Golden Nugget or Rio

Wonder if/when mikeyeggs will come back to see all these good answers?

Not sure if my first response went through. Anyway, thanks to all of your feedback b/c my friend and I will be staying in the Rush Tower at the GN. I also bought a Landry's card but not really sure what it is all about. All I know is that it cost $25 and they credit $25 to a food credit at the GN so it is virtually free.

Thanks to all to those that said to go to the Golden Nugget. We stayed in the Rush Tower and with the Landry's card, I got upgraded to a Junior Suite. The place was great and it was by far the nicest casino downtown. For those that have never stayed downtown or think that the place to stay is on the strip, you would love the experience downtown. Fremont Street is a party atmosphere and I can't wait to stay at the Golden Nugget next year

So was the friend suitable impressed with the Golden Nugget and the downtown party atmosphere?

What is a Landry's Card?
We stayed in the Rsh tower and loved it. Walked to Walgreens and bought water and whatnot, easy to catch the bus, watch the shows and stroll around.

I stayed two nights at GN last October in a Gold Tower Luxury room.
The hotel was nicer than I expected. The ventillation has been improved so the heavy smoke wasn't a problem. The room was definitely nice, however, I was there as a cash customer, used a deal from the LVA hot deals, and the hotel took off an additional 10% at check in when I showed my AARP card.
They also would have taken AAA auto. Next time I would not take the luxury room, basic dleuxe would be fine. Rush Tower looks nice, but a little darker. I didn't want to spend the exra money for Rush.

I was there Thursday and Friday night, I did see that many $25 tables were up to $100 on Friday.

I did use the LVA discount book and had a fun time at some comedy shows, dinner at Binions Steak house, and Vic and Anthony's at GN was really good.

The pool area was very crowded with mostly well feed 30 to 40 somethings drinking beer out of a bottle. More cowboy hats and confederate flag tatoos then you will see on the strip.
After two days I had enough. Basically I prefer the gaming elsewhere.

RIO is a good option if you are on a budget. I don't mind the shuttle to the strip, the restaurants aren't great, but good value. Comps are easy to get. I have always found the crowd friendly.

Landry's Card gives you a free upgrade (based on availability) and VIP check in.
You also get the $25 on your birthday & maybe anniversary, too. I'm not sure.
The $$ on the card can be used at various restaurants there.

Can you book a room online and then when you get there go to VIP check-in and try for the upgrade? Or do you have to do a phone reservation? I know I read somewhere that you can't use the Landry card if you got special rates. But I wasn't sure if that applied to any online reservation or just if you got a special off of an email or something.
Do you think it's worth it to get a Landry's card? If I'm planning on staying at the nugget anyway? If you just booked a carson tower room, what kind of upgrade would you get? Although I might spring for the rush tower rooms b/c they sound nice. And I hate having to walk past those timeshare people to the carson tower...
Thanks,