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.

Thinking about trying downtown

Discussion in 'Downtown Hotels' started by ChickenBone Jones, Nov 7, 2013.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. ChickenBone Jones

    ChickenBone Jones Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2009
    Messages:
    241
    Location:
    North Carolina
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    26
    I've only been downtown once about 8 years ago and honestly I wasn't a huge fan. I was thinking about taking the plunge for a quick 2 day escape in January. I was hoping some of you pros could give some advice on a place that I might be comfortable with. A few things that might help.
    1) I have stayed at most of the strip hotels including Bellagio and wynn. My favorite hotel by fay is MGM based on it being clean and comfortable with a little luxury but not snooty at all.
    2) I like slots, VP and play $25 to $50 per hand BJ
    3) Even though I am traveling Solo I still like to enjoy a good dinner steaks as well as quality bar food.
    4) I love the flamingo casino, but will not stay at the hotel. It just does not feel clean enough for me to sleep there, but plenty clean to drink and gamble a little.
    5) I do not smoke. While I am not intolerant of smoke, I am bothered when it is overwhelming.
    6) I like fun dealers that help the games seem more playful. You know will tease when checking the hole card or will show everyone but you your double down card.
    7) I would like somewhere that will have some appreciation for my play. Last trip to MGM I earned 36.000 tier credits in 3 days.
    8) Finally I don't need luxury but clean and modern are non-negotiable

    Any thoughts, including "downtown ain't your scene" will be appreciated
     
  2. BeeeJay

    BeeeJay President of The Red Lobster Hostess Satisfaction

    Joined:
    Aug 23, 2008
    Messages:
    9,151
    Location:
    Chicago & Scottsdale, AZ
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    100
    I'm in a lot the same boat as you and I recently tried staying downtown at Golden Gate on a last minute trip. My host was able to arrange a room, I didn't ask in advance but they put me in what they consider a "suite" at Golden Gate and I absolutely loved it, thought the whole experience was fantastic.

    I think Golden Gate atmostphere (you can play at The D also and get credit towards comps) fits most of your requirements.

    These rooms are fully remodeled including a huge rain head shower. I think the base rooms at The D and Golden Gate have the old bathrooms or at least something still pretty small.

    I will still stay on the strip at least half the time, but I'll have no qualms about staying downtown and the gaming conditions and treatment, especially for a $25-$50 player are a world of difference from the strip. In fact I'd say that is the sweet spot for being able to gain the most by the move.
     
  3. Royal Flusher

    Royal Flusher Savvy Gambler

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2008
    Messages:
    6,550
    Location:
    Flusherville, Canada
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    60
    You know, I really need to look into the new rooms at the GG, BeeeJay.

    The other suggestion is Rush tower at the Nugget. Plenty of restaurants to choose from, the only downside is the VP selection which is shite.

    There is full pay 9/6 Jacks at the $5 level if you can fade that kind of action.

    Believe it or not its in the Keno lounge.
     
  4. 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
    You probably want the Nugget if you can't get a suite at Golden Gate.
    As for appreciation of your play, I think you'll find that in spades at virtually every downtown casino, as long as you're playing on their card.
    (You need 'bConnected', Royal Club (4-Queens), Plaza/LVC, Golden Gate & 'theD'. If you get down to the El Cortez (and you should) be sure to get their card as well.
    At $50, you will find great two-deck games at both 'theD' and Golden Gate in their high-limit salons. Plaza, LVC and El Cortez also have a great two-deck game at lower limits.

    The 'fun dealers'? You'll LOVE Golden Gate.
    Good luck and enjoy downtown!
    :beer:
    The Boyd casinos have plentiful two-deck at $5 & $10 minimums, however they do not permit DAS.
     
    Annual Spring Trip!
  5. dfalk

    dfalk VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Mar 7, 2011
    Messages:
    2,510
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    20
    I was kinda in the same boat as you. Only spent maybe 5 hours total downtown in all my trips. Last month decided to make a quick trip with my buddy and we stayed DT for 3 nights, instead of staying on the strip aswe usually do. After 1.5 days we were very bored of DT and both agreed that it sucked and would never stay down there again.

    I know other people on here love DT and wouldn't stay anywhere else, but for me its back to the strip.
     
  6. uli_1515

    uli_1515 Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Mar 28, 2013
    Messages:
    220
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    2
    Downtown to me seems perfect. I can play at my level and get appreciated. But downtown in the day is rough. Get a bus pass and every morning go to strip until 5pm. This trip I am staying downtown but I still have shows and dinners planned on the strip.
     
  7. YoungGun

    YoungGun VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Aug 4, 2003
    Messages:
    1,224
    Location:
    Southern California
    You might also want to try Main Street Station. Rooms are large for downtown and the casino is probably the least smokey.
     
  8. wishman35

    wishman35 VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2010
    Messages:
    1,461
    Location:
    Chitown
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    20
    This is true - very casual and quiet during the morning and afternoon hours. During the morning and day Fremont Street is more of a strip of casinos under a large canopy with older people strolling around. At night and especially on the weekends it becomes a circus and borderline freak show. I love the feel of it, but I never need more than a night or two.

    Agreed, but note at MSS there are no blackout curtains, just wooden shades. If you are used to MGM's famous blackout shade and need that morning darkness to recover - MSS, the Cal and Fremont will not be for you. Any room at the Golden Nugget will remind you of Strip quality and the property itself is the most "resort" like downtown. MSS feels great though. Microbrewery on site, good video poker, a great cheap buffet ... it is classic Vegas - but can be quiet due to its location away from the canopy.

    On the note of smokiness - avoid Four Queens if you cannot deal with poor ventilation.

    This is how all of my friends feel. They range between 24-30 years old. None have a fondness of Fremont St. Not to say Fremont is for older folks, it simply appeals to those who have an appreciation for what Downtown offers... a grittier, more classic, more budget and gambler friendly experience.

    Most people on here like Fremont because we are Vegas obsessed and most of us fanatics know and appreciate what to expect from downtown.

    :beer:
     
  9. LilyJDragonfly

    LilyJDragonfly Degenerate

    Joined:
    May 7, 2011
    Messages:
    276
    Location:
    NorCal/Tijuana
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    12
    I think you'd dig the Golden Gate for playing... Golden Nugget to stay in from everything I've heard would come close to what you expect (though I hear the new suites at Golden Gate are quite decent...)

    Downtown is most gracious to its players and if you're rolling in with bigger bets and tips for the staff - ooooweee! You can be the King!

    For two days, I'm sure you'll have a good time - and for the record, The D even has a Sigma Derby machine like they do over at MGM!!
     
  10. kingslender

    kingslender Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2011
    Messages:
    255
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    5
    I think it comes down to when you do your gambling during the day. We have opted for downtown on an upcoming 3-day trip because we always seem to end up down there at night and it's a hassle driving back to the strip. During the day we'll probably hit up the Strip and do some other things around town (gun range or something) but we're hoping having rooms downtown will make the evening gambling easier on everyone.
     
  11. Kobra2848

    Kobra2848 VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2011
    Messages:
    2,418
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    38
    My wife has no interest in going back downtown. I have a trip in two weeks with my dad and plan on taking the shuttle from Sam's Town to downtown and staying all day checking out all the casino's. With my wife we stay at PHO which shes loves and whenever we go downtown it seems as soon as we get there she ready to head back to the strip. I always joke with her that she has to get back to the strip with all the rest of the pretty people.

    Mark
     
  12. ChickenBone Jones

    ChickenBone Jones Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2009
    Messages:
    241
    Location:
    North Carolina
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    26
    Thanks for all the good advice, I think I'm going to milk cet for a couple of free nights and then spend an afternoon/evening DT. Take stroll around checking everything out and getting cards during the afternoon. Then at night I'll pick my favorite place or set of sister properties and give them a whole night of my play. That should give me a good idea if I'm up for a stay, and hopefully find out what they'll do to get my business.
     
  13. Marky147

    Marky147 VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Nov 27, 2009
    Messages:
    6,056
    Location:
    England
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    14
    I've been out every year since 2006, and until 2011 I never even went downtown for more than a few hours.

    I head out for between 2 and 3 weeks every year, with half my time at the Palazzo and the rest at Wynn or somewhere else along the strip.


    I stayed a few days at the Nugget in 2011 for a couple poker tourneys and had a great time. I enjoyed it downtown that much, that I haven't stayed on thes trip since, and just spend the whole time at the Nugget every year now.

    There were 30 of us staying at the Nugget from the UK this year, and I can't believe it took me this long to discover how much more I enjoy Downtown Vegas.

    I don't gamble a lot, so comps are not something which bears any relevance to myself. I just find the people a lot more friendly, the atmosphere a lot more relaxed and it's definitely not as pretentious.

    Unlike the Palazzo, the Nugget don't have a problem with me drinking and driving in the casino :evillaugh

    I love the fine dining side of things on the strip, but my clubbing days are well behind me, and having done the strip for 5 years I don't miss it. That said, I would recommend that anyone who hasn't been to vegas a few times, stays on the strip, and takes a day trip down as many others have said.

    Being Brits, it's also a bit more like having a bar crawl at home when staggering up and down Fremont street :drunk:
     
  14. R8erhed

    R8erhed Tourist

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2013
    Messages:
    39
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    5
    Best of both?

    I'm in 8-13 Dec booked at the P Hollywood in a base room for now at average $40pn...opinions welcome (cet platinum). I thought about trimming that back to 3 nights and stay downtown for 2. Can you guys suggest a spot that allows the best of the area? I looked at Nugget, and it looks like a conference or something going on that week from the site...I dig the history of places like that.

    Also, if I drive downtown to spend a day, where would you suggest I park that wouldn't bust my limited walking distance?

    Cool board you have here! Thanks for any advice, Tim
     
  15. M0rtyC

    M0rtyC TBD

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2012
    Messages:
    1,819
    Location:
    North Shore Massachusetts
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    26
    Parking at Main Street Station is easy and abundant.
     
  16. ajonate

    ajonate Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2009
    Messages:
    192
    Location:
    Las Vegas, NV
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    999
    Your only hope downtown is the Golden Nugget. I hesitate to even send you there. If you'll only be happy with a $200/night room on the Strip then I don't know why you would want to try downtown.

    I used to encourage people to broaden their horizons by trying different hotels & restaurants, but I've been put in my place for doing that once too often. I love downtown hotels and eats, but I can't see you staying at the Four Queens and eating at Magnolias.
     
  17. Huddler

    Huddler VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2008
    Messages:
    1,248
    Location:
    Nashville
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    50
    I stayed only on the strip for years. Finally, I started making trips down to the Golden Gate after Derek Stephens fixed it up about 5 years ago. I love gambling there and at The D. The suite at GG is very nice. I also stay on the strip so I am really like both. But I always find myself gravitating to downtown for a more fun and relaxed experience.

    BTW, The Plaza mini suite is very nice too. MSS has nice rooms and their casino is fun! And El Cortez Cabana suites are cool and they have good blackjack games. The one place downtown that I never stay and never gamble is Golden Nugget. However that place is generally considered to be the nicest downtown.
     
  18. Busyman

    Busyman VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2013
    Messages:
    1,312
    Location:
    Washington DC
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    5
    I too would like to stay downtown but it seems so....lowbrow.

    It seems like I'd like the hustle and bustle - I guess it seems more like New Orleans. However, I don't wanna risk it and have a messed up trip.

    I'm fairly young (around 40) and still like clubbing a tad. I like to walk around with my drink and be "lit" on vacation. Gambling is NOT a priority but I will drop some money.

    I wanna know the best place to stay to be in the heart of everything.

    On the strip, I like staying around PH, Citycenter, Cosmo area cuz it's LIVE!

    I'd want something similar on the strip.
     
  19. Marky147

    Marky147 VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Nov 27, 2009
    Messages:
    6,056
    Location:
    England
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    14
    I'm guessing you meant something similar Downtown, so apologies if I'm mistaken :)

    I would suggest booking yourself into the Rush Tower at the Nugget, see how you like the action, and if it's not to your tastes there is no harm done.
     
  20. TFK

    TFK High-Roller

    Joined:
    Jan 22, 2010
    Messages:
    709
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    25

    You're the exact type of person that doesn't belong downtown. Stay on the strip with the rest of the D bags.


    TFK
     
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.