Golden Nugget
129 Fremont St, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States, 89101
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#27 of 41
expert-rated hotels in Las Vegas- Recommended for:
- Families with teenagers, Families with younger children, Chilling out, Escaping the crowds, No fuss, Relaxation
Expert review of Golden Nugget
Revamping Downtown Las Vegas for the trendy crowd.
I’m a big fan of the Golden Nugget, and I speak as someone who’s not keen on Downtown Las Vegas, where it’s based. A US$500m refurbishment of the Rush Tower late last year made it a very attractive option – the stunning swimming pool, complete with a ride through a shark tank, is already hitting the “oddest/best” pools in the world lists, and it’s really putting Downtown on the map again. If you want an experience that’s still Vegas but well away from the Strip, this could well be your answer.
Location:
On Fremont Street in Downtown Las Vegas (about a 20 minute drive north from the Strip). I’m not a huge fan of Fremont Street - although it’s cheap and cheerful, I wouldn’t want to spend my whole Vegas holiday there (there are only so many deep fried Oreo cookies you can eat in one go) and apart from Fremont Street itself, the area is pretty dodgy. Having said that, Downtown started going through a bit of a renaissance in summer 2010 with art projects and trendy coffee shops opening up, and people who are perhaps less snobby than me have a soft spot for Fremont Street – one of my friends can’t get enough of it, and loves the Nugget.
Bedrooms:
The old bedrooms (the Gold Tower and the Carson Tower) aren’t great – they’re a bit flouncy for my liking – so if you stay here, I recommend you go for a new Rush Tower room. They’re all non-smoking and come with plasma TVs (a total departure from the grimy reputation that Downtown Las Vegas enjoys), an almost russet colour palette, and swanky modern bathrooms. They more than hold their own against the Strip offerings.
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Public areas:
An expanded casino and new entrance were part of the refurbishment last year, and they even added three new shops. As a result, the Nugget is definitely a place you want to be – from the giant fish tank in the lobby to the casino floor itself. And of course, being Downtown, gambling’s a little easier on the pocket, too.
Eating and drinking:
There are several options but the best is surf and turf restaurant Chart House – if only for its 75,000 gallon fish tank in the middle of the restaurant.
Leisure facilities:
There’s a spa, salon and even a gaming arcade but the best thing about the Nugget is the new pool – or The Tank, as it’s ominously called. Yes, there’s a shark tank in the middle of the pool, and a plexiglass water slide that actually shoots you through the tank – brilliant for children, who will like the shark feeding, too. I love the onsite club, Gold Diggers – it’s a fun place, with none of the attitude you cop on the Strip.
Service:
Pretty laid back – it’s Downtown after all.
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Who stays there:
A new generation of Downtown fans – the refurb is starting to draw people up from the Strip. Families like it, too.
Price advice:
The rooms are not given away, but it’s definitely the way to do Downtown in style.
Pros:
Great new rooms
Fantastic pool
Family-friendly
Cons:
Expensive
Downtown location
More information on Golden Nugget:
- Price from:
- Type:
- Hotel
- Address:
- 129 Fremont St, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States, 89101
- Amenities:
- Business Centre, Fitness Centre, High-Speed Internet, Parking, Restaurant, Room Service, Swimming Pool
- Neighbourhood:
- Downtown
Community comments (1)
Absolutely loved it. Cannot wait to go back. First time in Vegas and the atmosphere on Freemont street was amazing. We stayed in the Rush Tower of the Golden Nugget and the room was lovely although we looked out on to the top of a car park, but we weren't in the room that long to bother about it. Casino was great and gambling was a lot cheaper than the other main big hotels on the Strip. If you do not want to be overwhelmed by the big hotels and casinos then i would recommend this hotel for first time visitors to Vegas. All in all a superb hotel.