Please tell us the bathroom won’t let us down. Any of that find its way into your suitcase? There aren’t many amenities in the rooms, not even a mini-fridge, but there is bottled water (included in the resort fee) and a Keurig coffee machine (additional cost). How about the little things, like mini bar, or shower goodies. They got us? In the Gold and Rush towers, there is premium bedding with pillow-topped mattresses and down comforters and pillows. We’re craving some deep, restorative sleep. There are three different towers-Carson, Rush and Gold-and each offer different categories of rooms, with the Gold Tower being the newest remodeled rooms in the house (2014.) All rooms have a dark color schemes and anonymously modern furniture, but the Gold Tower rooms are snazzier. Also, this is a popular hotel for families because of the pool scene. What’s the crowd like? You get a mix of Vegas tourists here, most with a slightly more upscale vibe than you’ll find at other downtown hotels. It feels like a proper, well-run hotel but less overwhelming than some of the bigger hotels on the Strip. You don’t need a property map to find the elevators to your room.

It’s big, with over 2,000 rooms, yet the casino, restaurants, bars, and shops are all relatively easy to access. How did it strike you on arrival? Situated right on Fremont Street with a bedazzled lit-up exterior that you can’t miss, The Golden Nugget is the most “Strip-like” hotel and casino downtown.

Vegas gold nugget