So my friends and I are booking through a hotel-flight package internet deal thing and thus far the choices of hotels are as follows: Stratosphere, Circus Circus, Riviera, Sahara, and other hotels at the end of the strip.

I've read some posts that seem to dislike these hotels a lot, but we're a bunch of college kids on spring break, we don't really need a palace, just some place to sleep. We don't mind walking, and as long as these places are walkable to the main strip, that's fine. Safety is a concern, however, and while I have read various comments about the hotels at this end of the strip not being safe to walk to and from at night, they have been rather sparse, so I would appreciate your comments and impressons of this issue.

Thank you.

The closer to the main strip the better. Here is a good map of the hotels in Vegas. http://www.vegas.com/map.html
Either way you will be doing a lot of walking. They have a lot of other transportation options as well that you should look into: monorail, trolley - either free or a couple of bucks. Taxi is a good option too - just take it to the middle of the strip and walk around from there. Never had a problem w/ the safety issue but I usually taxi and go in big groups. Anyways, as you said, it doesn't matter where you stay - you will have a BLAST anyways!

http://www.vegas.com/members/tips/in...t=vegastipstxt

Hi Gab..
Well, I'd definitely stay the closest to the strip as possible. There are a lot of seedy,homeless,druggie types the further you go down the strip towards Circus Circus area. Last time we had some crazy man behind us screaming and throwing rocks and such, that is until we got to the shopping mall where TI starts, then a policeman on a bike, stopped him in his tracks, and scooted him back down to the north of the strip. That is one thing I do like, they do try to keep that element out of the main touristy part of the strip.
If I were you, I'd look into maybe the Imperial(it's a dive though but good loc)Bally's,Tropicana,or any of the older hotels that are on the stip.

Just have a good time and be safe!

My advice would be to check into the Flamingo Hilton or the Monte Carlo. When my BF came to visit a few months ago we got a decent rate at Paris - definitely AVOID Stratosphere & Circus Circus - of those you listed Sahara has had recent renovations but the Riviera - although closer to the mid-Strip - is OLD, OLD, OLD! You might also try the Stardust or Treasure Island. Good luck & have fun.

I agree with the Flamingo suggestion. That is probably your best choice. Circus Circus is a dump.

Have you thought about staying on Freemont Street? It's the old strip but it's all covered and they have a nightly light show that's pretty cool. The bus system in LV is really easy to use and you can buy passes for however many days you plan to travel. The bus will take you right down the strip and stop at most of the main hotels. We go each year for the Rodeo and have stayed at the Monte Carlo (very nice), Bally's (not as nice, but good location), Golden Nugget (also very nice), Four Queens (give it a miss) and this year we're staying at Fitzgeralds. We like that the casino's are closer together downtown... not as much walking. We usually visit uptown then gamble downtown. Also, if a group of you are going it's much easier to find each other downtown. We paid about $850 per couple and that includes flying from our very small airport in WA State and four nights accomdation. Hope this helps. Enjoy your trip. Viva Los Vegas!

Definately check out the Stardust. The previous suggestion about Imperial Palace is a good one if you truly do not care about anything except a place to sleep. Tropicana may be your type of place as well.

Be sure to check out prices away from a package to make sure you are getting the deal that you want.

Depending on when you go (including whether you are there on a weekend or not) the prices in the major hotels can be excellent - we recently stayed at the Luxor for $69 per night, Monday through Wednesday. As to the above postings re the North end of the Strip, I agree - I wouldn't stay any further North of Treasure Island.

Good luck.

Imperial Palace is a clean, no frills, budget hotel, smack dab in the middle of the action. Plus, the monorail stops at this hotel. They usually have great deals. It's on the strip near Flamingo Road and, I believe flanking the hotel is the Flamingo Hilton and Harrah's. Not bad company to be in.

Check out cheapovegas.com for reviews of all the hotels in vegas. Plus they also review shows etc. Have fun.

On a budget, stay at the Gold Coast. It's right next door to the Rio and to The Palms, two hotels that are full of kids your age. All three hotels have shuttle service back and forth to the strip, which is less than a mile away. And the Coast has a coffee shop, a steakhouse and a buffet that are all above average and half the price of the strip joints.
www.goldcoastcasino.com

Thank you all so much for your advice! Currently looking into your suggestions, but I just wanted to say thanks again!