Top Las Vegas Hotels on the Strip: Luxury, Mid-Range & Budget Hotels

Finding a budget hotel in a city like Las Vegas is challenging, but not impossible! We have been to Las Vegas more times than we can count, not because we have a gambling problem 😂, but because the flights are cheap, and it’s close to many breathtaking national parks in the Southwest USA.

As budget travelers, we don’t like to spend a fortune on accommodations, but we’ve managed to find great deals on Booking.com, including a suite at The Venetian for under $200 a night during peak season, and other cool deals on hotels along the Strip.

In this article, I will share my reviews of three hotels on the Strip that we’ve stayed at: a 5-star, a 4-star, and a 3-star hotel. I’ll discuss how different or similar they were and compare them based on amenities, comfort, quality, and overall experience to help you pick the right hotel for your trip. You can also check out my 2-Day Las Vegas Budget Guide and Day Trips and Getaway Ideas from Las Vegas to help you make the most of your Vegas trip. If this is your first visit to the Sin City, check out these Top 10 Things to Do in Las Vegas.

 

The Venetian, Las Vegas

The Venetian is a luxurious, all-suite, 5-star resort that brings the charm of Venice to Las Vegas. The hotel’s architecture beautifully captures the essence of Venice, featuring elegant frescoes inspired by the Renaissance era and stunning replicas of iconic landmarks such as St. Mark’s Campanile Tower and the Venetian canals.

It offers an opulent escape for travelers seeking luxury and elegance. The resort consists of two hotel buildings: the Venetian and the Palazzo, both offering a variety of suite categories, from premium suites to king and queen suites. 

You can read about our stay in detail in my dedicated Venetian Hotel review blog post, but here’s a quick summary of the hotel. 

🇮🇹 Theme: Venice
🛏️ Room Type: All-Suite
💲 Cost: $200 – $1K+ per night during peak season

Facilities at The Venetian

• Only allows trained service animals at an additional cost. 
• Bathroom is fully equipped with complimentary soap, shower gels etc.  
• The mini fridge and bar are paid and equipped with motion sensors, so I’d recommend avoiding them. 
• There is no microwave oven available, and fridge usage incurs a fee. The policy isn’t very clear, but I’ve read stories of guests being charged for using the fridge. 

Amenities at The Venetian

• Both resort towers feature Pool decks equipped with private cabanas, luxurious daybeds, and relaxing lounge chairs, providing the perfect setting for relaxation. 
• Canyon Ranch Spa, one of the world’s largest day spas, offers a serene and rejuvenating experience, while Canyon Fitness features two expansive gyms, ensuring a complete and comprehensive workout experience. 
• The Prestige Club Lounge is a great perfect for a fun evening, offering sweeping views of the Las Vegas Strip along with complimentary food and drinks. (Can be reserved while booking) 

Dining and Entertainment at The Venetian

🍝 Dining: The resort boasts over 40 restaurants, offering a diverse and exceptional culinary experience. We dined at Grimaldi’s Pizzeria, known for their award-winning authentic Neapolitan-style pizza, and I was happy with the taste. 

🎷 Entertainment:  

• Shows: The hotel has several venues with live performances, such as Voltaire and The Palazzo Theatre. Check out the complete list of shows here. 
• Attractions: For family fun, I recommend taking a Gondola ride, checking out Madame Tussauds, and having a chill time (quite literally) at minus5º Ice Experience. 
• Casino: The casino is vast with a mix of table and slot games, but the minimum bid at the table games is quite expensive, so I’d recommend skipping it. Also, be mindful and practice responsible gambling. 

MGM Grand Hotel, Las Vegas

The MGM Grand is a 4-star hotel renowned for its thrilling entertainment, expansive pool complex, and diverse dining options. The hotel gained widespread attention after the infamous “Bite Fight” between Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield, which is still considered one of the most bizarre events of the ’90s.

MGM Grand strikes the perfect balance between excitement and relaxation, offering both a lively atmosphere and a comfortable stay. The architecture, heavily inspired by The Wizard of Oz, features the iconic gold statue of Leo the Lion, the hotel’s mascot, adding a unique charm to its overall design. 

🦁 Theme: Wizard of Oz
🛏️ Room Type: Basic King/ Queen Rooms & Suites
💲 Cost: $120 – $350 per night 

Facilities at the MGM Grand

• MGM Grand is a pet friendly property with good facilities available for our furry friends. 
• Bathroom comes fully equipped with complimentary soap, shower gels etc.  
• The mini fridge and bar are paid and equipped with motion sensors, so I’d recommend avoiding them. (I think this one is valid for most hotels in Las Vegas) 
• There is no microwave oven available, and fridge usage incurs a fee. The policy isn’t very clear, but I’ve read stories of guests being charged for using the fridge. (same for this) 

Amenities at the MGM Grand

• The resort features two pools, the Grand Pool and the Signature Pool, perfect for relaxing and sunbathing. 
• MGM Grand Spa & Salon, is a great spot to unwind and rejuvenate. The facility is huge and offers all kinds of services, from spa to fitness center to hair salon. 

Dining and Entertainment at the MGM Grand

🍝 Dining: The resort has 20+ restaurants, majorly serving American food and a few high-end French and Italian restaurants. The food court has all popular fast-food chains, great for budget travelers. 

🎷 Entertainment:  

• Shows: Some of the most popular live performances at MGM Grand are KÀ by Cirque du Soleil (we watched this and were impressed by the performance) and Jabbawockeez. Check out the complete list of shows here. 
• Attractions: Lion statue outside the hotel.  
• Casino: The casino is big with all kinds of games, but the minimum bid is quite expensive, so I’d recommend skipping this one too. Also, be mindful and practice responsible gambling. 
• Hakkasan is one of the top nightclubs in Las Vegas, which I recommend if you love clubbing.  

Excalibur Hotel, Las Vegas

Excalibur is one of our top choices for Las Vegas Strip hotels. This 3-star property offers comfort on a budget, transporting guests to a medieval fantasy with its fun castle theme. Ideal for budget travelers and families, Excalibur provides affordable accommodations, entertaining shows, and a prime location on the Strip, all without breaking the bank. You watch my Excalibur room tour on YouTube. 

It’s also very close to the airport, and the food court boasts a variety of popular restaurant chains. The Excalibur buffet is considered one of the best in all of Vegas. This hotel comes highly recommended, and if you sign up for their rewards program, you might even enjoy an amazing complimentary night stay every year. 

🏰 Theme: Medieval
🛏️ Room Type: Basic King/ Queen Rooms & Suites
💲 Cost: $30 – $250 per night 

Facilities at Excalibur Hotel

• MGM Grand is a pet friendly property with good facilities available for our furry friends. 
• Bathroom comes fully equipped with complimentary soap, shower gels etc.  
• The mini fridge and bar are paid and equipped with motion sensors, so I’d recommend avoiding them. (I think this one is valid for most hotels in Las Vegas) 
• There is no microwave oven available, and fridge usage incurs a fee. The policy isn’t very clear, but I’ve read stories of guests being charged for using the fridge. (same for this) 

Amenities at Excalibur Hotel

• Lush tropical themed pool deck featuring four luxurious pools, a water slide and 19 cabanas. 

Dining and Entertainment at Excalibur

🍝 Dining: The resort has 10+ restaurants, majorly serving American and Italian food with Bucca di Beppo being our top favorite. You can also check out the food court, offering a diverse menu. You can also try Dick’s Last Resort, a unique dining experience known for deliciously messy cuisine, odd décor, rowdy and unpredictable service. We’ve seen waiters insulting (in a fun way) and people loving that! 

🎷 Entertainment:  

• Shows: Tournament of Kings is one of the most popular live performances at Excalibur that you can watch. Check out the complete list of shows here. 
• Attractions: Lion statue outside the hotel.  
• Casino: The casino is big with all kinds of games, and offers the lowest minimum bid among the three. Also, be mindful and practice responsible gambling

My Honest Opinion on Las Vegas Hotels

Apart from the grandeur of the hotels, I honestly didn’t notice much of a difference in terms of comfort. There was only a minor difference in the fittings or curtains, but other than that, I didn’t find any major flaws in the 4 or 3-star hotels as compared to my the 5-star hotel stay. 

In fact, the best experience we had, and the reason we end up staying at Excalibur every time, is because their hospitality is outstanding. The check-in process is hassle-free, and the staff is always friendly. We did have a bitter experience at the Venetian when we had to engage in a heated argument with the staff due to a system error. However, our experiences at Excalibur and MGM Grand have always been pleasant. 

In my honest opinion, the real fun of being in Vegas is experiencing the city outside the hotel, rather than staying indoors. So, I recommend not splurging too much on the hotel. Instead, set aside a budget for a fun, entertaining show or concert, dine at a celebrity restaurant, or go on a tour to explore the cool spots around the city. 

Let me know your thoughts on Las Vegas Strip hotels in the comments, and don’t forget to follow my Instagram and YouTube channel for more travel inspiration!