Stratosphere: need input from experienced travelers.
 

I just booked a 4 night stay at Las Vegas Stratosphere in March and was wanting to solicit the input of those who have lodged here before. I have never been before and am anticipating it.

some questions I have are:

1. Top of the World restaurant: are the food prices reasonable? whats the typical range? etc.

2. Is the Stratosphere conveniently located to the Deuce bus lines?

3. Is the nightlife/clubs there worth spending time at, or are better clubs found elsewhere? (Im in mid 30s, like techno, dance, rock, urban, top 40, adult contemp)

4. Are the stores there reasonably priced on apparel, gifts, etc?

any other advice youd like to share is welcome. thanks.

I don't remember the prices (but I think there are menus on the website with prices) at Top of the World, but we enjoyed a wonderful meal there last year - the food was terrific. Our waiter was fantastic - should be a standup comedian! Note that the views are fairly distant - too far to recognize much, so you're pretty much just looking at a lot of colored lights. The bar one flight up is okay if you enjoy eardrum blasting music.

There's a Deuce stop right across the street going North, and the stop going South is just outside one of the entrances - use the one to the North, the other is a bit of a walk. And, even in March, there is significant traffic in both directions. So, Deuce is not all that reliable, as buses for those stops are often full and do not run as frequently as the schedule would have you presume.

You wouldn't have to restrict yourself to the property for clubs, shopping, etc., but be advised that it's not really conveniently located (though that may be offset to you by the very low rates), except that it is sort of midway between Downtown and Mid-Strip.

The Stratosphere is pretty inconvenient if you plan to spend most of your time on the Strip, and the bus is very slow.

Top of the World is very expensive, but like djkbooks I've also heard good things about the restaurant.

The best nightlife is NOT there.

I think the giant Las Vegas gift shop is close to the Stratosphere but can't remember off-hand exactly where it is.

The Stratosphere has about the worst location in LV. It's surrounded by sketchy neighborhoods. That is one reason why it is usually cheaper than nearly every other hotel on or near the strip.

We have stayed at the Stratosphere lots of times and love it. The area close to the hotel is fine. My daughter has been to the club there and had a blast. The shops on the upper level are good to browse around. The rooms are clean and spacious. To be honest we prefer the Stratosphere to some of the high end hotel/casinos, as it is much more friendly. The Duece bus maybe slow but you have lots to see out of the windows, and who is in a rush on vacation anyway. Lucky's Cafe has some great steaks. I wouldn't have any qualms recommending this hotel, and think of all the money you are saving.

Description of the neighborhood next to the Stratosphere
http://www.lvrj.com/news/43733812.html

It's not so much that you'd be in a rush on vacation, rather if you're attending a show or have dinner reservations and plan to travel on Deuce you have to allow a lot of extra time. And, you don't really get to see that much standing on a packed full bus when it takes three traffic signal cycles to get through each intersection.

Depending on the number of buses running and time of day, buses often fill as they depart from the beginning of the route Downtown, so unless people get off along the way, one full bus after another passes by heading for The Strip.

I've been there for a show and to see the observation area which I really enjoyed, but I have to agree with RBCal that the neighborhood is well, I was going to say "dicey", but perhaps that's too much of a pun, so let's stick to "sketchy."

dicey is a nice word for the area..keep a heads up about yourself.
I know that March has a lot of conventions but curious why you chose Stratosphere?
I say this since they are giving away 4-5* resorts for $100 or less in March.
Hopefully you got one of those $25 a night rates that they have on expedia.
The restaurant can be hit or miss.
I would dine at the Wynn for a myriad of great food choices.
Never done the deuce bus but can be long waits and crowded.
I'd rather spend the $5-10 with a cab or walk and not take the strip..traffic gridlock.

'I would dine at the Wynn for a myriad of great food choices'

We don't all have more money than sense.

Among the reasons I don't like the Stratosphere is that its so far from everything. If possible, I would stay more mid-strip, making it easier to get from place to place. (I don't like the neighborhood or the hotel itself much either).

this will be my 3rd trip to vegas. the first 2 times i went i only stayed for 2 nights each time and basically arrived at the conclusion that each stay simply wasnt long enough. the first time i went was part of a timeshare offer, had to sit through a 90 min very stressful sales pitch (i kept saying no) and was supposed to stay at harrahs, but they ended up booking our lodging at the comfort inn on flamingo just east of koval (learned my lesson as my feet ached walking back to the hotel).

2nd time i stayed at excalibur and enjoyed it thoroughly.

this 3rd time i decided i wanted to stay somewhere in or near the old part of vegas/fremont street, etc.

to answer ksucat, i basically was looking for a cheap 3-star or higher hotel that has a somewhat marginal reputation for being a good place to stay at. i almost thought about booking at el cortez cause i heard good things about it. my sister stayed at sahara and said it was decent, clean and had a good value priced buffet.

from the map, it shows stratosphere being on the strip, but some of the posters are saying its somewhat of a walk...as long as its not as far of a walk as the dreadful walk was from the comfort inn on flamingo & koval then im cool with it..that was simply awful=never again.

Although I enjoyed the Stratosphere, we did have a car as it is quite far (and not very interesting) to walk either to the strip or Freemont area. If it is the Freemont area you were really looking to be then the El Cortez would be ok for you.

We stayed at the Stratosphere in August and really enjoyed staying there. The rooms were very clean, the staff very helpful, and restaurants were good. We enjoyed the casino as well. You won't be able to walk to the strip from the Stratosphere but the Deuce is right in front of the resort. It is a short travel to Freemont street as well (On the Deuce). Circus Circus and a few other casinos are within walking distance. It is located at the end of the 'strip' so it is not adviseable to go wandering around by yourself late at night. Security is always out in front, however.

From Flamingo/Koval, center Strip is .6 mile - less than a 10 minute walk, which is a long walk when you're tired.

The Stratosphere is on the strip, but about 2.5 miles from Flamingo/Las Vegas Blvd - if that gives you any perspective.

Stratosphere is just not close to anything else, except Sahara...

DB brasserie with Daniel Boulud one of the finest chefs in the world has a 4 course meal for $40.
coldplay..If you are going to run smack, get your facts right..
I have both.
Okada for sushi has great rolls for pretty cheap.
Country Club is a mid priced place for lunch and dinner.
Alex is outstanding but so is the bill!

osaka..have a great time and report back!

The Stratosphere is not really a WALK. It's a ride. Perhaps 30 to 40 minutes walk to Circus Circus. Physically possible, yes, except in the summer, but not advisable. It's not a safe area to walk in, especially at night.

Have been there twice; once several years ago, with a car. Drove there at night for the restaurant, and I was double checking the locks on the car doors. The meal, however, was really really nice. Last year, with girlfriends, took the Duece down, no problem. Area looked better, but think I would stick to daytime. We had a drink in the restaurant and enjoyed the quiet and the view.

im very acclimated to walking a lot when in vegas. each other time i went ive walked from as far south as mandalay bay as far north as riveria/circus circus. i did this walk back and forth each day about an average of 4 times as a casually perused various venues the casinos had to offer, etc.

of course, when walking along the strip as everyone knows the majority of establishments/casinos are all back-to-back which helps that youre able to take frequent climate-controlled rests. i wasnt quite afforded that luxury when walking from the comfort inn at koval.

each time i go to vegas i want to stay at a different place just for change of experience. ill be sure to log a trip report in about a month when i return.

im looking forward to my trip with much anticipation.

Ate at Top of the World a couple of years ago on July 4th. Meal was great and viewing the fireworks was very good. I would say the prices were reasonable considering everything, however, it wasn't a bargain by any means. I may be wrong, but I thought about half of the retail shopping space was vacant.