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The Cal or the D and other Downtown questions

Discussion in 'Downtown Hotels' started by golfdad, Jan 9, 2017.

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  1. golfdad

    golfdad Tourist

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    My wife and I are going to be making a four night trip in mid July, and have decided we would like to stay downtown for two of those nights. I have been looking at all of the different casinos and like the look of the Cal and the D. Is the walk from the Cal to Freemont that long, and is it safe. For those of you that have stayed in either or both of these places which would you pick. Just read the post about the new Cal, and like the idea of them renovating the place. The D looks like its already been renovated. I like the rates at both places, and really like the fact that they don't charge resort fees. We are not fancy people, so places with higher rates downtown like the Plaza and the Golden Nugget really don't do much for us. Thanks for the help with this in advance.
     
  2. vegasdev

    vegasdev VIP Whale

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    the D charges $20 a night resort fee. the Cal has an entrance / exit at First and Ogden. it is a short block from Fremont street and it is as safe as anything else. the remodel at the Cal turned out to be nice looking, although, from the photos that I have seen, the rooms didn't change much. i would compare rates including resort fee, and i would simply stay at the cheaper of the two. 90% of the time that is going to be the Cal.
     
  3. Sofrustrared69

    Sofrustrared69 Tourist

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    The cal remodeled rooms are very nice. Plus the bathroom upscale. The Ds bathroom is nice. But the rooms very plain. The bed comfortable at the D. As well as Cal. No resort fee does save u the extra $40 plus at cal. I'd go with cal. But only if u could get remodeled room. The tv was like 50 inch. Lol
     
  4. eaglejohn

    eaglejohn VIP Whale

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    here is a recent (days ago) video of the new rooms at Cal.. You can also just cross street and walk through Binions to FSE at SE exit

     
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  5. vegasdev

    vegasdev VIP Whale

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    thank your for posting that video! are all of the rooms redone, or just the one tower?
     
  6. eaglejohn

    eaglejohn VIP Whale

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    video says all but one floor, but I think just west tower so far and are just starting east tower. But not sure. Prefer west tower , anyway
     
  7. TomTWI

    TomTWI Custom Title

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    Plus the Cal is connected to Main Street Station by a pedestrian bridge. So you get two casinos with out going outside. 777 brew pub at Main Street is one of my favorite places to eat downtown.

    TomTWI
     
  8. Ty

    Ty ?

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    We stay quite often at MSS. The first time we went my wife wasn't too crazy about the area, one block off Fremont Street. Now she loves it.
    As others have said it's only one block and usually one dude asking for a couple bucks. Or, enter Binion's at the Valet area and cut through the casino.
     
  9. Joe

    Joe VIP Whale

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    Thanks for posting that video link, eaglejohn! We have stopped getting suites at MSS (our choice) and have been getting odd numbered rooms, with two queens facing South. Less noise is the major reason. Maybe we'll give one of those West Tower rooms a try in Feb. I like the walk in shower, instead of a tub and shower curtain.
    This was a mini suite at Cal back in early 2016.
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    But that still had a tub.

    [​IMG]
     
  10. golfdad

    golfdad Tourist

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    Thanks for all the great info, the Cal it is. Just booked two nights July 17th and 18th for $39.00 a night. I of course will keep looking for a better deal, but I am very happy with this price. I didn't realize that the Cal was hooked by pedestrian bridge to MSS. I read a lot about the 777 pub and love a good amber or darker beer so I will have to try it out. Planning on stopping at Le Thai on the drive in, and walking to Pizza Rock the other night for dinner. We live in Indiana, and have decided we are going to drive out instead of fly. I have never seen the Rockies, so we are going leave a couple days early and take our time driving through Colorado and Utah. Trip home will be through Arizona and northern New Mexico which I hear is beautiful also. July seem very far away, but has crazy as my job is between now and the middle of May I am sure the time will go quick. Now I need to keep looking for the best rates on the strip for the 19th and 20th.
     
  11. makikiboy

    makikiboy VIP Whale

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    Golfdad, you didn't say how old you are but IMHO, the atmosphere of the D is more for the younger crowd. Loud music in the casinos, scantily clad dealers and dancing on stages, long bar for hanging out, etc. The atmosphere at the Cal is more "sedate", more quieter crowd, dealers in regular uniforms, lots of people from Hawaii. To some people the Cal could be considered a little "boring", more for the older crowd.

    For me that is perfect since the loud music at the D bothers me. Too loud for me. Just thought I'd give you a heads up. Yes, it could get noisy at the tables at the Cal but overall you don't get the "party" atmosphere you would see at the D, Golden Gate and Binions. Just my opinion.
     
  12. golfdad

    golfdad Tourist

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    Well I am 50 but am probably in the minority of folks my age that don't mind the loud music and younger crowd. I work for a power 5 athletic department so I am surrounded by those kids daily. I am sure we will see all that Freemont has to offer on our stay downtown, as we have never been downtown and haven't been to Vegas at all in 15 years. I do appreciate the information.
     
  13. Ty

    Ty ?

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    The bridge really makes it feel like one building. It fits in well, more like going down a glass-walled hallway since it's enclosed/carpeted/cooled.

    The beer made at 777 is also available at the Boar's Head Bar and I believe via CW on the floor.

    Here's the bridge,
    MSS Bridge.jpg
     
  14. northerngirl

    northerngirl High-Roller

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    Good choice! The Cal is our home away from home. Great staff, good cocktail service, and fun tables. We seem to split our time playing between the CAL and MSS. We usually eat at 777 at MSS two to theee times during our annual trip. Enjoy!
     
  15. ddechenne

    ddechenne Low-Roller

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    In your experience, if we book a room on line, what are our chances of getting a west tower room if we ask at check in, and do they charge more for it over the east tower?

    Thanks
     
  16. topcard

    topcard Here's to $10 3:2 two-deck, $5 Craps, and $5 UTH!

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    You can get a couple of them at the tables, but not all.

    As for the walk from Cal to FSE - go out the SE corner exit of the Cal... cross the street and the back entrance to Binion's is right there... you cut through their old poker rooms into the casino.

    I like 'theD' & I'm "old" (so I've been told)... the loud music doesn't really crank up until night...about 8 PM or so... so, it's not like it runs loud non-stop or anything. But - they do have a resort fee if you're not on a comp. The Cal (and MSS & Fremont) do not.
     
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  17. eaglejohn

    eaglejohn VIP Whale

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  18. Joe

    Joe VIP Whale

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    When we were there in Nov & Dec, they had hefe at the Boar's Head. That is a change. It used to be only in 777.
     
  19. makikiboy

    makikiboy VIP Whale

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    Shouldn't be a problem. I usually call reservations before my trip and request for a west tower room. Doesn't cost any more for the west tower. I wouldn't guarantee a room when you check in though so best to request it a week or more before you arrive. Also ask for a room facing west since facing east would be facing the east tower and not much of a view.
     
    Last edited: Jan 11, 2017
  20. ddechenne

    ddechenne Low-Roller

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    Thanks makik. Love to play at the Cal and eat at Market St--thinking about staying there this summer. Thanks for the help.
     
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