Having been a Las Vegas elopement photographer for a couple of years, I noticed so often that my couples were opting to stay off the Strip, but didn’t exactly know where to look for places to stay.

Las Vegas is, in a word, weird. But it’s also a crazy wonderful city that deserves to be explored from top to bottom! So I’ve outlined a few of my favorite hotels that aren’t on the Strip for folks who want to explore a bit more. In an effort to benefit everyone, I’m including hotels that range across different pricing levels, and I make no guarantees to any of these hotels’ pricing.

*note: I don’t get any kickbacks from these hotels for doing this. This is purely just a helpful resource for those looking to come to Las Vegas!

Downtown

These Downtown Las Vegas hotels are some of my favorite for a variety of reasons. Some of them are crazy fun to photograph in front of, while some of them I’ve actually hung out at! The El Cortez and Plaza made this list because of their fun, classic-Vegas exteriors, and they’re each right next to Fremont Street Experience, which means you’re just steps away from enjoying the Las Vegas nightlife, but you get to be a tad removed from it.

If you’re looking for a little more peace and quiet, head over to the Downtowner. What used to be a Mid-Century Modern motel is now a boutique hotel in the heart of the downtown Las Vegas area. With a cute, Instagram-worthy bar in the lobby and a fun golf course on-site, it’s easy to see why this hotel is a favorite.

El Cortez Hotel & Casino – $

Plaza Hotel & Casino – $

Downtowner Boutique Hotel – $

North

Now, I’ve never personally stayed at any of these hotels, but they’re definitely the most popular in the area. North Las Vegas is known for being a bit more cost-friendly than other areas of the city, but it’s still within an easy drive of anywhere downtown. The benefits to staying on the northern side of Las Vegas are that you’re much closer to Mount Charleston, and it’s super easy to hop on the highway to get to Red Rock Canyon or Valley of Fire.

Aliante Casino + Hotel – $$

Texas Station – $

Santa Fe Station Hotel and Casino – $$

West

The west side of Las Vegas is a perfect place to stay if you plan on spending a lot of time at Red Rock Canyon or driving over the California border. Having photographed quite a few events in these hotels, I can say they’re definitely made for travelers who prefer to stay somewhere a bit more comfortable. This area of Las Vegas, known as Summerlin, spends a bit more time and energy on the finer things in life. In this area, you’ll find more boutique cafes, more luxury brand stores, and many more golf courses. If you’re more into getting out in nature and exploring the natural beauty around Las Vegas rather than hitting the slot machines, these hotels are definitely for you (though, you can definitely gamble at any of these places, too!).

Red Rock Casino, Resort, and Spa – $$

JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa – $$$

Suncoast Hotel and Casino – $$

South

Out of all the places in Las Vegas, I think I’ve spent the majority of my time at these hotels. Granted, I live closer to these areas, but I also love how well each of them fit into Vegas while still standing out amongst the crowd. Green Valley Ranch has some of the best dining in the area within its casino, and the M Resort has the best pool (and locals discounts) in all of Las Vegas. Fiesta Henderson is also a favorite if you’re trying to stay somewhere really close to two major highways for easy access. But having gotten drinks at all three of these places, I’d have to say the M Resort is my favorite. It’s a bit of a drive, but they have so many amenities, you’ll never want to leave.

Green Valley Ranch Resort, Spa, and Casino – $$

M Resort – $$

Fiesta Henderson Hotel and Casino – $

East

Okay, now this grouping of hotels really spans the entire range of Las Vegas. If you head 20 minutes outside of the city, you’ll run right into Lake Las Vegas, which is a man-made lake, created with luxury in mind. With water sports and kayak rentals available, you won’t feel like you’re in Las Vegas at all! On the opposite side of the spectrum, we have Sam’s Town, which is a classic, eclectic Vegas casino. Sam’s Town actually offers RV parking, too, so if you’re just looking for a place to park the van for the night, this is the place to do it! And finally, right in the locals part of Henderson is Sunset Station. This casino has just about anything you could think of, from a movie theatre to a bowling alley, and a fun 360º bar right in the middle of it all.

Hilton Lake Las Vegas Resort & Spa – $$$

Sam's Town Hotel & Gambling Hall – $

Sunset Station – $$

Whew! Alright, y’all. Ready for your next Las Vegas adventure? Whether you just want to elope or you’re looking for that big grand wedding, hit the button below to make it happen!