Pros

  • Off the Strip property located on exciting Fremont Street in Downtown Vegas
  • 45,000-square-foot casino with over 1,000 slot machines and 50 table games
  • Multiple room types housed in different towers, all with flat-screen TVs
  • Most Spa Tower rooms are two-story with living areas
  • The Tank outdoor pool has a shark aquarium and waterslide
  • Outdoor Hideout Pool for 21-and-over adults only, with adjacent bar
  • Wide array of restaurants includes a steakhouse, buffet, sushi spot, and Starbucks
  • 24-hour room service, tequila bar, and lounge with live music also available
  • Popular Troy Liquor Bar is the only nightclub on Freemont Street
  • Full-service spa offers massages, facials, and hair, nail, and makeup services
  • Modern fitness center (for adults only)
  • Live entertainment and shows, plus shark tank tours
  • 37,000 square feet of meeting and event space
  • Free self-parking garage
See More Pros

Cons

  • Smoking is allowed in all common areas (a pro for some!)
  • Non-smoking rooms still reek of smoke
  • Rooms facing Fremont Street are subject to late-night noise
  • Daily resort fee (common for Vegas)
  • Some outdated decor and minor wear in rooms
  • Downtown Vegas entertainment pales in comparison to the Strip
  • Charge for in-room refrigerators (must be requested)
  • Buffet restaurant closed on Mondays and Tuesdays
See More Cons

Bottom Line

Located on Fremont Street in Downtown Las Vegas, the upper-middle-range, 2,419 Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino is an off-the-Strip alternative for travelers seeking a different side of Sin City. The property may be smaller than its peers on the Strip, but it still offers plenty of entertainment options, with its 45,000-square-foot casino, two pools (one with a waterslide through a shark tank and another for adults only), multiple bars and restaurants, and a small spa and fitness center. Top restaurant options include a steakhouse, sushi at Red Asian Cuisine, and Grotto Italian Ristorante, and an all-day buffet. Live entertainment and a nightclub are also available on-site. But guests should be forewarned: booking rooms is a crapshoot, as some smell of smoke, some are a bit dated, and some are subject to late-night noise. On the plus side, all come with flat-screen TVs, free basic Wi-Fi, and hairdryers. It’s worth considering Excalibur Hotel and Casino, which is along The Strip and offers a plethora of family-friendly features.

See More Bottom Line

Oyster Hotel Review

Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino

What Are the Design and Scene Like at the Golden Nugget Las Vegas?

The biggest and arguably best hotel in Downtown Vegas still can't compare to those on The Strip.

With one of the oldest casinos in the city (first opened in 1946), the 2,419-room Golden Nugget has endured in the face of overwhelming competition from the Strip. Its "Old Vegas" neighborhood had a higher profile in the 1970s, before the ascendancy of the Strip’s mega-resorts, a shift crystallized by the opening of the The Mirage Hotel & Casino in 1989. Since then, many of the properties on Fremont Street and its environs have become sleepy throwbacks to a bygone era. The Nugget is the glaring exception.

While not exactly Strip-caliber, The Golden Nugget Las Vegas holds its own in terms of amenities and atmosphere. If guests can make is past the smoke-choked lobby, they’ll find a modern 45,000-square-foot casino, an array of bars and restaurants, and some pretty awesome pools. Guests here run the gamut from retiree slot worshippers, to young bachelor parties, to vacationing families.

There aren’t many upscale hotels in this area, but The D Casino Hotel Las Vegas offers a contemporary upper-middle-range getaway on Freemont Street. Although not in Downtown Vegas or along The Strip, Silverton Hotel and Casino offers a good value for travelers who mostly care about spending their time in a casino. It also offers an outdoor pool, huge aquarium with mermaid shows, and several restaurants.

See More What Are the Design and Scene Like at the Golden Nugget Las Vegas?

Where Is the Golden Nugget Las Vegas Located?

It’s directly on famous Fremont Street in Downtown Las Vegas, about a 15-minute cab ride from the Strip.

Located on Fremont Street, a 90-foot canopy-covered pedestrian thoroughfare known for late-night light and sound shows, the Golden Nugget Las Vegas is in the center of Downtown Vegas’ nightlife scene. Known as "Glitter Gulch" or "Old Vegas" — this is where the city first started to develop its hotel-casinos back in 1906 — Downtown Vegas consists of smaller-scale hotels and casinos than The Strip. Typically cheaper, less ritzy, and a little less wild, Downtown Vegas tends to attract retirees, and the main draws at most casinos are the nickel slots and low-minimum tables. And while an older crowd is definitely noticeable at the Golden Nugget, it’s probably the only hotel in the area with a younger twenty- and thirtysomething scene as well. This is perhaps because it’s the only area hotel with a nightclub. Downtown Vegas certainly has its appeals, but this is not the place for travelers looking to save some money while visiting the Strip. Costly 15-minute cab rides between the Nugget and The Strip will eat away any money you’re saving on cheaper room rates. The Golden Nugget is about 20 minutes from McCarran International Airport.

See More Where Is the Golden Nugget Las Vegas Located?

What Are Rooms Like at the Golden Nugget Las Vegas?

Different towers offer different room experiences -- from sleek and contemporary to dated and smoky.

Housed in four different towers, Golden Nugget Las Vegas rooms run the gamut in terms of size, decor, and amenities. The Carson Tower rooms were last renovated in 2018, given a contemporary, albeit bland neutral-tone makeover. The Spa Tower has suites with decor ranging from modern and masculine to gold and gaudy; most rooms are two levels and have living spaces. Rush Tower rooms were first opened in 2009, and thus smell the least of smoke. Gold Tower rooms were updated in 2015, though decor verges on dated; on the plus side, these are the most centrally located. Just beware when booking — anything labeled “city view” likely looks over Fremont Street, which gets pretty noisy at night.

The cheapest rooms are the “Run of the House” rooms, which are assigned at check-in by front desk. Many guests complain that this doesn’t all them to choose non-smoking or smoking rooms. Aside from that, Carson Tower rooms are the hotel’s most affordable — an attractive incentive for a lot of guests. Despite renovations in 2018, many rooms are still tired and showing wear, as well as smelling strongly of smoke. Expect brown patterned carpeting and wall accents, and more decor in various shade of brown or gold. Bathrooms are teeny tiny and have standard shower/tub combos. Amenities are limited to flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, sitting areas, hairdryers, basic toiletries, and ironing equipment. This is the farthest tower from all of the hotel’s amenities.

Gold Tower rooms were last renovated in 2015 and are noticeably larger than Carson Tower rooms. For slightly more expensive nightly rates, Gold Tower rooms feature mostly contemporary, masculine decor in chocolate-brown and warm earth tones. In-room amenities include flat screen TVs, bathrobes, slippers, and Keurig coffeemakers. Bathrooms are still small, but they have nicer marble and granite finishes. The Gold Tower is the most centrally located of all the towers, and is within easy walking distance to the casino, a few restaurants, and the pools.

The Rush Tower is the newest, quietest, and least smoky building of the bunch. Rooms feature dark, masculine decor with chocolate brown tones and bright orange accents. Striped window valances and curtains feel dated, however. In-room amenities include flat-screen TVs, entertainment center with desk, robes and slippers, sofas, and Keurig coffeemakers. Bathrooms are again small, but have modern, upgraded features like Gilchrist & Soames toiletries, deep soaking tubs, and rainfall showerheads.

For guests who want to splurge, the Spa Tower is home to some massive two-story suites. With huge living rooms, a spiral staircase, and large master bedrooms and bathrooms, Spa Tower suites allow guests a small taste of the Vegas high life. Decor varies across suites — some are gold and gaudy, while others are sleek and modern. Bathrooms include two-person jetted tubs, double sinks, walk-in showers, and mirrored vanities.

In-room fridges must be requested and they require a hefty fee.

See More What Are Rooms Like at the Golden Nugget Las Vegas?

What Features Are Available at the Golden Nugget Las Vegas?

An array of features includes a large casino, outdoor pool with a shark aquarium, adults-only pool, small spa, and fitness center.

Though it can’t quite compare with its over-the-top peers on the Strip, the Golden Nugget Las Vegas has a few nice amenities to keep guests entertained. The hotel’s most talked about feature is the Tank, an outdoor pool complex with a three-story waterslide that runs through a 200,000-gallon shark aquarium. The slide, a favorite of adults and kids alike, winds around the tank and shoots through it, past sharks, via a transparent tube. On the pool deck, hundreds of cushioned lounge chairs make the courtyard-like space feel a bit cramped. Of course, in typical Vegas fashion, guests don’t have to leave the pool to gamble, as there are a handful of blackjack tables a few feet from the water.

Adults looking for a quieter pool scene should head up to The Hideout, which is restricted to guests 21 years and older. The Hideout has its own bar, large daybeds, and private cabanas available for rent.

Golden Nugget’s 45,000-square-foot casino is one of the largest in Downtown Vegas, and attracts guests and non-guests alike. However, due to low-hanging ceilings and lots of smokers, the casino is routinely choked by clouds of cigarette fumes. The crowd is mostly made of older retirees, but lots of low-minimum tables also attract a younger, cash-strapped clientele.

The hotel’s small spa and fitness center are located a few levels above the main lobby. The spa offers a full list of services, including couples’ massages, manicures and pedicures, facials, hair treatments, and body wraps. The fitness center is tiny, but it’s equipped with modern Cybex machines and floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the pool.

Tours of the shark tank and on-site shops are also available.

See More What Features Are Available at the Golden Nugget Las Vegas?

What Restaurants and Bars Are at the Golden Nugget Las Vegas?

Several dining options include steakhouses, a buffet restaurant, and fast-food outlets.

The Golden Nugget Las Vegas has 10 varied dining options across its property, including an all-you-can-eat buffet, a Starbucks, and high-end steakhouse. Vic & Anthony’s is the on-site steakhouse, plus there are Grotto Italian Ristorante, Red Asian Cuisine serving sushi, Cadillac Mexican Kitchen. Casual American options are also available, in addition to fast-food fare Chick-fil-A. The Golden Nugget buffet is popular for all three meals. Numerous bars are scattered across the property, plus the property is home to Troy Liquor Bar, a popular Downtown nightclub.

Room service can be ordered 24/7.

See More What Restaurants and Bars Are at the Golden Nugget Las Vegas?

What Meeting Space Is Available at the Golden Nugget Las Vegas?

Ample event space is available, but there’s a fee for Wi-Fi.

With 37,000 square feet of event space, the Golden Nugget is a popular place for Downtown conventions, meetings, and weddings. While the event space is well-kept, the hotel charges a nightly rate for Wi-Fi, which can be off-putting for business (and leisure) travelers.

See More What Meeting Space Is Available at the Golden Nugget Las Vegas?

Things You Should Know About Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino

Also Known As

  • Las Vegas Golden Nugget
  • Golden Nugget
  • Downtown Las Vegas
  • Golden Nugget Las Vegas
  • Golden Nugget Hotel
  • Golden Nugget Hotel Las Vegas

Room Types

  • Carson Tower Room
  • Gold Club Room
  • Gold Tower Room
  • Parlor Suite
  • Penthouse Suite
  • Rush Tower Deluxe Room
  • Rush Tower Junior Suite
  • Rush Tower Super Deluxe King Room
  • Spa Tower Suite

Address

3790 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, Nevada 89101-5603, United States

Phone

(702) 385-7111

Website

Oyster Hotel Review

Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino

What Are the Design and Scene Like at the Golden Nugget Las Vegas?

The biggest and arguably best hotel in Downtown Vegas still can't compare to those on The Strip.

With one of the oldest casinos in the city (first opened in 1946), the 2,419-room Golden Nugget has endured in the face of overwhelming competition from the Strip. Its "Old Vegas" neighborhood had a higher profile in the 1970s, before the ascendancy of the Strip’s mega-resorts, a shift crystallized by the opening of the The Mirage Hotel & Casino in 1989. Since then, many of the properties on Fremont Street and its environs have become sleepy throwbacks to a bygone era. The Nugget is the glaring exception.

While not exactly Strip-caliber, The Golden Nugget Las Vegas holds its own in terms of amenities and atmosphere. If guests can make is past the smoke-choked lobby, they’ll find a modern 45,000-square-foot casino, an array of bars and restaurants, and some pretty awesome pools. Guests here run the gamut from retiree slot worshippers, to young bachelor parties, to vacationing families.

There aren’t many upscale hotels in this area, but The D Casino Hotel Las Vegas offers a contemporary upper-middle-range getaway on Freemont Street. Although not in Downtown Vegas or along The Strip, Silverton Hotel and Casino offers a good value for travelers who mostly care about spending their time in a casino. It also offers an outdoor pool, huge aquarium with mermaid shows, and several restaurants.

See More What Are the Design and Scene Like at the Golden Nugget Las Vegas?

Where Is the Golden Nugget Las Vegas Located?

It’s directly on famous Fremont Street in Downtown Las Vegas, about a 15-minute cab ride from the Strip.

Located on Fremont Street, a 90-foot canopy-covered pedestrian thoroughfare known for late-night light and sound shows, the Golden Nugget Las Vegas is in the center of Downtown Vegas’ nightlife scene. Known as "Glitter Gulch" or "Old Vegas" — this is where the city first started to develop its hotel-casinos back in 1906 — Downtown Vegas consists of smaller-scale hotels and casinos than The Strip. Typically cheaper, less ritzy, and a little less wild, Downtown Vegas tends to attract retirees, and the main draws at most casinos are the nickel slots and low-minimum tables. And while an older crowd is definitely noticeable at the Golden Nugget, it’s probably the only hotel in the area with a younger twenty- and thirtysomething scene as well. This is perhaps because it’s the only area hotel with a nightclub. Downtown Vegas certainly has its appeals, but this is not the place for travelers looking to save some money while visiting the Strip. Costly 15-minute cab rides between the Nugget and The Strip will eat away any money you’re saving on cheaper room rates. The Golden Nugget is about 20 minutes from McCarran International Airport.

See More Where Is the Golden Nugget Las Vegas Located?

What Are Rooms Like at the Golden Nugget Las Vegas?

Different towers offer different room experiences -- from sleek and contemporary to dated and smoky.

Housed in four different towers, Golden Nugget Las Vegas rooms run the gamut in terms of size, decor, and amenities. The Carson Tower rooms were last renovated in 2018, given a contemporary, albeit bland neutral-tone makeover. The Spa Tower has suites with decor ranging from modern and masculine to gold and gaudy; most rooms are two levels and have living spaces. Rush Tower rooms were first opened in 2009, and thus smell the least of smoke. Gold Tower rooms were updated in 2015, though decor verges on dated; on the plus side, these are the most centrally located. Just beware when booking — anything labeled “city view” likely looks over Fremont Street, which gets pretty noisy at night.

The cheapest rooms are the “Run of the House” rooms, which are assigned at check-in by front desk. Many guests complain that this doesn’t all them to choose non-smoking or smoking rooms. Aside from that, Carson Tower rooms are the hotel’s most affordable — an attractive incentive for a lot of guests. Despite renovations in 2018, many rooms are still tired and showing wear, as well as smelling strongly of smoke. Expect brown patterned carpeting and wall accents, and more decor in various shade of brown or gold. Bathrooms are teeny tiny and have standard shower/tub combos. Amenities are limited to flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, sitting areas, hairdryers, basic toiletries, and ironing equipment. This is the farthest tower from all of the hotel’s amenities.

Gold Tower rooms were last renovated in 2015 and are noticeably larger than Carson Tower rooms. For slightly more expensive nightly rates, Gold Tower rooms feature mostly contemporary, masculine decor in chocolate-brown and warm earth tones. In-room amenities include flat screen TVs, bathrobes, slippers, and Keurig coffeemakers. Bathrooms are still small, but they have nicer marble and granite finishes. The Gold Tower is the most centrally located of all the towers, and is within easy walking distance to the casino, a few restaurants, and the pools.

The Rush Tower is the newest, quietest, and least smoky building of the bunch. Rooms feature dark, masculine decor with chocolate brown tones and bright orange accents. Striped window valances and curtains feel dated, however. In-room amenities include flat-screen TVs, entertainment center with desk, robes and slippers, sofas, and Keurig coffeemakers. Bathrooms are again small, but have modern, upgraded features like Gilchrist & Soames toiletries, deep soaking tubs, and rainfall showerheads.

For guests who want to splurge, the Spa Tower is home to some massive two-story suites. With huge living rooms, a spiral staircase, and large master bedrooms and bathrooms, Spa Tower suites allow guests a small taste of the Vegas high life. Decor varies across suites — some are gold and gaudy, while others are sleek and modern. Bathrooms include two-person jetted tubs, double sinks, walk-in showers, and mirrored vanities.

In-room fridges must be requested and they require a hefty fee.

See More What Are Rooms Like at the Golden Nugget Las Vegas?

What Features Are Available at the Golden Nugget Las Vegas?

An array of features includes a large casino, outdoor pool with a shark aquarium, adults-only pool, small spa, and fitness center.

Though it can’t quite compare with its over-the-top peers on the Strip, the Golden Nugget Las Vegas has a few nice amenities to keep guests entertained. The hotel’s most talked about feature is the Tank, an outdoor pool complex with a three-story waterslide that runs through a 200,000-gallon shark aquarium. The slide, a favorite of adults and kids alike, winds around the tank and shoots through it, past sharks, via a transparent tube. On the pool deck, hundreds of cushioned lounge chairs make the courtyard-like space feel a bit cramped. Of course, in typical Vegas fashion, guests don’t have to leave the pool to gamble, as there are a handful of blackjack tables a few feet from the water.

Adults looking for a quieter pool scene should head up to The Hideout, which is restricted to guests 21 years and older. The Hideout has its own bar, large daybeds, and private cabanas available for rent.

Golden Nugget’s 45,000-square-foot casino is one of the largest in Downtown Vegas, and attracts guests and non-guests alike. However, due to low-hanging ceilings and lots of smokers, the casino is routinely choked by clouds of cigarette fumes. The crowd is mostly made of older retirees, but lots of low-minimum tables also attract a younger, cash-strapped clientele.

The hotel’s small spa and fitness center are located a few levels above the main lobby. The spa offers a full list of services, including couples’ massages, manicures and pedicures, facials, hair treatments, and body wraps. The fitness center is tiny, but it’s equipped with modern Cybex machines and floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the pool.

Tours of the shark tank and on-site shops are also available.

See More What Features Are Available at the Golden Nugget Las Vegas?

What Restaurants and Bars Are at the Golden Nugget Las Vegas?

Several dining options include steakhouses, a buffet restaurant, and fast-food outlets.

The Golden Nugget Las Vegas has 10 varied dining options across its property, including an all-you-can-eat buffet, a Starbucks, and high-end steakhouse. Vic & Anthony’s is the on-site steakhouse, plus there are Grotto Italian Ristorante, Red Asian Cuisine serving sushi, Cadillac Mexican Kitchen. Casual American options are also available, in addition to fast-food fare Chick-fil-A. The Golden Nugget buffet is popular for all three meals. Numerous bars are scattered across the property, plus the property is home to Troy Liquor Bar, a popular Downtown nightclub.

Room service can be ordered 24/7.

See More What Restaurants and Bars Are at the Golden Nugget Las Vegas?

What Meeting Space Is Available at the Golden Nugget Las Vegas?

Ample event space is available, but there’s a fee for Wi-Fi.

With 37,000 square feet of event space, the Golden Nugget is a popular place for Downtown conventions, meetings, and weddings. While the event space is well-kept, the hotel charges a nightly rate for Wi-Fi, which can be off-putting for business (and leisure) travelers.

See More What Meeting Space Is Available at the Golden Nugget Las Vegas?

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Airport Transportation

  • Basic Television

  • Beauty / Hair Salon

  • Business Center

  • Cabanas

  • Cable

  • Casino

  • Concierge

  • Cribs

  • Dry Cleaning

  • Fitness Center

  • Gameroom / Arcade

  • Internet

  • Jacuzzi

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Mini Bar (with liquor)

  • Pool

  • Poolside Drink Service

  • Rental Car Service Desk Onsite

  • Room Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Smoking Rooms Available

  • Spa

  • Swim-Up Bar

  • Tennis Court

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.