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Where should I Stay?

Discussion in 'Downtown Hotels' started by DonnyC, Mar 27, 2016.

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  1. DonnyC

    DonnyC VIP Whale

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    Hey all,

    It looks like about all the downtown properties are pricing about the same for June 9-13.

    I have a bunch of friends coming in who are staying on the Strip, but as of right now I don't have a big enough discount at any CET hotels to swing staying close to them. (They are booking a package at the Linq, I'm coming from a different city and so am looking at flying with Alliegnat and staying either at Flamingo - if I get a discount - or downtown). I usually don't get offers yet for that far away.

    As I look at the downtown hotels Boyd properties are the cheapest...so long as they don't charge a resort fee - do they? Then Golden Gate, Elcortez seem to be the next cheapest (on their own website and even a few bucks cheaper on booking.com) followed by Plaza: having rates of $29, $89, $89, $29 for the nights in question by followed by Boyd properties.

    The difference in price between Boyd, El Cortez and Golden Gate, and 4 queens is $3. Between those 2 and the Plaza the difference is $30 (lees if booked through Booking.com).

    So what do I want in a room:

    1) Something cheap
    2) A place that may give me a room promo in the future (or even comp some of that stay). I'll play $5 BJ, 3 Card Poker, and slots ranging from $0.50 - $1.00 a spin. Most of my action will be on the Strip as that's where my fronds will be. I usually like to stay one night Downtown so future room offer could also have value.
    3) A reasonable room - considering there is a lot of choice for the same price.

    I don't believe I am a member at any of these places "Slots Club" and if I am, I don't know where my card is and have given only limited play there.

    Thanks for any advice.
     
  2. smerrian

    smerrian View from Bally's

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    Where have you stayed before that you like? Which casino has a good vibe to the place that you like to hang there?
     
  3. DonnyC

    DonnyC VIP Whale

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    Great questions:

    The only hotel that I've stayed at Downtown is the Golden Nugget in the Rush Tower room (and I understand that this time is more about budget than about a nice room.

    I've played a bit at the Nugget, but not much as they seem to offer comps back to higher players. I've enjoyed the D, Golden Gate and as I start to make this list I realize that I've been into all the casinos on Fremont and at some point or another enjoyed them all.

    For me, I'm young enough (35) that I don't get tied down by "I don't like the food options here" or that kind of thing, as you can just bounce over to the next place to eat.

    One consideration could be a pool. I don't think I'd spend much time at the pool, as my buddies will be on the Strip... and I see myself making my way there rather early in the morning. I'm also not sure that hanging out by a pool by myself would be that much fun.

    So my priorities are probably "1" and "2" in the original post.

    I'd also consider an "off Strip" hotel that was walking distance...but I can't find anything decent for a price that compares with the ones mentioned above.

    If I had it at a reasonable price (comparatively), I'd probably like to try The D, but it is pricing out about $150 more than the other rooms.
     
  4. Marky147

    Marky147 VIP Whale

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    Just had a look at ebookers, and you can get El Cortez for about $50 a night that weekend.

    I've not stayed there, but I know several members have put it forward as a good budget option if you're just looking for somewhere to sleep.

    I believe the gaming options are supposed to be decent, too. With some offers forthcoming without huge amounts of play.
     
  5. Marky147

    Marky147 VIP Whale

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    Ignore that last post, as I seem to have developed reading comprehension issues, lol.

    If you can get a bunch of them for the same price, I'd probably just go with whichever one looks best to me, and take a punt.
     
  6. eaglejohn

    eaglejohn VIP Whale

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    Play at Boyds (MSS, Cal, Fremont) and you will get free room (or discounted) offers every month. Most include weekend also. Where you sign up for your card will be considered your home casino and most offers will come from there. You can change home base online.
     
  7. TomTWI

    TomTWI Custom Title

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    If your buddies are on the strip then I would not stay downtown. If you're gambling with your buddies then you aren't getting anything comped any way. Maybe something walking distance like the Westin or Ellis Island Price out off strip like Gold Coast. Transportation to and from the strip will be faster and cheaper, unless you're taking the bus and then just much faster.

    Good luck,

    TomTWI
     
  8. topcard

    topcard Here's to $10 3:2 two-deck, $5 Craps, and $5 UTH!

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    What Tom said...I would suggest Gold Coast...really easy getting to/from the strip on their shuttle on on Rio's shuttle... room rates are about the same as downtown...and, because they're a Boyd property, getting offers/mailers/comps is pretty easy.

    If you do decide to stay downtown anyway, all of the Boyd properties (downtown) have no resort fee. Most of the rest of downtown does, so keep that in mind when pricing things out. I would stay at the Fremont. Right in the heart of FSE...and way less money than the Nugget.
    MSS, California, Plaza, DTG & the El Cortez are all outside of the canopy.
     
    Annual Spring Trip!
  9. smerrian

    smerrian View from Bally's

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    I agree with TomTWI and topcard. If your friends are staying on Strip at the Linq, and that's where you're going to want to spend time, then you want to be more accessible to the area than what Downtown would provide. Since you mention the pool with friends is attractive to you, I would price out the Flamingo. Your friends will want to come over to your hotel for the day if you have a pool like that at your disposal. Also, The Westin is a great choice right behind the Linq and Flamingo parking lots; good rooms right near the action. Third, I would check out the Gold Coast or Rio. Easy shuttle right over to Harrah's and Gold Coast has good low minimum games whereas Rio has a very good pool. Lastly, even Hooter's is easy access to the linq by crossing the street and taking the monorail from MGM. So, there are 4 other choices that I would consider before staying Downtown if the whole gang is staying mid-Strip.
     
  10. makikiboy

    makikiboy VIP Whale

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    Downtown is probably the cheaper stay though.

    As for a pool, the Cal has a pool (can be used by MSS and probably Fremont also) but it isn't much, no amenities or drink service and is usually cold even in the summer. The El Cortez doesn't have a pool and from what I understand the Plaza pool is being renovated (may be ready by June though). If you stay at the 4q you can use the rooftop pool at binions but if you are looking for a pool you may want to stay on the strip or off strip.

    FYI, if you belong to a player's card program you may get some discounted rooms. I logged onto the boyd connection and I got $35, $81, $81, and $45 for June 9 - 13. I'm the lowest tier so you should get those rates also. You should sign up for their player's card and you can get the lower rates also. Not sure how much difference with the other hotel players cards.

    Will you have a car? then it doesn't matter too much where you stay since it will be easy to get around. No car then maybe closer to the strip and your buddies but if cost is your primary concern then you can't go wrong staying downtown (just that it will take awhile to get around without a car).

    BTW, the Fremont offers $3 bj and craps 24/7.
     
  11. DonnyC

    DonnyC VIP Whale

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    Thanks for all the suggestions.

    A few comments:

    The pool probably isn't a big deal, I only meant to mention that should the rest of the group be late risers, I might start my own day off at the pool at my cheaper hotel.

    In response to "If your buddies are on the strip then I would not stay downtown. If you're gambling with your buddies then you aren't getting anything comped any way." I certainly understand the logic, but I do imagine that I'll flaot a few bucks through whatever casino I'm staying at (probably at the beginning and end of each day).

    I've also looked at Westin or Ellis Island and they command a larger price than downtown for those days.

    I'm thinking that the best option might be to book something that comes to $400 CDN and then keep looking to see if Boyd props get a bit cheaper as time come closer.

    If there was any good, off-strip property I would consider that also...but they are pricing higher.

    SO I guess I need to decide which downtown property (listed above) to stay at.
     
  12. makikiboy

    makikiboy VIP Whale

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    I just checked Kayak and they offer MSS and the Cal for $46 a night for June 9 - 13 using EasyClickTravel. Total cost is $204 but you will have to pay it up front. The other third party sites all list those hotels at $67 a night so this price is probably at least $80 cheaper for the 4 nights.

    I can't find any other hotels in the same range, esp when you add in resort fees. 4 queens might come close ($272).
     
  13. DonnyC

    DonnyC VIP Whale

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    Good advice.

    I created an account with Kayak and MSS, Fremont and the Cal are all that price.

    Which one is better?
     
  14. makikiboy

    makikiboy VIP Whale

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    Each are good in their own way. Many people like MSS but I like the Cal better, the west tower rooms have big bathrooms (MSS bathrooms and the Cal east tower bathrooms are 2 separate areas, one contains the toilet and shower and a door and the other area contains the vanity - no door - so it may be bothersome if someone uses a hair dryer when you are sleeping - Cal west tower bathrooms are big and contains the toilet, tub and vanity all in one room).

    MSS rooms are in the back of the casino so you have to walk all the way in the back to get to the elevators. Cal elevators are right in the casino mix. MSS offers 20x odds on craps, Cal and Fremont offers only 2x odds. Cal has a (small) pool, you can use your room key to get into the pool area. MSS and Fremont guests need to go to the Cal front desk to get a key for the pool.

    Fremont is right on the FSE so easy to get to the next casino - many people like that (Cal and MSS you have to walk another block to get to the FSE). Fremont's has an elevator that opens up right on the casino floor. Only valet parking at the Fremont so bring extra bucks to tip the attendant. Bathrooms at the Fremont are small and not much area to put your toiletries (only like a 3" shelf, my toothbrush rolled into the toilet because there wasn't enough shelf space for all my stuff). Fremont rooms are also smaller than the Cal and MSS.

    you should check out tripadvisor and look at pictures of rooms at each hotel and you can see if you like them.

    Don't think you can go wrong with any of the boyd hotels IMHO. But better book quick as prices fluctuate as it gets closer to your trip so prices can go up as more people book the hotel. If you book through the hotel you only have to pay the first night and can cancel anytime (up to 1 or 2 or 3 days before your stay) without any penalty.
     
  15. DonnyC

    DonnyC VIP Whale

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    Thanks for the extra info.

    I don't think I can get those prices booking directly through the hotel, so I'll want to check the cancellation policy as it appears that Kayak uses a number of third party vendors.

    Were your prices in USD or canadian? Right now I'm seeing Fremont for $240 CDN, via Kayak, bokking from Amoma.
     
  16. DonnyC

    DonnyC VIP Whale

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    I just googled Amoma and they may not be the best site to book through.

    Through Kayak, which booking sites were giving you that rate - if you remember?

    As I look, it looks like the Cal, searched trough Kayak and redirected to book at hoteltravel.com is the only one for that rate, that I can cancel without penalty.
     
  17. DonnyC

    DonnyC VIP Whale

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  18. makikiboy

    makikiboy VIP Whale

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    Prices on Kayak change regularly so you have to keep checking as prices may go down (or go up) so sometimes good to book quickly.

    The rates I got were in USD. I just checked Kayak and got $45 a night ($204 total) using easyclicktravel. Not sure how good they are since I never used them before (I usually use booking.com or hotels.com - booking.com does not require an upfront payment of your stay most times while hotels.com does).

    The good thing is that the $204 price is probably what you actually pay, no resort fees or extras (the site shows you are charged $181.82 for the room but with taxes it goes up to $204).

    Looks like you can cancel up to 3 days prior without any charge but less than that they charge you the first night at least.
     
  19. DonnyC

    DonnyC VIP Whale

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    I certainly do appreciate your help!

    Whenever I'm not familiar with a booking site I usually google them for reviews...unfortunatley EasyClickTravel isn't reviewing hot at all. https://www.yelp.ca/biz/easy-click-travel-altamonte-springs-2

    I only am throwing up the links for anyone else who might be looking for booking sites.
     
  20. DonnyC

    DonnyC VIP Whale

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    Looks like right now the best option is Expedia.ca that prices me at about $357 CDN for the three hotels in question.

    It's not the $300 mark, and it's not the $400 mark, but it is also a reputable booking site. So maybe that's the best option right now.

    Does anyone have experience with the 'pay later" option offered by Expedia when your price quoted is in foreign funds?
     
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