1st time staying Downtown

My hubby and I are planning a trip to Vegas this July. We are staying at Mandalay Bay for 4 nights and want to stay downtown for the last 2 nights of our trip. We are late 20's and not into the party scene. We can't decide between Golden Nugget and the D. Any recommendations?

 

I am an El Cortez Cabana Suites fan. Cheap and very nice.

 

I have only stayed at GN. Great pool with the shark tank and water slide. I would also recommend the Gold or Rush towers. Sounds like you may have already done some research. The D has a pretty hefty resort fee and I am not sure if they have a pool.

 

My vote is for 4 Queens. No hip hop culture, but a nice place to stay and gamble, with The Chicago Brew Pub for good food.

 

Not into the party scene...don't stay at the D. GN is a good fit for first timers downtown.

 

Location is much less of a factor downtown where everything is within easy walking distance. A Gold or Rush tower room at Golden Nugget will likely be more on par with your Mandalay Bay room than a regular D room, and there's no comparison when it comes to the pool.

 

Chalk and Cheese

I’ve stayed at both the GN and the D (well, actually the Fitz) and I don’t think your decision is as much between those 2 fine hotels as Downtown vs. the Strip. I stayed on the strip exclusively for many years (mainly NYNY, MGM, Mandalay Bay, and Monto Carlo) and would just do occasional day trips Downtown, then a few years ago that equation flipped itself, now I’m a MSS person. For some reason I just feel more comfortable there, probably because I used to visit Reno frequently in my youth and Downtown has a similar vibe. But it’s not for everyone. I mentioned in an earlier post that the number of homeless people on Fremont Street has really grown, and several times I’ve been approached by people begging while I’m in the casinos gambling – that simply wouldn’t happen at MB. Another example is when I was watching Arena (an awesome 80’s band) on the Main Street Stage last month – it looked like they were mainly playing for the local homeless rather than the tourists, but everyone was enjoying themselves. That being said, I’m going back to MSS in a few weeks and wouldn’t swap it with MB for anything – I love being able to hit a half-dozen casinos in the time it takes to cross the floor at MB itself. Just be aware that Downtown and the Strip are worlds apart and adjust your expectations accordingly.

Cheers and good luck.

 

We're not looking to have a similar room as to Mandalay bay. Only staying at Mandalay Bay because we were able to get the room comped. Typically we stay at Motel 6, Super 8, KOA cabin (or similar) when we travel. Not looking for a nice pool, since we have that at Mandalay. Comparing Nugget's Carson Room and the D's Premium Deluxe or Premium Corner King rooms.

 

GN RUSH TOWER ROOM.

Let's you in a nice room at a reasonable rate, pool is great!

 

GN vs D

We've (wife and I) stayed in both the Carson Tower rooms at the Golden Nugget and the premium corner kings at the D (both last year, and in a Gold Tower room at the GN as well). Based on your usual accommodation choices, I'd say either would suit you fine.

I think there's a bit more consistency at the GN, having stayed there a few times. We've never had a problem room. At the D, our first room was on a floor that had had some sort of plumbing issue and the hall smelled awful, to the point where we asked to be moved the next day. The second room was fine - corner king, good-sized with mini fridge and loveseat, nice mattress and pillows, and large bathroom that had been remodeled except for the jacuzzi tub. The tub was really weird. It had a "hump back" along the length of the bottom that made it difficult to stand in while showering. It also looked ancient. We also heard a lot of people complaining about slow tub and sink drains. A maintenance guy told me it's the biggest problem because the plumbing wasn't redone in the remodel.

For me the decision would be simply which costs less. If you choose the D, ask for a room on the east side, preferable toward the south end of the hall, as high as they'll give you. The west side has one of the Fremont stages at the front and gets a lot of noise as a result. We had no problem at the south end of the east side (23rd floor as I recall). If you get the Carson Tower at the GN, it can be a long walk from the room to FSE (though nothing like the strip properties). We like that, since the end of the hall rooms are back and quieter.

 

The Nugget is nice, but the distance between "room and casino" can be very 'strip-like', so be warned.
'TheD' can be quite loud at night on the main casino floor, but the rooms are comfortable and larger than most other places...and less-expensive than the Nugget.
Plaza is also good in terms of price, room size and casino convenience, but for a true downtown "feel", my advice would be to stay at the Fremont... for the price of a Nugget room, you can get two adjoining rooms at the Fremont... y'all are in your 20s? Use one 'king-size' bed for fun & one for sleeping!
If you each have a 'bconnected' card, you could easily have two comp-nights available! Check their website.
Have fun & good luck!

 

Downtown

I also agree that you should consider the Plaza . I was a long time "only the Strip ' kind of person , but stayed at the Plaza for two nights during our last trip in January . The rooms are nice , the casino a bit low key , and is a real value , and you can get the rooms comped fairly easily . It is right there in a great location , you're close to the craziness of Freemont street , but not right in it .

Bob

 

Coming from MB and staying 2 nights downtown, I think the choice is very easy. Golden Nugget for the restaurants and pool. You won't feel like it's a huge step down.

This is coming from a person that stays at MSS and Fremont a couple of times a year. You will have easy access to everything DT has to offer.

 

I respectfully disagree. Other DT resorts may have much less walking time between room and casino...but the GN is not like the strip walks. Elevator to casino - boom you're there.

 

I am not biased...lol. You make a great point though. The fact that you can still get the downtown feel and yet far enough away when you want to be away does give Plaza an advantage. And that is coming from my consumer self. Of course, I will say give me and the Plaza a try!

 

Clearly, you've never stayed in the Carson tower...it's a good 5+ minutes to the main casino after you get off of the elevators!

I do realize that the higher-priced rooms (Rush?) have an elevator that is right next to the casino...but the others are all set back quite a bit.

The Nugget is nice...on that I think most of us agree. But for this couple? I think they'd go for just a little bit 'grittier', based on the posts here....and I take that as a "no-recommend" for Nugget & DTG.
Plaza & 'theD' are fine, but not the 4-corners like Fremont, 4-Queens & Nugget.
I give the Fremont the edge over 4-Queens for the least walking time from room door to blackjack table...and the heart of FSE just a few steps further.

Just my opinion, of course.

 

I've only stayed in the Rush tower

 

I would choose the Fremont or 4Q if you are not worried about the pool. Both are right in the middle of DT with easy access from room to casino. Very reasonably priced with no resort fees.

Enjoy!

 

Rush Tower at the GN. Great property with lots to do. Have fun.

 

We are older(60) and stayed at the Golden Nugget(rush tower) last weekend for out first stay downtown for one night of our trip. We were pleasantly surprised with the room. The casino was very busy on a Sat night. I walked over to the D and my only complaint is that it was very loud. I am a craps player so the table games are right by the bar.