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Any reason to visit and or stay at Downtown Grand?

Discussion in 'Downtown Hotels' started by jsiadak, Jan 21, 2014.

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  1. ColoradoJohn

    ColoradoJohn Low-Roller

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    I was excited when they opened. Then they decimated the VP pay tables. Then I hear they don't comp "premium drinks" playing VP at bars. Also I am mainly a craft beer guy, and from what I have read..they don't have any.
    Has anything changed or do I have it correct?
    Thanks for responses in advance!

    ski
     
  2. MikeOPensacola

    MikeOPensacola El Jefe

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    Even though their VP is bad I found the DTG nice. Yes it was mostly empty in November, but they have decent BJ games and very helpful and friendly pit personnel. The casino atmosphere is pleasant. Not sure about the food, but there is one helluva great steak house right across the street called Triple George. The walk to/from Fremont Street is short, well lit and safe. I got a players card in November and recently received a great mailer with all kinds of great offers. Not my favorite place downtown, but it's far from the bottom of my list. :peace: :beer:
     
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  3. Funkhouser

    Funkhouser In Charge of the Big Door

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    I am planning on staying one night on my 2nd trip in Feb have book a premium room. Being off fremont should help with the noise factor from FSE canopy. I like the styling of the place, so if the service levels are high I think it would be a good place to stay, just not gamble.

    I am curious if they are able to create a hip upscale vibe that the other DT properties have been unsuccessful so far to create.
     
  4. wishman35

    wishman35 VIP Whale

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    I just wasn't impressed with the property. Sure it does have a freshness the other Fremont properties don't have (as well its should), but I think that freshness detracts from the reason why we all go to Fremont. Even when the D renovated the ole Fitz it still has a "grime" so to speak, that atmosphere you look for on Fremont. Golden Nugget is the same way, a "4 star property," but low ceilings, huge crowds, and a sprawling casino make it feel Vegas. Go down the list from there Fremont, MSS, Cal, Binions, etc - low ceilings, that feel, drink specials plastered everywhere, and good gambling...it is Fremont.

    Then there is Downtown Grand - nay a drink special to be found, the casino is a small uninspired square with no playable video poker, and aside from the casino you have the Art Bar and Mob Bar both just sort of meh. It feels fresh, new, and that is cool and all - but what reason do any of us have to stray from the other Fremont properties other than to just cross it off the list of hotels that you stopped into? May as well just head back to Cosmo for a chic atmosphere where Bond has better VP and top notch comped drinks.

    Good riddance to those who can snag an offer, or who want quiet away from Fremont, or to try a new room - but I don't see any appeal personally and I think it will struggle.
     
  5. Funkhouser

    Funkhouser In Charge of the Big Door

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    Wish man. I think DTG is trying to make in roads with a new demographic. Derrek Stevens is as well but with less capital and without a property shutdown. I think DTG will survive given the competition, but it needs to thrive to continue a DT resurgence. If they create a value proposition people will come. They will just gamble across the street. Summer and The picnic will determine whether they can compete.
     
  6. bdlee73

    bdlee73 Tourist

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    I'll at least check it out. I still remember dropping a few nickles in a machine at the Lady Luck when I was much young - I'm assuming the place has improved since those days! I too hope it succeeds for the sake of DT. I'd be willing to stay if they can get the pool open.
     
  7. ruralhipster

    ruralhipster High-Roller

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    After staying there last year I can say the only things that stood out as being especially noteworthy was the meal I had in the Chinese restaurant, the friendliness of the staff, and the slices of Pizza from Pizza Rock next door.

    I don't think I would stay there again unless I get an awesome offer, or was with someone who needed a pool (once that opens). I could see myself swinging by for a slice and maybe a little roulette or BJ if I was already downtown.
     
  8. gradytripp

    gradytripp High-Roller

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    I'll second this. It definitely has a different feel from the other downtown joints. There is a lack of "grime," as noted above. (Are we really looking for grime?)

    It feels a bit like Cosmopolitan, as also noted above, but much more welcoming. Cosmo is a beautiful property but when I walk through, I'm instantly aware that I'm not in their target demographic. I don't get that feeling at Downtown Grand. The VP is not good, but the blackjack was good, the staff the friendliest I've yet encountered in Vegas, and I'd happily make a return visit.
     
  9. Phrantic

    Phrantic Tourist

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    I was there mid December with a pal of mine playing 40-60/spin at one of their two roulette tables. I've never had so much sweat over my play before, especially when my numbers hit. Was treated exceedingly well, free limo to and from my hotel, full dinner at the triple George which was fantastic, but, you can tell the floor boss wasn't happy when I left with 3k of their cash.

    They do serve Sapporo bottles on the floor though which made me happy.
     
  10. TFK

    TFK High-Roller

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    Do you remember what other beers they served at the tables?

    One of the things I loved about the Spike was being able to drink pints of Blue Moon while playing blackjack. Wasn't able to get that any other place I tried downtown.


    TFK
     
  11. makikiboy

    makikiboy VIP Whale

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    I visited the DTG last week. It was 10 pm on a tuesday night and the place was deserted. Nobody was on any of the tables. I think the minimums were also $10 or higher.

    I went to pick up some $1 chips but the cage wouldn't give me any so I went to a table where the dealer was counting chips and asked for some dollar chips and she accomodated me.

    Maybe if they decided to concentrate on better customer service and lower minimums and better paytables then maybe people like myself will play there but until then I will just avoid the place. If they have low hotel rates then I might consider staying there but with resort fees and high rates I doubt I would ever stay there. :Þ
     
  12. Crambone

    Crambone Gnaeus Pompey Magnus

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    I took them up on a 2 night comp this past weekend.
    Nice new rooms with modern decor and fixtures. Digital cable TV. Super fast in-room wifi. I was in the West Tower and the elevators only go to ground level during the hours the Commissary food court is open, 6am-1am IIRC.

    The Commissary food is way over-priced compared to other Downtown options. $22 for a rotisserie chicken that runs you $7.99 at home. Ouch.

    I only played VP at the Furnace Bar once only to drink and to use the Free Play that came with the offer. I've played Craps a few times at the usual $5 min with 3x4x5x Odds but did not play at all this trip. The few times I walked through the casino I noticed it was never "hopping". Just a few tables and not very many people at the bar tops.

    On the bright side I discovered the Super Times Pay game and will play it again somewhere else.

    I'd stay at the DTG again but only if the price is right. That means less than the rates I get from Boyd or 4Q. Not holding my breath.
     
  13. Phrantic

    Phrantic Tourist

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    Other beer selections were rather poor. Standard brands ie. coors, bud, bud light, Heineken, etc, but the girl said they have been looking at getting new ones come the new year.
     
  14. joshrocker

    joshrocker VIP Whale

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    I don't get it. Wouldn't a brand new property that really wants to make a name for itself, a property that isn't really in the best of locations, start with good VP pay tables and decent BJ? Then slowly bring the odds down after they've gotten people hooked? Starting off with poor pay tables and ruining most people's first impression seems stupid to me.

    I don't know what they were thinking.
     
  15. Joe

    Joe VIP Whale

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    Early reports on this board had them lowering the paytables in their first week of business.
     
  16. merlin

    merlin MIA

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    I wouldn't hold my breath hoping they "wise up", The remodled spike was around for prob 5 years and never changed a thing as their business slowly evaporated(all hand pays right to the end along with slightly substandard tables open only 1 shift), then we have the Plaza and lv club - it's been 2 or 3 years now and they refuse to compete with the other downtown places mere steps away, they keep shuffling the rest. offerings hoping that people will eat and then play, when the reality is people play and then eat!

    Now we have the downtown grand, which apparently once again has accountants for casino managers, one would think that with a nice new place but no customers they would ask why? Maybe even watch people wonder in and then if they dont play ask them why on the way out, people would tell them the truth but they dont really want to know. They will likely stick to "the plan" and then in a couple years will be unable to change because they are losing too much money, then they'll blame the economy instead of their poor mgmt.

    Nice, pretty , pricey and friendly wont cut it... people want fun, fair prices and a decent chance to win, that's it.

    I saw another thread where someone was staying at the DG and wondered why they hadn't announced their super bowl plans, most likely they would throw a party and few would come, then the few who did show up would get the heck out at halftime and go where the people are.
     
  17. Royal Flusher

    Royal Flusher Savvy Gambler

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    Third day. Madness.
     
  18. wishman35

    wishman35 VIP Whale

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    And I really wonder how that pool will accomplish that. The space may be nice, but it is a small pool and the space looks like a combination of something out of Pleasantville and Edward Scissorhands with the fake turf, pastels, and old school look.

    I just don't see how that twist on a pool will draw people from outside the canopy when there is a perfectly good shark tank with seating, cabanas, daybeds, gambing, hot tub, bars, and a separate adult pool with bar right at the Nugget.

    I am not saying the hotel isn't nice, it is...but I am puzzled as to how it will do well.
     
  19. MikeOPensacola

    MikeOPensacola El Jefe

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    Yeah, that got me too. I decided to check it out in mid November when I was there. It was nice, but it was nice and dead....

    I'm rooting for the place to succeed, but they need a hook to get people off Fremont Street a reason to go there. Lousy VP and grocery store beer won't cut it.
     
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  20. ernestoc33

    ernestoc33 Low-Roller

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    I couldn't agree with you more. For me downtown is about the cheap drinks and great gambling. What the Grand seems to be going for is a strip property, in the wrong neighborhood. Im sure they will get some business into their bars from the Zappos crowd. I just don't think they will get much business from those of us who go to Fremont to gamble and drink. At least speaking for my self, I know I won't bother going in there again. Too bad, I loved Lady Luck.
     
    Last edited: Jan 23, 2014
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