The hotels in Las Vegas are so not-generic, indeed some rather wild and wacky, that if your time there allows for it, experiencing more than one is a great idea. Glad you did too.
By the way folks, if you're into actual gambling, you'll generally get a better deal Downtown and that's where a lot of the locals go. Me, I'm totally disinterested in the gambling but of course that's what enables all the mental stuff in Las Vegas ! In old movies and tv shows set in Las Vegas, the best bright lights scenes that you'd see particularly on opening and closing titles, were actually of Downtown. The Strip developed in time, but even today, I don't think you'll find such a high concentration of light bulbs and glitz than in Downtown or shall I be specific, on and by Freemont Street.
We've often considered staying in a couple of hotels, but never actually done it.
Just the rigmarole of packing & unpacking again which I guess put us off, but with so many good hotels to choose from, there is most certainly an appeal.
I'm not that familiar with the Downtown hotels but sure I read somewhere that one of the hotels had a huge $$$$ refurb in recent years - was that the Golden Nugget ?
Don't know. It was/is considered the best Downtown. I wondered if maybe there are other really good ones, as the general picture is that they tend to be dated and a bit shabby sometimes, albeit good for gambling. Plus a lot of the iconic exterior lighting and follies e.g. the big cowboy, are on those hotels. Surely by now some of them apart ftom the Golden Nugget have had good do-overs.
I remember as a kid watching that private detective show in Las Vegas ( what was it called ? - he drove a big convertible ) and most of the glitzy scenes were at that time, in Downtown. I used to think, wow, some day I'll get there. data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Well, I did. The thing that struck me most, apart from the visual smack in the face, is the sheer heat that comes off those bulbs !
Bingo :
Vegas (1978 TV series) - Wikipedia
Of course, back then there was no fancy 'roof' over Freemont Street.
$15 Million Renovation Completed at the Golden Nugget Las Vegas
Yeah thought it was the Golden Nugget - 2014 so not that long ago.
this might help also or give some food for thought ...
The 10 Best Downtown Las Vegas Hotels of 2018 (with Prices) - TripAdvisor
Best hotel on Fremont Street? - Las Vegas Message Board - TripAdvisor
Golden Nuggett appears to be getting the best reviews.
Hey folks, I noticed there are a couple of museums in Downtown maybe worth a look. Not been to either; just saw them on the map.
Neon Museum Home - The Neon Museum Las Vegas | Guided tours available daily
Mob MuseumThe Mob Museum in Downtown Las Vegas
I read a description of Mainstreet Station Hotel in Downtown and some of the features taken from around the world there sound bizarely mixed !
I found an interesting hotel , neither in Downtown nor the strip, but quite close to where the Stratosphere on the upper strip is located and therefore also quite close to Downtown, called The Artisan Hotel. Looks good if you're after something a bit different but also inexpensive. I quite fancy this place, especially as next time I'd be using Las Vegas mainly as a launch point for desert touring.
Artisan Hotel :Artisan Hotel Boutique - The Unique Las Vegas Boutique Hotel
The first time I was bacpacking ended up in some moth eaten motel miles downtown where the wedding chappels and strip clubs are. Second time had a week in the MGM grand. Last time when I got married in Vegas we stayed in the Mirage. Still the first time was the best
The Artisan is a cool find & definitely looks a nice place to stay data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
Getting around Vegas is pretty easy, so anywhere you stay within the general area is fine really isn't it.
I believe the Artisan has/had mob connections, children are not allowed, the pool is topless and there's a general atmoshpere of decadence. Decor goes for arty things and lots velvet apparently. Oh and the views of the Strip are supposed to be good.
@DemonAV - can you talk more about the Mirage. I've always fancied that as a classy centre strip hotel, while being yesterdays news enough to no longer be expensive compared to the new stars. I've seen pics and I like it. How did you find it ?