Is Airbnb a Good Option for Las Vegas Visitors?

If you’re headed to Las Vegas for a vacation, you could stay in one of the city’s hotels or resorts. Hotels in Las Vegas vary from niche boutiques to high-end resorts with their own currency exchange kiosks and casinos. Another option: book an Airbnb. If you’re searching for a more authentic, residential experience, renting on Airbnb may offer a more realistic view of life in this hot spot.

Key Takeaways

• If you’re visiting Las Vegas, the famous Strip and its resort hotels are themselves tourist destinations.
• Airbnb may allow you to explore Las Vegas beyond the main drag.
• While these hotels often offer deals, a house on Airbnb may be easier on your wallet, especially for larger groups.
• You may get a different experience of the city from your hosts, especially if they are locals.
• What you’ll miss from staying at an Airbnb, however, is the luxury experience of the hotels and access to some of their amenities, such as their famous casinos and pools.

Picking a Place

Log on to Airbnb.com to view hundreds of listings for Las Vegas, from downtown to quieter residential areas.

Use Airbnb’s filters to help narrow your search by type of accommodation, including a shared room, a private bedroom, or an entire residence. You can narrow it down by price, and a map adjacent to the listings lets you choose by location.

You can also view photos, read descriptions, and wade through user reviews. The best hosts offer extremely detailed descriptions and plenty of photos. A checklist of amenities is attached, so you can make sure the place has wifi, a swimming pool, and more.

Don’t Skip the Reviews

Regular Airbnb users are conscientious about leaving reviews after their stays. They often note details that a homeowner might not have mentioned, like the distance to public transportation or how safe the neighborhood seems to be.

Reviewers are often brutally honest. You will usually get a warning if the place was dirty, the bed was hard, or the host was surly. All this information can offer you a sense of the place: Is it your kind of place?

Generally, after reading the reviews, you can tell if the property is best suited to backpackers, professional couples, families, or retirees.

How to Book

In order to book, you have to enroll as an Airbnb member.

Once you’re a member, you can choose a listing and click on “Book.” Many listings offer an “Instant Book” option that will directly lead you through the payment process. Others require you to request the booking in a message to the host.

Once the reservation is confirmed and you finalize it, your payment goes to Airbnb via a credit card or PayPal. It’s forwarded to the owner, minus the service fee, about 24 hours after you check in.

Important

A Superhost status designates hosts who have consistently high ratings.

What You Get

Most Airbnb rentals cost considerably less than a comparable hotel room. However, the reality is you’re typically staying in somebody’s home. Whether the owner is home or you’re taking over the whole place, there are pluses and minuses.

Many of the minuses might be addressed through the host writing a better listing description, or by the guest asking the right questions. For example, will you have kitchen rights? What about the use of a washer and dryer? Best to find out before you book.

The following examples compare rooms in three Vegas hotels with Airbnb rentals that offer similar amenities in nearby locations. We looked at a seven-night stay in a private suite listed at Travelocity.com or an Airbnb-listed “entire home” for two in early December 2024. These prices could change by the time you read this. 

On (or Near) the Strip

Wynn Las Vegas

This luxurious, 2,700-room hotel on the Strip has a distinctive contemporary style with beautiful furnishings and bright colors. You’ll find all the amenities: pools, restaurants, gym, spa, casino, golf course, and a shopping arcade. 

What you’ll pay: A king room for about $699 a night, not including tax, fees, and tips.

Airbnb

“B6P3 MGM Studio | Sphere Strip View | Kitchenette” is a block away from the Strip with a view of the Strip. Located in The Signature at MGM, the suite has access to a pool, gym, and lobby bar. The kitchen is fully stocked. Alex, the host, is a Superhost, and Airbnb gives him top marks.

What you’ll pay: $129 per night, not including Airbnb’s service fee and housekeeping.

The Resort Experience

Hilton Vacation Club Cancun Resort Las Vegas

This resort is similar to the high-end resorts found on the beaches of Mexico—except it’s just a few minutes from the bustling Strip. There are gorgeous swimming pools, including one with water slides, a spa, game room, and poolside food and drink service.

What you’ll pay: A king room for approximately $131 per night, not including tax, fees, and tips. 

Airbnb

“Adorable Studio Casita with Pool and Barbecue.” This place has one bedroom and one bath, with access to a pool, barbecue area, and patio area with a home theater. It’s ten minutes from the Strip and ten minutes from the airport. What you’ll pay: $106 per night, not including Airbnb’s service fee and housekeeping.

For Outdoorsy Types

Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa 

This 811-room resort sits at the gateway to Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, with more than 30 miles of spectacular hiking trails. Downtown Vegas is less than 20 minutes away via a complimentary shuttle. The resort itself has a casino and spa, nine restaurants, and eight lounges and bars.

What you’ll pay: $265 a night for a city view king room.

Airbnb

“Licensed, Superhost, Sleeps 8, Close to the Strip.” This is a secluded home with a spa and swimming pool, approximately two miles from the Strip, but in a quiet, residential neighborhood. This home is offered by a Superhost and is a guest favorite.

What you’ll pay: $500 a night, not including Airbnb’s service fee and housekeeping.

What Are the Pros of Airbnbs?

Saving money isn’t the only reason to consider Airbnb—in fact, some luxury Airbnbs are pricier than some hotels. Still, in many cases, you can find a good deal. And that’s not all. Through Airbnb, you get to meet a local (at least virtually) who may be happy to recommend upcoming events and their favorite bars, restaurants, and attractions. You’re paying for a more homey atmosphere, a personalized touch.

What Are the Cons of Airbnbs?

Sometimes, there’s less flexibility. Many Airbnb hosts require a minimum stay of two or three nights, and others require a week or even two.

Check the property notes carefully. Cancellation fees are at the host’s discretion and can be steep.

Check-in times must be negotiated, although many use lockboxes so that you can check yourself in.

Also, there’s no business center, and you’re not necessarily getting the efficiency of a hotel chain.

And finally, when you book an Airbnb,  you typically won’t have access to onsite restaurants or other amenities, like spas.

What Airbnbs Are in Las Vegas?

There are plenty of Las Vegas residents eager to rent you their homes. Many boast swimming pools. There are also outdoor gardens, patios, and even tennis courts.

The available choices for early December 2024 ranged from a room for $44 a night to a luxury condo for $989 a night—with even pricier options offered, as well.

The Bottom Line

Airbnb and hotels may both offer specials and savings on accommodations for visitors to Las Vegas. But if you would like to go beyond the main drag and try something new, Airbnb can provide accommodations with amenities for visitors with price points less than some hotels. Other Airbnbs are even pricier than some hotels, with lush amenities and Superhosts. There are so many options to scroll through. The choice is yours.