Is The STRAT worth it? Honest pros and cons
Yes — The STRAT is worth it for travelers who want a budget-friendly Strip stay with a unique observation tower, skyline dining at Top of the World, and on-site thrill rides. It’s less compelling if you want ultra-luxury rooms, an on-site spa, or the central Strip walkability of major resort hubs.
In this guide
The Tower and Views: signature draw
The STRAT’s SkyPod tower is the property’s headline feature: a freestanding observation tower rising above the Strip with dining and viewing levels more than 800 feet above Las Vegas. Top of the World is a revolving fine-dining room there, offering a 360-degree rotation every 80 minutes.
If you value skyline views or want the thrill-ride attractions (Big Shot, X-Scream, SkyJump Las Vegas), the tower alone can justify a visit even if you don’t stay overnight.
- Top of the World: revolving steakhouse and seafood restaurant (food purchase minimum applies).
- Observation decks and thrill rides located in the SkyPod.
- Tower-level bars such as 108 Drinks for high-up cocktails.
| Feature | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Top of the World | Revolving dining room >800 ft up; 360° rotation every 80 minutes |
| Thrill rides | High-altitude rides on the SkyPod including Big Shot, X-Scream, SkyJump Las Vegas |
| Observation decks | Panoramic city and valley views from multiple tower levels |
Rooms and value: who it fits
The STRAT offers a range of room types from budget-friendly options to suites. Room names include Select Room, Elite Room, Elevate Room, Select 2 Queens Room, Elite 2 Queens Room, Elevate 2 Queens Room, Boulevard Suite, Classic Grand Suite, and Newly Renovated Vegas Tower Room.
Rooms generally target travelers who want Strip location and Tower access without the higher rates of luxury resorts. If you require on-site spa services or ultra-luxurious finishes, note that The STRAT does not have a spa on property.
- Family-friendly room choices like Select 2 Queens Room and Elite 2 Queens Room.
- Suite options: Boulevard Suite and Classic Grand Suite.
- Newly Renovated Vegas Tower Room available for tower-side stays.
| Room type examples | Typical use |
|---|---|
| Select Room / Select 2 Queens Room | Budget-conscious travelers and families |
| Elevate Room / Elevate 2 Queens Room | Upgraded in-room features and views |
| Boulevard Suite / Classic Grand Suite | Larger layouts for longer stays or special occasions |
Pools, fitness and family policy
The STRAT is family-friendly overall, but the primary guest checking in must be at least 21 with ID. There are two seasonal pool experiences: Swim & Social (family-friendly, 8th floor) and WET24 Pool & Wet Lounge (adults-only, 24th/25th floor).
Swim & Social is complimentary for hotel guests and offers cabanas, daybeds, bars and small bites; WET24 requires guests to be 21+ but hotel guests with a room key get free admission. Both pools operate seasonally and prohibit outside food, beverages and glass containers.
- Swim & Social: family-friendly; minors under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
- WET24: adults-only (21+) rooftop pool access for qualifying guests.
- Fitness Center: 24-hour access by room key; users must be at least 16 years old.
| Amenity | Age restriction / note |
|---|---|
| Swim & Social (8th floor) | Open to families; minors must be accompanied by an adult |
| WET24 (24th/25th floor) | 21+ only; free admission for hotel guests with room key |
| Fitness Center | Access by room key; guests must be 16+ |
Dining and nightlife on site
The STRAT offers 10 restaurants and multiple bars spanning casual to fine dining. Highlights include Top of the World (revolving steakhouse/seafood), McCall’s Heartland Grill (steakhouse/American), CHĪ Asian Kitchen, STRAT Café, Nunzio’s Pizzeria, 108 Eats and Starbucks.
Nightlife and bars range from casino-floor venues like View Lounge and REMIX Lounge to high-elevation options such as 108 Drinks and Tower Freeze for frozen cocktails near the casino.
- Top of the World requires a minimum food purchase per guest and is best for special-occasion dinners.
- McCall’s Heartland Grill follows a business-casual dress code and has private dining options.
- Casual grab-and-go: STRAT Café, 108 Eats, Nunzio’s Pizzeria, Starbucks.
| Type | On-property examples |
|---|---|
| Fine dining | Top of the World |
| Steakhouse / American | McCall’s Heartland Grill |
| Casual / café | STRAT Café, 108 Eats, Nunzio’s Pizzeria, Starbucks |
Casino, entertainment and meetings
The STRAT has an 80,000-square-foot casino floor and a full-service sportsbook. On-property entertainment includes the L.A. Comedy Club, burlesque productions like Rouge, regular concerts and a theater that can be used for daytime meetings.
For groups and events, meeting and event spaces include tower-level venues and the theater — The STRAT lists meeting capacities across the Tower and other floors and offers specialized wedding spaces such as Bella Luna and Bella Vista on Level 103.
- Casino: 80,000 sq ft with slot machines, table games and a sportsbook.
- Theater and L.A. Comedy Club host shows and can be used for meetings.
- Extensive meeting capacity with Tower event spaces and multiple meeting rooms.
| Event space | Capacity / note |
|---|---|
| Top of the World Venue (Level 106) | Revolving ballroom used for receptions and dining |
| Observation Deck (Level 108/109) | Large terrace event space with panoramic views |
| Bella Luna / Bella Vista (Level 103) | Chapel venues for weddings (intimate to medium sizes) |
Location and transport: northern Strip advantage
The STRAT sits at 2000 Las Vegas Blvd S at the northern end of the Strip, close to downtown and the Fremont Street area. That location shortens travel time if your plans include downtown attractions, the Arts District, or the Neon Museum.
Public transport options include RTC bus service (Deuce) along Las Vegas Boulevard with stops at The STRAT and shuttle connections to downtown. Harry Reid International Airport is the nearest major airport; drive times vary with traffic.
- Address: 2000 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89104.
- Close to downtown attractions like Fremont Street and the Arts District.
- Public transit: Deuce bus and other RTC routes; drives to major Strip sights are longer than mid-Strip resorts.
| Nearby | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Fremont Street / downtown | Quick access for downtown nightlife and museums |
| Arts District | Short drive or shuttle to galleries, breweries and shops |
| Strip mid-resorts (Bellagio, Caesars area) | Roughly a multi-mile drive; not as walkable as central Strip hotels |
Practical details and fees to know
Check-in starts at 3:00pm and check-out is 11:00am. The primary guest checking in must be at least 21 with a physical government-issued ID and the physical major credit card used for the deposit; debit-card holds can take time to release.
A daily resort fee is charged and details are published by the hotel; the property also places a deposit hold at check-in for incidentals. The STRAT does not allow pets, though service animals are permitted under rules listed by the hotel.
- Check-in age: 21+ required to check in; check-in time 3:00pm, check-out 11:00am.
- Daily resort fee applies and includes select discounts and fitness/pool access; an incidental hold is collected at check-in.
- No on-site spa; 24-hour Fitness Center is available to guests 16+ by room-key access.
| Policy | Short note |
|---|---|
| Resort fee | Daily fee is charged; includes select perks and discounts |
| Deposit hold | A deposit hold is placed at check-in for incidentals |
| Pet policy | No pets allowed; service animals accepted |
