Decided on Las Vegas and the last minute for our yearly vacation so we couldn't do a lot of homework for our stay like it like to do with "Trip Advisor" but our travel agent booked us into the El Cortez because she knew we like to stay near Fremont Street. What a gem of a place! Yes you could see that the room had older furniture, but the room was very clean and the beds were comfortable. What more could you ask for. We did have trouble the first night with noisy neighbors but that is certainly not the hotels fault, your in VEGAS BABY!! We had a few meals in the 24 hour restaurant and always had a good meal, but would think twice about Robertas for the Flame or whatever the are calling it now. Not the best service we have ever had (see sep review0 Over all we would stay at the El Cortez the next time we are in town.

I arrived in LV a day earlier than scheduled & could not get into the strip hotel I had booked (they were FULL) so I decided to go DT to see what they had. I decided upon staying at the EC (it was only for 1 night). I got a Vintage room with a Queen bed (Located above casino floor) & did not expect much for $30. I was blown away! This is supposed to be a standard room, but it looked more like a suite. The bathroom was small, but clean, with old looking fixtures, that worked fine (that's why they call it Vintage). The room had a Big L shaped sofa/couch surrounding a nice table & a Flat screen TV. The bed was very comfortable (not small at all). The closet was Huge with plenty of space. There was a nice view of Fremont street (without any noise problems, from the street or casino). The food was good, at a great price (for LV).

The downers (2): The casino is more like a bingo parlor than a casino (but there are other places to gamble, within walking distance) & you have to WALK up to the 2nd floor, NO elevator (I HATE to walk, but this was no big deal for me to deal with).

I almost stayed here my whole trip, but I had other reservations (& paid a deposit) at a strip hotel. I wish I would have eaten that deposit & stayed here at the EC. This room made my Spa suite at the Luxxx (strip hotel not mentioned) seam like a cracker box & a BIG waste of money. Sure, the NEWer suite had a Jacuzzi tub, that took FOREVER to Fill & Drain (basically worthless) & the furniture there was Spartan indeed (a small table & 2 rickety chairs). I could have saved close to $500 & stayed here (wish I had).

I stayed at the El Cortez for 3 nights, I had a group rate and the price was worth every penny. I had a King Tower room, I didn't have a view (well, it was of the A/C and the roof), but the room was very nice. The king bed was ok, with very soft pillows. There was a small loveseat , chair and cocktail table. There was a large desk and they have WIFI for $11.99 for 24 hours. The bathroom was small and the lighting was poor in there but not terrible. Overall it was a great room!
The El Cortez is only a block from the Fremont Street Experience, so you are close to several casinos. I did order room service once and I was surprised at how inexpensive it was! Both my friend and I ate for under $15.00 with the room service fee! The food was came up fairly quickly and was delicious.

I would stay at the El C anytime, the tower rooms look fairly new and it was very clean. Just don't expect a 5 star resort and you will be fine.

This was my first stay Downtown and I decided to book the El Cortez on the word of other TA Members who had stayed there. I had no idea what to expect. When I got to my room, I was pleasantly surprised. I thought the room was big and liked the layout. I had a one bed tower room that had a great view of the Strip and mountains in the distance. The only thing I could see someone having a problem with is the height of the shower. I'm short, so it was OK, but a tall person might find it annoying.
Everyone I met during my stay was friendly and the casino had a "homey" feel unlike the huge Strip casinos. I never felt that it was unsafe in the area outside of the casino. For anyone who really likes all the glitz of the Strip, this may not be the place for you. It's not "glitzy" at all. I would stay there again.