Frommer's Las Vegas 2004

THE CASINOS 229
Westward Ho Hotel & Casino This small but centrally located Strip casino
hosts many slot tournaments, and slot players who obtain Preferred Customer
cards can amass credits toward complimentary rooms, meals, and shows, among
other benefits. 2900 Las Vegas Blvd. S. & 702/731-2900.
EAST OF THE STRIP
Green Valley Ranch Resort Probably too far for the average traveler to
drive—after all, when there is a casino just steps (or floors) away from your hotel
room (and between you and anywhere in the world apart from your hotel room),
to say nothing of several dozen more within a few blocks of your hotel room, you
may be disinclined to drive out to one that is isolated from many other decent
casinos. But given that this is a swank resort (or at least, trying to be), that it’s
smallish and elegant, that it’s got a happening, decadent bar with girls prancing
in go-go boots right in the center, and that more bars attracting the young and
beautiful and well-heeled are opening here, you might want to make a visit, just
to see the scene. And they have penny slots. Go figure. 2300 Paseo Verde Dr. (at I-215),
Henderson. & 702/617-7777.
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Where Gen X goes to gamble. The Hard Rock
has certainly taken casino decor to a whole new level. The attention to detail and
the resulting playfulness is admirable, if not incredible. Gaming tables have
piano keyboards at one end; some slots have Fender guitar fret boards as arms;
gaming chips have band names and/or pictures on them; slot machines are similarly
rock-themed (check out the Jimi Hendrix machine!); and so it goes. The
whole thing is set in the middle of a circular room, around the outskirts of which
are various rock memorabilia in glass cases. Rock blares over the sound system,
allowing boomers to boogie while they gamble.
A bank of slots makes gambling an act of charity: Environmentally committed
owner Peter Morton (the Hard Rock’s motto is “Save the Planet”) donates
profits from specified slots to organizations dedicated to saving the rainforests.
A Back Stage Pass allows patrons to rack up discounts on meals, lodging, and
gift-shop items while playing slots and table games. The race and sports book
here provides comfortable seating in leather-upholstered reclining armchairs. All
this is genuinely amazing, but the noise level is above even that of a normal
casino and we just hated it. We are in the minority, though; most people love it,
so assume you will be one of them. 4455 Paradise Rd. & 702/693-5000.
Las Vegas Hilton The casino has two parts, thanks to the space-themed portion
adjacent to Star Trek: The Experience. In an area designed to look like a
spaceport, you find space-themed slot machines, many of which have no handles—just
pass your hand through a light beam to activate. You’ll find other
gimmicks throughout the casino (though already some have been dropped since
the opening), including urinals that give you an instant “urinalysis”—usually
suggesting this is your lucky day to gamble. We do like a well-designed space in
which to lose our money.
Over in the original casino section, Austrian-crystal chandeliers add a strong
touch of class. The casino is actually medium-size, but it does have an enormous
sports book—at 30,500 square feet, it’s the world’s largest race and sports book
facility. It, too, is a luxurious precinct equipped with the most advanced audio,
video, and computer technology available, including 46 TV monitors, some as
large as 15 feet across. In fact, its video wall is second in size only to NASA’s.
The casino is adjacent to the lobby but is neither especially loud nor frantic.
Especially plush are the vast 6,900-square-foot baccarat room—with gorgeous