Best Value Hotels in The Strip, Las Vegas

Since 1966, the 2,419-room Caesars Palace has defined excess on the Strip -- a massive spa with Roman baths; elaborate mosaics and classical architecture around the pools; one of the biggest casinos in Vegas. But base-level rooms are smaller, more drab, and older than the Vegas norm. You can upgrade to a more recently renovated room, but check the Venetian's rates first.

Location is the main draw at this mid-range casino hotel, which is right in the middle of the Las Vegas Strip. It's a good value, and unlike some other similarly priced properties, the entire hotel, including the rooms, gets high marks for cleanliness. Rooms are contemporary, with fresh bedding, Keurig coffeemakers, mini-fridges, and convenient plugs by the bed and at the work desk. The property is small by Strip standards, with 152 rooms, but has several restaurants on-site, including an Outback Steak. Though the hotel itself is smoke-free, the attached low-key casino with low table limits reeks.

Treasure Island is a three-pearl hotel and casino with a solid location at The Strip's northern end. The property’s 2,885 air-conditioned rooms are pleasant enough, but a bit worn, and include flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and free Wi-Fi. The popular casino features table games, slots, and a race and sports book, but keep in mind that it's smoky. Tightly packed lounge chairs and cabanas surround the big pool and a live DJ spins pop music. Food-wise, the hotel’s restaurants get positive reviews and range from steak to Vietnamese to a buffet. Other amenities include a modern gym, bars, and a spa. The on-site Cirque du Soleil show and Marvel Avengers experience are big draws as well. As an alternative, the Paris Las Vegas offers over-the-top Old-World accents with a slightly more upmarket atmosphere.

Right in the center of the Las Vegas Strip, The LINQ Hotel & Casino is a 2,640-room, budget-friendly option popular with travelers who just want a cheap place to stay. Formerly known as the Quad and, before that, the Imperial Palace, the property offers a casino, a pool, and numerous bars and lounges on-site for nightlife, plus Guy Fieri's only Las Vegas restaurant. Rooms were renovated as part of the rebranding now sport a clean, modern look, though they're light on amenities (there are no coffeemakers or clocks, for example). Parking and Wi-Fi are free and the central location makes it a good place for those who want to spend more time outside their rooms than in them. It's a good value for this category, and attracts a younger party crowd; families may want to compare rates at the New York New York Hotel & Casino, which has a roller coaster on-site (as opposed to the ferris wheel here).

For travelers who need a cheap place to stay in Vegas, the upper-middle-range Harrah’s is a no-brainer. It’s conveniently located in the middle of the Strip, has a mid-size casino, an OK pool, and a few restaurants and bars. But for anyone who expects to be wowed, Harrah’s is no showstopper. Most of the 2,530 rooms are heinously dated and reek of cigarette smoke. And compared to its neighbors, Harrah’s casino is small, its pool is boring, and its entertainment options are lackluster. A more modern and cleaner Strip pick is the slightly more expensive Tropicana, though it lacks Harrah’s prime location.

The upscale, 1,300-room SLS Las Vegas is in the building that once housed the iconic Sahara Resort & Casino. Designed by acclaimed French designer Philippe Starck, in collaboration with Gensler Architects, the property mixes elements of the property's past with strikingly modern decor. The casino area isn't huge but all the typical gaming options are available, and there are a wide array of restaurants to fit anyone's budget -- including the trendy Bazaar Meat by José Andrés. Three nightclubs and a gorgeous outdoor pool area lure a younger crowd. It's located on the far north end of the Strip, so travelers wanting a more central location may want to consider Aria Resort & Casino or Caesars Palace (though prices may be higher).

At the southern end of the Strip looms this massive ancient-Egypt-themed hotel, with a main building in the shape of the Great Pyramid of Giza (the 30-story structure shoots from its peak a beam of light so powerful, it's visible from space). In terms of room count, this colossal hotel-casino is second only to the MGM Grand, with 4,406 basic, but comfortable rooms -- many of which were renovated in 2014. Two additional towers of guest rooms, four swimming pools, a 120,000-square-foot casino, the world's largest atrium, a giant sphinx, and a host of dining, entertainment, and nightlife options help the Luxor stand out even among its extravagant neighbors. The Luxor is typically a more affordable alternative to Tropicana Las Vegas across the street, which has an on-site comedy club.

A $180 million renovation completed in 2011 turned the once-dingy Tropicana into one of the nicer mid-range hotels on the Strip. This storied hotel is one of the oldest in Vegas -- it was built in 1957, and once had mob associations -- but today it is clean, modern, and even somewhat stylish, with South-Beach-inspired decor and a sprawling pool club and nightclub, Bagatelle Beach. The casino isn't as large as others on the Strip, but the central location makes it easy to gamble elsewhere -- the hotel is connected via pedestrian bridges to MGM Grand and Excalibur. The basic contemporary rooms have fresh tropical style; guests should stay in the Paradise Tower to be close to the Strip or the Club Tower to be close to the pool. But note that prices tend to be a bit higher than at other mid-range options such as Treasure Island and New York New York.

At the southern end of the Las Vegas Strip, the 3,981-room, mid-range Excalibur Hotel And Casino is a gigantic destination casino hotel with a strong focus on family-friendly features and amenities. It was the largest hotel in the world when it opened back in 1990, and has a huge number of features to match, including four pools, a spa, multiple restaurants, live entertainment and -- of course -- a gigantic casino. While much of the hotel's common-area decor has a vaguely medieval theme (in a theme-parkish kind of way), the rooms are generic and typical of what one might find in a chain hotel, with flat-screen TVs and dated, but not unattractive, bathrooms with basic toiletries. The Excalibur is typically a more affordable alternative to New York New York across the street, which has a roller coaster, and the Egypt-themed Luxor Las Vegas.

First opened in 1946, the 3,642-room Flamingo Las Vegas is one of the most iconic hotels on the Strip. In addition to all the Vegas basics -- including several dining options, a huge casino, top-rated shows, and a number of wedding venues -- this upper-middle-range hotel offers a few great features: a bustling party pool, a spa, on-site shops, and the popular Wildlife Habitat, complete with exotic birds, turtles and fish. Rooms, however, are hit or miss -- Fab Rooms (the standard type here) are dated, worn, and basic, while Go Rooms and suites have stylish contemporary decor and upgraded technologies. Rates are some of the lowest on the Strip, but those on a budget may want to bear in mind that the resort fee is added on checkout. It's not as kitschy as some of its similarly priced counterparts; families may prefer the Egyptian-themed Luxor Las Vegas or New York New York (which has a roller coaster).

Stratosphere Hotel and Casino is a budget-friendly three-pearl property whose 1,149-foot tower offers stunning Las Vegas views. Its 2,427 rooms are tired and worn, and feature flat-screen TVs and air-conditioning, though the free Wi-Fi is slow. No doubt, the hotel’s iconic tower is a top draw with its bar and adrenaline-fueled thrill rides. Other features include two outdoor pools with hot tubs, a fitness center, spa, Starbucks, and comedy and music shows. The hotel’s dark and sprawling casino includes table games, slots, and a sports and race book. Stratosphere’s multiple dining options include a steakhouse, Italian, Mexican, and fast food, but only get mixed reviews. Travelers looking for something a bit more fresh and modern, plus tasty restaurants and a downtown location, should consider the California Hotel and Casino.

This lower-middle-range hotel on the northern end of the Las Vegas Strip has two main selling points: its super cheap rates, and its abundance of family-friendly activities. These include circus performances every 30 minutes and indoor Adventure Dome amusement park with numerous rides, bungee jumping, rock climbing, and 4D theaters. With the exception of the solid steakhouse, the restaurants tend to be unexceptional but satisfying, serving hearty comfort fare -- options include a pizzeria, a barbecue restaurant, a buffet, and a Mexican joint. The hotel is a behemoth, and the 3,700-plus rooms aren't bad for the price, offering flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi.