HotelChatter

[Photo: Narsissi]

Booking It
We were planning the wedding on the fly and asked the hotel to book us a suite for three nights. Since it was a downtown hotel, I wasn't expecting much and asked if I could see the room first.

Our group sales coordinator talked me out of seeing it and only said that the two-storey spa suite is better seen on arrival and he was sure that I'd be pleased. I thought about being pushy, but I was way too busy to argue.

Room Reaction
He wasn't kidding. The two-storey suite was impressive. First of all it has two entrances. The lower level of the suite is the main door, and then the bedroom also has it's own access on the second floor. When you walk in you face an entire two-storey wall of windows looking down at the pool.

It had a living room, kitchen with counter bar, dining area, bathroom, and a sweeping staircase that leads you to the master bedroom and bath. The bathroom had a two vanity mirrors. one long and one small, a spa tub, steam shower, and separate toilet room.

Next to the bed was a control box that lowered a hard shade across the windows, and drew the curtains. It was a massive room perfect for throwing a small party, and getting ready for a wedding.

Differing Decor
All of the spa suites are two-storey, but décor varies. There is a strong demand for vintage Vegas, so the décor can seem dated. But believe it or not, some prefer it, and we were quite happy with the vintage look.

The size of the room is impressive enough. Either modern or vintage can be requested, but not guaranteed.

Internet Connect
The hotel has WiFi, $12.99 per day in all rooms.

Pool Scene
Besides going for a Vintage Vegas theme wedding, we also based our wedding festivities around the cool shark tank at the pool. We rented a few cabanas for our guests ($200 a pop/per day on a busy weekend) and it was a blast sliding down the waterslide, through the shark tank aquarium, and having the option to go play cards by the pool, or enjoy the lounge sofas near the bar.

Bottom Line
The current cost of the spa-suite at the Golden Nugget is $359/night for weekdays (checked for June 4-5) and  $429/night for weekends (checked for June 5-6). It is an absolute worthwhile budget traveler's splurge for any Vegas weekend or special occasion.

Downtown might not be for everyone, but the four diamond award-winning Golden Nugget is no compromise for those that are used to mid-level resorts on the Strip.

Check out where our other VIP Hotel Reviewers have stayed.