First time Downtown, Where to stay?

Hey guys. Its been awhile since I've contributed. Failed miserably on my last attempt at a TR and shied away for awhile.

Time to get back on the horse!

Booking my annual NFL Wildcard Weekend trip and thinking of trying something new. I've always been a strip guy and only visited downtown a handful of times. Time to change that.

I'm only coming in for a quick two night trip. Want a good place to watch the games during the day (somewhere I can place some bets), and a lively casino at night time. Room quality isnt super important, but I don't want to stay in a dump.

I'd prefer good casino location too. I don't want to be on the outskirts.

So whats do you guys think?

 

If it helps, my current go to spot on the strip is the LINQ. Love the sports bar there and the central location.

 

I would recommend Plaza for the rooms. Then you're literally steps away from the Golden Gate for good action at night.

Sportsbooks downtown are not like the strip. But the Plaza has a decent sized one.

 

Sports wise i can't help you, but room wise I think the Fremont would be good consideration. We just visited there and they let us see a room, it's small but nice. The room they let us see seemed to be recently refurbished.

If you are used to the strip accommodations trying golden nugget first is always wise. It can be a long walk back to your room though

The D is popular, but we were disappointed. Ask for a room opposite the Fremont street stage if you go to bed before 1 am

 

The plaza probably has the nicest sportsbook in the downtown area. you can make bets and watch the games there.

probably the nicest place to stay downtown is the Golden Nugget. The room costs a little more than the other downtown hotels but the room quality is probably the best in downtown.

There are other sports books and places to make bets downtown. The Cal, Fremont and El Cortez all have sports books to make bets and watch the game (not as nice and comfortable IMHO as the plaza though).

As long as you aren't particular most of the downtown hotels have decent rooms. The younger crowd like the D and the Golden Gate with their atmosphere and music (loud) more targeting the younger crowd. The Boyd hotels are more mellow, catering to the Hawaii crowd. Rooms are decent and also include a fridge at the Cal and MSS. They also don't charge any resort fees although you have to pay hotel taxes like the other hotels. Beware as the rooms and bathrooms at the Fremont hotel are a little small. Not a problem for many but if you have 2 people the room may be a little tight. 4 queens is right on the fremont st. experience. The el cortez has a more upscale Cabana suites along with their tower rooms and the cheaper vintage and pavilion rooms so you have a selection from low price to nicer moderately (downtown) price rooms. Only problem is that the El Cortez is a few minutes walk from the center of the action.

 

PORKER IS BACK!!!

I have stayed most places downtown; I think you'd have a blast at the Golden Gate, but small rooms. MSS and Cal decent sized and clean rooms but slightly farther away from the action. El Co cabana suites are fun if you only need a single bed room. Have not stayed in D rooms since remodel, they were not great when it was Fitz. 4Q is decent rooms and great location but that casino always has weird scents and depressing light rock music...

 

You want a lively casino at night and a decent sportsbook. I feel like the D will be the best personally. Its right in the middle of the action, the casino is definitely the liveliest downtown, the sportsbook upstairs is decent enough but if that isnt to your liking, the Longbar downstairs has a thousand TVs to watch the games. The rooms are basic but they do the trick for most. They at least have room darkening shades - the Fremont, Cal, or MSS have wooden shudders which will let light in. I assume for 2 nights you will probably partying it up - the least you can do is get a nice dark room for the morning. The Nugget is always busy, the sportsbook is decent enough as well but figure the room rates will be a touch higher. You can always watch Priceline and Hotwire "mystery" deals which knocks the Nuggets prices down quite a bit. Its the ONLY 4 star hotel on Fremont St - so its easy to figure out which one is the Nugget

I feel like the Plaza sportsbook attracts homeless and people looking to sit down, never feel comfortable in there and it never feels lively in the casino.

 

Downtown is small enough that you can play anywhere.

BUT--Golden Nugget is by far the nicest place to stay downtown. A few are remodeled (GGate, the D, Plaza) but GN still wins. Book the Carson Tower, then join Landry's Club for $25 (you get a $25 credit plus $25 credit on your birthday--this can be used at (all?) GN restaurants (and other Landry's restaurants across the country). BUT it is supposed to get you an upgrade upon check in (possibly more likely if you book direct) So you've booked Carson, but you get upgraded to Gold Tower. (or book Gold & get upgraded to Rush, whatever your fancy)

http://www.goldennugget.com/lasvegas/deals.asp

The above link has the Landry's link as well as their web specials link--we used both for our upcoming DT trip this weekend. (will be in Vegas in 24 hours baby!)

 

Thanks for the welcome Ron! Nice to be remembered.

Really appreciate everyone's input. All your responses quickly reminded me why I love this board.

I think I'll check into the D, seems closest to what I'm used to. I've got backup reservations at the Linq so I'll keep an eye on prices and probably let value guide my decision in the end.

I don't really care about an actual sports book, just want somewhere close to place bets. I generally prefer to watch games at the bars anyway.

Am I right in assuming that drinks are a bit more affordable downtown? Usually end up paying for drinks while the games on

 

I'm addicted to TAG. Amazing selection of beers and ciders. For downtown, MSS, Nugget or Plaza. GG suites are great as well, and playing there is always a blast. GG has a better vibe than anywhere else downtown.

Nick

 

The people citing El Cortez, MSS, Cal as a bit removed from the Fremont strip are correct. But it is not a strenuous stroll. You can bet and go sit at a bar like MSS Boar's Head or Cal Dave's or wherever else and play video poker for the price of tips. Might have to get there early, don't know about that. Put those drink price$ in the machine instead.

We walked from MSS to El Cortez to check it out and then ate at a little café / bistro near the container park. We are old. Things are closer (perhaps sobriety is a factor as it WOULD be a long way if stumbling) than you think.

 

If you're coming from the strip, I'd say that you're best off staying at the Golden Nugget, and then looking around the other places to get a feel for them.

You're basically in a strip resort, but downtown, and you're right in the thick of the action.

 

Another vote here for the Nugget. You should be able to get a Gold Tower room for the same price or cheaper than the Linq, and every bit as nice. They also have a sports book as well. As far as paying for drinks, yes they're very reasonable downtown. Depending on what you like to drink, $3 Coronas and Heinekens can always be had at any Boyd property...many other properties have good specials as well. Personally, this last trip I would just buy my drinks from the Golden Gate bar. For $8 you can get a stout large drink...I was drinking Bacardi and Diet.

 

I goto Vegas every year for NFL playoff football and always stay at the D (although this year it might be the plaza, but I digress).

The Longbar at the D is great for watching the game and the sportsbook is steps away (upstairs). Unless you like to place bets throughout the games, there's no real reason to stay in the book because it's fairly close.

The D is a great scene at night with plenty of action, and as others have said, all the other casinos are a short walk away, which is why i prefer downtown to the strip any day of the week!
have fun!

 

If all you are looking for is a comfortable and clean place to rest your head at night and an easy place to make bets, I don't think you can do better than the Plaza. It will cost you about half of what the Nugget will charge. To me, getting around the Nugget is a pain in the ass compared to other downtown properties, plus their book is small and always crowded for football. I like to bet at the Plaza and then stroll over to the Main Street Station and watch at the 777 brewpub. Good food and beer at great prices. Plus, the Golden Gate and their dancing girls are right across the street from the Plaza if you want a hopping casino.

 

DickTater is hands down the best username I've seen on a forum, anywhere. Kudos

Thanks for all the input everyone. I'm going to keep my eyes open, but right now none of the downtown properties are cheaper then my discounted room at the LINQ. I like the idea of trying to book the Nugget on hotwire, knowing that its the only 4 star on there. Thats a pro tip for sure.

If I can't find a room on freemont cheaper then the LINQ, I may just stay on the strip and cab it down to Freemont for one day. I absolutely hate the idea of spending money on a room. Every dollar spent on a bed is a dollar that could have led to a big run.

 

I use the SDX regularly (from ABV 0.00 to 0.40), I'd highly recommend looking into it if you want to get from strip to Fremont and back. That'll save ya a Craps bet and a couple x odds

 

POrker, I think you will find hotels as cheap or cheaper than the Linq downtown, the GG, Plaza, D 7 & more are cheaper!

 

after adding in resort fee, you will find just about any hotel cheaper downtown than the Linq except maybe GN. And MSS, Fremont, Cal and 4Q's have no resort fee. ElCo is $10. For basic room anywhere from $35-$55 after RF if they have one. Not counting online deals.