I got a smashing deal at the Stratosphere for $35/night, and this deal revealed that you certainly get what you pay for (not to mention, a $40 resort fee on top of it).
We were placed in the farthest tower from the entrance and if it was now a non-smoking section, it certainly wasn't in the past. It reeked of smoke and it was littered with trash throughout the halls.
I also learned from this experience to never stay on the strip during a summer weekend following Memorial Day. We arrived at the hotel at 11:45 PM where we went directly to the registration line. We stood in line until 1:15 AM. We stood in line for an hour and a half to get checked-in! The line was super long, but they also only had five-six concierges rotating in and out at the front desk, and most of them were moving slooooowly.
We stayed at the Stratosphere last year, but it was in April on a weekday and we paid for a much nicer room. I now know timing is everything in Vegas and this was certainly not the time to go. Before this trip, I have never gone to the strip this time of year and now I know never again- especially at the Stratosphere.