Vegas noob: El Cortez

barryc83 · #1 03-16-2007, 12:43 PM

First off, I've checked cheapovegas.com and some other vegas sites, so no need to flame. Apparently, El Cortez has $35 rooms, however, these rooms are smoking rooms only and are directly above the casino so they might also be noisy. How bad are these rooms? I am a non smoker, but smoking doesnt really really bother me like some people (obv if I had a choice I'd take non smoking everytime though). I've never been to vegas and the only reason I'm considering going is bc I'll be in socal sometime soon. Basically, I'm a cheap bastard and $35/night is a great deal. I know you get what you pay for, but cheapovegas makes this place seem decent.

Also, from what I understand El Cortez is downtown and all the big name casinos are on the strip. How far is downtown from the strip? Am I looking at like a $10 cab fare or what? Is it gonna be a pain in the ass to go from downtown to the strip for a couple of days?

npknhldr · #2 03-16-2007, 12:56 PM

Staying somewhere within walking distance on the strip saves 25dollars a day in cab fare. If your hourly rate is 20/hr, then it also saves you one or two hours per day if you choose to bus to your casino of choice, depending on strip traffic.
As for the rooms, they're fine, don't really smell. I've been in the "pavilion", not the "vintage" or whatever. pay the extra 5 bucks i think.
it wasn't much worse than older strip places, once in your room. the casino itself is a [censored] hole, and the 200m walk from the bus to your room will have you clutching your roll at night and ready to sprint at the drop of a pin.
gl!!

D-FENS · #3 03-16-2007, 01:09 PM

What days are you going? If you plan on going to the strip each day travel will be a hassle. Some cheap strip hotel options are: Imperial Palace, Tropicana, and Casino Royale. Also Gold Coast is a good option and has a free shuttle that runs to the strip (although I don't know how long this free shuttle will last because the property it runs to is no longer a Coast property.)

Ioz · #4 03-16-2007, 01:13 PM

From one cheap bastard to another. I just stayed there the first of Feb. They have actually renovated the place some, so it is quite a bit nicer than it used to be.
I also stayed in the rooms you are talking about, and they are just fine. They are clean and can't really hear the casino at night.
Take the bus to go down to the strip. Sometimes the ride there can get a bit long, but its 2 bucks a trip, or 5 bucks for 24 hours all you can ride.
The also have security standing out on the corner. When you get across LV Boul. to walk to the hotel you can see the security standing on the corner, so I really didn't feel unsafe.
I stay downtown every trip to Vegas, and have been riding the bus for a long time. I think its the only way to go, but I'm probably in the minority.

dozer · #5 03-16-2007, 01:44 PM

I'd strongly consider anything on the strip over the ElCo. If it means $10 to $20 more per day, so be it.

barryc83 · #6 03-16-2007, 02:38 PM

[ QUOTE ]
I'd strongly consider anything on the strip over the ElCo. If it means $10 to $20 more per day, so be it.

[/ QUOTE ]

If it really was only $10 more, I wouldnt have even posted this. Every hotel (strip) site that I looked at had its cheapest rate around $60-80 even including the poker rate.

Does the bus run 24/7 and about how long of a ride is it from downtown to the strip?

ThunderEagle · #7 03-16-2007, 03:30 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Does the bus run 24/7 and about how long of a ride is it from downtown to the strip?

[/ QUOTE ]

It does run 24/7 (at least last year when I was there) but if you want to get down to say MGM, count on at least a hour ride.

If you try and sign up for some of the mailing lists for the casinos, you can often get offers for 39.95 a night for strip hotels. They are day restricted, and may not be that cheap this time of year, but they do come up that cheap for Excalibur.

cardcounter0 · #8 03-16-2007, 03:39 PM

The rooms are clean, the noise from the casino really isn't a problem. You can take the bus from downtown to the strip, but it is a pain time-wise. Don't be concerned about security, unless you a little girl. However, if you are really sensitive to cigarette smoke, you shouldn't get within 1/2 mile of the El Cortez

magicratx · #9 03-16-2007, 03:41 PM

Sorry to Jack the thread slightly but me and my G/f are going to vegas next year (when she turns 21) and are looking at prices for flights and hotels (we are in the UK), and were hoping to get somewhere cheap that wasn't downtown or off strip and the only reasonable place seems to be the sahara within our budget. Whats the walk from their like to the main part of the strip? And is it worth paying the extra money (although quite considerable for us to be closer? Or alternativley to pay a bit less and go downtown?
I also have looked at a load of websites and posts here so have some idea just looking for additional info

Cheers

npknhldr · #10 03-16-2007, 03:59 PM

Sahara to Bellagio = unwalkable.
Bus isn't bad, monorail = rip off.
As for the rooms and stuff, it's a good deal. I had a car rental, so Sahara was perfect.
Staying on the strip and paying $30 more a night = staying downtown (including transpo, convenience). Anymore and it's just luxury tax. think of it that way.