Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.