Main Street Station Hotel — Hotel Review Rating: 3.0 Pearls

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Oyster Hotel Review

Reporter: Mike T.
Updated: November 18, 2009

 Scene

Main Street Station molds itself into an archetype of the old American West, incorporating Victorian-era railcars and a collection of 20th-century antiques throughout the hotel, such as a snooker table once owned by Winston Churchill and a large chunk of the Berlin Wall in the men's room (where they've mounted urinals). On the exterior, old-style signs with Western lettering advertise the exciting but not-so-authentic "20x Crap Odds." The lobby, casino, and buffet boast vaulted ceilings, huge gold chandeliers, stained-glass windows, and antique slot machines.

But there's no pool, no fine dining, no fitness center -- nothing that one might expect of a typical Vegas hotel. Beyond the cultural artifacts and $7.50 breakfast buffet, there's not much draw to the hotel. Still, most guests -- largely seniors, long-married couples, and Pacific islanders (a result of the Vacations - Hawaii travel desk in the lobby) -- are plenty satisfied by the clean rooms and no-frills casino.

 Service

Although the range of services offered is very slim -- basically, just some bellmen to help with bags and housekeepers -- the hotel, at only 406 rooms, can easily handle the volume of guests at check-in and checkout. I never had to wait in line, which is a rarity, even at the most luxurious Vegas hotels.

 Location

Located in the smaller, older, and more pedestrian-friendly Downtown Vegas, Main Street Station is slightly removed from the area's main attraction, the Fremont Street Experience, a nightly light and music show. This isn't necessarily a bad thing: The rooms are generally quieter, and you're still within close walking distance of the Golden Nugget, whose casino and restaurants are the nicest in Downtown.

In addition, there's a skywalk that connects Main Street Station to the California Hotel across the street. But there isn't much over there that can't be found at Main Street Station.

It's about a 20-minute, $25 cab ride to McCarran International Airport from Main Street Station.

 Rooms

Unlike the more over-the-top Vegas-style theme decorations at many hotels, the rooms at Main Street are a bit more sedate -- mostly muted greens and browns. Aside from the occasional marking on the wall, the rooms are generally well maintained and the furnishings are free of significant wear.

On the whole, the rooms are average but dated. The standard rooms measure 400 square feet, which is about the norm in Vegas (larger, 642-square-foot suites with separate living areas are also available). The bedsheets are nothing fancy, but they're smooth and fairly comfortable. Electronics include an old Zenith tube TV (with cable and pay-per-view movies) and clock radios -- but that's about it. There's all the basics -- iron and ironing board, fridge, and safe -- but there is no in-room Internet available (you'll have to head to the lobby for free Wi-Fi).

The bathroom is split between the sink area and the toilet and shower area, providing a moderate amount of counter space. Bath products are from the not-so-fancy Ecossentials.

 Features

Guests can use the pool at Main Street's sister hotel, the California, which connects to Main Street Station via a skywalk. But the pool at the California isn't much consolation; it's just an unpopular cement affair that's good for short laps and little else.

Free Wi-Fi is available in the lobby, but there is no Internet access of any kind available in the rooms.

 Casino

Though smaller than most casinos on the Strip, the 28,000-square-foot Main Street casino still comes with 800 video poker and slot machines, plus the standard table games. There's no sports book and no poker room, but the casino does advertize better odds on the craps tables.

 Family

The hotel supplies cribs and rollaway beds at no additional charge, but there's no pool on site. Children won't find much to occupy them on the property beyond some displays of old-time slot machines in the lobby. In fact, for some guests, the near absence of children is the hotel's best asset.

 Cleanliness

Aside from a few markings on the walls in my room, I found nothing to complain about regarding cleanliness at Main Street Station.

 Food

The large Garden Court Buffet, the only place to get breakfast, has wood ceilings and brick walls that make it one of the more attractive places to stuff oneself in Vegas -- though the setting is a bit offset by outdated pop tunes, like No Doubt's "Don't Speak," playing softly through the speakers.

The food is acceptable, but nothing elegant. Example: A segment of the yogurt was still molded in the shape of its former container. The scrambled eggs were a bit grainy, and the corned beef hash was very salty and had browned slightly under its heat lamp. But still, for only $7.50 with coffee and juice included, one could do a whole lot worse. Lunch costs $7.99, and dinner ranges from $10.99 to $15.99 -- all very reasonable prices, as far as Vegas buffets go. But reviewers on Yelp are pretty divided on whether the buffet is excellent, or just plain disgusting.

Triple 7, the sports bar, boasts its own beers, brewed in casks that are visible from the restaurant floor. Numerous TVs hang over the bar, all tuned to sports. The happy hour special, which includes 12 chicken wings for $4.50, is a decent deal, but I wasn't impressed with my Philly cheesesteak sandwich. As with the buffet, reviewers are divided on whether the dinner entrees ($7.95 to $16.50) are worth it.

For more variety, walk over to the Golden Nugget on Fremont Street, which has multiple fine-dining options. In addition, Hugo's Cellar at the Four Queens is a Downtown dining institution.

 Bottom Line

Several blocks from the lights and sounds of Downtown Vegas, the 406-room Main Street Station offers a quiet, Old West-inspired atmosphere. A cheap buffet and a casino with 20 times odds in craps and 800 video poker and slot machines attracts an older clientele. But rooms are basic, and there's no pool, fitness center, or fine dining.