Downtown?

[tcbraden]

Hi Everybody! Can we get something started about who stays downtown, and what is your favorite place to stay? We have been "Downtowners" for about 7 years, and tend to favor the "cheap-but-clean" places. Las Vegas Club and Plaza,(when Jackie owned them) and Main Street Station. Golden Nugget is alittle rich for our blood, but nice rooms. What's your pleasure???
Tom and Phyl
Ohio

[astidog]

Hi Everybody! Can we get something started about who stays downtown, and what is your favorite place to stay? We have been "Downtowners" for about 7 years, and tend to favor the "cheap-but-clean" places. Las Vegas Club and Plaza,(when Jackie owned them) and Main Street Station. Golden Nugget is alittle rich for our blood, but nice rooms. What's your pleasure???
Tom and PhylOhio


I like the Four Queens- I tend to get a good price- great location and have never had any problems there. Mind you I think we're in the minority who actually like overlooking that canopy!!!

We'll already book for new yeara eve! Can't wait!!!!!

[adamcohen79]

I love the downtown. Last time I stayed at Binnios. Was a great value.

[Waldo]

We have stayed at the Gold spike a number of times. Nothing fancy, but clean. Like a Motel 6? As some one once said " when you sut your eyes to sleep, you won't know if you are in the Gold Spike or the Gold Nugget"

[kasey0000]

i use to stay at vegas club or plaza. now i wont,ever since barrick ought them they have been very stingy with drinks especially the plaza you could die of thirst there and they never have the kind of room i reserved.now i prefer staying at binions. clean room, nice sizes,friendly staff ,double points etc

[brotheral]

I suggest that you try the FOUR QUEENS. We have stayed there and been treated well. I suggest that you cozy up to an Executive Host there named Ken Wilber. He's a good man and very kind. See what sort of rate he can offer you during your stay. :)

[irishmick]

Very good topic for starting this forum!!
We are "DOWNTOWNERS" as JFK once stated when in Berlin........... :D
We started years ago out on the strip at the Riviera and the Sahara when they were the in places to stay (many moons ago). We started visiting downtown and since they had inexpensive packages through Sun Country to the Golden Nugget we moved our base of operations to the downtown area and have never looked back........!!
We stayed at the Golden Nugget for around four years when Wynn owned and ran it. My wife (the slot junky) liked to play at the Fremont as she seemed to win oftener there? They liked our business (read money) and comped us with meals, rooms, etc and all sorts of good things. Being the easy going person that I am, we moved and have stayed there for well over fifteen years a few times a year and will probably never leave for another Casino/Hotel
We like and know many of the staff and it is our home away from home; we visit the strip several times a trip but downtown is where we fit in best!!.. :)

[fishercz20]

Have stayed at the 4 queens and its just a room and thats all I really need.

[rrroome]

Hello. I have been staying downtown for a few years. Love it! Recently, I have been staying at Fitzgeralds. The rooms are clean and the staff is friendly. Better gaming than The Strip.
Have stayed at Main Street Station and liked it very much.
Looking forward to my next trip on the 18th!

Good luck. :D

[foodmill]

We like Fitzgerald's. Don't have good food, but clean rooms. Like the way the elevators come right down in the casino, don't have to walk long hallways.

[krmiller50]

For years we have been staying downtown as we find nicer people, cheaper food and better comps. I know that Lady Luck isn't a classy place but the comps are great.

Karen

[wildpitcher]

Sounds good, but I've not yet stayed Downtown. My wife and I will stay at Golden Nugget December 19-22.

What can I expect? What should I be sure to see/do?

[vegaspat]

We also started staying downtown the past several years. Never want to stay on the strip again. Downtown is so much better. Everything is so handy and they always have something going on in the evening on Fremont Street.

I don't miss the congestion of the strip or the expensive rooms.

In March I stayed at Harrah's. The room was small, but clean and that's all I need to have a good time.

[meldodds]

we sometimes stay at 4 Queens or Fitzgeralds, both fun, clean places to stay :)
Mel

[andrea]

hello, downtowners.

i am a local. we often go downtown to play because it seems looser. it is also riskier as the crowd around fremont street can be a little on the rough/tough side. crack ho's and pimps, muggers and thuggers,homeless and helpless. lots of "street scene" downtown. even at the nicer places you mentioned, there comes a time of night when the crowd seems to change. we've had lots of fun there over the years and still frequent el cortez a time or two each month. and that's way off the beaten path from the heart of downtown. my feeling about vegas is that between the strip, downtown and the outlying "locals" hotel/casinos, there's something for everyone. all a person has to do is find their comfort zone. and then let the good times roll.

enjoy. andrea from las vegas

[patty4899]

I've stayed at the Plaza and the Lady Luck, didn't have any problems or complaints about either.
Love being downtown, the strip is just too much for me.

[mjd38057]

Have been staying there since 1988 for one week a year. I just spent my week at Fitzgeralds and would stay there again. Tlhe room was large and very clean. I booked one week and roundtrip flight from detroit through America West vacations for $479 complete for the week.

Be warned if you use there room phone. I was directed to a wrong number answering machine for a 7 second connection and the charge was $7.00. I did complain and they took it off my bill.

I used to love the Horseshoe when Benny and Jack ran it but It is just not the same anymore and I rarely go there.

[suecasey]

We stay at MSS on all of our trips. We love it and are treated very well there. Full RFB, limo, etc. -- for .25 VP play. They have the friendliest employees we have ever met, and a beautiful casino. Haven't seen the renovated rooms yet, but we will be there in October. :o

[shoestring]

My husband and I have been going to Las Vegas for over 20 years and love it downtown. Main Street Station is in the process of redoing their rooms. We stayed in a brand new room in June. It was fantastic! (It also had a list of what the bath towels and other amenities will cost you if you take them.)

We have always had good luck at Fitzgerald's. Haven't stayed there in a couple of years but will be trying them out again this week. Our plane leaves tomorrow at 2 pm. We are so excited! We are staying 2 nights at Texas Station and then 3 nights at Fitzgerald's. Had a real good time at the Fitz in June. The Nugget is too expensive for us, too.

First stop will be Ellis Island for their steak dinner.

We try to do everything as cheaply as we can so we have more money to spend gambling.

shoestring

[suecasey]

Oops, double post. Sorry.

[GREGRIO]

Gordie Browns Show at the Nugget is about the only time I go Downtown...

[rockfordpratts]

I have been staying at Fitzgerald's for several years. Rooms were mostly refurbed a few years ago. I usually get a nice two room suite for a reasonable upgrade.

I have been curious about the places you mentioned and would appreciate a little more info.

Any rooms with sofas?

[AshWI]

MSS for us. They have treated us very well.

[MC5]

I agree that the GN has the nicest rooms, but coming in second(don't laugh) are the refurbished tower rooms at the El Cortez. Jackie G dumped a bunch of money into the El after he sold the other properties to Barrick. They are nice, clean, and cheap. They are quite liberal with handing out free rooms and food comps plus they have lots of FP VP and low table minimums. I know some people can't take the atmosphere of the place, but I think that it's part of the charm.

Brett

Let me be who I am and let me kick out the jams--MC5

[yankeeblue]

We are downtown converts! We used to enjoy staying on the strip, but no more. On the strip, the crowds walking on the sidewalks are overwhelming! Its like being in a herd of sheep! Everyone has to move along and at the same speed and no stopping! or you are run over! In the evenings, the strip sidewalks are full of drunk 20somethings and they are screaming, yelling, and partying, blocking the areas in front of Harrahs, Margaritaville, I.P., etc..

Now, downtown, you can walk in the entire mall area, no small sidewalks to fit into. No one hurrys you along, and you can stroll and look at the sites at your own pace.
The casinos are closer together, so you can travel between them in very little time.
The atmosphere on the Fremont street is one of fun, excitement, lights and we love the little kiosks of stuff to buy!
There is a Walgreens on Fremont street, an ABC store, and of course the restaurants that offer so much variety!!

The prices are better downtown!
With all this, why bother with the strip with its crowds, and confusion?
Well, ok, we admit to driving the strip to see the Bellagio fountains, and all the neon lights that are Vegas signatures....but then the car heads downtown and we are happy to be of the "old school Vegas" lovers!

but shhhhhhhhhhhh! don't tell everyone, or downtown will get just as crowded as the strip!! :D :eek:

Either way, its Vegas baby!!! gotta love it!

[momviolett]

We love downtown. Have stayed at Horseshoe,Four Queens, El Cortez,& G.N. Golden Nugget is our favorite by a landslide.Downtown I can go from casino to casino at 2a.m. & feel perfectly safe.Love the Golden Gate to eat & play blackjack.Hubby likes the sport book at the G.N.

[Robbylou121]

Fritzgerald's is a good place to stay. We stayed there 2 times and the 3rd time we were "VIP's" and got a choice of a fridgerator or coffee maker in our room..which was a surprise to us. Also, they have a small but lovely pool and spa outdoors that just the ticket to take a dip in on a hot day. :)

[VPDana]

Hi fellow downtowners! My husband and I have stayed downtown (mostly at Fitzgerald's) for quite a few years now. When we first started going to Las Vegas in 1981, we stayed on the Strip. Then we became video poker players and soon found ourselves spending a lot of time downtown because of the better video poker (we think). We still rent a car, but usually only visit the Strip for one day, and the rest of the time we gamble downtown or visit the locals casinos. We really enjoy a couple of the casinos in Henderson. Hint: If you stay at Fitzgerald's, request a low floor room . . . the elevator service is awful! We request 3rd floor and will use the stairs if necessary. See ya on Fremont Street!

[debbiebeigh]

Here's from another "ElCo" frequent flier...I take my semi-handicapped 84-year-old mom there twice a year, and she loves it. The staff are so good and helpful to her, and even when I go without her, they always ask how she is, and when she will be back. I also go with a group of VP junkies, and we are treated like royalty. The remodeled Tower rooms are gorgeous. The entire staff is friendly, helpful, and welcomes us back by name, even though there are 2-3 months between visits from Indiana. The video poker is outstanding, with lots of games, good pay tables, and uncrowded playing conditions. I have never felt unsafe walking to the other Downtown casinos, even after dark.

Debbie, Zionsville, IN

[kakels]

We also are downtown people. We mostly stay at Fitz, but have stayed at GN too. Love the closeness of the casinos. If you are having no luck at one place, the next is only a few steps away.

[cloud]

We also are downtown people. We mostly stay at Fitz, but have stayed at GN too. Love the closeness of the casinos. If you are having no luck at one place, the next is only a few steps away.



I hope I did this right...I just wanted to say when I had visited Vegas in the past--we went to the Fitzgerald and saw an Elvis impersonator by the name of Steve Connelly he was awesome! Is anyone else familiar with this Elvis impersonater?

[Reno3600]

The Wife and I stay at the Four Queens at least 3 times a year and have never had anything but good service and nice rooms. Brotheral referred to the Executive Host Ken Wilber....just FYI Ken is no longer with the Four Queens. learned this when i was there in July for the World Series of Poker. We love the downtown atmosphere and people, they seem to be real and not full of themselves and look down their noses at common folks who enjoy themselves with a little more zeal than the "refined snobs" from the strip fancy mega resorts. Good Luck and Good Gambling.

[krmiller50]

One thing that hasn't been mentioned is that there is not the problem with kids downtown that there is on the strip.

One place my husdand and I enjoy is Magnolia's at Four Queens. The food and service are good along with great prices. One thing we have noticed is that the staff doesn't seem to change.

[ladyluk]

:p I am now a RETURN DOWNTOWNER!!! Years and years ago we used to always stay at the Four Queens. However, it changed (like everything else) and we became strip stayers at the Flamingo.

Then in August went for a week and decided to go back downtown. Sis & I took our mom for her 75th birthday and we knew the walking distance on strip wouldn't be dooable for mom, so we opted for downtown at the GOLDEN NUGGET.

I fell in love with downtown all over again. We could walk anywhere we wanted on Freemont street at any time of day/night, either alone or together, and felt perfectly safe.

The Golden Nugget is a treasure. I loved it soooo much that Hub. and I are going for 7 days - Thanksgiving week.

Downtown is safe, clean and casinos are convenient. There are police on bicycles all the time, limits on tables are lower, and it's more for the gamblers vs. the sightseers!

[sportsbetting]

We have stayed at the Gold spike a number of times. Nothing fancy, but clean. Like a Motel 6? As some one once said " when you sut your eyes to sleep, you won't know if you are in the Gold Spike or the Gold Nugget"


Downtown is the way to go, fun, can actually find the person you came with....you can "casino hop" down freemont street...it's the best!! We always used to stay at Lady Luck...it has went downhill..we will stay somewhere else downtown next time....

[Shadow]

It's so nice to see the many posts on people that love Downtown. I have stayed at the Golden Nugget, Four Queens, Fitzgerald's and Fremont and have never had a bad room anywhere. I love being able to walk down the pedestrian mall in the middle of the night and feel safe. I usually do get to the strip, but by the end of the day I can't wait to get back to where I am more comfortable. Can't wait to get back there in March.

[gator904]

Love It down town, Golden Nugget exspecially, staying at Plaza in Jan, got a great deal thru Allegiant, $167 per person, wife and I staying there in Jan, Impeial palace in Oct, guys trip,
I really enjoy the saxaphone guy in front of GN, I set and listen to him, and get a massage from the crew in front of Binions, usually get 2 30 min massages while relaxing to music. Just thinking about it helps me relax..hurry up Oct. 6th

[tcbraden]

I don't know if this is legal, to step back into your own thread, but I'm gonna try, since I started this.
We were in town in August, and stayed at the El Cortez this time, since we were leery of the Plaza, due to the Barrick bail-out. Got a really good deal in the mail, off very little play the last 2 times we were in town.
Were we pleasantly surprised!!!!! Asked for a tower room, because we had heard they were re-modeled. Jackie outdid himself. Honestly, the room was as good if not better than what we have had at GN and MSS before, and definately better than LVC and Plaza. If there is still a problem al the ElCo, its that the casino still has that Smell!. If you've been there, you know what I mean. I have to figure that the renovation of the casino has to be next on the list for Jackie. If he gets that straightened out, he will have a very very nice property. I think they are starting to cleaning up the block between Las Vegas Blvd and the ElCo. Some of the worse places are closed now.
So, don't be afraid to give it a try. If you can put up with the casino, the rooms are great.
Tom

[davidinvegas]

Yes, the Golden Nugget wins, hands down but not cheap.

Believe it or not, the EL CORTEZ, was recently remodeled in and out, new rooms, new carpet, tile and marble, does not look like the old place, new machines all over, and Jackie Gaughan still owns it and is there daily at his poker table. For the price, well, not a bad deal !

[HedoTom]

I just want to second Sportbetting's observations about the decline of the Lady Luck. For many years, it was our casino of choice. After not staying there for about 4 years (staying on strip with son), we returned about a year ago and it was not the same place. The hotel (now owned by a different group than the casino operations) seemed to be most concerned about selling their timeshare rooms. A high school sports team was also booked into the hotel. The riff between hotel and casino operations seemed to affect even the employees attitude. Talked with a dealer that I had remembered from previous years and was told it there was a lot of tension between the groups. We don't plan on going back again either. We stayed there before because they made they made us feel special and provided fantastic customer service. That was gone the last stay and there are too many other places that will take up the slack.

Tom

[mmarquez]

Does anyone know if Main Street Station is still remodeling rooms or not? If you have stayed in a remodeled room what was your impression?

[slugr]

Thru the last 30 years stayed at just about every place once or twice. They have gone uphill and downhill then back up. The Gold Spike has nice rooms big and clean. Your wife might not like walking thru the star wars type crowd in the smokey casino. Better stay there with the guys. The Lady luck has gone down but guess what they will be back. The Firz was down 10 years ago but now came back. Back then we said never again to stay but now we went and it was good. Always changing but never to much. Downtown thats what makes it great.

[SmallTownGirl]

I also love downtown. Love to spend at least 2 days down there during each trip. We usually stay at the Golden Nugget if we can get it for $49 or less. We never stay on weekends so it's usually not that hard.
I've stayed a the Plaza and didn't have a problem with it. I would probably consider staying at any of the hotels under the canopy without blinking an eye.
I would not stay at the El Cortez. Last time we checked it out it was so smokey and flies everywhere.
Actually I was surprised how easy the Lady Luck was to get to from Freemont. I'd consider that one too.

[ddechenne]

Have stayed Downtown for the last 10 years or so. GN is clearly the class, but like others say, it is far from cheap. Usually we don't stay there becuase the other rooms DT are fine in our opinion. Have stayed at the Fitz repeatedly and never been disappaointed. South tower at 4 Q is good but we were disappointed in the North tower and would probably not stay there again. MSS is really neat--rooms are large, remodeled, great. Stayed at Binnions and my wife didn't like it---it was clean but really old and small. Staying at Plaza for the first time in October.

[slugr]

When I stayed at Binions I thought about who may have been there in the older days! Yes the rooms were small but man the history of it. They were clean though. That was 10 years ago. Oh yes my wife was not along.

[Foos]

I love downtown too, we usually stay at the plaza because it is still decently crowded at 4am. If plaza is charging too much I stay at the LV club for at least 30% less, usually 25 or less per night (sun-thur)
Great CHEAP min craps at El Cortez and usually the people watching there is a Hoot!
I didnt realize that the el cortez had large amounts of full pay VP.
Any JOB?

[High_Iron]

I have stayed at The Fitz, The 4 Q 2X, and the GN twice. This year we may try the Plaza. Wifey learned that they have Bingo, and wants to stay there. Is it worth it?

BTW, Downtown rules. We like it so much better than the strip. For ALL of the reasons allready mentioned.

[Pops904]

We love Freemont and the street carnival atmosphere! Stayed at the Plaza last trip...room was ok, but the bathroom was TINY...Staying at the Golden Nugget in November for the first time...Favorite place to play is Four Queens, Favorite place to drink is Fitzgerald's, Tightest Slots I ever saw was the Vegas Club, and amazingly, the loosest slots I ever saw was in the little hole-in the-wall place that only has Margaritas in a million and one flavors and slots that's located between the Gold Spike and The Golden Nugget! One of the best buffets I ever had was at Main St Station! When you go to Key West, FL, you do what's called the "Duval Crawl", where you start at one end of the fabled Duval St and drink your way from bar to bar til you get to the other end. In Vegas, I do the "Freemont Crawl"...gamble and drink from place to place, with no worries about getting hit by a car....

But, that's just me....

[tf2725]

We stayed at the Golden Nugget and enjoyed it. Nice Casino, Nice rooms and good food.

[Buick Riviera]

I love downtown too, we usually stay at the plaza because it is still decently crowded at 4am. If plaza is charging too much I stay at the LV club for at least 30% less, usually 25 or less per night (sun-thur)
Great CHEAP min craps at El Cortez and usually the people watching there is a Hoot!
I didnt realize that the el cortez had large amounts of full pay VP.
Any JOB?
I played there a couple days ago and there is 9/6 JOB. There are a few across from Roberta's Steakhouse and some bartops on the bar beside Kitty's (the end closest to the Keno area).

Buick

[vu-doo]

the GN has the best rooms downtown. The GN was the jewel of downtown untill it was bought by the "wonder boys" Tim and Tom . They tried to turn into a high roller joint. it didn't work. Now that landrys has bought it they should do better things with it.

Main street station has nice rooms. customer service is top notch there.the casino is beautiful. the Triple 7 brew pub is awesome. MSS is a little bit north of fremont . but worth the two block walk. Great video poker.


the Plaza rooms were kinda run down. i didn't mind too much because the room was free. I was hoping Barrick gaming would turn this joint around. but it appears they are struggling to do so.

I haven't stayed at Fitzgeralds in a few years. it was a small but clean room when i did stay.

Binions has gone thru a few years of trouble . Bought and sold a few times.
New owners are trying to turn it around.

Downtown isn't for everyone. You either love it or hate it.

I would suggest staying away from the Grind joints. Mermaids, La Bayou, El Cortez, Gold Spkie.

[Pops904]

Everyone that has been there knows that at night, once you get out from directly under the bright lights of the canopy, it can get really scary, really quick! Lowlifes and hiding places for said lowlifes abound! So, to get From the bright lights of Freemont Street to the beautiful interior of Main Street Station with minimum outdoor exposure, try this: Go into the Vegas Club from any of the Freemont entrances, go through the casino and out the back door by the sports book, cross the street and straight into The Californian. Catch the escalator to the 2nd floor of the casino and there is a lovely shop-lined pedestrian bridge across Main St into Main Street Station. I'm a big burly guy, guy used to biker bars and such, but even I take this advice so as not to get caught in any situation in Vegas with limited lighting. The lights are the :cool: only things keeping the predators at bay!

But that's just me...

[Gabriele]

What's your pleasure???
Tom and Phyl
Ohio
Lady Luck.

I have stayed at the Strat and Jockey Club, but in the five years I have been visiting Vegas I always come back to the LL. I will be staying at the Four Queens (first time) over the next week (Nov. 19-29) and hope to report positively in the Trip Reports.

[chadley]

I usually stay at the Plaza. They always comp me for a week in a mini suite. Great DD BJ, and decent video poker too.

Main Street Station and the Golden Nugget are also very noce places to stay.

[chadley]

I usually stay at the Plaza or Vegas Club. Use your player's card and get tons of free night offers in the mail.

[Deb]

We used to stay at Four Queens with a charter group, but alas, seems like all the Indian casinos have put the so Cal charter companies outta business.
We are going to stay at GN for the first time in Feb. We love downtown, but do excercise some caution after dark. Heck, we try to do that where ever we go.

[Rex]

We like Fitzgerald's. Don't have good food, but clean rooms. Like the way the elevators come right down in the casino, don't have to walk long hallways.


The California Hotel is a great value and is right off of the Fremont Experience. They cater to the Hawaiin tourists (even have spam sandwiches in the cafe), but it's very clean and the service is about what you would get on the strip.