1. Welcome to VegasMessageBoard
    It appears you are visiting our community as a guest.
    In order to view full-size images, participate in discussions, vote in polls, etc, you will need to Log in or Register.

Teach me about downtown!

Discussion in 'Downtown Hotels' started by user3657, Oct 13, 2013.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. user3657

    user3657 VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Mar 20, 2011
    Messages:
    1,144
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    8
    Im thinking of staying downtown for my next trip. I usually stay at the quad or flamingo since its real cheap. It has been suggested that downtown is cheap and there are no resort fees.

    I wouldnt even know where to start. Suggestions? names? Something that is close to the busline). Ive checked hotels.com but I dont know which hotels are just off strip or "downtown" per say.

    Please help!
     
  2. gambler

    gambler VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2012
    Messages:
    2,048
    Location:
    Canada
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    40
    Begin by looking at 4 Queens, The D*, Fremont, Golden Gate* and the Golden Nugget*. They are all on Fremont.

    A safe 5 minute or less walk will also take you to Main Street Station, The Californian, The Plaza*, The Downtown Grand* (opening soon) and the El Cortez.

    Check out their web sites to see what you like. Check the location on the map. http://www.vegastodayandtomorrow.com/THEdowntownMAP.htm#.UltzKz9rbMw

    The ones who charge resort fees have a star so check the others first. All are close to bus stops.

    Once you have it narrowed down to a few ideas, you know we'll help with the pros and cons of each place! When are you going and how do you like to spend your time?

    You're going to have fun! :beer:
     
    Last edited: Oct 13, 2013
  3. Auggie

    Auggie Dovahkiin

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2009
    Messages:
    5,820
    Location:
    Burnaby, BC
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    17
    If its your first time I would recommend staying at one of the places under the Fremont Street Experience canopy. There is a lot of stuff to see and do there with lots of gambling choices all within a few feet of eachother.

    If you are at any of the FSE hotels don't worry too much about closeness to the bus, as they are all just a short walk away.

    The rooms at the downtown hotels can be pretty worn looking and small. If you think you might have a problem with that then you should stay at Golden Nugget the first time - its the nicest of the properties and for somebody who has only stayed on The Strip it will be the most resort-like property.

    Also if you just aren't sure if its for you then you might also consider splitting your stay: if you are coming in for a 4 night trip then maybe book 2 nights downtown and then 2 nights on The Strip... or stay on The Strip but in the middle of your trip book 1 night downtown so you can maybe go down there around 3-4PM gamble a bit, check in to your hotel, see the FSE show, dinner, gamble all night long... and then instead of having to make your way back to your strip hotel you have a room to go to sleep in.

    Otherwise, I wouldn't worry too much about overthinking it: there are plenty of good and cheap dining choices downtown, the casinos have all the table games, you'll find the hottest slot machines in most of the bigger casinos, lots of places to find cheap drinks and souvenirs... just a good place to wander around and go from one place to the next since they are all so close to eachother.
     
  4. GrtWitHntr

    GrtWitHntr Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2007
    Messages:
    241
    Location:
    So California
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    50
    Resort fees have plaqued the Downtown area as well as the strip. Fremont, California, and Main Street do not charge the BS resort fees and I think the 4 Queens is the same. Pretty sure Golden Nugget, The D, Golden Gate, Plaza, and the new Grand all charge the "fee". Other than that, I'd simply scroll this page and look at the titles of different threads. There's ton's of great information on what to do and see as well as bunches of opinions on where to stay, gamle, eat, etc. Have fun, Downtown can be a great experience if it's the type of scene yer looking for....:beer:
     
  5. topcard

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

    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2012
    Messages:
    7,883
    Location:
    Fort Worth
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    100
    As suggested upthread, the Golden Nugget is the nicest, "most-strip-like" place downtown. But definitely more expensive than Quad or Flamingo.

    I would suggest the Fremont. The rooms and bathrooms are are small, but adequate, especially if you're solo.
    Even if you're going with someone, the room rate is so low ($30-$60/night) that you can each get your own room.

    For food, I always hit the 777 at Main Street Station, Dupars at Golden Gate & Magnolia's at Four Queens.
    Late night "food-in-a-hurry"? Lanai Express at Fremont.
    Coffee in the morning? Dunkin' Donuts at Fremont or Starbucks at the Nugget.

    Best blackjack? El Cortez ($3 min., 2-deck shoe, 3:2, DAS, H17, 75% penetration).
    Plaza and LVC have the same game, only with about 50% penetration & $10 min.
    Everywhere else, the 2-deck games are H17, no DAS. Still a decent game, and plentiful at $5 & $10 min. at all of the Boyd casinos.

    If you're ok with playing 6-deck shoes, the Golden Gate is, IMO, the most fun.

    I've only played craps at Fremont, Binions & El Cortez...and I can tell you - the most fun I had was at the El Co.

    Have fun!!
    :beer:
     
    Annual Spring Trip!
  6. Jimbo338

    Jimbo338 VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Oct 8, 2000
    Messages:
    5,543
    Location:
    Laconia, NH
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    23
    I love to stay downtown, even though my trade show has moved from the LVCC to the Rio. I can bus where I want and when I want and when I return to downtown it's like going home. I like the El Cortez in particular. Booking through a broker is generally cheaper than the hotel. Last year I paid about $21 for the Tower Room with no resort fee. Security is great and you are about 3 minutes from all the noise and excitement of the FSE. Leaving the hotel you can walk right across their new courtyard to LV Blvd or go out to Fremont street and walk west to FSE. You are close to all. There is a Subway shop in the first floor, a real good 24 hour cafe and a top notch steakhouse on premises. Staff is very friendly, and the rooms are very well maintained. I have also stayed in the original rooms over the casino (vintage). These are fine as well esp if you are solo. Small but well maintained, I paid $11.00/night last time I stayed there. The EC also shuttles you to the airport for free in a Lincoln Town Car.
    I have stayed at Gold Spike and the D a while back and both were fine as well. Try booking.com, kayak.com and EasyClickTravel.com for good prices.

    Jimbo338
     
  7. Texas Gramma

    Texas Gramma Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Nov 19, 2011
    Messages:
    211
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    35
    I have stayed at the old Fitzgerald's, Golden Nugget, 4 Queens, Fremont, and The "D". All were decent places to stay... no problems with cleanliness. I like the "D" best... they are the easiest and give me the most comps and free room offers of any hotel I have stayed in... downtown or strip... and I am a low roller... if you are a High Roller they are extremely generous with comps ... just ask for a host. I did not like staying in the Golden Nugget, it was pretty, upscale rooms, etc. but the walk to the casino and the front door from your room was a long one... like a strip casino... and the buffet was terrible.
    ---
     
  8. kingslender

    kingslender Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2011
    Messages:
    255
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    5
    Pretty much agree with the above and, in fact, staying downtown for the first time this January. My buddies and I always gamble downtown during our annual trip and stayed on the strip, but that always creates issues with getting back to the hotel. The best thing about downtown, IMO, is the vibe. It's laid back, the table minimums are low, and you never have that feeling of being an annoyance because you just want to bet $5 hands and not $50.
     
  9. Tina Chi Chi

    Tina Chi Chi Tourist

    Joined:
    Mar 7, 2008
    Messages:
    72
    Location:
    MI
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    13
    Probably a newbie quesion

    Stayed on the strip for years. Going to downtown for a visit and wonder how do you ask for any kind of a comp? Staying at the Plaza.
     
  10. topcard

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

    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2012
    Messages:
    7,883
    Location:
    Fort Worth
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    100
    Tina...just get a player's card at every casino you gamble at. That will get you on their mailing lists for room offers & other promo stuff.
    If you put in a decent amount of play at one casino, just ask a pit-critter if he or she could fix you up with a meal comp.
    The worst that can happen is that they say "no", and you're no worse off if they do.

    If you're a machine player, I'm not sure how it works, as I only play table games. You probably have to go the Player's Club desk & ask them.
     
    Annual Spring Trip!
  11. Snickers

    Snickers Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2006
    Messages:
    283
    Location:
    Kansas
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    15
    If you are doing a first stay downtown do yourself a favor and stay at the Nugget. Current rates are great and you get a nice funbook at check in. It is a short walk out compared to the Strip and comparable to a Flamingo experince in many ways. We tend to split trips between the Flamingo and Golden Nugget when we stay a week in July each year.
     
  12. Laura_W

    Laura_W Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Nov 14, 2008
    Messages:
    130
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    2
    Love all the advice on here! Stayed at Flamingo in Sept. Husband's first trip to Vegas, and he did NOT love the strip. At All. Too much walking, not enough partying. lol He loved it the night we went downtown and said only way he would go back to Vegas is if we stay downtown. I'm hoping I won't be bored. haha
    Not sure where we are going to stay yet. I think I've narrowed it down to one of the Boyd properties. Was looking at MSS for the wonderful reviews I've read, but might go with Fremont Hotel so we're right there in the middle of the action. The bathroom size makes me a titch nervous though. LOL
    Sure can't beat the prices downtown though!
     
  13. user3657

    user3657 VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Mar 20, 2011
    Messages:
    1,144
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    8
    All the busses run 24/7 right? I think im gonna start looking tonight!
     
  14. user3657

    user3657 VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Mar 20, 2011
    Messages:
    1,144
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    8
    Everyplace I have tried is sold out Sat night :( downtown
     
  15. SpinyNorma

    SpinyNorma Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2007
    Messages:
    290
    Location:
    Deep in the hot of Texas
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    12
    I love downtown and have found myself spending more time there as time goes by. I'm spending 3 nights there on my next trip. I'd been considering staying there for the whole trip but Bally's remembered they used to love me (2 nights worth anyway) and I got 2 nights free at NYNY through My Vegas.

    I've stayed at Fremont and the old Fitzgeralds several times each and once at California. I liked the California the least. The staff weren't friendly or overly helpful and there was a pair of mens pants left in our room.:eek: This was several years ago and I've heard good things about it from others so maybe we just caught them during an off time.

    I love the Fremont. The staff is really friendly and helpful. The few times I've had a problem, they were right on it. The rooms aren't fancy but they're comfortable and clean. I travel solo now and I've never felt unsafe or uncomfortable. The bathrooms are pretty small though.

    The buffet's pretty decent. Outside of that, I usually eat elsewhere. The location's great so you aren't very far from anything. The bus stop's right next door, along the side of Binions, if you feel the urge to head up to the strip.

    If you've stayed at the Quad (Hey, I'm not being uppity. I've stayed there too.), you can handle the rooms downtown. You can go relatively fancy with the Golden Nugget if you want but I don't think it's necessary. Look at the hotel web sites and check out some of the rooms. There are some nice ones. One plus is that, even at their most expensive, they're all cheaper than the strip--and a lot less walking to get anywhere.

    I'm trying the D for one night this trip. I haven't stayed there since the old Fitz got its facelift. I'm staying at Fremont again the other two nights.
     
  16. DonnyC

    DonnyC VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Mar 23, 2012
    Messages:
    2,739
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    8
    Golden Nugget Rush Tower King room! Great bathroom, great sized room...yes more then the $35 of other places, WORTH THE MONEY!
     
  17. Laura_W

    Laura_W Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Nov 14, 2008
    Messages:
    130
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    2
    I think I've decided on staying at Fremont Hotel. Watched youtube videos, read TA reviews, and ones on here. I think it'll be perfect for us. I had the buffet when I was in Vegas in 2010 and loved it. Think we'll have to hit MSS for the 777 while we're down there.
    Also saw that the 2014 ACG book will have book 2 nights get the 3rd night free. Bonus! ha
    Husband is terrified to fly, so I have to coax him back into wanting to brave a flight again. We got married when we went there last month, so that was a little bit of a motivation for him. There's not as much to see downtown, so maybe we can actually relax a little bit more on this trip! I do want to hit the Mob Museum, it was on our to-do list for the last trip and we didn't make it. Figure since we'll be staying downtown there's no way we can miss it this time!
     
  18. Laura_W

    Laura_W Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Nov 14, 2008
    Messages:
    130
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    2
    Oh, another thing. Anyone know what the name of the biker bar downtown? Is that the Hogs & Heifers? We had been talking to the guys that work the beaded necklace kiosk and were told about the biker bar. Hubby is a Harley rider and would love to check it out.
    Thanks!
     
  19. heatherlovesvegas

    heatherlovesvegas VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Mar 22, 2012
    Messages:
    2,033
    Location:
    Woodland Hills, CA
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    30
    I'm interested in checking out downtown soon, maybe not to stay.. well I'm not sure yet. But, any suggestions on things to do that aren't all drinking... since I'm not big on it haha. I feel like all everyone talks about is drinking. I do gamble. I'm interested in checking out the D and Golden Nugget, just curious what other things Downtown has to offer.

    I've been to the Neon Museum and enjoyed that. On the strip I do gamble, a bit of shopping and good dining, and probably 1 show, that usually sums up my trip.
     
  20. Joe

    Joe VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Sep 11, 2009
    Messages:
    16,023
    Location:
    Wisconsin
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    175
    Mob Museum.

    Take a WAX bus ($2) and go to the outlet mall
    http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=58

    The overhead canopy show every night. There are also 3 stages for live bands.
     
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.