text: To begin: my husband and I weren't fans of Las Vegas. The pungent aroma of desperation, the garishness that tries to pass for opulence. It is the Kardashian of cities.\n\nWe chose the Mardi Gras because they don't have any hidden fees. No \"resort\" fee, no \"wi-fi\" fee, no \"cable tv\" fee that some nearby hotels charge. It's a cheap stay with no strings attached.\n\nThe room was just what we needed: cheap, quiet, off the Strip. The room itself was nice: large and well-appointed with a sitting room and kitchenette. Nothing broken, didn't smell like smoke. Bed was comfy. Not as nice as you'd expect from Best Western, but it was acceptable. A little out-dated, but who cares? It's thirty-five bucks, I'm not gonna quibble about the decor. \n\nThe staff was very friendly and helpful. The wi-fi worked. The picture on the TV was shitty and we only got, like, 12 channels. That could be a down-side for some (personally, I didn't care). The shower in 2196 was, hands down, the BEST shower I've ever had in a hotel. It was one of those massive shower heads the size of a dinner plate... very luxurious and an unexpected perk. \n\nThe neighborhood was extremely sketchy (like something you might see on an episode of \"Cops\"), the casino reeks of cigarettes and was patronized by some chilling derelicts, but that's not the hotel's deal.