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Please play "What Would You Do?"

Discussion in 'Downtown Hotels' started by Vegas Insight, Aug 31, 2016.

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  1. Golfer

    Golfer Well-Known Member

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    Plaza has quiet rooms. Plaza has a decent place for breakfast. I don't understand the gushing reviews for Hash House, but it has very good food, and is comfortable. Plaza has a high end restaurant. I've had one steak done poorly there, and Oscars is one of the few places that gets a pass on this from me as I've been there numerous times. They serve USDA Prime. The pizza place is good for a quick snack or lunch. There are comfortable places to sit in the casino if you want a break. That's rare. If you tip the employees there, they actually seem to appreciate it, rather than act like they are entitled to it. They have decent coffee and espresso available if you need that in the mornings. Surprisingly good.

    The bathrooms are smaller. The showers especially. But not unmanageable. I'm not sure if all rooms have this, but I had four bottles of refrigerated water, and four Keurig coffee things every day. Or whatever those things are.

    The parking was fine. The elevators (parking) were hot, but not slow. It's an easy in and out of their parking ramp.

    I'll probably be back there, sooner, rather than later. We'll see about that soon enough. And I have other options, some with nicer rooms. But you had indicated a room, price, parking and it doesn't seem gambling is as much of an issue, so given the choices you outlined, it seems pretty easy for me to advise the Plaza. If you had given other parameters, I could go into detail about why I'm not a fan of the Downtown Grand, or Four Queens, but none of these are germane to what you outlined above.

    Trust but verify.
     
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  2. MikeOPensacola

    MikeOPensacola El Jefe

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    I've never stayed at either property but I really, really like the casino at the Plaza. Good BJ games and the dealers are very friendly. They also seem to have gotten rid of the infamous odor that hung over the casino for years. The casino just has the look and feel of an old school Las Vegas casino, which is very refreshing. Pop-Up-Pizza continues to be a multiple must-do each time I stay downtown. If the plaza had better bathrooms and walk in showers in their rooms I would love to stay there. They did a great job renovating their pool. I took a look at it in July and I was very impressed. I truly enjoy playing at the Plaza and love Pop-up-Pizza and Oscar's.

    I'm not too keen on the casino at 4Q, it always seems very dirty and the dealers just don't seem to pleasant. They have a decent mix of games but I just can't get too excited about gambling there. Great location though.

    The DTG's casino is awesome and has great dealers but they can't even keep it open 24/7 (as of my last visit) so this would be a definite deal breaker for me.
     
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  3. Golfer

    Golfer Well-Known Member

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    I agree about the casino at the Plaza. I had read numerous times it was a low class crowd. I didn't get that vibe at all. I think one session my play probably wasn't tracked very well with respect to average size of bet, but it wasn't enough to impact anything. I think they said $55, and I think I was closer to $90. But it was a a short session, so no big deal.

    Also, not one crap was given, or one word spoken when I lit a cigar at the craps table.

    Also, I don't think their mini baccarat table is open during the week. I'm not sure about that though, But they are not open during the day. Bummer for me, I wanted to play baccarat, and I was busy running around most of my last trip, so the only time I had to seriously gamble was the day.

    I don't like the vibe at 4Q. I'm probably biased as Binion's used to get all of my downtown play, and the 4Q has never offered me a room.

    I did try to contact the Downtown Grand. Twice. They don't seem really on the ball with catering to a gambler that is probably at a level that would be good business for them. It's too bad as I think I wouldn't mind checking them out.

    Back to the Plaza. I saw the Scintas at The D, and they're now at the Plaza. If you get a comped show, that's actually a pretty good show in my opinion. And Oscar's is very, very good.

    My trip there was fairly broken up, but between the Scintas, Oscars, Hash House, Pop Up Pizza,and craps dealers that actually have a pulse, I could see myself hardly leaving their property next time I'm there.

    The trade off between room size and the smaller showers is a fair tradeoff as their suites are extremely nice in my opinion. I was in a one bedroom suite on the 23rd floor, farthest away from FSE.

    If I'm on a solo trip, I'll probably stay and play at the Plaza. Probably play more this next time. I think if I bring someone, I'll probably stay at the Hard Rock, and maybe drive downtown to play at the Plaza. The more I think about the DTG, the more I wonder if I played enough for dinner, where would they comp my dinner at? Anyway, I checked out teh Plaza, and next time I go there, I'll probably play a little bit more seriously.

    But it's really personal preference. I've read over and over how great the Golden Gate is for playing craps. I walked around that casino for about two minutes and I can't ever imagine myself gambling in there. So I guess you can have fifteen people tell you a casino/hotel is great, and it might not fir your tastes. Vice versa as well.

    My parameters are good craps, dealers that are on the ball, a clean quiet room, a good coffee and espresso, decent breakfast, snack options that aren't fast food, a decent show, some place to park that's convenient and at least one high end restaurant.
     
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  4. MikeOPensacola

    MikeOPensacola El Jefe

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    Golfer, the DTG in the past has comped dinners at Triple George, which is right across the street. If you're not familiar with it, Triple George is an outstanding restaurant. I eat there several times each trip. If you get a comp, or even if you don't, I can not recommend it highly enough.

    :peace::beer:
     
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  5. Vegas Insight

    Vegas Insight MIA

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    Yes, I am looking at a Priceline Express Deal. I didn't realize they were handled different than when you bid on rooms via the website. So if I can specify two queens per room, that's a huge benefit. I'm still not that excited about fronting the cost on a non-refundable deal, but I stayed there in May of last year and was plenty satisfied with the room, despite the goofy shower. Thanks for the info.
     
  6. WiBadgerbacker

    WiBadgerbacker Low-Roller

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    I have stayed at both the Plaza and the 4Q multiple times. To me noise is the biggest difference between the two. No matter what room you have at 4Q, you will hear noise from bands and the canopy. Rooms at the Plaza are quiet. As far as dining options go, everything is so close downtown it really doesn't matter.
     
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  7. Wedgefromhere

    Wedgefromhere Low-Roller

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    I'd also go with with the Plaza because the gambling is better. 4 Queens blackjack is all 6/5 and there's not much of a sports book. Also the rooms at the Plaza are quieter.
     
  8. Golfer

    Golfer Well-Known Member

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    For the purposes of the OP, I would agree with this. But if you play enough to get dinner on the casino, I do think restaurant selection is a factor. I suspect you'd have to be at a pretty high level if you played at ElCo as an example, and you wanted dinner at a restaurant that wasn't on their site.

    Although based on what Mike of Pensacola said above, I could be very wrong about this.

    I'm taking this way off topic, but I enjoy the conversation.

    In 2015 I made about 5-7 trips to Las Vegas. Mostly Hard Rock. Once Treasure Island, once The D, and a lot of play at Binion's. I was about at the point where I was done with the Las Vegas hustle. Mostly becuase I'm not a huge player, but I'm a big enough player to at least get treated decently. 2016 has been extremely busy for me. New employees, all sorts of other issues. I've been 3 times this year. My annual Super Bowl weekend, a mid week, and once to the Plaza. The Plaza to a large degree restored my faith in having fun in LV. Gambling is not always my favorite thing to do. I like to trout fish, I go to all home and away Iowa football games, I go to Florida a couple times each winter. Given this year, and my inability to get away for longer periods of time, LV has served a purpose for more frequent, but shorter trips.

    I'm a trust but verify guy. So I'm learning more about how badly Plaza wants me back, and I'm playing it by ear. But my instinct is that they really tried when I was there. And it's not like my trip there was an exclusive gambling trip. I gambled less than normal in some regards, and got treated better than anyplace has treated me for a long while. In my business I am extremely loyal to long term customers. It was actually a strange and slow process for me to learn most casinos don't give a crap about this. e.g., Binion's. It's my fault. Keep repeating the same action expecting a different outcome.

    More off topic, it look forward the Iowa -v Wisconsin. Always a very close, hard hitting game. I've obviously been to Camp Randall Stadium several times, and enjoy that game day atmosphere.
     
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  9. mwig

    mwig VIP Whale

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    I'm not on the Plaza bandwagon. I used to hate it there and since the remodel I hate it less but would stay almost anywhere else. I know that is a personal preference. I've always been pretty loyal to the Boyd casinos but have stayed other places numerous times. There are negatives everywhere so...

    I find the Plaza to be depressing. That is not the vibe I'm looking for.
    Rooms at 4Q are too small
    D elevators are slow
    DTG is too far from the action

    If you can get the D close to the others in price I would do that. GN won't go that low but would be preferred. Have you thought about the El Cortez? I like 4Q for their marketing offers and VP but don't typically stay there unless I'm solo.
     
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  10. Vegas Insight

    Vegas Insight MIA

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    there are pros and cons to everywhere, i'm learning. i'm shocked! (/sarcasm)

    because this is a group trip and half of my group lives paycheck to paycheck, at best, i'm compelled to find us a low-cost option. i have stayed at the D a couple of times, and am happy with it, but we're already paying higher than average rates for downtown due to SEMA, or whatever it is called, and the D is higher than 4Q and Plaza that week. i have stayed at ElCo before and was not impressed with their tower rooms. yes, it's walkable, but their rooms would have to be as nice as D-Grand to get me to stay there.

    i know Plaza isn't as lively of a casino as the D, and isn't as swanky as the Nugget, but no property will be all things to six.

    thanks for the feedback. it's interesting to read what people like and don't like about downtown properties. i often end up at Orleans when i travel, yet have never stayed at a Boyd casino downtown. i would love to be at MSS for Halloween week, but the rates for the Boyd properties make their hotels out of the question.
     
  11. topcard

    topcard Here's to $10 3:2 two-deck, $5 Craps, and $5 UTH!

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    Given your options, I'd go with the Plaza as well... I've always been given South tower rooms, and they are as quiet as any room can be downtown. The 'standard' room is also a bit larger than any of the others - with the exception of the Nugget.
    (Although, full disclosure - I've never seen the DTG rooms or the rooms at the ElCo.)
     
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  12. nhanna45

    nhanna45 Low-Roller

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    I would stay at the Plaza. More stuff to do there and probably a tad nicer. Live music most nights is a plus!
     
  13. tvon

    tvon VIP Whale

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    I would look at what a Boyd property is charging...
     
  14. Vegas Insight

    Vegas Insight MIA

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    a lot more, which is why it's basically between 4Q and Plaza.
     
  15. makikiboy

    makikiboy VIP Whale

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    If you have a player's card you can log on to their b connected site to see if there are lower rates for boyd hotels. They are usually lower than what you see normally.

    So what days are you going to be in vegas and how long? How much are you paying? Maybe we can do some searches for you to see if there are lower rates during your time period. May not help but at least you can see if anyone else can find better rates.
     
  16. Vegas Insight

    Vegas Insight MIA

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    I did try using my B-Conn card for rates at the Boyd properties, but it didn't do me any favors.

    Six people, three rooms, two queen beds in each room, non-smoking. We're staying Oct. 30 through Nov. 3. I can get either 4Q or Plaza four about $1,200 total, that includes taxes and resort fees, where applicable.

    I did a variety of searches, and will continue to do so. I'm staying solo one final night, Nov. 4, and I have that night booked, at Club de Soleil. I was surprised they offered a one-night rental, but I'll take it. It's not the Orleans, where I would have preferred to stay, but it's about $100 less than the Orleans, and I'll have the rental vehicle. (I found that offer only via trivago.com, which I had never searched before.)

    Thanks for any suggestions you have makikiboy.
     
  17. caroleehs

    caroleehs Low-Roller

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    If you go with plaza ask for south tower. Much quieter.
     
  18. Crambone

    Crambone Gnaeus Pompey Magnus

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    The only good part of the 4Q is the superior VP and drink service at the Kings Bar. The gambling has gone downhill with the table games. For some time the Buy bets haven't been free upfront and the Let It Ride Bonus Bet is $2. Same at Binions.

    If you do wind up at the Plaza park on the third floor, as far north as you can. In the garage elevator lobby is a door into the Plaza third floor mezzanine of the South Tower. I'd leave the luggage in the car because the trek to check in is across the casino. Use your room key for unlimited access in and out of the garage during your stay.

    With your group being low rollers the Plaza Book is a pretty good hang for The World Series and Vikes\Bears Monday night. Stock the room with booze and snacks as the room elevators are only a few feet away.
     
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  19. makikiboy

    makikiboy VIP Whale

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    Yeah, you are staying during a very busy time of the year. There is a SEMA convention at that time (I think it runs from Nov 1 - 4) and they are expecting 100,000 people to attend. I checked and I see Cal and MSS sold out for that time period. I also did searches and $1200 for 3 rooms is a great offer for that time period. You may want to book them already since the rates may go up as it gets closer. Hopefully you can book through the hotel or a third party site that allows cancellations so if the prices go down (though highly unlikely) you can always cancel and rebook at the lower rate.

    For Nov 4 kayak shows the 4 queens for $139 a night (wow, that is high!) but guess understandable since rooms are in high demand for those dates.

    Yeah, hard to find good rates during the big conventions. I am lucky, I want to attend the CES show in January (usually 125,000 attendees) and since it is 4 months away I can still find decent hotel prices. Actually I booked last month and was lucky to get MSS for $45 a night even during the weekend. I just looked today and the weekend rates are over double the price so lucky I already booked.
     
  20. tatterdema

    tatterdema VIP Whale

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    Not being pool season, I would pick 4Q's hands down, just for location. I stayed at Plaza last month, and it feels like a long walk before you get to anything (not a fan of GG) now that Vegas Club, Mermaids, La Bayou, are all closed. If you do pick the Plaza and stay in the South tower, it is easier and quicker to go out the back door and down the street directly into the back of the Golden Nugget, and start your Fremont crawl from there.

    4Q's South tower rooms are larger, and I have never been bothered by noise back there. Of course you can have noise anywhere, but it never bothered me there like it has at the Plaza. DTG would be my second choice. Not sure of your age, but Oasis at Gold Spike is kind of a cool little spot now for younger crowd.
     
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