15 Affordable Hotels in Las Vegas (2026)

Las Vegas Wonders

Affordable Hotels in Las Vegas

Key Highlights:

  • Best Strip Location: The LINQ and Flamingo sit right in the center of the action for a fraction of the cost.
  • Best for Families: Excalibur and Circus Circus offer theme-park vibes and large pools that kids love.
  • Best No-Resort-Fee Option: Four Queens and Casino Royale are rare gems that won’t hit you with a $45+ “daily fee.”
  • Best Off-Strip Value: Ellis Island is a local favorite just steps from the Strip with a world-famous $9.99 steak special.

Finding a place to crash in Las Vegas shouldn’t cost more than your actual vacation budget. While the Strip is famous for its $500-a-night luxury suites, there is a secret world of budget-friendly gems where you can still feel the neon magic without draining your bank account.

I’ve spent plenty of nights at these “value” spots—sometimes to save money for a big dinner at a celebrity chef restaurant, and other times just to see if a $30 room is actually livable. The good news? Many affordable hotels in Las Vegas have recently renovated their rooms, making them cleaner and more modern than you’d expect for the price. Here is my honest guide to the 15 best spots for budget travelers.


Top 15 Affordable Hotels in Las Vegas

1. The LINQ Hotel + Experience

The LINQ Hotel
Source: Google My Business

Located at the literal center of the Strip, The LINQ is the ultimate home base for young travelers and social butterflies.

  • The Vibe: Modern, loud, and high-energy with a direct link to the LINQ Promenade.
  • Pro Tip: Book a room in the District 3 section if you want to be steps from the pool, but ask for a high floor to escape the bass from the promenade music at night.

Also Read: 20 Must-Visit Restaurants Near The LINQ Las Vegas

2. Flamingo Las Vegas

Flamingo Las Vegas
Source: Google My Business

The OG of the Strip, featuring a classic pink neon glow and a real 15-acre wildlife habitat with actual flamingos.

  • The Vibe: Retro Vegas charm meets a massive, high-energy pool party scene.
  • Pro Tip: Always book the “Flamingo Rooms”—these are the recently renovated ones. If you book a standard “Fab” room, you’re getting a very dated 1990s experience.

Also Read: 11 Most Delicious Flamingo Las Vegas Restaurants

3. Best Western Plus Casino Royale

Best Western Plus Casino Royale
Source: Google My Business

This is arguably the best-kept secret for budget travelers. It sits directly between Harrah’s and The Venetian.

  • Why it’s a hit: It is one of the only hotels on the Strip with zero resort fees and free parking.
  • Pro Tip: The rooms are basic, but because there are no fees, your “total price” is often half of what the mega-resorts charge.

4. Luxor Hotel & Casino

Luxor Hotel
Source: Google My Business

The giant black pyramid is iconic, slightly mysterious, and surprisingly easy on the wallet.

  • The Vibe: Egyptian-themed spectacle with unique “inclinator” elevators.
  • Pro Tip: The Tower Rooms are much newer and more comfortable than the rooms inside the actual Pyramid. Unless you really want the pyramid “experience,” stay in the towers.

5. Excalibur Hotel & Casino

Excalibur Hotel
Source: Google My Business

It looks like a giant white and red castle, making it the top-rated choice for families on a budget.

  • The Vibe: A medieval fantasyland that is unpretentious and great for kids.
  • Pro Tip: Use the free tram that connects Excalibur to Luxor and Mandalay Bay to save your feet from the desert heat.

6. The STRAT Hotel, Casino & Tower

The STRAT Hotel
Source: Google My Business

Located at the gateway between the Strip and Downtown, The STRAT offers the best views in the city from its 1,149-foot tower.

  • The Vibe: Thrill-seeker central with rides at the top of the tower.
  • Pro Tip: Hotel guests get a massive discount on tower admission. Go up at sunset for the best photos of the skyline.

7. Circus Circus Hotel

Circus Circus Las Vegas
Source: Google My Business

This is the go-to for families with small children, thanks to the massive Adventuredome indoor theme park.

  • The Vibe: A chaotic, fun-filled carnival that feels like a 1970s time capsule.
  • Pro Tip: Stay in the “Manor” section if you want to park your car right outside your door, or the West Tower for the most updated rooms.

8. SAHARA Las Vegas

SAHARA Las Vegas
Source: Google My Business

After a massive recent renovation, SAHARA has returned as a sleek, chic, and relatively quiet luxury-on-a-budget option.

  • The Vibe: High-end boutique feel with Moroccan accents.
  • Pro Tip: It has its own Monorail station, making it incredibly easy to get to the center Strip in under 10 minutes.

9. Treasure Island (TI)

Treasure Island
Source: Google My Business

TI is the “grown-up” version of its former pirate self, sitting in a prime location across from the Wynn.

  • The Vibe: Relaxed and pirate-lite, offering a solid 4-star experience for 3-star prices.
  • Pro Tip: They frequently offer “Optional Resort Fee” packages if you book directly through their website and don’t need the pool or gym.

10. Golden Nugget (Downtown)

Golden Nugget
Source: Google My Business

The king of Fremont Street, famous for “The Tank”—a pool with a shark-tank slide.

  • The Vibe: Classic “Old Vegas” luxury with a gold-plated lobby.
  • Pro Tip: The Rush Tower rooms are the newest and furthest away from the loud music of Fremont Street.

11. Four Queens (Downtown)

Four Queens Hotel
Source: Google My Business

Another budget holy grail: No resort fees. * The Vibe: No-frills, old-school gambling hall right in the middle of the Fremont Street Experience.

  • Pro Tip: Request a room in the North Tower; they were recently updated and feel much fresher than the South Tower.

12. The Plaza Hotel & Casino

The Plaza Hotel & Casino
Source: Google My Business

Sitting at the very end of Fremont Street, The Plaza offers a classic Vegas feel with a stunning rooftop pool.

  • The Vibe: Trendy vintage vibes that have been refreshed for a new generation.
  • Pro Tip: Check out Oscar’s Steakhouse for a drink; it was a filming location for the movie Casino.

13. El Cortez Hotel & Casino

El Cortez Hotel & Casino
Source: Google My Business

As the longest continuously running casino in Vegas, El Cortez is a piece of living history.

  • The Vibe: Authentic 1940s Vegas with great gambling odds.
  • Pro Tip: Stay in the “Cabana Suites” across the street; they are much more modern and quiet than the original vintage rooms.

14. Ellis Island Hotel

Ellis Island Hotel
Source: Google My Business

Located just one block off the Strip, this is the best-kept secret for travelers who want to be near the action without the price tag.

  • The Vibe: A cozy local spot known for its on-site brewery and $9.99 steak special (with a player’s card).
  • Pro Tip: It is the closest affordable hotel to The Sphere; you can walk there in under 15 minutes.

15. Horseshoe Las Vegas (formerly Bally’s)

Horseshoe Las Vegas
Source: Google My Business

Located at the “50-yard line” of the Strip, Horseshoe offers some of the largest standard rooms in the city.

  • The Vibe: Unpretentious, focused on gambling and classic Vegas energy.
  • Pro Tip: It is directly connected to Paris Las Vegas, so you can enjoy the high-end vibes of Paris while paying Horseshoe room rates.

A Helpful Final Tip:

The “secret” to these affordable hotels is the Sunday-to-Thursday stay. I have seen the exact same room at the Flamingo cost $35 on a Tuesday and $350 on a Saturday. If you can swing a midweek trip, you’ll save enough to pay for your entire food budget!


❓ FAQ: Affordable Hotels in Las Vegas

How can I avoid paying resort fees in Vegas?

Stay at “No Resort Fee” hotels like Four Queens, Casino Royale, or Jockey Club. Alternatively, if you have Diamond status with Caesars or Gold/Platinum with MGM, these fees are waived.

Is it better to stay on the Strip or Downtown for a budget?

Downtown (Fremont Street) offers significantly cheaper food and $5–$10 table games. However, you will spend more on Ubers if you want to see the main Strip landmarks. If it’s your first time, stay on the Strip to be near the icons.

Which month is the cheapest for these hotels?

January (after New Year’s) and August (due to the heat) are the cheapest months. Midweek stays (Tuesday–Wednesday) are typically 70% cheaper than weekends.

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