Emerald Suites Cameron: Convenient Basic Off-Strip Accommodations for a Short or Extended Stay
Written: Mar 11 '07
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Comfortable, clean, convenient off-strip location
Cons: Smoky-smelling rooms, no elevators, Internet connection didn't work for me
The Bottom Line: The Emerald Suites Cameron location is clean, comfortable and convenient, but watch for smoky rooms and spotty Internet connectivity. Highly recommended for non-web-surfing, bargain-hunting smokers.
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| kazu's Full Review: Emerald Suites Cameron |
I'm a bargain shopper, and I'm thorough. Before booking a room at the Emerald Suites Cameron location for a 3-night stay in fall 2006, I exhaustively compared prices, read reviews, and analyzed pros vs. cons. Emerald Suites Cameron ended up having everything I wanted -- low rates, a kitchenette so I could save money on food, the Orleans casino across the street, and a location that was straight down Tropicana from the airport. There are two Emerald Suites locations just off Tropicana, and from everything I'd read this is the preferred one because it doesn't have train tracks running next to it.
At the airport I rented a car and was able to easily find the Emerald Suites location after having printed out MapQuest directions. Just be sure not to stop at the first Emerald Suites you see -- that one's the Emerald Suites Tropicana. Keep going to Emerald Suites Cameron, across from the Orleans.
I checked in fairly late on a Monday night, and I'd booked a one-bedroom non-smoking suite. The person at the desk was very friendly and gave me the key to a room on of the upper floors. Since there was no elevator, I hauled my suitcase and other items up the stairs. Unfortunately the "non-smoking" room had an ash tray on the end table and smelled very strongly of fresh cigarette smoke. I called the front desk and was told to come down and switch rooms, so I hauled all my stuff back down the stairs and put it back in the car before going back to the office. Although my room was officially a non-smoking room, it was explained to me that sometimes on weekends when it's busy, they open up the non-smoking rooms to smokers. I was given a different room which I was assured had been recently occupied by an elderly, non-smoking couple. It turned out to be a two-bedroom suite, which was more than I needed, but they didn't charge me any extra so that was fine. It smelled much better.
I got settled into the second room, which was on the ground level, and found it clean and comfortable. The kitchenette was stocked with plates and utensils, so a quick trip to the grocery store had me set up for my entire stay. The room's windows were right next to exterior sidewalks and the parking lot, so I'll admit that as a solo traveler I didn't feel quite as safe there as I would have on an upper floor or in a high-rise hotel, but there were security doors to the interior hallways which were usually (though not always) kept closed. The decor was fine and reasonably modern, and the beds were comfortable (I tried both rooms in the two-bedroom suite and ultimately selected my favorite).
After leaving the smoky room, the only problem I had there was not being able to use their complimentary high-speed Internet access. I plugged into it and my laptop reported that I was connected, but no matter what I tried I was unable to access the web or email. I asked about it at the front desk and even tried it from a different (third) room, but without success. They said that normally people don't have problems with it, so perhaps it was an issue with my system. I've been able to plug in at other hotels, though, without incident. The only way I was able to access the Internet while I was there was through a intermittently-working open wifi connection coming from somewhere... I never figured out where it was originating from and Emerald Suites said it wasn't theirs, but I was grateful to have it since I'd promised to check work email while on vacation and didn't want to be disconnected.
The biggest benefit location-wise of the Emerald Suites Cameron location is its proximity to the Orleans hotel and casino, which is right across the street, and not even busy Tropicana. It's an easy walk across a side street. I'd been planning to play poker and was happy to find that the poker room is directly inside the door closest to the Emerald Suites, so it was extremely convenient. Although there's no food on site at the Emerald Suites, the Orleans has several restaurants, including a cajun buffet. Since I was being "grocery girl" during that trip I didn't try them, but other travelers will likely want to.
Having rented a car, I was also just a few blocks from the strip and easily able to get to other casinos, which all have ample parking. The return trip to the airport was also a straight shot back. The Orleans has a shuttle to the strip and several of their sister properties, with priority going to Orleans hotel guests. The Emerald Suites properties are rumored to have a shuttle as well, but I didn't see one when I was there and didn't ask about it.
Next time I go to Las Vegas I'll probably stay somewhere else, but I'd consider the Emerald Suites Cameron again if I could get an upper-floor room that didn't smell like smoke and where I could get the Internet connection to work.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
kazu
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Member: Beth
Location: Seattle, WA
Reviews written: 20
Trusted by: 12 members
About Me:
Out standing in my field, chewing clover and waiting for rain.
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