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Staying Downtown for the first time, what do you think the El Cortez?

Discussion in 'Downtown Hotels' started by mdm4sfest, Jul 1, 2016.

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  1. mdm4sfest

    mdm4sfest VIP Whale

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    This will be my 17th time to Vegas but my girlfriends first. I was there a month ago with my brother and she loved all my photos and snapchats and since we both had a week off in August, we decided to go July 30-Aug 3.

    For forever, Ive always wanted to spend one entire day and night in downtown Vegas. Why, who the hell knows. The cheapness? The collection of weirdos? Not the $1 Twinkies/Oreos sadly anymore.

    Nonetheless I booked one night for the Cabana Super Suite at El Cortez ($127). and staying the other 3 nights comped at Ballys. Was surprised to see Saturday July 30 rather high at all downtown props and based on the price, El Cortez was the easy winner although I do realize its a weekend but several props down there approaching $200.

    So what are your thoughts on the El Cortez? All I read about is how loose their slots and VP are. Tons of photos on their site of VP/Keno winners which I genuinely enjoy playing. Since we have all day and night we will hit up all the casinos but is there any reason to spend more time at El Cortez than the others outside of several food deals I see they have?

    Hanging out down there over several different trips I really never eat down there. Usually pop in a couple different casinos, gamble a little, get my drinks, and return to the Strip but I am very excited this time mostly bc my girlfriend has never been there. Feel free to throw out bar/restaurant recommendations. We love pizza and were thinking about checking out Pizza Rock for lunch or dinner or even a late night meal. Also considered stopping by Container Park (worth it?). In the end, we will def hit up (and probably drink/gamble at) every casino on Fremont.
     
  2. makikiboy

    makikiboy VIP Whale

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    If you like the "old style" vegas then you will like the El Cortez. Unfortunately the casino can get smoky at times since they don't have a good ventilation system and the ceilings aren't very high. Play is all right, they have $5 tables if you like bj and craps. I don't know if the machines are any looser than other casinos in the area but I don't think they are any tighter either.

    So many places to eat in the area, I would recommend a visit to the container park to eat but there is also a "market" near the El Cortez (same side of the street as the Container park) if you want to pick up some other food stuffs and fresh fruits or veggies. The El Cortez has one restaurant and a subway's but there are Mexican restaurants across the street and other eateries all around and in the general vicinity so you will not go hungry or have a hard time finding a place to eat.

    The Cabana Suite building isn't really connected to the El Cortez, the building is across the street so you don't really have to go into the hotel or visit the casino except for checking in. The suites also have an exercise room if you are into that. They have a security guard at the entrance so the suites are very safe and secure all the time (you need a room key card to get into the building that houses the cabana suites).

    There are also many clubs in the area for the younger people (if you are into that).

    Most of the time people just use their room to sleep so the Cabana suites will be fine for that but it is also comfortable if you just want to hang around in you room. The Cabana suites are one of the better places to stay downtown.
     
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  3. merlin

    merlin MIA

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    I've stayed there many times, it's fine, I typically pay less than $40 a night there midweek, I'm surprised its that high even on the weekend. Enjoy yourself and make up your own mind what you think of it.
     
  4. mdm4sfest

    mdm4sfest VIP Whale

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    Any restaurants on Fremont in the $15-$25 worth visiting? We arent picky people. Back here in Cleveland we love good burgers, wings, and pizza but will eat just about anything.
     
  5. MikeOPensacola

    MikeOPensacola El Jefe

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    Great wings at MSS @ 777 brewery. Good bar food there as well as sandwiches and burgers. Have a fun trip!! :peace::beer:
     
    Annual CCA (Casino Collectibles Association) Show at South Point
    Long Overdue Stay At The Golden Nugget
  6. CaptCampion

    CaptCampion VIP Whale

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    Do the 777 at MSS. Great food, great beer, good prices, good setting. If it were my neighborhood bar here in PDX I'd never leave. Awesome happy hour menu. Go to the MSS website and check it out online.
     
  7. JakeJasper

    JakeJasper Tourist

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    Love the El Co ..sadly miss the street critters from 10 years ago you would encounter in the casino. Still visit the El Cortez and generally break even or with a small gain on VP. Head over to Container Park as it has some decent food and a few block down to Atomic liquors...7The Park , a block or two down from ElCo has a good happy hour from 4-7...I was just there last month.
     
  8. Backagain1

    Backagain1 High-Roller

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    We went to El Cortez mid June and were not impressed. Played slots and roulette. Won a little on roulette but nothing on slots. Went to the restaurant and after waiting for 15 minutes without being acknowledged we left.
    I loved Downtown Grand though.
     
  9. KKB

    KKB VIP Whale

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    Clubs downtown? Um, no. Golden Nugget has Gold Diggers...closest thing to a club DT. Lots of cool bars tho.
     
  10. TomTWI

    TomTWI Custom Title

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    If you play much at El Co try to get something off your hotel bill at check out. It may not be as expensive as you think in the end.

    TomTWI
     
  11. alburtis26

    alburtis26 Low-Roller

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    Wife and I stayed at The El Cortez in January and loved it. Great "vintage" Vegas feel. And as mentioned, the $5 BJ has great rules and very relaxed atmosphere. We stayed in the tower - had a clean, comfortable room (no frills but none needed - just used it to sleep and shower). Have a great time.
     
    Back again!
  12. Candy Apple

    Candy Apple VIP Whale

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    Last month I had both the El Cortez and Downtown Grand booked for the weekend. I ended up deciding on the Downtown Grand for an extra $50.00. We still visited El Cortez and Container Park for a bit but we're so glad we chose to stay at Downtown Grand. Much more modern, cleaner looking, and less smoky. Nice pool. Free coffee in the morning. We loved Downtown Grand.
     
  13. FormallyTD

    FormallyTD Big Time

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    Love the El Cortez.

    Never stayed in anything other than their Design-A-Suite room, but I have much adoration for the casino.

    I suggest bringing a camera and taking some pictures of the patrons for my El Cortez Coffee Table Book. You could fill a couple hundred pages of just the interesting (one word for it) array of people.

    If I stay there for three/four days, I will eat at Le Thai right on the corner of Fremont and N 6th St about five or six times. Love that place.

    Enjoy.
     
  14. DickTater

    DickTater Low-Roller

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    The El Co is my home downtown. My main priority is gambling, and, quite simply, the El Co has the best gambling in Vegas. It is the only place in town with single deck 3-2 BJ, and even has $5 tables. I find the comps to be very generous compared to other places and I like the fact that it small, family owned, and values its customers. Food and drink is reasonably priced and with the explosion of East Fremont, it is in a hopping area. that being said, there are some drawbacks. Yes, it is a little smokey, and some of the patrons are a little colorful. It doesn't have a pool. But, in terms of value, you can't do better.
     
  15. Mrs. K.

    Mrs. K. Low-Roller

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    Never stayed there, but the El Cortez has some good slots and VP for sure, and the drinks aren't bad. The first time I went I was amazed at the enormous room full of VP machines. It is very very smoky and I do like to smoke in Vegas but it's a bit much even for me.
     
  16. eksantirik

    eksantirik High-Roller

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    I stayed at the ElCortez first time in april. I chose tower room and overall I think I got my money's worth. Would have been better if it was on the fremont street because I probably did the walk three times a day but oh well.

    Try the chicken parmigiana at their coffee shop, siegel 1941. It was like 14 bucks.
     
  17. benbrownjr

    benbrownjr Low-Roller

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    El Cortez is one of my favorite places. They do offer things you can't find at other casinos
    •$3 craps with 10x odds mon-Thurs front 9 to 5.
    •free coin redemption with no fee.
    [emoji830]if you use the casino ATM take the receipt to the cage and get the fee refunded in free play.
    [emoji830]if you are playing a machine and are hungry they offer dining at your machine. They actually roll out a cart with real dishes and silverware.
    [emoji830]at the bar next to the coffee shop they actually have a lounge act in the evening and in the afternoon they have someone playing the piano in the lobby.
     
  18. smerrian

    smerrian View from Bally's

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    Across the street from the El Cortez is an amazing Thai Restaurant and a few doors down is a great Burger Shop.
     
  19. mdm4sfest

    mdm4sfest VIP Whale

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    Thanks for all the info guys.

    Like I said, this will be my 17th time there so Ive basically seen and done it all except spend a full day/night downtown. I believe our flight lands from Cleveland around 9am so I am going to UBER/Lyft right downtown. Probably cant check in that early but I really want my girlfriend to experience downtown before we head to the Strip. I know the day time isnt too crazy although it will be a Saturday but might as well get my max value if I am staying down there overnight.

    I know she wants to learn/play craps so the cheaper the better although Im sure most places will be $5. We usually pull our money together for slots. That way if we win, we win together and no one is sore if the other wins/loses.
     
  20. merlin

    merlin MIA

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    I've checked in early at the cortez several times, sometimes as early as 9-10Am, wont hurt to ask.
     
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