Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
as the hotel is part of the First Friday celebrations (p. 177) and it can get loud. As
well, ask for a room away from the generator room, another noisy problem.
$-$$$$
Pricewise,
Stratosphere Las Vegas
5
(2000 Las Vegas Blvd. S., between
St. Louis Ave. and Baltimore Ave.;
%
800/99-TOWER [998-6937] or 702/380-7777;
www.stratospherehotel.com; AE, DC, DISC, MC, V),
that tall needle at the very north-
ern tip of the Strip, seems to be in the same league as Circus Circus. When it's
slow, you can stay at this soaring tower, the tallest building in the West, for as lit-
tle as $29 a night on weekdays, up to $80 weekends. During busy periods, how-
ever, the Strat comes in about $50 higher than Circus Circus, jumping to between
$130 and $180 on average. I guess in most conventioneer's minds, staying in an
inconvenient spot—which to be blunt, describes the Stratosphere's lousy location
(you can't walk from here to, well, anywhere)—is preferable to dealing with
swarms of youngsters. At both, I'll point out, the rooms are darn nice for the
price. Here the digs feature roomy bathrooms, chic jewel-toned bedspreads and
curtains, quality mattresses and, as you might expect, superb, unobstructed views.
Adrenaline junkies will enjoy the Stratosphere. Though it closed its rooftop
roller coaster in 2006, it still has a number of other rides at the top that dangle
thrillingly off the edge (p. 135; I found myself worrying about my will when I last
rode these). It also boasts a huge and unusually friendly casino that's one of the
few in town to feature crapless craps and video poker with 100%+ pay (the Holy
Grail of VP). A rooftop pool has terrific views of the Strip, and the hotel has seven
restaurants, including one of my favorite diners in the city (p. 88). The shows here
aren't worth recommending, but most everything else is, so my advice would be:
If you're planning to have a car with you, consider the Stratosphere. For the
money, it's hard to do better, though the location makes it out of the question for
those traveling without wheels.
$-$$$$
The first high-rise in Vegas, an astounding nine stories in 1952, the
Riviera Hotel and Casino
(2901 Las Vegas Blvd. S., at Riviera Blvd.;
%
800/634-
6753 or 702/734-5110; www.theriviera.com; AE, DC, MC, V)
still feels mighty big.
That's not a good thing. In this town of mazelike, endless casinos, it wins the prize
for poorest layout. Couple that with public areas that have seen better days, and dull
food and shopping options and you have . . . well, a casino you may want to avoid.
Unless . . . Well, unless you get a deal on one of the rooms, which are perfectly
tidy, somewhat old-fashioned motel-like rooms (the mattresses are very good,
though, I'll give them that). Prices run the gamut from $47 up to about $149.
Guest rooms in the Mediterranean Tower are the largest, so ask for one of those. If
you're a diver, you'll like the pool, which is the deepest in town and is quite large,
though with none of the slides, lush landscaping, and other bells and whistles that
have become so common here. Tennis players will appreciate the fact that there are
two night-lit courts on the property. And you'll certainly enjoy the Riviera if you're
a bride, as the wedding chapel staff is among the finest in Vegas (p. 160) and can
help make that day feel very special. There's also a wide choice of shows here,
some of which, like the long running
Splash
, are definitely worth seeing.
$$-$$$$ The Sahara Hotel & Casino
(2535 Las Vegas Blvd. S., at E. Sahara
Ave.;
%
888/696-2121 or 702/737-2111; www.saharavegas.com; AE, DC, DISC,
MC, V)
has a tad more glitz than the Riviera, thanks in part to $100 million in
