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I'm down with Downtown

Discussion in 'Downtown Hotels' started by Vegasvics, Oct 26, 2012.

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  1. Vegasvics

    Vegasvics Tourist

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    And by down I of course mean up.

    My last trip to LV was a few months ago, when I stayed at the Cosmo. Had brutal gaming experience on that trip which contributed to my overall frustration with the Strip. I vowed to spend more time downtown next time.

    Fast forward to this week. I just returned from a 4 day stay for a conference. Stayed at the Four Seasons for convenience sake. Didn't gamble a penny on the strip. Spent my time downtown playing at El Cortez (also ate prime rib at the Flame, which was great) and Four Queens. Hit my first RF at the Four Queens ($1 progressive, max bet), along with a straight flush and numerous FOK playing DDB. Celebrated with surf and turf at Oscar's.

    This is the first time in 20 years I returned home not only with my original bankroll intact, but literally all of my winnings. Not sure if I'll be able to talk my better half into staying downtown just yet, but we're definitely done gaming on the strip
     
  2. Joe

    Joe VIP Whale

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    We love downtown.:thumbsup:
    But it is part of what is great about Vegas, if you love the Strip, fine, but there is always downtown for some of us.
     
  3. fremontflo

    fremontflo Tourist

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    I love downtown. The strip is just too overwhelming for me plus it's exausting to walk it. Glad you had some nice wins.
     
  4. zamboni

    zamboni VIP Whale

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    Put me down for another that prefers DT to the Strip. Not as much walking and not as many people, porn slappers and other miscreants.
     
  5. atom

    atom High-Roller

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    Yeah, I much prefer downtown to the strip. Downtown Las Vegas is just getting better and better. Hotels/Casinos are doing refreshes and remodels, new bars and restauants are popping up. The vibe is good. The value for money is far better than on the strip.

    To the OP, for your first time staying downtown, I recommend the Golden Nugget. It is the most Strip like hotel/casino downtown, so it won't be as much of an adjustment. The pool there is world class! It's a short walk outside to the Fremont Street Experience and lots of casinos with better games/odds. The Rush tower is especially nice with a separate check in and all new hotel tower.
     
  6. Vegasvics

    Vegasvics Tourist

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    Thank you. I've spent a lot of time in the GN, and would have to agree that it probably would have the nicest, most strip-like room experience (possible argument for the Caban Suites @ El Cortez). They're starting to get a little stingy on the drink comps in there, but still a great place
     
  7. gerry53

    gerry53 VIP Whale

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    the tower rooms at el cortez,the new rooms at the d or even the plaza rooms are just as nice as many of the rooms on the strip.
     
  8. captainron62

    captainron62 VIP Whale

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    I believe the downtown will grow in popularity immensly within the next three years. Lots of new and exciting things and the DT is dare I say becoming "trendy"?? HA! I know lots dont want to hear that!
     
  9. Buddha

    Buddha VIP Whale

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    Going along with what Joe said ... there will always be people who love staying on the Strip, and there will always be those who are dedicated to being downtown on Fremont St. To each their own ... no debate needed.

    Chalk me up as a long-time downtowner, which more matches my personal laid-back desires, and where my money definitely lasts longer. In fact, we will be there soon in November for a full week. :thumbsup:
     
  10. Bottom9th

    Bottom9th Tourist

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    I'm a big fan of DT as well. This trip my wife with be in training class on Thursday so I expect to be down there all day!
     
  11. AndyAkeko

    AndyAkeko Time magazine's 2006 Person of the Year

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    Totally agree. My mother won't stay on the strip anymore because everything's too far apart and too expensive. Personally, I find Fremont Street a safer walk than any part of Las Vegas Boulevard that's not directly in front of a hotel.
     
  12. Electroguy563

    Electroguy563 Vegas Joker

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    I wanna jump on the bandwagon! I like the Strip for the shows, eateries, and sights but I prefer to stay downtown. This is why I love going to Vegas. Downtown matches my style, which is laid back, casual, unassuming.

    I kinda feel at home there....:drunk:
     
  13. VegasSteven

    VegasSteven Low-Roller

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    Love downtown. Just echoing what's already been said, but I think it's getting better all the time, is safer than the Strip, and gives you a lot more bang for your buck.

    Golden Nugget is now my home away from home. And El Cortez is becoming like my own personal daycare. I figure when I'm old, my grand kids can just drop me off there and pick me up whenever.

    Glad you had a great experience and brought back some extra $!
     
  14. VPDana

    VPDana High-Roller

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    It's Downtown for us too ~ because the video poker is better there! Period!
     
  15. bubbakitty

    bubbakitty Doing retirement again and happily so....

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    We used to stay at the Binion's and go home as that being our only contact with the "Vegas scene" and people would say "You didn't go to ....." or "What about the strip....." That all changed and my last visit was to the California and it ignited many memories. It is fun to take $ home that you didn't come with.
    Joe one question I have is how do the Boyd properties look at multi-property play. I am currently solidly in with the Orleans and my host couldn't be more receptive to my needs (which are minimal beyond food, room, mild beverage). I love playing downtown again and want to explore the MSS in both the back alley crap addiction fix and video poker at the Boar's Head. (I could also ask my host) but does play at the various properties of Boyd add into the resident property when comps are reviewed at the end of the stay? Not sure if you would know but you play at multiple properties downtown and just thought I would ask....
    And I resent your countdown timer (2x) adds up to LESS than mine.....damn
     
  16. MikeOPensacola

    MikeOPensacola El Jefe

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    Downtown is fun

    Yeah, I agree with a lot of the above. Downtown has a fun vibe to it and what I really like is that it is more of the "old Vegas" than the strip. The dealers seem to be friendlier and I love how the casinos are so close to each other. The Golden Nugget and Binion's Horseshoe have always been my faves downtown. Even if I stay on the strip I always make it a point to spend an entire day and night downtown on each trip. The investment that the city made in "The Freemont Street Experience" was forward thinking and has definitely paid off. Besides, I don't know of too many other places, besides state fairs, where one can find a deep fried Twinkie.
     
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  17. VegasSteven

    VegasSteven Low-Roller

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    Deep Fried Twinkies

    True, deep fried twinkies can be hard to find. But if you live near a Toby's Keith's Bar & Grill, it's on their dessert menu. And they do them right.
     
  18. theshaah

    theshaah High-Roller

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    Count me in among the downtown lovers. BUT...also lump me in with those who are kinda not too happy about it's recent "Transformation".

    While I agree that it's nice that some of the casinos are remodeling. The prices are no longer rock bottom like they used to be. Hipsters are crowding downtown, albiet not as such a frantic level as the strip. Focus is shifting away from good gambles and is leaning twoards dancing girls at the tables, and expensive drinks.

    I long for the days when the spike was almost like my own personal dive. When I took friends to the spike the couldn't believe that such a place existed. 50 cent drinks? No way!!! 18 dollar rooms? Unbelievable!! But now if I take someone to the spike they just say oh it's nice...but it's quiet. Not much going on because anyone who is anyone can't stand what it's become.

    All in all downtowns transformation is GOOD for downtown. I'm finally glad to see the old gal get some of the attention she deserves, as long as she remembers who loved her first! And...who still does reguardless of her current popularity!
     
  19. MikeOPensacola

    MikeOPensacola El Jefe

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    I agree with theshaah

    Great post above. I also seem to recall some of the BJ rules more enticing for the player. Also, who can forget the days with 100x odds at craps at The Horseshoe. Overall though, I still always have a lot of fun downtown.
     
    Annual CCA (Casino Collectibles Association) Show at South Point
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  20. LolaDoggie

    LolaDoggie VIP Whale

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    This past trip my goal was to split the trip between downtown and the strip; mid-week strip, weekend downtown. Flights didn't allow for that but we did spend a night downtown (4 Queens). I'll try again for next time. You can always try splitting your trip or keep your room on the strip and get a room downtown and see how you like it.
     
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