Fremont Hotel & Casino

A festive atmosphere prevails at the Fremont Hotel and Casino. This hotel likely had its heyday in the 60s, but it's still a hopping spot for old-school good times. The entrance lobby is light and bright, with a high dome ceiling. The Fremont Street Experience, a popular entertainment center, is a big draw. There is a massive zipline called Slotszilla over the entire area for those who are gutsy enough to give it a try. This part of town is often compared to Reno rather than the Las Vegas Strip. Unlike the Strip, there are no fancy spas or celebrity chefs. An outpost of Tony Roma's, the only one in Nevada, is considered the upscale dining option here.

The hotel is located right in the middle of the downtown Fremont party area, along with the California and Main Street hotels. There is plenty of entertainment, shows, live music, light shows, dining, and bars in close proximity. Guests who are content to stay in a single area for most of their trip will like the location. Travelers who plan to be on the Strip most of the time and don't have a car or don't want to drive and pay for parking should consider staying in a different area. The monorail does not extend to this area, and buses are a cumbersome option. A shuttle is available to the nearby Sam's Town Boulder Strip casino area. It's about a mile to the Las Vegas Premium Outlets. The airport is less than 15 minutes away.

The 447 rooms here are clean, and, for the most part, quiet. But they are on the small side, and bathrooms are tiny. Amenities are basic: an iron/ironing board, phone, large flat-screen TV, small table, and not much else. But for those just wanting a clean place to sleep in between rounds of hitting the town, these rooms will be fine, especially for the price. Guests who need complete quiet to sleep well would do best by requesting a room at the rear of the hotel on the higher floors. Mini-fridges are available only upon request for medical purposes, and Wi-Fi requires an additional fee.

Proximity to the Fremont Experience, a huge street fair of sorts offering all kinds of entertainment -- from light shows to LED screens to ziplining to live bands -- is the biggest draw here. There is no fitness center, spa, business center, or even a pool (though guests are allowed to use the rooftop pool at the nearby California Hotel). Options for eating, drinking, and partying are everywhere in the area, including at the hotel. There are several restaurants on the premises, ranging from a Dunkin' Donuts to a few good buffets to a Tony Roma's. The latter is as close to upscale dining as you'll get here. There's also a Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory for late-night craving. Small-time gamblers will be happy to find a section devoted to penny slots in the casino, a rarity these days in Vegas.