Thoughts on staying at the golden nugget (3 Viewers)

[Nuhockey]

In my experience in Vegas I would stay on the Strip. Fremont Street is nice to visit for the Light Show and some cheaper table Gambling, but for the poker I don’t think it is great. Bellagio, Wynn, and Caesar’s have great poker rooms going on all the time IMO. I heard Aria is good too. The RIO is great during the WSOP. A lot of action going on at the RIO at that time and during the weekday I got good rates when I stayed using my Total Rewards card. My parents used to have a townhouse in Henderson, Nevada which is about 10 minutes from the strip and I used to love playing at the Green Valley Ranch across the street and at some of the other Station Owned casinos outside of the strip and freemont St.. Those casinos have a more local feel and if you get a players card you can get really good cheap meals at those casinos. Don’t stay at the Excalibur it’s at one end of the strip. I would stay in one of the places in the middle like others said. I stayed at the Hard Rock which if good for Drinking and the Pool, but the poker room was not that great. It’s near the Excalibur. The only bonus is you could walk to Club Paradise which is near Hard Rock and Excalibur. And Remember what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. Also don’t stay at the other end of the Strip like Circus Circus or any of the ones at that end. They are old. However, I will say Circus Circus has one of the best Steakhouses in Vegas called “The Steakhouse”.

 

[Lemonzest]

Some thoughts from my trip. Man it is really worth taking the uber and eating off strip. Food is better and way way cheaper (naturally drinks are a fraction of the cost...). I had the ribs at Ellis Island and it was outstanding and super cheap. I hear their steaks are good too.

I also recommend heading off strip to eat at "Original Lindo Michoacan". Fantastic mexican food and margaritas are on point.

I played craps at Golden Nugget and it was fun. I think Golden Nugget is pretty cool and I hear their pool was recently upgraded too. I have to change my tune...I would actually stay at Golden Nugget just not with my wife. Also as stated above the poker scene is not the best in Fremont. You can certainly play poker at Binions or Golden Nugget there just isn't tons of options if the games end up being not very good.

 

[Nuhockey]

I also agree with Lemonzest eating at places off the strip you will find great food and that is less expensive.

 

[Poker Zombie]

I stayed at the Hard Rock ... but the poker room was not that great.

It's really bad now. Hard Rock closed their poker room in March 2017.

 

[xblode]

I stayed at TI for the first time this year. Great location (terrible poker room but it closed just after we left).

The one thing I can recommend you try and anyone else who’s from outside the U.S, get a VPN app on your computer.

Clear your browser history and delete all cookies. Set your location to somewhere in the U.S and then go to the booking sites.

A mate goes a few times a year to Vegas and saves heaps. He’s going in November and we just tested it. Staying at TI for 10 days saved about $700AU!

Works for flights and hotels.

Check out this video that explains it all

 

[EasyE]

Some thoughts from my trip. Man it is really worth taking the uber and eating off strip. Food is better and way way cheaper (naturally drinks are a fraction of the cost...). I had the ribs at Ellis Island and it was outstanding and super cheap. I hear their steaks are good too.

I also recommend heading off strip to eat at "Original Lindo Michoacan". Fantastic mexican food and margaritas are on point.

I played craps at Golden Nugget and it was fun. I think Golden Nugget is pretty cool and I hear their pool was recently upgraded too. I have to change my tune...I would actually stay at Golden Nugget just not with my wife. Also as stated above the poker scene is not the best in Fremont. You can certainly play poker at Binions or Golden Nugget there just isn't tons of options if the games end up being not very good.

We love going to Ellis Island as well for a great steak and eggs breakfast . Plus they have a great Bloody Mary bar and dollar roulette to start the day which is my wife's favorite.


The last trip for me was at the end. Seems like a county away from everything. Mandalay has a roof top bar though which is spectacular . The cool long view was one of the pluses.

So depending on who's going with me will dictate where I set up camp. I've had a blast in all areas.

 

[SendThatStack]

If you want to go cheap you could go to the Gold Coast and then you are right next to the Rio.

 

[B.C.]

If you want to go cheap get bed bugs you could go to the Gold Coast and then you are right next to the Rio.

FYP.

 

[Perthmike]

FYP.

Hahahahaha brilliant.

I think I’m going to stay at the linq for the 7 days on my own. Hopefully that’s bed bug free.

The wife wants to stay at the Venetian, Caesars or Bellagio for our 5 nights their together.

 

[Poker Zombie]

That is one of my favorite things to do on longer stays. A few days in an affordable hotel, then wrap up the trip in luxury.

Lets you appreciate the nice place that much more. (y) :thumbsup:

 

[SendThatStack]

FYP.

Haha, I've never been, just remember thats where a lot of the cheapskate/grinders would stay for wsop.

 

[Lemonzest]

Hahahahaha brilliant.

I think I’m going to stay at the linq for the 7 days on my own. Hopefully that’s bed bug free.

The wife wants to stay at the Venetian, Caesars or Bellagio for our 5 nights their together.

You can get a Bellagio fountain view room and watch the water show from your room. There is a TV channel that plays the music.

Pick up a bottle of wine/champagne and enjoy it in the room while watching the show.

What happens next is up to you

 

[slurpeee]

Some thoughts from my trip. Man it is really worth taking the uber and eating off strip. Food is better and way way cheaper (naturally drinks are a fraction of the cost...). .

Total +1 on this. Firefly is a great Uber from the Strip option if you like Spanish food/tapas etc...They have it dialed in. Its super close and a very cheap Uber ride from strip. The ambiance is OK, but nothing special. The prices are decent for what you get; certainly not crazy Vegas low-cost discount meal..... but certainly waaaaay cheaper than any celebrity chef place on the strip.

Reason to go is the food is outstanding and consistent. Don't know who is chefing it up there, but they've are on point every time we go. I'd say it 100% holds its own - in fact probably better - than most every over-priced, faux, high-end restaurant on the strip. Great food!

Strongly recommend it if you like Spanish food/tapas/sangaria.

 

[Poker Zombie]

Total +1 on this. Firefly is a great Uber from the Strip option if you like Spanish food/tapas etc...They have it dialed in. Its super close and a very cheap Uber ride from strip. The ambiance is OK, but nothing special. The prices are decent for what you get; certainly not crazy Vegas low-cost discount meal..... but certainly waaaaay cheaper than any celebrity chef place on the strip.

Reason to go is the food is outstanding and consistent. Don't know who is chefing it up there, but they've are on point every time we go. I'd say it 100% holds its own - in fact probably better - than most every over-priced, faux, high-end restaurant on the strip. Great food!

Strongly recommend it if you like Spanish food/tapas/sangaria.

Chef John Simmons. He was the Executive Chef of Mon Ami Gabi at the Paris casino before leaving to open Firefly.

Yes, I'm a food nerd

 

[crussader]

Thanks for all of the advice people. Part of my planning is convincing the wife that i can do this cheaply....
...I’d really like to slum it and pay $40-80 if possible. I’ll look at a bunch of options I think and run it past her.

You can't spend too much on the hotel, but it's ok to gamble 10-15K ????

 

[SixSpeedFury]

Freemont=Atlantic City

 

[Poker Zombie]

Freemont=Atlantic City

Based on smells, maybe. I was severely disappointed by Atlantic city. Freemont is an adventure. Crazy unleashed. AC was some filthy casinos, with a few dirty ones to clean the place up. The Borgata was further away from the boardwalk, so it was it's own destination - and the only reason to go back.

Fremont has undergone a revitalization. Bars are less skanky, casinos are putting lipstick on their pigs, and some demolition/rebuilding is happening. The food scene around Fremont shames the strip, and a great meal doesn't cost a car payment.

For a first time trip, the strip is still the place to be, but if you visit Vegas 3 times and haven't hit "downtown", you are missing out.

 

[Perthmike]

You can't spend too much on the hotel, but it's ok to gamble 10-15K ????

I’d like my bankroll to be at 10-15k, but I’m certainly not going to gamble it all. I’ll just be playing my usual 1/3.

 

[Rhodeman77]

Be sure to get to Container Park if you go to Fremont St. It is a very short walk and well worth. Great food, cool vibe, and the fire breathing mantis out front is interesting.

It is great people watching to say the least. During my last trip I went with several of my life long friends ie non poker players, and the best day of the trip was day drinking while were on Fremont Street. We played some cheap craps, smoked cigars, drank bourbon, ate a ton! It was one of the best days I’ve ever had in Vegas.

 

[Trihonda]

Best food value is Ellis Island. Steak deal is legendary. Just order it done med. anything well done and you get a sirloin. Med or rarer gets you a much more tender filet. . Not sure why, but is how they roll. Also they have a great craft brewery on site.

The staff genuinely want you to stay and play there (it’s a small dive casino), but they’re super friendly and reminds me of what Vegas was like in the old days.. my buddy was looking for a cigarette and the pit boss pulled the cigarette lady over and bought my buddy a pack of cigs... we were playing $5 black jack, nothing high roller or anything...

It’s located ONE block behind Bally’s. Short walk from the strip.

Shots from Ellis Island.

$9.99 steak dinner

As ju and $2.50 craft beer (free if gamboling)

Super friendly staff.. lol

 

[SixSpeedFury]

Based on smells, maybe. I was severely disappointed by Atlantic city. Freemont is an adventure. Crazy unleashed. AC was some filthy casinos, with a few dirty ones to clean the place up. The Borgata was further away from the boardwalk, so it was it's own destination - and the only reason to go back.

Fremont has undergone a revitalization. Bars are less skanky, casinos are putting lipstick on their pigs, and some demolition/rebuilding is happening. The food scene around Fremont shames the strip, and a great meal doesn't cost a car payment.

For a first time trip, the strip is still the place to be, but if you visit Vegas 3 times and haven't hit "downtown", you are missing out.

That's good to know. I haven't been to Freemont since '09, which is why I compared the two.

 

[Perthmike]

Best food value is Ellis Island. Steak deal is legendary. Just order it done med. anything well done and you get a sirloin. Med or rarer gets you a much more tender filet. . Not sure why, but is how they roll. Also they have a great craft brewery on site.

The staff genuinely want you to stay and play there (it’s a small dive casino), but they’re super friendly and reminds me of what Vegas was like in the old days.. my buddy was looking for a cigarette and the pit boss pulled the cigarette lady over and bought my buddy a pack of cigs... we were playing $5 black jack, nothing high roller or anything...

It’s located ONE block behind Bally’s. Short walk from the strip.

Shots from Ellis Island.

$9.99 steak dinner

View attachment 206313

As ju and $2.50 craft beer (free if gamboling)

View attachment 206314

Super friendly staff.. lol

View attachment 206315

Looks like I’ll be eating lots of $10 steak dinners then. Thanks for the tip.

 

[Perthmike]

Be sure to get to Container Park if you go to Fremont St. It is a very short walk and well worth. Great food, cool vibe, and the fire breathing mantis out front is interesting.

It is great people watching to say the least. During my last trip I went with several of my life long friends ie non poker players, and the best day of the trip was day drinking while were on Fremont Street. We played some cheap craps, smoked cigars, drank bourbon, ate a ton! It was one of the best days I’ve ever had in Vegas.

I saw container park on an Andrew Neeme vlog, it does look cool. I’m keen to check out some of those areas.

 

[Perthmike]

So the wife’s just found a price of approximately $410usd at the Linq for 7 nights in May (excluding resort fees). It’s a much cheaper rate, using her work discount.

I’m thinking about booking that, it works out at $58 per night, which seems very cheap considering it includes a Friday and Saturday night.

Does anyone think I should wait until early next year and see if I can get cheaper? Or does that sound about as low as can be expected.

 

[Poker Zombie]

It's not a bad rate, but I would expect better deals. Every spring Caesars has a sale, and the WSOP rates haven't been posted yet.

That said, the total cost would likely save you just $50-$75 over the course of a week. If peace of mind is worth the price, order now. However, it's Vegas. I'd gamble and hold out for a cheaper room. They aren't going to sell out.

 

[Perthmike]

It's not a bad rate, but I would expect better deals. Every spring Caesars has a sale, and the WSOP rates haven't been posted yet.

That said, the total cost would likely save you just $50-$75 over the course of a week. If peace of mind is worth the price, order now. However, it's Vegas. I'd gamble and hold out for a cheaper room. They aren't going to sell out.

Gamble it is then lol

If I’m honest I’ll be a bit disappointed by staying in a vegas hotel with plastic chips.

 

[Perthmike]

It's not a bad rate, but I would expect better deals. Every spring Caesars has a sale, and the WSOP rates haven't been posted yet.

That said, the total cost would likely save you just $50-$75 over the course of a week. If peace of mind is worth the price, order now. However, it's Vegas. I'd gamble and hold out for a cheaper room. They aren't going to sell out.

Wsop rates seem to be out now. I noticed that PH for 7 nights is $789 including taxes and resort fees. Last time I looked it was $1000.

Is that getting towards a reasonable price?

 

[Lemonzest]

Wsop rates seem to be out now. I noticed that PH for 7 nights is $789 including taxes and resort fee...

$112/night all in. I would be booking this. You might be able to find a better deal but you won't beat the location of PH. It is a nice hotel and it is where I always stay.

Huge mall inside that has everything you need from cheap beers to craft beers, to souvenirs etc.

Works for poker too. You can play at PH or walk across the street to Bellagio. Also super close to Paris if you want to harvest a few 1s.

 

[Perthmike]

Yeah I might just book it. It’s on the total rewards website so i can cancel at anytime if I find a better rate.

And yes I do want to harvest so Paris $1s lol. Who doesn’t.

 

[moose]

Wait for Black Friday/Cyber Monday sale.

When you book they will charge you a deposit equal to the first night. If you book and cancel you are going to lose twice on the exchange - once when they charge you USD and again when they refund you AUS, unless you have a USD credit card.