Mega Resorts vs smaller casinos

[tf2725]

Just want to know if I'm the only person out there who prefers the smaller casinos over the mega boys. I must admit it is impressive to see the mega hotels and casinos, but when it comes to gambling and staying I always look for a smaller casino where it doesn't take me 1/2 hour to get to my room and when I go to the pool there are not a thousand others there with me. It's also nice when then actually know your name after a few days. The gambling seems better to me also and they seem to comp better because they want your business.

[GREGRIO]

That's exactly why I like the RIO 'tf2725', it's such a great compromise.
It's big enough to have that special Las Vegas feel, it doesn't take you
a half hour to go up to your aprox. 600sq.ft., floor to ceiling windowed room and back again, the pools are great, the staff (many know my name)
friendly, good entertainment both free and $, and there's two great
smaller casinos with in walking distance...GOLD COAST and The PALMS, but to answer your question...NO, you're not the only one!

[Deb]

Well, hmmmm....I think the Mirage is a good size because it has a nice sized casino, and until the remodeling closed a restaurant...or two??.....nice selection of places to eat. Being a slot player, I like the choices of machines.
But, I could see that it might be not everyone's cup of tea, that trek from check-in to the elevators. (ti might be a nice choice for someone wanting to try the location.)
I do like a friendly staff, and all the things you mentioned, so it is a toss up, I guess, as long as I am able to get around okay.
BTW, I have had both great and not so great experiences at the Monte, which is a smaller property.

[momviolett]

We only stay at smaller places.Hubby likes VP & I play Blackjack.I'd never find him in the big places.I feel like I need to leave a trail of Quarters to find my way out of places like the MGM & Excaliber.

[grannyvegas]

I prefer the smaller hotel/casinos. The prices are more reasonable and they are just easier to navigate. Hate not being able to find my husband when we are in the larger casinos. I usually go to the sports book and hes playing slots. Just prefer to do our gambling where we can find each other with out walking around for half an hour.

[GREGRIO]

HEY! Granny...
http://bestsmileys.com/welcome/9.gif

[smmoo]

Bring your cell phones and you will not have to spend 1/2 hour wandering around looking for that elusive spouse. Even if the reception is not great where you are at the moment of the call, you can see by the read out who's trying to reach you (spouse) and go to a spot where you can return the call. ;)

[AnnPedi614]

It is a toss up for me. I think I prefer the bigger places as they offer more. When we stayed at Bellagio a few weeks ago, the bartender at the Fontana Bar outside the lounge remembered my name day after day, so that was nice and we did see the same dealers again and again. We stayed in the new spa tower so the trek from the casino was a bit long, but coming and going from the hotel was easy. We used self park the entire time and the garage is close to the spa tower so that was easy. I like TI for a smaller casino since the elevators are easy to get to no matter where you park. Mirage is a good size casino in my opinion as is Paris. I guess it all depends on what is important to you.

[Victoria]

I am in Vegas around 20+ days per year and divide my time between two mid sized places. Been doing this for several years and at my bet level I get one of their best rooms free and many people know my name, what I like and in return I know them very well.
The same bet level that gets me a top of the line suite in one of these places would maybe get me a free meal in the mega place next door.

Victoria

[shamrock77]

I prefer the smaller casino for many of the reasons posted, I can find the peope I'm with. Comps seems better, and the staff gets to know you.

[Tweeets]

I also prefer smaller hotel casinos for all the reasons mentioned.

[CeeJayRocker]

That is exactly why I'll never stay anywwhere else but the Las Vegas Hilton on my screwing around trips. Business and with the significant other you've got to stay where they tell you, but the Hilton is the perfect hotel. Huge sports book, decent casino, and rooms within the same time zone as the casino and sports book. Great pool, great restaurants and snack bars, and the monorail is right out front, as opposed to being in the back 40 like all the other stops . . . .

[dlf1616]

Prefer smaller or midsize. Have stayed at Venetian and it really wasn't very hard to get to and from the rooms (and what lovely rooms they are). When we stayed at Riviera always requested rooms that are served by the elevator that opens right into the casino, instead of the back set of elevators. Liked staying at Rio, but not really happy about playing there. We always have a car so do alot of our playing at local casinos.

[wildpitcher]

Well.. I suppose small and large are all relative in Vegas.....

I would prefer the smaller place, myself. I like to stay at the Orleans, which I guess would be "mid-sized". It has a rather compact table games area and it's not so far from the parking lot to the elevators.

I also like the downtown places to gamble in, as well as the Palms and the New Frontier.

So, I guess put me in the "small" group.

Dave

[slugr]

Thats why we always stay downtown now . Then we take a ride out to the strip soon we remember the reason to like the small places.

[sonntex]

I'm with Gregrio on the Rio. You can always take the free shuttle to Harrahs if you want to go to the strip. Our hostess at the Rio is the best we have ever had. A real peach. We usually stay at Harrahs, but have changed to the Rio as our place of residence when in L/V. (The Paris is nice, too.)

[auntvonna]

After staying at places such as the Luxor and MGM Grand, I'm definitely a fan of the smaller to midsize places. I specifically prefer the Orleans & the Stardust. Easy to navigate with pleanty to do...

[ISing4UnMe]

We prefer smaller casinos for all the reasons stated. We get treated like royalty-- nice suite, food and beverage full comps. I'm pretty sure in the big casinos, we'd be lucky to get one or the other, not all comped. I like to stay in the big casinos to experience it. We do this every 4 trips or so. Otherwise, we stay at our comfy home base and get treated very well for our loyalty.

[jgalt1]

To answer the question smaller vs. larger, I prefer smaller.

But for me the question should be---part of a chain (larger) or independent (smaller)?

I first stayed at Vegas World, then the Rio, the Stratosphere, & the Imperial Palace. Like Victoria said, the employees knew me, treated me well, and I could get free rooms.

Not that I'll never stay at the Rio or IP again, but next trip I might try the Palms, Hard Rock, (and owning many restaurants doesn't count, because it's the only casino they own), or Golden Nugget.

I think a part of me roots for the little guy, if a multi-million dollar casino can be a little guy.

[Victoria]

To answer the question smaller vs. larger, I prefer smaller.

But for me the question should be---part of a chain (larger) or independent (smaller)?

I first stayed at Vegas World, then the Rio, the Stratosphere, & the Imperial Palace. Like Victoria said, the employees knew me, treated me well, and I could get free rooms.

Not that I'll never stay at the Rio or IP again, but next trip I might try the Palms, Hard Rock, (and owning many restaurants doesn't count, because it's the only casino they own), or Golden Nugget.

I think a part of me roots for the little guy, if a multi-million dollar casino can be a little guy.

Excellent point. If your smaller place is part of a chain you might find that you are really in the big corporate world just camoflaged as a smaller place. A great example in my opinion is the Rio. Bad video poker and the worst blackjack in all of North America at the bikini pit. The hosts are basically Harrah computer operators who have no power. If your so called points get you X you can get it, if not you are out of luck. It is really just another Harrah's. If you stay there you gamble at the Goldcoast or Palms.

Places like the Hilton, the Trop and a few others give their hosts power within reason while offering at least some good games and have long time employees who will remember you.

Victoria

[tkong]

I enjoy the smaller hotel and casinos. They are not so rush rush. But with the buying spree that Vegas has, will there be any small hotel/casinos left that are independently owned/chain? I love Boom Town, changed name to Silverton had a make over and still great.

[gail8]

We stayed at Barbary Coast on one visit. Loved it. That is a small place. V

[wildpitcher]

We stayed at Barbary Coast on one visit. Loved it. That is a small place. V

Gail8, can you tell me something about the rooms at the Barbary Coast? I've enjoyed gambling there in past, and have always been curious to stay there.

I liked playing craps there, particularly, as the dealers were friendly and the minimums were low ($5).

Thanks in advance.

Dave

[slugr]

Rooms at B.C. are good. My friends stay there all the time . Cose to everything with out all the hassle. They get rooms comped. Look up their web site. Then again you lose bragging rights when you get home because you didn't stay at a megga resort. I'll take the small place!

[Victoria]

Let's see there are three mid sized places in Vegas that will give me RFB with one of their better suites and there are many mega joints that might give me a free meal or two with the same play. Gee what should I do?

Victoria

[gail8]

Dave

Rooms were quite large. Trying to remember. One king or 2 double beds when you walk in. Desk and dresser. Red textured wallpaper. Pulled-back draperies divide bed area from a sitting area closer to the windows - couch, tables, chair. Bathroom is smallish with a little window in the shower - no lack of privacy or anything. No closet really - just a rack with hangers and a shelf. Not a problem for us. Bed was comfortable. Rooms were always cleaned and made up while we were out.

We were on the Bally's side. It was a bit noisy and not really dark at night - that may be a downside.

Liked it because it was sort of homey. Probably a strange word to use, but the place is small. Easy to get from the casino to the room.

Hope this helps.

Gail8

[Maggie Mae]

I just joined and this thread caught my eye.

I play with and for people, so I have often stayed/gone to big casinos with high table limits ($5,000). But when I was in town over Labor Day weekend, I got turned on to The Tuscany Suites and Casino - just east of the Strip on Flamingo.

Get the players card early in the day, pay attention to the coupons/specials in their player book, and you can really make out right off the bat. Also, I got a $10 off dinner entree coupon for their main restaurant, and they have $10 entrees - so you can basically get your meal for free!

Plus, you can use your player club card at the bar - no getting a points voucher for a drink! They make everything as easy on you as they can.

I don't play table games there, just VP and Texas Tea slots for fun!, but the atmosphere is great.

[tf2725]

It's nice to see that others enjoy the smaller casinos too. After the first few times we started rented a car and staying at some of the off strip casinos and we really enjoy them. We still like the mega resorts on the strip and spend a couple of days visiting our favorite places on the strip, but when it comes to staying at a hotel you will usually find us at the Orleans or one of the Station Casinos. One thing about Vegas There's something for everybody.

[Pops904]

I love to go sight-see and people-watch at the big properties, but I'm a low-roller looking for the most fun for my buck, so The smaller, older places downtown are just to my liking. Less kids, more low-rollers, good musicians, stronger drinks, and staff that acts like they really appreciate your being there! BONUS! If you are out on Freemont St. really early, say 6:00am, you get to watch the bums, er, financially challenged people digging through the trash cans for beer bottles with dregs to pour together til they get a full one! YUM!

Besides, I prefer the low-life, because it's simpler and there's many more friends to share it with!

But that's just me...

[Nevada]

I stay at the flamingo I don`t think it is that big can always find way around and find wife who gets lost very easy.so smaller is better:rolleyes:

[BobK]

We just got back from four nights at the Barbary Coast, and this place is great! The casino is small, you really get to know the pit bosses, dealers and waitresses and they are good with the comps. This degree of personalized service does not seem to be available for the regular gambler (we were playing $10 per hand Pai Gow Poker) anymore.

[nancyrodeo]

I also love to stay at the smaller casinos - prefer the Barbary Coast - I've stayed in the larger ones and it takes forever to get to your room - I stayed at New York New York once and by the end of the week could actually find the right elevators!

Nancy from Ontario

[King of Kurtopia]

That is exactly why I'll never stay anywwhere else but the Las Vegas Hilton on my screwing around trips. Business and with the significant other you've got to stay where they tell you, but the Hilton is the perfect hotel. Huge sports book, decent casino, and rooms within the same time zone as the casino and sports book. Great pool, great restaurants and snack bars, and the monorail is right out front, as opposed to being in the back 40 like all the other stops . . . .

You are absolutely right about the LV Hilton. Very easy to get to your room, the casino and the monorail. Especially the momorail compared to the other stops. The last two trips we stayed at the LV Hilton and enjoyed it very much, except for the lack of good restaurants. They do lack in that department.

The other thing I dislike about the LV Hilton is that you are stuck there unless you hop on the monorail or get a cab. Because of that, we are staying at The Mirage this Christmas. I think it will be much more fun than the Hilton.

Kurt