August 12, 2023 14 min read

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15 Worst Hotels in Las Vegas

The first thing many people think of when they hear “Las Vegas” is casino gaming. The Nevada-based city is best known for its abundance of casinos and hotels and the thrilling gambling experiences they offer to visitors.

As a result, millions of people flood the Mecca of gambling each year. To keep up with the customers, Las Vegas has no shortage of hotels – some better, some worse. Certain venues are globally-famous casino hotels that attract thousands of visitors each week. Known for their lavish exterior, these properties can sometimes be true pieces of art and a triumph of contemporary architecture.

Unfortunately, looks can be deceiving as visitors may find that the hotel they are visiting is not as pleasant on the inside. While gaming in Vegas is something else, customers of certain venues might find that their accommodation is somewhat lacking. From bad service to poor insulation, there are many aspects that define the worst hotels in Las Vegas.

Without further ado, here is a list of places that you might want to avoid the next time you go to Nevada for a wager or two, ranked from the more passable to the worst.

The LINQ Hotel & Experience

Image Source: Shutterstock.com

If you, for whatever reason, absolutely have to pick one of the entries here, maybe go with this one. While hundreds of visitors have had complaints about their stay, at least the LINQ boasts agreeable ratings and has a fairly modern interior, unlike many of its competitors.

However, if you decide to risk your Vegas experience, be prepared to wait for a long time at check-in. Many customers say that the process tends to be slow and unnerving. To rub salt in the wound, the hotel does not have a coffee machine in the reception so forget about refreshing yourself, no matter how tired you might be after the journey to Vegas.

In addition, keep in mind that the local policies might not always be adequate. One extremely tired customer had the misfortune to doze off while leaning against the door of his room while returning from a party. Instead of waking him calmly and helping him to his room, the staff surrounded him with security guards who asked him to visit the hospital.

Another unhappy customer complained about the poor conditions of his room, the terrible WiFi connection, and the dark hairs in his sink.

Westgate Resort & Casino

The Wsrtgate Hotel and Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Image Source: Shutterstock.com

Let’s be fair Westgate Resort & Casino is one of the better picks on this list.  While we are yet to get to the most shocking entries, let’s see why some people have been avoiding Westgate.

For starters, the casino resort is quite old, which, as you will soon see, is a recurring problem shared by many of the names on this list. While its ratings aren’t terrible, Westgate Resort & Casino sports deteriorating furniture that might be a turn-off for those coming to Vegas for the luxurious experiences the city can offer.

In addition, customers have complained about the poor insulation, saying that their privacy has been indirectly infringed by noise from other rooms. Furthermore, the high resort feels might come as a nasty surprise for people picking Westgate for its fair prices.

Is Westgate the worst hotel in Vegas? Surely not. However, you might not want it to be your first choice either.

Excalibur Hotel & Casino

The Excalibur hotel towers and casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Image Source: Shutterstock.com

Who hasn’t dreamed of staying in a castle as a kid? Well, Excalibur Hotel & Casino is a property that will turn people’s childhood dreams upside down. Perhaps not the worst hotel in Vegas but definitely one of the worse ones, Excalibur is a venue that might seem attractive on the outside but is fairly mediocre once you get to experience it.

Luckily, complaints are fairly restrained and mostly concern the prices and the conditions. True, the venue is quite aged at this point and far past its prime. In addition, the quality of service seems to be rather inconsistent with some customers praising what they got and some scrutinizing it.

At least almost everyone seems to agree that the staff is one of the friendlier in Vegas. Which is more than many other entries on this list can say.

Las Vegas Hilton at Resorts World

The Hilton hotel at Resorts World in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Image Source: Shutterstock.com

The general consensus is that this is not the worst hotel in Las Vegas. However, it is also not the best. Far from it, to be precise, as there are far too many things to be desired.

Despite being a new hotel with a luxurious exterior and interior, this Hilton property offers one of the most disappointing services in Vegas, customers say. Some guests complain about dirty bedding, others say that the staff is uncaring and many say that their overall stay was not what they expected.

In a concerning case, a customer reported that the hotel and the ATM company it is working with scammed them by debiting a withdrawal they declined. Even if you do decide to give this hotel a chance, remain vigilant and avoid withdrawing cash just to be on the safe side.

Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel & Casino

The Flamingo hotel and casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, lit up during the night.
Image Source: Shutterstock.com

Slow check-ins and dirty rooms seem to be the major issues with this hotel. True to the atmosphere of Vegas, getting a room in this hotel is a gamble of its own. While some have enjoyed a satisfactory experience, many others complain about stains in their rooms, on their bedding, etc. Some rooms seem to have the usual amenities, while others lack some or many of them.

Is Flamingo a wager worth making? You decide that. However, no matter what room you get, you should arm yourself with patience and be prepared to wait at the reception for a bit, an hour, or three. The staff might be reluctant to help you as they are quite unprofessional, customers say.

Flamingo is may not slap you with the worst experience of your life but if you are a person who dislikes waiting and wants a stress-free vacation, maybe skip this one.

Palms Casino Resort

The Palms Casino resort in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Image Source: Shutterstock.com

Palms Casino Resort has some upsides but seems to provide customers with what many have called a “mediocre experience.” While complaints about Palms are here and between, this doesn’t mean that certain traits don’t help it qualify for our list of the worst hotels in Vegas. 

While the façade of the hotel is well maintained, many agree that the hotel itself isn’t that amazing. A stain here and a weathered piece of furniture there result in a general consensus that Palms is not terrible but not too great either.

One of the worst things that happened to a customer, however, was when they returned to find a stranger sleeping in their room. As it turned out, the uninvited guest was a drunken guest who had entered the reviewer’s room by accident. The room’s locks, it was found, were defective, allowing the other person to enter unobstructed.

Finding an unknown person lying in your room is certainly a scary situation, which is a huge reason why this hotel appears on our list and perhaps a good reason why many gamblers carrying lots of money in cash might want to blacklist this one.

Tropicana Las Vegas

The Tropicana Las Vegas entrance in Nevada.
Image Source: Shutterstock.com

You’d better like the smell of cigarette smoke because you will be getting a lot of it in this hotel. If visitor experience is any indication, the smoke will be your constant companion. And, if you happen to be one of the people wishing for smoke-free casino experiences, this might be a miserable experience.

Like a few other entries on this list, Tropicana is very outdated and in need of renovation. Many of the rooms are dirty and in poor condition. Much of the furniture has been damaged with time and is just crying to be replaced.

If you want to take a morning dip before a day of wagering, you should keep in mind that you will not be alone – a part of the pool is now dedicated to the local ducks. While these little critters can be quite cute, swimming in a pool full of excrement and feathers is not a perfect experience.

Tropicana’s lack of cleanliness seems to be the major reason why many rank it as one of the worst casino hotels in Vegas.

Harrah’s Hotel and Casino

The Harrah's Las Vegas logo and ball on top of the hotel and casino in Las Vegas, Nevada
Image Source: Shutterstock.com

If you are thinking of booking a stay at Harrah’s because of the casino, you’d better be spending most of your time gambling because you probably won’t be impressed by your stay.

The cleanliness of the hotel, or lack thereof, has been a major issue for many visitors. After all, nobody wants to spectate Las Vegas’ sparkle through the dirty window of an unkept room. And the cleaning staff doesn’t seem to be in a rush to do its job either as it never showed up for some of the angry visitors.

The hotel itself is one of the cheapest alternatives around. However, you might be better off paying more for a stay in a hotel where the service is up to standard and actually grants its guests’ requests.

Circus Circus Hotel & Casino Las Vegas

The entrance of the Circus Circus Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.
Image Source: Shutterstock.com

Everyone seems to agree on one thing: Circus Circus Hotel & Casino Las Vegas is old and in dire need of renovation.

Many of the complaints refer to the hotel’s conditions, which have been described as dirty, smelly, and dark. In addition, quite a few customers complained that they have encountered swarms of insects. The surroundings aren’t the cleanest either, which is quite bad unless litter and dirt stains are your thing.

If visitors are to be trusted, the management also isn’t exactly great. Many people say that the service they received was unprofessional and that some of the staff tended to be rude.

While the prices are proportionally low, you should beware that the stay Circus Circus will offer you might not be the best in your life.

Luxor Hotel & Casino

The Luxor Excalibur hotel and casino, including the iconic Sphix and pyramide-like building.
Image Source: Shutterstock.com

Yet another hotel time has been unkind to, which is a shame considering how visually striking the property is. While this Egyptian-themed casino hotel might look quite nice on the outside, especially considering its pyramid shape, the truth is that actually staying in the hotel might not be as thrilling.

Customers say that the conditions are not as sanitary as they ought to be. In addition, a common complaint is that the elevators are slow, if in order at all. Customers agree that the stay was not worth the price.

While the signature pyramid is truly a marvel of modern architecture, we are sad to say that the Luxor Hotel may not be the most brilliant place for you to stay. Maybe you’d do best to only visit Luxor for the casino or marvel at the pyramid from afar.

The STRAT Hotel, Casino & SkyPod

The Strat Pod Skytower casino expeirence.
Image Source: Shutterstock.com

Alas, same old story – rude personnel, dirty rooms, bad conditions. The smell of drugs and urine some people reported is just the cherry on top. However, unlike some of the other names on this list, the STRAT is not the cheapest hotel.

While not a luxurious hospitality option by a far shot, the STRAT’s prices, many argue, do not correspond to the quality of the service customers receive.

True, the venue has its own casino and attractions. However, don’t expect the stay to be one of the highlights. The subpar conditions are further attested by the impressive amount of customers saying that the STRAT was responsible for “the worst hotel experience” they have had in their lives.

Luckily, some were spared the experience as the rooms they booked were unavailable. On the other hand, arriving in Vegas only to learn that the room you booked isn’t free because of bad management is a fairly miserable experience of its own.

If you are visiting Vegas during a busy season, be careful when booking rooms in the STRAT as you may find yourself desperately looking for another accommodation at the last possible minute.

Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino

The Rio ALl Suite Hotel and Casino shot from far.
Image Source: Shutterstock.com

This hotel is not what it used to be, one customer laments. And indeed, many guests say that the conditions are nothing short of horrendous. Old furniture, damaged mattresses, and an unpopulated casino that one visitor compares to a morgue are just some of the issues with Rio.

And if the conditions of the hotel weren’t bad enough one customer said that there are some serious security issues that led to the catalytic converter of their car getting stolen.

Customers agree that it is better to pay more money for a hotel where you will at least get a clean room and will not have to worry about your possessions.

Travelodge by Wyndham

The Travelodge in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Image Source: Booking.com

Travelodge by Wyndham is more of an honorary mention considering that it is now closed. However, the customer opinions are definitely worth exploring as they pretty much highlight what to avoid in Vegas.

Unsatisfied customers would have advised you to not get fooled by the pictures which are nothing like the actuality they experienced. Many complained about the dirty rooms, subpar conditions, rude staff, and overall miserable experience.

While you can no longer check for yourself if these reviews are true, it is perhaps for the better.

Siegel Suites – Tropicana

The Siegel Suites hotel experience.
Image Source: Siegel Suites

Many people were not exactly thrilled by what this hotel had to offer, so to say. The prices are rather fair but proportional to the experience people claim to have received.

According to reviewers, the security is suboptimal and the service is dismal. If that didn’t sound scary enough, many say that some shady characters have established a permanent foothold in Siegel Suites – Tropicana, with some claiming that the hotel and its locale is a den of crime.

Even if it weren’t for crime-related concerns, many people report that the conditions are very unsatisfying. In addition, many say that the management is terrible, with complaints ranging from bad service to cockroaches roaming visitors’ rooms.

Ellis Island Hotel Super 8 Las Vegas

The Elis Island Super 8 hotel.
Image Source: TripAdvisor

This is not one of the most popular hotels in Vegas and for a good reason. The stained sheets many people complained about, for one, are a huge bummer.

In addition, while Vegas is not known for its extremely cold temperatures, one customer found themselves freezing while waiting in an Ellis Island Hotel room after a canceled flight.

You might think you can handle some cold but you’d better be prepared for losing some of your possessions as well, as that’s exactly what happened to two recent customers who both reported that their laptops have been stolen.

The bad conditions and the lack of security definitely earn Ellis Island Hotel a place in our ranking of the worst hotels in Las Vegas.

In Conclusion

There are many hotels to pick from when booking a stay in Nevada’s gambling hub. However, if you want your gambling journey to be truly unforgettable, you might want to avoid the worst hotels in Vegas.

Of course, experiences might vary from person to person, so there is a chance might find yourself enjoying one of the properties on this list. However, this is a gamble in itself and maybe not one you want to make. Or maybe you do but in that case, don’t say we didn’t warn you!

Luke is a media graduate who is looking to build upon his experiences from his strong love of sports betting and casino games which started during his first year of college. His fresh mindset always brings new content ideas to the team and his editorial skills will continue to grow with the help of the upper management team at Gambling News.

7 Comments

  • Lynn
    August 12, 2023 at 9:04 pm

    Don’t know when you got visitors views on the strat but they just redid the rooms there and I didn’t have any problems with staff there. I was there in beginning of June and will be staying there the end of August

    • Barbie
      August 26, 2023 at 12:32 pm

      Carson City is the capital of Nevada not Las Vegas. Please …

  • Steven Kaskus
    August 13, 2023 at 12:57 am

    I stayed in a tried and true motel that delivered everything I expected and almost can be exactly that way no matter where one is. Motel 6. No complaints, just like I expected.

  • CJ
    August 13, 2023 at 10:22 pm

    I have stayed at the Flamingo and Harrah’s. I have had good experiences there. I stay there because my mom walks with a walker, and it is easier for her to get around from one place to another. They are fine for an average hotel. They are by no means a Caesars Palace. The rooms are beautiful, but you better be ready to walk.

  • Harriett Nelson
    August 14, 2023 at 5:25 pm

    I was so glad to not see Bellagio, Monte Carlo, and Treasure Island on this list!! They were all wonderful!!

  • John Ellsworth
    August 25, 2023 at 10:58 pm

    Sam’s Town is the best deal cleans rooms loose slots good food best price

  • Tiffany Burks McCarty
    January 12, 2024 at 3:03 am

    Best place to stay for $50 a night? The Thunderbird right on the strip. Huge, clean room with furniture made from reclaimed pallet wood. Comfy bed.

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