But a hotel on the Strip can still be a long way from the places you actually want to visit. I’d choose the area before the hotel name.

Here, I’ll take you through five of the best places to stay in Las Vegas, from the central Strip to Fremont Street, with hotels for a short first visit and longer stays with more time by the pool.

The Best Areas to Stay in Las Vegas

• The central Strip - best area for first-time visitors
• The southern Strip - best area for shows and sport
• The northern Strip - best area for luxury hotels
• Downtown and Fremont Street - best area for nightlife and old casinos
• East of the Strip - best area for suites and extra space

Below, I’ll explain the differences between the areas and share my hotel picks. I’ll also cover walking distances, transport and the extra charges that can change the total cost of your stay.

1. The central Strip - best area for first-time visitors

• Location: Around Bellagio and Paris, in the middle of the stretch of the Strip most people visit on their first trip.
• Transport: You can walk between several hotels. The Monorail has stations on the eastern side, with buses and taxis covering other journeys.
• From the airport: Allow roughly 15 to 30 minutes by car from Harry Reid International Airport, longer in heavy traffic.
• Price level: €€ to €€€. Compare the total including taxes, mandatory fees and parking if needed.
• Safety: Use pedestrian bridges and marked crossings. Keep an eye on your valuables in crowds.

For a first visit of two or three nights, I’d start around Bellagio, Paris and the junction with Flamingo Road. This is the most convenient location for visiting several of the famous hotels without booking a car every time. You can head out after dinner and still have plenty to see nearby.

That’s particularly useful if your plans include a bit of everything: a show, shopping, restaurants and a stop at the fountains. You don’t need to gamble to enjoy the area. The city’s official first-time visitor guide has more suggestions for things to do inside the big hotels and along the boulevard.

Distances are deceptive. A hotel you can see from the pavement may have its entrance much further away, and pedestrian bridges make your route less direct. I wouldn’t plan an entire day of long walks in the summer heat. Take breaks and group nearby activities together so you aren’t constantly crossing back and forth.

See hotels on the central Strip here

The central area also works well without a hire car. The official Monorail route map shows the stations east of the Strip. It runs between MGM Grand and SAHARA, but doesn’t serve the airport or Downtown. Remember to include the walk through the hotel to the station when comparing transport options.

The downside is the almost constant activity and the cost of food, drinks and small purchases. I’d happily pay a little more for this location on a short trip, but I’d compare the hotel’s total price carefully. A resort fee and paid parking can quickly cancel out a saving on the advertised room rate.

The area link uses the Bellagio fountains as its reference point, showing hotels around the central stretch of the boulevard. Still check each hotel’s position on the map, as the results can include addresses further away. If sport at Allegiant Stadium or a newer resort is your priority, I’d compare the next two areas.

Places to Stay on the Central Strip

Vdara Hotel & Spa - suites with kitchenettes beside ARIA

Vdara would be my choice here for a suite with a kitchenette close to the central hotels. It suits a longer stay, when being able to make a simple breakfast or keep some food in your room makes life easier.

Its position beside ARIA still means a walk to the boulevard itself. I’d choose Vdara for the space and the freedom to do a little more for myself, rather than insisting on an entrance directly on the Strip.

One guest on Booking.com says: “A memorable experience that exceeded expectations.”

See photos and book Vdara Hotel & Spa here.

Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino - a classic Vegas stay in the middle of the Strip

Paris is a good option for a casino, restaurants and those familiar Vegas hotel surroundings. Its position opposite Bellagio makes it easy to step outside and enjoy the central Strip in the evening.

I’d look carefully at the room category, as the Paris name covers several options. A previous guest highlights a spacious, clean room. Choose it mainly for its location and the hotel experience, and expect activity around you rather than a small, quiet city hotel.

A previous guest highlights: “The room was spacious and clean.”

See photos and book Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino here.

Jockey Club Suites - a simpler base in the central area

Jockey Club is worth comparing for a stay close to the big resorts without making a casino hotel the main event of your holiday. Its position by the central Strip is the clear reason to choose it.

Here, I’d focus on the layout of the particular suite and the total price. You’re mainly paying for a convenient base. On a short stay with most of your days spent out, that can be a better use of your money than a more expensive hotel with facilities you won’t use.

One Booking.com review reads: “The location is first class and it’s value for money.”

See photos and book Jockey Club Suites here.

2. The southern Strip - best area for shows and sport

• Location: Around Excalibur, Luxor and Mandalay Bay, south of the central stretch by Bellagio.
• Transport: You can walk between several resorts. The Monorail starts at MGM Grand; hotels west of the motorway need more planning.
• From the airport: Allow roughly 10 to 25 minutes by car. Events can increase journey times.
• Price level: € to €€€. You’ll find both big hotels with offers and more expensive resort stays.
• Safety: Follow the designated pedestrian routes near the motorway and stadium. Avoid shortcuts across wide roads.

The southern Strip would be my pick for combining a classic Vegas holiday with a match, a concert or shows around the big resorts. You’ll be closer to the airport and hotels such as Luxor and Mandalay Bay.

• You’re still on the Strip, but evenings around Bellagio involve a longer journey than they would from the middle of the boulevard.

I’d distinguish between hotels directly on the Strip and those west of the motorway in the Stadium District. They may look close together on a map, but you’ll need to use the proper crossings. Hampton Inn Tropicana, for example, is an alternative west of the boulevard, with a different everyday hotel experience from the casino resorts.

See hotels on the southern Strip here

I think this area suits anyone who wants a large hotel base without needing to step out beside the fountains every morning. Room rates can also be lower than at some of the newer luxury resorts. The age, position and design of rooms can vary considerably, though.

The pool may be a big part of your decision, but check opening times and seasonal availability for your dates. A beautiful summer photograph doesn’t tell you what a January stay will be like. I’d also check age restrictions in specific pool areas, particularly when travelling with children or teenagers.

It’s a convenient base on a road trip through the western USA, with the car ready for the next leg after a few nights. Coming from California? My guide to the best areas to stay in Los Angeles can help you choose your other city base. In Vegas, I’d leave the car at the hotel for most trips along the Strip.

Places to Stay on the Southern Strip

Luxor - a themed hotel on the southern Strip

Luxor is the hotel with the pyramid. I’d choose it for a recognisably Vegas setting without automatically heading for the most expensive addresses. It’s well placed for spending your days around Luxor and Mandalay Bay.

Check carefully whether you’re booking a pyramid room or another category. This is a large hotel with several options. A guest highlights the bed and shower; on a trip with plenty of outings, a comfortable, functional room matters more than having the biggest suite.

One guest describes the stay like this: “The bed was comfortable.”

See photos and book Luxor here.

Excalibur - often an affordable option for the classic hotel experience

Excalibur stands on the southern Strip and is easy to recognise by its castle towers. I’d compare it when you want a large casino hotel but would like to keep the total cost of accommodation down.

The standard and hotel experience differ from the newer luxury resorts further north. Choose according to the room category and the price for your dates. A previous guest mentions cleanliness and comfort, which are more useful measures than the themed exterior alone.

A previous guest writes on Booking.com: “It was comfortable and very clean.”

See photos and book Excalibur here.

Hampton Inn Tropicana - a hotel without a casino west of the Strip

Hampton Inn Tropicana is a smoke-free hotel without a casino, and a hot breakfast is part of its offering. It’s my alternative for families or couples who want a more conventional hotel base while still being able to visit the resorts.

Its position west of the motorway means you won’t step straight out onto the Strip. That difference needs to work for your trip. I’d choose it if an easier morning routine and some distance from the casino environment matter more than the most central address.

One guest on Booking.com says: “The staff were very friendly.”

See photos and book Hampton Inn Tropicana here.

3. The northern Strip - best area for luxury hotels

• Location: This area stretches from the Venetian and Fashion Show towards Resorts World and Fontainebleau further north.
• Transport: Walk, take a taxi or use the bus according to your hotel’s address. The Monorail runs east of the Strip, with stations further north.
• From the airport: Allow roughly 20 to 35 minutes by car, longer during major trade fairs.
• Price level: €€ to €€€. Several of the city’s more expensive resorts are here, alongside a few simpler alternatives.
• Safety: Plan your journey back late at night if your route involves long stretches between hotels.

The northern Strip is my choice when you want to spend money on the hotel and actually enjoy being there.

Around the Venetian, Palazzo and Wynn, you’ll find plenty of restaurants and shops, while Resorts World and Fontainebleau are further up the boulevard. Each big resort covers a large area, so the precise address still matters.

I’d choose the southern end around Palazzo to combine a lovely hotel with walks to several central sights. Further north, taking taxis between evening activities becomes more practical.

• A hotel name containing “the Strip” therefore isn’t enough to tell you whether you can easily walk to a particular restaurant.

The area also works for trade fairs and events around Las Vegas Convention Center. For ordinary tourists, major conventions can push hotel rates up. Compare neighbouring dates if your itinerary is flexible. Shifting your stay by a couple of nights may save more than dropping a whole hotel category.

See hotels on the northern Strip here

I’d be less inclined to book here if keeping every part of the stay as cheap as possible is your priority. An attractive room rate can come with expensive breakfasts, drinks and restaurant bills. Set a realistic daily budget. If you’ll barely use the room except for sleeping, I’d put a central location and a lower total price first.

The area link uses Fashion Show as a reference point for the southern end of this area. Look further north on the map if you’re aiming for Resorts World or Fontainebleau. North Las Vegas is a different part of the city, so don’t confuse it with the northern Strip when filtering hotels.

Places to Stay on the Northern Strip

The Palazzo at The Venetian - a spacious luxury option beside the Venetian

Palazzo is my pick for couples who want more space and see the hotel as part of the holiday. It’s beside the Venetian, at the southern end of the area I’m calling the northern Strip here.

A guest highlights a large bathroom with both a shower and a bath, as well as plenty of room. That’s the sort of comfort I’d pay for on a stay with time for slow mornings. It’s harder to justify the extra cost for a single overnight stop.

A previous guest highlights: “Large bathroom with both shower and bathtub.”

See photos and book The Palazzo at The Venetian here.

Fontainebleau Las Vegas - a large resort for pool days and restaurants

Fontainebleau has a large pool area, a spa and a wide choice of places to eat. I’d choose it for a trip where you’re happy to spend several hours at the hotel each day and don’t need to keep walking to the central Strip.

Its position further north is the main compromise. Budget for transport on some evenings out. One guest highlights the location, facilities and staff; for me, the deciding factor is whether the resort’s size and offering fit the holiday you have in mind.

One Booking.com review reads: “Location, facilities, staff.”

See photos and book Fontainebleau Las Vegas here.

Best Western Plus Casino Royale - a simpler hotel at the southern edge of the area

Casino Royale is the simpler alternative close to the Venetian. Booking.com’s description lists free parking and no resort fee, making it worth comparing on total cost rather than room rate alone.

You’re choosing a smaller-scale hotel experience than at the big luxury resorts. I’d look here if location matters more than the pool setting or interior design. A previous guest highlights the cleaning. Always check the terms of your particular offer, even when the hotel advertises no additional resort fee.

One guest describes the stay like this: “The room was very clean.”

See photos and book Best Western Plus Casino Royale here.

4. Downtown and Fremont Street - best area for nightlife and old casinos

• Location: Downtown around Fremont Street, roughly 7 to 9 kilometres north of the central Strip.
• Transport: The Deuce bus and taxis connect Downtown with the Strip. The free Downtown Loop runs between local sights.
• From the airport: Allow roughly 20 to 35 minutes by car, depending on traffic and your hotel.
• Price level: € to €€€. Cheaper hotel options are often available, but weekends and events can change that.
• Safety: Stick to busy, well-lit streets in the evening. Use transport if you’re heading far from the Fremont area.

Downtown suits a trip built around neon signs, casinos and evenings spent walking from one place to the next. Fremont Street packs the experience into a smaller area than the long stretches of the Strip. I’d consider it for a trip with friends or a couple of extra nights after staying further south.

Your hotel choice here depends heavily on how close you want to be to the party. An address directly on Fremont Street is handy in the evening, but less appealing if you expect early nights and open windows. Don’t pick the area purely to save money if late-night music and activity will bother you.

There’s plenty to do in Downtown during the day, too. You can combine the casinos with museums and head towards the Arts District for different streets and places to eat. The free Downtown Loop connects several local stops. It’s useful in this part of town, but won’t replace transport to the big resorts on the Strip.

See hotels in Downtown and around Fremont Street here

I’d prioritise a hotel close to Fremont over a very cheap address on the outskirts of Downtown. It makes everyday outings easier and gives you a more straightforward route back. Golden Nugget and The D are right beside the action, while Downtown Grand is slightly set back and still within easy walking distance.

The biggest downside is the distance to shows and restaurants on the Strip. If you’re travelling back and forth daily, factor in both time and transport costs. For a first visit of just two nights, I’d normally stay on the central Strip and visit Fremont one evening instead.

On a longer trip, splitting your stay can make sense: you get to experience both areas without repeated journeys across the city. I’d make the same calculation when choosing between very different neighbourhoods elsewhere in the USA. Choose for the evenings you want, rather than just the hotel’s headline price.

Places to Stay in Downtown and around Fremont Street

Golden Nugget - a resort feel in the middle of Downtown

Golden Nugget combines the Downtown casino experience with an outdoor pool, a pool bar and somewhere to relax. It’s my pick for staying near Fremont Street while spending part of the day at the hotel.

The location is its clear strength, and a previous guest highlights it too. I’d look closely at the room category and building before booking. You’ll get the most from a stay here if both nightlife and hotel facilities are on your wish list.

A previous guest writes on Booking.com: “It is in the center of everything.”

See photos and book Golden Nugget here.

Downtown Grand Hotel & Casino - a pool deck and a little distance from Fremont Street

Downtown Grand has a pool deck and sits close to Fremont Street without being directly on the pedestrian street. I’d compare it first if you want to walk to the nightlife without necessarily staying right in the middle of it.

It’s still a hotel in a busy part of town, so the location doesn’t guarantee a silent room. A guest highlights cleanliness and comfort. I’d request a room with noise in mind if sleep matters more to you than the view.

One guest on Booking.com says: “Very clean and comfortable.”

See photos and book Downtown Grand Hotel & Casino here.

The D Las Vegas - a casino hotel close to the nightlife

The D sits towards the eastern end of the Fremont Street Experience and has a casino and bar. It’s my choice for spending your evenings right around the hotel, with a short journey back after drinks or a visit to the casino.

I’d particularly consider it for a trip with friends. The location is less suited to a stay focused on quiet evenings and early nights. A previous guest praises the staff, but you should still choose the hotel for the lively part of Vegas it belongs to.

A previous guest highlights: “The staff was excellent.”

See photos and book The D Las Vegas here.

5. East of the Strip - best area for suites and extra space

• Location: Here, I’m focusing on the streets around East Harmon Avenue and Flamingo Road, just east of the Strip.
• Transport: Some hotels are within walking distance of the boulevard. Taxis are convenient for longer journeys and addresses further east.
• From the airport: Allow roughly 10 to 25 minutes by car. The exact address makes a big difference.
• Price level: €€ to €€€. A suite can be good value for a group, but isn’t automatically cheaper.
• Safety: Choose a proper walking route with pavements and crossings. Watch for traffic and driveways around the big hotels.

Just east of the Strip, you’ll find hotels with a more conventional feel and often more space. I’d look here for a family holiday, a longer stay or a trip where a kitchen matters more than a casino downstairs. Choose the address carefully and you’ll still be close to the things you want to do.

I’m thinking mainly of the area around East Harmon Avenue and the stretch of Flamingo Road immediately east of the boulevard.

Marriott’s Grand Chateau and The Carriage House are good examples on Harmon: you can enjoy the Strip and return to a different sort of base. The Platinum is further north by Flamingo Road. I’d compare space, kitchen facilities and transport with the full package at a larger resort.

See hotels east of the Strip here

The practical advantages become particularly clear when several people are travelling together. A simple breakfast, living space and separate sleeping areas can matter more than another restaurant in the lobby. Check the specific room description; a hotel may offer both ordinary rooms and larger units, with different facilities.

Distance from the casinos doesn’t mean every street is quiet. There’s through traffic, deliveries and cars arriving at hotels.

The area is also worth considering if Vegas is a break between driving days on a longer trip, perhaps before continuing to California. Here, I’d give the hotel extra weight as somewhere with enough room to repack, take a day off and prepare for the next leg at a relaxed pace.

Places to Stay East of the Strip

Marriott’s Grand Chateau - a hotel without a casino close to the central Strip

Marriott’s Grand Chateau is smoke-free, has no casino and offers an outdoor pool. That makes it a good alternative for staying close to the Strip while having a more conventional base to return to.

I’d compare it for a longer stay or a family wanting something different from a large casino resort. Choose your room or villa category according to how much space you need. A previous guest highlights the beds, which is useful for a hotel serving as a base between long days out.

One Booking.com review reads: “Comfortable beds.”

See photos and book Marriott’s Grand Chateau here.

The Platinum Hotel - an alternative by Flamingo Road away from the casinos

The Platinum is east of the Strip by Flamingo Road. I’d look here to stay close to the central area while being set back a little from the boulevard itself.

This is still a busy part of town, so assess the address and room instead of expecting complete silence. One guest describes the hotel as a clean, quiet retreat. It’s particularly interesting if you want some separation between your evening activities and the place where you sleep.

One guest describes the stay like this: “A clean & quiet oasis.”

See photos and book The Platinum Hotel here.

The Carriage House - kitchen facilities and a pool by East Harmon Avenue

The Carriage House has rooms with kitchens or kitchenettes, plus an outdoor pool and a tennis court. I’d choose it to prepare some meals yourself while staying close to the central Strip.

Your room category determines which kitchen facilities you’ll get, so read the specific description. A guest highlights the generous room size. The advantage here is a practical base for several nights, particularly if you’d rather spend money on experiences than eat every meal in a restaurant.

A previous guest writes on Booking.com: “The room was also very spacious.”

See photos and book The Carriage House here.

Where should you avoid staying in Las Vegas?

I’d be careful about choosing a hotel far from the Strip purely for its price, particularly if you only have a couple of nights and expect to visit the boulevard daily. Summerlin, Henderson and North Las Vegas can suit other trips, but they’ll give you a different holiday with more travelling around.

Also distinguish between the southern Strip and Booking.com’s broader “South of the Las Vegas Strip” category, which can include hotels a long way south of the resorts. I’d rule out Fremont Street as a base if a good night’s sleep and early evenings are your priorities. Choose by address, walking route and total cost rather than a famous hotel name or a lovely exterior photograph.

For a first visit, I’d choose the central stretch around Bellagio and Paris. It’s the easiest base for seeing several sides of Las Vegas in just a few days. The southern Strip better suits plans around the stadium and the big resorts, while the northern part makes sense when the hotel itself is a major part of the holiday.

Downtown is my alternative for evenings around Fremont Street. East of the Strip, I’d look for a suite or a hotel with kitchen facilities if there are several of you or you’re staying longer. Always check the total cost and the specific room type before comparing two hotels.

I’d rather have three nights in a convenient location than spend a large part of the trip travelling between my hotel and the sights. Combining Vegas with an East Coast stop? My guide to good hotels and areas to stay in New York can help with that part of your trip.

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