Stardust Las Vegas
Written: Oct 16 '04
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Easy and complete. Good location. Good staff.
Cons: A little dated, but kind of proud of that fact, too.
The Bottom Line: I can recommend this hotel for pleasure travelers, business people, and families with kids.
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| aashtech's Full Review: Stardust Resort & Casino |
On my third trip to Las Vegas I reluctantly booked at the Stardust hotel. I am only in town for business conventions and, since the meetings were at the Riviera with more than ten thousand attendees, I wanted to be close to the action but not too expensive. However, I booked late and this limited my room choices.
Despite my trepidation, this proved to be a wonderful stay. Sure, the Stardust belongs in the nineteen-seventies, but overall it merited four out of five stars.
Checking in
Checking in was a breeze, which I really appreciate. So was checking out, by the way. I am not someone that likes to stand in lines and arrived with only three people ahead of me, moved through quickly, and got to my room in short order. Wonderful. A friend on the same flight stayed at the Riviera and it took her almost two hours to check in.
I took a cab but should point out for those of you driving that the Stardust is a driver-friendly hotel featuring a big parking lot and registration right next to that. Most hotels like you to drag your bags through the casino to check in and out.
I stayed in the West Tower, which is the 32-story section most visible from the street. Elevators right off the lobby are broken into bottom sixteen and upper sixteen floor ranges and I never waited a minute for one to be available. Compare that to the Riviera, which always had a long wait and Circus Circus (I stayed there last year) which always had a long walk.
The room was big and well appointed, generally. I had a king-sized bed on a non-smoking floor. The bathroom was big with decent shampoo and soaps. There were lots of pillows, an in-room steam iron, table for two near the window, additional desk surface, lots of floor and table lamps, and a good alarm clock. There is an in-room safe with complimentary key, which was great for stashing my winnings (yeah, right.)
There weren't many channels on the small TV, though, and no in-room coffee maker! Bummer that. Also, there were very few outlets, so ironing clothes was a little tricky. I pulled the mattress away from the wall/headboard to plug the iron in.
The Casino
Granted, I was in town for a convention, but let's take a stroll through the casino, anyway. The Stardust is truly a seventies icon, and would fit right in. I've heard, though can't confirm it, that some of the Austin Powers casino shots were made here. It's believable with the loud colors. The dominant game is slot machines, as they are everywhere--clicking, whirring, and clanging away. All around the perimeter are lots of little lounges, also very seventies, with cheesy entertainers. The headliner is always Wayne Newton--staying with the seventies theme--and you can have a picture taken with a sparkly showgirl or two for a few bucks. Like every casino on the north strip, this is a smoky place. There is one little section of table games with roulette, craps, blackjack, and some of the variations (Pai Gow poker, Caribbean Stud, and let it Ride.) There is a nice Baccarat room, but this was always empty and a fair poker area. The poker tables are close to the casino, and open, but quiet enough for play. I sat down at a $3-$6 table and had a good time. Be forewarned, though, that the chairs are not comfortable, but you can snag some extra cushions. One player followed a big ritual of moving every twenty minutes, carefully arranging her three cushions each time. Drink service was spotty here, but I can assure you that is the only service complaint I have about this hotel. The entire staff was friendly and helpful throughout the whole stay.
One of the best gambling features is the Sports Book with lots of screens, lots of comfortable chairs, and a good reference area. If you need a place to take a short break, this is a good recommendation. I usually find someone else resting here, too, and get a good conversation. This is located right beside the limo entrance.
The strip
After a short break, let's head out to the strip. The Riviera is across the street. Right next door is a McDonald's, the Westward Ho Casino, and Circus Circus. Check out other ePinionauts for reviews of these places. McCarran International Airport is about three miles away.
This reminds me that the Stardust does not offer an airport shuttle, but there are small bus lines that handle that. I bought a round trip fare for a few bucks and this is an easy way to get back and forth.
For shoppers there is the Fashion Show Mall less than half a mile away (an easy walk) and Marshall Rousso under a mile away. I'm not a shopper, though, so can't help you with pointers here. My focus was poker and I found a few tables I liked. Circus Circus has a good room, off the beaten path and glassed in for quiet. The chairs were a little more comfortable than Stardust's, but the room feels crowded. Harrahs has a decent room. I like the fact that it is completely closed in and has a bar with lots of attentive service and a good range of stakes. This may be the best bet for a newcomer of the places I saw, but this is also populated by regulars, so watch out. The dealers were great, though. I played a tournament at Golden Nugget (and got hammered by some excellent play and weak cards.) This is a good poker room, although also crowded. Ballys has a good poker room, too, although I was here early on a Monday morning and it was pretty empty. The play was intense at low stakes and my tablemates were regulars, too.
The best poker room I saw in this group was at Bellagios, which is a beautiful place, very comfortable with lots of players. Stakes may be a little high for the novice, though, starting at $4-$8.
Back to the hotel
One thing about the Stardust, is that you never have to leave the hotel. This is not my style, but for many travelers it is worth noting. There are nine different restaurants--from coffee shops to buffet to upscale. I only ate at Tony Romas, which is American fare, reasonably priced, and can recommend it. I enjoyed the ribs and ordered a side salad, too, but can promise you the main course is plenty. They had some decent beers on tap, service was good, and although there were only two of us, we were seated at a nice big table. William B looks like a good place, but pricey as appetizers start at $12.00, soups and salads at $9 or more, and main courses range from $19.50 for chicken to nearly $50 for steak and lobster tail. There are coffee shops and delicatessens, too. The Coco Palms buffet is another option, although I didn't try it. I liked the buffet at MGM Grand and Bellagio. Circus Circus' buffet, right across the street, is okay, too.
Getting back to the room in the evening you may find it a little complicated coming from the strip to the elevators, but after a few trips this got easier. Believe me, though, you will pass a lot of slot machines. Before you get on the elevators, though, a security guard checks your room key by swiping it though a reader. I found the temperature throughout the casino comfortably cool, but some visitors from England found it far too chilly. If that is your general thermostat range, you might want to toss a sweater or light jacket in the luggage just in case. Housekeepers seem to be working the hallways at all hours, although they are quiet enough so that I slept like a baby.
In the morning my alarm clock worked perfectly and the wake-up call (recorded greeting) was right on time, but I also got a personal call a few minutes afterwards. This was a very nice touch, although it only happened on Friday morning. The fitness center is small but adequate to a traveler's needs. It was empty (or nearly so) each morning, so it is probably big enough for the clientele. The Stardust probably draws older visitors than some of the more vibrant places (Mandelay Bay, for example) so the universal weight machine and two treadmills is enough. Back in the room the shower was fine although a little low--and I am only 5'10" tall--and the towels, soaps, and shampoos were very good. I miss that coffee maker, but can recommend this hotel for pleasure travelers, business people, and families with kids. Speaking of kids, I didn't visit the pool, but most reviewers liked it.
Just the facts
Race and Sports Book
250 seats; 18,420 square feet; 50+ televisions; 24-hour action; large, easy-to-read tote boards; well-stocked handicappers library.
Table Games
5 roulette wheels, 5 craps tables, 4 Pai Gow tables, 2 let it Ride tables, 3 three-card poker tables, 10 poker tables, 2 Caribbean Stud poker tables, 2 Royal Match tables, Keno Lounge, 1 Mini-Baccarat, 1 Baccarat room with $10,000 maximum bet, 8 single deck Blackjack tables.
Slot Machines
These machines are everywhere ranging from $.01 to $100.
Rooms
There are more than 1,500 rooms of various configurations and price ranges, including villas and suites.
Restaurants
Nine restaurants and coffee shops, many open twenty-four hours a day.
Convention Rooms
The biggest is 25,000 square feet and there are many options. Not my area, so all you event planners should call or check the website at www.stardustlv.com.
Entertainment
Mr. Las Vegas, Wayne Newton, headlines forty weeks a year. Other regulars include Don Rickles, Tim Conway, and Harvey Korman. BB King will be there this November.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
aashtech
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Member: Steve
Location: Raleigh, NC
Reviews written: 111
Trusted by: 43 members
About Me:
Hack golfer and passable poker player.
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