Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
huge atrium designed to look like an old western town . . . where the town square
is actually the Rocky Mountains (or at least a campy version of said mountains).
On each side are fake western buildings, eight stories tall, the windows of which
are actually the windows of the guest rooms; in the middle is a Vegasized, mini-
national park, with real trees and bushes, and fake little mountains on which ani-
matronic beavers and bears cavort. You'll hear it before you see it, as the sound of
rushing water from the small falls here is overpowering . . . but still pleasant. This
being Vegas, this little wilderness area erupts into a laser and water show four
times a day. Off the atrium are six restaurants, two showrooms, a food court, and
a fab buffet (p. 103), as good as most on the Strip but cheaper.
Just as good but cheaper also describes the lovely guest rooms, which continue
the old west theme with plaid bedspreads and curtains and lots of wood furniture.
These rooms are much comfier than anything they ever had in Dodge City, with
soft-to-the-touch carpets, beds you sink into at night, and lots of space, even in
the standard rooms. Rates usually run between $32 and $52, up to $160 when
the town's gone nuts. There's also an RV park, and a good-sized pool.
So what do you get at Sam's that you may not on the Strip?
u
A spiffy new casino (added in 2003) spread across three levels, the top level
of which actually gets (gasp!) natural light via a series of skylights. Sounds
like a small thing, but it's a really nice change from the usual dark casino.
u
A childcare center with all kinds of things for the wee ones to clamber on
while you gamble away their college fund.
u
A 56-lane state-of-the-art bowling alley and an 18-screen movie theater.
Not enough to keep you happy? If you're still yearning to get to the Strip,
there's a regular, free shuttle back and forth. Can you tell I really like this place?
$-$$$$
Just next door,
Boulder Station Hotel & Casino
5
(4111 Boulder Hwy.;
%
702/683-7777; www.boulderstation.com; AE, DC, MC, V),
a large, bustling
casino with an attached smaller hotel of just 300 rooms, isn't quite as bright and
shiny, but still pleases. Rooms are motel-like, but generously proportioned, and
because the hotel part of the enterprise is relatively small, service is a bit warmer
and more personal than you'll find at many of the large casino resorts. There's the
usual complement of restaurants, a very good buffet (p. 103), an 11-screen movie
theater, a Kids Quest childcare facility (love those!), a small swimming pool, gift
shop, and an impressive live music venue that focuses on country and blues. Rates
here are also reasonable, sliding between $32 and $51 per night most of the year,
occasionally ascending into the $159 to $179 range on really hot weekends.
$-$$$$
Closer to the Strip, on the stretch of East Las Vegas that's become
known as the gourmet corridor for the large number of fine restaurants here, the
Tuscany Suites
(255 E. Flamingo Rd.;
%
877/887-2261 or 702/893-8933; www.
tuscanylasvegas.com; AE, DC, MC, V)
is a relatively new property that's big among
the business travelers who like its proximity to the convention center, its usable
business center, elegant lobby, and generous onsite convention space. But you
won't feel out of place if you arrive without a laptop; many families stay here as
well, drawn to the low-key comfort of this complex of 15 low-rise buildings (none
over three stories), which house large rooms that each have that top family-
amenity: a working kitchen, with a usable fridge and a table and chairs so you
