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Main Street Station vs. The Cal

Discussion in 'Downtown Hotels' started by thatguy1976, Sep 14, 2016.

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  1. thatguy1976

    thatguy1976 Low-Roller

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    Hello,
    I will be traveling solo in December and I'm deciding between MSS and The Cal. I am leaning towards The Cal because it is slightly closer to Fremont but still far enough away where it seems like the rooms are still quiet. I stayed for 1 night in the past at MSS and enjoyed it but the freeway noise was appearant. I play multi hand video poker so I will divide my gambling up between most of the downtown properties. I never have too much luck at MSS but I do enjoy the buffet and restaurant and the larger rooms. Are The Cal rooms quite a bit smaller than the ones at MSS?
    I will be doing a lot of day drinking which is why I figured The Cal is slightly closer to Fremont. Any advice/tips on which one I should choose and any room location tips? Thanks very much in advance? BTW, they are exactly the same price.
     
  2. smerrian

    smerrian View from Bally's

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    I'm looking forward to reading input here as well. I have 5 days scheduled at MSS and have never stayed at either The Cal or MSS before.
    How are the beds? the bathrooms?
     
  3. PoTownMike

    PoTownMike Tourist

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    We've stayed at both and we prefer MSS. What I remember most about the Cal was the window wouldn't completely close and we had wind whistling through all night.

    Mike
     
  4. makikiboy

    makikiboy VIP Whale

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    I'm on the opposite side of this. I prefer the Cal over MSS. Don't get me wrong, I love both places but if I had an option I would rather stay at the Cal. To me the room sizes are similar but I like the Cal because the west tower bathrooms are fully enclosed (containing shower/tub, toilet and vanity area). At MSS the vanity is outside of the actual "bathroom", which only consists of the tub/shower and toilet. This bugged me one time when I went with a friend, at MSS she ran the hair dryer and it was as if I was right next to her instead of in my bed (which I was in). At the Cal you wouldn't hear the hair dryer as much since she would be in the bathroom.

    I also like the shorter walk at the Cal, easy to walk from the parking structure or from the FSE. At MSS the walkway to the parking lot to the hotel isn't covered so you can get wet. Plus it seems such a long walk to go back to your room from the FSE area, need to walk all the way to the back of the casino, then take the elevator up and the walk to your room.

    Unfortunately if you stay in the west tower rooms at the Cal facing west you will also hear the traffic noise from Main st. At MSS you hear the trains because the tracks are next to the hotel.

    At the Cal the east tower rooms are a little older and are a little smaller than the west tower rooms.

    Normally I ask for the Cal west tower, room facing west so I get to see MSS and the view of the west side of vegas. I also ask for a high floor if possible and a room close to the elevator.

    I never had a problem at the Cal with my window closing or wind whistling through. I hated the MSS rooms facing north, I got to hear all the freeway noise at all hours of the day and night. If you stay at MSS, ask for a room facing south so you don't get the freeway noise.

    I don't think you can go wrong with either hotel although you won't get the room size or amenities like you would at the GN.
     
    Last edited: Sep 14, 2016
  5. Texas Steph

    Texas Steph A Work in Progress...

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    Just FYI, if you book at MSS and they overbook, you could end up being given a room at the California anyway. It's happened to us before.
     
  6. eaglejohn

    eaglejohn VIP Whale

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    Odd number rooms at MSS are away from interstate. If you happen to be lucky enough to get a suite (we were but don't know why). They all face highway. Either hotel is fine, we have done both. West wing at Cal we liked. Either hotel has fridge in every room.
     
  7. thatguy1976

    thatguy1976 Low-Roller

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    Ok great thanks! How are the rooms in the East tower of The Cal? Do they have a few of Fremont Street?
     
  8. makikiboy

    makikiboy VIP Whale

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    The California east tower has one side facing east so you may be able to see a little of Fremont street. But mostly you will see the parking structure of binions. But beware because the east tower rooms facing west you will only see the west tower rooms.

    also be aware that the east tower rooms are outdated, smaller than the west tower or MSS and do not have vanity inside the bathroom (it is right outside of it). I wouldn't recommend the east tower because the room is smaller and older. One year even though I requested the west tower I was given an east tower room. I did not like it and the next day I packed up my stuff and "checked out" so I could move into a west tower room later that day.
     
  9. thatguy1976

    thatguy1976 Low-Roller

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    Great! Thanks for the info! That seems to be the general consensus. I think I am going to stay at The Cal and request a West Tower room. Thanks for everyone's help!
     
  10. makikiboy

    makikiboy VIP Whale

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    Good luck.

    I usually ask for the west tower at the Cal, room facing west and hopefully a lower numbered room because I don't want to walk too far from the elevators. Also ask for a high floor so the noise from main st. doesn't reverberate off MSS so isn't as noisy all the time.
     
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  11. tvon

    tvon VIP Whale

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    Cal and its rooms are closer to Fremont. I dislike the location of the lobby at MSS compared to valet. Cal is more traditional with the valet/check in location being next to each other.
    Rooms at both places are (for the most part) similar IMHO. Some noise from the highway/train at MSS, nothing terrible (i live in a city, I dont notice it).
     
  12. Minnesota3

    Minnesota3 Tourist

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    I stayed at the Cal west tower facing west higher floor last year and really enjoyed it. My plan for next year also. I have never stayed at MSS to compare.
     
  13. imwired

    imwired High-Roller

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    We've stayed several times at MS and it was fine. Some rooms are quieter than others. Can someone please refresh my memory and tell me what room location best to ask for? Not facing RR tracks? Anything else.
    We stayed at CA once and two things bothered me: long wait/crowds for elevators to rooms and no coffee in room. MS will bring you a coffee maker on request but not CA.
    I'm a bit tempted to try CA because it's a bit lower rate and hear they remodeled west tower. But that wouldn't change the elevator/coffee issues
     
  14. eaglejohn

    eaglejohn VIP Whale

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    MSS odd number face towards Plaza, Cal and tracks. Lowest number rooms are farthest from tracks. even rooms face interstate. Rooms X01 and X02 on each floor had tubs taken out and installed walk in full length showers with sliding glass doors (big enough for 2). $5 pizza beer special from 11pm-2am has been discontinued. Cal pool is being redone. Work is starting on east wing rooms. New Sportsbook is nice with 20 screens and comfortable seating. 18 oz porterhouse special for $24 at Redwood has been discontinued. we bring our own coffee pot but do get cups from housekeeping at MSS.
     
  15. Joe

    Joe VIP Whale

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    Odd numbered rooms with a low number are the "quietest" but it is all relative.
     
  16. Royal Flusher

    Royal Flusher Savvy Gambler

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    West tower renos are ongoing at the Cal, so there is noise during the day. Water is out sometimes too. And one of the three elevators was not in service when we were there recently - maybe being used for construction?
     
  17. imwired

    imwired High-Roller

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    thanks :)
     
  18. squidward

    squidward Probationary Member

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    I always request high and odd when at MSS... some times the clerk will look at me and say "Did you say you were high and odd?" I just grin, and they usually honor my request.
     
  19. crapsguy5000

    crapsguy5000 Low-Roller

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    Both places are similar but to me the rooms at MSS are really, really, clean which is a major plus to me.
     
  20. surf87

    surf87 MIA

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    I came across this old picture that I kept of the now defunct $24 porterhouse special, another bites the dust, bummer.

    [​IMG]
     
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