LAS VEGAS -- When the Stardust opened in 1958, it was designed as an alternative to more glamorous competitors like the Riviera, the Sands, the Dunes and the Tropicana. With room rates of just $6 a day, the masterminds behind the hotel wanted to appeal to the masses, not just the privileged few who could afford the pricier palaces elsewhere on the Strip.

Some 44 years later, it seems that marketing mindset holds true. By offering comfortable and dependable lodging, middle-of-the-road dining establishments, and old-school entertainment, the Stardust has carved a niche for itself as a lower-priced alternative to today's palaces, like Bellagio and the Venetian.

To be sure, no one will confuse the Stardust for one of those $1 billion temples to excess further down the street. Although it has the requisite neon and smoke-filled casino, it has none of the glitz, glamour, and spectacle that have defined Las Vegas casinos for the last decade or so. It's up to you to decide if that's a good thing or bad thing.

The Stardust has no theme, unless you count lots and lots of neon as a concept instead of a decoration. Even inside the meandering casino, the neon seems to stretch for miles. It isn't as much of an assault on the senses as it sounds, but it certainly isn't a relaxing environment, either. A relatively low ceiling and narrow walkways add to a sense of clutter, making it a slightly claustrophobic space.

But the good news is that every casino option you might want is represented here, from slots and video poker of all denominations to all table games and a very popular sports book.

The 1,500 rooms come in a variety of styles and sizes, owing to the numerous additions made to the hotel in the last 40 years. The main tower has standard-in-every-way rooms done in standard-in-every-way decor, while the older tower has rooms that are a tad larger and feature balconies. All rooms come with queen- or king-size beds, TVs, bureaus, a writing desk, a chair or two, and a table, and all of the other things you'd normally find a hotel room. However, they are a little shy on the niceties -- you'll need to call housekeeping if you want an iron and board.

In case you were wondering, the extremely unpleasant "garden rooms" in a motel out back have been demolished, and the world is a little bit better of a place because of it.

There are a few restaurants, including the safe standby Tony Roma's, two big pools, and a well-appointed health club. For entertainment, Mr. Las Vegas himself, Wayne Newton, performs for the bulk of the year in the main showroom.

The price can be a big draw to staying at the Stardust, although even that's not quite as great as it used to be. The motor inn rooms were terrible, but at least they were dirt cheap. Now, the tower rooms are probably going to cost you at least $60 per night and usually a lot more, especially on the weekends, although they usually come in significantly less than the higher-profile joints down the street.

By aiming a little higher than the low-end and a lot lower than the high-end, the Stardust hits the target as a dependable middle-of-the-road alternative. Is it a decent enough alternative to survive in this highly competitive market? Probably not -- rumors abound that the owners of the hotel would love to do one of those implosion tricks and start over, although if that happens it will be years away.

In the meantime, the more important question becomes is it a decent enough alternative for you?

Click here for contact information, ratings, Web site, and more info on the Stardust.

This Week's Trivia

Q: How many hotel-casinos directly on the Strip have more than 3,000 rooms? ANSWER

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In Next Week's Column

Next week: Next week: The Fourt Annual Vegas4Visitors.com Top 10 Awards begin with our picks for the Top 10 Casinos in Las Vegas. Plus, an update on New Year's Eve room rates.

Plus, don't forget to send me your questions about Las Vegas. I've got room for more, so send them in today!

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Rick Garman is the head writer for Vegas4Visitors

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