by EJ Young

Created on: March 03, 2011   Last Updated: April 24, 2011

If a traveler could trust Vegas for just one thing, it should be to beware of scams. In the city of lights, deals do not always live up to their appearance.

Such is the case with a budget hotel. The equivalent of a budget hotel varies from person to person. It could be a dive with dirty linens on a lumpy bed. It could mean a cheap place with a no frills room. It could be an awesome room at a cut-rate price.

In Las Vegas hotels and casinos are hungry for business. Casino budget hotels offer much lower rates than budget chain hotels sprinkled around the city.

The best budget hotels in Las Vegas are not always the best hotels for your budget. In other words, if you play your cards right, you can stay at a highly rated hotel at a budget price.  Many quality hotels off the strip grant complimentary or low-rate rooms for every day gamblers.

The glitz of the Strip overshadows downtown but the Freemont experience can be exciting.

*Best top rate hotel at a budget price? The Golden Nugget

The only four star hotel located downtown, The Golden Nugget, offers A+ comfort and excellent service.  Plus, their pool with a see-through shark tank is fascinating.  This four-star hotel is far from a budget hotel but returning visitors often stay at the Golden Nugget for under $50. Fifty bucks is a budget price.

Simply join the players club and gamble or dine each day at the casino.  You do not have to spend a certain amount to qualify for lower rates.  Guests of the Golden Nugget receive e-mails and flyers with special offers for lower rates for Sunday-Thursday stays.

Most of the other hotels on Freemont Street downtown are considered budget hotels.  For a few properties, low cost equals low quality.  Two of the best budget hotels located at the west end of the canopy, Fitzgerald’s and The Four Queens, offer decent prices for decent rooms. Rates vary but usually hover around the $50 mark depending on the date.

*Best contemporary hotel at a budget price? East Cannery Hotel

Boulder Highway is home to a few true budget hotels like Arizona Charlie’s or Sam’s Town. By far the best property on Boulder Highway for the best deal is East Cannery Hotel and Casino. The newer property boasts large rooms and more comfort with Sealy pillow top mattresses, trendy décor and flat screen TVs. Throw in full-length windows with a view of the city and you can’t beat East Cannery for the advertised price of only $59.

Rates are often lower and vary depending on the day of the week and the season.  East Cannery provides amenities some of the big boys overlook and their prices are always reasonable. Management also entices visitors to return by offering two free nights for the next visit.  Free fits into anyone’s budget but East Cannery is a cut above budget ranked rooms at full price.

Budget hotels on the Strip offer the type of rooms many people expect for a budget price. Dated décor and furniture or thin sheets and towels can be part of the deal in exchange for a budget price.  Some once-glorious Strip hotel/ casinos offer budget rates. Circus, Circus and Excalibur are two good budget hotels on either end of the Strip.

Considering the huge number of hotels and hotel rooms in Las Vegas, visitors can find a host of good budget hotels. The winner of the best budget hotel title depends on the person doling out the award.

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