El Cortez Cabana Suites or The D - driving myself crazy!

I am trying to pick a hotel for a surprise anniversary trip with my husband in December. Every time I think I have made a final decision on a hotel, I second guess myself. I think I have it narrowed down to an El Cortez Cabana suite or a standard room at the D.

The Cabana suites look amazing, but the D casino looks like it might be more fun/lively. I'm also concerned that it might be too noisy at The D with the bands playing nearby. We are Blackjack and Craps players exclusively. While I know we can walk to any casino to play, I would prefer to gamble at the hotel we are staying at. I welcome any and all comments on both hotels.

 

I'm just throwing this out there...not sure if it's relevant or not. I happen to be a fan of Fremont East. I like a good drink at The Griffin, a little raucous piano bar fun at Don't Tell Mama, and the rooftop scene at Commonwealth. In fairness, not everyone on this board digs that stuff. But if that sounds like fun, it can be nice to have El Cortez just a bit off the Fremont Experience, because as you noted it can be quieter and also closer to bars where locals hang out (i.e., less touristy).

That said, you may disagree with my assessment, and the idea of being right on the Fremont Experience might sound better.

Just throwing in a little different perspective to see if it makes a difference in your thinking.

 

Thanks for the info debautch. All of those suggestions sound great. I love piano bars and didn't realize there was one downtown. This is making me lean toward El Cortez.

 

Yeah, I've never had anything close to a bad time at Don't Tell Mama...they always have legitimate singers/piano players who are really entertaining and fun. Plus, as I mentioned, those other bars are a little more authentic in terms of local cred than some of the Fremont Experience spots. And the El is literally stumbling distance from Don't Tell Mama, Commonwealth, etc. Plus, if you stay in a legit Cabana room, as opposed to the blah Vintage Rooms, you're not giving up much in quality vs. The D.

 

I have never stayed at the El Cortez, but I have stayed at the D a number of times.

Disclaimers and comments:

1) I hate walking, especially in the summer
2) #1 having been said, when I stayed at the D, I would walk to all casinos in the area, from the Plaza to El Cortez, to Downtown Grand
3) I haven't tried the new elevators in the D, but they are there, just like Derek promised
4)The bands on the Third Street stage stop at midnight. If you go to bed earlier than that, just ask for a room on the "odd side"
5) The comps at the D and El Cortez
6) You are primarily Blackjack and Craps players. No difference there.
7) For slots, El Cortez doesn't have (at least I haven't found) machines higher than $1 denomination
8) El Cortez - You are closer to Container Park
9) El Cortez - You are further from Golden Nugget and Golden Gate
10) the D You are right across the street from QQQQ
11) I have since "re-graduated" to CET and the strip.
12)You will find far more $5 crap tables downtown than the strip.
13)If you need/want a lager room, take the cabana suite at El Cortez
14)The suites at the D are quite large, have 3 televisions and 2 distinct rooms. Don't take the "mini suite", it's not really a suite at all, just a corner room with space for a sofa.

That's all I can think of right now.

 

Last time we stayed at the D, our room was on the 6th floor. Our friends had rooms on the 3rd. We could sometimes hear the bass from the music but it wasn't loud but friends said it was horrible in their room. If you choose the D - ask for a high floor room unless you can sleep to LOUD music blaring all night. Also that music is so loud in the casino that you cannot hear yourself think. Very disruptive to conversations.

 

A vote for the D-

A vote for the D--
D -- next door to many casinos--2 min
El Cortez -- an excursion -- 5-10 min to first casino

 

For your anniversary

For your anniversary consider Hugo's in 4 Queens basement ...it is a little know secret downtown......... they start with a great atmosphere, give each lady a rose, and then wait on you hand and foot... with a delightful menu... I've never been disappointed... I've even gone alone when I wanted to treat "Me" and was treated like a "High Roller".
Included with all entrees at no extra charge... bottled water, assorted warm breads and special cheese toasted lavosh. Intermezzo... Fruit sorbet to refresh the taste buds. Hugo’s Table-side Salad, fresh vegetable de jour and choice of potatoes or wild rice. A finishing touch of white and dark chocolate dipped strawberries, apricots and baby figs... prices vary from $39 - $64 depending on your entree... or a waiter told me you can have everything but an entree by ordering the $16 Table side salad... fine if your appetite is small or you want to share an entree.

 

Thanks for the suggestions. After much consideration, I think I have decided on The D. I love the location and while the Cabana Suites are nice, the D rooms look fine and are a bit cheaper. More money to gamble with. . I will check out Hugo's. It sounds like a nice place for our anniversary dinner. We have never stayed downtown before so I am really looking forward to it!

 

A quick link to the menu at Hugo's Cellar

http://www.fourqueens.com/pdf/hugos_cellar_menu.pdf

 

if you go to tix4tonight you can get 20% off Hugo's for about $6.00 - not available at the 4q location though