Top 10 Las Vegas Hotels for Visitors on a Budget

The less you spend on your room (and your resort fee), the more you can spend on drinking and gambling!

Heading to Vegas on a budget? Never fear! You don’t have to plunk down beaucoup bucks on some swanky room at the Wynn in order to live it up in the city of sin. In fact, there are plenty of budget rooms in town that won’t leave you using a blacklight to scour the corners of the rooms or run from cockroaches.

The Strip

Monte Carlo
The Monte Carlo is one of our top recommendations for anybody looking to stay on The Strip without breaking the bank. We love the new Monte Carlo Boulevard and the property has been working hard to brand itself as a place for those who want a VIP experience without plunking down the VIP bucks. Plus, it’s all about location, and this spot is ideal for heading out to explore the heart of The Strip like CityCenter, The Cosmopolitan, and Bellagio. The rooms aren’t glamorous, but they are comfortable and have some modern touches like flat screens TV’s. Wired internet access is available in the rooms (included in your resort fee), but if you want wifi, you’ll have to head downstairs to the public areas. For the best rates, be sure to follow the hotel on the various social media platforms. They often run specials for their fans and followers. 3770 S. Las Vegas Blvd., (702) 730-7777 montecarlo.com

The Tropicana

The Tropicana is one of the older hotels on The Strip, but it’s been given a nice overhaul to the tune of $200 million to make it more modern (think bright white and new dining options). Built in the 1950s, the exterior still screams old school, but inside is another story. Rooms have been redone and now offer plush beds, plasma TVs and new furniture in a bright and airy environment. Sun worshipers will love the lush pool area, set on almost 2 acres. The hotel runs some sweet deals, including discounts for those over 55 and AAA, and free wifi is included in the resort fee. You can also check their social media outlets for regular flash sales. In terms of location, The Trop is located at the south end of The Strip close to MGM Grand and Excalibur. It’s a bit of a hike to get to the central and North end of the Strip, but what’s a little pounding the pavement to explore town? 3801 S. Las Vegas Blvd., (702) 739-2222 troplv.com

Circus Circus
Located towards the north end of Las Vegas Blvd., Circus Circus is big with the budget crowd and often caters more towards families with young kids, thanks to the circus theme and Adventuredome theme park. This resort is dark and teeters on dingy, but whatever. More than 3,000 rooms have been remodeled (Casino Tower in 2013 and West Tower in 2009) or refreshed (Skyrise Tower in 2013) so now you can enjoy flat screens, fresh beds and new furniture. The hotel regularly runs deals, like West Tower King rooms from $25 (plus taxes and fees). Circus Circus is home to one of the best steakhouses in town, THE Steakhouse. Plus, with Slots-A-Fun situated in front, you can enjoy cheap, cheap beer! The hotel also offers a motor lodge for those looking to save even more pennies, although these rooms have not been remodeled or refreshed and are located outside the main hotel. 2880 S. Las Vegas Blvd., (702) 733-9924 circuscircus.com

Excalibur

With some of the cheapest room rates at the South end of The Strip, The Excalibur has a lot to offer the budget traveler. The pool area is large, there is a shiny new food court and the location makes it a great base for exploring the Strip. You can catch the free tram to Luxor and Mandalay Bay, cross the Strip to the Tropicana and MGM, or head North to NYNY, Monte Carlo and beyond. The standard rooms in Tower 1 are very basic and are overdue for a remodel, but with midweek rates often available for under $30/night (before taxes and fees) they do the trick. Plus, how many chances will you get in your life to stay in a castle? 3850 Las Vegas Blvd., (877) 750-5464 excalibur.com

Stratosphere Casino, Hotel & Tower
The beacon at the North end of The Strip, The Stratosphere isn’t in the best location in terms of being in the middle of the action, but that shouldn’t stop you. The rooms are crisp and clean, and the property is home to numerous thrill rides parked atop the landmark tower (those will cost you a pretty penny for a seconds worth of awesome, though). Resting your pretty head here starts at
$29.99 (plus taxes and fees) normally, which is not bad considering you are still technically on The Strip. 2000 S. Las Vegas Blvd, (702) 380-7777 stratospherehotel.com

Downtown

The D Hotel & Casino

LONGBAR at the D

Downtown is up-and-coming, thanks to the onslaught of new restaurants, shops and bars popping up. The D, which used to be Fitzgerald’s, has been the buzz of Downtown since it opened in late summer 2013. Rooms are new. Everything is new. It’s the hip downtown hotel, thanks to some gorgeous design work, and also has got one of the best eats Downtown, Joe Vicari’s Andiamo Italian Steakhouse. It’s got a pretty hefty resort fee — $20 — but includes wifi, so we’ll take it. Weekday rates sometimes drop below $20 a night (before taxes & fees), which is a steal given how posh you feel. 301 Fremont St. 301 Fremont St, (702) 388-2400 thed.com

The El Cortez Hotel & Casino
El Cortez, which recently overhauled the entire Cabana Suites portion of the property, is a fantastic budget option in town. While the cheaper rooms are pretty flavorless, you aren’t staying at the hotel to sit inside, you’re there to head out and fall in love with downtown. For a more vintage feel, you can climb the stairs above the casino and stay in rooms that take you back to the earlier years in Vegas, when Bugsy Siegel ran the joint. 600 E. Fremont St., (702) 385-5200 elcortezhotelcasino.com

The Plaza
Like many of our budget hotel recommendations, The Plaza has also been recently renovated. Rooms are chic and bright and even have marble bathrooms to make you feel like you are getting bang for your buck. Rooms facing Fremont Street Experience are pricier, but you can opt to book the quieter side. What we love most about this property, other than its location in darling Downtown, is that rooms can start as cheap as $29 a night (before taxes and fees). Score. 1 Main St., (800) 634-6575 plazahotelcasino.com

Off-Strip

South Point Hotel
The South Point is a clean and friendly option that is about a 5 or 10 minute drive from the main attractions on the Vegas Strip. The hotel itself has a lot to offer with bingo, bowling, a movie theater, and a wide range of dining options, including the only Steak ‘n Shake in town. They do offer a shuttle service to the Strip for a fee, but overall it’s probably best suited for budget travelers that have access to a car. 9777 S. Las Vegas Blvd., (702) 796-7111 southpointcasino.com

The Orleans Hotel & Casino

The customer friendly service and amenities found at The Orleans has built a large and loyal following of locals and out of town visitors. The spacious deluxe rooms are starting to show their age, but overall the hotel constantly provides good value for money and if you are looking for “new and fresh” you can splurge on one of the the recently renovated premium rooms. There is a wealth of on site amenities and dining options and, when you are ready to explore, a free shuttle that stops at the Gold Coast Hotel & Casino (another solid budget choice) and the Las Vegas strip. 4500 W Tropicana Ave, (702) 365-7111 orleanscasino.com

Editor’s Bonus Pick

Hard Rock Hotel

Another off-strip option, this mecca of everything rock and roll attracts the young and beautiful demographic and has a reputation for some of the wildest pool parties in town. Room rates fluctuate quite a bit (it’s not always a budget option), but last minute off-peak rates sometimes drop into the $40-$50/night range on weekdays and $80-$100/night range on weekends, which is good value in our opinion. Plus visitors on a budget can always snap up the $7.77 Steak and Shrimp off-menu special (free players card required) at Mr. Lucky’s 24/7 diner. Now that’s a great deal any time of day. 4455 Paradise Rd, (702) 693-5000 hardrockhotel.com

Start the discussion by telling us your favorite budget hotel in Vegas and why it provides the best bang for your buck.