Have never visited Sin City and am not a gambler, but love to play other games.  Is it better to stay downtown or on the Strip?  Quality of hotels.  Easy access.  Other considerations.  Many thanks.

I personally say the strip..  In my opinion much nicer atmosphere and better hotels in general.  Also, so much great food, shopping, and shows to see.  All of this easily accessible on the strip.  But since it is your first time to Vegas, I would take a cab downtown to check it out one night, which is all you'll really want down there.  Just my two cents!  I personally love City Center!

I second this.  The hotels are much better on the strip and it is a great central location.  It's easier to get to all the major Casinos and as said above, downtown is just a day/night trip and it's an easy cab ride.

a lot fun things to do! Besides us lol.. Pool parties, the LINQ, shows, clubbing,  swimming with the dolphins, sharks , tons of great restaurants and lots of walking. If you do not rent a car or do not want to take a cab you can walk the strip in 3 hrs (I've done it before lol ), but also can take the free trams if you don't  like walking that much . There are  free trams from Mirage- Treasure Island, Mandalay to Excalibur and Bellagio to Montecarlo or the Monorail. There's more stuff to do, but  I cannot think about it right now lol.. You'll definitely will have a great time no matter what!

Stay downtown.   If you don't gamble just walking on Fremont street is a trip.  Get a car so you can go on places.

Exactly! Easy cab ride to downtown. And the strip is central to everything you'll want

You could always stay a few days on the strip and then stay a few days downtown.
Downtown many of the hotels have been upgraded and remodeled and have easy access.
There are also great hotels on the strip that have easy access.
There is plenty to do on the strip and downtown for a person who does not gamble.
You can walk the strip and check out the sights ,ride the Linq,check out some comedy shows or cirque de soleil show's if that is your thing.
Depending on when are visiting the pools will be open.
You can check out the mob museum downtown and walk around fremont st experience,ride the zipline downtown(if you are adventurous)check out the fabulous restaurants on the strip and downtown.
enjoy and have fun!

I would stay on the strip - will you have a rental car or using a cab (or Uber) ?

Never stay downtown on your FIRST trip to Las Vegas. By all means, venture there at some point during your trip. Just a short cab ride away and quite the spectacle. I Love Fremont street. But, the majority of sights and sounds you have heard about and seen on tv and film are on Las Vegas Blvd: Try to get near the CENTER strip so you can explore either direction.

Many thanks for the suggestions.  Any info on which strip hotels are best, not crowded.?