text: This is my second stay at the Stratosphere.  My first vist was in Jan 2011.  This visit was from Sept 21-25, 2012.  It was coincidental that I stayed here again as my friend had a timeshare with a great deal for this hotel.  \n\nCONS:\nWhat I don't like about the Stratosphere is that you always have to speak up or else you will get stuck with a subpar room.  Last time we paid $20 more a day for an upgrade to a suite (It was indeed sweet!!!).  On our recent visit, there were just so many things wrong with our room, they HAD to move us to the Select rooms.  The Select room was on the 18th floor so it had a nice view of the city.  It was more modern, brightly lit and had a safe.  Even the shower ran better and included a Moen shower head (it's the little things, lol).  I think they offer the worst rooms to customers  first instead of the ones on the more newly renovated part of the hotel.  I don't like that.\n\nNext, even though housekeeping is available until 5pm, our room was only cleaned once (and a horrible job at that) while we were there.  Really \"Molina\"?  \n\nAs you're passing to and fro, the smoke on the casino floor will take your down...lol\n\nAnother thing is it is further down the strip (almost downtown) so cabs can get pricey.  \n\nAlso, concerning the area around the hotel: to me all of Vegas is hood so I don't get the \"dangerous\" warnings with the area around this hotel.  As a woman, use common sense and don't travel alone at night (behavior you should practice anywhere).  Many of the people who live in Vegas are on hard times, homeless people everywhere! No surprise there!  \n\nPROS:\nI will say that the Stratosphere has some of the best hotel food I have enjoyed in the good ole US of A.  Like...really good food with large portion sizes.  The first time I ordered a lot of room service as I was on a romantic getaway, lol.   This time my girlfriends and I ordered in twice and both times we loved our meals.  Veggie burger and salads are spectacular.\n\nDiscount tickets to local shows: we got a good deal on \"sold out\" Cirque du Soleil Zumanity tickets for the same night.\n\nI love that the hotel is a theme park onto itself and has lots of attractions including several restaurants inside (even the \"shi-shi\" Top of the World restaurant).  It is also great that your room key grants you free admission to the tower.  Go to the outside observatory for the best view of the city.  Don't waste your coins on the binoculars, they are poor quality.  Last time I went on one of the rides: X-treme.  It was awesome!