Downtown stay

View from rush tower 21st floor

Golden Nugget:

So, RP made this awsome reservation at the Golden Nugget.  A suite for the week at a price less than a regular room rack rate.

The dilemma when we left for this roadtrip was whether we were keeping the reservation or cancelling it and staying at the Oasis.  We decided we would spend at least the first night (tuesday) at the Nugget and see how we felt about it from there while Piper stays safely ensconced in the Oasis.  The deal RP made included limousine service from  the airport but we drove the Beast into valet instead.  We were a little early for check in, so we went to Starbucks (not really our favorite, but consistent) for some coffee

Sidewalk at the Nugget

and then a stroll to the container park.  This park is a great little compound of restaurants and stores with an area for live entertainment that doubles as a kids play area (Google it, this is a really cool little park).  We then went to the El Cortez.  Neither of us have been in there so we figured we check it out…. $5 single deck blackjack was an ok way to waste the time till the Nugget called to let us know the room was ready.
We got a corner suite on the 21st floor and unpacked and chilled for a bit.  Bell delivered our bags and RP headed for the shower while I got in bed for a nap (hey, we are here to relax).  Knocking at the door startles both of us….RP naked in the bath, me starkers in bed, I grab one of the provided robes and go to the door where room service is knocking with a tray (we didn’t order any room service!).  He says “Mr. Jackson,  cookies and milk with the compliments of our assistant general manager”, and with a flourish he brings a plate of soft yummy cookies and a container of ice with two glasses of cold whole milk in it.  I’m stunned, I am in my robe with no cash to tip, he leaves before I can get cash.  So, this is how the rich live……it’s pretty good from my view….RP and I enjoy a cookie with a glass of milk naked in bed……ahhhhhhhhh, the suite life!

Cookies and milk from the manager

The room is about 600 square feet and contains a king bed and a nice seating area with full sectional couch and chairs.  A makeup table is near the bathroom which has nice big double sinks, a combo shower and true soaking tub (I can lie in it comfortably with water to my chin), separate wc for the toilet.  There is a true foyer with a nice big closet that I cannot see while in the main part of the room.

Downtown Vegas is definitely not what it was 10 years ago.  A hearty thanks to Tony Hsieh, CEO of Zappos!  He has made his headquarters here in downtown and spurred a heck of a makeover of the downtown area.  Where once there was nothing but junkies, whores, homeless and trashed out buildings there are now clean streets.  RP and I have named the area as ZAPPOVILLE.  In ZAPPOVILLE you see many trendy young business types during the day and that translates into a nice experience.  There are nice restaurants, trendy bars and bistros and an all over feeling of commerce in what was once a den of iniquity.  They have taken some of the old neon and placed it as highlights and made this into a place you want to be.  It’s even safe to venture to the El Cortez again.

East Fremont street looking towards the experience

Menu cover

After reading up on Yelp where we wanted to eat, we chose the LeThai restaurant.  It is located right on Fremont in ZAPPOVILLE.  We checked in and the hostess got my cell number for the waiting list and put us on the now a it app.  This app is very cool and gives you an opportunity to communicate with the restaurant while you are out doing other things instead of hanging out in a line.  The 45 minute wait is definitely indicative of the new feeling of commerce in the area.  They were packed and the line of checkins just kept growing after we were seated.

Anyway,  this is great Thai food with a limited menu and some great drink selections.  We shared the waterfall beef appetizer and the pork Pad Kee Mao  (drunken noodles).  Fabulous flavor for both.  RP had ice tea and I had a San Miguel Negra from the Phillipines.  Our waitress (Cheri’) was very helpful and personable.   We caught her on her last night working there, she said she and some friends were venturing out on their own with a Bed and Breakfast.  We wish Good fortune to them.

So, if you’re looking for downtown Las Vegas adventure, take the time to hit Fremont and the surrounding ZAPPOVILLE.  The Fremont Experience should definitely be on every Vegas list.  Come downtown and enjoy the free entertainment, both intentional and accidental.  See the area, do the zipline, eat at Oscars, Andiamo or one of the other high end restaurants.  Have a drink and just generally enjoy yourself.  Get familiar with Yelp and Trip Advisor and they will be your friends.  We have found that the reviews here are usually fairly accurate overall.  Venture out off the beaten path and see some places the strip moguls don’t have.  The small fun bistros, the local artist cooperative, the container park, neon museum, mob museum (not to be confused with the mob experience at one of the mega casinos).

Have fun when you are here.

We’ll see you out there.  Remember to say hi if you see us.

Till next time, BFD.