Stayed my first time at the Stratosphere for my annual Labor Day Weekend 2003 trip. If you take a taxi make sure you tell the driver Paradise and Sahara, NOT the tunnel unless it is extremely busy (like LDW). The tunnel ride will be about $30 from McCarran, backway is only $12, but I was in a hurry to play with my friends and didn’t want to be stuck in holiday weekend traffic, worth the extra cost for me.Check-in was not bad, had a little while in line as expected at 5pm on a Friday for LDW, but it seemed they were moving everything along as best as they could. Booked through SWAVacations, flight and hotel for 3 nights was only $350, excellent for an August purchase for one of Las Vegas’ most busy weekends. The friendly staff was quick to check me in without incident. I was put in a room in, what I assume by reviews, the newer tower facing the strip. 11th floor overlooking the pool and good portion strip view. Room smelled good (new smell), looked new, all the furniture seemed nice & contemporary. Basic amenities, newer appearance carpet, 2 Q’s with basic bedding, chars & tables, Dania-style armoire encased a 32” TV, iron, no safe, average to good size room. Air worked quietly with no odd smells. Bathroom was clean & average, nice wall width countertop and mirror running the full width of the wall also. Basic lotion, bar soap, shampoo provided. Lotion smelled nice! Towels were new & fresh smelling. Only issue with the rooms, and an important one for me, very very thin walls. Could hear word for word the conversations next door, heard the baby from near the elevators crying 10 doors down. I guess for a room at this price, gotta expect something to be askew. Pool didn’t look like much more than a small concrete square.Got my slot jones on while waiting for my friends to finish dinner across town. MUST get your player’s card here, they have the BEST comps. Played a few nickels slots and lost before the cocktail waitress arrived for me to cash in another travelers check. Cashier’s cages were not too bad, a few times there was only one station open and a big line. Service was good in general.I only ate here at Roxy’s, it was Friday at about 7pm and no line, was seated fast but they took awhile to bring me water and take my order. I ordered the rotisserie chicken and that took a little longer than expected, the waitress even came over to let me know it was taking longer than usual even though the place was half full. Not short on staff, couldn’t figure it out, but while waiting I was delighted at their entertainment, these people were star quality on the karaoke! Meal finally arrived and was very good. The bill only came to $13 final. Disappointments about the dining at the Strat are that the coffeeshop/café had odd hours and my only other choice seemed to be fancier eating at the Italian restaurant, for some reason the Crazy Armadillo didn’t appeal to me even though my first love is Mexican food. Upstairs has a mini-foodcourt, good franchise choices for cheapMoved on to play more slots, played nickel. It was I Love Lucy, and I was not feelin’ the love. LUUUCCCYY!!! So did the SPAM nickels, SPAMMED me right outta my bacon. Drink service again was great. Waitresses kept the expertly made Midori Sours flowing. I was about to give up playing their tight slots, but decided to do just one more, and glad I did. I broke even on a winning wall of The Price Is Right & other older theme nickels. Had fun in the end, but overall would say not my favorite slots casino.Nightlife seemed lackluster at the Strat. Nothing exotic, wild, ultra or themed. I think the Strat could use a martini bar with swanky or techno music. Noticed this hotel seems to be occupied by Midwestern middle aged people and your average suburbian 30-somethings. Tame crowd, like being around my family (and I like my family).Again I ventured to the thrill rides when my buddies arrived. We got through the busy ticket line quick but the elevator up was a long crowded wait. And amazingly, hardly anyone was found to be on top of the tower? We dared the Big Shot and High Roller multiple times without wait and got our money’s worth from an all-day wristband ($25).I also like the shopping at the Strat. Did some damage on the credit card in the little boutiques. Maneuvering around the strip was easy on the trolley and taxi after hours. Didn’t bother to walk much this trip, but if you do walk, go during daylight only towards the strip if you don’t like dodging unsavory folk.Overall, I cannot think of any reason not to stay here again, plus upon my arrival home I had a letter from the Strat’s player’s club awaiting me, telling me I had earned a hefty cashback amount from my first hour of losses to be redeemed on my next stay. I also frequently get free and next to nothing rates, one I will be taking advantage of on my stay next week. Cannot beat their prices! I will report my next experience of the Strat, too! (In condensed form for all of you who didn’t enjoy my novel here) To be included in next review: What will the infamous $20 trick get me at the Stratosphere?, being refunded for an unused portion of prepaid stay, the new Xscream, Italian dining, buffet dining, room service, parking & valet, room service, and ease of using comps for room charges.