Budget Travel: Tropicana Doubletree Hotel

 

We checked in to the Tropicana Doubletree Hotel yesterday.  I was excited to come, but the excitement didn't last very long.  First of all, don't expect the famous Doubletree cookies here.   They don't give them any more.  Next, figure out what is important to you.  If you are looking for a Super 8 type hotel, this will be perfect for you.  If you are looking for the expected Doubletree quality, think again.  Not just think, stay away from this hotel.  You will be disappointed.  In an effort to be fair to the hotel, I will go over the good and back things.  

Good:

Free parking - this is always a plus.  Some hotels in big cities charge high parking prices.  You should always check out how much they charge in parking and add that to you estimated cost.

Smaller hotel than most on the strip - In this hotel, you can find your way around.  In some of those big hotels on the strip you get lost pretty easily.  

Great Staff:  when I checked in, I was very pleased with the staff.  They were great and very helpful when I had questions.

Cost:  If you can get this place for $38 dollars, it is a great price.  BUT, it really isn't that cheap.  You need to add in the RESORT FEE which doubles the price.  Compared to some hotels in the area, it is a better price, but you should compare it to the prices of a Super 8 or La Quinta.  This hotel is old, the furniture is outdated, and the carpets old and stained.  The elevator by the bungalows would shake when you got to your floor.  The little convenience store in the hotel has very few prices marked, so if you are hoping to get a little snack, you are going to need to ask about any items you are interested in.  

Breakfast - Unless you are a gold or diamond member, the $15 credit for you and a guest is not available.  You are on your own for breakfast.  If you are a gold or diamond member, you can get a decent amount of food at Starbucks in the hotel for breakfast.  The credit is not enough to cover the cost of a hot meal at the restaurant in the hotel, especially after adding in tax and tip.  

Bad:

Resort Fee:  When I see a hotel with a resort fee, I think of a nice upper scale hotel.  Well, this is not that kind of hotel.  As stated before, the rooms look like a Super 8 hotel or a La Quinta hotel minus the breakfast.  

Bed - definitely not Doubletree quality again.  The linens and pillows were not what one usually gets at a Doubletree.  The bed was also old.  

No cookies:  Doubletree has a reputation for giving you soft, warm chocolate chip cookies when you arrive.  You won't get them here, at least as of 12/21/2022.  

Old - This hotel definitely needs a facelift.  I am surprised that Hilton would put their Doubletree brand on this hotel.  If you can find a Hampton or Tru that is a better price, I would definitely go there.  If you can get a Super 8 for the less money, consider saving the money.  I would have left after checking in here, except that I had done the advanced payment so i was stuck.  I was on a trip with my husband, hoping for a really nice hotel to stay at, and was so disappointed.  

Not family friendly:  Most people who go to Vegas go to gamble.  But, if you have a family, be aware that there are slot machines and gambling all over.  If you want a family-friendly hotel to stay at, I would avoid this one.  

I must say that I was surprised that there were so many families walking down the strip in Vegas.  I think they have done some things to clean it up a bit.  If you are going to a show, just realize that the ones that say they are for all ages still may have cursing and crudeness in them.  There were lots of comments about feminism and LGTB.  I guess they are trying to appeal to all audiences.  Once again, depending on what you are looking for, that may or may not be something you are interested in.

Final words on the hotel - If you really don't care about the quality of the hotel you stay in, and just want to stay somewhere cheap, this would be a good choice.  If you do, or are looking for a romantic weekend with your spouse, I would stay clear of this hotel.  You get what you pay for.  

(The above picture shows the vent put in incorrectly.  I didn't think at the time to take pictures of the busted concrete on the balcony and old chairs.)