text: Ahh... breaking up is so very hard to do!  I'm starting to feel the depression kick in as I put pen to paper (ok, fingers to keyboard then) to write this less than stellar review for a place that's been like a home away from home for me the last 10 years or so.\n\nDuring my countless family trips to Vegas in the past decade, more often than not I've stayed at the Monte Carlo, and witnessed its sad, slow decline from a very decent establishment to something that's barely above motel status now.  I fear that this last stay may have sealed the deal once and for all and I'll need to look elsewhere next time.\n\nIt is certainly one of the more affordable hotels on the strip and in recent years that's ultimately been the deciding factor for me and my family but it may no longer be enough.  Although there are many advantages to staying here, the ever-increasing disadvantages are beginning to tip the balance the other way:\n\nThe location is ideal for me - the metro link to the City center and Bellagio in particular, is really handy.  I have also always enjoyed their brunch buffet.  I love the fact that the casino is a manageable size so it doesn't take you 17 hours to go from one end to the other; it also has a good selection of fast food places for when you want to grab a quick bite.  They have recently expanded the area leading to the trams to include another Starbucks (two within seconds of each other: major points scored!) as well as a crepe joint and a selection of other fun eating places.  And finally, with the exception of the bell-desk, customer service has always been friendly and professional, so all fine and dandy so far...\n\nUnfortunately the one area they need to pay attention to keeps getting neglected, deteriorating with every visit: the ROOMS.  In short: they are past their sell by date!  Everything about the rooms is old and getting older.  The carpet was absolutely horrendous this time - so filthy that I feared I'd catch a disease if I walked on it barefooted!  The towels on the other hand, are so worn and rough it's like drying yourself with a handful of nails.  I asked for fresh towels only to be given one that had not one but two giant stains on it - yuck.  The beds, which are actually quite comfortable, had sheets with holes in them.  The lamp on the bedside cabinet, usually bolted to its base had in fact been ripped off it, with the lampshade all beaten and battered.  The floorboards near the window were loose; the curtain rod actually came off its hook as I went to draw the curtains one night.  There's no Wi-Fi inside the rooms which in this day and age is quite unbelievable.  The ice machine was broken on my floor and two other consecutive floors.  And many other minor irritations that on their own may not be so bad - but when you have such a rich collection of inconveniences, it all adds up to an unhappy experience!  I understand a meaningful remodeling would be a huge undertaking, but surely just a bit of light maintenance would go a long way.\n\nI mentioned all of this during check-out and the lady I dealt with was apologetic and nice enough to reduce my bill by dropping the nightly resort fee - which let's face it, is just a b.s. charge that all hotels now tag on to your bill unnecessarily anyway, but it was better than nothing.\n\nSo there you have it.  It's only owing to a heartbreaking sense of nostalgia that I'm rating this place 3 stars and not lower!