Decisions: Golden Gate Suite or El Cortez Premium

Based on available rates, looks like our next trip is going to land on a busy weekend downtown. Nothing under around $170/night average at this point so I’ve whittled it down to two options; Tower Premium room at El Cortez or Suite at Golden Gate. Net price for our two night stay is $100 less at El Cortez.

We’ve stayed in the Gate suite on multiple occasions so know what to expect there. Added benefit of staying at Gate is we qualify for transportation via status match.

On the flip side, we are interested in trying out El Cortez and it is a little cheaper. Our only stay at El Co was years ago in a Cabana suite.

What would a VMBer do?

 

IMHO, El Cortez is at the "end" of Downtown, so unless you choose to play there, you're walking . . . . . at least 2 blocks and at night, the walk could intimidate some (not me, but reading the posts, some VMBers)

I'd pick the Golden Gate suite, but not the Golden Gate room. I would only stay at El Cortez if it was my LAST option.

 

That's a pretty darn good question. I have stayed on the GG Suites before and really liked them but I have no idea what those Cortez rooms even look like. I also shall be interested in the responses here. Something about that dusty old vintage thing the Elco has is growing on me and I am itching to get in there again.

 

I haven’t been at the Golden Gate hotel, but I’ve stayed in the El Cortez premium tower rooms and they are AMAZING! Soft bed, hardwood floors, nice bench for luggage or guests, great big desk. The only issues I’ve ever had were with the bathroom, but nothing major.

 

I have crossed the age of 60 since my last trip. As much as I love ElCo, its location makes it slightly less attractive as I age. In a GG Suite myself in two weeks, but I will hit ElCo relatively hard on a couple of those days in an effort to maintain my just-above-bottom-tier status.

 

Never stayed at the GG, but pics I've seen of the suites look good. I assume the ElCo Premiums are renovated tower rooms, which look fine. I've stayed pre reno and liked them fine then. Just depends on what you want.
GG has no restaurants, which is a minus for me. On the plus side,you're basically in the middle of the action. Equidistant from the D to MSS. Crowds on Fremont will be packed.
ElCo will probably be busy too, but most of the crowds will be on Fremont. If you want to try another casino, they are not far away. You also have Container Park and the fremont East bars across the street.
Personally, I'd take ElCo because I don't like crowds and like taking breaks across the street. Gambling is ok there too.

 

I've stayed at both multiple times (comped).
The Golden Gate suite is the better choice, if all things were equal.
...but saving $100 by staying at the El-Co? I would grab that in a heartbeat.
Of course, I like the El-Co & it's the BEST blackjack casino to be found downtown (& better than ALL of the strip, obviously).
$100 pays for a LOT of Uber rides between El-Co & the heart of FSE (Plaza/Circa, 4-Queens/Nugget), and will likely still leave you with savings left over.

 

Being that ElCo is $100 cheaper, I'd do that. But then I'm cheap. I'd rather not stay at ElCo, just based on its location. I like downtown due to being able to walk into several casinos easily. ElCo's location kind of kills that for me. If you like the Neonopolis or Container Park and that area, it would definitely be a good location.

 

I've stayed at both and like both rooms, but both have odd bathroom situations. Golden Gate is essentially just a toilet room and a separate shower stall room that open into the main room. El Cortez might be even worse in that regard; no door to the sink area and then only a half glass door to the toilet shower area. If you are staying by yourself, no real issue with either.

I like both locations, it just depends what you want to do. El Cortez is by restaurants I like (Le Thai, Eat, Carson Kitchen), but it's a bit of a walk to FSE as others have said. I'd save the $100 and stay at El Cortez.

 

I would probably go with the GG suite. Being right under the canopy and a in a guaranteed quiet room are 2 very big pluses. Assuming you matched to get the limo benefit, do you get any offers from GG or is that your price with an offer applied? The upgrade fee to a suite is usually pretty nominal.

 

Never stayed at ElCo nor do I really want to. The GG Suite is nice and you know what to expect.

Limo benefit is added bonus. Although I know the tip is going to be the same as a cab ride or Uber. But it's still nice to have.
Note the limo tier benefit is one way only, not RT (which is based on play)

 

I wholeheartedly agree on the wonky bathroom situation in GG suites. That’s really my only gripe about those rooms. I suppose they had to get creative with limited space but it is certainly an awkward setup.

 

Apparently, I only qualify for the GG suite at the casino rate on our travel dates and I don’t want to roll the dice and wait until check in to upgrade. Looks like it’s shaping up to be a busy weekend.

I do also like the fact that you are guaranteed a quiet room when you book a GG suite. Not many spots downtown where you get that guarantee. Think GG might have the edge!