Las Vegas - El Cortez Hotel

[Duckie]

We're planning a trip to Vegas in April and it seems that the El Cortez has one of the best deals, but it's located in Downtown Vegas. Does anyone have any experience with this hotel? Would you recommend it?

The only other time I've been to Vegas, I stayed at Excalibur; so I'm not looking for anything extremely fancy, just reasonably priced and safe.

Thanks for the help!

 

[threesheets]

That place looks ancient- even for downtown. But I'm not condemning that- if that's your thing then go for it. For me personally, if I were looking for something extremely cheap, I'd go with Terrible's (link) . It sits across from the Hard Rock, so you're close to the strip and still getting a good deal. Plus, there's a free shuttle to the strip at the Hard Rock.

Sorry I couldn't help with El Cortez

 

[CaboWabo]

I know nothing about this hotel, but it sounds scary as hell to me.

 

[shakahorn]

El Cortez is the dumpiest diviest rundownest place in downtown and that's saying a lot. It's also set back a few blocks from the heart of downtown, so if you leave, you better be careful when coming back.

I would only consider staying there if it's the only hotel with vacancy and you're alone or with some buddies. I would not take my wife or girlfriend there.

This place makes Excalibur look like a castle...oh, wait....

 

[pike]

very dangerous at night right around there. cab it instead of walk if you stay there. 1$ craps table though!!!

 

[halsteadfrost]

If you're looking for cheap and "safe" look for places like IP, Exalibur, Tropicana, Hooters, etc. They are on the strip, which IMO is a lot safer than the sketchy areas of downtown. DT is fun for slumming it, but I would never consider it safe. Cheap, yes, but not especially safe. It's just too close to the crack dens, and too filled with prostitutes and crazy homeless people. I'm not saying you will definetly run into trouble while staying there, after all lots of people frequent those places regularly without trouble, I'm just saying it's not the best part of Las Vegas to stay.

You might also look into the Orleans, but it's off the strip.

 

[ScoPro]

El Cortez has made the Excalubur look like a 5 star hotel in the past. However, it's entirely adequate for a "guy" trip, but I would never take a non-retail lady friend there if you want to keep a long term relationship.

The owners are spending about $19 million on a general renovation of the place:The Link That may cover the fumigation.

If you insist on a cheap place downtown, try the Plaza or the Main Street Station. The Golden Nugget is the nicest hotel on Fremont, but runs more of course.

Ask around on some Vegas message boards for info from people who have stayed there. Here's a link to one of the biggest ones: The Link

 

[HornOnTheBayou]

If you want cheap, I would second the Tropicana. It's not the best, but it's in a good location. For Vegas, I think location trumps quality any day of the week.

 

[ScoPro]

A lot of people overlook the Casino Royale (the hotel part was formerly a Travelodge), right across the street from the Mirage and next to the Venetian:
The Link