On Saturday I made a list of the Downtown casinos that I like. For this list I'm going to offer up the ones that I don't like, and tell you why I do not like them. Again, we all have different criteria for grading casinos/hotels etc. so my list will likely be much, much different than yours.
Nothing in this post is meant to suggest that the casinos below are "bad" in any way, it's just that I've either had sub-par experiences in them, find them lacking for my tastes in one manner or another or that I think they're underperforming.
With that said, let's get to it.
Everything about Binion's today makes me sad. From the general state of the property to walking in the casino at certain times only to find no active craps tables (something that would have Benny Binion rolling in his grave) to the large swaths of the casino floor that are all but bare, or poorly setup, to the fact that the poker room is gone. The only good thing about Binion's currently is the Whiskey Liquor Up and even that's underwhelming in terms of food, service and video poker odds. The owners, the same folks who own on of my favorites 4Queens fwiw, really need to take a hard look at what's happening here because right now it's just depressingly sad.
2. The Plaza
To say that my March stay at the Plaza was a disappointment would be an understatement. I have never been as underwhelmed by a hyped property as I was there. If you want to see many of the problems that I had you can see my YouTube video here. (apologies for Mrs. TPMs profanity at the Pizza Joint, she was having a good time). from a dirty, decrepit room that had gouge marks on the bathroom door which made it look like someone was trying to break the door down with a screwdriver, to no refrigerator to just a general dirtiness the room was a mess. The service and attitude of the staff were worse. Never have I stayed at a place that just did not seem to want my gambling dollar as much as here. The staff was rude, unhelpful, and left us stranded for hours with no options for checking our bags as we awaited our car transfer so we were forced to lug them around with us. I have never been treated as poorly by a hotel/casino and will not be back. Since I don't have a large YouTube following I doubt they care. Truth is, if you don't have a large YouTube following they probably won't care either.
3. Gold Spike
OK, granted, this is not a casino, but it is a place with some of the longest lines downtown and I absolutely despise waiting in line. Also, it's much overrated considering what it is. I've only visited there a couple of times and walked away very underwhelmed. Granted, I'm not their target demographic but it's just not my cup of tea.
My main problem with the Fremont is that they seem to have given up. The place is just bland and that's a shame because it could be so much more. Maybe my opinion of it will change after they finish their planned room renovations, combining all rooms in a 2 for 1 deal to increase the space and make them all suites. That said, they really need to freshen up the gaming area and my standing problem with Boyd is that they have totally devalued their B Connected loyalty program in a manner that flips the bird to video poker players.
I really do want to like the Downtown Grand. The casino is smallish, but has potential, and their Center Bar progressives on DDB can be among the best in town. Their problem is that they cannot decide what they want to be. Management there changes direction more times than a glider in a hurricane, from good gambling odds to bad gambling odds and nothing they do seems to be catching on. Their casino has all of the energy of a funeral parlor and their staff has clearly thrown in the towel. I hear the hotel is doing well but staying and playing there is depressing.
The one that I both Like and Dislike:
I've stayed at the El Cortez twice, and both times really enjoyed my stay. The Cabana Suites across the street (although still part of the hotel) are quirky and wonderful and, given the presence of 24 hour security at the door, are probably the safest rooms downtown. The staff there is welcoming, friendly and go out of their way (at times) to really make you feel appreciated. The one exception to this are some of the bartenders who are downright surly or dismissive. That's a problem they need to address. My biggest problem with the El Cortez is that I never really feel comfortable in their casino. It's not a safe environment at times and that's really off-putting. They have a great player's club and good comps and promotions, and fairly decent odds on all games, but I've seen more fights in that casino than I've seen anywhere else and security always seems slow to respond. It's a shame because the place has a crap ton of history and Siegel's is an underrated gem of a restaurant.
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