I stayed at the Stratosphere Hotel & Casino in August of 2004 for two weeks. It was a business trip and I didn't have a choice of where I would be staying, so I was a disappointed when I saw the reviews here talking about the Stratosphere negatively. Perhaps things have changed since previous reviews, because it was a generally good experience.


I flew into McCarran airport not really knowing what to expect, since this was my first time in Las Vegas. For those of you who will be going for the first time, there are slot machines and plenty of smoking areas inside the terminals. After you get your package, there is a taxi area that has to be the most efficient one I've ever seen. Typically you'll have a cab within five to ten minutes and the fare to the Stratosphere is about $15 USD. As a side note heed the following standard Las Vegas advice: Make sure your taxi driver doesn't convince you to take "the tunnel" and milk you for more cash.


Arriving at the Stratosphere by taxi can be a bit of a confusing process and there was no one in sight to take my baggage, which was considerable as you might imagine for a two week trip. Attempting to make my way to the hotel desk, luggage in tow, was a challenge. Once I made it there, the check-in process was smooth. Unfortunately when I got to the room, it had not been cleaned. In all fairness, I arrived a couple hours before check-in so I wasn't surprised when the room wasn't ready. I left my luggage and went down to the casino to get lunch, figuring when I came back at 3pm it would be ready. I was wrong. Probably the biggest problem you'll have at the Stratosphere is the maid service. Their constantly behind schedule, but I found I received better service with a $2 tip left on the pillow. For the most part that's where my negative comments will end.


The room itself was of average quality. Once the maid had cleaned up the room, it was a well kept standard double. There was a nice wooden closet which more than accommodated me for a two week stay. The bathroom's plumbing worked well, including the shower. Unlike a previous writer, I had no trouble with the A/C whatsoever. The only thing that was not well maintained in the room was the lamp above the phone. Reaching for the phone to answer a wakeup call, followed by this lamp swinging down on my head is not exactly my favorite morning pick-me-up. I called maintenance and asked them to come fix it. They paid me lip service and never showed up, but it wasn't a particularly pressing issue for me so I let it go.


Dining at the Stratosphere offers plenty of choices. For lunch I hit up Roxy's Diner which is done up in a 1950's motif. The service there is quick, the food well done, and the prices reasonable. The waiters and waitresses will occasionally sing and dance which is pretty entertaining. Only drawback is that Roxy's is smoke-free. For you non-smokers out there, it's the only refuge you'll have from cigarette smoke. For dinner that first night I had a business meeting at Armadillo's Bar/Grill. Great place for partying, not the best place to have a meeting. If your looking to pickup a fine looking 21 year old, definitely check out the bar there. For a late night meal, and by far my favorite place at the hotel, go to Lucky's Cafe. I'm a big Rat Pack fan, so the suave hipster atmosphere really appeals to me. Try the open face roast beef or turkey sandwich there; it's out of this world. If you're tired of gambling at 4am or so, watching drunks stumble in provides some serious entertainment.


Speaking of gaming, Stratosphere wins big points for having more $5 and $10 tables then the other casinos in town. Definitely get yourself an Ultimate Rewards card, because you earn comps pretty quickly. If you go to the website (http://www.stratospherehotel.com), you can even check your comp balance online. While you get credit at the tables by giving the dealer your Rewards card at the end of the session, I found that the slots seemed to earn me more points.


Now, probably the greatest feature at the hotel is the tower. No matter how long the line is, go to the top and ride the rides. I'm not a fan of rides usually, but I purchased the pass to ride them all. The ride that goes off the side of the building that the last reviewer spoke of in 2003 is now open and there are plans for 4th ride to be built. If you only ride one, ride the Big Shot. Pulling 4 negative and positive G's has to be one of the most exhilarating things you will ever experience. If you're not typically one to swear, you will be very surprised by the profanity and volume at which it will come out of your mouth on this ride. The Stratosphere has a video of that and all their other rides on the website.


I have to say I enjoyed my stay at the Stratosphere very much. Besides for maid service and the lack of a bellhop at check-in, I have no complaints. The thing to keep in mind is that the Stratosphere is the Vegas experience on a budget. I went down the Strip to the larger and more popular casinos to witness what the extra money gets you. Better looking cocktail waitresses is one thing for sure. There is more variety of things to do when you're in the middle of all the casinos. If you can afford to stay at the Bellagio, Paris, or Venetian, by all means stay there. If you want to go to Vegas and save the bulk of your cash for gaming, then the Stratosphere is a good bet.



Recommended: Yes