Tropicana

I've stayed at Ballys, Caesars (several times), and The Flamingo. I'm headed back to Vegas June 5-June 16, and I've decided I want something different this trip. I have comp nights at the mentioned properties (as well as 5 free nights at Harrahs). But, I'm just not "feeling" any of the Caesars' properties this time---I've decided to take a chance (afterall, it IS Vegas) and pay for 11 nights at Tropicana.
I will be down on the south end of the Strip (seeing Lionel Richie at Mandalay Bay and Billy Joel at MGM this trip). And, I do plan to finally start using my MLife Card this time. I do want to experience Excalibur, Luxor, Mandalay Bay, MGM, Monte Carlo, and Tropicana this trip (I've always limited my play and stay to a Caesars property in the past).
Anyway, I am wondering if any of you have first-hand expeience with Tropicana---How did you like the room? I've seen some pretty crappy reviews, so I'm definitely hoping for some positive feedback here. I just need to know I've make the right decision.

 

There's not much going on at the Trop. Its nice - the rooms are average. But when we did stay there we found ourselves going over to MGM or NYNY every day and night. That was what eventually turned us into m-lifers.

I'm not crazy about the new look remodel of the casino .......... its white and the color that is there is heavy on pastels. Tropical I guess but it comes across as sterile.

Everyone associated with the Trop is pleasant for the most part. I find the dealers and table hosts to be somewhat "uninterested" but with the casino mostly empty I can understand their lack of involvement leading to no enthusiasm. Playing at a table with one person on it or just a couple is just going through the motions for the most part.

I think you find the most common word associated with the Tropicana these days is "boring". Its like a casino for a retirement community.

 

Agree with the above, plus the vanilla/coconut smell inside is strong like Excalibur. Why not stay at MGM/NYNY/or Monte Carlo pending the price if you are looking to build up MLife. All are better bets and your room costs earn you points if you book direct.

 

not a fan of the Trop, however I did hit a royal flush there in 2002

Casino is dead, I'd stay at NYNY.
Better rooms, casino, food and cheaper

 

I think the Trop is okay. The rooms are nice, the casino is not super exciting but I like the fact it is smaller. I literally could walk to my room from the tables in about a two minutes. They have a decent double deck game that I enjoy playing.

For minimal play I get comped pretty good there. But as others have said, there are more exciting places to play that is for sure. I like it well enough to take them up on a freebie for two nights in April.

 

I stayed there last year and will be again in April. I would say if you have been happy at Bally's, you should be ok with the rooms at the Trop. They are clean and basic, but perfectly fine. I do recommend requesting the Paradise Tower which is right off the casino floor. I was in the Club Tower which is a little walk (nothing compared to the big casinos) but close to the runway at McCarron. I had a lovely airport view although not much noise.

The casino is small and pretty quiet, but not a bad place to start or end your day. Drink service was pretty good. Dining is nothing special. They have a small food court, a decent café and an Italian place and I think a steak place. The pool area is really nice. If you have a car, self parking is very convenient & valet is super fast. It is easy to get to the Ex/Lux/MB complex and from there to NYNY and north. Also easy to get to MGM. So, that gives you tons of great dining and gaming options. It's also easy to get anywhere from there by car since access is on Tropicana Ave.

I didn't play a whole lot while I was there, and they have been offering free rooms with a little FP & tix to their comedy club, and I have also been offered a number of slot and BJ tournaments with comp rooms. All in all, I was pleasantly surprise by the place & looking forward to staying there again. I think it may become my South Strip home with Palazzo being my North Strip home. CET is for trips where either my bankroll or time to play is limited or my trips are long.

 

Hot, hot, hot!

Thank you all for taking the time to reply!...I understand the rooms are, as one of you stated, tropical---I read one review that called the rooms "Cuban-style, Miami-style". That's pretty much what I'm looking for; I am a Key West/Island kind of guy
I really cannot explain my urge to stay at Tropicana---I just know if I don't stay there, I'll wish I had. I will say the Caesars properties have all always been good to me. I'm just not "feeling" them this trip for some reason.
I wandered into Excalibur and Luxor my last trip---I was impressed with the "normal" guests there (dads carrying infants, lots of southern/country folks, very family oriented). Oh, believe it or not, I did like the buffet at Excalibur.
Also, this will be my first summer Vegas vacation (usually there in Octobers and Aprils). I assume it'll be dreadful hot June 5-June 16---Will shorts, t-shirts, and flip flops be the norm? Give me some tips on what to expect there during the scorching heat of June.

 

Yes. It will be hot. And dry.

Hydration is the name of the game for June in Vegas. Drink lots of water and use plenty of moisturizer on hands, eyes, lips, and nostrils (saline spray).

I always keep eye drops, chap stick, and the like on my person at all times & apply hand moisturizer in the room often. And discovering the saline spray made my trips to Vegas ever so much more comfortable.

And don't forget to start drinking water on the plane before you arrive. The atmospere in the airline cabin is the most arid on earth - even drier than the Mojave desert, so many people are dried out before they ever land in Las Vegas and have a hard time overcoming the dehydration.

Yes, shorts, t-shirts, and flip-flops are de rigeur everywhere, so don't worry. If you want to dine in a "fine dining" restaurant, long pants and a polo won't get you thrown out, nor will they make you wear a jacket. Aside from that, it's casual attire everywhere all the time.

Don't forget your sunglasses - even if you venture out before dawn or after dark. Can't tell you the number of times I've stepped into a place in the middle of the night and out of some other joint after the sun has come up and wish I'd taken my shades.

You can also run that cocktail they'll bring you across your forhead, temples and the back of your neck from time to time, as well. Just a little personal cooling device that the casinos provide as a courtesy.

Stay cool and have fun!

 

I don't know why I'd been away from this board for so long...Sadly, I haven't been to Vegas since October 2012. The draw bringing me back is Billy Joel (June 7 at MGM)---Lionel Richie June 6 at Mandalay Bay prompted me to change my plans and come in a day early (who remembers Dancing On The Ceiling?).
I feel like a Vegas virgin again

 

The rooms are nice enough @ the Trop, but if it were me on a 11 day trip I would break it up a little bit and take one of your comp room offers for maybe 5 of the nights. The reason that I say this is that the dining options & casino will probably become a little boring to you after being there for 5-6 days.

 

I've never stayed at Trop so I can't comment on the rooms. My impression of the rest of the resort though was that there just wasn't much there for me. The food options seem better at MGM or NYNY. The gambling atmosphere I feel is far far better at the casinos around it. I'm sure the pool would be nice, so there is that.


If it were me and I absolutely wanted to stay there, I would head there for part of the trip and then elsewhere for part. I don't think you will hate it there. I just know for me, I would be getting up every morning and wanting to head elsewhere.

 

I stayed there 2-3 times, well before HIlton came aboard. I liked it well enough, preferred the smaller casino, liked the pool. It was easy to get a $20 upgrade suite. There have been numerous projects announced for this place but none of them ever happen. It hasn't changed all that much over the years. I'm kind of surprised it survived the implosion era (for now anyway).

 

I have heard some really nice things about the Tropicana and the pool area, But havent stayed there myself. I did have good luck on the tables and slots

 

I had a Paradise Suite once and loved it. As the others have said I wasn't that thrilled with the food options, but I enjoyed all the other features of the Trop.


Video of that room.

 

I really liked the feel of the Trop when we were there in 2012. The rooms were clean and freshly reno'd then, casino is small but pleasant, the pool was decent, food options lacking but we had a great stay despite the trek back to our room in the far tower. Lack of options there had us venturing to the MGM in search of action.

The hotel is quiet and you might find it a touch boring especially after 11 days. Do yourself a favour and split your visit.

This was the view from our corner room.

 

OK

Appreciate the added feedback! I think one reason I want to stay at the Tropicana is because of it's connection to old Vegas.
Caesars Palace has been my home base for most of my Vegas trips---their rooms were always comfortable and very large. I never cared for any of their restaurants though. And their guests were usually old enough to be my parents and pretty uptight. I am sure I'll end up gambling at Caesars this June...
I never really cared for Harrahs casino, though I did rate their buffet as one of my favorites...
Flamingo was always hit and miss...
I did think about staying at MGM, Luxor, Mandalay Bay, even New York-New York. I suppose I'll work my MLife Card this trip and earn some comps at one of those properties for my next trip.
Actually, I don't plan on doing as much gambling as I've done in the past---this trip is more to relax and withdraw, unwind and rewind, simply to experience Vegas in the summer. Maybe spend some time locked away in the room and enjoy the art of doing nothing...or not.

 

South beach decor

That's what it is to me-south beach. Also that's what they use in their ads.rolleyes2: I have stayed there twice since last April and returning soon. The cafe is fine and open 24 hours with a smaller menu at night. I have eaten in the steak house, biscayne, twice and enjoyed both times. I ate at bacio the Italian one and it was also good. These are both on the second floor and are across from each other. I like the small casino and some nights it can get lively. Tom the bartender in the lounge is great. Seems like a singer and some music in the open lounge area every night, that what I remember. The pool is nice and the cafe is open to that area if you want to eat outside. The egg Benedict are cheaper than many places and excellent. Also have the doubletree toll house cookies!
Mama Mia is opening in May. It was fun when it was at Mandalay bay. Also trop comedy show is good. I think Gallagher is gone now, not a bad thing.

 

Looking good

Cool! From what I'm learning, I'm thinking I've made the right decision

 

Thanks for all this information regarding the Tropicana.

Does anybody have any experience with the spa? I am considering 2 nights here during my May trip, and I enjoy a few visits to the spa to enjoy the steam, sauna, whirlpool, etc.

Now that it's a Hilton Doubletree, I can use my HHonors points for a few free nights.

 

Sorry, no info on the spa. I went to the spa or salon area with my wife so she cold get her nails done, but not for a spa treatment.

As far as the Trop goes, I love the Trop and the old Vegas vibe. The pool is one of the best in Vegas, and the rooms have been nicely redone. We are booked again for Memorial day weekend, this time with a bunglow balcony room that faces the pool.

The Beach Café is quite good. There have craft cocktails, and a great patio near the pool. I haven't tried the other outlets, but I hear Bacio is good.

In the casino I've found friendly staff and good cocktail service while in the dice pit.

My favorite thing about the property is that it is an excellent base. The location is good, the prices are moderate, and it has everything you need to get through the day (bars, starbucks, gelato, pool, etc). Many other strip properties have a 'tour bus just let out' feel that the Trop does not have. It doesn't feel like a mall or airport, it feels like a RESORT. As someone who has been to Vegas many times, I really appreciate that.

That's my long winded opinion on the Trop.