The STRAT is worth booking when its complete price is clearly below better-located alternatives and you specifically value the observation tower, skyline views, SkyJump, or a low-cost Las Vegas Boulevard address. It is more substantial than a basic budget hotel, with multiple room categories, two seasonal pool environments, an 80,000-square-foot casino, varied dining, and resident entertainment.
The main trade-offs are the far north-Strip location, uneven room categories, paid parking for nonlocal vehicles, and a mandatory resort fee that can materially change an inexpensive advertised rate. Tower admission is discounted for hotel guests rather than automatically included, and ride availability can change. Book The STRAT for a deliberate value-and-landmark trip—not as a cheap substitute for a walkable center-Strip resort.
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What The STRAT Is Like
The STRAT is a large, value-oriented casino hotel whose 1,149-foot observation tower is the defining reason to visit. The resort experience combines a traditional casino, broad but uneven room inventory, pools, restaurants, shows, bars, and tower attractions. Its identity is landmark-first and thrill-focused rather than luxurious or location-driven.
The property has received meaningful room, restaurant, pool, casino, and public-area investment, so describing the entire hotel as simply dated is no longer accurate. The more useful distinction is between renovated Elevate and Elite rooms, simpler Select rooms, and several suites with very different space and features. Expectations should be tied to the exact category booked.
The STRAT works best as a self-contained short stay or a transportation-based base. The casino and tower create real Vegas character, but the immediate surroundings and long distance from the center Strip make spontaneous resort-hopping less convenient than it is from Treasure Island, Flamingo, Paris, or Planet Hollywood.
Rooms & Suites
Select rooms are the smaller standard category at approximately 320 square feet, with either one king or two queen beds. They provide the essentials but use a simpler specification than the renovated categories. A low Select rate can make sense for a short stay, but travelers who care about finish quality, a refrigerator, coffee maker, or a more current room should compare the listed amenities closely.
Elevate and Elite rooms are approximately 340 square feet and offer one king or two queen beds. Current official descriptions list features such as a mini refrigerator, in-room safe, large television, and work area; Elevate rooms also list USB charging and updated styling. These categories are usually the safer choice when the price difference from Select is modest.
Suites add meaningful space rather than only a view premium. Tower Suites are approximately 574 square feet with a king bed, sofa, separate sitting area, Roman tub, and refrigerator. Family Suites are approximately 610 square feet with two queen beds, Boulevard Suites reach 750 square feet, and the Classic Grand Suite is approximately 1,097 square feet with separate bedroom, living and dining areas, refrigerator, and wet bar.
Room category, bedding, view, and renovation level matter more here than at a hotel with a uniform inventory. Do not assume every room has the same refrigerator or coffee setup, and do not book a tower-view label without checking what it actually faces. If a renovated room costs only slightly more, it is usually the more predictable purchase.
Tower, Thrill Rides & Resort Amenities
The observation tower is The STRAT’s irreplaceable advantage. The indoor and outdoor observation levels provide expansive views over the Strip, downtown, mountains, and surrounding valley. Top of the World, 108 Drinks, 108 Eats, SkyJump, and the thrill-ride area turn the tower into a multi-part attraction rather than a simple viewing deck.
Hotel guests should not assume unrestricted tower or ride access is included. The standard resort fee currently provides discounted tower entry, 20% off SkyJump, and selected attraction and entertainment discounts for up to four registered guests. Tickets, operating schedules, weather restrictions, maintenance, age, height, and health rules still apply.
A current limitation is important for thrill-focused stays: The STRAT’s official attractions page presently lists both Big Shot and X-Scream as closed. SkyJump and the observation experience are separately scheduled, but operations can change quickly. Verify the live attraction calendar before committing to the hotel primarily for a specific ride.
The fitness center is open 24 hours for registered guests aged 16 or older and has modern Technogym cardio, strength, free-weight, and functional-training equipment. This is a useful supporting amenity, although The STRAT is not a spa-centered resort.
Pools
The pool offering is stronger than a basic value-hotel pool. Swim & Social is a renovated eighth-floor deck with a spacious pool, cabanas, daybeds, chaise lounges, bar and café, weekend DJs, pool games, and skyline views. General admission is complimentary for registered hotel guests, while premium seating costs extra and minors must be accompanied by an adult.
WET24 provides a separate 21+ pool and bar 25 stories above Las Vegas Boulevard, with panoramic views, DJs on selected dates, and reservable daybeds. The two decks may operate on different days, and pool hours are seasonal and event-sensitive. Guests booking for pool time should check which deck will be open rather than treating both as continuously available.
Location & Getting Around
The STRAT is at 2000 South Las Vegas Boulevard, between the core Strip and downtown. SAHARA, the Las Vegas Festival Grounds, and the north end of Las Vegas Boulevard are nearby, but Bellagio, Caesars Palace, The LINQ, Paris, and ARIA are not practical casual walks for most visitors.
Rideshare, taxi, bus, or a rental car should be built into a Strip-focused itinerary. The SAHARA Monorail station is reachable to the north, but The STRAT does not have a direct station and the walk may be uncomfortable in extreme heat or late at night. Travelers who want to leave the hotel repeatedly each day should count both transportation cost and lost time.
Current official parking guidance lists self-parking at $22, weekday valet at $25, weekend valet at $30, and oversized parking at $40 for hotel guests and nonlocal vehicles. Registered guests receive in-and-out privileges. Nevada locals and qualifying True Rewards members can receive complimentary parking under stated conditions.
Casino, Dining & Entertainment
The 80,000-square-foot casino is a legitimate full casino rather than an attraction lobby. It includes slots, table games, a William Hill sportsbook, bars, and True Rewards benefits. The floor is generally straightforward to navigate and supports a complete gaming stay, though it does not deliver the luxury finish or nightlife intensity of the leading center-Strip resorts.
Dining has more depth than the old review suggested. Top of the World is the signature experience, revolving 360 degrees approximately every 80 minutes more than 800 feet above Las Vegas. CHĪ Asian Kitchen, McCall’s, PT’s Wings & Sports, STRAT Café, 108 Eats, Nunzio’s, Starbucks, and poolside food cover special-occasion, casual, and quick-service needs.
Resident entertainment currently includes L.A. Comedy Club, ROUGE, Ikons of Rock, and live music at REMIX Lounge, with special events added on selected dates. The lineup gives guests useful on-site evening options, but show schedules change and should be checked for the actual stay.
Who The STRAT Is Best For
- Budget travelers who find a genuinely low complete price
- Visitors who specifically value the tower, views, SkyJump, or thrill rides
- Short stays with planned transportation
- Guests who will use the casino, pools, dining, and resident shows on site
- Travelers willing to choose a renovated room category deliberately
Who Should Stay Elsewhere
- First-time visitors wanting continuous center-Strip walkability
- Luxury travelers prioritizing refined rooms, service, and resort polish
- Guests who do not want to budget for transportation and parking
- Travelers who would be disappointed by a simpler Select room
- Thrill seekers whose trip depends on a ride that is closed or unavailable
How The STRAT Compares
The STRAT vs SAHARA: SAHARA is usually the stronger all-around hotel for updated-room consistency, direct Monorail access, dining, free parking, and a more polished footprint. The STRAT can cost less and offers the observation tower, SkyJump, and a more distinctive landmark experience. Choose SAHARA for hotel quality; choose The STRAT for price and tower appeal.
The STRAT vs Circus Circus: Circus Circus is more family-focused, with Adventuredome, midway games, and a southward location closer to the main resort corridor. The STRAT is better for skyline views, adult thrill experiences, a more conventional casino stay, and renovated room options. Both require careful room selection and all-in price comparison.
The STRAT vs Treasure Island: Treasure Island normally wins for central-Strip walkability and access to Venetian, Fashion Show, Wynn, and The Mirage redevelopment area. The STRAT wins when it is substantially cheaper or the tower experience is central to the trip. If the complete prices are close, Treasure Island is usually the more practical base.
Pricing, Fees & Booking Tips
The STRAT often advertises some of the lowest room rates attached to a recognizable Las Vegas Boulevard resort. Its best value usually appears midweek and outside major events. Weekends, holidays, conventions, Festival Grounds events, and high-demand dates can narrow the gap with hotels that offer better location or more consistent rooms.
The current resort fee is $49.95 per room per night plus tax. It includes discounted tower entry, 20% off SkyJump, seasonal Swim & Social admission, selected attraction and entertainment discounts, 24-hour fitness-center access, and local or toll-free calls for up to four registered guests. The fee does not make every tower attraction or ride complimentary.
Check-in begins at 3:00 p.m. and checkout is 11:00 a.m. The primary guest must be at least 21 and present physical government-issued identification and a physical major credit card. The hotel currently places a $75-per-day incidental hold, capped at $300 per stay, and charges $25 per night plus tax for the third and fourth guests aged 12 or older.
Compare the complete total—including resort fee, parking, transportation, room category, tower tickets, and cancellation terms—with SAHARA, Circus Circus, and Treasure Island. Our Las Vegas Hotel Deals guide explains why a low headline rate is only useful when the final price and trip logistics still make sense.
Final Take
The STRAT is a better and more complete resort than its old budget-only reputation suggests. Renovated room categories, two seasonal pool environments, an 80,000-square-foot casino, Top of the World, diverse casual dining, resident shows, modern fitness facilities, and the observation tower give it real substance and a unique identity.
Book it when the total price is meaningfully lower than better-located alternatives and the tower experience adds genuine value to the trip. Choose SAHARA for the stronger all-around north-Strip hotel, Circus Circus for family attractions, or Treasure Island for central walkability. The STRAT remains a compromised base for broad Strip exploration, but as a value-focused landmark stay with realistic expectations, it can be a worthwhile choice.
