FRIENDLINESS RATING: F
As my loyal readers know, my usually high opinion of the Stratosphere
has dropped immensely since my August 1998 visit. In fact, I
doubt that I will ever return to this property again. In the
past, I found the Stratosphere's employees to be eager to help
and answer questions, and if you would go and drop just $5 on
the slots, you'd be treated like a high-roller. Check-in at
the hotel used to be a breeze (and I used to call the Strat
the "Best place to get reasonably priced rooms on the weekends").
Well my friends, these good days are over. I can not put this
more plainly:the Stratosphere does not care about its
guests and loyal patrons!
On my visit in August 1998 the reservations clerk had mistyped
my information and mistakenly left off the last digit of my
credit card number. Of course, nobody bothered to CALL (and
we are both comped players). Imagine our surprise when we went
to the front desk to check in and heard that we'd have to go
elsewhere because we didn't have a reservation! The Strat reservationist
KNEW that a number was missing from the credit card (and admitted
this to us), however, it is their policy NOT to call customers
back, even when THEY are in error! We were so angry. I demanded
that we get a room, though we were overcharged at $110 a night
(with NO apology, I might add). We were scheduled to stay the
entire week at the hotel, but we checked out after the first
night and moved to the Monte Carlo instead. Outrageous!
We decided to give the Strat one last try during our July 1999
visit, and things weren't any better. The rooms were dingy and
run down and the service was less than stellar. I fear that
this was our last time at the Stratosphere.
EFFICIENCY RATING: B
Getting better. Check-in is usually quick and easy (because
nobody wants to stay here!), and the service in the restaurants
has improved since my last visit. The valet parking is horrendous--it,
literally, takes FOREVER! Go the self-parking route here, even
if you're a guest. It's much faster and allows more direct access
to the casino.
FOOD: C-
The Stratosphere is probably the only casino in Las Vegas that
does not have a 24-hour dining option. They no longer have a
coffee shop (!); this indicates the severity of their financial
troubles, in my opinion. Roxy's Diner, however, is still going
strong and is a lot of fun. The waiters sing and dance, and
if you can answer trivia questions during dinner, you can win
a HUGE hot fudge sundae. The fries are crispy and addictive,
and the milkshakes are great, too.
Avoid the Stratosphere buffet at all costs.
ATMOSPHERE: D
Doesn't have much of one. The casino is open and smells very
clean. (I can't stand smoke-saturated casinos; the Stratosphere
rarely smells smoky). Since it is extremely well-laid out, the
casino never feels very crowded, which is nice. The "World's
Fair" theme isn't a strong one at all, but the casino is clean,
neat, and not too smoky. The wallpaper, carpets and dated paintings
are beginning to show signs of severe wear and tear and are
badly in need of replacement.
GAMBLING RATING: F
Once again, the Strat USED to have what I called "the best slot
club on the Strip". In the past you could get lots for little
points (even if you played nickel slots). The machines had a
high payout and the table games had "extras," like double exposure
blackjack. No more! The Strat has become very, very greedy,
and the effects are being felt on the gaming floor.
I will never return to the Stratosphere to gamble, and I do
not recommend that you spend your money there I used to say
that if the Strat closes down due to bankruptcy, I would sit
and weep at night. Now, I'd jump and dance for joy. The Stratosphere
will get what is coming to it, and not at a moment too soon.
The casino itself is fairly small--only two gaming pits, but
they do have a terrific selection of slots and video poker machines.
As a side note, if you are ever an "Invited Guest" and get to
use the lounge, prepare to be disappointed--it's nothing more
than a room with a t.v. and a bowl of pretzels--not even a canned
soda in sight!
ROOM RATING: C-
Unfortunately, I have had to downgrade the Strat's room rating
from a stellar A to a disappointing C-. Why? It's not the size
of the rooms (they are still the largest rooms on the Strip)
and it's not the well-lit bathroom. It's their MAINTANANCE and
overall condition. When we checked in in July '99, we were given
a room on a non-smoking floor. As soon as we opened the door,
we were overcome with a pungent, musty cigarette smell. (I have
no respect for a hotel that cannot enforce its no smoking policies,
especially in its guest rooms!) We also noticed that the room
was in horrible disrepair--broken curtain rods, stained and
torn bedspreads, ripped carpet, lightbulbs missing, a HOLE in
the wall, and cracked and chipped marble in the bathroom. When
we were moved to another non-smoking room, we found it to be
in the same sorry state of disrepair. UNACCEPTABLE! At the least
I expect my hotel room to be clean!
But again, the Strat's guest rooms still have the BEST air conditioning
of any hotel on the Strip, and, don't laugh, the softest toilet
paper. If you stay here, be sure to ask for a South (Strip)
view so you won't be confined to looking at the crumbling porn
houses from your room.
The Stratosphere has very skimpy toiletries (the provide the
basic lotion and shampoo, and very unpleasant bar soap), and
they have very puny pillows. You'll need to have at least 3
per person to get a decent night's rest.
We've also stayed in one of the Grand Suites and found the room
to be excellent. The suite was equipped with three air conditioning
units, a large living room and dining area, an extremely comfortable
sleeping area, and a great bathroom (with, unfortunately, a
relatively small jacuzzi tub).
OTHER:
The ride to the tower is worth the $6 admission, but go at night.
It's not as cool during the day. And if you are a bit timid
about heights, the two thrill rides at the top (the High Roller
and Big Shot) will blow you away! Be sure to ask about special
ride packages; you can usually save some bucks if you buy tickets
to both rides or the tower (sometimes at a substantial discount)!
The Stratosphere has a lousy location at the far end of the
Strip. And yes, the area around the casino is extremely seedy.
I have never felt unsafe at the Strat, but I wanted to give
a fair warning to more timid visitors who aren't used to big
city living.
