1. Welcome to VegasMessageBoard
    It appears you are visiting our community as a guest.
    In order to view full-size images, participate in discussions, vote in polls, etc, you will need to Log in or Register.

Best standard room: MSS, 4 Queens, Fremont, or the D?

Discussion in 'Downtown Hotels' started by joshrocker, Mar 20, 2014.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. joshrocker

    joshrocker VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Feb 16, 2003
    Messages:
    1,810
    Location:
    Saint Louis, Mo.
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    10
    Which hotel has the nicest standard rooms? MSS, 4 Queens, Fremont, or The D?

    Location doesn’t matter to us. We’re both healthy so walking distance isn’t a factor either.

    It’s a guys trip so all we care about is a clean room. We stayed at the Plaza last trip (before the renovation) and had a bad experience (horrendous room), so we’re trying to avoid another situation like that.
     
  2. Buddha

    Buddha VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Apr 3, 2012
    Messages:
    1,470
    Location:
    Chicago 'burbs
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    60
    Not familiar with the "D", so maybe someone else can fill in that info.

    However, having stayed at both the Four Queens and MSS, I would rate them equal in most all areas. We have been regulars at MSS for the last 10 or 12 trips, since we feel it is quieter there than the 4Q. Some people don't like the window "shutters" at MSS, but that has never been an issue for us.

    The Fremont rooms seem stark to me, and the bathroom & sink is very, very small. Stayed there once, never again.

    JMHO ....
     
  3. Bazzito52

    Bazzito52 Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2008
    Messages:
    456
    Location:
    Lakeland, FL
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    60
    For a group of four guys - MSS, definitely. Their standard rooms are the most spacious of the four properties you mentioned.

    Fremont rooms are tiny and Four Queens' are not a whole lot larger.

    The D has been recently remodeled, so "nicest" might well apply - and their bathrooms are more spacious, come to think of it. (Thinking further, MSS standard bathrooms have a small room with tub and toilet with sink outside.)

    So, D or MSS, IMHO.
     
  4. joshrocker

    joshrocker VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Feb 16, 2003
    Messages:
    1,810
    Location:
    Saint Louis, Mo.
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    10
    Thanks for the answers so far.

    You can throw the California into the mix. I always forget about this place. I know i've walked through it but I really can't remember anything about it. It's in the same price range as the other mentioned places.
     
  5. makikiboy

    makikiboy VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2007
    Messages:
    6,752
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    35
    I am actually partial to the Cal. I like the size of the west tower bathrooms (bigger than the one at MSS). You can check out pics on tripadvisor to see the bathrooms at the Cal and MSS.

    I think it will depend on what is important to you (on where to stay). The D, 4queens and Fremont are right on the FSE so very easy to get around (while you are staggering at night, lol, kidding). As others have mentioned, while the Fremont is centrally located, rooms close the the casino, one elevator opens up right on the casino floor, the bathrooms are a little small (keep in mind that some rooms are also small for 2 people, esp 2 males). The fremont only offers valet parking so you have to remember to keep change to tip the valet, adding to the nightly rate IMHO. I usually rent a car so prefer to park myself and avoid valets and tipping since I go in and out a few times a day so don't stay at the Fremont anymore.

    MSS and the Cal are a block away from the FSE but some people feel uncomfortable having to make the walk to the FSE (for me it's no problem but not for others). Since there is a 2nd floor promenade connecting the MSS and the Cal I look at the 2 hotels similarly in terms of service and rooms (except for the bigger bathrooms at the Cal), but I like the craps table at the MSS since they offer 20x odds.

    I stayed at the 4Q before but I still like the Cal over the 4Q, but that's JMHO since the Cal and MSS caters to the Hawaii crowd.

    I haven't stayed in a new D room so not sure how they are.

    btw, the rooms at the plaza are nicely done (since the renovation), you might want to look at the pics (on tripadvisor) of the rooms there, you may be surprised that they look nice. Gambling may not be too good there but you can use the plaza as a place to stay and gamble elsewhere. Beware of the resort fees for the Plaza and D though. That can jack up the nightly rates. Also note that the new rooms at the GG are nice also (but may be more expensive).

    Since it will be a guys trip I don't think it will make much difference where you stay, all are acceptable places to stay IMHO. Most of us guys don't really care about the room as long as it is clean and provides a good place to sleep for the night.
     
  6. joshrocker

    joshrocker VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Feb 16, 2003
    Messages:
    1,810
    Location:
    Saint Louis, Mo.
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    10
    A wealth of information! Thank you makikiboy!

    The walk from MSS doesn’t bother me at all, especially with the “bridge” over to the California. We won’t have a car either (plan on getting a bus pass) so thankfully the parking situation isn’t an issue.

    I was originally leaning towards the D because I’ve been hearing great things about it but I want to pick someplace else on principal because of the blasted resort fees. Truthfully, they’re only around $7 more total for our stay but I really want to support the resort fee holdouts. If the rooms were a step above however….it’s only $7 bucks so whatever.

    My biggest concern is access to 3/2 BJ for $10. I’m told that shouldn’t be an issue downtown so that’s not a huge factor.

    The Plaza….My friend is refusing to stay there no matter what. The last room we got there was really bad (it was before the renovation however) and he really wants nothing to do with the place. I hear the gambling conditions aren’t great so avoiding it is fine with me.

    The Golden Gate is much higher than the other mentioned options and I know they have really small basic rooms. That pretty much leaves the El Cortez which was the only location based casino my friend vetoed. The Grand and Nugget were both more expensive although they’re not exactly off the table, but I’d rather not spend extra money for a room we won’t be using all that much.
     
  7. makikiboy

    makikiboy VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2007
    Messages:
    6,752
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    35
    I'm looking at going to vegas in June (bowling tournament). Kayak searches pull up decent rates for the D and GG but you need to then add in the daily resort fee to compare it with other hotels. The 4Q's has decent rates but no resort fees so what they list is probably what you pay when you add in the hotel tax. MSS and the Cal have no resort fee (hopefully never) so IMHO are comparably priced to the D.

    I don't think you can go wrong with MSS, Cal or the 4Q and D. Also depends on what kind of vibe you want when you gamble, the casino at the D is noisier and IMHO more irritating so I don't gamble there much. MSS and the Cal have more "Hawaiians" and the craps tables get fill up at the MSS at night. Some people say that the Cal rooms are more worn but I don't notice it. The D probably has the newest rooms of the 4.

    I don't mind the resort fee, I just factor it into my hotel costs so then I then compare costs to see how much difference it is to stay at the various hotels.

    3/2 bj is not a problem downtown, if you don't like one casino you can just walk outside and go to another....very convenient which is why I like downtown, so easy to move if you don't have success playing at one casino.

    I understand about the negative attitude towards the Plaza, it was a dump before renovations, and the small rooms at the GG. I also understand the veto on the EC, while the hotel isn't bad and the walk not too far, it can be a pain since it is not that close to the FSE.
     
  8. joshrocker

    joshrocker VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Feb 16, 2003
    Messages:
    1,810
    Location:
    Saint Louis, Mo.
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    10
    I find the resort fees annoying. They're extra work for me because I have to double check everything and I feel like it's a "shady" way of doing buisness.

    MSS, 4 Queens, Cal, and Fremont are all within $3 of each other. The D is $7 more total (They have by far the cheapest rates but are actually more expensive after you factor in the the fees).

    The casino vibe doesn't really bother me either. Since everything's so close it's easy to get around. I don't think i'll mind the noise at the D. I'm not a clubber what so ever but I don't mind a loud fun scene while gambling. I know i'll stop and play here for sure.

    You do have the Cal moving up the list. I'm guessing you just request the west tower upon check in? or are they charging more for it?
     
  9. Candy Apple

    Candy Apple VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Mar 15, 2004
    Messages:
    2,360
    Location:
    Cleveland
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    20
    The new rooms in the D are nice! I know it has more counter space than the Fremont.
     
  10. 16gauge

    16gauge Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Apr 1, 2012
    Messages:
    210
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    35
    I have stayed at all of the listed properties over the past couple years. They are all pretty close together as far as quality. MSS and Fremont are very similar with MSS slightly better and bigger. 4Q's is probably the "lowest" of the group, but still more than acceptable. The "D"'s rooms look on the surface nicer than when it was Fitz, but it was mostly cosmetic. I stayed there before the resort fee and will not go back again because of it.

    If I had to rate by order of best standard rooms I'd do: MSS, Fremont, D, 4Q.
     
  11. makikiboy

    makikiboy VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2007
    Messages:
    6,752
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    35
    Yes the fees are annoying, especially when you have to check to make sure how much you actually pay after they add in all those fees. I agree with you, IMHO it is a shady way of doing business but apparently most (if not all) of the strip hotels are doing it so it is becoming accepted practice.

    If you are staying at the cal you can either specify when you make your reservation or call the cal to request the west tower (should be the same price). Ask for the west tower, west facing rooms because the east facing rooms face the Cal east tower (so your view is blocked by the other tower so you are looking into their rooms, and vice versa). Also be forewarned, some people don't like the west tower because it is right on main street so the traffic noise (ambulance and fire, big trucks, etc.) and the train noise bother some people. But IMHO, not much difference than hearing the train at the MSS or the freeway on the other (north) side rooms at the MSS. Make sure you call in advance because the better rooms (at MSS also) go quickly. I forgot to call MSS in January and they didn't have south facing rooms so I was placed in the north facing rooms facing the freeway, hearing all the trucks and beeps of horns at all hours of the day or night.


    I guess for me I would rate the rooms as Cal/MSS, D/4Q and then Fremont. Mostly because IMHO the rooms at the Fremont are smaller, bathrooms not designed very well (need bigger shelves too). But many others like staying at the Fremont.
     
  12. Texas Gramma

    Texas Gramma Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Nov 19, 2011
    Messages:
    211
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    35
    ---
    Don't forget, there are no resort fees at The D when you are comped. Your chances of getting a comp are much better at The D than any of the Boyd properties. Even if you don't get comped this time, your next trip will probably be comped... if you play a long time even at low limits. They are very kind to low rollers who spend a lot of time there... also their table games are great... especially Pai Gow Mania and freebet blackjack... games I've recently learned to love... that are not any place else downtown with a $5 basic fee.
    ---
     
  13. Reston

    Reston VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Oct 7, 2006
    Messages:
    2,011
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    108
    How tall are you? I'm fairly short, and the showerheads at MSS seem to be at about navel level.

    I've stayed at MSS, 4Q, and the Cal and rate them all about the same. The living area is fine at all of them, and none of them have spacious bathrooms. The MSS bathroom is particularly dysfunctional IMO, but it does have the sink outside the bathroom itself -- which might be an advantage with multiple guys in the room.
     
  14. joshrocker

    joshrocker VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Feb 16, 2003
    Messages:
    1,810
    Location:
    Saint Louis, Mo.
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    10
    I'm about 6 ft so yeah, that sounds annoying. I've heard the MSS shower heads are ridiculous.

    Thank you for everyone's help! After talking to my friend and exploring the different options we decided on the D. It seems like a cool atmosphere and the price was decent.
     
  15. elvis66

    elvis66 High-Roller

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2007
    Messages:
    975
    Location:
    Edmonton, Alberta
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    58
  16. joshrocker

    joshrocker VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Feb 16, 2003
    Messages:
    1,810
    Location:
    Saint Louis, Mo.
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    10
  17. merlin

    merlin MIA

    Joined:
    Aug 1, 2009
    Messages:
    3,755
    Location:
    mn
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    40
    The MSS rooms are very nice, the 4-Q south tower are comparable(not so much the 4Q north tower), both are better than the D or fremont IMO. I like the el-cortez tower room better than the MSS but that's because I like to gamble there, the rooms are both nice.
     
  18. SpinyNorma

    SpinyNorma Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2007
    Messages:
    290
    Location:
    Deep in the hot of Texas
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    12
    I've stayed at the Fremont several times and like it a lot but what everyone says about the room size is right--they're small and the bathrooms tend to be tiny. The location is great, right in the middle of FSE, and it's really easy to get from the casino to your room. It's right by the bus stop too. The staff there is really friendly and very helpful, probably the most so of any place I've stayed.

    I stayed at the D in November. The rooms are pretty nice and comfortable. It's catty-cornered from the Fremont so the location pluses are about the same. I hear their fancy restaurant (Can't remember the name offhand) is great but my budget is on the lower end so I haven't tried it. I wasn't too enthused with their lower end food offerings but you're close to a lot of other places. The staff was friendly and helpful.

    They do have the resort fee but they also lowered their room rates when they instituted it so the price remained about the same. I know what you mean about resort fees though--they bug me on principle and I don't like to encourage them.

    Never stayed at 4 Queens or MSS so I can't speak for them. I did stay at California once and wasn't too impressed. The room itself was fine but they made us wait a long time (several hours) before letting us check in. Once we finally got in the room, there was a pair of men's pants left there and we found what looked to be a crack pipe in the nightstand drawer. :eek:

    This was several years back and I haven't heard anyone else describe similar...bonus finds but that was our experience with the place. The staff was fairly surly too.
     
  19. mwig

    mwig VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Jun 17, 2009
    Messages:
    1,343
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    30
    I have been staying at MSS for years and will admit that I am partial. That said, since the renovation, the rooms at the D are nicer than MSS. The beds are more comfortable and the decor is quite well done. Regarding the MSS shower heads, if you stay in a renovated room, the shower heads are higher. They started an extensive renovation about 5 years ago and put it on hold when the economy tanked. They might never finish the other rooms but I think I heard that they finished a little less than 40% of them.

    I wouldn't put the 4Q in the same category. I will stay there on a tournament comp but that is about the only way. The last trip made me decide that I will not stay there in the winter ever again. In the north tower, there is a thermostat in each room but it is mostly for show. The AC or heat is operated for the building as a whole and is based on exterior temp. I like my room cool and there is no way to do that in winter. It was very uncomfortable.

    My typical summer stay is 4 nights MSS, 3 nights at the D and then several nights wherever else I can get a comp room. This summer will include two at the Cosmopolitan for some unknown reason. I played BJ at $15 per hand there one night for about 3 hours. Easiest comp on the strip for a nice place? Probably.
     
  20. bigred4770

    bigred4770 Tourist

    Joined:
    Jan 13, 2009
    Messages:
    97
    Location:
    Toronto
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    26
    Hi All,

    I have stayed at all four properties. Here are the positives and negatives, in my opinion, for each:

    MSS - positives - rooms are spacious, comfortable beds, great food selections for late night, boar's head bar is great for playing video poker and having their in-house microbrews; negatives - I dont like the toliet being seperate from the sink - I find it to be cramped beside the shower, I find it a little far when I want to take an afternoon nap as the others are more central

    4 Queens - positives - the location is great, there is a lot of counter space in the bathroom; negatives - beds I find very uncomfortable, they also feel old, not terribly impressed with their coffee shop (Magnolia's Veranda)

    Fremont - positives - beds are great, location and atmosphere at night is also very good - negatives - room is a little small, particularly the bathroom, I also do not like that you have to use a key for the safe rather than an electronic lock

    The D - positives - beds are great, the rooms are a nice size, modern, great atmosphere in the casino, excellent restaurants - negatives - the air conditioning units are very loud, the bathrooms were not renovated, the shower head is weirdly placed, drainage continues to be a problem

    Overall, my pick for four males would be the D - great atmosphere at night and the bars and restaurants cant be beat. I love getting cheese fries at coney island when I need something in my stomach before going to sleep.

    I hope this helps.
     
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.