When my girlfriend and I stayed at the Stratosphere we were welcomed by a friend that happened to work at the front desk. He was very nice and upgraded us to a suite. So far so good. In the casino I had never seen so many cigarette bums. I had never been swindled out of half a pack of cigs. Anyway, the casino itself was not so bad. As my girl and I walk across the street from the casino I see a drug deal going on. Wow this is a bad part of town. Also our camera was stolen from our upgraded suite. Thanks housekeeping.

Myself and 3 friends just returned home from Las Vages. I wanted to inform you of our experience staying in your hotel. I felt like we were outsiders inside your hotel. The room in which was assigned to us deserve a complaint. The rest room in our room was almost mission impossible! The toilet was so close to the toilet paper dispenser...that we hit our elbow on it every time we used it. Once we complained to the hotel check in clerk she said "we are in the middle of re-modeling the hotel. She was not at all interested in our complaint or concerns. My overall experience with your staff and the room was very poor. I even had to replace my players card 4 times. We had more fun playing at other casinos than we did with the Stratosphere. There is one more thing, other casinos comped our dinners and gave us discounts in their shops. Yours did nothing for us except a t-shirt. Thanks for making us feel like we were not welcomed at your hotel. Spryng Southerland Lakeland Florida. The above is a copy of the email I sent to the hotel. I have not heard a word.

My boyfriend and I traveled to Vegas over Valentine's Day weekend and our last thing that we did on the Strip was go to the top of the Stratosphere Tower. The view of the Strip at night was awesome! Just that view itself was worth the trip to the north end of the Strip, but the rides are great as well. I was a little scared to try one of the rides at first, but I'm glad I did. I chose to ride Insanity, which extends out and spins over top of the ground.

Just a note, you'll have to purchase your ticket(s) for the rides before going up to the observation deck. I was hoping I'd be able to decide if I wanted to ride one when I got up there. If you are not sure, as I was, it will only cost about $6 extra to add a ride to your observation deck ticket and you get to pick which ride you want to get on when you get up there. It is worth paying for the ride just so you don't have to wait in line to go through security again before going to the top.

Prices:
Tower Observation Deck: $14
Plus one ride: $20
Plus two rides: $24
Plus three rides: $28
All-day package: $34

Rides:
Insanity: Spins you over top of the ground.
X-Scream: A giant see-saw that shoots over the edge of the tower.
Big Shot: A drop ride that shoots you up and then down.

We went up the Stratosphere simply to do the rides. at $29 for the view and 3 rides is pretty steep though ($14 for tower alone). First was the Big shot (up and down on top). This ride wasn't much different to any other drop type rides I had done before, except for the rides height. There was only 2 of us, and we didn't want to wait for others so we had to split up to balance the weight - so I faced north and saw nothing, definately sit on the south side.

The X Scream was quite different to other rides I had done before. We sat fron row and headed off the edge of the tower before the brakes grabbed you just in time (felt like that anyway) you get to do this 3 times but I still struggled to get my hands off the handles.

Due to the winds we weren't able to do Insanity, the one where you sort of dangle off the edge. We could have used the ticket for one of the other rides but decided to take it downstairs and get the refund (difference between 2 and 3 rides - about $4).

They provide the ride photos for you to buy if you want, but we didn't. Others can see you on the rides from the observation area and take your own photos.

The rides were good fun and definately worth doing but the price is an issue. Also its a long way out of town (unwalkable) so that might also deter you going. Best to do it in conjunction with Freemont St as its on the way/way back.

PS. apparently they are working on a new ride soon, sort of like a bungee jump off the side.