I haven't been to Vegas for 4-5 years and am considering a last minute trip in May. I have previously stayed on the strip, but find that the rates are skyrocketing.

Question#1---Any suggestions for someplace slightly off-Strip (but close enough to walk knowing the long Las Vegas blocks)? Criteria: (1) I will have a car and want to do some away from town (Lake Mead, Valley of Fire, etc.) activities, so (relatively) easy access in-and-out for a driver (2) Am looking at <$110 per night rate (3) Would like a decent pool (4)Prefer not downtown.
I have previously stayed at the following hotels:
Monte Carlo----favorite, neat pool
Bellagio---awesome, but was only able to stay there when they temporarily dropped their rates post 9/11
Flamingo----Showing its age, too smokey
MGM----Nice facility, but took longer to get from my room to the casino than it did to get from the airport to the hotel.
Treasure Island---second favorite
Luxor---OK. Nothing spectacular.

Question #2: Suggestions for hikes/outdoors activities/day trips. I've done Hoover Dam, Zion NP, and Bryce Canyon. How far to Toiyabe (?sp.) NF? Worth a trip?

Thanks for your help!

P.S. Specifically, has anyone had experience with Orleans, Tuscany casino/hotels, or Embassy Suites?

I have had a very good experience with the Orleans and recommend it often. It is not walking distance to the Strip but they do have a free shuttle that drops you at the Barbary Coast.

How about the Hard Rock? I would also look into Terribles but I do not have first hand experience. Sometimes the Rio has good deals. If you are considering Memorial Day weekend, deals may be hard to come by.

Thanks! I had heard of Terribles but know of no one with experience with that hotel. I am going early to mid-May---definitely not Memorial Day weekend. My only experience with Hard Rock was the casino was very noisy and I'm not sure if they had any kind of shutttle to the strip.

Hard Rock has a shuttle but I'm not sure where it goes thou. I think PAmom1 stayed at Terribles recently, no complaints I don't believe just older & smaller rooms. Have you checked Bally's rates? I check their rates in May and the week of the 8th looks good, so does the the week of the 29th going into June w/ rates as low as 69$ a nite. It's under the summer sizzlin ballys promo.

Thanks for the suggestion. I checked with Bally's and the "Summer Sizzlin'" special is only on certain days, and only applied to one day in both of my possible 4-day stay scenarios. Fridays and Saturdays are $220-$250/night. The only places I have found online with reasonable rates have been San Remo on the strip, and Embassy Suites, Tuscany and Orleans off-strip, none of which I have any experience with...

San Remo is the best-located but has been sold to Hooters and there is a lot of construction going on. Orleans is a far better choice than the others that you list, but not walking distance to the strip, you'd have to drive or take the shuttle.

We got a very good rate at the JW Marriott, but it was about $140-$150. The Suncoast next door was $60/night and was quite nice. Both are in Summerlin.

Thanks. The construction on San Remo...inside or out (or both?)? If you say Orleans is a nicer facility, I'd rather take the shuttle than take a chance with an inferior hotel that is a little closer.

phil,

Then definitely go with the Orleans. There is no comparison to the San Remo if those are your 2 choices.

I have recently read some very good things about Tuscany but have no personal experience.

Placeu2: Sounds like a good option. I have read polar opposites about the Tuscany. "The Unofficial Guide to Las Vegas" says it is a good deal, but "B-O-R-I-N-G"...nondescript, TravelAdvisor had individuals with comments both for and against, CheapoVegas says it's just OK, etc. etc. So there doesn't seem to be a consensus...

The rooms at Orleans are very nice for the price.

How about the Sahara ? It is at the end of hte strip and has a monorail stop that will take you down the strip. The most expensive rate for May is the Fri and Sat night of Memorial Day weekend - $119 ! I have reservations for June - paying $45. Stayed there about 6 years ago and I didn't think it was bad then.... supposedly refurbished recently. Check their web site www.saharavegas.com

Orleans is much nicer than Sahara. Just take the shuttle to the Barbary Coast and you'll be right in the middle of the strip.

Philsbert, Bellagio is my favorite hotel and I only stay there when they are running a promotion. In fact, they are prices on selected dates in May ranging from 159 to 199 per night. We snapped that up and are going next weekend.
Maggi

Yes....Bellagio is awesome. I even thought the people in the casino were friendlier than many places. But their room prices are somewhat prohibitive, especially at this (mid-may, high demand) time of year. Fortunately, one can still wander around and enjoy the facility/casino somewhat even when not staying there...