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The D - Hotel Review - Countdown to Grand Opening

Discussion in 'Downtown Hotels' started by Bazzito52, Oct 15, 2012.

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  1. Bazzito52

    Bazzito52 Low-Roller

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    Stayed four nights in Las Vegas as a birthday present for my son. He chose the D Las Vegas downtown, which I had stayed a year earlier on a solo trip when it was called Fitzgerald’s. (I also stayed there during its original incarnation as The Sundance.)

    We checked in on Monday, 10/08/12, just four days before The D’s grand opening on the weekend. Signs of continuing renovation were everywhere. New floors, moldings, signage, wallpaper, and the like were constantly being installed throughout our four night stay.

    The rooms were freshly renovated with new furnishings and décor. Our two queen bed room featured comfortable pillow-top mattresses and ample pillows. The in-room safe with a key was replaced by a new style one with the keypad entry. (It was inoperative when we arrived, but a call to the front desk brought quick response from engineering with a technician who got it working in short order.)

    Bathrooms were about the same as before with the exception of an operating drain this trip. (Sink stopper didn’t operate but, Hey, this is Vegas where there always seems to be something wrong with the plumbing in every room.) Shampoo and soap seemed to be of good quality. We’ll know for sure at Christmas when our relatives receive their “D Las Vegas Toiletry Collection” under the tree!

    Our request for a quiet room, while seeming to have been met by our placement on the 29th floor was proven to have been unmet once the evening’s entertainment began on the Third Street stage on Fremont Street. The constant thumping from the absurdly loud rock band on the stage made sleep restless until 2:00 AM on Monday and Tuesday nights. The fact that continuous rain covered Las Vegas on Wednesday and Thursday curtailed the entertainment on those nights, so sleep was sounder, thanks to the weather.

    The changes to the casino, itself were even more dramatic.

    The second floor has been converted to a “vintage” casino with old style coin machines and a rare Sigma Derby horse racing slot machine. Their modest size sports book shares the space, as does the revamped Vue Bar. It’s accessible via an outside escalator from Fremont Street.

    The first floor casino has been completely remodeled and makes a striking impact. The Long Bar lives up to its name and features plenty of bright hi-def TVs for watching sports or the ubiquitous ESPN broadcasts with the sound off.

    Even with the sound on, it would be nearly impossible to follow anything on the TV’s as the ear shattering sound of the 1st floor casino dominates everything there. They feature a non-stop loop of rap, dance, and auto-tune music at an ear-shattering level at all times in The D. Yes, the inevitable dancing, dealing “party pit” girls are a prominent feature now, and there’s no escaping the sound of the eternal thump, thump, thump soundtrack of the death march to hell.

    They’ve even put the dancing girls in the craps pit, where they are universally ignored by every crapshooter at the tables. It’s sort of a pathetic sight, IMHO.

    I will freely admit, in their defense, that the new owners have put plenty of effort and money behind their attempt to create the hotel of their imagining. It’s their capital and their right to run their business as they see fit. And they would certainly say something like, “We provide a gambling environment for a diverse clientele. Our vintage gaming area is an attempt to cater to those who value the “Old Las Vegas” aesthetic, and our exciting new vibe will appeal to the many new Vegas aficionados who find our party atmosphere to their liking.”

    Well, sure, Derek. It’s your money, not mine. But frankly, I won’t be gambling there much in the future. Being subjected to sonic torture and having to yell at your dealers to make my bets clear just isn’t my idea of a good time. And as to the hoochie-coochie girls in the craps pit: Morgan Fairchild could lay down on the table butt naked and the crapshooters would holler, “Hey! Lady! Get off the table! You’re messing up the hard way bets!” You can't really get them out of ther soon enough. For their own dignity!

    We weren’t able to eat at the American Coney Island stand at The D on their announced opening day. They were closed in order to cook for the media Grand Opening event. We did catch a bite on the first day it was open to the public and we weren’t disappointed. They have a limited menu of chili dogs and the like. The chili dogs were excellent and the French fries were about the best I’ve ever had. We will make a point of eating there again when we’re downtown.
     
  2. Bazzito52

    Bazzito52 Low-Roller

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    I forgot to mention:

    They've also added a private viewing box that overlooks the Third Street stage right by the front door.

    And they cut down 6 palm trees that were blocking the view on Thursday morning. :nono:

    Sort of makes you wonder how many more lives will have to be sacrificed for The D??
     
  3. mjames1229

    mjames1229 # of visits includes only trips w/ hotel stays

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    I concur with your comments in the lower casino. I was there for a little while with my buddy (who was staying there) on Oct 1, and only lasted about 20 minutes downstairs when I just couldn't take the volume any more. It wasn't just that the music didn't match my tastes at all... that volume.

    We went upstairs to the vintage room... which had no table games. That was disappointing as I am not a slot jockey.

    I also concur that it is Derek's money to do what he feels that he needs to do. But I can't recommend gambling at The D unless you are a slot player, then I can only recommend the second floor.
     
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  4. Tree DA

    Tree DA High-Roller

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    The real question is: how hot are the dancer/dealers? On the scale of [Hard Rock] <----to----> [Binions]?
     
  5. mdk63

    mdk63 Low-Roller

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    Great review!

    I only have one disagreement. Since Morgan Fairchild is 63 years of age I think her naked body could even clear a craps table. Unless, of course, a shooter is in the middle of a raging heater.
     
  6. Bazzito52

    Bazzito52 Low-Roller

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    mdk63: Touché! Good point.

    Guess I'm still thinking of the "vintage" area!
     
  7. jwhdds

    jwhdds Tourist

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    I read it as Morgan FREEMAN.... I did a double take and re-read it and LOLed at my mistake. Carry on.

    P.S. great review!!!
     
  8. KimberlyJ

    KimberlyJ Low-Roller

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    I agree with the volume of the music. I do like the renovations but the deafening NOISE needs to go!
     
  9. Joe Strummer

    Joe Strummer VIP Whale

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    Did they replace the musty carpet + anything but firm,
    worn beds in the rooms ?
    That's more important to me.
     
  10. Candy Apple

    Candy Apple VIP Whale

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    Yes, carpet and beds are new.
     
  11. ballhog

    ballhog Low-Roller

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    Yeah, I totally agree the volume is just way to loud. Frustrating when your playing craps and other table games. Its nice to be able to hear people at table.
     
  12. Joe Strummer

    Joe Strummer VIP Whale

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    Thanks, about the beds + carpets :thumbsup:
    .
    Do they blast that volume at the "Cement Pond"
    out in the back ?
    I'm guessing there was not much they could do
    w/ the tiny "Cement Pond" ?
     
  13. blackjacknut

    blackjacknut VIP Whale

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    You know what they say, if you complain about the music being too loud then your getting too old......:poke: That is what my 22 year old son tells me...:rolleyes2:
     
  14. PopsOLA

    PopsOLA Low-Roller

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    We went on Friday day before opening and it was fantastic... Wife and I enjoyed the music as its our kinda thing lol. Girls were very nice and allowed for pics to be taken. CW were more then generous with whatever drink or shot you wanted. We stayed out there til 3am. We are low rollers so the $25-50 table min was out of our budget. Played craps at Cortez and did well.
     
  15. dunebug81

    dunebug81 VIP Whale

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    My wife, a friend of our, and myself were down there last weekend. I'm a total concert junkie so loud music is no problem for me but when I have to yell my bets multiple times at a craps table it no longer is fun.

    As for the hotness of the sexy dealers....about the same you'd find at golden gate. That is to say some were quite good looking while others were somewhat chubby and should told to put the pizza and donuts down and have a salad.

    I really like that they have baccarat but no way id play baccarat with the music being so loud.
     
  16. mraudit

    mraudit I wear this on the plane!

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    Was there last Friday and Saturday night when they had the grand opening. Table mins were 25 and up. Dont know what that was about, but if they keep that level, it will be interesting. Nice place now. Dancers were OK. Golden Gate Dancers were still the best by FAR!!!!!
     
  17. dunebug81

    dunebug81 VIP Whale

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    We were there Friday night a little after midnight and the only $25 tables I saw were blackjack and baccarat. I did see lower limit blackjack but they only had 1 baccarat table that I saw. I played at both a $5 and $10 craps tables.

    Even the nugget has lower table min. I can't see D keeping them high for very long.
     
  18. VegasSteven

    VegasSteven Low-Roller

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    As for the volume, I just recently noticed that it seems to be getting louder in a lot of other downtown casinos as well. Take Golden Nugget Rush Towers, for example. I stayed there just over a month ago, and when I got into my elevator I breathed a sigh of relief that I could hear again. It's not quite as loud in there as the D and GG, but they've upped the volume. Maybe to compete for that party house atmosphere.

    Okay it's my age. I admit it. But I do miss being able to carry on conversations with the dealers and other players in those properties. It's a lot harder to do that, now.
     
  19. mjames1229

    mjames1229 # of visits includes only trips w/ hotel stays

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    Its like solving an algebraic equation... what you do to one side, you must do to the other.
     
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  20. Mike40

    Mike40 Tourist

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    How long before the Health and Safety guys begin to get involved with employees exposure to this constant noise level???

    It's not tolerated in other industries so how do they get away with it......:nono:
     
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