pool areas are reasonable but man those pools are C.O.L.D.!! Cheapish gambling, decent customer base ie: not poncey, not bums, I just like it. There are some very good deals for it usually, I would stay there again.
Bills - It hasn't got a pool has it? So it's a 'No' straight away for me. We had a fantastic meal in the steakhouse in there a couple of years ago, went back last year and it was the pits, average food and appalling service, right up there with the worst we've had in Vegas, a 'No' for me.
Bellagio - Have stayed there. It's lovely. Standard rooms are just that, however you can get them for a reasonable price compared to the other 'top' hotels. Inside the hotel/casino is lovely, pool areas were lovely....however, may have been impacted by City Centre blocking out sun now?? I would definitely stay there again.
Bally's - Similar to Harrahs, nothing really makes me want to stay there. Everything looks average and their prices mean there is better elsewhere.
Paris - I like the look of it. Decent vibe inside, pool area looks ok, has some decent eateries. Prices are a bit high so it wouldn't be a first choice but I would stay there for the right deal.
Planet Hollywood - We stayed there when it was Aladdin many moons ago. Liked it. I like the modern look PH have gone for, pool areas look pretty good and some decent eateries in there (not PF Changs though)!! I also like the look of Westgate towers as well. Prices can be expensive but there are deals at times. Would definitely consider it.
City Centre hotels - Would LOVE to stay at the Mandarin Oriental but that is SERIOUS money Vdara and Aria...I think I'd give them a go, just because I love contemporary design and being new I think I'd like them, even though they don't have great reviews. Prices are on the high side so they wouldn't be my first choice.
SOUTH STRIP:
Monte Carlo - I like it. Pool area is nice, with a lazy river. Rooms are decent, some very good deals available. If I want to stay somewhere at the 'cheaper' end of the scale, Monte Carlo would always be my first choice. A definite thumbs up.
NYNY - We normally gamble in there. I love 'Gallaghers' steak house, we always eat there each time we go to Vegas. I don't particularly like the crowd it attracts, pool area doesn't look great. As a mid to lower priced place, I would rather stay at Monte Carlo every day of the week! A definite 'No' for me.
MGM Grand - Love it. Great casino, lovely rooms, great choice of pools, good restaurants, good customer base, I like everything about it. My Vegas favourite!!
Tropicana - Would have said 'Never' before it was done up but now, similar to Pebbles, I'd think about it. Looks like they may have turned it around but I'd like to hear from someone who has actually stayed there. A definite maybe!
Excalibur - We stayed in one of their 'widescreen' rooms and were pleasantly surprised! Apart from a noisy air-con unit the rooms were lovely. We normally have a gamble in there because table limits are generally a bit lower but that does attract a rowdy group, lots of drunks in there we have found. Pool areas look ok but as it's more of a 'kids' hotel it would worry me that the pool areas would be unbearable. I'd stay there for a couple of days no problem but wouldn't want to stay for more than that.
Luxor - Along the lines of Ballys for me. Is a pleasant enough place but for the price of the rooms I would stay elsewhere. There's nothing that stands out that says 'you should stay here'.
Mandalay Bay/THEHotel - Mandalay Bay looks quite nice but tends to be quite expensive. For the money I would stay elsewhere but I wouldn't have a problem staying here if it came to it. Pool areas look like they get extremely busy because of the beach! THEHotel looks very very nice. Again, prices mean it's not on the menu for us really but if I could get a deal I would love to try it.
Four Seasons - As above only even more expensive! Exclusivity, quality, it looks wonderful. Maybe if I win the lottery we'll have a couple of weeks here! Would definitely stay if they want to give me some free nights

OFF STRIP:
I won't cover all of them obviously but I'll try to do the main ones.
LV Hilton - Too far off beaten track......I don't mind that if a hotel/casino offers something worth staying there but from what I've seen of the Hilton, it doesn't offer anything worthwhile!
Rio - Really like the Rio. Decent rooms, decent pool areas, great deals on rooms, nice eateries and a good atmosphere. Add in that it's close to Gold Coast and Palms and the free shuttle bus, and it makes a very good place to stay. A definite.
Gold Coast - Ok, so it's a bit like wandering onto the set of 'Cocoon' with most of the guests being over 50 (no offence to any of our older readers)! But it's pleasant. It has a TGI Fridays so you can get the best ribs around, Yum!! Gambling is pretty good here with lower limits. I wouldn't actually stay here but always pop in during our holiday.
Palms - It's a bit pretentious for me. definitely for 20 somethings, it's nice to visit but I wouldn't stay here.
Orleans - Love it. A bit of old world Vegas, the best room deals in Vegas I reckon, a good pool area, nice places to eat, cheap table limits and a free shuttle. Orleans really is a little diamond.
Platinum - Never stayed there but I know Lesley really rates it. It does look nice and I would be happy to give it a go, however, the prices are sufficiently high to make me look elsewhere primarily. Another definite maybe!
Signature MGM - Those that know me on here know this is the place me and my wife love to stay. It has it all, fantastic suites, extremely clean and quiet, away from the madness but only 5 mins walk from the MGM casino. Three 'private' pools that never get crowded, superb pool service. I can't speak highly enough for it, we love it. It's a little bit expensive - normally between $79 - $120 for a night but if we have the money, this would be our first choice EVERY time.
M Resort - I really like the look of it. We've been there a couple of times. Would definitely stay there, normally has some decent rates available. I remembered what I didn't like about it......really poor waitress service when on the slots. That wouldn't put me off staying there though. Very contemporary and feels 'up market'.
South Point - Bit further out still. It's actually not bad. The rooms are a bit dated by the looks of it and it's generally a similar price to M Resort so we wouldn't stay here.
Red Rock - Really like the look of it. Yes it's even further off strip than the others but it looks very nice. Isn't cheap but I'd definitely stay for 2 or 3 nights for a change.

Well I think that's it. The other hotels I haven't mentioned, we wouldn't stay at out of choice.
Sorry for veering off thread, hope that it was reasonably interesting/helpful!!

Cheers,

TC

Some interesting thoughts there TeeCee.

Have stayed at Bally's and liked it. However we are unlikely to stay again as it is a 10 min hike to the pool area.

Never fancied Trump although it looks nice. Four Seasons was OK, but not as grand as we thought it would be. Liked the Palazzo, Encore and Venetian, but like you, would need a good offer to stay there again.

Caesars was really good, but the prices are now through the roof for a decent room and I wouldn't stay in anything less than a Palace Tower.

Signature was OK, but 5 mins too far from the strip. Got fed up of the walk after a couple of days.

Yes the resort fees need to be considered when booking anywhere. We booked the MGM when it was only $10, but it has since gone up to $18 + tax so might not stay there again.

luci

That was good TeeCee, good read!

I forgot about downtown, I'm not keen on it, so wouldn't stay there. I like it sometimes, but I have also really disliked it a few times so wouldn't take the risk of being in that dislike mood

TeeCee, I really think you'd like Platinum. You seem to have similar opinions on many others, so I think you'd like Platinum. Of course we've not stayed at Signature, and I'm sure you'd maybe compare it to that and I can't compare them so I'm not sure it would be better than Signature. They do seem to have decent weekend rates compared to some other places.

Trump is lovely, just a shame about the temperature at their pool! It's also right opposite (hop skip and jump) from a back door of Fashion Show Mall, although that's only an option while open as it's a shop that you enter through. Also free shuttle to Wynn and Caesars.

Bill's used to give access to Flamingo pool, not sure if that's still the case. I still wouldn't stay there though.

On a low budget, I would be thinking Orleans, Excalibur Widescreen, Tropicana.

I would also quite like to stay at the Wynn, but never seem to find a good deal. We got good cocktail service there last time So good that I had to go back to Trump early for a lie down.

The Excalibur, when we went in for a peek, we stuck to the carpet it was so grimy. It was like an 18-30s holiday hotel really rough and loud