Convenient to the Las Vegas Convention Center, the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino is a quiet alternative to Strip hotels, particularly for business travelers and conventioneers. But with near-nightly entertainment, a sizable casino, and various dining options, the resort doesn't have to be all work, no play. Travelers who want an even shorter walk to the convention enter could try Residence Inn Las Vegas Convention Center, though it lacks resort features (no casino, no restaurant or bar, no room or poolside service).

At the southern end of the Strip looms the massive ancient-Egypt-themed Luxor Hotel & Casino, which offers affordable rates, a mix of dated and contemporary rooms, and the typical array of resort features. In terms of room count, this upper-middle-range colossal hotel-casino is second only to the MGM Grand, with around 4,400 rooms and 487 suites, all of which have flat-screen TVs, sitting areas, and safes, but no coffeemakers or fridges. A daily resort fee (common for Vegas) covers Wi-Fi.  Four outdoor swimming pools, gay-friendly summer pool parties, a 120,000-square-foot casino, the world's largest atrium, a giant sphinx, quality spa, and a host of dining, entertainment, and nightlife options help the Luxor Hotel Las Vegas stand out among its extravagant neighbors. It’s about half the price as the nearby Mandalay Bay, though it’s not nearly as luxe. Paris Las Vegas offers a similarly priced themed stay with more impressive rooms.

This 3,933-room Italian "villa" is the embodiment of Las Vegas luxury. The elaborate Italian-themed courtyard is one of many highlights, with five swimming pools, elaborate sculptures, and fountains. Rooms are sophisticated and contemporary, and all have marble bathrooms with separate glass showers and soaking tubs. Guests (mostly couples, and a healthy dose of families and business travelers) will find formal room service, a superb fitness center and spa, and the best buffet on the Strip; attractions such as the indoor botanical gardens and the dancing fountains are world-famous. Cirque du Soleil performs here, and the massive gaming floor is one of the best in Vegas. The Bellagio has prices to match its five-pearl service; in terms of competition, only the Encore and the Cosmopolitan can compare.

Opened in August 2008, the 478-room Club 36 is a time-share hotel with clean, modern suites equipped with full kitchens, dishwashers, and washers and dryers. But the indoor pool, noisy planes over the sundeck, limited dining, and remote location don't make it an ideal pick.

This beautiful, relaxing 390-room resort is 10 miles from Strip, but offers modern, swanky rooms; a pool scene; and a 92,000-square-foot casino that rival those of the Strip's best hotels -- not to mention the attentive service. To offset the somewhat isolated location, M Resort offers a free (but limited) shuttle service to the Strip, and even one to the airport. In this price range, Red Rock Casino, Resort and Spa offers a comparable suburban Vegas experience. 

A business hotel beside the Convention Center with sleek interiors, a great gym and an excellent steakhouse. Rooms are standard and boring; suites can accommodate large parties and families. The scene at this non-gaming, off-the-Strip Marriott property is mostly conventioneers, and wouldn't be fun for leisure travelers.

The upper-middle-range Elara by Hilton Grand Vacations is a massive 1200-unit timeshare property that offers spacious suites on the Vegas Strip. It's a non-gaming hotel and a bit limited on features -- there's no full restaurant here and room service is not 24-hours -- but it does have an attractive outdoor pool with a seasonal poolside bar serving food, as well as a lobby bar and a Starbucks cafe. The fitness center is well equipped with Precor machines. Suites, with up to four bedrooms, are sleek and modern, and come with kitchenettes/full kitchens. Floor-to-ceiling windows fill them with natural light, and larger units add extras like whirlpool tubs. For an alternative with more features, the neighboring Planet Hollywood has a casino and several restaurants, plus rooms are more stylish. 

Paris Las Vegas is an upscale hotel and casino situated in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip. Its 2,916 spacious rooms have Baroque-inspired decor, plus iHome docks, large flat-screen TVs, and marble bathrooms. The huge property -- including the casino -- is meant to evoke an evening in Paris, complete with a massive Eiffel Tower that draws visitors from across Vegas. There are 14 restaurants that get positive reviews, including French, sushi, and Italian options. The huge pool has a laid-back vibe, and entertainment includes adult shows and live music. Other amenities include a spa, gym, and a shopping area with boutiques and cafes. Travelers wanting an on-Strip stay with a clubbier vibe and fun extras like a Flowrider surfing pool may want to check out Planet Hollywood Hotel and Casino instead.

Harrah’s Lake Tahoe is an upper-middle-range casino hotel that’s been around since the ‘50s, conveniently located close to restaurants, a ski resort, and Lake Tahoe. It’s gone through renovations and remodels since, but many common spaces remain a bit dated here, like the carpeted fitness room. There’s plenty to keep travelers occupied here, including the large casino and nice indoor/outdoor pool. A spa offers a wide menu of treatments, plus there varied dining options, ranging from a buffet to an upscale restaurant specializing in steak and seafood. A nightclub, music venue, and cigar lounge offer late-night entertainment. The 512 rooms range from those with tasteful contemporary decor, to spaces that are traditional and outdated. However, they’re all spacious and come with two bathrooms, plus amenities like flat-screen TVs, Keurig coffeemakers, and mini-fridges, but Wi-Fi costs extra. It’s worth comparing rates with the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Lake Tahoe, which has modern rooms and an outdoor heated pool.

Situated in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip, The Cromwell is a four-pearl boutique hotel with vintage-style interiors and its own casino. There are 188 rooms and suites, many with views out over The Strip, and while all have elegant decor, most lack coffeemakers. Amenities are geared toward leisure travelers and include Drai's Beachclub Nightclub, an indoor/outdoor club with long hours and multiple pools, but it's restricted to guests 21 and over and there's a fee. There are also a couple of restaurants, namely a 24-hour snack bar and an elegant Italian joint, created by celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis. Overall, it's a great place for young partygoers, but families are better off somewhere more kid-friendly, such as the much larger MGM Grand Hotel & Casino.