While Las Vegas grapples with a deepening tourism crisis, a leading travel expert has pinpointed what she believes is the best budget-friendly accommodation left on the famous Strip. Katie Dowd, managing editor of SF Gate and a self-proclaimed expert on affordable Vegas stays, has named the Treasure Island Hotel and Casino as the standout value option for visitors.
A Budget Beacon Amidst a Tourism Downturn
Dowd's endorsement comes at a critical time for Sin City. The number of passengers passing through Harry Reid International Airport fell by nearly ten percent in November 2024 compared to the same month last year, serving just 3.96 million domestic travellers. This decline is part of a worrying trend, marking the tenth consecutive month of falling passenger totals. The last increase was a minor 0.4% bump back in January.
"I know what rock bottom looks like. So colour me astonished to find Treasure Island is the best cheap hotel, by far, on the Strip," Dowd wrote in her review. She highlighted that standard room rates for two can be as low as $41 per night, a stark contrast to the typical $200-a-night cost found elsewhere on the Strip.
What Treasure Island Offers the Cost-Conscious Traveller
During her stay, Dowd paid $120 for a standard room with two queen beds and received a complimentary upgrade to a 30th-floor room with a view of the Strip. While she noted the room decor and climate control felt dated, it contained all essential amenities. A significant plus was an empty mini-fridge, not stocked with overpriced items common in other Vegas hotels.
The hotel, which opened in the 1990s, features a live casino, eight restaurants, and nine bars. Dowd described the casino level as having "the aura of a suburban mall mixed with a business centre." She also managed to find a decent slice of supreme pizza for $8.50 before tax at Pizzeria Francesco's, noting that pizza on the Strip typically costs between $5 and $16 per slice.
"As Vegas moves further and further away from middle class travel, Treasure Island has remained a reliably budget option," Dowd concluded.
The Broader Tourism Crisis Deepens
The slump is accelerating, with passenger declines growing from about six percent in August and September to nearly ten percent by November. The situation is even more severe for international visitors. International arrivals and departures plummeted by a staggering 21.2 percent in November, despite the city hosting the successful 75th-anniversary Las Vegas Grand Prix that month.
Key markets are drying up. Tourism from Canada, historically vital for Vegas, has dropped significantly. Reports suggest soaring prices, Donald Trump's tariffs, and his controversial remarks about the country have led many Canadians to cancel travel plans.
This sustained downturn presents a clear challenge for Las Vegas. As prices rise and visitor numbers fall, the city's reliance on middle-class tourism is being tested. For now, according to experts like Katie Dowd, options like Treasure Island offer a rare haven for travellers seeking the Vegas experience without the extravagant cost.
