The Best Affordable Hotels for Your First Las Vegas Trip

Las Vegas is on the bucket list of many. It is an adults playground and offers absolutely everything you could possibly need to have a great time, from casinos and sportsbooks to live entertainment and even thrill rides. There are some of the world’s best hotels, best restaurants, and best spa experiences to be had.

The best way to enjoy your time and experience in Las Vegas is to have a healthy spending budget when you are on the ground. This means getting the best possible deal for your hotel and amenities.

Save big by staying in end-of-Strip and off-Strip hotels, and put that money towards exciting events, incredible dinners, and, of course, to use in the casinos. Every penny saved is a penny you can spend getting the most out of every incredible experience available on the Las Vegas Strip.

1. Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino

An incredible resort only one block from the Las Vegas Strip that features top restaurants and the world’s largest sportsbook hall.

When it comes to an affordable hotel Vegas has, there are many excellent options, but many of those options are miles away from the Strip or at the far ends, where none of the action happens. The Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino offers it all. It is the perfect destination for those planning a family trip to Las Vegas. It is also an excellent option if you are traveling for the Las Vegas Convention Center, and it is also a great option if you simply want an affordable option with good connections to the heart of Las Vegas.

Not only will you be able to enjoy some great amenities, from a pool to spa facilities to a full casino, but you will also have some of the best restaurants in Las Vegas right at your door. The Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino is host to Benihana and the #1 restaurant according to TripAdvisor, the Edge Steakhouse.

With many great eats, many great live events, a thrilling casino floor, and the world’s largest sportsbook hall you will be spoiled for choice – and all for a great low rate. It is a top hotel in Vegas for many, from business professionals to couples to even families. If you are looking to make memories while here, this could be the right choice for you.

2. JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa

This resort is famous for its pools and golf course and is just 9 miles from The Strip, making it the ideal place for families visiting the city.

The second resort on this list is the JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa. Located several miles away from the action of the Las Vegas Strip, this resort is ideal for those who live in the area, are travelling on business, or want a family-friendly getaway. You are 8 miles from the Arts District and 9 miles from the Las Vegas Strip. However, in exchange, you will have a 50-acre resort to explore and enjoy.

The JW Marriott is famous for its massive outdoor pool and waterfalls. You will also have a large 18-hole golf course to enjoy during your stay. As for entertainment, this resort offers an on-site casino, a comedy club, and ten different restaurants and bars to enjoy. It is better suited, of course, if your main interest in Las Vegas isn’t the Strip. For those, choose either the Westgate Resort & Casino or the others on our list.

3. The STRAT (Formerly the Stratosphere)

This budget-friendly hotel and casino are famous for its needle observation tower that offers 360 views of Las Vegas and is perfect for those that love once in a lifetime experiences.

The sky-high tower attached to The STRAT is a very popular destination for its 360 views and rotating restaurant, but it also offers affordable boarding options and some great amenities. Located just 2 miles from The Fremont Street Experience and within easy distance of the monorail system, you can make The STRAT your home destination for your thrilling trip through Las Vegas.

The hotel itself offers many exciting things to do and try during your stay. On top of the classic casino, you will also be able to enjoy thrill rides without going far. With its great room rates, excellent restaurant, and wedding chapel, the STRAT can even be the perfect wedding destination that can easily accommodate your entire wedding party. It really does have everything you could possibly need.

4. Flamingo Las Vegas

This Caribbean-themed 1940s hotel offers luxurious amenities, a flamingo zoo, and a lagoon-style pool.

Many of the best budget hotels and casinos in Las Vegas are actually Las Vegas staples. These hotels have been around since the 1940s and are still going strong. On top of low room rates, you will enjoy classic amenities and retro décor that really brings you into the thrill of Las Vegas’ heyday.

One of the best hotels that really captures the retro aesthetic is the Flamingo. This hotel not only offers many great amenities like rainfall showers and whirlpool tubs next to its classic pink retro décor, but it also has a flamingo zoo and a large lagoon-style pool.

Timing is everything when it comes to getting the best deals at this friendly hotel. Prices increase dramatically on weekends, for example, and again in the periods between Christmas and New Year’s, and again during Spring Break.

5. El Cortez Hotel & Casino

This classic 1940s hotel and casino is within walking distance to both the Mob Museum and also the Fremont Street Experience.

Another 1940s hotel that has withstood the test of time and really offers the classic Las Vegas feel is El Cortez Hotel & Casino. Here you will find stunning 1940s design and décor, upgraded to offer modern amenities and comfort. It is perfect for those who are interested in the history of Las Vegas and its thrilling past. Not only are you just a 7-minute walk away from the Fremont Street Experience, but you are also a short walk away from the Mob Museum.

The hotel itself has its own casino, three different restaurants, and a classic bar, meaning there is plenty to keep you occupied during your downtime when you aren’t exploring what the city has to offer. With retro vibes and an incredible aesthetic, it is a great choice for those who want something stylish and affordable.

6. Golden Nugget Las Vegas

This classic Las Vegas Hotel overlooks the Fremont Street Experience and has been in operation since 1946.

This classic hotel has been in operation since 1946 and looks out over the Fremont Street Experience. It is also just a 6-minute walk away from the Mob Museum. It has four tours that offer modern, affordable rooms with great amenities. Not only will you have comfortable accommodations many rooms have whirlpool tubs, wet bars, and floor-to-ceiling windows.

If you opt for the suit, you will have a comfortable living room, with some options even offering loft bedrooms.

This classic hotel has its own casino, outdoor pool complete with a waterslide that even travels through a shark tank, and many of the other staple amenities like a gym and spa. You will find both fine and casual dining restaurants and a tequila bar. What’s really special, however, is that this hotel does not take a resort fee, which is becoming commonplace throughout Las Vegas. You wouldn’t need to leave the hotel to have a great experience.

7. Circus Circus Las Vegas Hotel & Casino

This circus-themed hotel offers affordable amenities and non-stop fun with its Adventuredome.

This circus-themed hotel and casino is a great place for its live entertainment. They take their theme seriously and offer daily circus shows and acrobatic feats of wonder for you to enjoy. Not only do they offer great live entertainment, but they also offer the Adventuredome, which is a thrilling carnival-themed experience that will capture the imagination.

The Adventuredome features thrill rides, carousels, arcade games, and more. There is something for everyone, and many of the experiences are family-friendly. There are escape rooms, rock climbing experience, indoor bungee jumping, and, of course, the adult-fun experiences of betting and casino games. Budget out your experiences as well and keep your betting money separate from your dining and entertainment budget. Combined, you can spend a better trip for less and enjoy all that Las Vegas has to offer.