Just returned tonight from a four day/three night stay at Harrah's. First impressions were not overly positive....driving up to the check in/registraion area goes around some unsightly parts of the building and is not impressive. The lobby area is just OK.
One of the first things you notice is the amount of cigarette smoke/smell that is in the casino. We couldn't get away from it even in the buffet (Flavors) area. We asked to change our seat to a more interior one away from the machines. Also the ceilings are rather low...maybe this makes the smell worse. My eyes burned after a few hours in the casino and I developed a cough the following day. Why can't Vegas follow Atlantic City and ban smoking??
On the positive side....our room was clean and pleasant. The beds were comfortable and the linens nice. We stayed in the Mardi Gras tower. I liked that the walk onto the strip was not very long. Last year I stayed at Bally's and it took forever to get from our room onto the strip (needed moving walkways and escalators..it was exhausting to get to the street). The hotels' location is really good. It is centrally located. The Flavor's buffet is more than adequate. We liked the breakfast buffet especially. Of course it's not the Bellagio buffet which is top notch and a must... Whatever you do, do NOT go to the Flamingo buffet. It is horrible.
Overall, we did enjoy our stay at Harrah's and would probably stay there again.

Just returned from a stay at Harrah's Oct. 31 thru Nov.3. We found the hotel to be very pleasant. It is not the Ritz, but has well appointed rooms that are spacious and clean. The beds are extremely comfortable with nice quality linens. Although we were on the go for most of our stay, everybody that we had contact with that was working in the hotel were extremely friendly and accomodating. They always asked if everything was OK and if we were enjoying our stay. We only ate at the hotel twice, but found both to be very good, also with good service. The location is what makes Harrah's attractive. It is ideally located so that you can easily access the strip and visit other hotels in the immediate vicinity. We would definitely return. It is a great value.

We booked Harrah's through Allegiant Air and stayed there for a week in August. We go to Las Vegas once a year, and we were so happy to have stayed there. The casino is close to many of the other hotels. And if you use the Monorail alot, then this is the place to stay. It was so easy for us to get around the casino. They have great restaurants also. I would definitely stay there again!

The problem with Harrah's is the smokey casino. Almost everyone smokes. Everywhere. And to get to your room? You must go through the casino.

It's unbelievable.

Remember: 2 hours in a casino equals 6 months of second-hand smoke exposure. To risk your lungs to that smoke is a very bad health risk.

Also, you have these illegal immigrants right outside Harrah's door trying to solicit everyone for call girls. They actually cut me with one of their cards - and they grinned sheepishly.

If you must go to Las Vegas (and I can't think of any reason other than to gamble and 98% of all gamblers lose their money according to study after study), you should stay off the strip.

Visit the Hoover dam if you must, but I would stay clear away from the casinos.