D Grand or El Cortez

I've have a buy one get one free weekday room at these two places, one being from our LVA coupons. We haven't stayed at either and I'm looking for opinions on rooms from folks that have stayed at these hotels. I know the Cortez is an old place and the Grand is newish rebuild. The Grand however has a 21 dollar resort fee, WTF, vs. a 9 dollar fee at the Cortez. The cost difference is about $15 more for the Grand. Thanks

i have nothing against the EC, but if it comes down to $15, by all means stay at the Grand. the rooms are nice, except for the thin walls. the pool is nice, the overall décor of the property is nice, staff is mostly nice. I have stayed at the Grand maybe 6 times now and I am pleased with it. there are usually some kind of match bet or free play coupons ($5 or $10) at check-in, and dining coupons as well. that can help to offset the dreaded resort fee. I can be pretty frugal, but for $15 it is a no-brainer.

I like both places myself. The last time I was staying downtown was the last week in August 2016. I stayed 2 nights at the DTG and 2 nights at the MSS.
The things I like about the DTG are the rooms and the pool area, but not the casino very much. I did all of my gambling during our last stay at the MSS and the ELCO. The El Cortez is my favorite casino to gamble. I love the VP pay tables, the bars, the restaurant, the atmosphere. I unfortunately have not yet received any comped rooms from them yet, but I'm determined to get some soon hopefully. I love the MSS for many of the same reasons as the ELCO and can always get 2 free nights stay when I'm in town at the MSS.
All things being equal though, I prefer the El Cortez over the DTG only because of the gambling. But, you can have serious fun at both places. The only negative right now at the DTG is that they are remodeling their main dining room at the present time. I'm not sure when it will be reopened.

El Cortez will give you a more quiet night's sleep. Noise is a problem at the D and Grand. Room quality is about the same in all three.

Based on what I've been reading, unless things have changed quite recently, on El Cortez's website it had previously said (until not that long ago) that a single comp night at El Cortez can be had during the week once you earn 2,000 single/non multiplied (during a promotion) points that day for each room night for a weeknight, but for weekends and holidays, it's after having earned single/non multiplied 3,000 points that holiday or weekend day.

Plus also be aware that at least for some of the Video Poker at El Cortez (it's on all of the Non-TITO [that's coin-out] 99%+ returning machines), it can take $3 of coin-in to earn 1 point and so that would be (if all play is on those machines [check VPFree2.com for more info on El Cortez's game inventory]) $6,000 of coin in for a Free Room on weeknights and $9,000 of coin in per day for weekend or holiday nights.

But with any TITO 99%+ returning games (such as 8/5 Bonus Poker), then it would be $1 of coin-in per point which would be $2,000 of coin in for a weeknight and $3,000 of coin-in for a weekend or holiday night.

But check to see if this is still the case!

Methinks I'll go with the EL C. I just booked a tower room using our LVA buy one, get one free night coupon. As much as I enjoy the noise, action, and drinking by day, I much prefer a bit quieter location when I do finally crawl back to my room for the night. Thanks for your responses.

Tower rooms are decent - ask for high floor with strip view. Cabana Jr Suites are nicer rooms, though...

Try the El Cortez Cabana Suites they are wonderful. Quite not attached to the casino and very secure

Let us know what you pick. I love EL CO, but an tempted to stay the DG. The place, while never busy, is really fun. I always have a great time there and heard the rooms are nice.

marko..

I like both the El Cortez and the Downtown Grand, and have stayed at both. As far as gambling though, I like El Cortez much more. I'm a VP player and they have much better pay tables. But the Downtown Grand has nicer, newer rooms than the tower at the El Cortez. And the pool and exercise room are nice amenities that the El Cortez doesn't have.

But, if you like playing at the Downtown Grand and have fun there, then by all means, stay at the DTG. I think you'll really like it.