Gold Coast: Hotel

This thread is to be used to discuss hotel accommodations at Gold Coast.

This is in response to Nick's review. I've stayed at the Gold Coast twice and found the review somewhat helpful. So I would like to thank him for it, and Mr. Wizard for posting it. On the other hand, I found myself occasionally wondering if we actually stayed in the same hotel.

* I did not find the pillows worthy of note and slept fine when I was there. I wouldn't sleep on a pillow that I found uncomfortable; I'd choose one of the other ones instead.
* I didn't find the mattress worthy of note. I guess I like 'em hard.
* I didn't find the water pressure worthy of note either, but I'm not very sensitive to such things.
* 50% penetration at double deck blackjack is the norm I've found for Las Vegas blackjack these days. Some casinos might go down to 60% and some dealers might go to 2/3's of the deck. Beyond that and they're courting trouble.
* They also had shoe games that paid 3:2 when I was there, not that any of you guys are much interested.
* Nick's shuttle experience was troubling, which is the reason why I don't rely on them much (I shuttled from the Orleans to Bill's once). Buses run up and down Flamingo every 15-20 minutes, don't cost much, and there's always room for one more.
* Who's the model? Who photographed her? The Wiz would tell us in his reviews, and I missed that here.
* I've never had TGI Friday's; perusing their menus leads me to believe it's a little pricey for the expected quality. Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe I'll try it someday.
* I have had the buffet. I liked it. Good comfort food, good price (especially with coupon or comp), rarely much of a line. I've seen differing opinions, so maybe I just caught them at the right times.
* I find it interesting that Nick's one notable experience with GC's customer service (the coffee thing) was positive. I haven't found the GC's service that great. They'll leave you alone if you want, and most of the time that's just fine with me.
* Nick's bottom line stunned me in that I didn't think it followed from the experiences noted. Some good, some bad, not a bad rate... I'M NEVER DEALING WITH BOYD AGAIN!!!!!!!! Truth be told, the other Boyd joints are more of the same (more or less), so Nick wouldn't be missing much. But if you're willing to listen to a contrary opinion, I LIKE the Gold Coast, I LIKE Boyd in general, and would recommend its hotels who those who can live with some imperfection. The gambling is decent/good, the food is (usually) cheap and sometimes good, the rooms are clean and comfortable (IMO), the staff is professional but not obsequious (mostly).

Pillows can show a lot of variation in a hotel, there being so many of them.

Water pressure can vary from say to say, and even from room to room.

As to the shuttle, there's always the Rio shuttle from Bally's and Harrah's. It will drop you off at the Rio, yes, but from there it's a short walk to Gold Coast. It's free and they run every 20 minutes or so.

I would like to note I thought the casino was good, as was the food selection and gaming. The things I mentioned however just drove me crazy, I want others to walk a mile in 100+ heat at midnight when they are tired and frustrated they would not get a ride on a shuttle their resort fee paid for as well as enduring painful shower. I am very easy to please I was satisfied with the room at first glance, it was only $25 a night, but Harrah's was free and I did not have to suffer there like I did at Gold Coast.

Hi Nick.

Quote: NicksGamingStuff

I would like to note I thought the casino was good, as was the food selection and gaming. The things I mentioned however just drove me crazy, I want others to walk a mile in 100+ heat at midnight when they are tired and frustrated they would not get a ride on a shuttle their resort fee paid for as well as enduring painful shower. I am very easy to please I was satisfied with the room at first glance, it was only $25 a night, but Harrah's was free and I did not have to suffer there like I did at Gold Coast.

I'll pass on that walk. I don't like to go to LV when it's over 100; too many other, nicer places to visit then. But I've had buses blow by me one after the other. "But I have a ticket/transfer/pass!" Not fun, and I've learned my lessons.

Harrah's is all right, I suppose. I've never stayed there. The food offers so-so value and the gambling is bad (except for very high stakes). It is on the Strip, so there's less need for shuttles. You can't please everyone, and no casino tries. That's why there's about 100 of them in Las Vegas.

I gambled here on 1/7/12. I was not prepared for the huge asian influence on this casino. A large portion of the patrons and dealers were asian. That's not a problem for me, but what threw me was the way the Pai Gow tables totally outnumbered the Black Jack tables. I think they had 4 whole Blackjack tables, and two of them were higher minimums than I play.

I decided I was in a mood to play craps instead. They had two $5 tables open, with the normal 3x-4x-5x odds. One was very loud and lively, with a large group of young white guys that looked to all be together. The table was hopping, and sounded like they were winning a lot. The problem was that it was totally full, with 5-6 onlookers waiting to jump on any spots opening up.

The other table was maybe half full, with mostly older asian men & women. it was very subdued. I bought in a couple hundred, and the shooter immediately rolled back to back 7's. I should have cashed out then, as everything after that was a long downhill trek. I was betting $5 PL with 2-3x odds and placing the 6&8 for $6 each. After 15 minutes I was down $80. After 30 minutes I was down $125. I made some of that back but was getting tired of being at a dull losing table, so I cashed out after 40 minutes down $90.

I tried some JOB VP when I actually found a 9/5 machine quarter machine. Had no luck at that either, and never even saw a cocktail waitress. I think they were focusing on the table players. I dropped another $35 on VP over the next hour. Never could get that last club for the flush, or turn a two pair into a full house. I met up with my brother and we hit a different bank of VP machines. Actually found a cocktail waitress who brought us inconsistent drinks. My bourbon & 7's were very strong, while my brother wondered if there was actually any gin in his gin & tonics. I dropped another $15 over the next hour before we left.

I've stayed at the hotel twice now. I would give it a generally positive review. Most of the rooms have been updated to the new "modern" style. The improvements are OK: flat screen TVs, some wood accents, updated bathrooms with a sliding door. Single-cup coffeemakers. No free wi-fi. A nice place to crash. Very small rooms. Low ceilings and long hallways in the common areas. This place is not about service. If you want to be left alone, you will be left alone. That said, it is hard to get service when you actually need something. A good hotel for the self-reliant. Great value, and they will generally comp you if you gamble. (Both with right-now comps and future offers. Be aware, consistentcy varies from pit to pit and shift to shift).

I rode the shuttle a couple times, both to the Strip and to the Orleans, and never had a problem. They even let me take my luggage on the shuttle. I would rate it as slightly better than Harrah's shuttle. (Pick up/drop off location is more convenient; Harrah's doesn't allow luggage).