The Rio to Bally's shuttle (free) runs every half hour and is a little less than 10 minutes. From Bally's you can jump on the monorail to the convention center.

http://www.lvmonorail.com/

I will be in Vegas in early December for several days attending a conference at the convention center.  The conference hotel is the LV Hilton which I have stayed at several times.  This time I would like to try a different hotel for several reasons, one the outrageous price that the Hilton wants for their rooms and the other is new adventures are fun.

I would like recommendations for some place that has access to the convention center via the monorail.  Price is somewhat a factor but rooms in Vegas are typically used only a few hours a night, don't plan on spending a lot of time in the room.  What about the Rio?  I understand that there is a shuttle from the Rio to the monorail, is it convenient?  Need provider friendly hotels.  Your comments and recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

hotel answers

hmmm...off the top of my head, i think the monorail stops at flamingo, imperial palace, harrah's , venetian, bally's, paris, planet hollywood and MGM.  Venetian is nice, there is security, but just meet downstairs.  planet hollywood (not sure on that one) is not bad, and it's closer to the center of the strip.  Younger crowd.  I'm younger, so I love it.  I'm not a fan of the other Harrah's places, they're a little older and not in as good shape.  MGM can be nice depending on the room, but that is a trek.  Good luck,  and search for Tasha's hotel security list.  It's awesome.  The Rio shuttle is convenient, as it goes to Bally's; BUT if you're trying to make a conference having to depend on two methods of transportation may not be the best idea.

You can use the Harrah's/IP stop for Venetian, or Bally's for PH, but you will be doing a LOT of walking.

http://www.vegas.com/transportation/monorails.html

Yes, I know, it looks like it's close at Venetian, but what the map isn't showing you is a) you're forced THROUGH the casino (there is no street access to behind the casino, and it would suck anyways, it's not designed for pedestrians to access Venetian from any other direction than through the Strip), and b), you'll then be forced to do a bunch of walking from your hotel room at Venetian to get to/from the Strip, and then down the Strip to get to/from Harrah's.

Pretty much every Strip casino needs a disclaimer printed on it: "Objects being viewed are further away than they seem."

Two options you didn't mention are the Renaissance Las Vegas (which is close to the LVCC Monorail stop), or Sahara (which is at the end of the line north of the Hilton). I've stayed at the Renaissance (which is the brand for Marriott's upscale properties); it's quite nice if you don't mind non-smoking, non-gaming properties.

if you complain about the Hilton rates (among the lowest in Vegas) how will you afford any other?

While the website lists the stops, be aware that these stations are at the extreme back end of these properties and it can be a 10 minute hike to the actual hotel. Don't think that these stops are anywhere near the lobbies.

Re: hotel answers

Im going to LV the 2nd week in DEC, a week before Xmas, a Xmas present for myself...  I found rates at the Flamingo for $40/night standard room & $60/night Go room!  You cant beat those prices anywhere on the strip!