Where to stay downtown?

The great thing about downtown is that you can stay at a place that you don't necessarily gamble at. For example, I always stay at the GN because I love their rooms but I gamble very little there. I do the majority of my gambling at the Golden Gate, Plaza and the D because I like their atmosphere. It also helps that I don't play for comps though, thus GN gets very little of my action. The casinos are so close to each other downtown that it really doesn't matter where you stay vs. where you gamble or party.

Have a great trip and let us know how it goes.

 

I used my meager Boyd play to get 10% off a room rate at MSS

 

This is spot-on!
I always feel like I've I've step through a time-warp when I walk through the doors, and it's 1965 all over again!

 

My girlfriend and I stayed in the El Cortez Cabana Suites and really enjoyed them. They have several different kinds and are rather cheap considering the space, nice bathroom, and good nights sleep. I also LOVE the nostalgia. In the end though its just a place to sleep however since it was my girlfriends first time in Vegas as well as my first time staying downtown, I wanted something a little nicer. If you are just looking for a bed and shower, you wont have any problems getting a cheap rate at numerous places...

 

If you usually stay on strip I would say for first timers to downtown the GN or Downtown Grand. Newer nicer rooms but some of the older casinos are starting to updating their rooms. Second tier and cheaper I would look at ElCortez Cabana Suites/The D/ California the West Tower/ or Four Queens updated rooms...

 

I go there for the great blackjack, but yeah, the atmosphere is terrific. The OP asked about an old O'Shea's atmosphere. Well, it's kind of like that. It's definitely kind of worn out, and cheap. But the crowd is a weird mix -- more like what downtown was like 15+ years ago. Not young, but not all old. I recall what Binion's was like 20 years ago -- that's what El Cortez still feels like.

 

My fiance and I are going to Vegas for the Super Bowl. We were debating where to stay between the plaza and the Four Queens can anybody tell me which one they prefer and why? And between the two who gives the best comps?
Thanks

 

I think four queens doesn't have a resort fee if that matters to you

 

I can't speak to the Plaza because I've never stayed, only visited. I like the 4Q for a few reasons. The location. I like the Video Poker. They let you know when your card is in a machine how many comp dollars you have earned. I like all three of the restaurants.

"Best comps" is relative to the player, of course.

 

My wife and I ate at Magnolia's in September when we were downtown - first time eating there and we liked it. We each had the lasagna and it was more than either of us could eat, and very tasty. I'd like to try Hugo's Cellar.

 

Anyone going during birthday month gets free meal at Magnolias, with card

 

Thanks for mentioning that, eaglejohn!

 

how come no one told me this before? if all goes well, i will be there 2 days after my birthday in march. free food falls within my budget. thx for the tip.

 

is it a BOGO meal?

 

No.

 

Best comps? Well, more accurately, when you count in cash back and free play in addition to comps the 4Qs comes out the highest in all of Downtown...I calculated it for my last trip. Others that come close would be MSS, Cal and Elco. I also feel the vp is the best at the 4Qs and the comps really add up quickly. They have 3 really good restaurants, Magnolia's Cafe, Chicago Pizza and Hugo's Steak House. I've enjoyed all three. That being said, I don't like the beds at 4Qs that much...bummer.
I do like the beds at MSS. I stayed at the MSS room and was pleasantly surprised at how spacious a regular room is. I am a deep sleeper so the lack of curtains (shutters on the windows...very Floridian) were fine for me. Get a room high up on the South side of the building to avoid the expressway traffic noise. You'll still hear the trains a bit but it didn't bother me. Also great vp and the best craps Downtown (20x odds). Great home brewed beer at 777s and on the floor from CW. Food is also good at 777s and their buffet is the only Downtown buffet I find acceptable. Their sister property, The Cal, has a big Hawaiian following and has a great cafe, Mainstreet Cafe, and some interesting food venues upstairs by the sky-crossing over Main Street.

 

Actually the restaurant at the Cal is called Market St. Café.

 

and a good Prime Rib dinner with soup or salad bar, potato or rice, and cherries jubilee with lapperts ice cream dessert for $9.99

 

I'd like to thank everybody for all the replies that I have been getting and keep them coming. So far I have been to Vegas 36 times the last four I have stayed at the El Cortez other than that I've always stayed on the strip. I don't know what it is about the El Cortez I never received any offers in the mail and for a little while I do get emails with just the monthly promotions but never no offers I'm not a big Gambler I only average about $300 a day sometimes more sometimes less but I always use my player's card whether it be the table games the sports book or the slots so this time my fiance and I booked a junior suite at the plaza for Super Bowl weekend I just love downtown now won't stay anywhere else so hopefully the plaza will be a little bit better experience. But from what I have been reading one of the best places is the Four Queens far as comps the waitresses and dealers are always friendly the drinks are great so if this doesn't work out off to the Four Queens.

 

I like the 4Q but they don't seem to like me. only one time did they send me an offer and it was about nothing. but I don't gamble a whole lot there either. I usually stay there if the room is cheaper than my Boyd's offers.