5 Hotels In Las Vegas You May Want To Avoid

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One of the greatest draws of a vacation in Las Vegas is that you have a wide range of options when it comes to places to stay, with lodging for nearly every interest and budget. But if your number one criteria is bargain pricing, you'll want to do your research carefully. A low room rate can sometimes come with trade-offs, such as noise, outdated amenities, an undesirable location, and even a low standard of cleanliness. 

The five Vegas hotels listed below are ones you may want to avoid, or at least thoroughly research before clicking the reserve button. To arrive at this list, we first examined Tripadvisor's rankings of 260 hotels in Las Vegas, focusing on properties with the lowest scores. However, the hotels at the very bottom of Tripadvisor's traveler-ranked list were small budget motels or properties that have closed. In order to focus on recognizable Las Vegas hotels that a larger percentage of visitors might realistically consider booking, we narrowed the selection to medium-to-large properties with casinos and a ranking of 3.5 or lower on Tripadvisor. We then cross-checked these rankings with other review sites, including Yelp and Google, noting the percentage of unfavorable review comments in Google Review categories such as rooms, bathrooms, cleanliness, sleep, and air conditioning. 

While none of the hotels listed here should be considered universally bad, you'll want to check your expectations so you aren't taken by (unpleasant) surprise. Some of the properties on this list are undergoing massive renovations, while others may be in need of one. The most common complaint for the listed hotels is outdated amenities. While a hotel's overall rating on sites like Tripadvisor and Google Reviews is important to consider, keep in mind that reputations can change. A property that scores low marks and negative reviews today can turn things around fast with a renovation or change in management. Always read recent reviews and a hotel's website for any notices about renovations that are underway.

Located near the southern tip of The Strip, the OYO Hotel & Casino has a 3.5-star rating on Tripadvisor from 6,561 reviews. It also has a similarly low rating on Google with 3.4 stars from nearly 21,000 reviews. Guests' biggest concern are the cleanliness and condition of the rooms, with numerous reviewers mentioning dirty bathrooms and bedding, and weak air conditioning. In fact, the property received a 69% unfavorable rating on Google for cleanliness. Guests also frequently complain about the elevators, which are often out of service, resulting in long waits or climbs up the stairs. In total, OYO received 93% unfavorable comments on Google for accessibility. 

Reviews on Tripadvisor from August 2026 say the hotel is "smelly and run down." OYO Hotel & Casino has also garnered bad press in recent years. In August 2026, OYO made headlines after a guest complained to the Better Business Bureau. She said she had booked what was presented as a different, more upscale hotel called "Palette Las Vegas," only to discover upon arrival that it was actually OYO. OYO says the listings were posted by mistake and that the company is undergoing a rebranding and renovation. Nevertheless, the controversy has further hurt OYO's reputation.

On a positive note, OYO Hotel & Casino scores points for its central location across from the MGM Grand. Room rates are also far lower than the typical Strip-resort prices and some Tripadvisor reviewers have praised the hotel's staff for their friendliness and professionalism, suggesting that the hotel may have potential to become a comeback story if the remodel goes well.

You may want to hesitate before you book a room at the Rio Hotel & Casino, which is located just west of The Strip, as recent reviews are mixed on the condition of the rooms depending on which Tower you stay in. Some 2026 reviewers have reported outdated, run-down, and even dirty room conditions in the Masquerade Tower. The Rio has 3.8 stars on Google with 77% unfavorable reviews for its bathrooms. It has 3.5 stars on Tripadvisor with more than 37,000 reviews and has been named as one of the loudest casinos in Las Vegas that visitors with sensitive ears may want to avoid. In fact, the hotel has 66% unfavorable comments on Google for sleep.

Commenting on the Masquerade Tower, a reviewer in August 2026 noted on Tripadvisor: "Carpet stained...The floor and room smelled awful." Another August 2026 Tripadvisor reviewer stated: "Felt old and dingy." While a 2026 review on Google noted: "...was not cleaned from the last guest. Mold in the shower. Lamps did not work. Dirt on the carpet. Beat up furniture."

The Rio Hotel & Casino assumed new management in 2023 and is undergoing a massive multi-year renovation. More than 1,500 rooms in the hotel's Ipanema Tower have been renovated with new fixtures and furnishings, which have scored some positive reviews and press. "It's very, very nice," reports Hype Hits Vegas, adding, "It's very clean." The rooms in the Masquerade Tower will also be renovated as part of the final step in the hotel's renovation process. The hotel also has a remodeled pool area and new restaurants, including a new rooftop steakhouse, food hall, and the popular breakfast hotspot Eggslut. It's worth paying extra to book a renovated room in the Ipanema Tower, but double-check with the hotel, as some reviewers noted they booked Ipanema and ended up placed in Masquerade instead.

While many consider Circus Circus an underrated casino resort that offers an affordable and family-friendly experience, it has its fair share of naysayers. In fact, Circus Circus currently ranks as the worst hotel on Yelp with a 2.1-star rating from 4,400 reviews and a 3.3 rating on Tripadvisor with over 15,500 reviews. Many reviewers on Google have complained about the outdated, motel-level rooms, some of which lack a microwave or mini fridge. The rooms receive 70% unfavorable comments on Google and the bathrooms receive 81% unfavorable reviews. But the biggest complaint seems to be that the hotel, which opened in 1968 on the northern end of The Strip, has become worn and run down.

"The whole place just lacks the clean, fresh vibe you'd expect from a Vegas hotel," says one reviewer on Yelp in April 2026. A reviewer from Google wrote in August 2026 "The rumors are true, this place has gone downhill. Walk in and take a sniff...Dingy air from worn carpets." Another reviewer on Google from late August 2026 noted, "This used to be a legendary hotel with a lot of charm and character, but unfortunately, it feels like that charm has been lost over the years. The property is in desperate need of a major renovation and a serious refresh."

Positive reviews of Circus Circus on Yelp cite the excellent steakhouse, fun carnival games, and water slides as unique aspects of the hotel, as well as the nostalgic, old-school vibe. Reviewers on Tripadvisor and Google also love the free circus shows, free parking, and value for your money, as Circus Circus is among the most affordable hotels on The Strip. In the category of "Family," Circus Circus get 76% positive reviews on Google. 

While The Flamingo has been hailed as Las Vegas' underrated casino resort that offers a more affordable family-friendly experience, guest reviews are mixed. It has a 3.4 rating on Tripadvisor and 2.3 stars on Yelp. Some reviewers mentioned that the property, which has been in operation since 1946 in the heart of The Strip, is showing its age. The hotel's bathrooms have 82% unfavorable reviews on Google, with its air-conditioning garnering 83% unfavorable comments. While the Flamingo's five pools and swim-up bar are popular with party-going guests, this has led to noise complaints. Several 2026 reviewers complain of loud pool music, which one August 2026 Tripadvisor reviewer claims made it impossible to take a nap in a pool-facing room. The Flamingo gets 64% unfavorable comments in the category of "Sleep."

Where the Flamingo Las Vegas earns its highest marks — a score of 9.2 on Booking.com — is its location. With a hard-to-beat center-Strip spot, it's easy and convenient to walk to many of the city's biggest attractions, including the Bellagio Fountains and the free-entry Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. The LINQ Promenade's bars, restaurants, shops, and The High Roller, North America's largest observation wheel — are located steps away from the hotel's entrance. There's also a lot happening inside the property: bars, restaurants, a casino, The Wildlife Habitat, and a large pool complex. According to Google reviews, The Flamingo has 63% positive comments for nightlife, 80% positive for location, and 89% positive for atmosphere.

Located on Decatur Boulevard, less than five miles from the northern end of the Las Vegas Strip, Arizona Charlies Decatur can appeal to those looking for an affordable, off-Strip casino. But with a 2.9 rating on Tripadvisor, it doesn't fare well in online reviews. One of the biggest complaints guests have is the smoky atmosphere, which some say exists mostly on the casino floor but others report permeates through the hallways and even designated non-smoking rooms. The second major complaint has to do with room condition, with guests reporting stained carpets, peeling wallpaper, and worn furnishing. Arizona Charlies Decatur has 72% unfavorable reviews on Google for the category of "Room," 73% unfavorable in the category of "Bathroom," and 76% unfavorable in the category of "Air Conditioning."

Arizona Charlies Decatur has a few positives going for it, however, namely the affordable pricing, free parking, and the hotel's casual vibe. "Locals casino with good atmosphere and service," writes a reviewer in 2026 on Google. The resort is located in a residential neighborhood on Decatur Boulevard off of US 95, about a 15-minute drive from The Strip, which can be a positive for those looking to avoid the tourist crowds. Arizona Charlies Decatur has fared a bit better with reviewers on Google, earning a 3.9-star rating from nearly 9,000 reviews. "Great atmosphere, nice people, the wait staff is nice and not intrusive," writes a reviewer on Google. "I generally enjoy myself when I come through."