The Gold Spike was a great deal . . . once I found a room that didn't have odor and had a working air conditioner. The people at the front desk were cooperative and it got done.
STRATEGY - before you unpack your luggage 1.) check for odor. 2.) be sure cooling element works on a/c unit 3.) check the shower head for good pressure. 4.) check TV. 5.) lights
A room switch at this point is fast and easy.

PRICE - What a deal! fri- $30, sat-$30 , sun-$20, mon- $20 + tax = $111
ROOM 421 - good a/c, good shower head, good kg bed, good overstuffed chair.
DINER - friendly people, yummy specials. Eat them. Bisquits and Gravy $1.29 (11pm-6am) Steak and Eggs $4.95 (11pm-6am), Steak & Shrimp $7.77 all time. Ham and Eggs $3.99 all the time.
BAR - cheap! 99c frozen drinks $1.50 scooners of beer
COUPONS - use them $5 bj matchplay, drawing, 10% off food
CASINO - remodelled, but 1970s style penny slots are gone, but where have all the winos gone?
RESTROOM in CASINO - high quality remodel and clean.
BUS STATION - easy 4 minute walk. Return to Airport for $1.75.
FREEMONT EXPERIENCE - easy 2 minute walk. Lots of FREE bands this summer under Freemont Experience - Rare Earth, Three Dog Night, Jefferson Starship, Canned Heat, 5th Demension, Big Brother and the Holding Company, Bill Haley's Comets
Negatives:
TV only 3 channels, one snowy
Lamp had broken 0n/Off switch
Light Bulbs (40W) too dull to read a newspaper
Slow shower drain, but workable

Using my strategy, given cheap rate . . . I'll return again.

Ken from Kansas City

if you are looking for a place to gamble it is perfect... but to sleep..you get what you pay for. As many deals as there are stay somewhere else until remodel is complete. The rooms were not done yet. Our room although clean was loud, had only two tv channels with no remote or power button , scaffolding outside the window which banged against the window all night with the wind and our power was knocked out. Funny as it was at the time there are plenty of hotels that offer the same rates. Construction starts early in the morning if you stay mon- fri. It is close to freemont, and parking is very close. staff was friendly.

To be honest, I held my breath when I entered my room because of the neighborhood I was in (downstown) and expected mystery stains, funky smells and a creaky bed for the price I paid......howeverrrrrrrrrr, I was pleasantly surprised and laughed at myself for the deal I had gotten. Though it's going through a renovation right now, the rooms are quite clean and pillows are nice and fluffy. Great value even though I didn't get a remote control and TV only has about 2 visible channels plus my bedside lamp was missing a bulb. I did notice most of the female card dealers and waitresses are cute 20 year olds!

Stayed at the Gold Spike bc I love the Freemont St area of Vegas. Was surprised to see that the inside of the casino has been renovated and looks pretty good. The rooms are not yet renovated but once they are I is not sure how any other hotel downtown will be able to compete. Stop in for the 1.99 breakfast. You won't be disappointed.