Stayed at the Orleans in ‘97 when I was working at Yucca Mountain. It had just opened and was really trying to get business. $30 a night for the room, my tip for Breakfast was more than the breakfast itself (yeah, I was eating at 3:00 Am so I could be at the tunnel by 7:00). Actually made money on the per diem that time.
Even with the drive it beat staying in the housing at the Nevada Test Site.
One of the folks I worked with stayed at the Orleans once. Said it was a dump. Looked like one from outside, but I never went in. Took her word for it.
Above is the advice I give to first timers, get the LV experience without the prices. Locals love it and the other "Station" locations, too. Drop in for the Strip experience and slide away to your lower-cost retreat. Same thing for Fremont Street. Besides, you have to drive right past the In-N-Out Burger to get from the Orleans to the Strip so that works out, too.