Vegas has enough to offer that even if people hate smoke or the sound of slot machines, there is plenty to offer. Hence why this poster keeps going back. And the future of Las Vegas will trend toward more smoke free offerings. It will just keep getting better and more desirable.

Personally, I have only ever visited because of the proximity to national parks like Death Valley and Zion, and only during times of year when it's possible to find cheap non-casino hotels. I think the city deserves its reputation as a hellhole, other than the mountain scenery.

It is a great location for those other activities. Grand Canyon too. Plus the airport has so many flights in/out, I feel like it is difficult to get "stuck" due to flights cancelling at LAS.

No I only visit Vegas for events (generally reunions with friends, concerts/sports, conventions etc.) Personally I would prefer resorts in Arizona but I'm not the organizer LOL.

And I said I hate the sound of slots at the airport since this thread is about ... WN airports. One expect to hear slots in casinos - doh!

I do not expect more smoke free offerings in Vegas. If anything it has gotten worse with people smoking weed everywhere (just like NYC).

Last I checked the tables were all filled with smokers. I guess it was an off day LOL (can't speak to Circa I don't slum it downtown)

Due to WN having high last minute pricing, I again found myself flying AS to/from LAS, which uses Terminal 3's E gates at LAS. Unlike the WN gates, the restrooms were much larger and didn't have lines, there were a small number of slot machines out in the open instead of in lounges, and the terminal was bright and airy. It feels like an entirely different airport. F9 also uses the E gates, so it might be a plus for those considering F9 due to the changes at WN.

Despite having been to Vegas many times over the last 20+ years, this was the first time I didn't go to the Strip or downtown at all. I ended up staying at Sunset Station, which didn't smell smoky until one smelled their clothes afterward, which is typical of a lot of casinos which allow smoking. There was a nice infinity-style pool, good food and drink specials, and frequent cocktail service when gambling.

Didn�t realize we had a reputation as being a hellhole. A little offensive. But seems like plenty of people like it judging by the hotel prices, number of high end restaurants that are packed and occupancy rates. Glad those people keep coming so I don�t have to pay state income taxes.

Indeed. Two blocks away from the Strip, Las Vegas is... Phoenix. And ten degrees cooler.

I would have gone with Red Rock or Durango, but you do you.

Atlantic City is no alternate either. Grossed out by the pools and smoke during my last (and probably last) visit

The city was built on casinos, strip clubs, prostitution, and easy divorce laws, and that's how it is perceived by the rest of the country. The airport reinforces the perception.

Go a couple miles away from the Strip and it's more like one of the nicer suburbs of Phoenix.

I need to visit those or Green Valley Ranch, but Station Casinos seems to mainly offer comps at resorts one has visited before, so that's where my travel companions had comps. To its credit, Station Casinos seems to treat Sunset Station as the crown jewel of the Station-branded properties and uses it for concerts.

A friend recently stayed at Sam's Town and I stayed at Ellis Island my last trip. Both were much better than expected and were arguably higher quality than some of the rooms on the Strip. Especially on weekends, hotel prices and comp offers vary widely, so it's good to have a wide variety of places one would be willing to stay and save hundreds of dollars as a result.

I think BWI is also worse than LAS.

Never in my lifetime would I ever have expected to see the words "Sunset Station" and "crown jewel" in the same sentence.

At risk of veering OT, I stayed at Green Valley last year as it was convenient to a youth soccer tournament, and was pleasantly surprised and delighted. No trouble finding 3:2 BJ, low minimum tables and I think 9:6 VP slots. Also some good restaurant options which even at the high end were more reasonably priced than the strip. The pool area was nicer than the Mandalay and a much shorter hike. Valet was lighting fast, just like the old days on the Strip.

The main downside was needing to rent a vehicle and parking on the Strip, which is now $30/day for the hoi polloi. In the event I revisit I might just rideshre. Also I found the room rates + resort fees a bit overpriced for the location and quality.

What I dislike most at LAS are the "round" terminals. And it can be quite a walk between gates. LAS is by far the one I connect through the most.

MDW and BWI just don't seem as bad to me. I do not go to MDW much and have gotten lucky there on tight connections being at a very close gate a couple of times.