Anyone stay at the Stratosphere?

Staying at the Stratosphere for a couple of nights on an upcoming trip. I have literally stayed at most every hotel/casino on the strip before but never here. It can be argued that its not actually on the strip but I still needed it for my collection! Still no Circus Circus, LVH (Westgate now) or Riv.

I searched the forums for other posts on The STRAT but really nothing being talked about in years. I wouldn't even consider staying here but the SLS will be open by my trip and my host from the Plaza just moved there and offered up the VIP suite and $500 in free play if I check it out.

I know the area is rough, but its not like I'm traveling with kids. I'll be moving over to Paris after my 2 nights are up so I'll get the my normal strip love it. Anyone have any tips? Shitty casino? I walked through the place a few years but it seemed pretty spread out with not many machines...

 

Stayed there about 5 years ago. They re did the casino and rooms about 3 years ago, and i actually like their layout (but i'm more of a table game player). Purely on it's own, it is better than places like harrahs and ballys IMO. The only downside is location, and lack of a premier restaurant. I think you will enjoy your stay there, i had no real complaints about the place. Machines have decent payouts from what i've heard, compared to most strip properties. On the location upside, you're a very short bus ride from Downtown. For me, there's enough on the property to have fun for a couple of days without leaving. Area surrounding is sketchy, but only away from LV Blvd, and only at night. I didn't have any problems with the surrounding area the numerous times i've visited there.

 

I'm also staying at the Stratosphere for the first time in a few weeks and like you I have also stayed at most other properties. Everything I found online suggested that I book one of the "Stratosphere Select" rooms, which have been recently renovated. I would think the suite should be fine. The pool is supposed to have volleyball games which I thought sounded fun. They also have a new restaurant called McCall's Heartland Grill which I also want to check out. I also happen to know that there is a good happy hour in the tower. Not sure about casino conditions, but last I was there it looked appealing. I will have to test out the craps tables to be sure :evillaugh

 

I have stayed there recently . The area is not really rough. Hundreds of people coming and going from the casino walking around on the LVB street. No problem there. The Strat has good comps and good food. Try their 1950's cafe it's good food and fun. They give you 1/2 off the shows and have a shopping mall on the 2nd floor. When you check in if they are slow and have rooms you might get an upgrade if you ask. Slots have good payback. Cheap to hop a cab downtown from here but a decent walk to circus circus. There is a super cheap novelty store on the corner of LVB and Sahara. Same side as the Strat. You will enjoy it.

 

That area around Stratosphere has a bad rep dating back to its Naked City/Mob days. But, it's way over-hyped. Stay on Las Vegas Blvd and you'll be fine.

Bill

 

Thanx GG! I'm actually a low fare guy so I'd do fine just eating a burger. I heard the same thing about pay outs but since Nevada doesnt report by casino, and I think the Strat gets lumped in with the strip, I have no proof. I know they do a lot to cater to the locals so I would hope their slots are looser than CET.

 

Its good to know I wont be the only Pioneer to stray from the strip. Its not that I dont love the glitz and spectacle that comes with Bellagio, CP, Paris etc. But i wanted to see a new assortment of slots and at least for a couple days hang out on the North end.

 

I heard they cant be bribed with the $20 trick at check in. But I'm supposed to go to the VIP check in anyway. I'm going to assume if they gave me a suite I should be able to climb the tower for free as well. I know that novelty store. They suckered me into buying a few packs of cards from various casinos. I guess they were used at the tables and discarded later. I didnt realize until I can home that they drilled a hole in the decks. They saw this sucker coming!

- - - Updated - - -

But if I dont head into the naked city where will I buy my crack? :evillaugh

 

The above comments are spot on. If you get a Stratosphere Select room, all is well. Be aware that the suites have not been renovated and contain some beat up furnishings. I would prefer a Select room over a Suite. There are really no views to ask for as everything is blocked by Fontainebleu. If you are driving and use valet, ask for Jose to be your bellman if he is working. Truly one of the nicest guys I have encountered in a dozen trips to Vegas. Has been there 20 years and truly loves his job. The staff in the VIP room are great. They will get you some drinks and snacks while you are checking in. The regular lines at check in can be LONG. The machines, in my experiences staying there twice, is that they do pay out more than the strip, especially CET properties. I didn't get any huge wins (betting around 1.50-2.00 a spin) but there are several smaller wins (100-250) that keep you going and even enable you to try some high limit. Your bankroll will definitely last longer at Strat than it will at CET Properties. Their craps crews are very good and will help even the most novice player. If you do play craps, for entertainment value, you need to stop by and watch their 'crapless craps' game. The layout is ridiculously confusing. Blackjack dealers are good and the carnival game dealers make losing your money fun. Low $5 limits at most times of the day.

Fellinis is a great option for dinner if you like Italian food. very reasonably priced. The diner is also good for a quick breakfast at any hour of the day!

Also, as far as I know, anyone staying there gets free unlimited tower access. Be aware that if you have a fear of heights, this is a BAD idea. I have a fear of heights, which was worsened severely with all of the vibrations and movement up there caused by the thrill rides. It really feels like a small earthquake is happening. Looking out onto a lit up Vegas while this was happening gave me a small panic attack and I literally ran to the elevators to go back down. I know I am a chicken, but just putting it out there.

 

Good tips! Thanx erikbrick

 

No shame in that. I am the exact same way, my hands start to sweat when i go up in an elevator. I would freak out at the top of the tower. No thanks!

 

I am a Stratosphere regular (5th stay there coming up). I don't need fancy, but I love the Select rooms. Have also stayed in two different suites and while they were ok, I think they do need an update. But I can't complain as I am comped there despite being pretty much a low roller. I was even assigned a host there and I know I wouldn't be looked at nearly the same at even more mid range properties. I love the free access to the tower and usually get up there at least once both day and night as the views are spectacular. I've enjoyed happy hour (2 for 1 martinis) up in the tower and love the variety of things to do and see in the hotel. I even love the pool at the Strat more than the Monte Carlo pool (which was WAY too crowded...felt like sardines with rows upon rows of loungers that touch the neighbors.

 

The Stratosphere isn't a bad place to stay at all, especially if you want to spend equal time downtown and on the strip. It's half way between downtown and the heart of the strip. The Strip and Downtown Express bus or SDX stops right in front. The rooms are clean and modern, though a bit on the small side. The casino isn't anything special, but they have an awesome all you can drink happy hour special at their main casino bar. If you're a hotel guest you should be able to score free tower passes with room key, which is a nice bonus. The top of the tower isn't a bad place to hang out at night.

 

I have stayed twice and love the place. Both times I have stayed in Select Tower rooms. Don't waste your time with the $20 trick, it simply doesn't work there. My last trip there in may, my wife and I were married up at the top and mentioned it at check in, we were given a room with a whirlpool bath tub in the bathroom for a slight complimentary upgrade. My bride is a sleeper, and I don't sleep much so I was up at 6 am our first morning and I went to the casino and there were 3 BJ dealers standing at 3 empty tables, I picked one and sat down for a shoe. Pulled out $25 and at the end of the shoe was up $150 and quit. I have said it on here before, anyone that badmouths the place has simply never stayed there, anyone that has recommends it. It is priced right and its location between the meat of the strip and downtown is perfect.

 

I have some Brit friends who stay there two weeks at a time and love the place.

 

Not a good place to stay if you like to walk/casino hop.

 

I stayed there last year and I thought it was a great place, in fact it's on my list of possible place's to stay this coming Oct, the room was tidy and good, I'm not somebody who bothers about a hotel room too much, as long as it's clean and has a good bed I'm happy. The staff are great especially the casino bar staff they kept me topped up while I was playing VP. Quite a few working girls when I stayed there but that's just part of the fun people watching at the bar, the 50's diner is also a great place to eat as well and you a short bus or taxi ride away from either central strip or Downtown.

 

We've never stayed there but we would stop in a couple times here and there. Last time I was inside was back in 2010 and we played crapless craps.

Interesting game.

 

That was really the only thing stopping me from staying here before. Well, that and since I had no history I never got comped. If it wasnt for my host moving I would never stay. But I was thinking with the SLS opening up, and the monorail right there, that this really wouldnt be a problem. 24 hour monorail passes are under $11 and if I get one around in the middle of the day, it good the next morning as well.

 

You want to stay in a Select room. The rooms overall are ok, nothing great. AS long as you are not looking for Bellagio quality you'll be fine.