My husband & I booked a week's stay at the El Cortez, just a block from the Fremont Street experience. I was skeptical about staying in downtown Vegas, but I can honestly say I had no reason for doubts. From the bell service as soon as we arrived, through our last day's checkout, we were treated like old friends & valued customers, even though this was our first stay there. My husband even got to play poker with the owner! The casino smells fresh & is breathable when you walk in, despite the smokers - something unique, in my experience. We had a jacuzzi suite, which would have gone for much more on the Strip - but you have to call the hotel to get one. They've been reserved in the past for high rollers & pit bosses. It was a great value at $125 for a weeknight. They've just recently been made available to the public & I'm so glad we booked one!! Everything about this smaller hotel & casino was clean, friendly, value-oriented (the players' club is defeinitely worth joining) & focused on customer service. This will definitely be our place from now on!

We went to Vegas last week and stayed at the MGM...but I also booked a room at the El Cortez for $30 one night/free the next for a "Vintage Room" because I figured if we wanted to hang out downtown...a $30 room for 2 nights was cheaper than a DUI driving back to the strip! We arrived early and they had a room ready for us. Check in was quick. Hotel room was nothing fancy, but very clean. View was of a wall...but not a big deal to us. Cleaning lady "cleaned up"/got rid of some things we had left laying out from other casino's such as playing cards from the Four Queens, etc. which I found kind of strange, but oh well...no harm done. Roberta's was a GREAT place to eat, especially with the 1/2 off coupon I had, and I loved the casino there. Walk felt very safe from Freemont experience as long as you stayed on the same side of the street as the El Cortez. Saw 2 security guards on that side. Other side had some people begging for money, etc.

This Hotel was great. It is away from the strip but a short bus ride to the strip. Everything is cheap down here so it saves you a ton of cash. When we arrived at the hotel to check in they gave us a free 2night stay if we returned next month and a room up grade!!! Take we only paid $28 a night!! Yes $28 a night. Then we received coupons to the buffet that was there. So we both ate for $7 at a buffet!! Yeah the buffet wasn't all that but it was almost free which made it great! Table start at like $5 won over $100 in blackjack. I enjoyed this casino I don't think I will stay on the stripe again. Can't beat the proce the staff is friendly and you get 2 enjoy downtown las vegas

The El Cortez is one of the best kept secrets on Freemont Street. I booked a tower room for $57/night on the weekend. The strip places are way overpriced on weekends, plus there is a lot to see downtown. The El Cortez attracts a lot of locals, which is always a good sign. The casino is friendly and easy to navigate. Excellent choices for video poker players from a penny up. Players card gives new players a free $5 in play. The garage is close to the hotel, and free to park. The hotel is just 1 block from the beginning of the Freemont Street experience, located in the recently-cleaned up Freemont East district. This part of town is now safe to walk alone at night, I did during my stay. The beds are comfortable, air conditioning works well, and elevators are quick. The window does not open the full way, and they charge $12/day for internet access if you need it. The only drawback is the small bathroom, but it is clean and functional. The shower pressure here is probably in the top 5 best of any hotel I have been to in recent trips to Vegas. I will be staying here again, and the staff is very nice. I was able to check in early.