Two women travelling alone on a budget: Perfect! We payed $25.00 a night through Expedia. I expected the WORST after reading some of the reviews here, but was pleasantly surprised. We stayed on the non-smoking floor and had no issues with stale smoke. Yes, the room only had 4 channels, but we spent most of our time on Fremont St. Yep, the tub backed up when we showered, but we expected it from the reviews and it was not a big deal. We did not utilize the tiny, dark casino, I ate one sub-standard dinner and one great breakfast at the cafe. Again - casinos and food galore on Fremont street anyway! We were not bothered by anyone, we felt perfectly safe walking the short distance to Fremont.

I read a review that there were bedbugs, and checked thoroughly for them when we arrived - there were none.

If you are looking for a cheap place to crash while venturing out into Las Vegas, the Gold Spike is a great deal.

I liked it, and will stay there again when travelling alone or with a female friend.

BTW, if you are coming from the right direction, stop at the Nevada Visitor's Bureau in Boulder City on your way in, ask for the coupon that will get you a page of coupons at the Fremont St. kiosk. My friend and I ate 2-for-1 buffet every lunch and dinner the whole three days we stayed downtown.

The Gold Spike is an under-rated downtown hotel that's perfect for college kids, people on a budget, or those who just want to have fun for cheap. If you're trying to impress your girlfriend/wife or you're terrified of seeing homeless people, stay at the Wynn and stop writing reviews about this property that have nothing to do with the actualy quality of the room or service delivery.

The purpose of my trip here was simple: long weekend with the boys, and we wanted the most fun and cheap Vegas experience possible. None of this volcano-pirate-ship-shooting-water-fountain-polar-bear-cage-near-the-blackjack-table stuff. We wanted cheap booze, cheap gambling, and the most colorful characters you can find in Las Vegas. Three of us were going for four nights, so we wanted something big, comfortable, yet cheap. Our friends and cheapovegas.com gave good reviews of the Gold Spike. Convinced, we called room res, and got quoted a two room suite with two beds, one sofa-pullout, balcony, two tvs, and ‘fridge’. $65 for Friday and Saturday $55 for Sunday and Monday. Beauty. Booked it.

We arrived into Las Vegas late Friday night, and no cheap[--] trip to Vegas would be complete without taking the CAT bus from the airport. At $1.50 and with round-the-clock service, you can take comfort knowing you won’t have to wait in the demeaning cab-lineup and you won’t get ripped off by corrupt cabbies. We hopped on, and approaching the Downtown Transportation Centre , we passed the really dated and old-school Gold Spike. Our eyes lit up by the really unstylish Gold Spike marquee and we couldn’t help but laugh; this place is going to be AWESOME.

We got in to the DTC at 0100hrs and had no security issues/worries walking through the bus terminus, unlit park, and city block with our rollaboards, despite some previous reviewers saying they wouldn’t do the same. We get into the place, and oh man was it great. Sketchy people with such tremendous stress on their face playing penny slots with the most positive Tom Jones song blaring out on the speakers. The lobby area completely blocked off with police-tape so the custodian could buffer the carpet (yes, carpet). The hotel registration clerk was a class act. A pure heart of gold, which is why we didn’t really care that she took five minutes to do her paperwork before she would help us, and continued doing her paperwork while checking us in. The rules which were posted behind the counter were even funnier than the marquee: “housekeeping hours are between 0900-1645”, “one set of towels per guest per day (towels are not given on your check-out day)”, “there is a $20 deposit required to have the telephone turned on in your room”, and my favorite: “there is a $10 deposit for the use of a remote control for the television in your room.” What a place.

We got our keys-cards and were assigned to the top floor, room 703. We walk into our room, flicked on the light, and our low expectations were by far exceeded. Although the furnishings and interior design were really tacky and old, the room was exceptionally clean. The room had two chairs and a table, a couch, one tv in the living area and one in the bedroom, a sink area which was separate from the toilet and shower, and a mini-fridge. The fridge could barely hold 10 beers, but it was good enough. The room didn’t have any rooftop lighting, only lamps in the corner, and a hangy-light over the table. No cable on the TV, but good reception for all basic channels. We had two heating/AC units for our room, one of which was probably older than me, and a brand new one. The older heat unit worked quite well, but the newer one didn’t. We didn’t bother addressing this out of laziness and the fact that it wasn’t very cold. I stepped onto the balcony to take in the magnificent view of the eight storey city-hall parkade and the shut down Lady Luck. This was incredible, leading me to my first epiphany—probably from the beers. Sharing my ecstasy, I yelled to the people (who looked like ants to me) in the parking lot: “I’m on top of the world!” Apparently, one of them was an outsourced security guard who thought I was on the roof. He yelled at me to get down; liquored up and confused, I told him I was on my own balcony, but he didn’t believe me, summoning backup to respond to a “code 4.” In no more than five minutes, two security guards came knocking to our door, asking about all the fun I’m having. First off, it was an epiphany, not just ‘fun’. And secondly, I told them I was on my own balcony. The light bulb in their head turned on, and they wished me a good night. Nice guys. We went to the parking lot, looked up, and realized that the ‘balcony’ really looks like the roof. Whoops.

After our CSI work, we deserved a break. So went south a block to take in Freemont Street. Listen, this surrounding area safe. There’s way too many people and cars circulating around the spike at all hours for it to be unsafe, just read up on Jane Jacobs’ “Eyes on the Street” theory if you don’t believe me. After getting gooned off multiple half-yards of margaritas on Freemont, we returned to our room to pass out. Despite the fake headboard and lack of bed frame, the beds were comfortable and the sheets were clean. For all four nights, we had no problems sleeping, and there was no noise to complain about.

After our first night, a shower was in order, and my god, the shower nozzle was the worst I’ve ever seen, and this includes a month-long visit to India staying in various $5/night guesthouses. It was just a high-powered hose spewing out a powerful burst of water. But the water was warm, and it made our visit just a bit funnier. Afterwards, for our 3pm breakfast, we thought we’d give one of the “succulent (foot-long) hotdogs” a try. $1.99 and you get a 16 oz pop with it too. Beauty. We ordered to a friendly clerk and got our food fast. Uh, yeah. The hot dog’s color was that of my pale white skin, and the taste was no better. Having the ‘chef’ (who kinda looked like a thinner Rudolph Giuliani, complete with FDNY hat) stare at me from the kitchen while I ate my food was by far the creepiest thing I’ve ever experienced in Vegas. I’ll never go there again, even though $5 for steak and eggs is a steal.

Housekeeping was great, they not only turned down the beds, but they cleaned up our empty beer bottles and pizza boxes. We also had no issues leaving wads of cash (or one of our friend’s last assets; a stack of, uh, entertainer cards) on the table. Their one-towel-per-guest policy was strictly enforced, even if you tip. But we did get exactly 9 containers of shampoo as an act of goodwill after the first day. I guess they audit the towels but not the shampoo.

The slots area was fun. The 1c keno slots still had the chained-down pen that you touch to the screen, the 5c video poker had an impressive $213.08 progressive posted on a half-burnt out LED screen, and the copper mine is an impressive alcove of the oldest slots priced at 1c. Signs reminding patrons that "The wearing of wave caps, do-rags, and bandanas on the property of the Gold Spike hotel and casino is strictly prohibited" were everywhere. My buddy, who started off with 50 credits, hit a jackpot and ended up at 191 credits on the 1c wheel of fortune slot. He decided it was best just to walk away while on top, so he cashed out. Cashing out 191 credits seemed to be quite overwhelming for the machine, so he had to have his $1.91 paid out by hand. The cocktail waitress was a doll, we tipped her $1 per two-drinks and she kept the beer coming. Great way to get ripped for very cheap.

We needed a late checkout on our last day and we were told this was impossible unless we paid for an extra night. Inquiring with the heart-of-gold night clerk, she could give us an hour later than checkout: 1pm. We checked out without incident, but their policy prohibiting the holding of bags was annoying. When you pay $260/tax in for a two room suite that sleeps at least three for four nights, you can’t get it all, I guess.

Low maintenance people who just want a safe, quiet, clean place to pass out that’s way off the beaten path will be delighted with this place. And with cheap tables at the El-Cortez and the Freemont Street just a block away, you can’t go wrong. If you go with the thinnest of expectations, you’ll love this property. So will your wallet.

Tips:
-When going to the gold spike (or downtown for that matter), TAKE THE CAT. Service every 30 minutes around the clock, and it’s $1.50. The 108 will get you to Fremont, and while the 109 won’t, it’ll take you to the Downtown Transportation Centre which is two short blocks away
-Just don’t eat at the café. It isn’t that bad, but just go to McDonalds or something.
-A Walgreens is located a block away, at the corner of Fremont and 3st. Get your kitschy souvenirs and redbull here. Best pricing.
-Best nearby pizza delivery is a place called Boston Pizza (not to be confused with the really bad Canadian pizza chain), it located down the street, they deliver fast, and the pizza was greasy and perfect after all that cheap gold spike draft; [--]
-If feel bad having all your booze comped, the best place to buy liquor is from the liquor store that you have to get buzzed in to, that’s beside the Western hotel/casino.
-For all of your table gambling needs, go to the el-cortez, as the gold spike has NADDA for table games. Although the dealers are not very skilled, they’re nice, and the comps are great.
-The DTC is a block away and will get you ANYWHERE you need to go in Vegas. Catch the strip-only Deuce at the DTC, there’s always a bus waiting and you’re guaranteed a seat.

The moment I went in I knew I had to write a review, for I had read many awful ones...
Maybe I was expecting such a horrid hotel that it wasnt so bad but for me it was just what we needed.
My boyfriend and I went to a convention on April 2007... we were both very happy with this hotel... some of my thoughts:

The casino is not like the ones in the strip but it lets you feel a little more of a "real" "underground" Vegas... the people there are not turists and you can see it.
At night (our room) got noisy... with the real sounds of the city... ambulances, police cars... so what? you are sleeping in a very BIG CLEAN bed... and have a very nice decent CLEAN bathroom with cool water pressure ;)
the ONLY thing I didnt like and maybe if the hotel changed the ROOM CARPET it would look amazing... cause it was rather dirty... yet for that you have sandals!
For the smoke smell... which is expected... use some incense or something and its gonna be fine!
Didnt like the value meals though but if you have no money they can taste really good!
Then... as a plus... you get the Fermont st. just like one block away!
So for those that dont NEED the glamour lights and the big fancy hotels this is a perfect choice...(Specially if you have a car to move around!)
Its cheap.. yet you dont get less for what you pay.

I shouldnt recommend it so much 'cause then it might get too crowded! haha

cheers!
(couldnt take pictures sorry!!)

I stayed at the hotel last October and am planning on going again this year. All the reviews are correct. You can save some money, but you may be dissappointed with the accommodations. I didn't expect much and that was a good thing. The price was good, but the place is as described. Fortunately I was on the 5th floor and away from most of the smoke. The clientele that are at the hotel are definitely ecclectic. I only stayed in the room long enough to shower and sleep. I walked to the strip (only if you can walk a couple of miles). There were some individuals at the Blackjack tables that I made friends with and they seemed genuinely likeable. I did not worry about my safety outside - either in the parking lot or on the sidewalk walking to the strip. Would I recommend this to my friends - only if I tell them not to bring the wives (not the cleanest of accommodations). For me, it worked out well and I hope this year will be the same.