Imagine Vegas — with its neon-swollen Strip, its splashy hotels and endless casinos — and “budget break” might not be the first thing that springs to mind. Of course, cocktail-filled nights spent propped up at a games tables or filling slot machines could well burn a hole in your wallet but, if you know where to look, you can save a tidy sum on your accommodation without compromising on location.
Most visitors will want to stay in the thick of things, on glittering Las Vegas Boulevard (the Strip) — and given the sheer volume of hotels, there are options here for budget-conscious travellers. You could also plump for a base Downtown, where the burgeoning Arts District will satisfy creative types.
From mammoth hotels that go heavy on whimsical themes to design-led spots with a boutique edge, these are the best affordable hotels in Las Vegas.
Main photo: the Linq Hotel & Experience, the Strip(Booking.com)
1. New York-New York Hotel & Casino, the Strip
Best for themes and thrills
A sprinkling of the Big Apple in Las Vegas, this gloriously kitschy hotel manifests as a cluster of replica New York landmarks — the Chrysler Building, the Empire State Building and Lady Liberty, holding her torch high above the neon-drenched Strip. The theme continues inside, with cobbled streets, fire-escape-clad brownstones and hot dogs, pizza and deli sandwiches hawked by vendors in a miniature Greenwich Village. There are all the usual trappings — a casino, an arcade, a Cirque du Soleil show and a pool — but the star attraction is the Big Apple Coaster, which whizzes about the hotel’s exterior, dropping a stomach-churning 60m (200ft) and reaching speeds of 67mph.
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Spa N
Pool Y
Price room-only doubles from £123
2. Luxor Hotel & Casino, the Strip
Best for exercising the grey matter
Luxor is another hotel that goes all in when it comes to a theme — this time, it’s Egypt and the property’s glittering black pyramid has been a beloved fixture of the Strip’s south end since the Nineties. Other novelties include the giant sphinx at the entrance and the lifts (or “inclinators”) that travel almost horizontally through the triangular building. The hotel also has a generous sized pool deck with Egyptian-inspired decorative columns, plus cabanas and daybeds. Long-running Bodies . . . the Exhibition still pulls in the crowds with its graphic displays of human organs, while Titanic: the Artifact Exhibition showcases some 300 relics from the wreck site of the ill-fated passenger liner.
Spa Y
Pool Y
Price room-only doubles from £82
3. Excalibur Hotel & Casino, the Strip
Best for impressing the kids
Bold, brash and Disney-esque, Excalibur — named after the mythical sword wielded by the legendary King Arthur — really milks its medieval theme. It rises in a castle-like feast of towers and turrets and you shouldn’t miss the family-friendly Tournament of Kings, a banquet-cum-live action show that features wizards, dancers and knights duelling on horseback. Little ones will also love the Fun Dungeon, filled with classic carnival and arcade games. And beyond all the kitsch, there’s a great swimming complex with four inviting pools (one of which is just for adults), complete with plush cabanas and a relaxed bar and grill.
Spa Y
Pool Y
Price room-only doubles from £70
4. Circa Resort & Casino Las Vegas, Downtown
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Best for exploring a new neighbourhood
Circa was the first new hotel to have been built in buzzy Downtown Vegas for 40 years when it opened in 2020. It’s the perfect jumping-off point for the Fremont Street Experience, a loud, proud entertainment hub covering five city blocks — this was Vegas’s premier playground long before the Strip sprouted in all its neon-clad glory. The resort itself holds its own among the city’s big hitters too. It’s home to the world’s largest sportsbook and a 12m-tall HD screen lords it over the pool area. The superlatives continue with Nevada’s longest indoor bar — the aptly named Mega Bar — where staff known for their juggling tricks serve drinks with a flourish.
Spa N
Pool Y
Price room-only doubles from £98
5. Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino, the Strip
Best for music lovers
Just slightly removed from the flurry of the Strip, the Westgate is one block east of the main boulevard and an easy monorail ride away from the hubbub. It’s got a dose of rock’n’roll history too: Elvis Presley had a residency here from the late 1960s until 1976, after the property opened as the International Hotel in 1969. Now an annual summer festival hosted at the Westgate’s International Theater pays homage to the King with some of the world’s top-rated tribute acts. On top of the musical heritage, the hotel has one of the city’s largest sportsbooks at its giant casino, plus an unfussy pool deck with cabanas and a hot tub.
Spa Y
Pool Y
Price room-only doubles from £82
6. Horseshoe Las Vegas, the Strip
Best for a stellar location
Horseshoe is a solid bet, conveniently located at the centre of the Strip, right across the road from the Bellagio and its famous dancing fountains. It’s also great for a spot of retail therapy, with an on-site complex of shops selling everything from Harley-Davidson leathers to jewellery and musical memorabilia. Aside from the stores, it has all the usual snares of a Vegas Strip hotel: a classic casino, magic and music shows, and a sleek pool deck, plus a glow-in-the-dark mini golf course with live DJ sets.
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Spa N
Pool Y
Price room-only doubles from £86
7. The Cromwell, the Strip
Best for a boutique feel
Providing something of a departure from the juggernauts it’s surrounded by, this design-forward property describes itself as the first standalone boutique hotel on the Strip. Expect jewel-toned wallpaper and furniture, beds with giant leather headboards and artwork with a tongue-in-cheek, retro feel. The food and drinks options are equally thoughtful with a focus on quality over quantity — the standout is Giada, named after the celebrity chef Giada de Laurentiis. Come here for finely executed Italian staples, from cacio e pepe to lobster ravioli. The palm-dotted rooftop pool deck, Drai’s Beachclub, is another highlight: it offers fabulous city views from its 11th-storey perch and is for adults only.
Spa N
Pool Y
Price room-only doubles from £108
8. Paris Las Vegas, the Strip
Best for a taste of France
You can’t wander the Strip without spying Paris’s famous replica Eiffel Tower, which twinkles in blue, white and red by night. The landmark’s 46th-floor observation deck provides one of the finest views of the Strip. Inside, the Parisian-inspired artificial cobbles and painted-sky ceilings are quite charming too, while Francophiles will appreciate the dining selection. Try sweet treats at Café Belle Madeleine or bag a table at the bistro-style Mon Ami Gabi — the patio here offers fabulous views of the Bellagio fountains. Inspired by the French countryside (with treatments making use of Provençal lavender and Corsican oranges), the Voie Spa & Salon is also worth a visit.
Spa Y
Pool Y
Price room-only doubles from £89
9. Planet Hollywood Las Vegas Resort & Casino, the Strip
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Best for shows and surf
The Planet Hollywood Vegas outpost takes pride of place along the centre of the Strip. Living up to its Hollywood name, the hotel pulls in big-hitting acts at its Bakkt Theater with headliners from Van Morrison to the Gorillaz. The pool area is a major draw too: it’s home to FlowRider, a surf simulator that’ll make you forget you’re plonked in the middle of the desert, and there’s a rooftop deck and cabanas. Gordon Ramsay has a burger joint here and there’s also Koi, offering fine-dining Japanese.
Spa Y
Pool Y
Price room-only doubles from £70
10. The Linq Hotel & Experience, the Strip
Best for a playful vibe
The Linq brings youthful energy to the central Strip — you’ll find a streamlined pool deck and minimalist rooms with bold splashes of colour and crisp-white linen. The spa is slick and contemporary too, with nature-forward treatments that change with the seasons. Step out of the hotel doors, and you’ll find yourself on Linq Promenade, an entertainment mecca that sits just off the Strip. Presiding over the many shops and restaurants here is the High Roller — at 168m, it’s the largest observation wheel in North America.
Spa Y
Pool Y
Price room-only doubles from £64
11. Flamingo Las Vegas, the Strip
Best for retro glamour
A true Vegas stalwart, the Flamingo has been going strong in all its sparkling, pink feather-clad glory since the 1940s, and its art deco design will make you feel as though you’ve been whisked from Sin City to Miami’s South Beach. Multimillion-dollar renovations over the years have spruced up the classic guestrooms and introduced restaurants including the playfully retro Bugsy & Meyer’s Steakhouse. Speaking of Bugsy, the hotel’s mobster history is part of its appeal: it was opened by famous gangster Bugsy Siegel, who spearheaded the development of the Vegas Strip. The hotel pool deck is the place to see and be seen — it’s thick with palm trees and decorated with bright flamingo statues.
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Spa Y
Pool Y
Price room-only doubles from £64
12. Harrah’s Las Vegas, the Strip
Best for nightlife
Dramatically lit in fuschia by night, the centrally located Harrah’s is hard to miss. Its Mardi Gras theme isn’t peddled as hard as those of some Vegas hotels, but a masked jester clad in purple and gold hints at the idea. So too does Carnaval Court, a watering hole intended to evoke the lively spirit of the Big Easy with its alfresco setting and cocktails. Beer lovers aren’t forgotten — Signature Bar offers craft beer on tap, beer cocktails and video poker. Throw a piano bar with duelling shows into the mix and you needn’t leave the Harrah after sundown.
Spa Y
Pool Y
Price room-only doubles from £61
13. Sahara Las Vegas, the Strip
Best for bargain luxury
A veteran of the Strip, the Sahara ran for almost six decades before it shut in 2011 — but happily, this retro jewel was revived just a few years later and is still going strong. The price tag belies the level of luxury — expect spacious rooms with velvet chairs and gold finishes; a swanky pool area with Moroccan-inspired daybeds in rich reddish tones; and a carefully curated string of restaurants. Balla is the spot for updated Italian classics, while elevated steakhouse Bazaar Meat is the brainchild of renowned chef José Andrés.
Spa Y
Pool Y
Price room-only doubles from £80
14. El Cortez Hotel & Casino, Downtown
Best for a step into the past
El Cortez is a true relic of old-school Vegas, first opened in 1941, when Downtown’s Fremont Street was the city’s beating heart. It’s had more than a few facelifts over the years, but now a spot on the National Register of Historic Places has frozen its exterior in time, right down to the cursive neon sign that winks from the rooftop. There are nods to the mid-century on the inside too, from the vintage Cadillac in the lobby to rooms decked out in popping turquoise tones. Meanwhile, its location is the ideal springboard for exploring the city’s often overlooked Downtown area, including the Arts District with its independent galleries and performing arts spaces.
Spa N
Pool N
Price room-only doubles from £40
elcortezhotelcasino.com
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