Mosiah L.
Yelp
I stayed at the Casino Royale for my Vegas vacation (March 23-28) and I can say that it was just ok for me. It wasn't great but it wasn't awful either. I booked my vacation in mid January, so I only paid $525.75 total for my room through priceline.com. Not bad at all for a hotel in the heart of the action on the Vegas Strip. I saw that the reviews were pretty good (with some people calling it a hidden gem) but most of the reviews seemed to be from people who only visited the casino but didn't stay in the rooms. What really prompted me to choose this hotel was not only the location and price, but the fact it doesn't charge a resort fee. All I really wanted was a clean, affordable room in a hotel with a casino. I don't gamble much but I wanted a casino to be there just so I could have the full Vegas experience.
The Best Western Plus Casino Royale isn't the ideal place you'd want to stay if you're a guy trying to impress your girl with extravagance in Sin City. Just having Best Western in the name can turn some of them off, but since I was traveling alone I wasn't trying to satisfy anyone but myself with my accommodations. Still, I did notice that when my airport shuttle dropped me off in the back of the hotel one of the women on board said, "WTF is this? Oh, he's staying at a Best Western." Then she gave me a look like she felt sorry for me. And so my Vegas vacation began.
Upon entering, I had to maneuver myself through the busy casino area. Most of the people there could not have cared less about moving out of the way of me and my two pieces of luggage either. I think some of them don't even know there is a hotel here. The casino was big for a hotel that only has four stories and most of the players appeared to be having a fun time.
Enough of the casino, let me tell you the positives and negatives of the hotel (starting with the good):
1) The room was clean (including the restroom)
2) The bed was large and comfortable
3) Upon checking in, they signed me up for a Best Western Reward card free of charge
4) In my best Donald Trump voice, the tv was "huge"
5) They slid a complimentary USA Today newspaper under my door every day except Saturday and Sunday
6) Room came with a coffee maker and small refrigerator
7) As a guest of the hotel, I used the business center computers and printers as much as I wanted without any additional charges
8) The location is SO convenient. The Casino Royale is between the Venetian, Palazzo and Harrah's plus it's across the street from the Mirage. It only took a short walk to visit Madame Tussauds Wax Museum at the Venetian or to see the volcano show at the Mirage. The High Roller ferris wheel at the Linq Hotel was close as well. There is a Ben & Jerry's, Outback Steakhouse, Denny's, White Castle, Subway, McDonald's, Walgreens, Fat Tuesday, Panda Express and a place that sells foot long hotdogs nearby. They also sell Las Vegas souvenir shirts and sweaters inside the hotel near the casino.
Now the bad:
1) When I checked in, the lady at the front desk mumbled something to me about $125. My room was already paid for and there is no resort fee here, so I asked her what was she saying. She then told me the hotel charges a $25 "security fee" for each night I stay there. Since I was going to be there five nights, they took a $125 charge out of my card. She said I would get my money put back into my account about a week after checking out as long as there is no damage to my room. I know $125 may not be much to them but it was an unwelcome surprise charge that cut into some of my money set aside for vacation fun. This was the worst part of my stay.
2) The water in the room smelled funny. I used their shower every day but I wouldn't drink the water. I just bought bottled water from Walgreens.
3) The elevator broke down almost every day I was there. I regretted requesting a room on the 4th floor. I thought I'd see some of the Strip from my room. I wasn't expecting a great view but every time I looked out the window, all I saw were employees on break in the back of the building.
4) The housekeepers are very sweet but they take a long time getting the rooms cleaned. I'd see them on my floor first thing in the morning as I left and by the late afternoon they were still up there. So you never knew what time of day your room would be cleaned.
5) When exiting the casino area to get to your room, you have to swipe your room card. I know they do this for security reasons but it's an inconvenience if you're in your room and want company to drop by without having to come down and let them in or if you have your hands full and trying to get back up to your room.
Would I stay there again? I'm torn. It wouldn't be my first choice but the location is perfect. And even with that surprise charge, it was still cheaper than most surrounding hotels. Now that I know what to expect, I'll be better prepared IF there is a next time.