This was once Bugsy's place, but now is Jackie's place. One of the oldest casino hotels in Vegas, El Cortez, once owned by mobster Bugsy Siegal, sits in a section of downtown that pre-dates The Strip. The hotel is just a few blocks from the Fremont Street Experience, the sound- and-light shows under 2.1 million lights and with a 540,000-watt sound system along a four-block stretch of downtown.
The El Cortez is operated by local legend Jackie Gaughan, whose owned the place since 1963. Guests and gamblers drink in an authentic glimpse of the Old Vegas at extremely affordable rates: oversized guestrooms and suites, friendly hospitality, bargain dining and 24-hour gaming action.
Looking for modern-day glitz or smoke-free environments? Look elsewhere. The 40,000-square-foot casino is the main draw here, an excellent place for "low-roller" gambling with low- stakes tables and loose slots. Gamblers can go crazy with multi-race keno, blackjack, craps, roulette, mini baccarat, three-card poker, slots, and a race and sports book. Got a complaint or compliment? See that guy over there on the casino floor? That's Mr. Gaughan.
Guestrooms include separate sitting areas, love seats, dressing areas, leaf-patterned wallpaper, salmon-colored carpets and bronze-and-pink bedspreads. For hungry gamblers and those who love them, Careful Kitty's Café dishes up breakfast items, sandwiches, burgers, steaks, seafood, Italian meatloaf and chicken-fried steak. Roberta's focuses on prime rib, steaks, seafood and chicken, while patrons can nosh sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs, pizza and pastries at Charlotte's Ice Cream Shop and weekend breakfast buffets at the Morning Express.
Guests can use the fitness center and rooftop recreation terrace at the Plaza Hotel and Casino five blocks away.
Want that Old Vegas charm at economical rates? Bet on the El Cortez - and you will know Jack.
Enjoy one complimentary breakfast per person per stay.
