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
3.5
Pyramid building, inclinator elevators
Circus Circus
Free circus acts, Adventuredome theme park
The STRAT
Observation deck, thrill rides
Mid-Range ($100-200/night + resort fee)
Hotel
Stars
Notes
New York-New York
Roller coaster, Manhattan skyline replica
Paris Las Vegas
Half-scale Eiffel Tower, French theme
Planet Hollywood
Movie memorabilia, Miracle Mile Shops
Harrah’s
3.5
Central location, classic Vegas
The LINQ
High Roller observation wheel, modern rooms
Upscale ($200-400/night + resort fee)
Hotel
Stars
Notes
MGM Grand
5,000+ rooms, lazy river pool
Caesars Palace
4.5
Roman theme, Forum Shops, Colosseum venue
Mandalay Bay
Wave pool, 11-acre beach area
Aria
Modern design, tech-forward rooms
Luxury ($400+/night + resort fee)
Hotel
Stars
Notes
The Venetian
All-suite, Grand Canal gondolas
The Palazzo
All-suite, connected to Venetian
Wynn
Golf course, high-end everything
Encore
Sister property to Wynn
Fontainebleau
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
Related
- Four Queens Resort and Casino
- Hilton Grand Vacations Club Las Vegas Strip
- Las Vegas Guide
- Luxor Hotel and Casino
