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I think the Plaza sucks. What am I missing?

Discussion in 'Downtown Hotels' started by jugdish76, Jul 1, 2012.

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  1. jugdish76

    jugdish76 Low-Roller

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    Can the Plaza fans here explain what they like about the place?

    I went there when I was young and hated it. I went back post renovation and thought it was cleaned up quite a bit, but still cavernous, empty and dull.

    My downtown gambling spots are the Golden Gate (loved it before, still love it now, though I haven't been since it was still undergoing renovations in December), Main Street Station and the Golden Nugget (almost only for the sports book ... it's not great, but it's the only somewhat real one on Fremont, best as I can tell).

    I'm not dissing anyone's preference for the Plaza. Just wondering if I'm missing something. People on here seem to talk it up quite a bit.

    I'll agree that post-renovations it's probably nicer/cleaner than the places I frequent on Fremont. But it never seems fun.
     
  2. thenuke1

    thenuke1 High-Roller

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    i heard the new pizza joint was pretty good
     
  3. Sam D

    Sam D Low-Roller

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    It was never one of my favorite places. But I used to like the Plaza for the cheap gambling, the $1 drinks at the bar, the showroom and the restaurant where Oscar's is now located. I'm talking 10-12 years ago though. I took a walk through after the remodeling. My impression was that it hasn't changed that much but everything there has become quite a bit more expensive.
     
  4. Candy Apple

    Candy Apple VIP Whale

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    And now they're adding the infamous resort fee.
     
  5. saintpauljeff

    saintpauljeff VIP Whale

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    The 2 bedroom suite I stayed in back in April was pretty nice. As was the sociopath bartender gal at Swingers Lounge (well, nice to look at anyway). Thought it was 2nd least dumpy behind the Nugget. Worked for me on my first stay downtown!
     
  6. Polemarch28

    Polemarch28 Tourist

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    Isn't dumpiness what downtown lovers love? Otherwise, I'm not clear on why anyone would choose to spend time downtown, when most of the strip is ten times nicer.
     
  7. NickPapageorgio

    NickPapageorgio OG of the Sal Sagev Hotel

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    The renovated Plaza is a HUGE improvement over the old. I don't think you can really compare the two. Walk into the Vegas Club and the the Plaza..... You don't see a major difference?

    I like the new Plaza.... They really did an awesome job with the renovations on a moderate budget. The carpeting, furnishings, the restaurants, everything is improved.

    Nick:beer:
     
  8. Turtleman

    Turtleman VIP Whale

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    For sure, the renovated Plaza looks MUCH nicer; but looks alone can be deceiving! I miss the BJ they used to have a few years back; namely, good rules, low limits, and hand shuffling. (And let's not forget the Sunspots!) There's no reason for me to go into the place anymore; and don't even get me started on the resort fee!
     
  9. merlin

    merlin MIA

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    I agree, give me a reason to go in there and gamble, looking pretty is not enough, it just goes to show how clueless the mgmt is, do they really think that people won't figure out that their machines and tables are inferior to others a block away?
     
  10. Polemarch28

    Polemarch28 Tourist

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    A lot of people don't realize that. Otherwise, no one would play BJ at Caesars properties - or 6 to 5 BJ for that matter. People are sometimes too ignorant to even go to the best TABLE, let alone the best property.
     
  11. C0usineddie

    C0usineddie VIP Whale

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    There is a place for everyone. For me I cant stand Mandalay Bay. I think the people are rude oand only care about convention business. Just the vibe i get for some reason.

    i stay at the plaza for the cheap price and renovayed rooms but dont really hang out there much.

    I hang out all the time at th D. thats my vibe, loud music, fun attitude, just a funner place for me.

    With the Pplaza having a new resort fee i will most likely stay at the d next trip.
     
  12. marcianofan

    marcianofan High-Roller

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    If you like MSS and don't think its big and boring, I don't understand how you could say the Plaza is cavernous and dull. I like the MSS and have stayed there plenty of times but it does have a real mellow/dull/not to exciting vibe to it. I fall somewhere into the camp that wants it a little livelier than the MSS but not as annoying as the many 'party pits' popping up DT, and I think the Plaza falls into this middle ground.
     
  13. merlin

    merlin MIA

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    It's true that a mystifying number of people play 6/5 games, but if what you said was true, then the plaza would be as busy as others downtown, it's not, slim play at slots from what i saw a few weeks back , and the table play was very slow as well. I walked by empty tables at the plaza(with the dealers motioning over to play), would head out the door and have to squeeze in at a table elsewhere(MSS, fremont). It really is sad...no where near as sad as the LVC though.
     
  14. 007DAWG

    007DAWG Tourist

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    My favorite place to gamble downtown is the Gate as well, and their rooms are nice, but I need a pool more often than not during my visits and the Gate doesn't have one. So, the closest option is the Plaza.
     
  15. marksind

    marksind VIP Whale

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    Plaza Appeal

    The appeal of the Plaza to me is very simple - value. Before the remodel I stayed at either the Golden Nugget or Four Queens (when they comped my room). If the Plaza's resort fee makes it comparable to the Golden Nugget's rates, I'll go back to the Nugget.

    Up until now I think the Plaza has been a screaming bargain. Weekday room rates booked through Expedia are typically in the $23 to $29 range, and Fri/Sat from $53 to $65. To me, the room quality and on-site food choices are superb for those prices. Also, while the pool isn't much, it's second only to the Nugget downtown (though Binion's rooftop pool, which is what you use if you stay at the Four Queens, has awesome views and some nice lounging furniture). The Nugget's pool is so crowded and full of kids I'm surprised the water isn't yellow.

    Don't know why they can't get more going in the casino. It is definitely dull. They've got a few decent VP games at the quarter level and above, plus some of the more current slots. Table games are usually almost deserted.

    The Swinger's Lounge has friendly (and attractive) staff but is rarely very busy. A lot of women came in week before last (when I was there) after the "American Beefcake" show let out. That added a little excitement.

    Bottom line, at current rates I think you get great value for your money. While I don't gamble much there either, the places I do (Golden Gate, Four Queens, California, El Cortez, MSS) are only a short walk away.
     
  16. makikiboy

    makikiboy VIP Whale

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    The difference is that you are referring to the strip. People on the strip know about the bad odds but still play there. Many are downtown because they don't like the strip and bad odds. They will skip playing at the places with the bad odds, which is why the plaza is so empty most of the time when other casinos downtown are packed.

    I like the room renovations at the plaza but as mark said, my appeal to places like the plaza was their value. Like the lvc, they had good cheap rates and I stayed there because I didn't care to spend a lot on higher nightly rates and resort fees. If the lvc reopens and starts to charge resort fees in addition to higher rates then I won't stay there anymore. :Þ I just hope that gems like the El Cortez doesn't start to charge fees and raise rates.

    Even though MSS seems dull and boring, the craps tables are busy. that's because they still offer good value (20x odds), have friendly staff, plus their buffet draws in customers. The plaza doesn't have that kind of draw, their restaurants aren't that bad but I visit the plaza more for mcd breakfasts than their tables and machines. their dealers aren't much fun and seem like stuffed shirts.

    People stay at the plaza but don't play much there. Management needs to realize that people will stay and play if they like the place, has good gaming and have good hotel rates. with the addition of resort fees they are actually pushing people away from the place. Most downtown people aren't dumb and won't stay and play at places that don't offer good and friendly gaming and cheap rooms.
     
  17. squidward

    squidward Probationary Member

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    I visited the Plaza for the first time in a decade last May. I was impressed by my comped room, a one-bedroom suite (yes the $20 dollar trick worked for me.) I had fun winning at blackjack and losing at craps. I found several banks of playable VP in the casino, no decent bar-top VP though.

    The staff (dealers, waitresses, front desk, slot club, and security) were very helpful and even tolerant of my shenanigans. Admittedly the Pit critters were a little stand offish and cold; not uncommon when I'm around?

    I found the patrons of the Plaza to be very similar to the crowds at MSS, Cal, 4 Queens, and Binion's. Mostly middle aged to older middle class people that put emphasis on drinking and gambling, my kind of scene.

    Would I stay there again? Yes, I was pleased with the South Tower, they even have a rate for the one-bedroom suite starting at $59 total (including tax) on their Hotel Promotions page. Even with a $10.00 resort fee I think this is a good value.

    Clean rooms, new furnishings, good food offerings, decent gambling, great service. If I had to start paying for rooms and food again (shuddering at the thought) the Plaza would work for me!
     
  18. jugdish76

    jugdish76 Low-Roller

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    I'm from Southern California, so I have no need for a pool in Vegas. I only visit in winter and early spring, and if I want to swim, I'll stay home (my apartment has a pool).

    That said, I was referring to gambling at the Gate. I've never stayed there. I had reservations there in early December, but I got moved to the Fitz because of renovations. Sucked, because I loved the Gate and wanted to try out a historic small room. Didn't get the chance. And the Fitz was sort of dull, though its changes sound promising as the D.

    We'll see.

    I was pissed at the Gate for moving my reservation without notifying me, wrote them a complaint and heard nothing back. But I'll probably book there eventually. I think it would be cool to stay in the oldest active hotel-casino in town, small room and all. And either way, I seem to win there.
     
  19. TURKEY

    TURKEY Tourist

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    The Plaza boasts the honor of having the most clueless slot club personel in the entire valley, and the casino hosts are as clueless as they come also.

    An overall embarrassment for Oscar to have a steakhouse there, i mean really, get a clue Oscar, for gawdsakes.
     
  20. tatterdema

    tatterdema VIP Whale

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    Haha. Add to that, clueless front desk, clueless security, and clueless management, about all that leaves is housekeeping, which I am holding back judgement on. But from the blue walk through tape that is still up on the walls of some rooms, I am thinking they are clueless too.
     
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