Circa vs. Station Resorts

My wife and I have flights and Circa reservations for the week of 12/15/25. I've been researching Station casinos and I'm considering changing my reservation for that trip to either Red Rock or GVR. I've stayed at GVR once about 10(?) years ago very briefly for work (the only of the three I've stayed at) and liked it. Retired now and this is a four-night trip. We go to Vegas from Ohio twice a year nowadays. Staying at the Plaza for the first time the week of 6/23/25 in a pool cabana room (first time there). I'm an avid video poker, blackjack & craps player (Bob Dancer cards & basic strategy so by no means trying to be an advantage player but no chump). My wife dabbles in slots but she's not really a gambler so I need a location where there are amenities on the resort and nearby that we can do together. We like nice pools, live music, good restaurants & bars, all the usuals. We have a good vacation nest egg but we're no Rockefellers. I'm just looking for opinions that might help me tip the scale one way or the other as I'm a little concerned about the VP inventory at Circa and I like to build comps where I stay. We had a good relationship with Boyd but wanted a bit more from the properties. All input is welcome and you can't offend me by flaming me due to my lack of knowledge.

Red Rock checks most of your boxes - good VP selection, plenty of decent blackjack and craps tables, restaurants, bars, etc. Don't know if pool would be open in December. Close to great hiking at Red Rock and Mt Charleston. Comps are fair to good, depending on your level of play. Overall it's a nice property.

Stations have better VP for sure - but I wouldnt count on collecting a ton of comps from them.     GVR has a ton of walkable places to shop/eat in addition to the ones on site which is nice....but then again Circa has Fremont St.

I guess it comes down to what vibe you like better - all the energy downtown or the more laid back atmosphere off strip.

I second that insofar as earning comps for VP is concerned. For well over a decade, Stations has choked off point earnings on its over-99% machines. You either get one fortieth of one percent (!!) or nothing at all. 

While I haven't played at any of their joints in quite a while, friends have told me that their comps are very stingy--worse than the Strip joints they try to emulate.

While I've given the Plaza minimal play lately, reports are that comps are easy (as is point-earning). Let us know how they respond to your play there this month 

The pool won't be open then. Not that anyone would want it. December is actually pretty cold and rainy. Hiking at Red Rock can be nice on a cool, clear day, should such an opportunity arise. Don't know if I would go to Mt. Charleston then.

Stations won't toss any comps your way unless you play their garbage games. Good VP and decent table games earn you one stale donut (plain) for every $100,000 risked.

I do like the atmosphere at Elmer Fudd's Wed Wock, but I can't shake the feeling that the whole joint was created to drain the pockets of the newly arrived owners of McMansions on that side of town. Still, when they opened, they had the best VP in town and good, inexpensive food...including a great buffet (sigh). Now, it's just another clip joint.

Haven't there been quite a few 'complaints' from posters regarding very loud music at Circa?  I could be remembering this, wrong property, etc.  It is something that would affect my enjoyment of the place, but perhaps you, Richard, wouldn't mind it.  Good luck and much fun on both trips!

Candy

YES, IT'S THE CIRCA!

What?

THE CIRCA!

I can't hear you!

CIRCA GOD DAMN IT!

Circus Circus?

C! I! R! C! A!

Caesars?

I get more free rooms on The Strip.Years ago stayed at Golden Nugget most the time.I am old so the noise would bother me.Nugget has a good summer deal.

And The D!  And Golden Gate!  I think Derek Stevens might be partially deaf.

Sunset Station gives us a good deal. It has a coffee pot and for $10 per day you can get a fridge which gives us a casual no rush breakfast.

Casino is low key with a friendly staff.