When business associates come to town, we usually book them a room at the Red Rock Station on the far west side of town on Charleston at I-215. They have all enjoyed it and commented on the quality of the hotel and rooms and the big flat screen TV in the bathroom. The Red Rock Station is close to the Bureau of Land Management's crown jewel, the Red Rock National Conservation area. This national treasure boasts the photogenic and spectacular Keystone Cliffs, hiking trails into the Spring Mountains, world class rock climbing and mountain biking, and horse trails. The natural beauty of the area sure beats the glitz of the Strip. The Red Rock Station has a first class breakfast buffet, a decent coffee shop and other restaurants as well. Nearby restaurants of note include Bollywood at Sahara and Rainbow which has one of the finest Indian lunch buffets you will ever find including curry goat...mmmmmmmmm, and only $9. The Outside Inn at Charleston and Hualapai has some excellent walleye fish and chips, a first rate turkey burger, friendly servers, and Guinness on tap, what more could you ask for? Given its location next to the beltway, the Red Rock Station is pretty convenient to any location in Las Vegas, but most of our business friends aren't really into the Strip experience.

Posted By Tom B. on September 30, 2009, 7:01 PM

First question I have for you: Why do you call yourself "Budget Trave" ? $179 walk-up room is not budget.
$60 prix fixe at Craftsteak ? Really?
If this is budget, what would this be :
$ 25 for a motel room , 10 minutes from the strip.
$1 margaritas
$1 spagetti and meatballs

Posted By Paul on October 1, 2009, 1:59 AM

Go to "Todai". This is an all you can eat seafood sushi buffet for $30. It is to die for! Amazing soups, salads, entrees, sushi, sashimi, nigiri, crab legs and desserts! Go see for yourself www.todai.com and enjoy!

Posted By Jo on October 1, 2009, 10:20 AM

We always stay at the Orleans while in Vegas. It is cheaper, has a great pool area, and very clean. It is off the strip, but does have a shuttle to the strip.

Posted By Kaye Hay on October 1, 2009, 11:01 AM

California Pizza Kitchen in Mirage or in Fashion Show Mall is a great deal for salads - a large salad ($16-$20) can easily be shared by two people.

If you have a rental car and only use your hotel for sleeping, consider the El Cortez downtown. The hotel is older but clean and the rooms are quite large. However, if you want to spend most of your time on the strip and don't have a car, this will not work because cab fees will eat up all the savings.

Posted By Darlene on October 1, 2009, 11:37 AM

True budget travel means getting off the strip. If you really want a true old las vegas experience then stay on Fremont street. Granted some places may be a little to OLD STYLE and a bit run down but the Golden Nugget and the Fremont have great offers often well under $50 per night. There are $1 shrimp cocktails at the Golden Gate Hotel--remember to get your players card first or they are $2.00!! Lots of history at this property! The Paradise Buffet at the Fremont has a seafood Buffet for $16 bucks, champange brunch for $12!! Walk in the shoes of Vince Vaughn and John Favaru when they filmed Swingers at the Paradise Buffet, back in the day when you could still drive down Fremont Street. I think the biggest plus to Fremont Street is you can walk to everything--try that on the Strip!! The City of Las Vegas has helped business in the area with Neon signage-some vintage neon, some new--all fun to see. Then of course theres the light show !!
The way to get a true budget price is to put yourself on the email lists for properties your interested in and wait for the deals....and they are out there.

Posted By Onegirl on October 1, 2009, 11:51 AM

Two, great affordable places to eat in Vegas are Battista's Hole-in-the-Wall and The Four Kegs. Battista's is a Vegas institution located just off the Strip behind The Flamingo. Carafes of house red and white wine, salads, and dessert cappucino all come with the meal. You can't beat it. The Four Kegs is frequented by locals and is way off the Strip but still easy to find. They have great calzones and the coldest beer in Vegas. The portions are generous, and the owner and staff are really friendly. One time at the Four Kegs and you feel like a regular.

Posted By Merrie on October 1, 2009, 11:53 AM

For the money, I consider The Orleans the best value in Vegas. Not only do they have some of the nicest, spacious rooms for the price but their food buffet value is one of the best anywhere, if you like buffets.

Posted By Donnie on October 1, 2009, 12:16 PM

The Orleans has been our place to stay for over 5 years. The atmosphere can't be beat. One year We stayed there for 4 nights for $52 total! We used to use their free shuttle, however, carrentals.com offers very low car rental rates. We always get "The Steak Special" at Ellis Island. It comes with a Steak, vegatables, potato, salad, and microbrewed beer for $6.95.

Posted By Steven on October 1, 2009, 12:48 PM

Hard Rock Casino have a 24 hour Mr Lucky Cafe and they have a great special: 8-ounce New York sirloin steak, three jumbo shrimps, salad, garlic mashed potatoes and a roll for $7.77.

Posted By Josephine Chee on October 1, 2009, 1:04 PM

You guys are nuts advertising deals that are clear out of reach from most individuals who are actually working. Or maybe this site is intend for the karadashians. I'm sure they can just walk up to MGM and drop credit card. Please do better research for those of us looking to enjoy Vegas, but are on a actual budget called life not your wonderland. You guys are not in touch with normal people working 9-5.

Posted By Al Young on October 1, 2009, 3:13 PM

My favorite Italian place to eat in Vegas is the Pasta Shop Restaurant on the corner of Eastern and Tropicana. It is away from the crowds and noise of the strip, is priced very reasonable, great service and great atmosphere.

Posted By gail Peck on October 1, 2009, 3:59 PM

My husband and I really enjoyed Burger Bar at Mandalay Bay. The prices were not too bad $10 or so for a HUGE gormet burger and fries. Also, if you want to get drinks for your room, head on down to Walgreens or CVS. We got bottled water for $0.50 a bottle- which beats the hotels which charge about 6x that much. We also thought for the quality of the food, the Bellagio Buffet was a great value.

As far as rooms, if you are going to Vegas, sign up online for the players clubs. This will get you e-mails for the room specials. We were able to stay at The Hotel @ Mandalay Bay in a suite for $89 a night. Mandalay Bay was offering $69, but since we enjoy the space, we splurged. I have also gotten emails for rooms as low as $40.00 a night at luxor and NY NY. These truely are the best way to get a great price in Vegas.

Posted By Ann on October 1, 2009, 4:07 PM

The Golden Nugget on Fremont St. has wonderful rooms for low prices. They've had specials for as low as $39/night. Main Street Station and the California are very nice clean places to stay with low rates as well.

My favorite place to eat is the Triple 7 brewery at Main St. Station. They have happy hour Monday-Friday where microbrews are $2. The food here is great as well for a very reasonable price.

Posted By Emily on October 1, 2009, 4:07 PM

We try to visit Las Vegas 3 or 4 times a year and enjoy staying in different places. Always sign up for each hotel/casino player's card. Be sure to sign up on line for e-mail alerts. We very seldom pay anything for our rooms. On the strip, I definitely recommend Paris LV. Comfort, class, excellent service. Off the strip, Green Valley Ranch or Red Rock are awesome. All of these have wonderful pools and other facilities. If you are looking for spas, I recommend the Rio or Planet Hollywood. For a wonderful dinner, check out Le Cafe' at Paris. They have a great daily special, often Filet Mignon medallions which are extremely tender and a wonderful seasoned mashed potatoes. For breakfast, try LaSalsa in the shopping mall at Planet Hollywood. Very inexpensive, large portions and very good.

Posted By Nancy on October 1, 2009, 4:34 PM

If you want a very nice affordable place to stay its Sunset Station- I have been there over 1/2 dozen times. Very nice clean place. 4 different resturants, a number of bars with 1/2 price happy hours (regular price is 1/2 off the strip prices already). Also a food court with about 10 different places to eat, plus 10 movies plus a bowling alley plus free parking. Only about 10 min from the strip and across the street from a hugh mall for shopping. Room rates during the week in the $40-$60 range - call them and they will always make a deal even on weekends.

Posted By Ken on October 1, 2009, 4:50 PM

We go to Vegas as often as we can and always stay at the Golden Nugget. We love the atmosphere and the rooms are so much more for our money than the strip. We've found great food deals on Fremont Street.

The Bellagio Buffet is a great deal for the price. The selection is terrific and with all the stations, it's like ordering a fresh meal. Some of the old school strip hotels also have great buffet deals.

I have gotten on every e-mail list I can think of and get a constant flow of deals to choose from. It's an awesome way to get info. Also, we don't gamble, but we have players cards everywhere we go and get info that way.

Posted By Jerri on October 1, 2009, 4:56 PM

Our favourite family hotel is the Tahiti Village - it is a time share resort but you can rent rooms as well if there is availablity. We cook our own breakfast and a light supper, that way we can try some of the fantastic restaurants in Las Vegas. The pool is done in a Carribean theme with a sand beach, water volleyball, waterfalls and such. The kids love the 50's dinner at the Stratosphere where the waiters and waitresses sing while they are serving, Cheeseburger in Paradise, and the buffets at the Rio and the Paris Hotel. The best deal is at the Super 8 - steak, potato, vegetable and salad for $6.95.

Posted By Kathryn on October 1, 2009, 5:26 PM

Downtown is where it is at and the Golden Nugget is a hidden gem! Totaly remodeled, 200k Shark Tank with a water side right through the middle of it, amazing! They also have one of the best steak houses I have ever been too, Vic and Anthoneys. Great Itilian and even a Sushi bar. Fremont street is a blast as well, plenty of events and entertainment outside of gambling and Fremont East is an up and coming place where there is definitly a younger croud hanging out. Check out Uncle Joe's Pizza or for some of the best kabobs, Kabob Corner right next door. Downtown!

Posted By Jack on October 1, 2009, 5:37 PM

South Point hotel/casino south of the strip if you don't mind renting a car. 4 star rooms and pool at very low prices, and comps for each day of your stay on top of the low rate. ez access to the strip by car or public trans.

Posted By Jim Steltenpohl on October 1, 2009, 6:18 PM

I live in Seattle so I'm always looking for the "beach." The Mirage has a wonderful pool (pools actually). Makes me really feel I'm in Hawaii. Then I can just go back inside anytime and play more blackjack.

Posted By vicsailgarden on October 1, 2009, 6:48 PM

My favorite place to eat in las vegas that does not cost you an arm and a leg is AZ Charlies.

Posted By Shirley on October 1, 2009, 6:50 PM

On the strip, Bally's is an underappreciated gem. Online rates mid-week are usually $59-79 per night. Sign up for the slots card and you get promotions by email for deals and promotions. Off-strip: My favorite is the Orleans - spacious rooms, security staff checks visitors before you get to guest rooms, nice pool area, & I enjoy the spa. Spa Orleans has a package of three 25-minute treatments for $155 plus tips. The Orleans has been running slots tournaments for several months. $99 sign-in fee for tournament also gets you three nights at the resort at no fee. Coffee shop in Orleans has early morning breakfast deals - each under $5. These are called Graveyard specials - run midnight to 6am. Need to be seated by 6am. Great for people from east coast who have body clocks still on east coast time. Favorite restaurant: Ricardo's - one block west of The Palms on Flamingo Rd. Mexican Cuisine. I visited the week of Labor Day this year and Ricardo's had live music during dinner. Ricardo's has a special lunch menu to help control costs. I have been able to get lunch until 3pm. Another Restaurant: Coffee shop at Red Rock. Best car rental deals on Carrentals.com. I often make a couple reservations for cars through this site in the weeks leading to my trip and pick the best rate about a week before my trip. One warning on renting a car in Las Vegas - Fox Car rentals is located near the South Point. You need to shuttle to the car rental center and pick up a van out front for Fox. Free entertainment: free shuttle from Ballys to Rio for show in the sky. Shuttle often has coupons for use at Rio and other resorts in the Harrah's family of resorts in Las Vegas. I travel to Las Vegas three times per year for past ten years. With slide in economy in late 2008 and holding through 2009, many resorts on the strip are holding fast to the check-in times - harder to get early check-in. There are fewer housekeeping staff to turn a room around after a guest leaves.

Posted By Pink Traveler on October 1, 2009, 6:56 PM

Main Street Station downtown has the greatest breakfast buffet.
great service and atmosphere. Old home cooking. Gents , enjoy the " mens room" wall behind the urinals--part of the old berlin wall.

Posted By bill wilson on October 1, 2009, 6:59 PM

I and my site are all about budget Vegas trips and offerings. Orleans and Terrible's (it's anything but) are both near-strip properties that offer some value and cheap dining options. The Orleans buffet has to rank way up there when you consider value and price. There are references on my site to bookoo dining options on the Strip involving entrees for under $10 per meal per person and buffets for under $20 per person per meal. Comp and coupon use are great ways to save bucks as well for those visitors who are interested. Check us out..thanks and happy savings trails.

Cheers...

Posted By Charles Higgins on October 1, 2009, 8:40 PM

There's a Vietnamese restaurant in Treasure Island (I forgot the name) but food is very good with large servings and really cheap!

Posted By Joji Ganaban on October 1, 2009, 8:56 PM

you want cheap food? bills gambilin hall, $1.00 margaritas and $1.50 jumbo hot dogs. also 777 buffet downtown for $7.77. as far as hotels, imperial palace is clean and cheap($30-$40)and is in the middle of it all. cvs and walgreens also sell alot of grocery items. and don't for get for the best tip, by a bus pass ($2.50 for 24hours) it goes everywhere including downtown vegas.

Posted By ann hicks on October 1, 2009, 9:09 PM

For budget travelers, two hotels come to mind. First, Imperial Palace is right on the strip, between Harrah's and O'Sheas. It's not so large you'll get lost, they have lower limits and prices, and it's right in the heart of the strip. I stay here on almost every trip.

The other place I'd stay (if something ever happened to IP), would be El Cortez downtown. Although I've never stayed there, they've pumped a lot of money into room renovations, and get good reviews. I do love to play there, because they have lower limits ($3 blackjack) and games that are much more favorable to players (9:6 "full pay" video poker, and 3:2 blackjack, even on single deck). They also have more reasonably priced food in their restaurants.

For cheap dining, try Ellis Island (behind Bally's). They have an unadvertised steak special, which includes a 10-ounce steak, potato, bread, green beans and a beer for $6.99. I have yet to make it back there, but it's a good deal for sure.

Posted By Mark Rothrock on October 1, 2009, 9:30 PM

Strip Burger and Cafe BaBaReeba hands down are my favorites for cheap good food...you can't go wrong with 'burgers, shakes and cakes'. BabaReeba has tapas which is great if you just want something small. These two restaurants are attached and you can order from either menu. Best of all, the outdoor seating and people watching. The first Vegas trip that I discovered these restaurants, I ate there three times.

Posted By liz miles on October 1, 2009, 10:37 PM

My husband likes to check web sites such as hotels.com or i4Vegas whenever we plan to go. The last time we went we stayed at the Riviera since they charged $27/night for weekdays. We also like the Stratosphere and my husband stayed at the Orleans and said that it's great and they have a wonderful buffet. We especially like Lindo Michoacan for Mexican food and try to check out at least one place we haven't been to whenever we go there. We like to visit national parks or preserves when we're there as it's a great jumping off place for those when we're there for a week or so. The Mojave National Preserve in California is about a 2 hour drive away, charges no entrance fee and has lava beds, enormous sand dunes, more Joshua trees than any sane person needs to see, a cavern with a guided tour by a park ranger and enormous boulders in piles that make you wonder how they got there. It has a visitors' center now in a picturesque old railroad station that serves good food for lunch at reasonable prices. Several times we have flown in to Vegas on a Friday night and driven down to Loughlin for its cheap weekend rates and visited the Grand Canyon or another Arizona park, then returned to Vegas Monday for the cheaper rates.

Posted By Bonnie Dickson on October 1, 2009, 10:43 PM

absolutely the Bellagio buffet. the lines can get long tho. so don't eat all day then go right at 5pm to beat the crowd. it was about $30 and all you can eat of the BEST and hugest selection of delicious food. completely worth the price. i also have food allergies and there's a great selection of gluten free foods or the chef can personally prep allergy safe versions of the food. best meal i've ever had.

Posted By Michele on October 2, 2009, 10:01 AM

We've been going to Vegas for over 30 years and for at least 20 of those years we've been going downtown to Hugo's Cellar at the 4 queens. They have gourmet meals and service at a moderate price. When we first went there dinner was about $22 for a nice steak. Now it's about $35, but you can still get a great meal for $22 or $30. It is really worth the price especially when you're celebrating a birthday or anniversary . They come to the table to make your salad with about 12 different ingredients from which you can choose. Don't go overboard with the salad, because you won't have room for the always delicious dinner! They also serve: sorbet to cleanse the pallet, veggies. different varieties of bread, after dinner they bring sweet strawberries, dried apricots, and figs with whipped cream. After that there's coffee with chocolate chips and whipped cream. I'm probably forgetting something. They treat you like royalty. Ladies leave with a red rose.

Posted By Linda on October 2, 2009, 1:54 PM

Downtown at Triple George Grill is the best place to eat in Vegas. I've lived here 14 years and have never had so much fun. It's a old time looking steakhouse with great service and atmosphere. I recommend Brian the server and Todd the bartender. They are GREAT people as well as this place has to best food.

Posted By Jessica on October 2, 2009, 4:53 PM

I agree with the comments about the Golden Nugget.

I would suggest you sign up for emails from a couple of casinos for the best values.

I regularly receive emails from the GN, Treasure Island, Hilton, Orleans, Mirage, etc..., with the best deals going.

There are midweek fall specials

The walkup rate listed, as mentioned above for $179 is not what Budget Travel should be about.

Did anyone tell the magazine that there is a huge recession / depression going on?

Richard - San Jose CA

Posted By rastagytoday on October 2, 2009, 11:50 PM

We haven't been to Las Vegas in ages. It seems to be over rated. Gamble, come home in your skivis, take a chance on getting mugged, have your truck stolen, the plates switched to another stolen car that is recovered and then the impound lot wants to sell off your truck? What's to die for in Las Vegas. Of all the places, why not try the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, The Grand Tetons, The Outer Banks of North Carolina.

Places where owners and operators don't have their hands in your pockets. Some place where the eye can feast on something that is natural. Some place where you could take your kids or grand kids to see things that will stimulate their brains. For crying out loud, the Museums of Natural History in any large college town are better for the soul than our own 'Sin City' in the desert. Even the Hoover Dam would be a place to stop off and admire.

Business men, have your meetings where it won't bankrupt your businesses and your business men and women. If we derail these kinds of places, and there are a lot of them, we may not need to have bail outs for those who are supposed to be in charge of minding the stores.

Posted By Dale O on October 3, 2009, 12:57 PM

Years ago the family went to Vegas and stayed at the Excalibur hotel and casino. The rooms were great, strolling through the shows were fun and there were some beautiful shops and items to purchase. Food was buffets, tasty and a great price.
Went back and was shocked to see just the cost of meals. It was more expensive that where I live and that was the only economical portion of Vegas before and now that is not available. Sadly all the shops on the lower level were removed to put in childrens gambling activities. That is what the carnival type chance things are, legal gambling for children, the same with video arcades. It was bad. And the casinos themselves, stunk from so much cigarette smoke, you barely could see where you were walking, with the dim lights and the neon debauchery. It DID become a den of inequity and crassness. Oh I am not totally referring to the Excalibur now, we went up and down the strip to most of the casinos and it was the same disgusting mess. Don't they have any kind of venting systems to remove the smoke at all?????? It has become bad!

Posted By Christine Fallica on October 3, 2009, 12:58 PM

My daughter and I snagged a room at Paris Las Vegas in mid-August for $63/night. We also got a great Harrah's coupon book that allowed us both to take a free trip up to the top of their Eiffel Tower ($10/$15 value each). We snagged $1 margaritas and draft beers at Bill's Gambling Hall & watched Big Elvis perform for free. Breakfast at Ellis Island a few blocks off the strip is very reasonable. Main Street Brewery downtown has some great happy hour appetizer specials, such as a small bucket of peel and eat shrimp for $5.

Posted By Peggy Renner-Howell on October 3, 2009, 1:04 PM

We've stayed at almost every hotel on the strip over the last 15 years, but I like the Venetian the best for their rooms. Before you have a cow about how it's not a "budget place", let me explain. We don't spend a lot playing...we're low-rollers....but we get great offers from them....free nights last year...offer of $49 per weeknight through December this year....and we play penny slots and have a budget that we stick to. They also have good prices at their Grand Luxe Cafe and the food court. It's worth it to sign up on all the websites of the hotels and get a players card when you're there. As far as buffets, we love the Mirage buffet...decent price, good sushi, crab legs, peeled shrimp. There's my 2 cents worth.

Posted By Mitzi on October 4, 2009, 11:23 PM

We just returned from Vegas. We got what I thought was an excellent deal from Southwest Vacations. Round trip non-stop flights from the midwest, 3 nights in a great room at the Rio, a coupon book with great coupons, total for both of us was $502.00.
Normally, we stay at the Gold Coast (it's owned by the same owners as The Orleans). We like the Gold Coast (very reasonably priced, easily accessed parking, low minimums at the roulette table, etc.) We couldn't pass up this deal from Southwest, so we tried the Rio. The room was very nice, quite large with an in-room fridge, and a great view. The coupon book had discounts for the buffets and the other restaurants in the casino as well as free tickets to go to the VooDoo lounge (on top of the Rio, it's AWESOME at night up there!), a free drink while we were up there, and a free trip to the top of the Eifel Tower (a $20.00 value!).
It's definitely a good idea to sign up for the player's cards, as well as all of the email special pricing alerts from the casinos.
Marie Callendar's is a good place to eat. The menu is huge, the service good and the prices reasonable.
We also took advantage of the special 25th Anniversary pricing for Cirque shows and saw the fantastic LOVE at the Mirage. We're still talking about how great that show was! We paid regular price for the first ticket, the second was only $25.00.
We had a really good trip and to top it all off, we even came home with some winnings!

Posted By Theresa on October 5, 2009, 9:21 PM

Bill's Gambling Hall is a great place to stay when watching your budget. The rooms aren't Bellagio standard, but they are big, clean, and so much less expensive. The best part of staying at Bill's is walking from your room to the strip in only 5 minutes- that will never happen if you stay in a huge casino.

Posted By Angie on October 7, 2009, 11:06 AM

For reasonable Italian food and nice atmosphere, I agree with Gail (above) about the Pasta Shop which is in a strip mall on Trop and Eastern.

Also very good with waitstaff mostly from Italy is Roma's. 2 locations (both off-strip) on Spring Mountain between Jones & Decatur and another on the west side of town on Sahara. Excellent pasta!

Posted By Vicki on October 7, 2009, 5:42 PM

I would have to agree with one poster on the steak dinner at Ellis Island. We have had it several times and have not been disappointed. The Golden Nugget is the nicest hotel downtown. We have stayed at quite a few hotels, both on the strip and downtown. We did stay at the 4 Queens once, because it was very cheap, but we got what we paid for there. Excalibur rooms were quite large comepared to some of the other strip hotels.

Posted By DON on October 7, 2009, 8:23 PM

First would like to say that I am sorry that Don O. had such a bad time in Vegas and yes there are lots of places to see other than there and if you are takeing children the other places are the best choices. But if you don't have children with you there are lots of things to see and do in Vegas. I have been there several times and have never had a problem. You just have to watch where you go and what time you go there. As for places to eat as several have said Ellis Island is Great. I will be visiting in a couple of weeks and I also am using the Southwest package staying at the Golden Nugget
only costing us $285 each for 4 days and 3 nights plus air. Looking forward to it. Also get a free day trip to State Line and Laughlin but just doing State Line this time. Las Vegas Advisor always has lots of special and by becoming a member you can get a great coupon book. So there are lots of things to do also lots of freebees in Vegas.

Posted By Kaye on October 8, 2009, 12:16 PM

The best Buffet in Town (For a reasonable price) is the Buffet of the Treasure Island, is Delicius!!! and have it all, for only 15 bucks.

Posted By Ludivina on October 8, 2009, 2:27 PM

On a recent trip in late Sept 2009, even on a big fight night, we scored a room at the Wynn for $179 on Saturday and $99 on Sunday, both walk-up rates.

I know this is called "Budget Travel," but I think it's very appropriate to include anything that in all honesty represents a deal, even if it's not considered cheap. Budget is all relative. "Luxury for less" should not be discounted as frivolous, even in this economy, because everyone deserves to be pampered now and then.

Posted By Gerald on October 8, 2009, 9:52 PM

I spent 10 days in Las Vegas in August 2009. Most people say "Are you nuts going to the desert in August?" But I found the heat to be much more bearable than the humid variety we get at that time of year at home. Besides,we spent a lot of time going in and out of buildings where we cooled off.
Recommendations:
The Hampton Inn Tropicana. Located right across I-15 from the back side of the Excalibur. Its an easy walk to the strip or the shuttle will take you. Great hotel at a reasonable price.Friendly staff and nice rooms.
Breakfast at the Hash House A-Go-Go on Sahara near Decatur. HUGE, delicious portions at reasonable prices.
Dinner at The Buffet at the Bellagio. Well worth the price.Go near the end of the lunch period and pay the lunch prices but stay into the dinner hour.
Best bar experience. Fontana Bar at the Bellagio has a terrace that juts out into the fountain pond. The one drink minimum gets you a table to sit at as long as you like where you can feel the spray of the dancing water and see it from an entirely differet perspective.
Best Lunch: Authentic French crepes at La Creperie in Paris. Closest I have had to the real thing in years. They have both sweet and savory varieties.

Posted By Cathi Flanagan on October 9, 2009, 1:51 PM

Many thanks to all of you for your so interesting comments ! I'll be in Las Vegas on the 11th and I am sure these informations will be of great help to me.

Rolande (living in Italy)

Posted By Rolande on October 10, 2009, 2:38 AM

I went and saw Charo at the Riviera (great show by the way) walked outside to the strip and saw the Foot Long Hot Dog sign at the Slots-O-Fun next to Circus Circus, you will see the sign. The stand is right inside the door $1.99 foot long hot dog.

Not only was it great but they put the helpings on, the relish, ketchup, mustard, onions for you so you don't have to hassle with the little packages and we sat out and watched the foot traffic and cars on the strip in the seating they had outside there in front of the Slots-O-Fun

actually was kinda nice on a budget for $2.15 w/tax
no drink

Posted By David on October 10, 2009, 9:04 AM

To receive the best hotel rates in Vegas, sign up to receive their email announcements. Luxor, Excalibur, NY-NY, Monte Carlo and MGM Grand often forward offers for $55 per night or less. I have received several offers for "stay for 3 - get one night free" and "one night comp. with $30 off nightly rate for additional nights"... these offers usually include food/beverage credits, free spa admission, two-for-one show tickets,express check-in, etc. MGMMirage Players Club has the best offers. Never book airline packages, their hotel rates are set way in advance and do not change to reflect on-line specials or other promotions you can get by booking directly with the property. My favorite inexpensive meal...the bar menu at House of Blues in Mandalay Bay.

Posted By gogoddess on October 12, 2009, 10:03 PM

The SouthPoint has won my heart as best Vegas hotel...On Las Vegas Blvd, 4 miles south of the "Strip" this hotel offers everything...Movie Theaters, Bowling, kids arcade, Pool, Spa, Hair Salon, 7 restaurants, show room, sports book, live stage acts with great enterainers .... Plasma tvs, 500 sq foot rooms. Best prices in town...and the Best employees ever! I give it 5 stars*****

Posted By Colleen McCoy on October 15, 2009, 3:51 PM

Vegas Best Hotels:
I stayed at Encore Casino Hotel.
For dining- THE DISTRICT, Green Valley Casino
For more dining, Lake Las Vegas.
Dining- Hanks at Green Valley Casino.

But Encore /Wynn Casino beats Bellagio & Venetian unless U like Old World Italian.

Encore & Wynn are Hi Tech, & current for the next 50 years in Vegas alone.

Posted By Stephen Russell on October 15, 2009, 11:20 PM

In response to Bonnie (or rather her husband): I used to use hotels.com as well, but I recently discovered hotels-in.com which has a much larger selection of hotels in Vegas and much more descriptive information about the hotels--useful for picky people like myself. I've been going to Vegas with my hubby for years now and I hadn't heard of half of these places!!!

Posted By travelluvah on October 16, 2009, 10:51 AM

i recently returned from a 4 day stay in vegas at the mgm signature junior suite that was advertised here in budget travel 3 nights room +100 spa/food and beverage credit was just over $500 and was worth every penny. the package started at $400 and someone i talked to said this was a $600 savings. as someone earlier posted 'budget travel is all realitive'

Posted By pauline on November 19, 2009, 7:52 PM