Quote: We stayed here as it is my in-laws favorite place to stay. I was assaulted by cigarette smoke coming from the casino upon entering. Yuck! The casino is not separated from the lobby and front desk area. This condition prevails during the entire stay.

When the reservations were originally made (back in February 2006 for the first week in November), the rooms were supposed to be on the concierge floor (Club 21). Bally's website lists classic and Grand Suite (luxury) as the online room choices. Their FAQ says this about room types: "There may be additional room types in the hotel that are not available on those specific dates or can only be booked through a Casino Host." It further states on getting the best room rates: "If you are a Total Rewards member (this is Harrah's loyalty program) and sign in, you will get the best rate available based on the information provided. The Hot Deals section of the site also provide you with special reduced rates. Room availability, Total Rewards membership and status, offer codes, and number of people traveling all influence the best rates shown." Check all your options when booking a room to get the best room/best rate!

Bally's notified us a couple months prior to arrival that the floors for the rooms we selected would be under renovation. No offer was made as to comparable quality rooms nor offer of a lower rate. We ended up with rooms on the 12th floor at $149 per night for a Sunday to Thursday stay. While the rooms were spacious (450 sqft), I didn't feel they were probably comparable to the original room type booked. Tip: If the hotel tries to play this switch-a-room with you, be firm as to what you want and are getting/paying for or you might get shortchanged. If you are a regular customer of the casino, you should be getting rewarded for that loyalty.

Several problems with the room: overlooked Las Vegas Blvd but the windows were filthy, my in-laws room overlooked the grungy center of the hotel structure, only one drinking glass was provided, old rose petals found on carpet and bathroom floor from previous guest, large hole in one of bath towels. The worst offense - lingering pipe smoke smell in bathroom of a non-smoking room on a non-smoking floor! When freshing was requested, an abundant amount of bleach was used, but it did not eliminate the smell. We had been told these rooms were recently renovated, but the loose and cracked caulk in the tub made me doubt it so I asked and was told the room had been redone 4 years ago! Sorry, but that's not recent renovation to me.

The only plus is the sufficient lighting in the room.

The pool was closed for the season. Strange considering the very warm weather.

Grade: D-. Bally's needs to shape up or risk losing repeat customers. There are too many other (and better) choices.
From journals Las Vegas - The Vegas Virgin Trip