Frommer's Review
You may have seen the Golden Nugget on the short-lived reality show The Casino, which depicted its new hapless owners learning how to own and run a casino-hotel. You may not be surprised to learn the place sold again to the Landry Restaurants chain. Ultimately, it seems like a good thing because this deserving property, the Grande Dame of Downtown, got some much-needed attention, with new restaurants, remodeled rooms and public spaces, a big new pool, and even an entire new hotel tower going in across the street (or more specifically, on the street -- they got permission to take over a small, rarely used lane just to the north of the existing property). The completed phases look terrific; a new color scheme has given it a rich, deep look that is most posh and fresh. Everything feels brighter, lighter and more spacious.
The Golden Nugget opened in 1946 as the first building in Las Vegas constructed specifically for casino gambling. Steve Wynn, who is basically responsible for the "new" Vegas hotel look, took over the Golden Nugget as his first major project in Vegas in 1973. He gradually transformed the Old West/Victorian interiors (typical for Downtown) into something more high rent and genuinely luxurious, especially for downtown Vegas. The sunny interior spaces are a welcome change from the Las Vegas tradition of dim artificial lighting. Don't forget their mascot (well, it ought to be): the world's largest gold nugget. The Hand of Faith nugget weighs in at 61 pounds, 11 ounces, and is on display for all to see.
In the North Tower, the rooms are slightly larger than in the South (smaller than the newer Strip places but not at all "small"). Rooms are comparable to midrange on the Strip, which makes them quite good for Downtown. You don't have to walk through the casino to get to your room, but you do have to walk a distance to get to the pool, which now has an aquarium, where you can get up close and personal with various marine life (with only a glass wall separating you). The presence of the pool, and general overall quality, makes this the best hotel Downtown for families; the other Downtowners seem geared toward the much older set and/or the single-minded gambler set.
There's the superb Golden Nugget Buffet, which is home to a terrific Sunday brunch. Oh, and yes, there is a casino. (Don't think they'd forget that!)
The Nugget's top-rated health club ($20-per-day fee to use the facilities) offers a full line of Universal equipment, Lifecycles, stair machines, treadmills, rowing machines, free weights, steam sauna, and massage. Salon treatments include everything from leg waxing to seaweed-mask facials. Free Sebastian products are available for sprucing up afterward. The spa's opulent Palladian-mirrored foyer is modeled after a room in New York's Frick Museum.
Facilities:
Casino; showroom; 5 restaurants; outdoor pool; health club & spa; tour desk; car-rental desk; salon; 24-hr. room service; laundry service; dry cleaning; executive-level rooms
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
