This would be my first downtown stay. GN seems like the nicest property and I do like a nice hotel. My reason for going, other than going, is that I may go to VIMFP in October. It's being hosted at The D and there is a discount code for the D. So I can get GN Rush at twice the cost of The D Deluxe 1 King. How much nicer is GN Rush vs. The D?
Can't comment on GN Rush, but our last two stays (in February and last week, both five nights) were in a D "premium corner king suite" (16th floor and above corner rooms) and a Carson Tower GN room. We've stayed at the GN several times, but it was our first stay at the D. The room at the D was nice - high-quality mattress, wrap-around windows, black-out curtains, a mini-fridge and free coffee maker. It also had a love-seat sized sofa, rolling desk chair, and a small table. We'd definitely stay there again. The biggest issue we heard from others is plumbing. The remodeling did nothing about old pipes, and I guess a lot of rooms have bad drainage in the sinks and/or tubs. Our room was OK, but a lot of people seemed to have issues. Biggest thing if you stay at the D is to ask for a room on the east side if you want quiet. Otherwise you'll have the Fremont stage entertaining you into the wee hours. We've always stayed at the Carson Tower at the GN and have found them to be just fine. No free coffee maker, fridge or love seat, but I guess the Rush Tower has some additional niceties. Biggest consideration for us is the pool. The D has a very small and inconvenient pool. That's why we stayed at the GN last week. Off season I'd definitely consider the D, particularly now that the GN has added a resort fee (though they don't call it that).
Not sure what you might be looking for, IE the pool at the Nugget. If that is not a factor and you are looking for a fun, nice room then run the prices for Cabana suites at El Cortez.
I like a nice room, Wynncore, Palazzo, Bellagio. I don't care about a fridge. A coffee maker is nice, but I have a travel size one. The Rush tower seems to have a more modern feel. Out of the two casinos, I much preferred GN, although the D was okay. I'm not much of a pool person, although on my last trip I looked at the people at the pool and thought that it looked relaxing. I past by the GN pool and thought it was a nice one and if I went I would do the slide through the shark tank.
I never stayed at the nugget yet but I sure liked the new rooms at the d. I stayed at elcortez in the tower which was nice also but no pool and all day and night I was disturbed by room doors slamming all over. from what I recall the d was pretty quiet.
You can follow my rules. If my wife (or significant other) was going with me I would definitely choose the Golden Nugget. If I'm going by myself... It's the D, or the Plaza, or MSS, or 4 Queens, or the Cal. Who ever has the best comps. On my last trip I had comps at the Golden Nugget and MSS... I went with MSS? I'm comfortable there, love the staff, and it more than makes up for the fancy accoutrements that will be included with a room at the Golden Nugget. But that is just me? I stayed at all the above. The D is OK, I stayed in a "premium corner king" last January and it was acceptable, but not all that, if you know what I mean?
I usually stay at the GN downtown, never stayed at the D. Rush tower is the modern and stlyish, most expensive tower. Carson is the oldest and usually cheapest. However there is also the Gold Tower. This is where I frequently stay and I like the proximity to the casino. If you get a gold club room its the top floors and you get complimentary internet, coffee and some sweets at the elevator. But even the regular rooms are very decent. The pool is right in the middle between the three towers. Get a landrys card (25$ which you get back as a birthday 'coupon' every year) and book via that. This will give you a free room upgrade at check in.
I've stayed at the D and GN a lot of times. The Rush tower is SIGNIFICANTLY nicer than the D rooms. Don't get me wrong the D rooms are nice but they are not close. Can't comment on if they are "worth double" or not. But they are a lot quieter and nicer.
To me the most important question would be the prices. Is the D $20 and the GN $40. That would be a determining factor.
Old Fitzgerald rooms vs. Golden Nugget - You might lean toward the Rush Room. The D rooms vs. Golden Nugget - I wouldn't consider the $358 price differential worth it.
Thanks for all of the opinions. It would be smart for me to save the money, that's a few good meals! Also, Since the D is hosting the event it would be nice to show some support by staying there. The only bad thing I've read about the D is the plumbing, maybe I can request a high room.
Right, I always think about staying at other places downtown but for me it is a property thing. I think all of the Fremont properties are acceptable and would stay but the Nugget has the best overall property and feels most like Vegas now. I wake up, there is a gorgeous pool, many food options, it is a little more sprawling..it feels like a resort. I love the Boyd properties but they all have those dumb wooden shades. It is Vegas, I need blackout curtains. With that said it really depends on the room rate but usually Golden Nugget is fair and worth the extra coin.
That's a pretty big price difference so for me, it wouldn't really be worth it unless I planned to spend some time in the room. I've stayed in the GN rooms, including Rush, and they're significantly nicer than the D's. Just got back from a three night stay at the D last week and the Premium Corner King room there was okay at best. I probably would not stay there again but would visit and play. If you're okay with a short walk, the El Cortez Cabana Suites are about the same price as the D rooms but in my opinion, much nicer. For a discount room, that's my new go to place.
the d rooms are brand new. with everything brand new and an in room safe the d is a pretty good deal at less than half the cost of the nugget. I agree about those shutters at the boyd places downtown if you like to nap during the day forget about a dark room.