Stratosphere Las Vegas Hotel & Casino

At 1,149 feet, the Stratosphere Tower looms large above the Vegas skyline, but over the years the hotel has struggled to find its place in the city's pantheon of mega-resorts. It started as a family-friendly destination, morphed into a low-frills budget option, and now, with some recent renovations, is trying to aim somewhere in the middle.

About half of the rooms have gotten a grown-up makeover, turning what were Motel 6 basic accommodations into something more akin to maybe a Holiday Inn Express. That's actually a good thing -- we like Holiday Inn Express and we like the new lodgings here as well. Modern furnishings, comfortable beds, tastefully decor, upgraded (although still smallish) bathrooms, and plenty of amenities make them much more interesting. They'll cost you a few bucks more than the standard rooms (which are still Motel 6), but are totally worth it.

Note: Contrary to popular belief, there are no hotel rooms in the observation tower itself. Sorry.

Downstairs, the casino, lobby, many of the restaurants (including Fellini's and the Courtyard Buffet), and front entrance have all been upgraded with more subtle fabrics and fixtures that give the entire place a more upscale feel. Luckily they didn't upscale the prices, which can still be downright cheap.

Upstairs, you'll find a rather pedestrian shopping mall with few brand names, a pool with some great views, a health club, spa, and a showroom.

Way upstairs -- that it to say up more than 100 stories -- is the observation tower with restaurants, lounges, bars, and some extreme thrill rides.

For the price, this might be the right place for you. Just remember that its location on the far northern end of the Strip means you need a rental car or a lot of cash for cabs to get to the true thrills down the street.

Facilities:
4 restaurants; several fast-food outlets; arcade; casino; concierge; executive-level rooms; large pool area w/great views of the Strip; room service; showrooms; wedding chapel

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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