Laughlin: Tropicana Express or River Palms?

We've never been to Laughlin so we need the wisdom of this board. Same price-about $30-I Ass-U-Me neither has a resort fee.

OHMYGOSH, do I have an answer for you.

For many, many years we always visited Laughlin when we traveled to Las Vegas. KInda nice to get away from the busy way of life there.

We always stayed at the River Palms; used to be Gold Nugget, etc. Anyway, the last time we were there (last January) we find that it is entirely different and not "nice different". They only have one floor of slots and a few tables. The entire bottom floor is empty (they say for flea market space, etc.)

The buffet is only open on weekends.

Okay, since they are affiliated with the Tropicana (Ramada Express originally) the offer of either place was offered to us. We took the Tropicana and so happy we did. A world of difference. Don't, don't stay at River Palms - the only good thing there is Denny's.

Stay at the Trop but the buffet isn't very good!! There are many, many other places to eat!!

By far when we stayed last month we stayed at the Trop and then at Aquarius. Aquarius is our favorite but it was FREE at Trop but Aquarius only charged us $15 for a Friday night so can't beat that.

Have a great time in Laughlin - you'll enjoy the ride there and the closeness to the Colorado River!

Be sure to let us all know where you stayed and how you enjoyed it there.

IMHO, the Aquarius has the best rooms and the best Video Poker in Laughlin.

Well that's a definitive answer for sure. I will post a report-but we're not going till October.

Aquarius - no competition

Aquarius is the only hotel on the river I'd consider staying at. They freshened up the rooms a couple years ago. But Aquarius is not anything luxurious...the hotel/casino in Vegas it is most comparable to is Terribles. In Laughlin thats about as high of quality as you're going to get. Aquariius has a good little diner and they usually give you a free breakfast if you book through their site.

I heard the Aquarius was very nice. Used to stay there when it was the Flamingo-Laughlin. I stayed in a few of their suites there which were very nice. Only problem with the Flamingo was they wouldn't serve you top shelf booze. They skimped on everything. Best part of that hotel was they had slot and VP tournaments there every month for $99 which included a room for three nights and buffets. I once won $8000 there in a Valentine's Day VP tournament. Funny thing was, no matter how much I won, they were sold out for VD and we had to go back to Vegas. I also hit a $3200 Royal there at the riverfront bar. I was playing at the bar with no luck, and I noticed a progressive machine that had gone over $3000. I was thinking about playing it, but really didn't want ot move from the bar. Finally, the bartender said to me, "Why don't you go over there and try to hit it!" I got an extra drink from him and moved to the progressive machines. It took about a half hour, but I finally wound up hitting the royal. Boy was that sweet. Coincidentally, it was the first time we had a suite there with an adjoining room for Faye's former brother in law.

When I was there last, the Golden Nugget was only one floor. Was the River Palms once Sam's Town Gold River. That was the only 2 story hotel that I remember being in Laughlin. Anyone can remember back that far?

I stay at Aquarius 1 week every year - Call me a fan!