Fremont vs. Suncoast

I have previously been an MGM/CET guy, but find the CEOs at both companies incredibly repulsive. In an attempt to vote with my dollars I have shifted my minor local gambling to a local Boyd property the Blue Chip. I had previously been a Boyd shareholder and find them entirely more palatable.

I have also been more active in researching the Vegas options for Boyd. I currently have a three night stay (Sun-Wed) booked in August for the Fremont. My question is this, I'm really intrigued by the Suncoast. It looks beautiful from the pictures I've seen. I get more of a resort feeling from it than the downtown Boyd options. The Rampart near by looks equally as cool.

I hop around a lot and go back and forth from the strip to DT, but this trip I plan on checking out Summerlin and Boulder Highway as well. I take buses and shuttles only, no car rental.

For those of you with experiences at both places which would you recommend. Thanks!

 

Never stayed at Fremont, but have stayed at Main Street for the last 18 years or so and we have stayed at Cal occasionally. Honestly, no comparison to Suncoast. It is a beautiful property with big rooms and plenty of restaurants. If you are lucky enough to get a suite, they are just amazing in size and amenities.

If I had the same options of walking out the door and visiting other casinos like I do at MSS, it would be a no brainer. But, except for Rampart, there are no other walkable options.

 

Red Rock Casino in Summerlin is pretty cool but it takes 45 minutes or so to get there by bus from Sahara and LVB. I haven't done Rampart or Suncoast yet.

 

Thanks Joe for the response. I knew you had mentioned staying at both in the past.

I've never stayed downtown before, even though I do most of my gambling there. I have really come to the conclusion that I'm going to hit the strip to eat and do shows, but focus my play elsewhere.

If I were coming for longer I may have split the stay between the two. I'm really torn at this point.

I appreciate the input. I am for sure going to catch the WAX out to Suncoast this trip.

 

Summerlin is beautiful. There is a fine shopping center across the street from Suncoast with more restaurants and some stores to explore if you need a break from gambling. If you golf, you can walk across the street from Suncoast to either Badlands or Angel Park.

 

I've stayed at all seven Boyd Vegas properties many times, especially Fremont and Suncoast. There's no comparison! The bathroom alone in the standard room at Suncoast is the size of the entire standard room at Fremont - or close to it. That's not saying anything bad about the Fremont, I really like the place, but unless you love being downtown, go with Suncoast. No kidding, the rooms at Suncoast are really nice - kind of reminds me of the rooms at South Point. And like Joe said, the suites are outstanding. (Only had one once, but I'm now spoiled. In fact, it was a shame to leave it to go down to the casino, which is also very nice.) The biggest downside is not being able to walk from casino to casino like being downtown.

 

Thanks everyone for the input!

 

KR,
My vote is Suncoast. Not even close.
Nice size room with amenities downtown doesn't have........movie theatre, bowling ( if it's your thing). Has a swimming pool and casino has all the games PLUS a nice sports book with horse betting.
To me, it's a cleaner environment.

 

Although I've never stayed at Fremont, add my vote to Suncoast. The rooms are so nice, it's the only place we've ever ordered room service in Vegas. It's relaxing to order in breakfast and take your time in the morning getting ready and watching the golfers through the large windows.

You could stay at Suncoast and take the WAX to downtown during the day, returning to Suncoast at night. We've done that a number of times. It's a relaxing 25 minute ride and the bus stop is right in the parking lot at Suncoast so you wouldn't feel like your just stuck at Suncoast for 3 days.

Rampart is close and I'm sure some ambitious folks walk to it but I can't imagine walking there in the heat of summer. Red Rock is a $10-$15 cab ride from Suncoast and worth a visit as it's a beautiful property but it's not an easy bus ride from Suncoast.

 

If I'm correct didn't you say you would never stay at Suncoast again...correct me if I was wrong.

 

We all change our minds. I got really angry with a host there who misled me about comps. He basically lied and I would never contact him again. But no, the property, restaurants, rooms and casino are all top notch. Between the WAX and the hotel airport shuttle, it's very easy to get to and from.

Now, I just use my mailer offer and pay for food with points. I find no need to contact a host.

 

I think for this trip I will stick with Fremont as my hotel, but I am definitely going to checkout Suncoast and scope it for a future stay. I've only stayed on the strip, so I think it will be cool to do a few nights downtown for the first time. I really appreciate the advice. Maybe I can run up enough BConnected points to generate some comp offers I can use at Suncoast next trip.

Again appreciate all of the input.

 

The Suncoast is more of a "striplike" hotel than the Fremont.

It all depends what you want. Fremont is great because it is right in the middle of all the downtown action and so easy for you to just walk to 8 or 9 other casinos in the area so if gambling is your thing then downtown would be better because of all the different casinos for you to choose from, especially without a car. Suncoast is nice, Rampart is a little bit of a walk but if you don't like the action at the Suncoast you don't have many choices (other than taking the bus or cab elsewhere).

Another thing to note: to some it is kind of a pain to take the bus or wax out to the Suncoast. You need to allocate enough time to wait at the bus stop and for the bus ride out to the area and the return trip so it is almost like taking a "day" or "half day" trip to leave the Suncoast. No the same at the Fremont, you just walk out the door to all the action.

If you are looking for a nice stay and rooms and hotel service are important to you then the Suncoast would be your hotel hands down. Especially if this is your first time away from the strip. The Fremont rooms are small, acceptable for 1 person, very tight for 2 people but if you are used to strip quality hotels and rooms and room size and hotel service you may be disappointed in the Fremont.

If you do stay at the Fremont just keep your expectations (on the room and hotel service) low and you won't have many problems with the hotel.

 

Thanks makiki!

I agree with your point on the gambling being better downtown. I love downtown and am excited to stay there. I just loved the pics of the pool and other facilities at Suncoast. I am aware of the size of Fremont rooms and that really prompted the question. However, I think the access to Fremont Street is more important in the long run. I'm traveling solo to so the room is for shower and sleeping.

 

Suncoast standard room:

 

Actually, BJ is better at Suncoast than anywhere I've found downtown. It's not that big a deal, but Suncoast has DDAS and will let you play two hands at the minimum table limit of $5 per hand (just like Orleans and Gold Coast). And the minimum limit at Pai Gow is only $5 at Suncoast. I've also found their Chinese food at the cafe as good as any Chinese restaurant anywhere, and the appetizers and view from SC Prime are hard to beat. Oh, you can also get el-cheapie hotdogs at SC!

 

Alas, no more hotdog cart in the sportsbook. We were set on having one last year and the cart is gone. We still persevered and went up to the bowling alley snackbar and got one there, but it was not the same.

After asking around, I was told that the they got rid of the cart when Boyd opened its own restaurant in the TGIFridays location. We were there on a Sunday in NFL season and no dogs.

 

Not sure if the gambling is "better" downtown but there are lots more opportunity to play at the many casinos in town as there are also lots of places to eat downtown. There are also $3 bj tables at the Fremont.

Joe, stop showing pictures of the standard room at the Suncoast, you may sway KR to stay at the SunCoast ha ha. Those rooms are huge compared to the rooms at the Fremont. Wow, there is even a phone in the bathroom. Fremont bathrooms don't have that kind of room for a phone, lol. just kidding.

 

KR,

If you can, check out your BConnected Online account during the month of your trip. Suncoast often has good point multipliers and other promotions on specific days.

Whenever I make a Vegas trip, I like to WAX to Suncoast from downtown on a day that Suncoast offers 7x points on video poker. They have 9/6 DDB for quarters at their bars. If you're a slot player, their point multiplier promos are often higher than 7x points.

 

I won't tempt him any more by posting pictures of the full suites and half suites. Man, those are some fantastic rooms. Not like the Strip suites, but still damn nice with a kitchen, dining table and wet bar etc.