# Going to Vegas: Where To Stay? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 2, 2015, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-vegas-where-to-stay/736392 "2015-11-02T04:17:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2015, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-vegas-where-to-stay/736392/1 "2015-11-02T04:17:01Z")
So the week after next, Mrs. SMV and I will be making our first trip to that concatenation of sin, debauchery, and despair known as Las Vegas, Nevada. I can’t wait. Mrs. SMV is in charge of finding a room, and she’s narrowed it down to three: Stratosphere, the Golden Nugget and Tuscany Suites. All three are in the older part of Las Vegas, and the reviews are generally positive. Although one reviewer said that the Tuscany Suites are within walking distance of all the modern fun stuff, but that the walk can be a sketchy one at night. Also, there was comment about cigarette smell in the older casinos/hotels. Anyone want to share opinions, experiences, or suggestions about these three casinos? Or throw in cool things to do that don’t involve hookers and blow? Or where to get the best hookers and blow? ---
**Author:** ![stui\_magpie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stui_magpie/32/11010_2.png) [@stui\_magpie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stui_magpie)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2015, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-vegas-where-to-stay/736392/2 "2015-11-02T04:24:11Z")
Of those 3 I’d pick the Gold Nugget, because of the swimming pool that has a water slide going through a shark tank. I’m staying there next time I go. The Fremont St experience in the evening is a hoot. The zip line was good, but waiting in line for 45 minutes for something that takes less than 30 seconds wasn’t. If you haven’t been to the grand canyon I’d highly recommend the chopper flight. I went with Maverick Helicopters on an afternoon fly through that came back to Vegas right on sunset. Was cool. ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2015, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-vegas-where-to-stay/736392/3 "2015-11-02T04:29:26Z")
> [@stui\_magpie](#): > > Of those 3 I’d pick the Gold Nugget, because of the swimming pool that has a water slide going through a shark tank. I’m staying there next time I go. Ms. SMV mentioned that water slide - _enthusiastically_ mentioned that water slide - when she was telling me about the casinos she’d found. ---
**Author:** ![steatopygia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steatopygia/32/3132_2.png) [@steatopygia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steatopygia)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2015, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-vegas-where-to-stay/736392/4 "2015-11-02T04:38:35Z")
I have been to Vegas twice. The first time was when I got married. They were building the Mirage and we watched them testing the volcano. The second time was last year for our 25th anniversary. We stayed in the Mirage. I would definitely recommend dinner in the restaurant at the top of the Stratosphere. At sunset. Otherwise that is a fairly long walk to the strip. The strip has way more to hold your attention for more than an afternoon. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2015, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-vegas-where-to-stay/736392/5 "2015-11-02T04:50:30Z")
Nothing to do with where you stay, but I’d recommend a side trip to Hoover Dam. And the dam tour. It’s pretty amazing engineering. It was about a 40 minute drive from the strip IIRC, but well worth it. ---
**Author:** ![Mosier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ea924/32.png) [@Mosier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mosier)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2015, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-vegas-where-to-stay/736392/6 "2015-11-02T14:47:32Z")
Tuscany is technically “walking distance” from the strip, but it’s not a walk I would ever want to make. The neighborhood is bad, and by the time you get to the good casinos in the area you won’t feel like walking anymore. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2015, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-vegas-where-to-stay/736392/7 "2015-11-02T16:05:41Z")
Where’s **Silenus**? He’s always good for Vegas info. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2015, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-vegas-where-to-stay/736392/8 "2015-11-02T16:23:10Z")
The last time I was in the Stratosphere, it had a very worn-down feeling, to me. Seemed like it was desperately in need of updating. I do recall feeling overwhelmed by the smoke in some of the downtown hotels (including the Golden Nugget), but that was probably a decade ago. And I’ve never been in Tuscany Suites. ---
**Author:** ![scareyfaerie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scareyfaerie/32/3135_2.png) [@scareyfaerie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scareyfaerie)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2015, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-vegas-where-to-stay/736392/9 "2015-11-02T16:28:25Z")
I’d vote for the Golden Nugget - the Stratosphere is seedy and run down, plus it’s a bit in the middle of nowhere. We’re heading to Vegas for hexmas, dividing our stay between Harrah’s and Main Street Station. ---
**Author:** ![DummyGladHands](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/49beb7/32.png) [@DummyGladHands](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DummyGladHands)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2015, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-vegas-where-to-stay/736392/10 "2015-11-02T16:42:08Z")
Golden Nugget. Absolutely of the 3 choices. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2015, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-vegas-where-to-stay/736392/11 "2015-11-02T16:42:15Z")
> [@stui\_magpie](#): > > Of those 3 I’d pick the Gold Nugget, because of the swimming pool that has a water slide going through a shark tank. I’m staying there next time I go. > > The Fremont St experience in the evening is a hoot. The zip line was good, but waiting in line for 45 minutes for something that takes less than 30 seconds wasn’t. I often stay at the Nugget. Was there last week, in fact. For a few extra bucks you can stay in the Gold Club rooms, which are a bit nicer and give you free access to the gym and spa. I will warn you however, there is a god awful band that plays on Fremont Street until 2:30 a.m. (yes, really). If you get a room on the wrong side of the hotel, you’re not going to get much sleep. I stay there for work, not vacation, and I’m afraid I’ll have to stop going to the Nugget if they can’t find a way to stop that band from playing all night. ---
**Author:** ![Aangelica](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b2d939/32.png) [@Aangelica](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aangelica)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2015, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-vegas-where-to-stay/736392/12 "2015-11-02T17:04:06Z")
I’ve stayed at the Golden Nugget and was generally pleased with it. The rooms were nice, Freemont Street is entertaining, and the Nugget itself has a couple of really good restaurants in it (and shuttle service to the Strip if you’re inclined). ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2015, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-vegas-where-to-stay/736392/13 "2015-11-02T17:05:48Z")
> [@Aangelica](#): > > I’ve stayed at the Golden Nugget and was generally pleased with it. The rooms were nice, Freemont Street is entertaining, and the Nugget itself has a couple of really good restaurants in it (and shuttle service to the Strip if you’re inclined). Agree about the restaurants. The Chart House and the steak place are both very good. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2015, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-vegas-where-to-stay/736392/14 "2015-11-02T17:25:54Z")
> [@Asimovian](#): > > The last time I was in the Stratosphere, it had a very worn-down feeling, to me. Seemed like it was desperately in need of updating. I do recall feeling overwhelmed by the smoke in some of the downtown hotels (including the Golden Nugget), but that was probably a decade ago. And I’ve never been in Tuscany Suites. I’ve heard the same, and I found some reviews on Priceline that were pretty poor too. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2015, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-vegas-where-to-stay/736392/15 "2015-11-02T18:37:02Z")
I stayed at Luxor when I visited earlier this year, and I liked it. It’s about the same nightly rate as Stratosphere, and in a less sketchy part of town (Stratosphere is a few blocks north of where the Strip proper ends, and there’s not much but roach motels and liquor stores between it and Circus Circus/the Wynn.) It’s at the southern end of the Strip so you’ll need to catch a taxi or take the bus to get to the more northerly hotels, but it has skybridges connecting it to Mandalay Bay and Excalibur (and from there to NYNY, MGM, and the Tropicana) so you can roam the southern end of the Strip pretty effortlessly. The city bus is a great way to hop up and down the Strip and to Fremont, BTW. It runs 24 hours a day, every 15 minutes or so, and a three-day pass only costs $20 (which you could easily spend on a single taxi ride that same distance.) If you’re not afraid of heights, do the jump off the top of the Stratosphere tower. [I did. It was fun.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oG0uRp4Z3cA) ---
**Author:** ![The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_stainless_steel_rat/32/5727_2.png) [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Stainless_Steel_Rat)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2015, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-vegas-where-to-stay/736392/16 "2015-11-02T18:37:33Z")
I would vote for the Nugget, don’t know enough about the Tuscany to comment and the Stratosphere is showing it’s age (do go up in the tower, though). You don’t say if you’re getting a car or not. If not, taxis are fairly priced, but a ride from downtown to the Strip will cost you. Bus Service is availalbe, cheap and often, but not all that fast. Car parking on the Strip is available, but you’ll have a nice walk from there to the outside in most places. I’d suggest the city bus if you’ve got a day to commit just to see the hotels and their attractions on the strip, a taxi if you go there at night for dinner or a show. I also recommend visiting Hoover Dam and doing a Grand Canyon tour if you can do it. If you have a car, Red Rocks park isn’t far away and is quite scenic (in a rocky sort of way). IMHO as always. YMMV. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2015, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-vegas-where-to-stay/736392/17 "2015-11-02T19:25:19Z")
It wasn’t available the last time I visited, but I understand Uber finally struck a deal with the city and they’re now allowed to operate in Vegas. Not sure how that measures up in terms of fares or where they’re allowed to do pickups (seeing as cabs can’t pick up street hails on the Strip and I doubt Uber cars are allowed into hotel taxi stands), but it’s probably worth keeping in mind. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2015, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-vegas-where-to-stay/736392/18 "2015-11-02T20:57:35Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > Where’s **Silenus**? He’s always good for Vegas info. Late to the party, but I got here. Skip the Strat completely. Place is a dump and too far from anything. Tuscany Suites aren’t that close to anything either. If Downtown is your thing (old Vegas) then Golden Nugget is the place to stay. Get a room in the South Tower so you don’t have to listen to the Fremont Street Experience into the wee hours. That said…if this is your first trip to Vegas, stay on the Strip. Center Strip at that. The various Caesars properties are always running room specials. Look for a deal at Bally’s, Paris, or The Linq. For a more up-scale stay, try Venetian. Even Mirage and TI are better than the hotels on your list. Downtown is dingy, noisy, full of obnoxious street-performers and not the place to have a relaxing vacation. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2015, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-vegas-where-to-stay/736392/19 "2015-11-02T21:16:22Z")
I’m going at the end of this month and I got a rate of $34/night at the Venetian through Priceline, plus of course all those taxes and fees which essentially double the price. ---
**Author:** ![sitchensis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sitchensis/32/4892_2.png) [@sitchensis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sitchensis)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2015, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-vegas-where-to-stay/736392/20 "2015-11-02T21:17:49Z")
Stay at the Tuscany. Everything about the Tuscany is relaxing for couple. The rooms are big, they have a couch, a refrigerator and a wet bar. It’s more like a condo complex surrounding the casino area. The main casino area is smaller but has everything you need, and the late night restaurant is really good casual dinning. The Tuscany isn’t in old Vegas it’s just east of the strip maybe a half mile, pretty close to the giant Ferris wheel. I’m not a huge fan of old Vegas so I wouldn’t stay at the nugget. Visit Freemont one night and check out the casinos. Maybe it’s your thing. Stay away from the Strat, it’s not on the strip, it’s not old Vegas. It is in the weird in between. The Tuscany is the only place we stay and we’re regulars (once a year). Being it’s you first time you might want to splurge and stay on the strip. Also look out for the room fee’s, they can make a good sounding deal pretty bad when they are running 30 bucks a night. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-vegas-where-to-stay/736392.md?page=2)