This is why I no longer stay on the Strip. I rent a car and stay in Henderson or Primm if I'm headed to CA. Priceline gave me a great deal on a room in Henderson (Fiesta). When We got there they upgraded us to a suite on the 10th floor.
Do you want to just see the city or some of the sights outside the city?

Take a look at Bills Gambling Hall, on the strip, great rooms and low rates.

Want to see the city- get the experience- then will be heading out to AZ. Will have rental but would rather not drive much until we head out.(I know, the strip is long. Don't mind walking)

Was looking at Bill's. They and Bally's were leading the way then jumped about 20 per night in the last week. Still in the mix.

Have you looked at Planet Hollywood?

Have you looked at Planet Hollywood?

Of your list, Monte Carlo 1st and Tropicana 2nd... not bad locations and fun areas... good luck

We stayed at Bill's. I don't think you can beat the price. Location is excellent. Lobby/casino not as fancy as some of the others, but the rooms were fine. Also, you didn't have to hike a mile to get to your room.

I liked Monte Carlo the best of your picks. Small but nice, only takes a couple of minutes to get to your room, has a tram, very good food and the staff was over the top. Tropicana I hated, many reasons. Rio is fun but noisy. If you are using priceline do you get to pick your hotel?

From your list, I'd pick Monte Carlo.

However, my usual hotel in Vegas is Bill's because of the price and location. I'm only in the room to sleep and would rather spend my money on shows, spa services and dining.

My favorite hotel is Rio. Yes, its off the strip, but you can take their shuttle free and get to other hotels on the strip.
Bally's is good. Rooms are nice.

-ziggy, yes you can pick the hotel on priceline unless you "name your price" then you just put in preferences(4 star, location, etc)and find out name after. Why did you hate Trop? Seems to be getting good reviews since renovation started.
Heard many mixed things on Rio- loud and such- but currently it is the best price(per quality)
chepar- same here on the room but I also don't want to be disappointed when I do return to sleep. Would've picked Bill's already if rates didn't put it equal or above some of the others now.
Thanks for input all. Will keep checking back.

We go to Vegas quite often and when we're traveling on a budget we really like Southpoint. It's just a few miles south of Mandalay Bay near the outlet malls. It's much newer and feels more upscale than the Orleans or the Trop. (I like it better than the Rio, although they have good deals...I find the Rio casino to be exceptionally smokey because it's an older property with lower ceilings.) Southpoint has a large casino, and a very nice spa. Rooms on the lower floors are cheaper. Rates on the southpoint site in April appear to be $50 to $80 per night. I would also check out Hotwire...you can often make a pretty good guess about the property using the description. Also just discovered www.betterbidding.com, a site on which customers post what properties they've gotten in a particular area using hotwire or priceline. Very helpful.

Rio is a good hotel. The "suites" are large (really just big rooms). It's got some good restaurants. Pool area is pretty good. It's off strip but it does have a free shuttle that takes you to the Harrah's properties on the strip. The casino is a little noisy. They've got a free show every hour or so called Masquerade in the Sky. Dancing, music, floats, beads being thrown all on and above the casino floor. I find it pretty cheesy but people seem to like it (for some reason free beads seems to excite people). In addition, the waitstaff double as go go dancers so they will periodically dance on top of boxes throughout the casino.

The last time I even visited the Tropicana was several years ago and back then it was BADLY in need of a renovation. Might be worth it if the renovations are done by the time you go.

Monte Carlo has the benefit of being on strip and it is more sedate than the Rio. I think they have a river pool. Decent location also.

Never been to Orleans.