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Convince me to check out your off-strip (but not DT) favorite.

Discussion in 'Off-Strip Hotels' started by thecarve, Nov 12, 2013.

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  1. thecarve

    thecarve Misanthrope

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    Despite having somewhere in the neighborhood of 40 Vegas trips under my belt, I'm far from "well traveled" within Las Vegas. What can I say, I'm a creature of habit.:eek: I've been everywhere on the strip (well, my definition of the strip, which only goes as far north as Encore) and most places downtown. But other than that, my experiences are few and far between.

    So...get me out of my rut. Tell me where I should hang out for an afternoon or evening. And more importantly, tell me why.



    A few guidelines:


    - I like to gamble (BJ, VP [DDB] and craps), drink and eat. If the reason that you are sending me to "your" casino has nothing to do with those three things, that's cool...but it better be good!

    - If your casino does not offer great BJ rules, a fun pitch game will be equally acceptable. If your casino doesn't offer great DDB pay tables, decent ones with great bartenders/great (comped) drinks will be equally acceptable. If your casino doesn't offer 10,000X odds, 3X4X5X with good dealers is more than acceptable.

    - Good ambiance/atmosphere, whether luxurious and upscale or dive-y and rowdy, can make up for some shortcomings in the gambling department. As can a great staff.

    - I like good beer (bonus points for hard-to-find-on-the-strip stuff) and good booze/well made cocktails. Plastic cups are deal-killers. :nono:

    - I'll eat anything. But sadly, I'm allergic to lobster and shrimp. (So don't send me to the sticks for the best shrimp cocktail in Las Vegas.)

    - I won't have a car. And while I'm more than willing to pay for an expensive cab/limo ride if the experience is a good one, please don't send me on a $75 RT cab ride to save $20 on a meal...unless it's a meal I just can't get on the strip.

    - Anything off-strip (or "off DT") is fair game - as is anything on LV Blvd. that is north of Encore or south of MB. I'll also consider Downtown Grand as I haven't been there yet.

    :beer:
     
  2. ardee

    ardee It's only money.

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    M Resort. I win.

    Great food, great beer (Pints of Sierra Nevada to the slot players near 32 Below), beer and wine included in the buffet price, great buffet, good rooms and service, lots of deals, just stay there and avoid all the travel.
     
  3. thecarve

    thecarve Misanthrope

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    And forsake The House of Steve and all its ethereal glory :eek: (love ya, sco:thumbsup:)?? Bite your tongue!
     
  4. heatherlovesvegas

    heatherlovesvegas VIP Whale

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    I really like Red Rock! It is far though... but it's just a nice place, big casino, movie theatre, I feel like it's a nice day trip. And it's super cool to go take the tour of the Red Rock Canyon. But, without a car... I don't know. It isn't anything you won't get on the strip, except the beautiful canyon views.

    M is a nice place too! Beautiful, but same thing, nothing you won't get on the strip, but it's nice.

    I mainly check out these places if I'm trying to get away from the strip for a while. I've never been to an off strip place, where I was like "WOW this is so much better than the strip"... Like you, I've been so many times that I like to branch out, see new things.
     
  5. Dean Martin

    Dean Martin VIP Whale

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    Carve, I was just like you for a long time. A few years ago finally checked out M and GVR. We didn't care for GVR, it's nice enough but the decor was kind of midieval or something..a lot of black wrought iron as I recall. M was nice but even for me (age 55 at the time) it felt quiet and the crowd seemed like a lot of old people...maybe it was just the day we were there?

    This last trip we finally ventured out to RR. I liked it a lot more than the other 2 and it is VP (especially DDB) heaven. But as Heather said, I have never seen or felt anything that would "wow" me away from the strip.

    The only drawback at RR is I did notice the smoke and it bothered me but I was just getting a cold so I may have been more sensative to it...plus it was a Friday night so it may not be that bad in there Sun-Thurs. I will say that if I didn't stay at Wynncore, RR would be my second choice...I liked it that much. Ruled at Bellagio the last trip....just no vibe for us.

    Oh yea....the other negative for me was all 3 of those off strip places are going to have a more definite locals feel than the vacation feel you get on the strip. I'm not making a dig on locals at all but it just creates a different feel when you're around people that are pissing away the vacation gambling bankroll versus gambling the day to day living expenses that more often than not, probably shouldn't be going to the casino. And you can feel/see it too...everybody is a bit more serious. Just my 2 cents..:beer:
     
  6. sco5123

    sco5123 VIP Whale

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    Blasphemy ardee! Back atcha carve!

    I don't know if you have tried the Palms but I believe it will fulfill all the basic needs with regard to gaming, food and beverage with a formerly upscale vibe. It is also known by the locals for good vp machines. voted best slots in vegas for years. Gold Coast is a one of a kind and the craps tables are always packed here. I have not seen the M yet (though i have heard excellent things) but I agree about Red rock. Certainly worth a visit. You can check out Suncoast and Jw marriott while you are in the area. 3 birds. Jokers Wild has dollar bj and dollar craps and is super divey and is in the middle of nowhere but there is a fun crowd. Boulder looks like a railroad station. Arizona Charlies has my favorite 3 dollar pai gow and lots of low limit gaming. Sams town has a stunning park area inside the casino with a water show and 3 dollar craps. wish I knew more about the vp. Sunset Station is simply gorgeous and a worthwhile visit.
     
  7. Ay Caramba

    Ay Caramba Sprinkle My Ashes Along LV Blvd

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    Hard Rock, Anyone?

    I've already been warned that HRH doesn't get any love here. But I'll share my reasons nonetheless.
    First off, it's not the d0uchebag stronghold that most people assume. Maybe 10 or 15 years ago that was the case. But the resort has struggled to keep up with the nightlife scene against the stiff strip competition. Their Sunday pool party still attracts that crowd, but that is the exception. On a Thursday or Friday afternoon, you're more likely to see a group of 30-50 year olds at a BJ table than 22 year olds.
    Anyway, I think there is a lot to like. They do have a DD pitch game on the main floor, which is virtually non-existent on the strip. They also have swim-up blackjack and poolside table games. It's pretty easy to get on their radar from a player perspective - I'm not a big player but after two trips where I focused my play there, I was contacted by a host, and get offers for free nights, food, shows and free play every day of the year. Best of all, any player with a host gets complimentary car service anywhere around town, anytime. This includes airport transfers as well. Just walk to the bell desk and tell them your host's name, and they bring around the Escalade. You can also call the desk for immediate pickup, anywhere in town. Comp points for casino play are stingy, but the player's club promos are good - a half hour of slot play earns a lunch voucher and an hour earns a dinner voucher.
    Their newest restaurant, Culinary Dropout, has a bar that is open onto the pool deck. They have a long list of microbrews and imports. You can get a seat at the bar or table and check out the pool scene. Same is true over at Pink Taco - the restaurant opens onto the pool deck.
    The music around the resort is great. Obviously they play rock and roll, but they avoid the overly commercialized and manufactured bands. No Top 40 stuff, just a good mix of classic and modern rock. Much better than the Kenny G you get in most casinos.
    The rooms in the new all-suites tower are huge, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the pool, and a pano view of the strip to the west. Touchscreen jukebox in every room. Bathrooms are huge, almost too big. You could park a Smart Car in the shower.
    It's rarely crowded, only on weekend nights really, or if there is a big show at the Joint. I've gotten used to this place, and now when I do wander over to the strip it feels way too crowded.
     
    I'm Getting Too Old For This | 50th Birthday WildOut
  8. jbee

    jbee Low-Roller

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    The cabbie ride from mid strip to the M is over $40 one way. The same goes for the RR or GVR. (Give or take a few $s one way or the other).
     
  9. thenuke1

    thenuke1 High-Roller

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    Royal Resort.

    Book through a third party site to get the best deal and better room.

    Royal Resort is a time share hotel and for some reason the site only lets you book 1 room. Third party sites have the time share room available to book which includes a fridge, microwave, and coffee maker for around $60 a night depending on time you go. Beds and sheets are super comfortable and they give you more than enough pillows.

    RR staff is awesome and the maids are great. I usually dont use the maid service but i tip them daily in return for extra towels, toilet paper, tissue paper, coffee.

    They have a Pool and Jacuzzi open until 10pm and cabanas are free on a first come first serve bases. Late check out is free upon request at check in.

    the lobby has a free to use pool table too.
     
  10. TrixieM

    TrixieM Low-Roller

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    Our off-Strip favs are M and GVR. We like South Point, too, except last time there were way to many kids (toddlers and pre-teens) running around the casino.

    We rent a car and always make it a point to visit a few out-lying/off-Strip casinos. On our last LV pilgrimage, RR was one of the places on our list, and to me it's awfully similar to M and a lot further out---really, really nice, though, so a great option if you want to go that far out.
     
  11. TIMSPEED

    TIMSPEED Money’s on the way, with CashNetUSA

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    I would have recommended Sams Town for an Off-Strip...BUT
    We just stayed at Orleans and had a BLAST! For a SUNDAY, it was JUMPING!
     
  12. Adam

    Adam Creepy Vegas Friend

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    Orleans. Stayed there last week. Has good gambling, good points and easy to get comps. Good food as well.
     
  13. luvstp

    luvstp High-Roller

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    Three words......Don't do it!

    Been there done that....stayed at GVR for a 3 night trip once because we wanted to play the best DDB vid poker anywhere.....had one of my worst beatings ever, anytime anywhere.....$10K loss playing mostly $1 single line DDB. And, about all I played was the 10/6 DDB game.....so much for 100% payback.

    Went to Sam's Town for an afternoon once (many years ago)....can you say chain smokers pulling around oxygen tanks and leaving cig ashes everywhere? OMG....never went back again.

    Even at Red Rock....which I thought was nice as we went to the movies....way more smokers than what you ever see at Wynncore.

    Went to SouthPoint once too.....again, tons and tons of smokers everywhere....some different vid poker games with good progressives, but I couldn't get past all the smoke and dirty ashtrays everywhere.

    So, after all this, what I learned is that good housekeeping, great service and fewer smokers matters the most to me. And, since I know you like the "hot and flirty" cocktail waitresses.....wth are you thinking?
     
  14. thecarve

    thecarve Misanthrope

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    Thanks for all the suggestions, gang. Hopefully they’ll help me get out of my rut one of these trips. (Though, to be honest, it’s not a rut I’m terribly upset being in.)

    LOL. Guilty as charged. So, you’re saying I’m not going to find that at Sam’s Town? :confused2:
     
  15. Joe

    Joe VIP Whale

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    Kind of surprised Turtleman didn't chime in and mention Suncoast. 9/6 DDB free flowing drinks and an easy $2 Wax bus ride from either downtown or outside NYNY, just take it all the way to Suncoast.

    Still one of my favorite casinos because of the employees, in spite of never having hit a VP jackpot there.
     
  16. topcard

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

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    Gold Coast. Not fancy, but the $5 & $10 minimum, two-deck BJ, (H17, DAS) is plentiful and easily the best blackjack value for miles. It's quite easy to get to from Bally's or Harrah's via Rio's shuttle, or by using the Gold Coast strip shuttle.
    I only had one meal there, at the TGIF, but it was breakfast and it was very good.
    If you like mini-bacc, they have a bunch of tables...Apparently, it's quite the popular game there.
     
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  17. zamboni

    zamboni VIP Whale

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    I am a Hard Rock Hotel lover. I am a VERY low roller and get treated like a KING there. Love the atmosphere and love that it is rarely packed. Mr Luckys 24/7 is exactly that- a great place to eat, 24 hours a day. Like someone else mentioned the DD BJ is very good. Only downside is the poker rooms rarely going, but if you aren't into poker, then you don't care. The rooms are very nice, the beds are very comfortable. And you aren't far from the strip, so cabs aren't crazy. Last month my brother got pissed at the poker table we were at in Planet Hollywood and I had the rental car and yes- he walked to the HR from PH. No it doesn't get much love from the board, and good, it will be my little secret how good it is there.
     
  18. POPO2012

    POPO2012 Low-Roller

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    Anther vote for Orleans. A well priced liquor store to a decent movie theater. Always great drink service including Alligator Bar in casino !:drunk:
     
  19. cetar

    cetar Tourist

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    Orleans gets my vote! Lots of good choices on eating and gambling. Big casino and almost always something is going on.
     
  20. Turtleman

    Turtleman VIP Whale

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    I have little desire to try to convince anyone to go to my favorite casinos; there are too many posts that boil down to personal preference as it is! But since my name was invoked … I obviously favor Boyd/Coast casinos, and often stay at the Orleans, Gold Coast, and Sam's Town, too. As with many off-Strip casinos, they have a multitude of lower limit table games with better rules than you're likely to find on the Strip. Add in better machine pay tables, friendlier people (IMHO), faster cocktail service, better value, and easy-to-get comps, and what's not to like!
     
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