Absolute best place to stay downtown w/nice pool for kids

Hey All,
Considering a 2-3 day stay in Las Vegas next spring along with young teenage kids. This "spring break" Vegas trip is basically a stop on the way to stay with relatives on the west coast. I've only ever stayed on the strip. I personally love downtown and the Fremont street experience but have no experience with the hotels down there. I did hear that downtown hotels are less costly and a better value overall. I also heard Golden Nugget is probably the nicest, most upscale downtown hotel property.
Was looking for feedback and advice on this. My tween/teen kids would appreciate a nice swimming pool, and things to do (like the zipline at Fremont Street Expereince), and my wife would appreciate a clean, spacious hotel room and a variety of mid-priced restaurants on-property.
Based on the above "wishlist", which hotel would be the best fit?

 

Golden Nugget, with no runner up. The pool scene everywhere else isn't anything spectacular for teens, or anyone else. Plaza and Downtown Grand, with a consolation prize to 4Q/Binion's, get a nod if you just need access to a pool area for adults, without all the flopping around in the water.

 

They would probably enjoy the GN the most. But beware, it can be sardine city. The chairs are so close together you will be intimate with a total stranger.

 

Golden Nugget, hands down.

 

Not necessarily a bad thing.

 

Due to the overcrowding at Golden Nugget and the "admit anyone" policy of Downtown Grand - I'd say either Four Queens for access to Binion's pool deck or Plaza (although it can be crowded at times too).

 

If you want "risk free" and no grittiness, then yeah - go with the Nugget. They do have the best "pool" amenities.
If you want them to experience downtown for what it is, then I would suggest a couple of Plaza rooms (for the "pool factor").... but if you can afford it, try for a Golden Gate Penthouse Suite...no pool...no food...but a classic 1906 hotel... and easy access to the rest of Fremont...even if you can't get a suite, the regular rooms at GG are so inexpensive, you could get 3 regular rooms for the price of one room anywhere else downtown.
The Nugget is actually nice, and it's the "safe" play here... but remember - "in 5 years, nobody's going to remember who won the Open...but everybody will remember your 12!"

 

I hate to quasi-derail the thread, but if you have two young teens in tow, I'm wondering if staying downtown is worth it. I too love staying on Fremont Street, but as a gambling-focused adult. I would try to check out Strip properties that more fit within your budget......probably is a lot more there that your kids would like to do. Could always go to Fremont for an evening to check it out.

That said, if you insist on staying downtown, Golden Nugget has the best pool, but Downtown Grand, a block off of Fremont, is not a bad pool setup. But again, I would steer to the Strip.

 

...or, for an even better fit, try the Orleans...just off-strip....pool, bowling...movie theater...arcade....way more stuff for kids than anything on the strip or downtown.

 

I second this emotion and also suggest sams Town, or a station casino, or renting someone's timeshare on Airbnb or eBay. In march or April, not many pools are open yet because it's too cold. We go every summer with our kids and any of these options are great. Many more things for kids to do than downtown. Suggest a visit to wet and wild or cowabunga Bay if they are open (probably not). Check Groupon , kshp.com, etc for promos for kids activities. Sounds like you will have a car so you can visit downtown etc as needed.

Good downtown activities w kids include the neon museum and the container park. Children's museum is great but probably not so much for kids over 10.

Also, most rooms downtown will be smaller than just about anywhere else in town. Something to consider if you are all bunking up in one room.

 

Golden Nugget

 

golden nugget is the class of downtown-------however ------if funds are an issue you can get the best bang for your buck at the plaza--------there are a couple of hosts who read and answer on this webpage and have helped others,which in and of itself is a nice perk----

 

Well, I have stayed with 1 tween once DT; never again.
We did the Rio (but were constantly on the Strip) with our kids as tweens/teens. Strip has much more to offer them, not as many weirdos--well, at least they are spread out over 3 miles instead of 3 blocks...
That being said, if you really want to, the Nugget would be your ONLY choice. I recommend ziplining during the day. Kids would probably like the Fremont show at night, but I would hesitate to have my kids out on the street at night on Fremont.

 

Downtown can be hard with kids. But the GN is the best choice downtown for kids.

 

Was thinking the same. I love downtown vegas (as the name implies), but I feel like my three teens would get tired of it really fast. I goto Vegas about 5x per year, and each time I question why anyone would bring their kids.
HOWEVER, I just spent the last three nights @ Red Rock and I could see me taking the family there. I don't have experience w/ the Orleans, but if it mimics red rock (bowling, arcade, theater, and amazing pool) I'd consider it. Red Rock was great. It's kind of out of the way, but nothing their complimentary shuttle or a $25 Uber can't fix.

I too am sorry to de-rail the thread, but the crowded nature of the GN pool, combined with limited kid activities, could turn your trip into something less than ideal.

 

Ok. Back to downtown, I would go with something that says pool access. At the California pool. If it’s crowded then both of their combined ages are north of 156.
If there is a crowding issue, I’m thinking any teenage kid could run off the oldsters pretty quickly. It is a fun pool and if you stand on a chair and strrrrrrrretch you neck you will witness the growth of a major hotel. Eventually.

 

Also consider which oools clientele would be accepting of kids. You don’t want to be the reason it wasn’t fun.

 

It kills me to recommend the Nugget because I am an anti-Nugget person, but based on what your requirements are, then I would have to say the Nugget. Pool, onsite restaurants, nice rooms, albeit long walk if you end up in the wrong tower, but yea, Nugget.

 

Another "not meant to derail" post
Not recommending as a place to stay but Circus Circus Adventuredome might be worth a half day. My 13yr old and I rode the coaster 11 times and the other rides several times. They've added much more since, see the link.
$33 per kid per all day pass.