I stayed at Blackstone for six night for a Thanksgiving climbing trip. I'm always hesitant to stay anywhere remotely close to the Strip b/c I despise the scene and don't partake in the usual Vegas activities. It looked promising from the photos/description and I could have stayed in a whole lot more dodgier places for the same amount.
The hotel is non-smoking and it took me less than 5 min to get from the parking garage to my 5th floor room (no heinous casino). When I arrived they promptly comped me a fridge since I would be staying for so long. There weren't many other guests until the weekend proper and even then it stayed relatively quiet minus a few brief episodes of screaming brats running down the hallway. It's not super fancy, but it's also not polyester floral bedspreads. The decor is tasteful modernish. It's close to a lot of reasonably priced ethnic restaurants (Indian, Salvadoran, Ethiopian, Middle Eastern) and a quick 10 min drive over to the Asian food paradise on Spring Mountain.
Helpful hints:
1. When driving to the hotel avoid the Flamingo exit during Strip peak hours. Spring Mountain to Sands is a better alternative.
2. Go check out the Atomic Testing Museum (http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-atomic-testing-museum-las-vegas), almost across the street from the hotel. It has exhibits to appeal to the history, science and pop culture buff in all of us.