Got the green light for a Vegas trip in July!! Strip VS Fremont

[rszdtrvl]

We have been to Vegas 4x already.

Stayed at :
Bally's
Excalibur
Excalibur
Imperial Palace

This time we are staying downtown - Fremont Street. Probably at Four Queens. We are excited about being able to experience a "new" thing - "old" Vegas! We went there for a very short period of time during our first stay at Excalibur - not even long enough to get a feel for it.

Anybody want to tell me about their experience staying on Fremont as opposed to The Strip? And which they enjoyed best?

Thanks! Soooo excited!

 

[StageTek]

I prefer staying on the strip (Imperial Palace - now "The Quad" - is my hotel of
choice) and traveling to Fremont St. I've stayed there twice - the Golden Gate
and Vegas Club. It's fun there, too. But I tend to spend more time on the strip
then downtown.

Where do you spend the majority of your time when in Vegas?

 

[rszdtrvl]

In the past, we have spent the majority of the time exploring other casinos and gambling.

We are only staying for 2 nights this time, instead of our normal 3.

DH likes to gamble. I enjoy gambling, but also enjoy people watching and window shopping.

In fact, when we are on the strip, a lot of the time I wandered around while he was playing his video keno (In my opinion, it is sooooo boring!!) and did my window shopping and exploring.

 

[low-key]

Freemount street is pretty cool but I bet it would get old after not to long

 

[rszdtrvl]

Freemount street is pretty cool but I bet it would get old after not to long

That is why we chose to have a quick trip instead of our normal 3 day trip.

We just want to experience it and see how it compares to the strip.

I love the strip! The excitement, the energy, the casinos!

But I think it is also exciting to be spending a couple of days (actually 1 whole day, a bit of a day, and a half day) in the older part of Las Vegas also.

The Pawn Stars shop (Gold & Silver Pawn) is only a mile away and I am hoping to finally make it to that tourist trap this trip! I know the crowds are awful and the heat is going to be horrid, so we will see........

 

[low-key]

The Pawn Stars shop (Gold & Silver Pawn) is only a mile away and I am hoping to finally make it to that tourist trap this trip! I know the crowds are awful and the heat is going to be horrid, so we will see........

you might want to spend the money and do this
http://www.viator.com/tours/Las-Veg...s-Vegas/d684-5293PAWN?SSAID=389818&aid=132440

 

[rszdtrvl]

Yeah, I saw that too.

However, they pick you up from Bally's and I don't want to take a taxi to the strip.

I mapquested the distance, and it is only a mile away from our hotel, so I just may hoof it and walk instead. I am hoping to do that on our full day. DH does not want to go, but I do.

It may just depend on how good the machines treat us.

 

[Judy from Boise]

I bet you will find the machines looser.......

 

[rszdtrvl]

I bet we do too, LOL.

We have been playing the MYvegas Facebook game, and are hoping to get enought points to do our strip night at the Mirage.

 

[bcla]

I prefer staying on the strip (Imperial Palace - now "The Quad" - is my hotel of
choice) and traveling to Fremont St. I've stayed there twice - the Golden Gate
and Vegas Club. It's fun there, too. But I tend to spend more time on the strip
then downtown.

Where do you spend the majority of your time when in Vegas?

You prefer Imperial Palace? Most of what I've heard is that it's considered possibly the worst dump on The Strip. It's been variously described as in serious disrepair to disgusting as well as unsafe. Even after the remodel.

 

[bcla]

The California Hotel and Casino. Imagine a downtown Las Vegas casino where about 80% of the clientele got dropped off by bus straight from a flight from Hawaii.

It's a fun atmosphere, but be prepared to hear a lot of people speaking odd English and/or Hawaiian Pidgin.

 

[Judy from Boise]

I would consider staying at the new tower of the golden nugget. Golden nugget also has a great pool. I love Fremont street, catch the shows, consider zip lining, and bring lots of ones to pose with impersonators.....especially the mutant Disney ones. The slots are loose, the maradi gras beads are free, and fun street fair atmosphere. I love down town.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[jmpurcel]

Best hotel on fremont is the golden nugget and their rush tower. As for pawn stars you should see how soon they open. Everytime i have drove by the line is 100 people deep and a doesnt seem to move quickly.

 

[lovebug33]

We stayed at the Golden Nugget and loved it. However, we are locals, so we were only there the one night. You have to see the light show at night. It is amazing!

 

[StageTek]

You prefer Imperial Palace? Most of what I've heard is that it's considered possibly the worst dump on The Strip. It's been variously described as in serious disrepair to disgusting as well as unsafe. Even after the remodel.

Most of what you've heard is inaccurate. It's safe, it's low key, it's center strip, it's inexpensive, it's clean. Right now it's a bit chaotic because of all the remodeling but right now it's even cheaper than ever.

No luxury hotel if that's what one needs - but clean, safe, convenient and cheap for those who just need a place to sleep while enjoying the Strip.

 

[Disneylover99]

Most of what you've heard is inaccurate. It's safe, it's low key, it's center strip, it's inexpensive, it's clean. Right now it's a bit chaotic because of all the remodeling but right now it's even cheaper than ever.

No luxury hotel if that's what one needs - but clean, safe, convenient and cheap for those who just need a place to sleep while enjoying the Strip.

Imperial Palace (now the Quad) is my sister's favourite Vegas hotel for all the reasons you mentioned. She misses the Mai Tai bar though.

 

[bcla]

Most of what you've heard is inaccurate. It's safe, it's low key, it's center strip, it's inexpensive, it's clean. Right now it's a bit chaotic because of all the remodeling but right now it's even cheaper than ever.

No luxury hotel if that's what one needs - but clean, safe, convenient and cheap for those who just need a place to sleep while enjoying the Strip.

I've been by, and the place always struck me as being odd. Sort of the black sheep of the Harrah's family. Reviews of the buffet are almost universally to avoid.

Here's some examples:

http://www.yelp.com/biz/imperial-palace-hotel-and-casino-las-vegas

This place isn't just disgusting, it's dangerously unsafe.

Dont stay here!!! This is to anyone who thinks they might be getting a deal for their money. This is the worst hotel I've ever stayed in. I dont care if their rates are low, they should still have a safe, clean hotel. The wall had a big hole in it. The bathroom was dirty with someone's hair still in the tub and the drains were clogged up. Smelled horrible. Carpet was dirty, had stains, walls had small spots/splatters of who knows what. Sliding glass door wouldn't open properly. Dirty glass, remote didn't work. Need I say more?!?

Upon opening the door, we were greeted by more dilapidated furniture, stale air and heavily stained carpet. Either someone had a crazy orgy in here before us- or there was a homicide. Needless to say- I waited until I got home to shower and I refused to take off my shoes.

p.s. The lobby on our floor (where the elevators are) looked like something out of a 70's horror movie. The wall paper was literally torn and held up by duck tape!! I wish I would of taken a picture of this.

It was free. That's what I kept telling myself.. the room was free for the weekend, plus its only for sleeping whenever you can fit that in.

I was looking for a good deal for my birthday stay-cation and I knew that we wouldn't really be in the room the whole stay we were going out to eat and also to nightclubs so the room wasn't really going to be that important. But I was so no expecting the room to be a complete dump...

DO NOT STAY AT THIS HOTEL. YOU'VE BEEN WARNED.

Ugly: Its midwest tourists run amok in Vegas. When I went to the Aria that weekend walking around I couldn't help but think "people here are MUCH MUCH more attractive than at the Imperial Palace".

So, are there any positives about IP? It's conveniently located near major Strip hotels and casinos and attractions. Also, the show Human Nature is fantastic and worth a watch, especially for fans of Motown. Other than those features, if you're only looking for a basic hotel room to crash in, and you don't mind the questionable atmosphere, then IP might be a good choice.

This place is an absolute nightmare. Harrahs sent us free room nights and, unfortunately, by the time we called to book, the only place with openings was the Imperial Palace. I would never stay here again - I would much rather pay the $10 or $20 more and not feel like I was getting infected with who knows what...

I hate this hotel. I was forced to stay here for a bachelor party. This hotel is ugly, smells and really shows its age. I didn't like a single thing about this place. I have stayed at most of the strip hotels over the years and this is easily the worst. It is one of the cheaper hotels if price is your only criteria. Location is good - in the middle of the strip.

If you're looking for a "Vegas Strip Hotel" experience, this simply isn't the place to go. If you're looking just for a roof and clean bed, there are cheaper options just a block or two off the strip, and otherwise just as centrally-located. Hopefully, the construction will lead to them making it more Vegas glamour and less Indian res casino meets Motel 6.

The only reason anyone should ever visit the Imperial Palace is because their baby was kidnapped and being held for ransom in one of the rooms. And even then I would say to think twice.

So that's my honest assessment of Imperial Palace. If you're the type of person who won't go to a Motel 6, then don't stay here. If you are looking for a good deal and you're not picky, you'll be fine.

If you're looking for a hotel on the strip with all the looks of a murder-infested motel, Imperial Palace is for you.

 

[Disneylover99]

I've been by, and the place always struck me as being odd. Sort of the black sheep of the Harrah's family. Reviews of the buffet are almost universally to avoid.
:

Of course people always post their horror stories. Guests that have adequate stays rarely/never post. StageTech is not calling the Imperial a luxury hotel. It's far from it. But as he said it's cheap and centrally located. If you just need a place to crash for the night and you are on a budget, it's perfect. Guests that are only spending $20-$30 per night for a room crack me up with their complaints.

 

[bcla]

Of course people always post their horror stories. Guests that have adequate stays rarely/never post. StageTech is not calling the Imperial a luxury hotel. It's far from it. But as he said it's cheap and centrally located. If you just need a place to crash for the night and you are on a budget, it's perfect. Guests that are only spending $20-$30 per night for a room crack me up with their complaints.

We stayed at Paris for $25 a night around Christmas. IP would have been free. My wife plays a bit and got some offers. I wanted Rio (chesper actually) but my wife wanted to try them out.

The fact is that there are numerous reviews on various travel websites warning about how sketchy the place is. I took a quick peek from outside and walked past as fast as I could.

 

[kmedina]

I have never stayed downtown, but I was there twice last weekend. Once to watch Beauty and the Beast at the Smith Center, which is lovely. The other was to have Pop Up Pizza and go to the Discovery Children's Museum with my kids and nieces. It is a lot nicer than it used to be, and they are adding more quality restaurants and venues. I am just bummed that we will be at Disneyland and DisneyWorld during the 1st annual Life is Beautiful Festival that will take place downtown. With all of the expansions and additions to downtown, I think it will be a real player in the next few years.