I was at Bally's Hotel & Casino this past October for a set of business meetings and had a mixed experience.
I have had the opportunity to stay at most of the hotels on The Vegas Strip, and Ballys at first glance looks like a tired old man at a rave. It was "renovated" in 1981, but it honestly looks like it hasn't been touched since it opened in 1967.
The location itself of Bally's Hotel & Casino is fabulous. It is mere minutes walking distance from all the new big attractions on the strip.
The staff at the registration desk were quite nice, and apologetic for the 20 minute line I had the joyous opportunity to wait in.
My booking was thankfully for the newly renovated Jubilee! Tower, which I was able to upgrade to a suite for a mere $20 more. Since the hotel "convenience charge" was $16 a day, it was really only $4 a night to upgrade.
The Jubliee! Rooms are brand new. I mean, literally they were opened formally a few days before my arrival. The rooms were pristine, everything was brand new, and I couldn't possibly come up with a problem if there was a gun pointed to my head.
Some of my colleagues were not so lucky. One in particular was originally put in the old tower and upon entering his room immediately had an allergy attack because of the mold levels. His quick search found mold deposits throughout the bathroom from leaking pipes that appeared to be at least a year left untouched. After calling to the front desk he was immediately upgraded to a suite in the Jubilee! Tower at no additional cost.
I spent the majority of my time in the convention center upstairs. I must admit, it was a welcome change to be on the top floor for meetings rather than in the basement (most hotels everywhere). This is where the 70's was very apparent. The long hallway to the meeting rooms was encased with large patio doors that were welded shut and clad in window coverings that reminded me of staying at my grandmother's house. According to a staff member they had to weld the doors to the multitude of tiny patios shut due to overwhelming suicides in the 80's. Charming.
The décor was straight out of American Hustle. Tired design, old carpets, fading paint, and wall sconces right out of Elvis' Graceland. The meeting rooms themselves were no different.
The Casino at Bally's Hotel & Casino was average. It wasn't as updated as Aria, but it was nowhere near Eliis Island. There are only two bars (technically 1.5) and they are extremely hard to find. The styling of the casino floor needs an interior decorator under the age of 49, as everything has this old uncle style going on.
The gym was decent. If it wasn't for the fiasco of what was required for entry I wouldn't have had a problem. I called the front desk before I departed, and they advised I only needed my key card for entry. After walking the 15 minutes to the gym, I was advised differently and had to walk 15 minutes back to my room, only to walk 15 minutes back to the gym. Yes, it actually is a loooong walk. By the time I got into the gym, I had no time for a workout.
All in all, if you arte able to get into the Jubilee! Rooms it's a cheap way to get yourself in the center of The Strip so you can enjoy yourself outside of Ballys.