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Help me decide please on which downtown hotel to stay at

Discussion in 'Downtown Hotels' started by TarainVA, Sep 5, 2019.

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  1. TarainVA

    TarainVA Low-Roller

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    I'm a bit overwhelmed by the not knowing all the newer hotels, like the D and Downtown Grand and the renovations to the older ones. Here's my ideal:

    1) I really want a bathtub...willing to sacrifice with a less updated room for one. Can live with a shower if it's got decent water pressure
    2) Very concerned about getting a smoking room instead of non-smoking. Due to Southwest changing my flight...I won't be able to check in until 10PM. I considered Four Queens South tower but concerned about reports of non-smoking smelling like smoke. Photos on their website show a tub in premium rooms but photos from travellers reference walk-in showers...so that may be out. Do hotels there let you switch the next day to a non-smoking if you get a smoking?
    3) I don't want to pay for a suite unless amazing and meets all criteria, but ok paying for a premium room.
    4) I can handle some noise...don't see myself getting to sleep until at least 2 or 3am...but getting concerned reading reviews of Freemont noise and construction noise after that...that may bother me. I'll be staying there a Sun through Wed.
    5) would love a mini-fridge but can live without.
    6) I'll be there in Dec so don't care about pool.
    7) Don't want to get killed...felt ok walking to El Cortez at midnight with husband with a spring in my step...not sure I'd want stay somewhere sketchier.

    I like walking and cover a lot of ground. Where I stay doesn't need to be where a casino is particularly good. I'll only be in the room to sleep and use the bathroom.

    Thanks!!
     
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  2. Viva Las Vegas

    Viva Las Vegas Elvis has left the building

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    Tub:
    Golden Nugget, Rush Tower rooms,
    which are all non-smoking, are a block off Fremont Street (never had noise problems here). Only drawback is the higher resort fee, and a separate fee for a mini fridge ($34 plus tax a night, sad).

    No Tub:
    The Cal New West Tower Rooms:
    I would have recommended Cal #1, with their nice remodeled rooms, except for your preference of a room with a tub. The new rooms are new shower only rooms. Their non smoking rooms I've stayed in (stayed their multiple times recently) don't have a hint of smoke, construction noise is at a minimum if you ask for a room in the West Tower, North-end (away from construction) - a block off of Fremont Street noise (I have no noise issues at The Cal). Mini-fridges come standard and free at The Cal, and it's easy to get to / from Fremont Street by walking through Binion's to the back to reach the California entrance kitty-corner from the back of Binions.
     
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  3. mikel123

    mikel123 High-Roller

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    If a tub is what you're looking for, check out the Jacuzzi suite or the designer suite at El Cortez. You are going at a very slow time - December and mid-week, so the prices shouldn't be that bad- they may even be less than GN rush tower rooms. Four Queens is not the place if you are looking for a good tub, AFAIK all premium rooms and most suites just have the walk-in shower.
     
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  4. TarainVA

    TarainVA Low-Roller

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    Thanks so much Viva Las Vegas! The Golden Nugget Rush Tower looks very nice. I can live without the fridge, especially at $34/night. I was checking out the Cal last night also, and it's new to me and don't think I've walked that area at night before. A fridge helps take away the sting of no tub. I get nervous there in small cars like cabs so will be taking the WAX bus from airport....will get there around 945pm on a Sunday. 4th and Carson for the Fremont location. To walk to the Cal do you think it's doable? We will be travelling light...just wondering if well lit and people will be around. Thanks!
     
    Last edited: Sep 6, 2019
  5. Viva Las Vegas

    Viva Las Vegas Elvis has left the building

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    Yes, you can walk through Fremont Street to Binion's, cut through past the photo stand to the back, and when you exit the Cal is right across the street. Won't be sketchy or a problem. I walk / bus everywhere in Vegas, there will be no problems with this route.

    Have a great trip!
     
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  6. TarainVA

    TarainVA Low-Roller

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    Thanks Viva Las Vegas! I think I'm sold on the Cal. My husband was leaning toward MSS for all the antiques in the building but looks like it's connected by a bridge. Love that Nugget room, but it's $200 more for my stay and I'll barely be in the room. Will watch the price though. I stayed at the Nugget a long, long time ago before all the renovations...would be nice to cross another hotel off my list.

    Thanks!
     
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  7. Joe

    Joe VIP Whale

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    There are a few rooms at MSS that have been remodeled on each floor with the walk in showers but the vast majority have tubs. We have stayed at MSS for almost 20 years, but once we saw the remodeled rooms at Cal, bye, bye MSS. We still do most of our gambling there, however.

    Make sure to ask for a room in the West tower. Elevator down to the mezzanine and you are on the bridge to walk over to MSS. The East tower, you have to walk through the casino elevator or escalator up the mezzanine. Or walk outside of course.
     
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  8. TarainVA

    TarainVA Low-Roller

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    Thanks so much Joe ! I'm trying to book at the Cal, and there are Deluxe and Premium rooms...no tower selection. Guess I do that at check-in. Are both types in the West tower? I can't tell much difference b/t 2 types other than Premium is larger. There's a nice looking west tower suite but no ability to book.
     
  9. Joe

    Joe VIP Whale

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    Can't help you on the room differences, we are always in a suite in the West. But plenty of Cal fans on the board. Maybe @bubbakitty can be more help.
     
    Last edited: Sep 7, 2019
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  10. bubbakitty

    bubbakitty Doing retirement again and happily so....

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    We got a suite last trip. It was a surprise as we went on my wife’s b-day and the host only grinned when I said they MAY have made a mistake. West tower 14 floor which looked down over the pool. It was definitely dated but then so are we.
    Here’s some pics....and amazingly not bothered by construction noise.
    E7730291-91F5-4D51-83B3-71C7FD929BD9.jpeg 5A3E35FF-9845-4D95-AEF5-F1998DAF8F62.jpeg 574944D6-07E5-4DD6-82CE-E7CC6E0C597C.jpeg 7C496130-B991-4782-A8A7-3584D373ADA0.jpeg 79049F6C-A784-486A-96D3-D4A2605921E3.jpeg 16BCF770-6B6D-4290-8598-B43FE4F00D63.jpeg 0169ABA7-DF58-43D3-9E0C-328098B3725D.jpeg B87BE1F5-B01A-4D40-9A33-CC3D680907A8.jpeg 0CA7AAC7-A783-4E52-AC28-7C3E5B34D923.jpeg

    Go with premium room if not a suite but whatever go with west tower.
     
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  11. northerngirl

    northerngirl High-Roller

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    The west tower rooms are what the CAL considers their premium rooms. The east tower (original and older tower, but also renovated rooms) has the deluxe rooms. Our last stay in August we stayed in the west tower, non smoking floor, and never smelled a hint of smoke. The west tower is closer to the skywalk between the CAL and MSS. The east tower is located just off the hotel’s registration desk, by the Buddha. The east tower rooms are slightly smaller and the sink/vanity area is separate from the toilet/walk in shower. Both towers have free refrigerators.

    I have never had an issue or felt uncomfortable walking from the back corner of Binion’s crossing the street into the side door of the CAL.

    Side note: Our August trip staying in the west tower, our room was the very last room down a very long hallway. I didn’t have an issue thinking it would help me get my daily steps in. The internet was horrific. I could barely access it. The few times I really needed it, I needed to walk down to the elevators to get a connection.

    Wherever you decide to stay, have a great trip!
     
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  12. TarainVA

    TarainVA Low-Roller

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    Viva Las Vegas....so I ended up switching to the Rush tower. Golden Nugget's giving 20% off for AAA, and price wasn't too bad. The more I thought about it...the more I knew I'd regret not having a tub. Thanks again...saved me a lot of time narrowing it down!

     
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  13. Viva Las Vegas

    Viva Las Vegas Elvis has left the building

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    Awesome, I'm happy to be able to help you. I was last in the Rush tower two years ago and really liked it. I like having a jetted tub when possible and will pay a reasonable price higher for that feature, helps after long Vegas walks.

    Have a great trip!
     
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  14. imwired

    imwired High-Roller

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    I just booked California. I thought all the rooms had been remodeled. Not knowing what was best, I asked for high floor quiet room. She said she would request high floor toward end of hall. I told her skip the end of hall part - don't like long walk if I should be coming in w/o DH.

    So......should I call back and request remodeled room in west tower. We want quiet but it's only for one night.

    thanks
     
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  15. Viva Las Vegas

    Viva Las Vegas Elvis has left the building

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    They may have remodeled the East Tower, hopefully someone who has stayed there recently can confirm. I usually stay for 5-7 nights, and have only seen a East Tower room (not remodeled) once, went back down and transferred to the West Tower. For one night, it will be OK either way.

    They remodeled the bathrooms in the West Tower, the room itself is pretty much the same beyond a carpet change. Clean, comfortable, nothing fancy.
     
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  16. Grant1982

    Grant1982 High-Roller

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    I've stayed in a 4Q suite that just had a walk in shower, same in GG suites.
     
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