should i stay downtown?

o.k well planning for trip at end of march ....resort fees piss me off , so.....checking on all hotels that do not charge fees
four queens is one of the cheaper packages i have come across thru s.w.a.
and the next cheapest is the quad on the strip
the quad can be noisy and may still be under construction ....dont know
four queens ... never been but am willing to be downtown for something different and i will have a rental
yeah i am trying to do trip as cheaply as possible , thus the 2 options i ask about
so what would you all do ?
downtown ...new experience
strip... been at quad before
since i have a rental it isnt a big deal where i stay , but i do want some input ...thanks

 

definately stay downtown. Its worth it.
I was a strip person for my first 7 trips and this last trip we stayed downtown for 2 nights for an event at the golden nugget. I gotta say i had a blast and will definately be splitting up my next trip again.
Downtown is a completely different animal. During the day you just relax..... you can easily casino hop. I enjoyed hanging out at the bars at GN and freemont and playing VP. Sat at a fairly quiet sports book and bet the ponies for a little bit as well has playing 2-4 limit holdem to kill time.
Then at night everything gets lively.... bands, big crowds... excessive drinking. There is plenty to do.... good food options (just check out some of the other downtown threads).
I cant help too much with where to stay since I've only stayed at the GN, but several hotels have gone through some significant renovations (the D, Golden Gate, The Plaza which has resort fees) all of which are probably gonna be cheaper than the quad and probably nicer inside.

 

Yeah stay downtown, It's nothing fancy smancy just great value for food, drink, entertainment and hotels. Awesome place to people watch. We were there in Sept. watching one of the bands playing in front of G.N. when a young man (very drunk) comes up and seriously asked if I knew where the G.N. was. I just smiled and pointed behind me. Great stuff! We stayed at the D and got a renovated room comped, it was nice and fit us midwesterers well. Enjoy downtown!

 

I would stay downtown...and skip the car rental... you won't need it downtown and, once you've played there, you'll be less likely to even feel like getting anywhere near the strip!
Just run the airport shuttle to/from 4-Queens.

 

I prefer downtown now; it's like a small town within a city, friendly, fun, convenient and cheap. Lots of security, great prices on food, lodging and even gifts and t-shirts etc. I've stayed at the D when it was fITZGERALDS, El Cortez a few times as well as a few times at Gold Spike. Gold Spike is a block up from Fremont, makes it a bit quieter, pretty basic but clean and quiet. Try Kayak. then call reservations and see what they can give you for a price. They are very nice. Rooms are basic and good for me (solo). For better parking and larger rooms try El Cortez for a Tower Room. Clean, comfortable and well maintained. Great staff, security, steakhouse, 24/hr cafe and a Subway. No resort fee. Lots of folks like the 4 Queens but I have never stayed there.

Jimbo338

 

If you plan on renting a car, you will find that getting anywhere from downtown is easier than it is from the strip. You don't have to walk miles from your hotel to your car (even if you valet on the strip, your car might be closer to your room downtown). You don't have to fight strip traffic all the time, or find a route around it.

The Four Queens is small, rooms are clean, with the basics you need (tv, safe, bed, desk) size and style is about on par with a Motel 6 in most cities, service is very good. There is no spa, sauna, gym, pool, if you are into those things (guests can use a small pool at Binions). There are a few good restaurants on site, and lots more within walking distance. There's lots of bars and eateries opening downtown to get a slice of the Zappos action (zappos is investing in the area and is moving their hq to the old city hall building downtown). Prices are lower than the strip for almost everything. There's all kinds of free entertainment at night.

If you don't need to use up a Southwest Vacations credit, you might do better to book your room and airfare seperately. If you stick with Southwest for air, you can book everything, then keep checking for better deals and rebook as needed right up to the day you leave. I've saved a bundle this way.

Golden Nugget is the most "strip-like" property downtown. El Cortez Cabana suites are modern and don't really have a strip equivalent. Neither property charges a resort fee. Give downtown a try. I like it enough that I choose to stay downtown even when my room on the strip would be free.

 

Another vote for Downtown!

 

I LOVE sowntown because of the value play and the closeness of all the houses......

 

I just got home and again stayed at Main St Station. Rooms are really nice, very spacious and extremely comfy bed. Have stayed there about 10 times. I've staed at D when it was Fitz and it was nasty. Of course Golden Nugget is very nice but their older cheaper rooms are small and sometimes you have to walk about a block to get to the elevator depending on which tower you are in. I like the Fremont (best location in my book). The rooms are updated but small, but the location makes up for that. I don't know about the Golden Gate but it is all remodeled. Be sure to have breaakfast there at DuPars. YUMMY

 

I am a downtown convert at least 10 years now. Golden Nugget is where I say, and I prefer the Carson Street tower (the one farthest away from Fremont) I also prefer rooms at the very end of the hall. VERY quiet (well, except for the sirens but that doesn't bother me.)

I vote for that DuPars restaurant in Golden Gate. Not much of a pancake eater, but there's something about their's that's out of this world awesome!
The strip is just too busy, too expensive, and the limits are too high.

 

Since you're doing your trip as cheaply as possible, downtown is the best value option. Cheaper hotel rooms, cheaper dining options, lower table minimums, and nothing is more than six blocks away. I still prefer having a car so I can do trips during the day like the Pinball Hall of Fame or the Paiute Smoke Shop, and of course getting to and from the airport.

If you stay at Four Queens, ask for the South tower which is newer and a little quieter since it's not right on Fremont like the North Tower.

 

I too am debating this for our next trip. We'll be flying in LATE friday night and leaving Tuesday afternoon. I'm tempted to book Fri and Sat nights downtown then the next 2 nights on the strip. Only problem is all the places I want to eat at are on the strip LOL.
Maybe I'll just book a 2nd trip for a day shorter and stay downtown on that one.