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Sams Town (never been) Need The 411——

Discussion in 'Off-Strip Hotels' started by mdm4sfest, Feb 7, 2020.

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  1. mdm4sfest

    mdm4sfest VIP Whale

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    Planned on going to LV next weekend— had some BOYD comps but due to flight prices, decided to cancel the rooms and move it a week out. Have two comped nights at S.T. and the next two at the Cal.

    Never stayed at or even been to S.T. What would you tell a first timer about it. Planned on just hanging out at the property almost 48 and the heading downtown. Unfort has to book a handicapped accessible room because that’s all that was comped. But plan on being alone and skies the limit on gambling, eating, and drinking. I’ll take any and all recommendations.

    Also, is the Longhorn casino worth walking to? Chances of getting stabbed? Hopefully low...
     
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  2. dmr

    dmr Registered Abuser

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    Since we started doing Sams Town several years back, the neighborhood has really gone down hill! I used to feel safe walking to Walgreens in the evening but I would never do that anymore.

    I suppose it depends on your size and confidence level with the martial arts.
     
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  3. mdm4sfest

    mdm4sfest VIP Whale

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    I’m 35, short, and about 20lbs overweight. Don’t love my chances. Not a terrible runner though.
     
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  4. MARK

    MARK Low-Roller

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    Longhorn was worth when they had $2 blackjack. At $5 level you may as well play double deck game at Sam's. One cool thing about longhorn is you can double down on three cards. You will also sit with alot of people who have no idea what basic strategy is which is expected at $2 level. I find Boyd properties attract a more experienced player.
     
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  5. Sonya

    Sonya Queen of VMB

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    I like to try to get an Atrium View to watch that show into the night. But if you go to bed early, you might be bothered by the howl and music.
     
  6. K-9treatbaker

    K-9treatbaker VIP Whale

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    I have stayed at Sams Town, in a Atrium view room. Room was really really nice!! And I am a room snob.

    Bathroom very large with a shower/soaking tub combined. Very cool.

    I liked their food options, bars, and they even have live entertainment in the lounge, just like Old Vegas. LOL Entertainment changes nightly, and the best part, it is FREE.

    They have a FREE shuttle to the strip (Harrah's) and to Downtown (California). Just tip the driver, please, should you decide to par take of this transportation option.

    If you call ST, tell them you have a comp for a handicap room, but you don't need that type of room, and most likely they will give you another room type. And you may have more comp nights than you think at ST, if you call them. My offers only showed 2 nights, but when I called, they said they could give me 4. So now, I always call. LOL

    You will be pleased with ST. :woot:
     
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  7. nfcwestbest

    nfcwestbest Low-Roller

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    Ive walked to and from Longhorn after dark. Only saw a couple of people. Wasnt scary at all.
    Longhorns good for drinkin $1.50
    all bottle beers. I took this pic last year but saw a post recently. Price is still low. I just give bartender $2 including tip.
    IMG_20190226_163527.jpg
     
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  8. Gmoney10

    Gmoney10 Low-Roller

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    Just stayed at ST 4 nights before Super Bowl weekend and was pleasantly surprised how nice the room was! It’s not super fancy, but carpet looked fairly new, bed was comfortable, and overall the room was clean and modern. Room wasn’t facing the atrium, so no noise issues to worry about. The best part of ST was the gambling was profitable! Slots seemed loose,video poker pay tables for JoB we’re okay, and blackjack had decent rules for double deck $5 minimum every night, even Friday night.
    I only ate one day at the buffet, but I was getting over a cold and couldn’t taste much. Even then, I couldn’t finish some of the food because the food still wasn’t appetizing (the consistency of the tamales was off putting).
    I would stay at ST again without hesitation. I did have a car, so I didn’t have to walk to nearby casinos. Not too far from downtown.
     
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  9. Viva Las Vegas

    Viva Las Vegas Elvis has left the building

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    Sam's Town took out some of their good VP, but have a few decent machines left. It gets smoky in the casino, mostly locals. They have a poker room, and many BJ (with good rules) and lively craps tables.

    Rooms were clean and comfortable. I had no issues walking around at all hours around the neighborhood (from Chicago). Eastside Cannery and Longhorn are the other two casinos within walking distance. Skyline can be reached via car or the Boulder Express, and they have full pay JOB at the bar. Sam's Town buffet is mediocre, they have a few decent restaurants but they seem to be changing every couple of years, and there is a fast food court. The Boyd shuttle to downtown or the strip is convenient.

    If you like craft beer, Aces and Ales is within a mile and they typically have a great draft list of local and regional beers, great vintage stout bottles for onsite consumption, and great happy hour specials (late afternoon, after midnight and all day Sunday) and lunch specials (their food is good for bar food). That is about it to do within that neighborhood.
     
    Last edited: Feb 7, 2020
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  10. NotFromConcentrate

    NotFromConcentrate It’s a Cassowary :)

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    As my profile picture may indicate, I love Sam's Town :) I don't think there's any other resort in Vegas at which I would stay on property for an entire trip. It's unpretentious, has the friendliness of a locals casino, there's plenty to do besides gambling, and between gaming/dining options you can easily get by on the cheap at Sam's Town. As others mentioned, there is a shuttle service to/from the strip and downtown, which makes the location largely a non-issue IMO. It's also worth mentioning that if you're a guest at Sam's Town, you can do laundry at their KOA RV park on property... that really comes in handy on longer trips.

    Can't give a whole lot of specific advice other than to take the time to walk around the property at least a couple times to get your bearings. True to its name, it really is like a "town"... it's not just a casino floor and a few restaurants/bars. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised between the variety of slots, the low-limit tables, a good range of eats, as well as a bingo room and a movie theatre. You won't get bored over two days, IMO.

    Longhorn... I happen to love it, though I loved it more when they had $2 blackjack, now it's $5. The staff there are great, and I'd say that they largely contribute to my motivation to return. I've walked it many times during the day, though admittedly I would not do it at night. I've paid the $8 to Lyft from Longhorn to Sam's Town as opposed to risking walking. Just to see it, I'd suggest going once during your stay.

    This is a great idea K9 and I'm just quoting your post to emphasize it for the OP... you could be saving a handicapped person's entire vacation by taking the five or so minutes to make this phone call.
     
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  11. dmr

    dmr Registered Abuser

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    The buffet is perfectly fine for a quick breakfast but it is just basic food, nothing fancy at all.

    They took out a great independent coffee shop and replaced it with Yet Another TGIF and they closed Billy-Bob's and replaced it with an outsourced supposedly-higher-end place, the Angry Butcher.
     
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  12. zignerlv

    zignerlv VIP Whale

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    Don't forget the closing of the fun, Willy and Jose's! And if you want to go back further, removal of the coffee/pastry hut, Diamond Lil's, and Mary's Diner. Kind of amazing that a property can go from so many great, casino owned eateries, to just a couple of places. I like your "supposedly-higher-end-place" comment! No question the tableware and some of the offerings are improved now that it is Angry Butcher, but not to the extent of the price increases!

    Sam's was a must do for me just a few years ago, going back for many years. The offers and whole Boyd program have been cut, along with much of the better VP.

    So, if you like Sam's now, you'd would have REALLY loved it just a few years back.

    That being said, the buffet has always been a decent deal for basic breakfast, and Lillie is my favorite buffet omelet cook! The park is a unique place, and getting a room with a park view is a must for us.

    If definitely is an older clientele place, and areas can be a bit smokey.
     
    Last edited: Feb 8, 2020
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  13. LBTRS

    LBTRS Low-Roller

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    I like Sam's Town but the casino always seems dead when I've been. Table games are not open, poker room no games, etc. I've only been there 4 times but that was what it was like while I was there.
     
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  14. Pancakes

    Pancakes Low-Roller

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    How much would you normally tip the driver? Thanks!
     
  15. K-9treatbaker

    K-9treatbaker VIP Whale

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    I tip $2.00 -3.00 to the driver. It is so worth it, and the shuttle bus is a big bus, comfortable seats, air cond. and plenty of room.
     
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  16. Pancakes

    Pancakes Low-Roller

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    Thanks, we'll make sure to do that!
     
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  17. mdm4sfest

    mdm4sfest VIP Whale

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    Seems to work to my advantage since when I check out I have to go downtown and check into the Cal
     
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  18. vegasvp

    vegasvp VIP Whale

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    I have stayed at Sam's Town many times. The rooms facing away from the atrium are extremely quiet. Roberto's Taco Shop in the food court is very good.

    Shuttle bus to downtown and the Strip is a great perk.

    Uber and Lyft easy to get back to the airport. I got one at 3:00am on a weekday with no problem.
     
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  19. thebeachbum

    thebeachbum High-Roller

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    I can agree with not fromconcentrate about Sam's Town. I stayed at the Sam's Town KOA for eight months. Went to the casino almost daily. Sometimes just to eat, check my football picks (won $256 in FP once), or gamble. From Sam's Town, the Longhorn is walkable for sure. One dealer at the Longhorn walks to/from work and she lived at the Siegel Suites a block past Sam's Town. She only saw one stabbing victim as she passed Walmart one night on the way home. The Longhorn re-felted their tables so I guess it's $5 blackjack to pay for them. Still a fun place to gamble. There is a good bit to do at Sam's Town from movies to gambling to bowling. Buffett is good overall if you like tasty food like you might have at home. Not fancy. Bread pudding is good.
     
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  20. NotFromConcentrate

    NotFromConcentrate It’s a Cassowary :)

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    To clarify, they actually re-felted the tables in 2018, and the change from $2 to $5 happened in late 2019. The way they explained it to me was that too many people were mooching the free drinks while min-betting. So they had to up it to $5 to prevent that.
     
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