We were just at a convention at the Plaza downtown. I was pleasantly
surprised to find the comping VERY generous. I played about 3 hours on single line
VP $1 (they have about 100 machines labeled 99% or better which seem to have
9/6JB and perhaps other decent games). I got $40 in cashback and asked for a
comp. I was asked "how much do you want?" They wouldn't tell me how much
comp I had, but I quickly got 2 $30 food comps. When I realized I couldn't use
the 2nd $30 comp after all, I went back to the booth and asked if I could
get it applied to my room charges (I stayed 3 nights). I was surprised to have
them comp all 3 nights (a savings of at least $300).
Also the Plaza has free afternoon showings of the decent 1 hour "Viva Las
Vegas" show on Thursdays, and lots of discounts for the show, such as 1 free
ticket when you join the slot club. They also have the "Rat Pack is Back" at
night. If you check-in you get several good discount coupons, including a
$5-25 matchplay at BJ, and 20% off Great Moments coffee shop at Vegas Club
across the street.
The downside of the Plaza is that it BADLY needs refurbishing. I believe
they are planning to do so, and they are working on moving the check-in area
from 3rd floor to 1st, but in the meantime, the place is quite run-down.
The good news is that an Italian restaurant (Lombardi's) is open on the 2nd
floor now, with a semi-view of the Fremont street experience, and inexpensive
good Italian food. We ate there twice and enjoyed the daily $9.99 special
(changes each day, such as shrimp scampi or eggplant parmasean, or baked
manicotti), with large portions and soup or salad included.
They have a small but decent $7.77 buffet as well.
Eating downtown, we found a number of decent, low-cost restaurants. Great
Moments has a 24-hour breakfast menu as well as a good selection of food at
all times. We tried Red Sushi at the Golden Nugget, which was not cheap and
had small portions, but was tasty. Main Street Station next door has a very
good buffet. Golden Gate still has that 99 cent shrimp cocktail which
astonished our friends with its size and quality.
There are a lot of good VP machines downtown as well, such as 10/7 DB at the
4 Queens, 9/6 JB around, etc. Also good Blackjack rules can still be found
at many casinos. There are low $5 BJ tables, fifty cent roullette, and so on.
The Golden Nugget is still the nicest casino downtown, but if you don't mind
going to a more rundown place like the Plaza, you can find some decent VP
and good comps.
Always ask about fun books downtown as well.
The Fremont Street Experience light show is quite good, and is every hour on
the hour from about 8pm or so (I'm not sure when it starts or ends) - but has
different shows each hour.
Also there is a cage with motorcycles at the Plaza end of Fremont and they
have 2 free shows a night. A pianist and other perfomers are also sometimes
on hand.
Downtown is an interesting alternative for Vegas locals as well as visitors,
so don't forget about it.
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