A recent visit to Bally's Las Vegas.

Upon arrival at check in time, the line was long and I was called over to the Platinum member desk even though I was not a member. An available employee was making efforts to help the process. My room was not ready yet so I was asked to come back in a half hour or so. Skip the line, just come back to her. On my return to the desk, skipping the line, the room was ready.

Bally's once was the MGM when it first opened in 1972. It was a top notch hotel on the strip. The rooms are now smaller and more dated in comparison to the new larger and fancier resorts, but they are still comfortable. Because the hotel is smaller than the new mega resorts, it feels more cozy and manageable. You don't have to check the soles on your shoes to make sure they are still solid before walking to the food court or the next restroom. Everything is within reasonable distance to feel like you can go there anytime. A downstairs mall guides you to the monorail stop. The monorail is also closer to the hotel than at some other stops along the route. It seemed like restaurants were always closed when we wanted to eat. Like most of Las Vegas, good restaurants are only open for dinner so lunch options are limited to food courts and maybe a 24 hour sit down cafe. But Bally's cafe is open limited hours as well. We've tried on two visits to eat at Bally's italian restaurant but it is either closed by hours or "closed for special events."

Convention space is close by, near the elevators, the restaurants and the casino, continuing the theme that Bally's is easier to get around in than most strip hotels. It's worth a stay at less than $150 a night. If your night's rate is more than that, shop around. If you have a convention here, go ahead and stay in the center of it all, even paying a bit more, you'll enjoy your visit.