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The "new" California.... impressive!

Discussion in 'Downtown Hotels' started by Champster1, Oct 16, 2016.

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  1. Champster1

    Champster1 VIP Whale

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    Stopped in the Cal last week because I hadn't been there in a yearand I was also booked at the Orleans (so some Boyd play couldn't hurt) and I was on the waiting list for the poker room at the Golden Nugget.

    Call me surprised when I walked in. No more dark casino with old shades of red and brown. Chandeliers hanging from the casino ceiling! Bright white new cashier cage and a new hotel check in area. Sports book ( located in the Cal Sports Lounge) downstairs and is combined with a sports book bar! It is a sharp looking area that really stands out within the Cal. Craps tables are also new and there is new carpet throughout casino! Most of the good vp, plus the only full pay super double bonus quarter vp machine (4th alcove above craps table) is still in its spot!

    The Market street cafe had a half hour wait to get in so I couldn't get in to check out their new digs. Upstairs still looked the same, minus sports book. I understand that the hotel is also undergoing a remodeling. I'm looking forward to seeing what it looks like come march madness!

    Valet parking is also free ( unlike the four queens).
     
    Last edited: Oct 16, 2016
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  2. VPDana

    VPDana High-Roller

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    Thanks for the update.
     
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  3. M0rtyC

    M0rtyC TBD

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    Thanks Champster. Looking forward to seeing the new Cal in December
     
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  4. 93 Octane

    93 Octane Chief Bottle Washer

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    Great news can't wait to see it:woohoo:
     
  5. makikiboy

    makikiboy VIP Whale

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    They are going to renovate the whole 2nd floor and after that they will get renovating the rooms upstairs.

    Did you see them serving food at the sports book and bar? From what I hear that is the only negative about the renovations. They got rid of that café by the entrance facing binions so there really isn't any "fast food" place to get a quick bite to eat. The Market St. Café charges for take out food and they usually have a line so the biggest disappointment was the removal of that café area on the 1st floor.

    But then I was there during the renovations and I didn't like the bright lights, IMHO it was too bright for me and I actually saw some people wearing sunglasses because the lights were so bright.

    I will be there in January so we shall see if I like the renovations or not. To me the biggest downer is the loss of the café to eat food at, I would usually pick up a plate lunch and take it back to my room but can't do that anymore.
     
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  6. marksind

    marksind VIP Whale

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    We ate and gambled at the Cal last week. The downstairs environment is much fresher and brighter seeming. Yeah, no cafe anymore, but as a minor consolation Aloha Specialties now takes credit cards. It's also been completely remodeled. Still great food for the prices they charge. And Market Street still has what may be the best prime rib deal - $9.99 for the meal, salad bar, and ice cream desert.
     
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  7. Champster1

    Champster1 VIP Whale

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    No I didn't see them serving food at Sports lounge. And I do agree, losing the quick eats place that was near Fremont entrance was downer! You could always use your Boyd points for a hotdog smothered in onions and fries! Bright lites didn't bother me one bit! I stayed there on a invite 5/6 years ago. Rooms were nothing special, but they were clean and shower worked fine ! I'll be keeping an eye on this place.
     
    Last edited: Oct 18, 2016
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  8. harley777

    harley777 Low-Roller

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    If they do a good job on the room renovation I will think about staying there next trip. Anyone know when room renovations will be done?
     
  9. bubbakitty

    bubbakitty Doing retirement again and happily so....

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    Bar too vp seems to belong in another casino. 7/5 bonus and JoB when just across the room is 8/5-9/6. That was the only disappointing thing for me. And they are street bound for expansion but during Saturday's college and Sunday NFL. Seating was too tight.
    But yes a great improvement
     
  10. Champster1

    Champster1 VIP Whale

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    I was told that room renovations had
    Crappy pay tables at bar pay for quicker drinks ( lol).
     
  11. LolaDoggie

    LolaDoggie VIP Whale

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    I think when it comes to low roller and mid range places there's a fine line between improving a place and "ruining" it. As much as I miss the old decor at Ellis Island's coffee shop (I have a soft spot for red Naugahyde and fake wine barrels on the walls), it had to be cleaned up. I don't feel like they "ruined" it and it's "too nice" now. The reno's haven't gone to EI's head either. Where do you feel the Cal sits post reno's?
     
  12. Minnesota3

    Minnesota3 Tourist

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    Thanks for the update on the Cal. Sounds like nice improvements. Have hit my only Vegas quarter royal there last year. Looking forward to another trip next Sept.
     
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  13. Danielle

    Danielle Tourist

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    Wow, sounds very nice. I will have to check it out when I'm in the area next time.
     
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  14. mattMN10

    mattMN10 Minnesota living. Las Vegas dreaming.

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    Looking forward to my stay in February to check out the new digs!
     
    Buddies 4th of July Bash
  15. Mgilmore

    Mgilmore Low-Roller

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    I was at the new Cal sports book last week watching NFL football. We had a great time and the new area is very well done. They do need to somehow get food to that area. I went to the cafe and got takeout for everyone. I did check the pay tables for JoB at the bar and I about threw up, lol. Everything that they have remodeled looks fantastic. I told them at MSS that they are not aloud to make those kind of changes over there, unless they want to put down new carpet, lol.
     
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  16. macko104

    macko104 Tourist

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    So how was the crowd for Sat and Sun football? Going to be staying at MSS in Nov and sure I will be spending some time there.
     
  17. mcander

    mcander Tourist

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    My buddy and I were there last weekend. It is a nice open area with large bright tv screens.We made our Sat football bets and were able to sit at the bar.
    We slow played the vp for a couple drinks and to catch some scores.We didn't stay the duration of a game.The place was plenty busy.We went back
    later in the day to collect some tickets and the place was packed,Hawaii was playing UNLV so it was a crazy crowd.We went back on Sunday to watch
    Dallas and there was no place at the bar.We ended up at the bar in the Plaza for the game.I would say the Cal sports bar is a good addition to downtown.
     
  18. surf87

    surf87 MIA

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    Entrance to Cal's Market St Café, zig zag line gone and no boarded up Red Wood restaurant. The counter seems to have lost a few seats though. One Emerald line and one regular line, and the line bends toward Red wood.
    [​IMG]
     
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  19. abraxis

    abraxis Low-Roller

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    I wonder how effective these non zig zag lines are going to be at 10 pm when all the old Hawaii people are lining up for oxtail soup...
     
  20. surf87

    surf87 MIA

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    On a really busy night I'm guessing that the line could go all the way to the main cashier's cage.
     
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