Lodging

I was beginning to think I was going to need a GPS unit to find The Orleans lobby.

Mardi Gras Lobby at The Orleans Las Vegas

Theoretically, I should have been able to just follow along the wall from the self-park garage and with a few left turns, I would have been at the lobby. What I hadn’t taken into account is the sheer size of the hotel or the labyrinth layout of the casino floor.

After about 15 minutes, though, I did find the front desk, checked-in without difficulty (after another 15 minutes waiting in line) and headed up to my room with my friend.

Even though The Orleans is an older hotel, located just west of the Strip, it has been upkept relatively well. My room looked more mid-70s Americana motel than the Mardi Gras theme of the public areas of the resort, but the two of us had plenty of room in our two queen-bed room with sitting area. The room itself was clean, if sparsely decorated. The bathroom was separated from the bedroom/sitting area by a sliding door and featured a tub/shower combo, though the air ventilation system seemed to have seen better days. Opening the tiny window above the tub did help.

Two Queen-Bed Room at The Orleans Las Vegas

Our third floor view was of the parking garage, as if to mock us getting lost, but I’m sure higher floors would have a view of the mountains since we were facing west. Ask for a room on one of the upper floors facing the Strip, if a view truly matters to you. I’m told some of the rooms do feature an updated decor, so you may with to request that, as well.

The Orleans has outsourced many of its dining options to chains like TGIFridays (must give props to the all-day happy hour with its $1.50 cheeseburger sliders for cheap eats) and Fuddruckers, but its Mexican restaurant Don Miguels had 2-for-1 specials on margaritas and fajitas the day we stayed and both were pretty tasty.

Amenities offered at the hotel include an outdoor pool, a spa, an 18-screen movie theater and a 70-lane bowling alley. It also offers complimentary scheduled shuttle service to The Strip. For those looking for on-site entertainment, The Orleans Arena and Showroom venues offer everything from sporting events to national music and comedy headliners,

Considering I nabbed the room for only $27 (plus tax) a night midweek via an online promotion on The Orleans website, I probably shouldn’t nitpick. But I would be remiss if I didn’t call them out on the fact that not only is their high-speed internet not Wi-Fi (I hate being tethered to a desk) but they charge $12.99/day for it. I was also upset that they tacked on a $5/day “resort fee” at check-in to cover the “free” unlimited local calling and such, as well as put a $100 hold on my credit card, which was refunded at check-out. Neither was disclosed when I booked the room.

I would stay here again, if I could nab another low rate. But with Vegas room rates what they are nowadays, you might want to look at nearby Strip properties like Excalibur for special deals, first.

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The Orleans Hotel & Casino
4500 W. Tropicana Ave
Las Vegas, Nevada 89103
800-ORLEANS (800-675-3267) or 702-365-7111

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