Golden Nugget Still Shines in Downtown Vegas

The Golden Nugget has endured longer than most Vegas resorts and has added a new restaurant and a variety of summer events since it’s post COVID reopening.

First opened in 1946, the 2,419 guest room and suite Golden Nugget remained the only high profile resort in downtown Las Vegas for decades. In the past 10 years, several other resorts including The D, Downtown Grand and, in 2020, Circa opened hotels off of Fremont Street.

The resort’s renovated rooms, large casino, unique pools and close access to The Fremont Street Experience attract guests from all over the globe. It’s iconic image has been featured in dozens of movies including Viva Las Vegas and Diamonds Are Forever.

Housed in four separate towers, resort rooms range from small and affordable to huge and filled with luxurious in-room amenities. The Carson Tower, renovated in 2018, offers the most affordable rooms usually around $89 per night; the Gold Tower rooms were updated in 2015 and are centrally located and close to the casino and restaurants; the Spa Tower is an all-suite tower including large entertainment and living areas in each suite and the Rush Tower, opened in 2009, includes luxury rooms and suites a bit away from the hustle of the casino.

We stayed in the luxurious Rush Tower providing over 600 square feet of space with an open design plan. Entering the tower provided a feeling that guests were in a separate hotel with a designated VIP check-in area and it’s own porte cochere. Rooms feature a dark beige peanut butter and brown chocolate color décor with orange accents, modern light fixtures, two flat screen televisions, a work desk, robes and slippers and striped curtains.

The bathroom features two large sinks, a deep soaking tub and a rainfall shower head. There is also a very nice makeup station. Our room was very comfortable, roomy and quiet.

On of the main reasons to stay at the Golden Nugget is their unique pool areas. The Tank, a $30 million pool featuring a 200,000 gallon aquarium filled with sharks and a three story slide is a wonderful way to enjoy the Vegas sun and chill in a cushioned lounge chair or cabana with a cocktail from the H20 Bar. There’s also blackjack tables for poolside gaming, hot tubs for late-night dips and the Rhyolite Sound band performing Honky Tonk at the Tank live throughout the summer. Adults can opt for The Hideout, a secluded pool for those 21 and up. This infinity pool also offers daybeds and cabanas to relax away from the crowds.

The resort houses world-class restaurants including the new Saltgrass Steakhouse which opened last October. Famous for it’s Certified Angus Beef, the restaurant offers steaks, seafood, chicken, burgers, salads, sandwiches and more. We dined at the classic Vic and Anthony’s Steak House and enjoyed an old-school steakhouse dinner surrounded by dark woods, red curtains, leather chairs and chandeliers. Standout dishes include the seafood tower, roasted bacon, Wagyu filet and rib cap, fried lobster mac and cheese and decadent chocolate cake. Prices were well under Strip steakhouse menus and the meal was delicious.

The Golden Nugget has a variety of other restaurants including The Chart House featuring fresh seafood and a 75,000 gallon tropical fish aquarium, Grotto Italian Ristorante, Cadillac Mexican Kitchen, Claim Jumper, Chick-fil-A, The Grille and Starbucks. There is also The Chocolate Box delivering everything chocolate.

Entertainment options include impressionist Gordie Brown on Thursdays and Saturdays and upcoming concerts from Ambrosia, Lita Ford and Jefferson Starship.

The resort also houses a spa, fitness center and a 45,000 square foot casino with direct access to the Fremont Street Experience.

Whether you visit for a bachelor or bachelorette party, anniversary, romantic post COVID getaway for girlfriend trip, the Golden Nugget is a good bet.

Located at 129 Fremont Street, reservations at 844-468-4438.