First, the rating is for the view! I agree with the other reviewers about the (non)quality of the Statosphere as a hotel, but I don't think that's what this entry is for.

When I last went to the top of the Stratosphere to take in the great view ... I went to the bar that's adjacent to the revolving restaurant. We were not charged, and didn't have reservations at the restaurant itself. Also, the cocktails were excellent and more reasonably priced than most places on the strip. This was six years ago, so maybe the policies have changed. I'll be in Vegas in a few weeks, and I'll let you know!

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.