Cheap Hotels in Las Vegas

Entering Las Vegas means entering a whirlwind of lights, music, and unrivalled hedonism. The casino-hotels are cathedrals of excess, from the battalions of bleeping slot machines to the blackjack tables to the performances by the most celebrated names in showbiz. From living legends to rising stars, you'll find them all performing in Vegas. The Strip may get the media attention, but you'll also find plenty of razzle-dazzle in the Downtown area and Fremont – after all, this is where Vegas went from a sleepy town to Sin City, and some of the classic casino-hotels from the Rat Pack days can still be found here.

Things to see

Even by the standards of Las Vegas, the Fremont Street Experience is a flamboyant attraction. A gaudy warren of shops, restaurants, bars, and casinos, the pedestrianized thoroughfare is topped with a giant canopy where animated sequences and synchronized music videos are shown nightly on LED screens. It's an exhilarating spot to immerse yourself in at night. Of course, no visit to Sin City would be complete without exploring the Strip, that legendary stretch of super-sized casino-hotels where you can dabble in blackjack, craps, and roulette, have a go on the slots, or simply bask in the energy of the bars and clubs. You won't be able to miss the iconic dancing fountains of the Bellagio, featured in films and TV shows, and the Bellagio itself is a palace of pleasures, from its European-style pool area to the restaurants and gaming areas within. Even shopping in Vegas is a glamorous affair, with the Fashion Show Mall putting on regular catwalk demonstrations. As it's essentially the world's most lavish desert oasis, staying in Las Vegas means you can also explore Red Rock Canyon, a magnificently rugged landscape that lives up to its name.

Cheap Hotels in Las Vegas

The city is celebrated for the sheer opulence of its casino-hotels, but that's not to say you can't find good cheap hotels in Las Vegas as well. In fact, there's no end of options for those visiting on a budget. The city has an array of chain hotels offering comfortable guestrooms and mod-cons like free WiFi, tea and coffee making facilities, and satellite television. Even cheap hotels in Las Vegas often have extras like swimming pools, and you can also cut costs by staying in one of many budget motels.

Where to stay

The Downtown and Fremont Street districts are among the "historical" parts of Las Vegas – staying here will mean you'll have the Rat Pack's old stomping grounds on your doorstep, and some of the great old landmarks of Sin City. Staying on the Strip, on the other hand, means a non-stop party – ideal if you're here as a couple or with friends, while families may prefer the slightly less exuberant areas south of the strip.

How to get to

McCarran International Airport is where you'll probably be landing if you're catching a plane to Las Vegas. Located conveniently close to Downtown Vegas, it has connections with the rest of the United States as well as cities including London, Paris, and Mexico City. The two other main gateways if you're flying in are North Las Vegas Airport and Henderson Executive Airport, although these cater to general aviation rather than commercial flights.