Rate Vegas

Stayed at the Golden Gate twice, once a couple of years back before the current remodeling, and again a few months ago. Although I've stayed in several downtown hotels, the Golden Gate is the most memorable, and I would certainly stay here again, especially considering the $19.06 per weekday room rate. This 100+ year old hotel has tiny rooms because that was the way they built them back then, but they are more than adequate, and the new furnishings are better than most I've seen downtown and at some strip hotels. It is noisy before midnight if you are in one of the Fremont Street-facing rooms, but you get a great view of the crowd antics. There is only one elevator, which is never busy, and there are always the stairs. The valet-only parking is free for guests, and only a couple of steps out the back door. There's no bell service, but the rest of the staff is great, very personable, and helpful. The casino is probably as close as you're going to find to an 'old time' gambling joint, with a bar running the full length of the table-game section of the casino. There's a real piano player at a real piano during peak hours, and a great deli in the back. The coffee shop is also first-rate. This is one of my favorite places in Vegas, not so much because of a couple outstanding things, but more because of the sum of a lot of smaller, pleasant experiences.