Great offer from El Cortez

Given how wretched the offers I've been getting from other casinos have been, I'd like to relate what I've gotten from El Cortez:

I have a standing offer for three free nights + $50 food credit + $40 free play + 5x points. I can use it anytime. I also just got an offer for New Year's Eve--three free nights over the New Year's Eve weekend, plus $100 food credit and entry in a drawing for $10,000 in prizes, at a New Year's Eve party with free boooooze. They are letting me use both offers consecutively, so I can stay from the 26th through the 1st.

I don't play any higher denoms at the EC than anywhere else--it's mostly .25 single-line, on +EV games. But other casinos have reverted to treating me like dirt, for the most part. The El Cortez seems to be one of the few remaining casinos that actually wants your repeat business.

I think you and a place like the El Cortez deserve one another. The $40 free play should last for hours on the nickel and penny machines; 5x points ought to do wonders for your slot club status; someone has to keep the bed bugs company for 3 nights; and $50 or $100 in El Cortez food only means you'll be guzzling more Jim Beam to kill the germs a dump like that serves up with their concoctions.

Should be an experience to remember, and your wife will never stop reminding you of it. Happy New Year!

Quote: JerryLogan

I think you and a place like the El Cortez deserve one another. The $40 free play should last for hours on the nickel and penny machines; 5x points ought to do wonders for your slot club status; someone has to keep the bed bugs company for 3 nights; and $50 or $100 in El Cortez food only means you'll be guzzling more Jim Beam to kill the germs a dump like that serves up with their concoctions.

Should be an experience to remember, and your wife will never stop reminding you of it. Happy New Year!

Didn't they remodel the El Cortez? I'd stay there and hang out elsewhere.

Quote: EvenBob

Didn't they remodel the El Cortez? I'd stay there and hang out elsewhere.

They did. It is not that bad anymore.

That is a supremely generous offer. My friends who play at the El Cortez never worry about booking a room in Las Vegas when they go because they know they will get a comp at the ElCo when they get there. They are $3 craps players. They also get all the food they can eat at The Flame. The El Cortez seems like one of the last old-school pencil-comp places in Vegas. And yes, it is much nicer these days. More of a "clubby" feel. Probably more like the old Binion's than the new Binion's is now.

Funny, I was going to post about a very similar deal I got today from a Reno casino (the Atlantis). Three free nights in its deluxe tower (similar to a typical Hyatt or Marriott), free buffet on NYE night, free booze during the new year celebration and $50 in free play. It says, "Evening attire suggested. Black tie optional."

Personally I'd rather skip the parties and black ties and stay at the tables.

Quote: Wizard

They did. It is not that bad anymore.

It's more than "not that bad". The new tower rooms are very comfortable, and for $30 or so you can get the suites, which are huge. The tower has been recently remodeled, so the furnishings and fixtures are quite new. You really have to see it to believe it.

Quote: Wizard

They did. It is not that bad anymore.

The El Cortez Tower Rooms are very nice. Large and with a great view. The TV's and the furniture are just very dated.

New air cleaning has made a big dent on the smoke. They removed about half the slot machines so that it is roomier. The coffee shop is completely renovated, and an old hotel in the back has been renovated and turned into the Cabana Suites.

I thought this was a more aware group.

You can't just "make-over" a dump like that and say it's a great place to stay. The place is in a rotted out section of town, it's loaded with bums and slobs from the street, nothing can get the stale stench of smoke from that casino, and their restaurants still serve garbage and in many cases, it SMELLS like garbage. I tried it twice, once before and once after the great make-over, and those were two of the biggest mistakes I've ever made. I'b be embarrassed to be telling people I'm coming in from out of town, and that's where I'm staying. Further, my wife would slap me silly if I ever bring up that name to her again.

Quote: JerryLogan

You can't just "make-over" a dump like that and say it's a great place to stay. The place is in a rotted out section of town, it's loaded with bums and slobs from the street, nothing can get the stale stench of smoke from that casino, and their restaurants still serve garbage and in many cases, it SMELLS like garbage. I tried it twice, once before and once after the great make-over, and those were two of the biggest mistakes I've ever made. I'b be embarrassed to be telling people I'm coming in from out of town, and that's where I'm staying. Further, my wife would slap me silly if I ever bring up that name to her again.

I'm going to have to agree with JL(!) on a couple of the above points.

While staying at the Fremont in August, we walked across to The EC twice. Once to get a Players Card and have a few drinks at the bar around 10PM. Later in the week to have dinner @ The Flame.

The walk down Fremont is Ok until you hit Las Vegas Boulevard. After crossing the street it's a TOTALLY different world!!!! Beggars, Drunks, Druggies....they're all out on the streets. My wife was VERY uncomfortable making the short walk. She made it VERY clear we were not going back there for any deal! The meal was good at The Flame...but we go to the Triple George Grill on 3rd for dinner when not eating dinner at a Casino, it's a closer AND better.

Once inside, the first thing that struck me was the ODOR. Garbage, years of old nicotine....I'm not sure how you'd describe it but it's pervasive and VERY uninviting. It's very similar to the stench at the Golden Gate but turned down just a notch.

On another note, the clientele were on the sketchy side, not that casinos don't draw a few oddball's. A LOT of downtrodden looking characters, more so than at other places I've frequented downtown.

But then, I've never been to the Gold Spike either.