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Cheapo Sleep
This is one of the dirtiest-looking casinos in town. On the plus side, the smoke won't choke a horse like it used to. It'll just give the horse a hacking cough. Trust us, we brought horses in here all the time. The transient level in the casino can be pretty high. Rooms are average-sized, somewhat dark and pretty dingy. Usually things work okay, though (except drains that always drain slowly in the many rooms we've had, and occasionaly the A/C is overworked). And they have alarm clocks and armoires in the suites. Fair beds, intermittent hot water, and not everything is filthy (not exactly spotless either, though). The suites, while not fancy, are cheap. The two-bed suites are two rooms with two TVs, a larger bathroom, and a big balcony looking out over downtown. The queen bed suites are one large room with big balconies. Suites have refrigerators in them.
The tower rooms are spacious, clean and comfortable, but the bathrooms are a bit cramped. Actually, these are some nice rooms. They are as nice as almost any downtown, except the bathrooms. And if you want a really cheap room, snag a "vintage" room, they are single queens above the casino, or a Pavilion room which have outdoor entrances and are above the parking garage, but offer more space than Vintages, are fresh and can have two queens. The elegant Vintage suites are perhaps the best deal in town with a giant room with a sofa and sitting area for mere peanuts. The hotel is a few hundred feet outside of the Fremont Street Experience in a safe, quickly gentrifying area.
Small but decent rooms. For some reason, they claim their rooms are "Northwest" themed, and as far as we can tell, they must mean the fabled Super 8s of the Northwest. To be true to its theme of Yukon con man AZ Charlie, we suggest dirt floors and straw-mat beds. The "Deluxe"Guest rooms are marginally better than the most bsic room, but not worth any extra cost. The mini-suites are pretty ugly, but larger, have jacuzzi tubs, sitting areas, closed-off bedrooms and more space. If you're rich but have moderate tastes, go for the swankuluxe Penthouse suites.
How many times have you said to yourself, "Sure, this is a nice Super 8, but it's not big enough?" Well, at the Super 8 in Vegas you won't have that problem. This is the world's largest Super 8! Other than its size, there is little to distinguish this one from any other. It's nicer than a Motel 6, with slightly larger rooms and queen beds. The rooms have safes, sitting chairs, medium-sized TVs and that's about it. Clean, simple, decent for sleeping in.
Station Casinos, Inc. bought this joint some time ago, and has recently made some major renovations. Don't get confused and think you're getting a swank room, but for a fair price you'll get a clean room with all the amenities of a Super 8. That means iron and hairdryers, an okay TV and a sink open to the room. Rooms are slightly smaller than average. The good news is they can go as low as $30 on weeknights if you call them directly.
Rooms are spacious at about 550 s.f., and the suites are even bigger and nicer. Of course, you've got to be a freakin' Rockefeller to get a suite. Tasteful furnishings, marble floors in the john, electric drapes, and all kinds of stuff the rich are used to but we still gawk at. The bathrooms have showers separate from the tubs, so you can sit in the tub and watch someone shower like rich people love to do. They are smaller but swankier than the Venetian, and smaller and not as swanky as Wynn or THEHotel rooms at Mandalay Bay. If you join the slot club and put in your hours, they might send you some discounted room offers for slow times of year. Oh, we should not forget to mention the overpriced host fridge and three phones in every room, the robes, irons, flat-screen TVs, ginormous armoires and safes. We'll talk about the Resort Room because it's the basic one and the only one they would ever let us near. These are about the same size as Rio and Venetian at 640 s.f. They are done in muted, dark colors like chocolate and other golden browns. Windows are floor to ceiling, which is fantastic for those of us who like for our feet to see. Beds are plenty comfortable, as are the sofa and table. The bathroom is on par with the other fancy places in town. Big soaking tub and separate shower, two sinks, private toilet (which our roommates always appreciate). Flat screen TVs in the living room and bathroom for those who can't get enough CNBC. Really damn swanky towels. Oh, there is Internet access, but guess what? It costs extra. What a scam. Oh, the electric drapes are a nice touch. We always get so worn out opening and closing drapes. The rooms have some odd-looking 80s touches in the furniture legs and other accoutrements, and the overall feel is pretty ostentatious. For the man or woman with spare cash to throw around, upgrade to the tower Suites where you get a private entrance and even fancier service. Who knows? Maybe some guy in a tux comes up and sings you to sleep.
It depends on where you go. The Augustus Tower is the newest and fanciest of the range of rooms. They have flat screen TVs all over. They are large and a bit rough on the eye because of the clashing patterns and garish decor. The Palace Tower has the some of the better rooms too. Both towers' rooms are large, with fancy tubs and separate showers. But, they cost more. The rooms have more marble than the Italians, great floor-to-ceiling windows, massive beds, first-class sitting areas and large TVs, and much more. Ask for the Augustus Tower and see if you get it, usually it's a pricey premium over the regular rooms. The cheapest rooms, in the old towers, are average at 350 s.f. and up, nicely appointed, but nothing to brag about. The least nice of the towers is the Centurion Tower, and it's still all right. Some used to have round beds and whirlpool tubs right in the middle of the room. They're not still that cheesy, sadly.
The smallest rooms in the joint are 720 s.f. and they are laid out a lot like the Venetian suites. That's generally a good thing. The sleeping area has a king or two queens and a flat screen. Move down to the sunken sitting area nearer the window where a sectional sofa, table and desk are all yours for lounging. Another flatscreen is for watching. The bathroom has more marble than most Italian quarries. Dual sinks, a big tub and separate shower are for those of us who are into that whole bathing fad. There's another, smaller TV in here will keep you up to date, even as you shave or put on makeup. The decor is slightly more modern than the Venetian, but nothing else suggests that this place is better or targeted for a different crowd.
The rooms are larger than average at 550 s.f. or more, and each one has a fancy bathroom with a big tub (big enough even for our fat asses), separate shower, hair dryer. The problem is that the super-fancy bathrooms take up a lot of the room, so the actual bedroom area is average in size. Still, the room has seating space for four, two queens or a king, a big ol' flatscreen TV, abstract art on the walls, and plenty of closet space. In the johns, there are hairdryers, two sinks and a separate water closet. The colors are tasteful golds, light browns and beige, and the towels are as fluffy as should be. There are two phones in each room. The windows are floor-to-ceiling, which is great if you face the rest of the Strip. However, since you are at the southern tip, you have a 50% chance of seeing nothing but cars streaming in from California. Overall, a pretty romantic hotel room. If the standard room isn't enough, the new rooms in THE Hotel at Mandalay Bay are even nicer. Larger at a whopping 725 s.f. or more with fancier bathrooms (two of them), separate living (with wet bar) and bedrooms, fax/printers and all sorts of high-tech gew-gawgery.
The tower rooms are spacious, clean and comfortable, but the bathrooms are a bit cramped. Actually, these are some nice rooms. They are as nice as almost any downtown, except the bathrooms. And if you want a really cheap room, snag a "vintage" room, they are single queens above the casino, or a Pavilion room which have outdoor entrances and are above the parking garage, but offer more space than Vintages, are fresh and can have two queens. The elegant Vintage suites are perhaps the best deal in town with a giant room with a sofa and sitting area for mere peanuts. The hotel is a few hundred feet outside of the Fremont Street Experience in a safe, quickly gentrifying area.
Clean rooms with modest furnishings including decent resting chairs with ottomans. The casino theme of Victorian antiques is sort of ignored in the rooms. The beds are comfortable and the sitting area is average. The bathrooms are bland, but functional. The hotel abuts the freeway on one side and railroad tracks on another, so if you're a light sleeper be sure to ask for something high and away from these distractions. The lobby and public areas are beautiful with lots of dark woods, antiques and the right amount of brass. It's probably the classiest looking casino Downtown. If you want a view of the Strip and the other downtown casinos, ask for an odd numbered room. Even numbers face North Las Vegas and the highway.The lower the room number, the farther from the train tracks you'll be. There is free wifi in the hotel lobby, but we couldn't get it to work. Probably because we made our antenna out of mud and sticks.
Far as we can tell, the only drawback to these rooms is the hotel's location, which is about 20-25 minutes from the Strip or downtown. The rooms themselves are a little slice of heaven at a whopping 550 s.f. That is, coincidentally, almost the exact same size as the rooms next door at the considerably more hoity-toity JW Marriott. Most rooms have a European/Victorian feel with patterned carpets and Frenchy furniture. The beds are either a king or a pair of queens and there is a separate sitting area in all rooms. The furniture is standard hotel fare. No matter, for the price you're paying these are fantastic rooms. The windows are big but you won't see much of the Strip from way out here. Bathrooms are a nice size and well laid out. They are not fancy, just sensible with two sinks and a marble counter outside the room where the can and tub/shower are. Hairdryers and irons are standard for every room. Whee! Very good for the price. Every room is bigger than average, has a king or two queen beds and a nice-sized sitting area. We don't mean a crummy little table and dining chairs, we mean comfy loungers, a sofa to call your own. The bathrooms are decent, but not fancy. There is enough space to spread out, or lie against the cool floor when you think you're going to puke. The toilet and tub/shower are in an enclosed room while the sink and hanger rack are open to the room. A really neat touch is the little window in the tub/shower that opens to the outside world, so you can yell at people in the parking lot while you bathe. We usually yell, "Come on up, the water's fine!" Rooms have hairdryers and coffeemakers (with only a little free coffee). TVs are plenty large, for after you lose all your money and want to watch Judge Judy. These rooms aren't for people who hate frilly stuff because they are awfully prissy. Rooms have hair dryers and irons. they also offer Internet hook-up available for those of us obsessed with our Fantasy sports leagues.
Smallish, clean rooms with nice furnishings and a fairly modern look. Well, except the flat-screen TVs. The furniture is cheap, a small table with a couple chairs and a dresser. The window is small because the bathroom is up against the outside wall. The bathrooms are decent with a tiny room for the toilet and tub. The cool part is that the tub has a little window that opens to the outside world so you can keep your eye on your car while scrubbing. Being off the Strip, a lot of the Gold Coast's rooms don't have spectacular views, but then who needs a nice view when one just plans to pass out drunk on the floor? The walk from the elevator to your room can be incredibly long. Hairdryers, irons and coffeemakers are standard.
Ooweee! We have the finest pool in Vegas. They generate waves on the sand beach pool that are big enough to surf. And there are waterfalls and other tropical delights, all shrouded by hundreds of palm trees and overhead misters. There is a large VIP section with a three-story tower adjoining the pool. And ladies and gentlemen, if you like seeing beautiful people in skimpy outfits, this is Xanadu and Shangri La rolled into one. Only one pool stays open in the winter. There is a topless sunbathing area on top of the tower where the ladies can let it all hang out and the guys can pretend not to stare. It is secluded and costs extra (lots more extra for guys), though, so we'll just keep working on our X-ray vision.
Super-duper. It's among the best pool area in Las Vegas, and if not, it's close. It's a decadent, sprawling tropical complex with gorgeous landscaping, winding pools, lots of little water slides. The pools are open year-round, but only one is heated. In the summer, they have live gaming poolside. We don't mean slots. You could electrocute yourself. We mean blackjack. Also, the top deck pool allows topless bathing for the ladies so inclined.
Top notch. A great place for picking up chicks or guys, which is what this place is all about. It looks like it came right out of MTV Spring Break. There are sand beaches along a meandering stream-like pool, and plenty of places to ogle the opposite sex. There is a bar area with swim-up blackjack. Just bring lots of sunblock in case you get on a roll with the opposite sex. We have body-image issues, so we'll be the guys in the T-shirts down to our knees.
Six pools with whirlpools near each, and no kiddies around to splash you in the face. It's heaven for a lot of people. Some of the pools have fountains squirting out of them, for visual excitement. The very chi-chi can rent an overpriced poolside cabana and wile away the days in comfort and style. One note, don't mix up the big old fountain out front for the pool. Security doesn't think it's cute at all. The pools are heated and open year-round.
One of the nicer pool areas in town, although meant more for hanging out than swimming. The main pool is a long pool with nice tile and a bridge overhead. It opens into a large, oval shaped pool. The cabanas are really expensive to rent, and have flat screen TVs. If Wynn is all it's cracked up to be, there should be plenty to see right by the pool, and you won't need to watch Jerry Springer while there. "European" bathing is available for woman who like to tan their European mammaries.
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