Gold Coast: Gold Coast Review

I stayed at the Gold Coast on 12/21-23. What follows is my review:

I selected the Gold Coast on the basis of a mailed offer I received for two free nights with $5 slot play and $5 food credit per night. I had played there before, giving them some action on their 9/6 Super Times Pay machines and their NSUD Multi-Strike (on multiple point days, of course). I booked the room through Boyd reservations with no problem.

I arrived late at night on the 21st after a long flight. I had a rental car. It was great not to have to deal with strip traffic or long check-in lines as I would have had to at a strip hotel. It was raining, so I parked in the parking garage off of Valley View and took the overpass right over to check-in. I was the only customer in the check-in line. Check-in was quick and painless, and the clerk noted my food credit and slot play, which I was afraid I wouldn't get. There was a $3 resort fee, which I was not charged. I forgot to note what it included; it is all disingenuous b.s. anyway. The pool seemed to be open for the winter, but as it rained the whole time I was there, I never got the chance to check.

I was given an updated "premium" room on the fourth floor. There is no hiding the fact that these rooms are small. The decor did not do much to change that. The flat screen TV and the flowers are a nice touch. All in all I felt that the updates were not terribly constructive and do not add much to the value of the room. If I am staying at the Gold Coast, I do not expect a Palms-type room nor do I desire one. The hallways and elevator lobbies were a mite shabby and could have used some updating/cleaning. There was a barber shop and beauty salon on the first floor. My room was very close to the elevator, but some rooms were way further down the hallway; I wouldn't want to have to walk that after a night out.

That night I was still amped up a bit so I did some gambling, including redeeming my first $5 free play on $.10 8/5 Jacks, netting myself $6.00. The slot club person said I would have to come back tomorrow to get my next $5 credit. That was slightly inconvenient, but the slot club people were very nice, and I threw a lot of coupons/questions at them. I then looked for a $5 pai gow game, but they were all $10. Baccarat was also $10, and mostly packed with Asians. $5 blackjack was plentiful, as was $5 craps (3x4x5x odds). Ultimate Texas Hold 'Em was at $5, but I didn't want to have to risk $30 on every hand, so I played $5 blackjack for a few hours, and got some free drinks. The play was unremarkable. The dealers seemed about average; neither friendly nor brick walls. There were a lot of "ethnic" (i.e., non-white) dealers. I wonder if Boyd has a more minority-friendly hiring policy.

The next day I met my parents, who were staying at the Rio, at the T.G.I. Friday's restaurant for breakfast. I had spam and eggs, and it was excellent. You could taste the fat (butter, bacon grease?) that they fried it in, and it was delicious. The coffee was $2.50, which I thought was excessive. Later, I played some $.25 NSUD for maybe 45 minutes. I also played the 9/6 Super Times Pay Five Lines and dropped $80, which I was disappointed in because I didn't want to risk that much on this trip. Oh, well, I also could have won. I used an LVA coupon for $10 free play, which my mom played off in addition to my second $5 credit. She earned me $11.80. I wanted to try the buffet, but we never got the chance, and ended up going to the Rio instead, which I'm sure was better. I also didn't use any matchplay coupons at the property, although I probably should have.

At checkout, I had an excess of $4.72 charge at Friday's that the desk comped, no questions asked. I was glad to see that. I probably could have gotten more food comps, but didn't take advantage as much as I could have. I really wanted to try their Chinese restaurant, Ping Pang Pong. The fact of the matter is that I was out and about much of the time and didn't get a chance to spend much time on property. It would be a good place for some long low-limit sessions to earn comps and points, and they do have some really good games. Drinks were $1.75 when I was there (I think to undercut a similar promotion at the South Point) which included premium brands like Gentleman Jack and Jose Cuervo, so it would be a good place to come drink even if you weren't gambling. Domestic beers were also $2.00. I saw a lot of Boise State football fans taking advantage of this promotion (but, strangely, no Utah fans :)). I also overheard some customers at the Palms saying they were going over to the Gold Coast. I enjoyed hearing that :)

Conclusion: Gold Coast is a fine property that seems to do most things well, and treats their customers fairly. I didn't have a chance to take the shuttle, so I cannot comment on that. I would like to see a regular coffee shop instead of a T.G.I. Friday's, but that is a small complaint. There was never a wait at the player's club. The hotel was adequate, if not outstanding. I could see myself spending a lot of time at the Gold Coast if my purpose was to get degenerate with some gambling, not lose too much, and soak up a lot of free drinks and food. For that, I think the property is suited.

Sounds like ya had a good time. As to missing the buffet you can sleep OK at night. Last January I went out alone and decided to see how little I could spend on food. 1/2 price lunch was a few bucks and it was not bad nor made me ill but I doubt I would hit it again.

Ping Pang pong is a rather decent restaurant. I was pleasantly surprised I expected bad take out type.

Very clear and thorough report. I have a few questions/comments:

1. If you rented a car and it was raining, why did you not valet park? Was that to save a buck?

2. An offer from a low-level place like the Gold Coast that includes a whole $5 in food and $5 in freeplay each night during the slowest time of the season, honestly stinks of them. You could have worked them for more, regardless of your level of play, which can't be much. And why are you staying at such a low rent place after that long flight anyway? The GC is more a place where overindulging local degenerates plop.

3. I'm concerned that you're eating something like "spam & eggs" and enjoying it. Did you mean ham & eggs? And what's this about it tasting good because of the high fat content of the grease they cooked it in? Have you not heard of the obesity and cholesterol problems in this country?

4. You're right, thr Rio buffet far surpasses the food at the GC. Your parents have the right idea and hopefully you learn more from them.

5. I'm glad you got to mingle with some fans from Boise St. They are some of the best people in the country!

Thank you for the feedback, Jerry. I honestly appreciate it :)

I'm proud to be an overindulging (non)-local degenerate :)

I self-parked because it was honestly easier because I was able to park directly across from the crossover to the hotel. I don't even know if they have a valet at the Gold Coast. I do valet park at properties where it is inconvenient to walk from the self park to the hotel/casino. The Gold Coast is not one of those properties. And yes, I do tip :)

I love Spam, and was surprised and delighted that they had it on their menu. It was freakin' delicious. I hadn't had it in a while, so that made it doubly good. And yes, I will indulge in high fat items on a Vegas trip. I also went to a Hawaiian barbecue place in Boulder City and got Loco Moco, Spam Musubi, and Kimchi. Those who know what that is will know it ain't no health food.

Quote: teddys

Thank you for the feedback, Jerry. I honestly appreciate it :)

I'm proud to be an overindulging (non)-local degenerate :)

I self-parked because it was honestly easier because I was able to park directly across from the crossover to the hotel. I don't even know if they have a valet at the Gold Coast. I do valet park at properties where it is inconvenient to walk from the self park to the hotel/casino. The Gold Coast is not one of those properties. And yes, I do tip :)

I love Spam, and was surprised and delighted that they had it on their menu. It was freakin' delicious. I hadn't had it in a while, so that made it doubly good. And yes, I will indulge in high fat items on a Vegas trip. I also went to a Hawaiian barbecue place in Boulder City and got Loco Moco, Spam Musubi, and Kimchi. Those who know what that is will know it ain't no health food.

The valet at the GC faces the Rio, and the few times I've used it I found them to be very efficient.

I didn't know Spam was still on the list of real foods!

Quote: JerryLogan

I didn't know Spam was still on the list of real foods!

Surprisingly, Spam has seen a boost in the last 10 years, its very popular. I can't eat the stuff, I know whats in it. Its the original 'mystery meat' and they love it in Hawaii and Japan. Soldiers lived on the stuff in WWII.

Teddy-

Nice review.


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Spam got it's popularity boost, not surprisingly, because of spam.

It's kinda how commercials subconsciously get you to try a new brand. You hear a name often enough that you try the product.

Spam benefits from the free advertising brought on by all the sexual enhancement and Nigerian princess emails people get (among others...).