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DEF CON 35 runs August 5–8, 2027 at the Las Vegas Convention Center (West Hall) — the world’s largest hacker convention, held right after Black Hat USA (July 31–August 5 at Mandalay Bay). Many attendees do both back-to-back.
Where to stay: because DEF CON is at the LVCC and Black Hat at Mandalay Bay, a central-Strip or monorail-line hotel bridges both venues if you’re attending the full week. Book early — “hacker summer camp” fills rooms fast.
DEF CON 35 takes place at the Las Vegas Convention Center from August 5 to 8, 2027. The world’s largest and longest-running hacker conference draws tens of thousands of attendees (DEF CON publishes no audited count) — security researchers, hackers, federal agents, journalists, and curious technologists — for four days of talks, villages, contests, and community events. Unlike most trade shows, DEF CON is volunteer-run and still keeps its famous cash-at-the-door line alongside online pre-registration by card. Here is how to find the right hotel and prepare for what is arguably the most unusual convention experience in Las Vegas.
DEF CON 35 Key Details
DEF CON follows Black Hat the same week — our compression calendar maps it.
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| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Event | DEF CON 35 |
| Dates | Thursday August 5 – Sunday August 8, 2027 |
| Venue | Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) + associated venues |
| Expected Attendance | ~30,000 |
| Registration | Cash only, on-site, no advance registration |
| Preceded by | Black Hat USA (July 31–August 5, Mandalay Bay) |
| Training | Paid trainings just before the main conference (see defcon.org) |
DEF CON immediately follows Black Hat USA — many attendees do both events as part of “Hacker Summer Camp.” If you are coming from Black Hat at Mandalay Bay, you will want to switch to an LVCC-area hotel for DEF CON to avoid a 15+ minute commute each way.
Best Hotels for DEF CON 35 (Near LVCC)
Fontainebleau Las Vegas — Closest Luxury Option
Fontainebleau opened in late 2023 directly across the street from the LVCC. It is the newest major resort on the Strip and offers the shortest walk to the convention center — under 5 minutes. DEF CON has historically secured room blocks at properties near LVCC, and Fontainebleau is expected to be among them. For attendees who want modern rooms, a full resort experience, and zero commute to DEF CON, this is the top pick. The tradeoff is price — Fontainebleau is positioned as a premium property.
Show-week rate: Check live rates
Distance to LVCC: Under 5 minute walk
Best for: Attendees who want proximity + luxury, Hacker Summer Camp veterans switching from Mandalay Bay
Westgate Las Vegas — The Traditional DEF CON Hotel
Westgate sits directly adjacent to the LVCC with an enclosed walkway connection. It has been a popular choice for DEF CON attendees for years, partly because of the proximity and partly because of reasonable rates during show week. Rooms are large by Las Vegas standards, and the property includes a massive pool area — useful for decompressing after intense village sessions. Westgate also hosts the world’s largest sportsbook if that interests you.
Show-week rate: Check live rates
Distance to LVCC: 5–8 minute walk via enclosed connection
Best for: DEF CON regulars, value-focused attendees who want walkable access
Search Westgate deals on Hotels.com →
Renaissance Las Vegas — Professional Mid-Range
The Renaissance is a Marriott property about a 10-minute walk from the LVCC. It offers a more polished, business-hotel feel compared to the casino resorts. For corporate security teams whose travel policies prefer Marriott properties, the Renaissance delivers clean rooms, reliable WiFi (though you should still VPN everything at DEF CON), and Marriott Bonvoy points. It is also a calmer environment for attendees who want separation between the conference chaos and their sleeping quarters.
Show-week rate: Check live rates
Distance to LVCC: 10 minute walk
Best for: Corporate security teams, Marriott loyalists, attendees who prefer non-casino hotels
Residence Inn (LVCC Area) — Extended Stay for the Full Camp
If you are attending both Black Hat trainings (July 31–August 3) and the full DEF CON (August 5–8), you are looking at 8–9 nights in Las Vegas. The Residence Inn near LVCC offers suite-style rooms with kitchenettes — you can keep groceries, cook breakfast, and avoid eating every meal out. Over a long stay, that can add up. The property is about a 12-minute walk from the LVCC.
Show-week rate: Check live rates
Distance to LVCC: 12 minute walk
Best for: Extended stays (Hacker Summer Camp full week+), budget-conscious teams
Compare extended stay rates on Expedia →
STRAT Hotel — Maximum Budget Option
The STRAT sits at the north end of the Strip, about a 10-minute rideshare or a 20-minute walk from the LVCC. It is the cheapest hotel option that still offers Strip-adjacent amenities. Rooms are basic but clean. For solo hackers, students, and attendees who plan to spend every waking hour at DEF CON villages, The STRAT provides a bed, a shower, and significant savings.
Show-week rate: Check live rates
Distance to LVCC: 10 min rideshare / 20 min walk
Best for: Maximum budget savings, solo attendees
Hotel Cost Comparison — DEF CON 35
| Hotel | Show-Week Rate | Distance to LVCC | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fontainebleau | Check live rates | Under 5 min walk | Luxury + proximity |
| Westgate | Check live rates | 5–8 min (enclosed) | DEF CON classic |
| Renaissance | Check live rates | 10 min walk | Corporate / Marriott |
| Residence Inn | Check live rates | 12 min walk | Extended stay |
| STRAT | Check live rates | 10 min rideshare | Budget max |
What Makes DEF CON Different from Other Trade Shows
DEF CON is not a typical convention. You can buy a badge online in advance by credit card (shop.defcon.org) or pay cash at the door. For DEF CON 34, online badges cost $560–$600 and the cash price at the door was $520; 2027 prices are not announced yet. The conference is volunteer-run. The hallways are filled with “villages” — hands-on areas where you can pick locks, hack cars, exploit IoT devices, and crash drones. Contests run continuously. The atmosphere is equal parts academic conference, underground gathering, and community reunion.
For first-time attendees: bring a dedicated laptop (not your work machine), disable all wireless auto-connect features, use a VPN for everything, carry cash if you plan to buy your badge at the door, and bring comfortable shoes — the LVCC is enormous and you will walk several miles per day.
Getting Around During DEF CON Week
The LVCC is massive — it spans multiple halls connected by the Vegas Loop (free Tesla-vehicle underground transport) and surface-level walkways. The Vegas Loop can save you 20–30 minutes of walking between the West and North halls. August temperatures in Las Vegas regularly exceed 110°F (43°C), so minimize outdoor walking between your hotel and the venue.
If you need a rental car — perhaps to visit Red Rock Canyon on your day off or to move between Mandalay Bay and LVCC during Hacker Summer Camp — compare rates on Carla before arriving. Airport rental counters during August conference season can charge 40–50% more than pre-booked rates.
For more practical tips on Las Vegas convention logistics, check our complete LVCC hotel guide and our trade show calendar.
Which hall are you in? Pick your hotel accordingly
The LVCC campus is large enough that “near the convention center” is not precise enough to book on. DEF CON 35 occupies the West Hall, and the walk between the far ends of the campus is roughly 15 minutes above ground.
- West Hall — Westgate Las Vegas sits adjacent, connected by a pedestrian walkway, and has its own Monorail station. Resorts World is about 0.8 miles but connects via the Vegas Loop in minutes.
- Central Hall — the Renaissance Las Vegas is directly across Paradise Road; the Courtyard and the Paradise Road business-hotel cluster are a short walk. The Grand Plaza Loop station serves Central and North.
- North Hall — Westgate is roughly a five-minute walk; the Grand Plaza Loop station is the fastest campus connection.
- South Hall — the Las Vegas Monorail stops here, which makes mid-Strip properties (Harrah’s, The LINQ, Flamingo, MGM Grand) more practical than their map distance suggests.
The Vegas Loop changes the maths. The free underground Tesla shuttle links the halls — West Hall to Central takes about two minutes versus a fifteen-minute walk — and is included with your show badge on event days. A hotel near the “wrong” hall matters far less than it used to, provided you are on the Loop network.
See our full LVCC guide for hall layouts and transport detail.
Plan Your Full Las Vegas Trip
Your hotel is only part of the trip. Sorting your airport transfer, ground transportation, and evenings before you arrive saves money and avoids convention-week surge pricing — the same demand that fills hotels also fills rideshare queues and the best tables in town.