I have stayed at eight different Strip hotels across multiple Vegas trips, from the $49-a-night Excalibur to the $400-a-night Wynn. The advertised room rate tells you almost nothing – the $45 daily resort fee that every hotel charges transforms a cheap room into a not-so-cheap one quickly. What matters more is location on the Strip, pool quality, and how much time you plan to spend in your room versus exploring. The south Strip feels different from the north Strip, and centre Strip near the Bellagio fountains is the most walkable section. Here is what I learned from too many Vegas trips.
The Las Vegas Strip runs 4.2 miles along Las Vegas Boulevard South. Most major hotels sit between Mandalay Bay at the south end and The STRAT at the north. Every hotel charges a daily resort fee ($35-50+) on top of room rates.
Hotels by Price Tier
Budget ($40-100/night + resort fee)
| Hotel | Stars | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Excalibur | 3.5 | Medieval theme, family-friendly |
| Luxor | 3.5 | Pyramid building, inclinator elevators |
| Circus Circus | 3 | Free circus acts, Adventuredome theme park |
| The STRAT | 3 | Observation deck, thrill rides |
Mid-Range ($100-200/night + resort fee)
| Hotel | Stars | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New York-New York | 4 | Roller coaster, Manhattan skyline replica |
| Paris Las Vegas | 4 | Half-scale Eiffel Tower, French theme |
| Planet Hollywood | 4 | Movie memorabilia, Miracle Mile Shops |
| Harrah’s | 3.5 | Central location, classic Vegas |
| The LINQ | 4 | High Roller observation wheel, modern rooms |
Upscale ($200-400/night + resort fee)
| Hotel | Stars | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| MGM Grand | 4.5 | 5,000+ rooms, lazy river pool |
| Caesars Palace | 4.5 | Roman theme, Forum Shops, Colosseum venue |
| Mandalay Bay | 4.5 | Wave pool, 11-acre beach area |
| Aria | 5 | Modern design, tech-forward rooms |
Luxury ($400+/night + resort fee)
| Hotel | Stars | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| The Venetian | 5 | All-suite, Grand Canal gondolas |
| The Palazzo | 5 | All-suite, connected to Venetian |
| Wynn | 5 | Golf course, high-end everything |
| Encore | 5 | Sister property to Wynn |
| Fontainebleau | 5 | Newest luxury property (2023) |
Major Properties
MGM Grand
One of the world’s largest hotels with over 5,000 rooms. The pool complex has five pools, three hot tubs, and a lazy river – one of the few on the Strip. Multiple restaurants including Craftsteak and Morimoto.
Room rates: From $48/night + $45 resort fee
Location: South-central Strip near T-Mobile Arena
Caesars Palace
Iconic Roman-themed property with 3,960 rooms across six towers. Seven pools, the Qua Baths & Spa, and The Forum Shops with 160+ stores. The Colosseum hosts residency shows.
Room rates: From $54/night + $45 resort fee
Location: Center Strip, walkable to Bellagio fountains
Planet Hollywood
2,400 rooms with Hollywood theme and movie memorabilia throughout. Has a FlowRider surf machine at the pool – the only place to surf on the Strip. Connected to Miracle Mile Shops.
Room rates: From $22/night + $45 resort fee
Location: Center Strip at Paris crosswalk
Mandalay Bay
The Beach is an 11-acre pool complex with a wave pool generating 6-foot waves, lazy river, and real sand beach. Shark Reef Aquarium on property.
Pool day passes: $25-40 for non-guests
Cabanas: From $400
Location: South Strip
Resort Fees
Every Strip hotel charges a daily resort fee, typically $35-50. This covers WiFi, fitness center access, and sometimes pool access. The fee isn’t included in advertised rates – it’s added at checkout.
Avoiding resort fees: Downtown hotels like Four Queens and Fremont don’t charge them. The 15-minute drive saves $35-50/night.
Best Pools
- Mandalay Bay Beach: Wave pool, lazy river, 11 acres
- MGM Grand: Lazy river, five pools
- Caesars Palace: Seven pools including adults-only Garden of the Gods
- The Venetian: Multiple pools with Canyon Ranch spa access
- Wet Republic (MGM): Day club with DJs, separate entry fee
Location Guide
South Strip (Mandalay Bay to New York-New York):
- T-Mobile Arena
- Park MGM/Dolby Live
- Allegiant Stadium (short ride)
Center Strip (Bellagio to Flamingo):
- Most walkable section
- Bellagio fountains
- Caesars Forum Shops
- High Roller wheel
North Strip (Wynn to STRAT):
- Convention Center
- Resorts World
- Less crowded
Booking Tips
- Book direct: Hotels often match or beat third-party rates, plus offer more flexibility
- Weekday vs weekend: Rates double or triple on weekends and during conventions
- Avoid CES (January): Highest rates of the year
- MGM Rewards/Caesars Rewards: Sign up for free – member rates are often lower
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the daily resort fee and what does it cover?
Every Las Vegas Strip hotel charges a mandatory daily resort fee of $35-50 that is not included in the advertised room rate. This fee covers WiFi, fitness center access, and sometimes pool access or local calls. The fee is charged per room per night and added at checkout. There is no way to avoid it at Strip hotels – only downtown properties like Four Queens do not charge resort fees.
Which section of the Strip is best to stay in?
Center Strip between Bellagio and Flamingo is the most walkable section with easy access to Bellagio fountains, Caesars Forum Shops, and the High Roller. South Strip near MGM Grand and Mandalay Bay is good for T-Mobile Arena events and has excellent pools. North Strip is less crowded and near the Convention Center but requires more walking or transport to main attractions.
When are Las Vegas hotel rates cheapest?
Weekday rates are typically half of weekend rates. Avoid CES in January, which has the highest prices of the year. Summer midweek offers good deals despite the heat. Tuesday through Thursday nights are cheapest. Sign up for free MGM Rewards or Caesars Rewards for member-only discounted rates, which are often lower than third-party sites.
Do advertised low room rates include all fees?
No. Advertised rates like $22/night at Planet Hollywood or $48/night at MGM Grand do not include the $45 daily resort fee. The actual cost is the room rate plus resort fee plus taxes. A $50 room becomes roughly $100 after all fees and taxes. Always calculate total cost including resort fees when comparing hotels.
Are the pools free for hotel guests?
Yes, hotel pools are included for registered guests, though cabana rentals cost extra. Mandalay Bay offers day passes for $25-40 to non-guests. Some hotels have adults-only pool areas. Day clubs like Wet Republic at MGM charge separate entry fees and operate as nightclub-style venues with DJs and bottle service, not regular hotel pools.
Should I book directly with the hotel or use third-party sites?
Book directly with the hotel website when possible. Hotels often match or beat third-party rates and offer more flexibility for changes. MGM Rewards and Caesars Rewards members get exclusive rates. Third-party sites sometimes have deals but make changes difficult. Always compare the hotel direct website with Booking.com, Expedia, and Hotels.com before finalizing.
Related
- Four Queens Resort and Casino
- Hilton Grand Vacations Club Las Vegas Strip
- Las Vegas Guide
- Luxor Hotel and Casino
