Top 10 budget hotels in Las Vegas

Top 10 budget hotels in Las Vegas

Golden Gate

Beside downtown's Fremont Street Experience, an electronic sound-and-light show, the Golden Gate is a one-of-a-kind vintage casino hotel. It opened in 1906, a year after the city of Las Vegas was founded. Victoriana abounds inside the San Francisco-themed casino, with antique "one-armed bandits" (slot machines) by the lobby registration desk. Recently remodelled hotel rooms have more panache than other downtown casino hotels: witness dark-leather headboards and club chairs, flatscreen TVs, and pillow-top mattresses. Avoid rooms with prison-barred windows that look onto a noisy back alley.

Tropicana

Bounding back to its former glory, the Tropicana is one of only a handful of 1950s casino hotels still standing on the Strip. Opposite the MGM Grand, the Trop is looking better than ever thanks to a multimillion-dollar renovation that has enlivened the casino and open-air pools, added more youthful bars and restaurants and re-envisioned hotel rooms with sexy Miami style. Tasteful touches, such as plantation shutters, artificial greenery and chaise longues, manage not to clash with 21st-century perks such as plasma TVs and heavenly beds.

Rumor

Tired of the dinging of Vegas's slot machines? Flee the casinos at this boutique hotel, a short drive, bus or taxi ride east of the Strip. Minimalist motel-style buildings surround a small pool with cabanas, cocktails and DJs. All done up in chic white, cool shades of violet and indigo, or stark red-and-black whimsy, each "suite" (really, most are just oversized rooms) comes with its own hot tub, Wi-Fi, and an "adult" TV channel. The Addiction resto-lounge is the place to hook up during happy hour while, across the street, the Hard Rock resort offers pool parties, concerts, and a rock-star spa and shops.

Monte Carlo

The opening of the flashy Cosmopolitan resort – a short walk north along the Strip – has upped the ante for staying at the Monte Carlo. With the CityCenter casino, hotel, shopping, dining and entertainment complex next door, you'll understand why these rooms are still among the Strip's better bargains. Quality rooms come with all mod-cons such as flatscreen TVs, iPod docking stations and Wi-Fi. By day, escape to the hotel's outdoor pool complex, which has a "lazy river" ride for floating along on inflatable rafts, a splashy wave pool, and sandy beach-volleyball courts.

Bill's Gamblin' Hall & Saloon

Bang in the middle of the Strip, this petite corner casino sees plenty of action, day and night. The attached hotel is western–themed, with Victorian sconces in the hallways, faux stained-glass in the bathrooms, and striped wallpaper brightening compact hotel rooms. Although rooms haven't been freshened up in quite a while, don't worry: you won't be spending much time indoors, not with the Bellagio and Caesars Palace casino resorts across the street. There's no swimming pool at Bill's, but hotel guests can use the pool complex at the neighboring Flamingo resort. Don't miss Big Elvis's celebrity impersonator lounge shows most weekday afternoons. 

Stratosphere

Beside the tripod Stratosphere Tower, this low-rollers' casino hotel is constantly thronged by families with small kids and gaggles of tour groups. Don't let that put you off booking one of the renovated "Stratosphere Select" rooms, complete with flatscreen TVs and alarm clocks with MP3 players. Earth-toned decor with burgundy accents is soothing to look at, although views from rooms overlooking the parking garage aren't! However, there is the bonus that hotel rooms usually include free admission to the tower. A nearby bus stop and monorail station let you make a quick escape down to the Strip or downtown for more fun. 

Rio

Staying off the Strip can make you feel cut off from the non-stop party zone, but not at the Rio. Fast, frequent and free shuttle buses transport guests to the Rio's more famous sister casino resorts on the Strip, including Caesars Palace and Paris Las Vegas. You'll usually save big bucks on the Rio's hotel suites, which are unusually spacious by casino standards, with vibrant (OK, some may say tacky) colour schemes of mint, lemon yellow and aqua. If the Rio's lacklustre dining and drinking venues – such as the sky-high Voodoo Lounge – don't excite you, take a short walk over to the trendy Palms casino resort, buzzing with nightspots and the Playboy Club. 

Orleans

A gaudy tribute to the French Quarter of New Orleans, this off-Strip casino hotel has a welcoming family-friendly atmosphere. Not only do rooms here typically cost much less than on the Strip, but they're spacious and tidy too. Unlike at most Vegas casino hotels, mini-refrigerators are available for rent, in addition to complimentary in-room coffee makers. When the kids get bored, take them to the 24-hour bowling alley, the multiplex cinema, or the drop-off childcare centre. Although it's not within walking distance of the Strip, the Orleans provides free Strip shuttles for guests. You'll find free Wi-Fi at Seattle's Best Coffee on the casino level.

South Point

Standing far south of the Strip, off the I-15 expressway, this newly built casino hotel is a comfortable, no-fuss haven for budget travellers. Impeccably clean rooms are almost "mini suites", comfortably furnished with sofas, flatscreen TVs, and walls in sunset hues. Free Wi-Fi is available in the lobby on the casino level, where the all-American Steak 'n' Shake diner will satisfy cravings for burgers, skinny fries and thick milkshakes until midnight or later. The hotel offers a free airport shuttle service and frequent shuttle rides to and from the Strip (surcharge applies), or you can grab a taxi.

The Plaza

Facing the Fremont Street Experience, this long-running downtown casino player has shaken things up with a recent revamp. Spiffed-up hotel rooms with cream and chocolate-coloured walls, floral-print bedding, plaid curtains and marble bathrooms are worth more than the affordable rates suggest. Beware that not everything may be in perfect working order, however, as the management still has a few kinks to iron out. The location can't be beaten for fans of Vegas kitsch: it's a fairly fast bus or taxi ride from the Strip. Inside, take a mini-golf swing at the Swingers Club lounge, or head upstairs for the views from the glass dome inside Oscar's Steakhouse.