Help a Newb- Where to stay downtown?

Hello,

So after many months of planning (and many years of wanting to go!) I’m finally all booked for my first ever Vegas trip in early January! I have four comp nights booked at the Luxor in a Pyramid Suite Monday 1/3 through Thursday 1/6 (thanks to my play at Borgata in AC), but we’re actually flying in on Sunday 1/2. Originally my plan was to stay at Caesar’s Palace on the Sunday and I booked a room, but some of the stories I’m reading about all their ongoing construction has scared me off a little bit. So now I want to book someplace different, and I figured downtown would be fun.

However, just from doing preliminary research there’s a LOT of different places to choose from downtown all around the same under $100 price range. So I figured I would post here to see if anyone has any recommendations (or places to totally avoid too!), since you guys seem to know everything, and I definitely mean that as a compliment. I’m not worried about going fancy since it’s only one night, would just like to pick a place that has a cool vibe and/or is clean and safe. I was looking at both the El Cortez and Downtown Grand mostly because they’re close to each other and both are still supposed to have low limit table games- I primarily play tables with a little bit of VP, and I really like bar VP. So if there’s a better place to stay, and if someone had a great recommendation for downtown VP bars that make one of the value casinos worth staying at, I’d love to hear it. Thanks for all of your help!

 

Have you looked at The D as an option? Vue Bar has some really good VP and table limits shouldn’t be too bad on a Sunday. A suite at Golden Gate may also be worth looking at.

Four Queens also has some good VP and is also the only option downtown with no resort fee.

 

I looked at The D but it’s a little more than I wanted to spend for the night at about $149 (before the fees and such). Four Queens is also a little higher than the others at about $99 but that’s probably because of the no resort fee too.

The ones I really narrowed it down to that are all in about the same general price range are:
-Plaza
-California
-Main Street Station
-Downtown Grand
-El Cortez
-Somewhat surprisingly to me, Golden Nugget is only a little more expensive so considering that one too

 

I've edited my reply after seeing your statement above. I'd go with The Plaza.

 

Out of the places you mentioned, I would go with Plaza or DTG, since they both have reasonable table minimums (edge to DTG assuming the games are operating - I think they are now on Sundays but I would call to check if that’s a dealbreaker) and serviceable-to-very-good bartop VP (DTG has quarter 9/5 DDB with RF/AWAK progressives that can get very high, while Plaza has 9/6 JOB and BDlx in quarters through dollars at the bars). In addition, they are close to Fremont Street although not “under the dome” (El Cortez is a bit more of a walk). I would be inclined to book the more updated/upgraded Luxe rooms at Plaza or Gallery Tower rooms at DTG

 

Of this list, I've only stayed at MSS and the Golden Nugget. Both were ages ago though, but I enjoyed my the rooms at both.

Of this list though, I'd put them in this order of how I see the hotel and the entire property:
Golden Nugget
MSS
Cal
Downtown Grand
El Co
Plaza

Staying at the first 3, you can easily hop around to many of the others, but the limits at DTG and El Co will probably be lower. I know little about VP pay tables, but we've had good service at MSS and 4 Queens.

Food options are plentiful under/around the canopy with the first 3 also. Though Pizza Rock and Triple George Grill are right outside DTG and are highly recommended.

 

What about the CP construction is scary? I've been through there a few times and it seems they got it pretty well handled and crowds are the same.

El Cortez's VP action is probably not great but if you want to use coins they have them. It's quieter since it's about a block from the start of the canopy. Tower rooms are decent. It's one night only so maybe not a big deal but noise is a real problem for most people with those other hotels.

 

Ceasars Palace construction is only in front, where they are re-doing the valet parking entrance. The main lobby is unaffected, and there are just a couple construction walls blocking off the impacted area. It's kind of a strange detour, because the classic pit is to your left as you walk to the lobby from the Forum casino.

There is a large crane, but I didn't see it move over the three days I was in town. Unless you are on a low floor overlooking the valet entrance, you will probably have no impact from construction. South facing Augustus or Octavius towers shouldn't have any impact, along with mountain facing Palace or Julius or north facing NOBU.

As far as downtown rooms go, my favorite is the Corner King at the D. After that, Plaza and DTG have some nice rooms. If it wasn't for the anti-player changes to Boyd's club, California and Main Street Station would be good, especially since Cal has been fully renovated.

 

I’ve only stayed at MSS when I’m downtown. Boyd’s changes led me to choose another property/company. I decided on the DTG for a couple reasons
Bar top vp
Quiet, open casino (easier to sell the trip to spouse)
Modern comfortable room
Great food choices on site.
Granted the noise and crowds of Fremont will be nonexistent when I land 12/12 during the slowest time in Downtown during the post rodeo/ pre NYE period.

 

Check out my TR from June … has some pics of the renovated Luxe rooms at Plaza. Also, renovated Fremont rooms may be a good option for you as well.

https://www.vegasmessageboard.com/forums/index.php?threads/downtown-semi-live-…-including-a-side-of-laughlin-6-14-6-17.184945/page-2

 

If you are a fan of bartop VP, I would advise against El Cortez if you are going by that criterion alone. Not only do they have awful pay tables on bartop VP, the service at bars is consistently rated poorly in TRs. Their bartops are the among the worst you will find downtown, tied with the Golden Nugget. That said, I love their newly renovated rooms and the place is still a great value.

The D is an excellent "first" place to stay downtown to wet your whistle. The rooms and general physical plant is clean and updated, the service is great, and they have excellent bartop VP at the Vue Bar. You will get the downtown experience without any of the grit.

However, if grit is no issue and you are willing to jump into the "deep end" of the downtown experience, then consider the Four Queens. The South Tower rooms are not as nice as the D but not bad at all with nice showers. But be prepared to be shocked by 1) the hallways in either tower being in a shocking state of disrepair and general neglect. Pretty much every floor in the South Tower smells like a mix of marijuana, black and milds, and regret, and 2) a very earthy crowd. You gotta be comfortable hanging around some of the strangers corners of the human zoo if you pick Four Queens. The main upshot of the place is an excellent (the best in Vegas) slot club, a fun casino, and wonderful dining options. I highly recommend both Magnolia's and Hugo's Cellar even if you don't end up staying there. I have always had great service from the staff and hosts at Four Queens as well.

Finally, if you have ever wanted to try gambling in a library, then consider the Downtown Grand. Decent VP and an okay slot club (but mixed reports about comps on this board), and okay rooms. Mixed reports lately on the cleanliness of rooms, even in their new tower, so be aware of that.

Hope this helps!

 

For low-minimum 3:2 double-deck blackjack ($10), you definitely want the El Cortez.
For best food (other than Circa, for which I have no food experience), you want the Nugget.
For the only $5 crap table (that I saw in June), you want DTG.
For VP? I don't play it, but from what I've learned on VMB, you want MSS/Cal or 4-Queens.
For avoiding FSE noise when you're wanting to sleep? You want the Plaza, specifically the South Tower.
If you decide on Golden Gate, pay the extra & get a suite. Yes, it's worth it.

Compared to strip, everything is very close downtown, so it's really not a big deal wherever you stay.
The farthest distance you could walk would be from the Plaza (west end of Fremont casinos) to the El-Co (east end of Fremont casinos).
That distance is just about comparable to walking from the Bellagio casino to the PH or Paris casino across the street.
So, anywhere that you stay downtown, you're going to be able to get to any of the casinos you want within a 10-15 minute walk. (longest walk - El-Co to MSS - is about 15 minutes).

 

Thanks for your help everyone! I found a cheaper rate for The D on Priceline and I think I’m leaning toward that, based on what people have said here in this thread and some other positive reviews I’ve read, but I’m gonna give it a little more thought at least. Really appreciate everyone’s help.

 

I think it depends on what you are looking for.

We stayed at the D in 2019 and I'd never stay there again. Even on a high floor we could hear the bass of downtown until 1 or 2AM in the morning. Staying on East Coast time was a nightmare. Night room, great hotel, too loud.

Fremont was fine, stayed there as well. Small rooms but good location.

We have been staying at El Cortez and enjoying it. It's just a block away, a bit quieter and keeps us away from the DT crowds. After dinner we get out of Fremont and head to El Co for the night.

The haven't stayed at the Cal or MSS yet, those are on my list.

 

In order of MY favorites to stay at are:
The Plaza
Four Queens
El Cortez
The Cal
the D
Fremont

I haven't stayed at the other downtown locations but I love all the casinos downtown.

 

I would book direct with casino unless there is a large difference in price. Pay a little extra but possibility of getting some comped at the end.

TomTWI

 

As well as resort fee NOT included in 3rd party booking……could be a bummer at check in if not aware previous to arrival.

 

After giving it more thought I ended up booking direct and going with Downtown Grand instead of The D after finding a really good rate on their website (only $44 for the night). I know it’s a block away from the actual FSE, but it’s where I plan to gamble the most if they actually have $5 craps, plus it’s a shorter walk to El Cortez where I really want to spend some significant time too for the single and double deck blackjack.

 

Have stayed there 3 times. On the last visit, we were in the front section of the hotel - fairly high up and the noise kept me up. Moved the next day to room in the back section. No problem, just like the other two visits.

YMMV

 

There's honestly only one choice, my (wo)man.

In fact, you should probably ditch the whole pyramid idea and just stay at this beauty. Lower table limits, charm, history, smells unlike any other.

I'm not joking, either. Stay in the tower, though...don't do any of that Cabana Suite nonsense across Ogden.