Las Vegas Great Values

The MGM Grand's baby sister, and the first non-gaming condo-hotel on the Strip (technically, it's tucked away a block off Las Vegas Boulevard and is accessed by a long driveway), is a trio of high-rises positioned between the MGM and Paris Las Vegas. The vibe is relaxed and the rooms are refined, with dark-wood furnishings, carpets and couches in milk-chocolaty hues, kitchens or kitchenettes, marble-and-granite bathrooms, and balconies with killer Strip views. There's a private pool with cabanas and poolside cocktail service, a fitness center, business center, and gourmet in-room dining. For everything else, hop on the moving walkway to the MGM Grand.

There are no longer just two Vegases from which to choose: the Strip or Downtown. Located eight miles from the Strip in Henderson, Green Valley Ranch combines Tuscan charm, high-thread-count sheets, a pool scene that moves day and night, and a gambler-friendly casino into one gotta-try package. Food runs the spectrum from a commendable buffet to the martini-and-rib-steak savvy of Hank’s, with stops along the way in Italy, China, and at the fresh raw fish counter.

Yes, it's downtown on Fremont Street but the Golden Nugget has all the fancy trimmings - its own casino, health club, spa, a dozen restaurants and bars, a new $30-million-dollar pool complex surrounding a shark-infested tank and 3-story waterslide, oh, and the world's largest gold nugget (61 pounds and change) - of its flashy Strip contenders. In fact, prior owner Steve Wynn (mastermind behind Sin City hotels like the Bellagio, Wynn, and The Mirage, to name a few) was responsible for jazzing up the property and elevating it to its current four-star status. And as of November 2009, guests can check into the all new Rush Tower, boasting bigger and better rooms, the new Chart House restaurant with a 75,000-gallon aquarium, and another smaller pool with six cabanas and lounge areas.

This medieval-themed, 3,980-room hotel offers campy Middle Ages fun – jousting performances, dancing maidens, eating with your fingers – for kids of all ages. Warm-toned rooms have hardwood furnishings, high-speed internet and cable TV.

The best value/quality offer on the Strip can be found at the buffet in Planet Hollywood’s...more

Imagine a 10-ounce sirloin with two eggs, potatoes, and toast for $8.99; pick up a free $5...more

Don’t be confused by all the namesake big city delis in town. Just head straight to Stage...more

Vegas is the most expensive golf market in the country. But four hours on the course can be a bargain compared to even 30 minutes of contrary dice. For all the outlay demanded, Vegas often gets golf right, and no place is that more obvious than at the 54-hole Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort.