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GOLDEN NUGGET This was our 4th or 5th visit to Las Vegas but, because we decided to stay downtown instead of on the strip, it was almost like the first. The fact that downtown had been cleaned up and Freemont Street closed to all traffic other than pedestrian and covered with a canopy that provides light shows at night and cool mist during the day had never peaked our interest before. This time we decided to go to the Golden Nugget, a AAA Four Diamond hotel located downtown. Their Internet special of $44/night had a lot to do with the decision. But the fact that we were tired of the crowds, the noise, and the expense of the strip weighed in equally. It was time to explore downtown Las Vegas. The Golden Nugget was easy to get to and the lobby and staff welcoming. It is the home of the largest gold nugget on public display, the Hand of Faith, which weighs over 61 pounds and can be found near the boutique and elevators. Our room was as nice or nicer than those we have stayed at on the strip that cost 3-5 times as much and was far superior to rooms on the strip of comparable rates. So far, we were impressed. We were even more impressed when we found out that the normal rate for the room was only $59/night - still a bargain in my opinion. Once we discovered the Golden Nugget Buffet, we ate most of our meals there. If you can stand waiting in line, for ~$6-$10 (depending on which meal it is) you can have a very nice meal. There other dining options available - Stefano's (Italian), Lillie Langtree's (Chinese), Carson Street Cafe (casual), and California Pizza Kitchen. What is Las Vegas without a little gambling? The difference between gambling on the strip, which has become a lot like Atlantic City (not a good thing), and downtown is striking. We enjoy playing blackjack and found a number of single-deck, $3 minimum tables at various casinos on Freemont Street. I played for hours on $40 and left way ahead when it was time to go. I'll never get rich that way, but it's fun. Of course, the other extreme is available at Binions where there is no-limit poker - way, way, way out of my comfort zone. Then again $5, 7-deck blackjack tables make me sweat. Right at the Golden Nugget's doorway is the Freemont Street Experience, a light show created by 2.1 million lights on a canopy covering Freemont Street for a length of 5 football fields. A different 10-15 minute show appears about every hour between 7pm and midnight. Street performers, artists, musicians, chair massages, etc. keep you entertained between shows. The real gem at the Golden Nugget is the Spa which is only open to guests of the hotel. After checking in at the reception desk, you walk into an interior courtyard which is a scaled-down replica of the Frick Mansion's garden room in New York City. From this inviting and comfortable courtyard, you can access the separate spa facilities for men and women, the weight and exercise rooms (treadmills, cycles, stairmasters, precours), and The Beauty Salon. You can have lunch brought in to eat in this room if you wish. Entering the women's spa, you are escorted to the locker room to change into a robe and sandals. They will also provide shorts and t-shirts if you want to exercise. You can use the redwood sauna, eucalyptus steam room, or whirlpool. Fruits, juices, and bottled water are available. There are only two treatment rooms. It feels like it is your own personal spa - very relaxing and intimate. I had an hour-long massage by Denise. It was very enjoyable. The Spa also offer facials, masques, body treatments, manicures, pedicures, waxing, make up and hair treatments in The Beauty Salon. The Spa at the Golden Nugget opened in 1982 when there were only 4 spas in Las Vegas. At one time, it provided its own kitchen for Pritikin spa cuisine. It was ahead of its time and they found the space would be better served as a salon. This is a cozy, personal spa - no assembly line feel to it at all as is the case in many larger spas. Lance Nussbaum, Spa Director for 17 years, likes to call it a boutique- style spa. It's a good description. 50% of their clientele are repeat customers. For $15/day, you can use the spa facilities. If you have a massage, there is no additional charge. Unfortunately, the rates will be going up soon, but they will still be reasonable by Las Vegas standards. We really liked downtown and the Golden Nugget and look forward to staying there at some point in the future.
*Hoover Dam and Mt. Charleston are both located less than an hour away from Las Vegas.
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photos by Julie Register
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