Indeed they are! While downtown had already long been suffering prior to the economic downturn that's now gripping the whole city, that hasn't prevented a number of properties from taking the attitude that you've got to speculate to accumulate, with several investing in some serious upgrades.
Originally built in 1941, the smoky old El Cortez was long overdue a facelift, which it finally received in 2005. By the time the work was completed, toward the end of 2007, something in the region of $20 million had been spent on renovations that included new luxury carpeting and wall paneling throughout, the remodeling of all 300 hotel rooms, and the addition of a $500,000 air filtration system.
Nearly half the slot machines on the gaming floor were removed to give more space, and old table games were replaced with new. The coffee shop was remodeled and renamed Café Cortez, while the former Roberta's gourmet steakhouse is now The Flame. The upgrade extended to the exterior of the property, too, where the porte-cochere and valet entrance were also extensively renovated.
Even more drastic than the changes at the EC, however, was the transformation of the rundown Ogden House hotel behind it into the boutique Cabana Suites, now the quintessential downtown diamond in the rough. The former 100 hotel rooms were converted by the El Cortez into 64 hip and luxury suites, with amenities including HDTVs, iPod speaker docks, and WiFi, plus a state-of-the-art fitness center. We haven't had the chance to check 'em out yet ourselves, although it’s high on our list of must-dos for 2010, but we've heard nothing but rave reviews. Here’s what one LVA reader had to say:
"Just got back from the most recent trip and I have to say that the El Cortez Cabana Suites are off the hook! The first night I stayed at a Fremont Street hotel (won't mention which one but looking out my window I was well acquainted with the large metal roof of the skyshow). While I’d anticipated it being noisy, it was too much for me. After looking through the MRB, I came across the coupon for the Cabana suites. I called them up and got a mini-suite for the last two nights of my trip. The room was just flat-out awesome. Clean, modern, and an unbeatable price. It has its own fitness room, computer terminals in the lobby, and security guards inside and out. Just look for the blue building behind the El Cortez casino. I sorely wish I had acquired the coupon book first because I most certainly would have booked this room right off the bat. I will be back."
The really great news is that we have the same offer in the LVA 2010 Member Rewards Book: Book one night for $45 and get a second night free. Beat that! You can see photographs below, plus you can click here for a virtual tour.
In 2008, Golden Gate owner Mark Brandenburg sold off 50% of the hotel-casino that occupies the oldest lodging house in Las Vegas to a private investor. Desert Rock’s investment was used for an art nouveau-style remodel of the 106 hotel rooms, which included new carpet, new furniture, new bedding, and a paint job, plus the addition of an upgraded sound system and video screens to the casino. The One Bar al fresco venue was also added, staffed by bikini-clad go-go dancing servers.
Be aware that the rooms are on the small side, the bathrooms have not yet been remodeled, and it can be somewhat noisy, particularly if you’re on the Fremont Street-side of the building. But if you’re looking for clean and cozy rather than fancy, and don't intend to spend too much time in your room, this might well fit the bill, especially with rates like the exclusive $9.95/night offer they extended to LVA members at the end of last year. Plus, if eco-friendliness is a factor for you, the GG is also in the process of switching entirely to geothermal heating and cooling.
When the Siegel Group purchased the Gold Spike in early 2008, the dilapidated property was known primarily for its thick smoke and foul odor. Many thought the property development company might have bitten off more than it could chew, but fast forward a couple of years and the transformation has been truly amazing. As a headline in the Las Vegas Business Press put it, "No Joke, No Jive; Gold Spike Now Spiffy, Not a Dive."
Several million dollars were invested and it really shows, with a liberal sprinkling of hi-def flat-screen TVs throughout and the addition of a new full-service bar, modern restaurant, and pizzeria. The casino floor is flooded by natural light from big new glass doorways – the only other casino in Las Vegas that can boast that is CityCenter's ARIA. The complete gutting of the first floor and installation of a new ventilation system has dispensed with the unpleasant smell of yore. The hotel rooms upstairs and the motel next door (both due to open soon) have also been renovated, as has the casino floor, which now boasts a sports book and an all-female staff of dealers. Again, there's a great deal in the 2010 Member Rewards Book: LVA members can book a room for $7.77.
The Golden Nugget had been downtown’s classiest property since Steve Wynn took over and renovated it in the early '70s. But it, too, had become due for some upgrades when Landry’s purchased it in September 2005. They embarked on a year-long multi-million dollar revamp, which included a $20-million makeover of the pool area, now called The Tank, which features a shark aquarium that you can slide through, a European-style topless sunbathing deck, and a newly-added luxurious patio area. The spa, lobby, race and sports book, and porte-cochere were all remodeled, while a new lounge and restaurants were added.
Next came the addition of the new $150 million 500-room Rush Tower, which debuted at the end of last year. The rooms are deluxe – 20 percent bigger than the regular GN rooms – and feature all the amenities you’d expect in a modern upscale hotel, including 42" plasma-screen TVs, upgraded pillow-top mattresses, and feather down comforters. The signature Chart House restaurant features a 75,000-gallon tropical aquarium, while there’s a new pool area that adjoins and connects to The Tank.
As you can see, while some downtown properties like Binion’s, the Vegas Club, and the Plaza have been falling on hard times and closing their rooms, sports books, lounges, eateries, etc., others have been bucking the trend and really raising the bar. When you throw in the new bars and restaurants of Third Street and the Fremont East arts district, we think you might be pleasantly surprised with a stay downtown. Heck, there’s even a Farmers Market down there on Fridays these days*!
*Currently closed for the season; reopens Feb. 5, 2010.
