Quick Takes:
- Best on the Strip (Price/Location): Excalibur Hotel & Casino. With base rates often starting around $35/night (plus the mandatory resort fee), it’s the best entry-level location.
- Best Non-Resort Fee Option: Best Western Plus Casino Royale is the only Strip hotel that currently waives the dreaded daily resort fee, saving you a guaranteed $0/night in fees.
- Best for Downtown Fun: Plaza Hotel & Casino. Located right on Fremont Street, their value rates start around $30/night (plus fee), putting you in the center of the action for cheap.
- Best Off-Strip Value (Near Convention Center): Ellis Island Hotel, Casino & Brewery. Its rooms are clean and comfortable, and the base rate is low, often around $40/night (plus a low fee of about $35).
Trying to save money in Las Vegas can feel like you’re fighting the house—the odds are usually stacked against you. But trust me, you absolutely can experience the magic of the Strip and Downtown without having to take out a second mortgage.
The real secret isn’t just snagging a low room rate; it’s finding a hotel that delivers a great overall experience for the price, keeps you close to the action, and limits those pesky hidden costs. I’ve personally checked into almost every property on this list and know exactly where you can cut costs without cutting the fun. Here are the 15 best value and cheap hotels in Las Vegas to book right now.
5 Best Value Hotels on the Las Vegas Strip
These hotels are your best shot at staying right on the main street for a low base price. The trade-off? You must factor in the non-negotiable resort fee.
1. Excalibur Hotel & Casino
You can’t miss the massive castle theme, and while it’s more budget-friendly than luxurious, Excalibur is one of the most affordable full-service resorts on the entire Strip.
- Why It Works: Its South Strip location is excellent for the price. It’s connected to both Luxor and Mandalay Bay via a free tram, making movement easy.
- Cost Check: Base rooms often start around $35/night (plus the typical $45/night resort fee).
- Vibe: Family-friendly, busy, great entry point to the Strip.
2. Luxor Hotel & Casino
The Luxor’s iconic pyramid and powerful sky beam make it unique. Room rates are consistently low, and its South Strip location is convenient for quick airport access or events at T-Mobile Arena.
- Expert Tip: The newer Tower rooms are generally considered a better, quieter option than the rooms inside the Pyramid structure.
- Cost Check: Rates often start from $35/night (plus a resort fee of approximately $45/night).
- Vibe: Themed, unique architecture, great for event-goers.
3. Horseshoe Las Vegas (formerly Bally’s)
Horseshoe Las Vegas is all about location. Located in the dead center of the Strip, it is the perfect cheap base camp for walking to shows, dining, and other casinos. It also connects directly to Paris Las Vegas.
- Why It Works: You are paying for prime real estate. If your goal is to be hyper-central and walk everywhere, this is a top budget choice.
- Cost Check: Rooms start from around $40/night (plus a higher resort fee, currently around $50/night).
- Vibe: Simple, hyper-central, perfect for explorers.
4. The STRAT Hotel, Casino & Tower
Located on the far North Strip, The STRAT (formerly Stratosphere) offers renovated rooms and the best cheap access to the thrill rides and stunning views from its iconic tower.
- Cost Check: Base rooms can be found from as low as $25/night (plus an approximate $45/night resort fee).
- Expert Tip: You will need to budget for transportation (ride-shares or the Monorail) to get to the main Center Strip area. The newly remodeled rooms offer undeniable value.
- Vibe: Far-out location, adrenaline-pumping, known for its iconic tower.
5. Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel & Casino
The Flamingo is central, famous for its retro pink theme and impressive Wildlife Habitat. It is connected to the lively LINQ Promenade and the High Roller observation wheel.
- Expert Tip: Try to book one of the newer ‘Flamingo’ or ‘GO’ rooms to avoid some of the oldest accommodations in the resort.
- Cost Check: Almost always has cheap rooms, often around $45/night (plus a resort fee near $50/night).
- Vibe: Retro, Party-pool culture, amazing central location.
5 Best Off-Strip or Non-Resort Fee Gems
To truly save money, you need to look just off the Strip. These spots often ditch the high resort fee and include helpful perks like free parking.
6. Best Western Plus Casino Royale–Center Strip
This is the Holy Grail of budget Strip stays. It’s the only hotel with a Strip address that consistently does not charge a resort fee (a $0/night fee).
- Why It Works: The $0 resort fee saves you a guaranteed $35-$50 a day, making it the best all-in value on the center Strip. Rooms are basic but clean.
- Cost Check: Rooms usually start around $60–$90/night (with NO RESORT FEE).
- Vibe: No-frills, smart-saver, perfect location. (Always confirm the no-fee policy before booking.)
7. Ellis Island Hotel, Casino & Brewery
Just a short, manageable walk off the Strip (behind Horseshoe/Paris), Ellis Island is a local favorite known for its friendly atmosphere and microbrewery.
- Why It Works: You can walk to the Strip in about 15 minutes. Its comparatively low resort fee (around $35/night) on top of an affordable base rate makes the total price very attractive.
- Cost Check: Rooms start around $40/night.
- Vibe: Local favorite, great food/brewery, excellent price point.
8. Tuscany Suites & Casino
Tuscany is located just one block East of the Strip and features all-suite rooms, meaning you get a lot more space for your money.
- Why It Works: This is a fantastic option for groups or travelers wanting a quieter, more spacious feel without being too far out.
- Cost Check: All-suite rooms start from about $70/night (plus a moderate resort fee of approximately $42/night).
- Vibe: Spacious suites, peaceful pool, one block off-Strip convenience.
9. Desert Rose Resort
Another great choice, two blocks off the South Strip, Desert Rose offers condo-style units instead of standard hotel rooms.
- Why It Works: This is an ultimate money-saver for groups or families, as units include full kitchens. It’s a non-gaming property, offering a quieter stay, and is a short walk to the MGM Grand.
- Vibe: Condo-style, family-friendly, kitchen convenience.
10. Silver Sevens Hotel & Casino
Located slightly further east (requiring a 5-10 minute ride-share to the Strip), Silver Sevens is a clean, smaller casino hotel known for deeply discounted base room rates.
- Why It Works: This is a true budget pick. The rooms are updated, the casino is quieter, and it offers great value close enough for a quick hop to the Strip’s major attractions.
- Cost Check: Room rates are extremely low, often around $30/night (plus a resort fee around $40/night).
- Vibe: Simple, clean, quiet, local-focused.
5 Best Hotels for Downtown/Fremont Street Value
If you want a classic, slightly grittier Vegas experience without the mega-resort crowds and prices, Downtown is the answer. Hotels here are cheaper and give you direct access to the electrifying Fremont Street Experience.
11. Plaza Hotel & Casino
The Plaza sits right at the very beginning of the Fremont Street Experience. The hotel has been recently upgraded and is the perfect launchpad for Downtown bar-hopping and concerts.
- Cost Check: Base rooms can be found for as low as $30/night (plus a reasonable Downtown resort fee of about $35/night).
- Why It Works: You simply cannot beat the location for Downtown value. It’s clean and in the center of the action.
- Vibe: Downtown classic, excellent Fremont Street access, value-driven.
12. The D Las Vegas
The D is a more modern, energetic, and party-focused Downtown hotel. The rooms are stylish, and the casino is high-energy.
- Expert Tip: Check out the second-floor bar/balcony overlooking Fremont Street for a great spot to watch the canopy show.
- Cost Check: Very affordable, starting around $35/night (plus a resort fee of about $35/night).
- Vibe: Energetic, modern Downtown, party scene.
13. El Cortez Hotel & Casino
El Cortez is a true vintage legend of Vegas, offering some of the lowest prices and an authentic, old-school casino vibe.
- Expert Tip: Look for the Cabana Suites—they are stylish, newly renovated rooms that offer a significant upgrade for only a little more money.
- Cost Check: Rooms start from as little as $25/night, with one of the lowest resort fees at about $26/night.
- Vibe: Old-school, authentic, extremely budget-friendly.
14. Golden Gate Hotel & Casino
As the oldest hotel in Las Vegas, Golden Gate offers a unique, historic, and boutique feel.
- Why It Works: The rooms are small but functional and clean, perfect for a solo traveler or couple who wants a piece of classic Vegas history right under the Fremont Street canopy.
- Vibe: Historic, boutique, unbeatable Downtown location.
15. Main Street Station Hotel, Casino & Brewery
Located slightly quieter, just off the main Fremont Street action, Main Street Station is known for its quirky historic artifacts and on-site brewery.
- Expert Tip: The free parking here is a huge plus if you drove. It’s a great, slightly calmer option than the Plaza or The D.
- Vibe: Historic, quirky, great brewery.
A Final Tip Before You Book:
When you see a hotel rate, always click through to the final checkout page to see the all-in price with taxes and resort fees. The real “cheap” winner isn’t the hotel with the lowest room rate, but the one with the lowest overall cost. Enjoy your wallet-friendly trip!
❓ Las Vegas Budget Hotel FAQs
What is the cheapest time of year to visit Las Vegas?
The cheapest times are generally mid-week (Tuesday and Wednesday nights) in the slow season: early-to-mid January, the week before Christmas, and the height of the summer heat in late August/early September. Always avoid holidays and major conventions.
How much will the resort fee actually cost me?
The resort fee typically ranges from $30 to $50 per night, plus tax. For a four-night trip, this can add anywhere from $140 to $230 to your total, so always add this to the advertised room rate before comparing hotel prices.
Which cheap hotel has the best pool?
The Excalibur often gets the nod for the best budget pool. It has a large complex with a waterslide and a dedicated adult pool. The Flamingo’s GO Pool is also excellent, though it is famous for being a high-energy party spot.
Where can I find free parking in Las Vegas?
Nearly all Strip hotels now charge for parking. Your best bet for free self-parking is at most Downtown hotels (like Main Street Station and Plaza) and many Off-Strip casinos (like Ellis Island, Silverton, and Palace Station).
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