El Cortez

Would like some information on the El Cortez. I was reviewing the Hotel and saw that there rates aren't too bad, How are the rooms there? Are the Suites across the street better than the main hotel rooms? How is the area for walking etc. I know this area use to be a little eerie before. Haven't been to Vegas in 2 years and I know how things change very fast. Please need info on this Hotel and anything that might help me to make decision on where to stay.
Thanks

Didn't stay there but we found it to be very clean and friendly. Walked there and back during day and felt very safe. Might not feel quite so safe walking there alone late at night

I have stayed at El Cortez for the past 8 years. I prefer the tower rooms. Old furniture, clean, once in awhile get slow shower, but overall happy. Has older TV's, but I have not turned on the TV for quite a few years.

I did try the cabana suites last time I went. Everything is clean & new. Shower was the main thing I liked. But I prefer to walk out of elavator into casino.

Comps I feel are fairly easy to get. Smokey casino, but it dosen't bother me. I don't smoke, but I grew up with smokers all around me.


DJH

Love the El Cortez. Bellmen and valets that remember your face, if not your name, and always ask how things are going. Like the coffee shop and the Flame. The "shuttle" that will take you back to the airport weekdays is a beautiful Town Car, not an Econo-box.

Comps are easy, they have a little gym in the Cabana Suites building. Not a great gym, but enough to break a sweat. Tower rooms are clean and comfortable, if not deluxe. OK, no HDTV, but then most casinos spend all that money on TVs, but give you the same 12 basic channels, plus of course, the in-house keno in stunning high definition...

If they had 9/6 Jacks at anything other than the 2 multi-strike machines, it would be pretty close to a permanent home.

As for the walk, with the new lounges they've added in the block between Las Vegas Blvd and the Cortez, there's really no need to feel unsafe. The new walkway a little bit off Fremont is very well-lit, but it is isolated. I'll have to add the caveat that I'm rarely out on foot after midnight and I rarely carry much money outside the hotel.

I just returned last night from a week long stay at the El Co. I have stayed in all three room types they have at the main hotel and the suites across the street, I too like being on property and not having to go outside from the suites to get into the casino. As far as security, they must have more security than any other downtown, they always are on all 4 outside corners of the building and you see them a block before you get there.The Tower rooms are bigger than the suites, but the suites are all new, give them a try.

As for the walk back and forth between El Cortez and the other casinos on Fremont Street, if you exit El Cortez by where the Hotel Registration desk is, then you immediately cross the street where there is a nice walkway (where I have seen bicycle patrols) between it and Las Vegas Blvd.

And then as you are going West towards the Fremont Street Experience when you want to get over to where the traffic signal is to cross over Las Vegas Blvd. to get to the actual Fremont Street Experience, you just have to walk a little bit South to get over to the traffic signal.

RecVPPlayer

I have stayed at the Elco the last several years and like the old time atmosphere.The tower rooms are clean but definetly could use some upgrading.

I don't know how good the security is at the El Cortez. My husband called the casino and talked to the security guard there and he knows inside the casino is safe. He told my husband he would not let his wife walk around in the area outside the casino by herself. Also told my husband that he would not let me walk around by myself and then he wasn't sure if anyone should walk to anywhere outside the casino. They cleaned up the area but still is a little shady. Would like to stay here but still don't know what to do since we heard it from a security guard there.
Help||

The shady area could be on Fremont Street itself for the block that is between where Las Vegas Blvd. is and the casino. And so I can say that I have not had a problem when I've walked back and forth using that path that runs from Sixth Street to Las Vegas Boulevard which you get to by the hotel registration area.

Again it is well lit and I definitely have seen security on bicycles there. It's right by where the sign with the video stuff is for El Cortez which is right on Las Vegas Boulevard just to the North of Fremont Street.

RecVPPlayer

I'm a women and feel totally comfortable walking alone during the day all around the property. At night I'd stick to the main steet and walk past all the small shops,(coffee shop, dollar store, lounge, ect) many people are around and el cortez security stands right on the corner as you come in. Going behine to the cabana suites there is a guard there 24/7 and you need to only cross a sidewalk.

tower room- pros- large room, you come out into the hotel which is nice, separate shower/toilet and sink area with a door, good for to people getting ready, bed is old but comfty. cons- older room bathroom is VERY dated, no gym.

Cabana Suite- pros- reno'd with new furniture, great shower, towels aren't itchy and like the gym for quick workout. cons- shutters can be a pain depending where your bed is, not in the main building and small vanity area to get ready, no place in the bedroom to plug a blow dryer in.