Vegas can be an affordable vacation in the off-season (summer). And if you enjoy lying outside by really nice pools -- there's hardly anyplace better that's not on a beach.
My dude and I enjoy the Wynn/Encore, and you can often get great off-season deals from their emails. Note also that if you bid on Priceline and filter by "5 stars" and "Strip North" (or the like), you will end up either at the Wynn/Encore, Palazzo, or Venetian, all of which are nice options. One time we ended up with rooms for $70/night, inclusive.
Other favorite Vegas tips:
- It's funny, but renting a car can save you money. Car rentals at the airport are cheap, parking on the strip is always free (including valet parking at Wynn/Encore), and you can get off the strip for better meals at a much lower price. If a taxi both ways is $25, you can often find a several-day rental for just a bit more than that.
- I'll play penny slots for a bit, at least enough to get a couple of free drinks. The nicer the hotel, the nicer the drinks. If I lose $5 but got a couple of fancypants Manhattans (me) or mojitos (my dude), I feel OK about that. You can order your next drink when you get the last one if you tip (worth it IMHO).
- If you're going to do a buffet (an experience), go while it's still "breakfast" or "brunch" pricing and stay until they switch to the better buffet with crab/lobster/fancy stuff. And look online for discounts on the buffets.
- I get tired of the overwhelming consumption focus on the strip pretty quickly -- it's more my dude's thing than mine. But there are excellent hikes just outside of town (bring sunscreen and water!), and Hoover Dam is cool.
- Check Groupon/etc for deals on shows. We saw a hilarious drag show for $5 (tickets normally $30), thanks to Groupon.