La Quinta By The Airport: It Fits The Budget, But Is It Worth The Stay?

Where: 6560 Surrey St [map], 89119

It pays to book hotel rooms early for any big holiday. We even wrote up a few reminders to that effect leading up to New Year's Eve. Ultimately, we didn't take our own advice thinking we'd be watching the fireworks in the 'burbs away from the throngs of revelers. So, when the best laid plans changed and we wanted to avoid being anywhere near Vegas highways after midnight, the search began for a reasonable rate on a room we'd only be sleeping a few short hours in, if at all.

After much shock and awe on sticker prices and failing to find 99 friends willing to chip in for an epic all-nighter, we took a chance on La Quinta Inn & Suites Las Vegas Airport South. The location south of McCarran Airport and east of The Strip meant that an early New Year's Eve arrival should avoid the hassle of any road and highway exit closures. More importantly, it was one of the few hotels with availability that didn't require a minimum two or three night stay over NYE. Most importantly, the going rate for a NYE room was only $124.

Yes, that bathroom door was as big as it looks.

GETTING AROUND

The good news is that the hotel provides a free 24-hour shuttle to and from the airport and on New Year's Eve expanded service to pick-up and drop-off party-goers near the Four Seasons. The bad news is that walking toward The Strip isn't much of an option due to the airport blocking any potential shortcuts. As a point of reference, both the Hard Rock and Mandalay Bay are about 4.5 miles away by foot. There's a bus stop three tenths of a mile away from La Quinta that will drop you at Mandalay Bay 45 minutes later, but that route was down and out NYE. And, we can only imagine what the buses ~~smelled~~ looked like come 2 a.m.

ON PROPERTY

The approximately one-year-old property still looks fairly new right down to the "Now Open" sign still hanging outside. Those familiar with La Quinta will be quite pleased with the Airport South room and amenities. Nothing too luxurious, but all the comfortable basics one needs and expects along with a flat screen TV, desk, microwave, refrigerator, bathroom Keurig, free WiFi, fitness center and outdoor pool. All without a pesky resort fee. Their signature breakfast of bagels, cereal, a couple hot dishes, coffee, and juice is included, too, but we recommend going around the corner to spend a few bucks at Egg Works, instead.

SUMMARY

With McCarran right across the street, airplane noise definitely doesn't go unnoticed. But, ~~as drunk as we were NYE~~ we didn't register any complaints. In fact, with decent Strip views behind LAS, we might just camp out in La Quinta's parking lot next New Year's to take in the fireworks festivities and airplane exhaust with a few brewskies. Who wants to bring the grill?

Overall, the hotel isn't super fab but is far from drab. In fact, based on initial reviews, the La Quinta rooms just might be more fab than the rooms actually touted as such. La Quinta Airport South offers nice clean rooms at budget prices for those that aren't headed to The Strip or don't mind finding the means to get there.

Rates start at $99 per night. Call 1-702-492-8900 for reservations and more info.

Comments (4)

Return to » La Quinta By The Airport: It Fits The Budget, But Is It Worth The Stay?

One, wow. That is not what I was expecting. It's quite nice! Two, you lost me at coffee maker in the bathroom. #ewww

The room was a very nice surprise. There's a Hampton Inn nearby too as an alternative if everyone catches on to La Quinta's digs and fills the place. Course, I haven't been in the Hampton rooms, so I can't speak to how they compare.

Ha, I guess I could've just said "Keurig"? But it was located in the bathroom - although they could just as easily place it on the desk or near the TV. Strange.

Having a Keurig over a coffee pot always seems to make the room slightly nicer for some reason doesn't it? Even though I never use either in a room anyway.

Yes, definite high marks for having a single serve machine. Probably saves not just on waste, but cleaning, too. If they clean it. But, in the bathroom? I just. NO.

That room looks nicer than most of the lower budget rooms on the strip I've seen. Of course you're near the airport and not the strip. For a night like NYE that seems worth dealing with.

Becca, the few rooms that have coffee machines are all single cup makers but they all seem to have the same blah coffee.

VegasChatter

Hotel Video Tours / Hotels / Off Strip Hotels / McCarran Airport / McCarran / La Quinta / Off Strip / → All Tags