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Talk me out of the El Cortez (very detailed)

Discussion in 'Downtown Hotels' started by brandi.boots, Apr 30, 2012.

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  1. brandi.boots

    brandi.boots Low-Roller

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    Ok, as I am starting to look around for a place to stay Downtown for my Annual Halloween trip, I noticed something. I have stayed at the ElCo for the last 2 years in a Jr or King Suite in the Cabana side and I am having a hard time finding a comparable room elsewhere! Let me explain:
    I travel with a girl friend and usually stay 4 or 5 nights. We always hit one of the really Big Parties on a Saturday, maybe another themed something on an off night, and then do it up again with style for the actual Hallow's Eve on Freemont st. Usually there is a day where we also hit the strip and do some extended casino hopping (meaning we walk our little tailfeathers off) so that evening is a down night for us. We love the table games too so we spend lots of time downtown just hanging out and laughing with new friends as we play. Take in a show some trips. Maybe a pool day depending on the weather. Zombies in the mornings but never sleep in too late. Yes, I know it is alot packed into a few days but we always have things still not done when we fly out....
    So now that you have a general idea of my kind of trip, you can see that one of the BIG draws for the Cabana rooms is the extra large bathroom that not only is nice, but has good lighting. The couches and coffee table help us be able to spread out as well. Very important things for a couple of ladies putting on elaborate outfits and makeup. Other than getting ready to go out though, we dont spend much time in the room. Neither of us can stand laying around when there is so much fun to get into.
    I would like to try out a new place this trip as I dont want to get stuck in a rut. The requirements I have are a nice room, Downtown, at least an average bathroom, and not $1,000 per night! lol Can anyone point me in a direction other than my beloved El Cortez Cabana room? Or am I at the best place for what I want/need?
     

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  2. tinytim

    tinytim Low-Roller

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    There's no pool there...that's one reason.
    Try California for a basic pool and generous future comps.
    The nicest pool downtown is at Golden Nugget. The best BlackJack is at ElCortez. Priorities....hmmmmmmm
    Tim
    T-19
     
  3. C0usineddie

    C0usineddie VIP Whale

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    The rush tower rooms at golden nugget are nice. here is a video I found of a standard room.

    [youtube]l7EayOAuJug[/youtube]
     
  4. makikiboy

    makikiboy VIP Whale

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    sounds like a big bathroom is important to you. IMHO, I don't know of many hotels downtown that have big bathrooms. The standard rooms at the Fremont, MSS plaza, lvc, 4q, D, GG while all are decent may not be large enough for your needs. It is possible that larger suites might have better bathrooms.

    The Cal west tower has a large enough bathroom, the vanity area is in the bathroom itself so you might be able to get 2 women in there doing their make up at the same time. There is a large counter space running the length of the bathroom, probably a good 5 to 7 feet long, although you have the toilet near the counter too. I like the Cal since it is near all the action, much easier to stagger back to your room than the cabana suites IMHO.

    The handicap rooms as the el cortez tower have large bathrooms that also might accomodate 2 of you.

    The plaza has a nice pool area, as GN. Not sure about the GN bathrooms, never stayed there. The Cal has a pool but it isn't very large.

    Hard to beat those Jr. or King suites at the cabana suites.
     
  5. fremontflo

    fremontflo Tourist

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    Other than the Cabana Suites, the only other hotel with a large bathroom would be the the Golden Nugget in the Rush Tower. Sign up for GN emails and they will send you discounted offers even if you don't play there. Although Halloween is a busy time so prices will probably be high. If so, stay at the Cabana Suites if you are getting a decent rate.
     
  6. Jade88

    Jade88 High-Roller

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    If it's a good location with a great bathroom then go with the rush tower at the GN. Great pool, and at the center of the action on Freemont.
     
  7. PopMegaphone

    PopMegaphone VIP Whale

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    Not sure if a pool will matter much during late Oct.
     
  8. sammasseur

    sammasseur VIP Whale

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    Just got back from 4-night stay at Cabanas. Love the place and if you have to think of a reason NOT to stay there, you're probably already happy. Enjoy it and go back.
     
  9. Ben Jammin

    Ben Jammin MIA

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    Plaza

    The Plaza rooms have been recently remodeled and there is a large pool area on the roof but no Jacuzzi. I'm not a big fan of jacuzzis used by dozens if not hundreds of people between water changes anyway.

    It's basic concrete but it's fairly uncrowded and a nice place to lay out and catch some sun and boil out some of that alcohol before the new night's session. You'd be surprised how hot it can be in October in Las Vegas. Just google the almanac.

    The Nugget is more luxurious but it is also more expensive and the pool is usually crowded and oh those darling children!

    I'll assume one reason you like the El Co is the bargain? Those Cabana Jr Suites are nice no doubt for the money, but they are too small for me, I prefer the Tower rooms. The AC unit right next to the bed on the wall is way annoying, as well as the refrigerator cycling on and off all night. I can only imagine what the regular Cabana Rooms must be like.

    You might try a google tour of a Plaza Suite which can be had for a song compared to a suite on the Strip.

    It's also a shorter walk to the other casinos on the Fremont Street Experience than the walk of fear from the El Co to the FSE late late at night.
     
  10. xmarksx

    xmarksx VIP Whale

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    I will add to Ben's post by mentionin the Plaza pool is a bit larger (if I remember correctly) than the Cal. Cal's pool is tiny and is shared by MSS guests. Another option, join Landry's Club and book a room using it at the Nugget, book Carson Tower room and then try for an upgrade to the Gold Club. I think he Gold Club rooms are as nice as the Rush Tower, with added freebies. Most likely you will be upgraded to the Rush tower anyway.
     
  11. merlin

    merlin MIA

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    Stay at the el-cortez in a tower handicapped access room(you can reserve one) the bathrooms in them are huge, like 10 by 10 ft or close to it.
     
  12. Dewey089

    Dewey089 VIP Whale

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    You are not going to swim in that Cal pool at Halloween. It is icy in the summer. And it is tiny so there is not much room for lounging or a pool experience.
    I was at the Gold Spike at Halloween time last year and the pool was heated. However, no one was there. I swam in 40 degree air.

    I can't compare the size of Spike bathrooms with Cabana, but Sam can.
    They would be rooms that at times beat the price of Cabana, but no refrigerator and a step down in decor.

    I loved the Cabana rooms. Some posters here thought they were too small. I think there are two sizes. If that is your best price, go with it.

    By the way, the American Casino Guide coupon will give you two Cabana nights for a total of $50 plus 13% tax. It does not say that, but if you ask when you book, they will give you that deal rather than the advertised Pavillion.
     
  13. dean_1492

    dean_1492 High-Roller

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    Maybe there is a handicap person who needs that room, and PLEASE DO NOT PARK IN THE HANDICAP SPACES IN THE PARKING LOT.
     
  14. makikiboy

    makikiboy VIP Whale

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    It doesn't hurt to ask. Just because you aren't handicapped doesn't mean that you can't stay in the handicapped room. No, the handicapped room isn't like those handicap stalls. By law those handicap parking stalls are ONLY reserved for handicapped people. Handicap rooms are also available to non handicapped people.

    I stayed in a handicapped room in the El Cortez tower a couple of years ago. I did not ask for the room, they just gave me the room. I'm a pretty fit guy and don't look like I would need any assistance so I guess they may have overbooked the rooms and gave me the handicapped room because it was available.
     
  15. PopMegaphone

    PopMegaphone VIP Whale

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    There's a big difference between receiving a handicapped room because the hotel is booked and requesting a handicapped room despite not needing one. The former is understandable, the latter is detestable.
     
    Last edited: May 1, 2012
  16. makikiboy

    makikiboy VIP Whale

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    As I said, it doesn't hurt to ask. I don't think there is a law against asking. The hotel could always say no, they want to save the room for the handicapped people only.

    Most of the handicapped people I know (like lucy) actually request for handicapped rooms when booking so the hotel would probably know how many rooms they need to block off. Yes there could be walk ups who need a handicapped room but as we all know, the hotel rooms are space available also, no sense having the hotel leave a room empty when it could be used.
     
  17. PopMegaphone

    PopMegaphone VIP Whale

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    If you ask for a handicapped room than they're going to be assume you need one for whatever reason. Furthermore, it would be inappropriate for a desk clerk to ask if there is an actual medical reason for the request. You can't be sure a person with a real need won't get bumped.
     
  18. makikiboy

    makikiboy VIP Whale

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    I will repeat what I said in my last post.

    Most of the handicapped people I know (like lucy) actually request for handicapped rooms when booking so the hotel would probably know how many rooms they need to block off. Yes there could be walk ups who need a handicapped room but as we all know, the hotel rooms are space available also, no sense having the hotel leave a room empty when it could be used.

    I think we need to end this discussion as it is getting us nowhere. This is Sonya's board and I don't think we should be judging others.
     
  19. PopMegaphone

    PopMegaphone VIP Whale

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    I read your post. You can't know there won't be other requests. Leave the handicap rooms for handicap people. Period.
     
  20. makikiboy

    makikiboy VIP Whale

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    There is no law that says that rooms designated for handicapped people are ONLY for handicapped people.

    you need to keep your opinions to yourself. If there was a law then I would agree with you but since there is no law there is nothing wrong to ask.
     
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