If you’ve been to Las Vegas before, maybe you remember Imperial Palace, the total dive hotel in between the Flamingo and Harrah’s? Well, it no longer exists. A few years ago it got a facelift and rebranded itself as The Linq. I recently stayed there and found it very affordable and in a great location. In fact, it seems to be a little-known secret on the Las Vegas strip! If you are planning a trip to Sin City, check out this review of The Linq Las Vegas before booking your hotel.
The Linq Las Vegas | Pricing & Resort Fees
As I covered in the post, How to Spend an Overnight Layover in Las Vegas, I recently needed an affordable on-Strip option for a one-night stay. After doing some research, I found The Linq for $56. That would’ve been a great price to pay for a one-night stay in Las Vegas, but the annoying thing about resorts in LV is that they charge “resort fees.” These fees include things that are free in most other hotels like wifi, parking and concierge service.
Unfortunately, you end up paying resort fees in every hotel in Vegas, even in off-the-strip hotels like The Orleans and Palms. So while a room was only $56, after the $35 Linq resort fee and tax, our total came to $105. It was still the cheapest option I could find for our overnight Las Vegas layover. And it ended up being completely worth it!
The Linq Las Vegas | Check-In
On the morning of our arrival, I received an email from The Linq. It included a QR code for the express check-in/out kiosks in the hotel lobby. Upon arrival at the hotel, we saw that there was a long line for check-in. We decided to avoid the line by trying the check-in kiosk using the QR code. The kiosk check-in process is so simple! It scans your ID and a credit card for incidentals and then produces the room keys. We were on our way to our room in a matter of minutes!
The Linq Hotel Rooms
The Linq has updated rooms with a modern vibe that show no resemblance to its former Imperial Palace Las Vegas days. When we walked into our room, we were surprised to discover that we had received a complimentary upgrade.
Our $56/night room (before resort fees & tax) was upgraded to a one-bedroom suite, complete with a kitchenette and two bathrooms. Now, we are not high-rollers, in fact, we don’t even have Total Rewards “status.” I think we received the complimentary upgrade because it was a Wednesday night in October but I’ll take it! Fun fact: October isn’t exactly busy season in Las Vegas.
Note: Total Rewards is a membership program where you earn points for gambling and hotel stays at all of the Caesars Entertainment hotels & resorts. There are several Las Vegas locations included in the program including Caesars Palace, Planet Hollywood, Bally’s, Flamingo, Rio, Harrah’s and The Linq. For more information about the benefits of the Total Rewards membership, visit this site!
The Linq Las Vegas | Casino & Sports Book
The thing that stood out to me about the renovated Linq casino is that there were $5 Blackjack tables! Ok, so I like to play Blackjack.. But I like to play on $5 tables, which are almost impossible to find on the Strip. Granted, it was after midnight on a Wednesday in October when I saw the the $5 tables…
If you are looking for a $5 Blackjack table and can’t find one at The Linq, head over to O’Sheas. This small casino and bar is located within The Linq, adjacent to the Promenade. O’Sheas offers several $5 tables and is a great spot for low-budget gamblers like myself!
Also, as a sports fan, I tend to spend a lot of time in sports books while visiting Vegas. The Sports Book in The Linq is fabulous and provides the perfect atmosphere for sports fans to enjoy the games.
Hotels Near The Linq
One of the best things about The Linq is its central location on the Strip. The Linq is between Harrah’s and the Flamingo and other hotels near the Linq include Caesars Palace, Mirage and Bally’s. Not only is The Linq in close proximity to these popular resorts and casinos, but the Linq Promenade is right outside the door! Which leads me to….
The Linq Promenade
The Linq Promenade features The High Roller, the world’s largest observation wheel. The area also includes a large variety of restaurants, drinking establishments, shops and even a bowling alley.
Popular restaurants in The Linq Promenade include:
- In-N-Out (open late!)
- The Yard House (an upscale sports bar with 100+ beers on tap)
- Tilted Kilt (a Celtic-themed sports environment).
Honestly, there are so many options in The Linq Promenade that you can spend most of your day without leaving the area!
The Linq Las Vegas Pool
The pool at The Linq is called Influence. It is for ages 21+ and does not not allow kids. Those with families can access the pool at the Flamingo next door.
Since The Linq pool is 21+, it has a a day-club vibe but a little less rowdy. During the summer months (which in Vegas is like March – October) there is a DJ playing music seven days a week. There are two pools that can get crowded especially on the weekends in the summer. Bar service is on point and the prices (for Vegas) are manageable… $16 for a 12 oz cocktail and $24 for a 22 oz.
The Linq Las Vegas | Spa
The Linq spa is the best, most affordable spa on the Strip! On a separate trip to Vegas to accompany my husband who was there for a conference, we stayed at the Wynn, where the conference was being held. Side note: The Wynn, while beautiful, is definitely not a budget-friendly hotel, but my husband’s work was paying for it.
I needed to entertain myself while my husband was in the conference and a spa day seemed like a great way to spend an afternoon. I looked at the prices for the spas at the Wynn and surrounding hotels like the Venetian next door… $180 for a 50 minute massage or facial! Oh hell no, I thought!
That’s when I remembered staying at The Linq a couple months prior and looked up their spa services. $120 for a 50-minute massage, $130 for a facial or $55 for a pedicure. Now we are talking!
Note: Pricing is a little lower Monday – Thursday compared to the weekends. Friday – Sunday services cost $10 more than what is listed above.
I could tell that that The Linq Spa had been completely renovated just like the rest of the hotel and casino. The stylish spa was welcoming and included a complimentary 45-minute session in the Himalayan salt therapy cave!
After enjoying the salt therapy session, I relaxed in the spa lounge. There are separate lounges for men and women and amenities include a coffee and tea bar and fresh fruit and snacks.
I ended up getting The Linq Signature Facial and a Gel Polish Pedicure. The facial was the best facial I’ve ever gotten and will definitely get another one at The Linq Spa next time I am in Vegas!
Overall Impression
Can you tell that I am kind of obsessed with The Linq? It is such a great value! The hotel is modern, in a great location and is super affordable. So what are you waiting for? Book your Las Vegas stay at The Linq and enjoy!
Cheers!
