Gold Spike Hotel & Casino

I stayed at Gold Spike with my parents and two of Dad’s business partners when we went to Las Vegas in 2012 for the CES. Our group spent a total of four nights here, so I have a pretty good idea of the quality of this place.
The person who organized the trip chose this hotel because it had relatively low nightly rates. As an added bonus, it was within walking distance of the Fremont Street Experience. The first thing I noticed was that the neighborhood was kind of ghetto; there were lots of people smoking outside, and my father and I were accosted by an aggressive panhandler one morning. However, the hotel itself wasn’t that bad; there are usually a few security guards in the casino area at any one time, so don’t expect any major problems.
Another thing was that the hotel’s Wi-​Fi totally sucked. It only worked about half of the time, and the connection was very slow when it did. This normally wouldn’t be a problem, but it did prove to be a bit of an inconvenience as we were mainly here for business reasons.
The casino area shares the first floor with a bar and the hotel’s in-​house restaurant. Unlike at many other casinos, the blackjack games are not available until the evening. I’m not a huge fan of card games, but people who do enjoy them may find this to be a turn-​off. On the other hand, the blackjack dealers were really attractive, and it was fun chatting with them.
Despite its few shortcomings, Gold Spike is quite nice for an off-​Strip hotel. I overall recommend this place.
– TL;DR version –
Highs: Low nightly rates; located conveniently close to the Fremont Street Experience; the card dealers are smokin’ hot
Lows: Blackjack available only in the evening; the Wi-​Fi needs improvement
Bottom line: Despite being located in a seedy area, Gold Spike is a fairly welcoming place.
Final verdict: 3.8 stars (rounded up to four)

The classic DIVE CASINO that I used to bring all my friends too.
I am going to have to find another classic dive.
I can’t wait for it’s reopening.

I stayed here twice. If I can give ½ star, I would give this place 4 and ½ stars.
Pro: great price, great room, new interior, clean, great service, delicious 24 hours restaurant. The room I stayed is just like the new photos in their ads.
Cons: the area not so safe, the room is little small compare to other hotel or motel.
This is only based on the hotel stay, not including the gambling or other features they provide like swimming pool because I didn’t use any of that. If you want to gamble or swim, then you should stay in the strip. Gold spike is more for people who want to save money from hotel and spend on where else.

The Gold Spike is closed??! NO WAY! Just another reason why I don’t think I’ll ever be back to Las Vegas, even if it’s Downtown. This is just sad.

I had never been here before, so how fitting that we went on its very last night in existence! The bar was filled to the brink with Zapponians to show support for their final go-​round. The drinks were 2 for 1, which I mean honestly can’t get better, right? We had a blast! The staff were working their butts off to keep us hydrated and they were having fun celebrating with us.
I’m pretty bummed out that we won’t be able to hang out there again, as I loved the décor and the ambiance altogther.

The room was better than I expected. ($ 120 for 3 nights).
The staff was friendly.
I like that all the rooms are never too far from the elevators.
One block to the incredibly low brow Fremont experience.
BUT
The wifi was worthless.
When I checked in I was told to pony up an additional $ 10 a day for a «resort fee». This covers wifi (unusable), the pool and some other blah blah blah I didn’t pick up on. It looks like this is just another Vegas scam because a friend staying at the Quad said he encountered the same thing. I never saw his room there, but he referred to it as «a dive, and I don’t mean that in a good way» and, later, as simply «terrifying».
Anyway, I went to the desk to checkout and the girl there said she would refund the resort fee after I politely told her the wifi was so bad I could never log on. Then again, she claimed it was impossible to give me a paper receipt, so I’ll have to check my CC statement and make sure.
Finally, as I was checking out, an old old cowboy told me the building had been bought and was changing hands that very week. So perhaps this entire review is for naught.
.

Goodbye Gold Spike!
The sudden closure on April 13 still has people talking. I went to the closing party and the mood was upbeat, the employees were wonderful, and I appreciated being showered with freebies!
The bar served $ 1 drinks (all drinks) during the party, and though I didn’t have any, a friend was impressed with the mixology happening. Drinks had to be creative as the popular brands ran out. We also had one last meal at the restaurant, which was nicely remodeled along with the rest of the property a while ago.
And so continues the redevelopment of Downtown… we shall see.
RIP, Gold Spike.

I have a list of all the renovated places I went to that I’m reviewing and last week saw a few places that I was at just a couple of weeks ago that are now CLOSED. So, unfortunately, the next few reviews may be bummers as I tried to get out of reviews being obits.
The reason why I review closed places is a reminder of what these places did right and out of all the businesses closing, why these were undeservedly so. And it’s also to all those newer companies claim they use focus groups and test marketing when the results are things we apparently want, like the way we were fed brussel sprouts as children.
Looking back, I think I rediscovered the refurbished Gold Spike (siegel version) after the downstairs café closed at Binion’s. It was a busy weekend downtown and I wanted to get away from the hubub while I nursed a drunk enough to start to remember the incidents of a few hours before.
The trap is they put such a delicious island cove of a bar before the 24 hour café, and you know the sun isn’t anywhere near to being up yet, and it’s my Friday (Saturday) so why don’t we just stop in for one more beer? (I’ll have to do a separate café review, hm.)
Gold Spike became something of a last stop before going home. Okay, the last stop before we went to another area with a cluster of bars.
We used to make a joke that the renovations turned the wonky beat up 60’s dive casino into a state of the art circa 1980’s designed casino. And if you’ve ever been to Spike in those early days, you know it’s definitely the Bellagio of what it used to be. But there was comfort in the simplicity of the design, and they used lighter colors. It’s tough downtown away from the canopy for a business to pull off a dark look and also not appear shady.
This time Spike was bought out by a financially more stable bidder. I never got to take part in the Sexy blackjack when they had it. Can Gold Spike do well as a boutique business with no gaming? The only business I can think to compare it to than I’ve been to before is Platinum.
It’s odd for a business to close a place right out from buying it, not maintaining an income, with no major plans they made aware. If there’s no gaming, will the anchor tenant be another restaurant? A nightclub?
There are empty plots of land that haven’t been developed in decades, downtown. There are businesses that are dying to be refurbished– lookin at you, Ice House. Why close a running place?
The replies some people have of any development questions when they decide to speak for developers oblivious to such individuals goes like «what have you built? What have you done?»
Businesses struggled and closed in waves with the economy tanking. We rallied together to go to our favorite spots to give them our business and went to events to support the scene. I vote with every dollar I spend is what I do. We’re going to hang out the bars that charge less than $ 10 for a bottle of beer. (I’m being generous, I really mean $ 5.) Businesses charging Strip prices…
VIP isn’t some place you buy your way in. It’s when the bartender (or cocktailers) remember your name and knows what you’re drinking before you order. And small downtown bars know and do this and have been around longer than the new downtown shoe-​opoly players.
Too many abandoned strip malls in the valley from companies that expanded faster than their openings and quarterly profits. Change can be good, when it doesn’t alienate what could be weekly repeat business for tourists that visit a few times before going to the next big opening and not come back.
Good luck Fremont Street and Downtown, I remain a loyal fan!

This Hotel and Casino has definitely gone through a renovation… but it hasn’t seemed to bring in more customers. Their casino looks refreshed but nobody seems to stumble into this place. They provide a few table games and a great variety of slot machines. It’s just off the beaten path of Freemont but will benefit from the revitalization of the Grand Hotel and Casino — formerly the Lady Luck.

Cheap but clean hotel in Downtown Las Vegas. Rooms are basic but well renovated. Parking is free but can be an issue on the weekend and in that case you’ll have to rely on the valet (free also). Recommended if you want the downtown Las Vegas experience (and you should try it for sure).

Caveat: this trip was to see family no strip on the agenda, had this been a standard «party in Vegas» weekend probably would’ve never stayed here…
Solid 3 stars! Area is sh$tty but not NYC pre 1985 broadway sh$tty lol but bums and depressed people and closer to the under belly than the high roller side of Vegas… BUT
Room is clean, bathroom works fine, AC is tip-​top, bed was a surprisngly comfortable king (sheet and thin blanket) TV, ipod/​radio, gamblin in the lobby & a bar (eh, you get what you pay for…) the café has decent bacon & eggs, pancakes and french toast good too (not great mind ya but good).
Yeah for $ 18-​$ 40 a night depending on the day NOT BAD AT ALL!
Not for the label whores or the thin skinned.
Real folks, real value. I’ve been to Vegas atleast ten times and each time I ended up spending atleast $ 250-​$ 500 on my lodging, Atleast (per night ahem!) Gold Spike for less than a $ 100 for a weekend getaway is worth it!
*crash pad, not hangover pimp a$$ suite
**Fremont St is cool and is a block away nice low key wild Vegas experience. Low Key in the sense that these clubs, bars, strip clubs etc want your business and they know they aren’t on the strip and they also know that the area attracts the budget conscious and the types of people that higher end clubs make wait in line forever, sometimes never getting in…(but perhaps for good reason lol real rough looking bunch) yeah, so they keep it real and truly want you there. Clientele is less «polished» haha but certainly fun times with fun people!
***they have a cool little pool called Oasis at Gold Spike probably nice in the warm months
****not worth more than $ 60 a night I see higher rates I wouldn’t pay $ 79 here

Born and raised in Vegas, but haven’t been in the Gold Spike until now (No longer a resident of Nevada). I expected it to be WAY more dirty adn dive-​y, but was surprised at how bright and CLEAN it was. It wasn’t full of people either (I guess cus it was a couple days before xmas) so it made it even more pleasurable. The bartender (Dani?) was a total sweetheart and was well acquainted with my barfly friend who got me interested in the joint in the first place. Drinks were cheap and delicious (but Makers Mark always is).
I definitely plan on going back whenever I’m in town and may even try to stay in the rooms… we’ll see how brave I feel: D

This place would be two starz for me but $ 16 per night is more than worth it! The king bed was pretty stiff and didnt come with a blanket, just sheets and two thin pillows. Parking is also a problem when they can just open a couple floors from their garage via room key.

This place has quickly become my go-​to downtown joint. You cannot beat the 2−4−1 specials and that has brought me back so many times. Since my last review, so much has changed:
Hotel: Can you believe I actually stayed here?! Not my first choice by any means, but on Hotel Tonight, it was only $ 25, so I thought, why not?! The rooms were small and had a musky smell to it. The beds were comfortable but everything was just like your typical motel. In fact, my room was the first room on the ground level and made me feel nervous for my safety. I nicknamed this place the «murder motel.» Just a joke lol
Food: «Who’d a thunk,» the Spike actually has great food! I usually get the cheese quesadilla for like 6 bucks, or the chicken tenders for 6 bucks as well. The food is really good and priced insanely cheap. It’s pub food, but comes out quickly and isn’t bad at all! You should try it.
Service: Well, there’s still that little person of a security guard that carries mase and a toy gun who thinks he has big cajones, but aside from that, I’ve come into contact with some of the coolest people working there. First off, there’s those three security guards, one African American, there’s Josh (his wife, I work with) and the other is older with grey hair. All of them are the coolest cats in the building! Always so nice, always remembers me and always willing to lend a hand when requested. Such great guys. Then there’s Dani. Ahh, Dani. Nicknamed «Tits McGee,» she is probably the coolest bartender I’ve ever had. No matter how busy they are, she is always there with a smile, or a joke and makes me and my party always feel welcomed. I think anyone who comes in contact with her feels the same way and she’s a huge reason why I keep coming back!
The Spike has quickly turned into my happening spot on weekends. Like Cheers once said, «you wanna go where everybody knows your name.» So what are you waiting for? Get your ass down to Gold Spike!

Cheap rooms in downtown Las Vegas with a cool atmosphere. …and they allow small dogs.

Was a guest here 8÷20−8÷22.
Will start by saying the staff here hates their jobs and you can see it on their faces. Upon check-​in, we asked for a smoking room in the casino tower. Receptionist said no problem. Got our keys, which were marked for room 801. There is no 801. Had to go back to the lobby. Got the right room this time, however, not in the casino tower and non-​smoking. Whatever… $ 20 a night.
The Room: 2 queen size futon beds, a tiny flat panel TV, the phone was missing (ripped out of the wall), scuffs and finger prints on the walls and a/​c unit, bathroom door did not close all the way, and plumbing fixtures in the shower fell off. Again, $ 20 a night.
Casino: No table games Sunday-​Thursday. The reason I chose this hotel this time was for the $ 3 blackjack.
If you on a budget, this is the place. For the price, We will definitely stay again.

The expression, «you get what you pay for» definitely applies here. This place is pretty much a dump but cheap as hell and great if you’re going with a bunch friends who are cheap haha jk. The rooms are perfectly fine, but definitely not the Venetian by any means and also don’t let their pool disappoint you.
I stayed here with 3 friends for Punk Rock Bowling in Old Town Vegas during Memorial Day weekend. I think our grand total was about $ 220, which is super cheap. The rooms are clean, the beds fit 2 or more people comfortably, have a flat screen tv with cable, and the restrooms are clean, what more can you ask for?!
Everyone staying here this weekend was definitely in town for Punk Rock Bowling, so if you ever come during Memorial Day weekend, brace yourself for Old Town Vegas to be even more shady then it already is haha. Basically the whole weekend was filled punk rock, punk rockers, and booze everywhere.
All of the staff is pretty nice and attentive. They did mess up my reservation and give a 1 King bed room when there was 4 of us! As a result I was stuck in a smoking room for a night, which certainly sucked, but the problem was fixed in the morning.
Their pool is small and modest, but there was definitely some awesome pool parties there all weekend. And they let you bring in booze and sell some awesome jello shots at the bar.
The parking here is pretty limited but they have relatively affordable valet parking if need be. I definitely had a great weekend and enjoyed my stay at the Gold Spike, but overall 3.5 stars, because the smoking room thing really annoyed me. See ya next year Old Town Vegas! Punk Rock Forever!

When you travel on a budget, less is more.
Less money spent on a hotel room = more money to spend on food and activities.
Here is where Gold Spike comes into the picture.
For around $ 25 a night, you get a room for two (smoking or non, you gotta love Vegas) that is clean, bed bug-​free, cable TV, a working shower and free wifi.
FREE WIFI!!!
So now — I know that this price point can be scary, and if I hadn’t known anything about the place in advance I don’t know if I would have made the decision to stay there. But the hotel was recently remodeled, and even though it is not «first class» commodities — it was perfect for our stay. We hardly stayed in our room anyway.
Don’t be scared folks. Do it! $ 140ish (taxes included) for 4 nights?
’nuff said.

Haha yes, five stars! Excited to share this review.
We stayed at Bellagio the time before and decided to pull a 180.
For $ 40 a night this place isn’t bad.
The rooms are newly renovated in a semi-​boutique minimalist way with tiffany blue accent walls, flat screen tv, and ikea-​esque furniture.
Best part of it was the $ 3 sexy blackjack. It entertained us for hours without having too many heart attacks and we ended up with an extra $ 500 at the end of it all. Does it get any better than that?
Downtown Vegas is a great place to be if you’re looking to gamble for cheap vs. Trying to win big. Dive bars a few blocks away and getting to the strip is just a deuce ride away. Do not stay here if you plan on spending most of your time on the Vegas strip… if you need to go cheap. fgo for imperial palace or circus circus. Lol.

An out of town buddy of mine was getting killed at the 21 tables on the strip so we went downtown for a change of pace and possibly luck. Fremont always ends up turning into an unofficial bar crawl and that was absolutely the case here.
This was probably the 3^rd stop (give or take 4 drinks or so) of the evening. I hadn’t been inside the Gold Spike for years and was totally blown away at how well Siegel had redone the place. They also had an offer for $ 10 in free slot play w/​a qualifying 10 pts ($ 10 coin in video poker) and a $ 5 match play coupon for blackjack just for signing up for a players card. Gotta love cheap 3 to 2 blackjack with speedy cocktail waitresses.
There was a 10pm raffle for 2 prizes of $ 50 and one for $ 150. The pit boss couldn’t find the casino microphone so he was just yelling ticket numbers from the pit. Unintentional comedy at its finest.
You also get crazier than usual tablemates in the pit. One guy sat at the table completely sober and just annihilated himself with liquor and within 30 minutes he was doubling down on 12 and 13 EVERY time. It was hard not to cry laughing.
I won, my buddy continued losing. on to the next place!