Ugh. Where do I start?
I stayed at the Tropicana on a quick weekend trip to Vegas for a convention that was next door at the MGM Grand. The Grand wanted $300 a night thanks to a Def Leppard concert going on that weekend but the dear, sweet Tropicana was selling rooms for a mere $85 a night. What a deal I thought, only to find out the old adage "you get what you pay for" is true.
I wanted to like the Tropicana for pure nostalgia reasons. The hotel is one of the last Vegas originals still hanging on and was a prime spot back in the Sinatra days so when I got to my room in the Island Tower I tried to close my eyes and pretend like I didn't see the white stains all over the couch and desk chair. Or the brown stains on the sofa. Or the bamboo styled bed that had a mirror going up the wall and over the bed. Truth be told my room had a smell that I couldn't place. The entire experience was a mysterious adventure with suspect results.
To get to the Island Tower you have to walk down a very long corridor with many vendors selling cheap knock offs of mostly glitter tops and light up buttons, cheap jewelry and hair extensions. They have a buffet that serves fatty prime rib and french toast; luckily it is all you can eat.
The Tropicana is located at the end of the strip near MGM Grand, New York, New York and Mandalay Bay. You should stay here for cheap cost and location. Expect nothing from the casino and hold your nose.