Frommer's Las Vegas 2004

HENDERSON 119
age?), and so who knows what her fate will be by the time you read this. Until then,
Garden rooms are small and basic with nice motel-style furnishings, while tower
rooms (the newer ones) have fresh carpeting and furnishings, and all are clean and
comfy. In other words, it’s good enough even before you get to the econo-prices.
206 N. 3rd St. (at Ogden Ave.), Las Vegas, NV 89101. & 800/523-9582 or 702/477-3000. Fax 702/382-2346.
www.ladylucklv.com. 792 units. $40 and up double; Sun–Thurs $55 and up junior suite, Fri–Sat $70 and up junior
suite. Extra person $8. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Free self- and valet parking. Amenities: Casino; small showroom;
3 restaurants; outdoor pool; tour desk; car-rental desk; free airport shuttle; limited room service; laundry service;
dry cleaning; nonsmoking rooms. In room: A/C, TV w/pay movies, fridge, coffeemaker.
Main Street Station Finds Though not actually on Fremont Street, the
Main Street Station is just 2 short blocks away, barely a 3-minute walk. Considering
how terrific it is, this is hardly an inconvenience. Having taken over an
abandoned hotel space, the Main Street Station reopened in November 1996 to
become, in our opinion, one of the nicest hotels in Downtown and one of the
best bargains in the city.
The overall look here, typical of Downtown, is early-20th-century San Francisco.
However, unlike everywhere else, the details here are outstanding, resulting
in a beautiful hotel by any measure. Outside, gas lamps flicker on
wrought-iron railings and stained-glass windows. Inside, you’ll find hammeredtin
ceilings, ornate antique-style chandeliers, and lazy ceiling fans. The small
lobby is filled with wood panels, long wooden benches, and a front desk straight
out of the Old West with an old-time key cabinet with beveled-glass windows.
(Check out the painting of a Victorian gambling scene to the left of the front
desk.) Even the cashier cages look like antique brass bank tellers’ cages. It’s all
very appealing and just plain pretty. An enclosed bridge connects the hotel with
the California across the street, where you will find shopping and a kids’ arcade.
The long and narrow rooms are possibly the largest in Downtown, though the
ornate decorating downstairs does not extend up here. White-painted, wooded
plantation shutters replace the usual curtains; each room has a very large giltframed
mirror; and the simple but not unattractive furniture is vaguely French
Provincial. It’s all clean and in good taste. The bathrooms are small but well
appointed. Rooms on the north side overlook the freeway, and the railroad track
is nearby. The soundproofing seems quite strong—we couldn’t hear anything
when inside, but then again, we’re from L.A. A few guests have complained
about noise in these rooms, but the majority haven’t had any problems. If you’re
concerned, request a room on the south side.
The Pullman Grille is the steak-and-seafood place, and is much more reasonably
priced than similar (and considerably less pretty) places in town. The stylish
Triple 7 Brew Pub is described in detail in chapter 10. The excellent buffet is
described in chapter 6. And the casino, thanks to some high ceilings, is one of the
most smoke-free around.
200 N. Main St. (between Fremont St. and I-95), Las Vegas, NV 89101. & 800/465-0711 or 702/387-1896.
Fax 702/386-4466. www.mainstreetcasino.com 452 units. $45–$175 standard double. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V.
Free self- and valet parking. Amenities: Casino; 3 restaurants; outdoor pool next door at California Hotel;
car-rental desk; dry cleaning; nonsmoking rooms. In room: A/C, TV w/pay movies.
8 Henderson
VERY EXPENSIVE
Ritz-Carlton, Lake Las Vegas
Kids Vegas prides itself, these days, on
offering all sorts of “luxury resorts.” Vegas exaggerates—in some cases, by a lot.