Cheap lodging in Vegas
 

We will be in Las Vegas in mid-January for 4 nights. Looking for inexpensive but clean accommodations, pool etc. not needed. We won't have a car, so need to be near either the strip or downtown, or close to public transportation. Suggestions appreciated.

www.goldcoastcasino.com

Right next to the Palms and the Rio hotels, all three have good restaurants and shuttle bus to the strip (only 3/4 mile away). It's sister hotel THE ORLEANS is a bit further away and sits by itself, but newer, nicer (larger rooms) and a little more expensive. Both are often sold-out on weekends so book now - you can always cancel if necessary.

Petey, You need to define "inexpensive". On this site there are people who think $300+ a might is inexpensive. If you do not have a car I would suggest staying on the strip,it just makes being there more convenient. Check ALL the hotel websites for rates and remember Sunday thru Thurs. rates are normally less then Fri. and Sat. (however, conventions can make a huge difference in prices). If you are going before Jan. 20th the Mirage has rates at $79 which is "inexpensive" for the Mirage. Treasure Island has rates of $75 but you need to call them as these are promotional rates.

While I would not stay there (personal choice) many feel Imperial Palace is a bargain, it is right on the strip and across from Mirage. You might also check Flamingo - they often have really good rates.

Public transportation is time consuming (and frequently adds up) so I'd stay on the strip if I were you. I do not think the new monorail is back up and running (it has had a multitude of problems) so do not count on that.

If you are really serious about getting the lowest price for the best place you can be, you need to learn how to bid for a room for less on Priceline.

I got the Rio once for $35 a night and it was at the last minute and on a weekend with many hotels in the area showing no space at rack rates. They are usually about $89 or more for weekends and are suites. Do a search on this board for Las Vegas and you will see the many threads on "normal" hotel pricing and get an idea of what your perimeters are. If you have never been to Las Vegas, you might want mid-Strip and you can get a cheap place there, but don't expect much. Downsides of Imperial Palace are terrible check-in lines and quite worn out looking everything. Flamingo also, I have had horrendous check in/out problems and lots of other mob scene lines for restaurant etc. Many here haven't had that experience. Every time I have been mid-Strip, the Service people have been MOBBED and look/act it. Public rest rooms were anything but clean.

The people who like to go to Vegas cheaply without doing a lot of travel research love the Orleans, by the way as above poster mentioned.

Overall, if you want to be frual, and these travelers on Fodors very rarely do- you need to

Sorry, my machine hiccupped.

that's frugal. And you need to look at a Strip map on the internet or on any hotel Vegas discounted room site. There are tons of those sites, if you google Las Vegas hotel booking- you will get a bunch.

We've stayed at the Westward Ho (between Circus Circus and Stardust) for $29.00. Mon-Thurs. Nice clean rooms (Motel 6 type) There is a bus stop right out front, so convenient to get to the other end of the Strip. Not a far walk to the Mirage though. Across the street is Peppermills restuarant and fire side bar. Give it a try. Very good. Westward Ho offers free lunch in their cafe and free drinks even when not gambling. We liked that also, though I can't say the food was that great, but for free it was OK.

If that doesn't interest you, we've also stayed at the Stardust for $35 a night Mon-Thurs. It is nicer than Westward Ho, but all depending on what your looking for. Check all the hotels web-sites for offers. We use Southwest Vacations and always get the best rates which include airfare.

We'll be staying at The Orleans next week for $20 a night during the week and $30 on Sat. pm. We've never stayed there before, so I hope we won't be disappointed.

You will like the Orleans, even though it is not on the Strip. Also you have a nice perk of seeing the Strip lights in entirety on your horizon line if you are lucky. Ask for a Strip view. My girlfriend and her husband who pay for $400 dinners commonly in Vegas- always stay at the Orleans. They put their money on what is important to them and love the view from Orleans. I have never stayed there.

Thanks JJ5. I'll make sure to ask for a strip view.

www.cheapovegas.com has great reviews!

If you want cheap and on the strip, the Imperial Palace is very good. It is clean, but not fancy.

Is $69 too much? You might find this rate at Monte Carlo, Bally's, TI and other really great places depending on when you blow into the place.

Sounds like the Flamingo would be a logical choice- 1-inexpensive 2- exc. location on the strip 3- very nice pool. 4- you always win at the tables- ok, so 3 out of 4.