Hotel Review

The Golden Nugget, which is located in the heart of downtown, feels like a property you'd find on the Strip. Even though it's got a long history, nothing about it is dated. The Golden Nugget is a dynamic resort with a hip attitude and doors that open out onto all the excitement of Fremont Street.  

Guests will be right at home in any of the stylish rooms in the hotel's four towers. But it's the Golden Nugget's Rush Tower that has raised the bar on accommodations in downtown with its sophisticated and spacious suites. Boasting a contemporary design that reflects the vibrant scene just steps away, these suites provide every luxury imaginable. This includes pillow-top mattresses, feather down comforters, 42-inch plasma TVs and stunning views of downtown and the Strip's skyline. 

If you're looking for entertainment, the resort's showroom is stocked with star power. Impressionist Gordie Brown brings nearly a hundred celebs -- from icons like Elvis and Michael Jackson to Aaron Neville and Sylvester Stallone -- to life onstage. Of course, there is always live music and free Viva Vision sound and light shows to enjoy as part of the popular Fremont Street Experience attraction.

The Golden Nugget's pool, dubbed The Tank, is an attraction in its own right. Guests will feel like they're at a water park when careening down a three-story, enclosed slide that goes through an aquarium filled with sharks. Plus, there's a luxurious oasis all around -- complete with daybeds and cabanas so you can soak up the sun and have some privacy at the same time. Drinks are always available at the H2O Bar. Another two-level, infinity-edge pool, called The Hideout, can be accessed from the third floor of The Tank. It's for adults only.   

If aquariums are your thing, be sure to have a meal in the Chart House restaurant. Its bar wraps around a 75,000-gallon tropical aquarium filled with more than 1,000 colorful fish. In addition to the freshest seafood imaginable, you'll love the juicy steaks. Aficionados of Far East delights will have trouble choosing between Lillie's Asian Cuisine and Red Sushi. Go to the Grotto for a menu packed with Italian classics and a delightfully bright and open setting. There's no more elegant steakhouse in Las Vegas than Vic & Anthony's with its dark wood paneling, dim lighting and leather-backed chairs. For something quick and easy, simply grab a seat in the 24-hour Carson Street Café or line up for The Buffet.

Looking for a place to party? On the resort's second floor, the balcony at Gold Diggers reigns as Fremont Street Experience's most exclusive lookout point. When you step inside, there's a great bar as well as music from yesterday and today for dancing. Downstairs, the Rush Lounge is the hippest spot to sip signature cocktails while mixing and mingling, or you can order one of 40 different brews from the International Beer Bar. There is also Bar 46, an oval-shaped bar with a table games area that spills out onto Fremont Street.

Be pampered in the stylish Spa and Salon, a sprawling full-service facility that includes a fitness center, sauna, whirlpool and steam room. Try one of their specially themed packages, like Las Vegas Lights (to prep for an evening out) or Quick Fix (for the morning after!).

The Golden Nugget also has plenty of casino action including a poker room and stylish, country club-like sports book. There are several fine shops, ranging from d'Oro for jewelry and watches to The Chocolate Box for sweet treats. Plus, you can check out the largest gold nugget in the world on public display and even buy a gold bar from the Gold to Go ATM.

Whether you're visiting Las Vegas on business, for a romantic getaway or with your family and friends, the Golden Nugget has the perfect accommodations ready and waiting for you, as well as the key to downtown.

-- By Renée LiButti