If you are planning a vacation to visit Las Vegas or you need inspiration for your next travels, then this is the blog for you. There are so many hotels in Las Vegas and searching for a hotel can be a daunting task. In this blog, I will share with you my experiences at the Sahara Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.
Sahara Hotel at the time of booking was a 4+ star hotel, had mostly great reviews, and was very affordable. Sahara is said to start at the beginning of the Las Vegas Boulevard Strip.
On my search for hotels in Las Vegas, you may observe that most hotels have a unique theme or attraction that makes them stand out. I learned that you do not have to stay at a hotel to enjoy and access the hotel’s specific tourist attraction.
In addition to the great amenities that the Sahara hotel offers, one of the biggest pro is its location.
Because of the required social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Sahara hotel is in a perfect location away from the crowded hustles and bustles of the Las Vegas strip where hotels such as Ballys and Bellagio are located.
The Sahara Hotel’s location provides their guests with easy access to different modes of transportation, tourist attractions, and a wide variety of cuisines from different restaurants.
I will share how to get around Las Vegas for cheap, restaurants to eat, and fun activities to enjoy.
JFK Airport to McCarran International Airport
The flight from New York City JFK Airport to Las Vegas involved a connected flight at Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) . There was no required COVID test for this trip. However, every passenger was mandated to wear a mask at all times irrespective of whether or not they were vaccinated.
Layover Connected Flight
JetBlue’s New Travel Carry-on Policy.
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Sahara Las Vegas Hotel Ambiance.
Upon arrival, you will be greeted by the most friendly Sahara staff.
I must give Sahara Hotel five stars for the cleanliness of the hotel. Both the inside and outside are clean and free of garbage.
The ambiance is very inviting and relaxing. The hotel ensures that all Covid-19 safety measures are enforced.
You will be stopped by a security staff member if you are spotted without your face mask. Moreover, you will be provided with a surgical face mask. Sanitization stations with wipes or hand gels are placed throughout the hotel for guests to have easy access.
The Sahara Las Vegas Hotel Room.
The Sahara hotel is divided into three towers. My hotel room was on the Marra towers on the 22nd floor overlooking the city. The room was a junior suite with sleek modern decor. For me, the best feature of the room is the window overlooking the city and the mountain drop back. However, at least 90% of my time is spent outdoors engaging in fun activities.
Sahara’s Resort Fee
Most, if not all hotels in Las Vegas charge a resort fee per night. They range from $43 to as high as $55/night. The Sahara hotel charges around $45.30 per night. If you stayed 5 nights, you will be charged an extra $227 in addition to your hotel fee/night.
Sahara Las Vegas Hotel Food & Drink Cuisine.
What is a vacation without food? The Sahara Hotel provides its guests with easy access to a number of restaurants and bars onsite.
Zeffer’s restaurant serves mainly American dishes. The restaurant’s menu items are fairly priced. I ordered a beef burger and sweet potato fries and the bill was $20. Uno Mas is a Mexican restaurant claim to serve street tacos. Their fish tacos were really good. See below other restaurants and bars where you can dine and have a drink.
However, across the street from the hotel is a plaza where you have access to a number of fast food restaurants such as Mcdonalds, Subway, and Thai food. There is even a Walgreens located on said plaza.
With temperatures averaging 110 º F, the pool will be you best friend. The strangest thing about the Sahara pool was the 3 lifeguards stationed at each end of the pool. For such a small pool, why was there a need for so many lifeguards.
However, the Azilo Ultra Pool area is a great place to cool off and relax. The pool area features a 240 ft x 40 ft. video screen where you can enjoy DJ entertainment.
No food or drinks are allowed. However, there is a pool bar where you can order drinks and food. Reservations can be made in advanced for a daybed and cabana.
These are some essential items that you will never need on your trip to Las Vegas. Click on the pics below for a link to Amazon for more purchasing details.
Sahara Hotel Casino
If you are into gambling, then you will enjoy playing a few games. You can sign up for a membership card and gather points that can be later redeemed.
The only con I have is that guests are allowed to smoke in the casino. However, the hotel seems to have a very good filtering system because the scent of cigarettes smoke was not overpowering.
Transportation in Las Vegas: Bus, Monorail, Bike and Taxi.
Las Vegas Taxi/Uber/Lyft
From The McCarran International Airport to the Sahara Hotel, an UBER cost me $22 for a 10-15 minutes ride. However, you can take the public bus for only $2 from the airport.
On my way back to the airport, I opted to take the 108 bus that is right outside the Sahara hotel (a 1-minute walk). The bus is about a 20 – 25 minute ride into the airport. Depending on your gate, you may need to take a 2- minute ride on the shuttle train. But it was very easy to get around the airport, even with children.
Las Vegas Public Bus Transportation
From my experience, public transportation is reliable and easy to get around Las Vegas. However, make sure you have a towel/rag and bottled water when you travel.
The buses run an average of every 15 minutes. The heat will get you draining in sweat. But if you love the heat as I do, then it would not bother you as much. Find a shaded area and you will be ok.
The bus stop is right across the street from the Sahara hotel. The double-decker bus (Deuce) runs along the Las Vegas Boulevard strip where most of the hotels and tourist attractions can be found.
A 24 hours bus pass will cost non-residents or visitors $8 and $5 dollars for residents of Las Vegas. You can use this pass as many times as you want during the 24 hours period. The back of the bus pass will indicate the time and date of its expiration.
Las Vegas City Bikes
You can also rent a city bike to get around Las Vegas. The bike station sits directly across the street from the Sahara Hotel and is next to the Walgreens store. I am not sure of the rental cost. I usually rent one of these bikes, but because of the extreme Las Vegas heat, I had to passed this time.
The Sahara Las Vegas Monorail
You will be able to access the Monorail by an escalator or elevator from the Saharah Hotel. In my opinion, this is the fastest and easier way to travel to specific locations in Las Vegas to explore.
The Monorail starts at the Sahara Las Vegas Station and ends at the last stop: MGM station. The Monorail stops at 5 different stops. The entire ride takes approximately 10 -15 minutes.
Las Vegas Monorail Cost
A 24-hour Monorail pass costs $13. You can use this pass to travel on the monorail as many times as possible. However, since I was going to 1 specific stop, I purchased a one-way ticket for $5, for a total of $10. But, if you are going to use the monorail frequently during your trip, you can purchase up to a 4 day pass for $36.
Las Vegas Tourist Attractions
There are so many things to do and see in Las Vegas. What ever your reasons for visiting the sin city, you are sure to have a lot of fun.
The Strat Hotel SkyPod.
The STRAT SKYPOD is one of Las Vegas most iconic tourist attractions standing at 1149 feet overlooking the city.
For a fee of $24, you will be able to experience the breathtaking panoramic views of the city from the observational decks or have access to enjoy dining at one of the restaurants inside the pod.
Night views from my Sahara Hotel room.
Las Vegas Fountains Of Bellagio.
The Fountains Of Bellagio is another entertaining tourist attraction in Las Vegas; the children will also love the water show. The water show starts every 30 minutes. If you take the monorail or the Deuce bus, get off at the Ballys/Paris station to enjoy the water show from the sidewalk.
The Eiffel Tower Restaurant
The Eiffel Tower Las Vegas is a tourist attraction. The views from the restaurant lend your eyes to the beautiful scenic views and the Bellagio Fountain water show across the street.
Enjoy a piece of France in Las vegas. Get immersed into French cuisine at the Eiffel Towers elegant french restaurant.
Click HERE for the video presentation of the Bellagio Water Show.
Las Vegas Wedding Chapel
Las Vegas is known for small chapel weddings. If you choose to stay at the Sahara Hotel, The Chapel Of Bells is about a 7-minute walk from the hotel. If you are planning on a Vegas wedding, then this may be your ideal wedding chapel.
Las Vegas The Shopping Area
Across the street from the Bellagio Hotel, is the Miracle Mile Shops a mall/plaza for all your shopping needs.
A Sahara Las Vegas Experience
Let me know what you think
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Las Vegas is one of those places that everyone’s heard of, but is probably put off to do to during the pandemic. Seems weird to think how you can enjoy Las Vegas during a pandemic. Great post and photo’s, but I don’t think Las Vegas is a place I’ll ever visit
Thanks for stopping by Unwanted Life. It’s is not as bad traveling during the pandemic. I previously traveled 2x internationally and had a lot of fun. I don’t have to party to have fun. Las Vegas is not for everyone. You will never know how much you like vegas until you visit.
I’ve been to Vegas many times and prefer other hotels and locations on the strip. It really is such a fun place to travel to, and unfortunately we haven’t been able to travel back since the pandemic. But once Vegas is a safer place to travel to, and the land border reopens, we will be back. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for stopping by Jodie, you are right, Las Vegas is a great place to visit; can’t wait to go back.
This definitely looks like a beautiful hotel!!! Thanks for sharing!
Emotions Chaser, the Sahara hotel is definitely awesome. I couldn’t really find a negative about the hotel.
This was a great post full of useful information and beautiful photos. I really want to visit Vegas one day.I have missed traveling abroad so much!
Thank you for this post!
Thanks for dropping by Eri. When you are ready to travel again, and you choose to visit Las Vegas, I recommend Saharah Hotel. You will love it.
Wow, that’s a really comprehensive post. The hotel looks amazing. We went to Vegas many years ago, but things seem to have moved on quite a bit.
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for stopping by Graham. Glad I was able to enlighten you.
I’ve been to Vegas a couple of times but have never been to the Sahara, I’ll have to check it out on my next visit.
What a beautiful hotel! I love how all the hotels in Las Vegas are like their own little worlds! Thanks for this great guide
Las Vegas is a fun place to visit. There is nothing like a vacation where you can really be pampered and have everything you need nearby. And with hotels like the Sahara, you don’t have to ever leave it to have a great time.
The hotel is stunning! I’d love to visit Las Vegas one day! I want to do a bit of a read trip down the west cost and spend a few days there.
Corinne x
Great photos! Im supposed to visit Vegas few years back! Hopefully one day I can witness these all.
Thank you for taking us on an adventure! x Las Vegas now adds up on my list of places to visit. Thak you!
I would absolutely love to visit Las Vegas, it’s on my dream bucket list! Thank you so much for sharing this. Xo
Elle – ellegracedeveson.com
That’s so interesting that JetBlue is not making you pay for carry on. I did not know that. I would love to visit one day Las Vegas hopefully soon.
Unfortunately, JetBlue has jumped on the bandwagon like Spirit airlines, to start charging for carry-on luggage. I guess they are trying to recoup some of the sales they lost during the pandemic?
Believe it or not I haven’t been to Vegas. Vegas looks fun!
Let Las Vegas be on your list of places to visit. You will enjoy it. At least you know that Sahara Hotel is a good hotel to stay.
Haven’t been to Vegas in years. The Monorail looks like a great way to go while there. I like how you included foodie stuff, too. Your article is fun and informative. Thanks.
(Let me know if you ever need INFO or a collab for the southeastern states.)
Thanks for stopping by Angela. A foodE is always a foodie. Can’t have a vacation without food. I will look into your southeastern states.
Las Vegas is a beautiful place with hotels and casinos. Sahara hotel is an exotic hotel. Would love to ride the monorail.
The monorail, compared to the public bus, is the fastest and best way to get around to the hot spots in Las Vegas.
What a beautiful hotel! And such a helpful list of things to do and see in Vegas! Haven’t been in years and itching to get back. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for stopping by Kathryn. Glad you found my post useful. Don’t wait too long to revisit Las Vegas.
It’s an informative piece. The ambience of the hotel looked impressive. Hope you didn’t gamble much in the casino. Looking forward to more reviews.
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Interesting read. I had no idea that Delta offered free carry on luggage. Your trip seemed like so much fun.
Las Vegas was a fun time despite the fact that it was during covid.
Wow. Just wow! It’s on my bucket list to take my mum to Las Vegas, it just looks and sounds absolutely incredible. Thank you for sharing such a detailed travel guide, I’ll for sure be keeping this post in mind for the day I finally get to take my mum there. Such a shame covid had to be part of you journey but I hope you had a good time regardless. Xo
Elle – ellegracedeveson.com
Thank you Elle.
This hotel looks awesome, love the chandeliers and so relaxing
near the pool..
The pool was definitely a relaxing space. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.