I stayed 3 days at the El Cortez. I had a vintage room just up the stairs from the casino. The hotel is perfect for the single traveler interested in gambling down town. The room was small with a small bathroom, but very clean and and everything worked. This hotel is a great value. No pool. Free ride to the airport was very nice.

I always stay at the El Cortez. I just love the old Vegas charm! My last visit was March 07, and while on a short Vacation this month, I decided 1.5 days/1 night in Vegas would be fun before going to my final vacation destination of Phoenix. In my numerous stays at the El Cortez I have never had any major problems. I was extremely impressed this year how they have really cleaned up the surrounding streets which was much needed. I have read a lot of negative reviews on travelocity about my favorite hotel/casino in Vegas and Im just baffled. From the negative reviews Ive read it would appear most people want the pampering and accomodations of a $* a night room for $*-a night! UNREALISTIC expectations I for one will always stay at the El Cortez when I go to Vegas!

Myself, my husband, daughter, her fiance and a friend went to Vegas for vacation and our daughters wedding. The front desk staff are rude, the girl that checked us was very put out with having deal with us. Our daughter and fiance went to their room, the cards would not work- so they were reissued new cards- which wouldn't work... the front desk manager had security escort them up to the room to find out what the problem was. The door reader was broken so instead of fixing it, they placed them in another room, with 2 double beds not a king as was booked. They went back down and told them it was un-satisfactory and the front desk manager had the door fixed and told them the last two nights of their stay would be free. Well, guess what- check out on Monday, they got billed for the whole stay! The lady that checked us out told them they are not allowed to comp nights. When I confronted her about it- she got a flabergasted look on her face and couldn't get me away from the desk fast enough. I called and left a message this afternoon and haved not recieved a response. Also, requested maintenance for the tub that didn't drain two days into the stay, never happened. We are all very disappointed. Shop around!

My ex-girlfriend and I stayed stayed in the jacuzzi suite for a week for ~$800! The room was absolutely beautiful and the price was unbeatable. It's only a block away from the Freemont St Experience and transportation to the strip. We enjoyed a romantic Valentine's dinner in the hotel restaurant without any awkwardness. We were treated with respect and friendliness by the entire staff throughout our stay :)

If you are a non-smoker, make sure you get a room in the new section or over the garage. While it is a longer walk and a bit inconvenient, the garage rooms do not have the smell of the rooms over the casino. We stayed in the old section (over the casino) for the first 2 nights, upon returning to Vegas after our motorcycle excursion, we got a room over the garage. For the first stay, I had to sleep with my head under the covers due to the strong smoke smell coming from our air-conditioner/vent. Terrible, if you are a non-smoker. The second stay was not so bad. the quality of the rooms was better and had a cleaner smell. The security was always present in the parking garage which made us feel better parking our car in this part of town.