Ballys----are the South Tower rooms bad?

My dad, brother and I go to Las Vegas every year. We are frequent gamblers, but not high rollers. We have all been comped for the South Tower rooms at Ballys, but I'm concerned by some of the reviews I read. Should we try the $20 trick at check in, or are the South Tower rooms good enough? Any particular room/floor I should request?

They are older, smaller and worn but you'll live.
Ask nicely for North Tower- they are nicer, larger and tend to be more updated but you won't die in South Tower.
Not "bad"per say - just not as nice

We asked nicely to be put in the n tower (booked in south) last year. Hotel clerk said it would cost x amount more and we politely declined. She smiled and upgraded us anyway. Then we did give he a 20 tip after she checked us in.

They are NOT smaller--they are very large. (Ballys has largest std rooms on strip). But the furnishings are very dated. Most rooms have a great strip view--insist on it.
BUT if there is availability they will almost always upgrade you to N. Tower just by asking (sometimes you don't even have to ask!)
N. Tower rooms are nicely redone; but views can be the street; a parking lot or mountains. Again--ask.
We love Ballys for the large rooms & great location.

Last year I called Bally's room reservations. The gentleman on the phone told me he would comp me for 4 nights in the south tower. I told him I wanted the north tower. I said, if I cant have the north tower, I would prefer staying at Paris or Harrah's, which would also be comped. He told me that if there was a north tower room available when I check in, they would upgrade me for free. He added that since my trip was during the week, and not over a weekend, he was sure the free upgrade would be available. I said okay and booked it.

Upon arrival, the girl at check-in gave me a south tower room. I told her about my conversation with the phone reservationist. She said if I wanted a north tower room, I would have to pay for the upgrade. I asked to speak with her superviser. Her superviser refused to give me the free upgrade also. She told me the phone reservationist had no right telling me what he did. I couldn't believe the supervisor wouldn't give it to me. It's a north tower room, I'm not asking for a penthouse suite.

I was pissed off. I could have had a standard room at Paris or Harrah's but was conned by the phone reservationist. Back to your original question, the south tower rooms arent that bad. They are worn but Ive seen worse. After the way I was treated at check-in, I will definately opt for Harrah's or Paris on future trips. Ballys can kiss my a**.

What I dis-like the most about the South tower is the distance from the pool. The North tower elevators give you access to the pool level. It is still a haul from the North tower to the pool, but you don't have to walk through the casino in a speedo. I never stay in the South tower and I've never worn a speedo either.

Bally's North Tower Room:


Bally's South Tower Room:


We are okay with either tower.....

shanny

The only thing wrong with the South Tower rooms is the furniture which looks like swap meet rejects. The rooms are large, the bathrooms are nice, and the views of the strip are fantastic. When we stayed there we slept with the curtains wide open to get the most of the night time view of the Eiffel Tower and the strip beyond. I will also add that the suites have the same style furniture as the North Tower rooms and are worth trying to book.

I just checked my offers through Harrahs.com again and I can move to Planet Hollywood for a total comp for three nights!!!!! That's great news...now the dilemma of South Tower/North Tower is not an issue anymore. 26 days and counting!!!!! Thanks for all the input anyway!