Top of the Tower (Stratosphere Tower)

Member Name: fionamcg

Product:	Stratosphere Tower
Date:	19/05/09 (21 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Spectacular views, bargain price

Disadvantages: Far from the deluxe hotels

The Stratosphere Hotel is located at the top end of the strip where downtown Las Vegas and the Fremont Street Experience meets the newer flashier side of the Strip. The Stratosphere is an astonishing building which towers above everything at 1,149 ft high and is the second tallest building in the Western Hemisphere. The obvious attraction of this hotel is the view at the top and tourists from all hotels flock to see the spectacle from the observation deck particularly at night where the lights of Vegas spread out beneath you, guests also get a discounted rate. The view is spectacular, and although I did not eat there, the Top of the World restaurant is hugely popular partly because the cuisine receives fantastic reviews but also because it rotates 360 degrees over the Strip to make the most of the breathtaking scene. The other attractions at the Stratosphere are the exhilarating rides which throw you about and over the edge of the building, one ride in particular which my friend was brave enough to try dangled her over the edge whilst spinning around at a terrifying speed!

When compared to the more luxurious hotels like the Wynn, Mandalay Bay or the Bellagio, the Stratosphere is quite dated. The rooms are spacious and comfortable - we had a twin room with Queen sized beds. It was very clean and had a bulky tv, a wardrobe, ironing board and iron and the bathroom came with the basic supplies. We didn't get a view over the Strip and instead it looked out onto the car park, but since we got the hotel at a bargain rate of just £22 a night per room from a late booking on Expedia, we didn't mind at all!

Part way up the Tower - which is still a great height, there is a large outdoor swimming pool, a gym which has part outside under a veranda and part inside an air-conditioned room. There are also plenty of loungers around the pool, some in the sunshine and some under cover. You can hire a towel or take your own with you, and of course there is a bar.

The Strip was much longer than I was expecting, it took us an hour to walk under half of it and in the dry heat it seems even longer! Although the Stratosphere is on one end of the Strip there is a bus service which travels up and down 24 hours a day, and at only $2 one way or $5 all day it is worth getting the day pass and getting on and off at whichever hotel you fancy.

The Stratosphere is a great hotel as a base, it is extremely functional and has all the necessary facilities, it may not be the swankiest of hotels, but it is no where near the most expensive either. In Vegas you need to see the other hotels too, and I doubt you will be spending much time in your room, when at the Stratosphere you could be enjoying the view!

Summary: A great base to explore Vegas - a wonderful view that will take you breath away