Boulder Station Hotel and Casino

The hotel is a 16-story, beige stucco block built in 1994. Sitting in its shadow is a large casino -- a terracotta-colored building with kitschy, pitched roofs and ornate railings meant to convey a Victorian vibe, along with the requisite neon signage. It’s geared towards the budget traveler who wants to enjoy Vegas-style action without the high strip prices. There are facilities here for families -- the palm trees and open space lend a cleaner, more family-friendly feeling than many properties on the strip -- but most guests tend to be couples or groups, and it does attract a slightly older crowd. The hotel’s decor is a combination of dark wood, brick and tile floors, and plenty of flashing lights. It’s a loud, bright casino with sports gaming, bingo, and a huge number of slots. Restaurants and bars of various price points populate the indoor spaces near the casino, each with decoration inspired by its cuisine; Cabo restaurant, for example, is decorated with colorful Mexican-style tiling and textured walls. The smell of cigarette smoke on the casino floor -- including in some of the restaurants -- may be a nuisance to some guests, but it’s common in Vegas. 

Boulder Station is about five miles off the strip, on Boulder Highway. It’s a convenient location for those who'd rather avoid the strip's congestion, noise, and chaos -- although it's just a 10-minute drive away. The hotel is well-lit and feels safe at night, being surrounded by huge parking lots and adjacent to a Motel 6, with busy city streets on all sides. McCarran International Airport and the Las Vegas Convention Center are both within seven miles or 15 minutes' drive, making this a good choice for business guests as well as tourists.  

The hotel’s 300 rooms and suites have a fresh, contemporary feel, with clean-lined, modern decor. Angular dark wood furniture, plain cream walls, and accents of deep reds and browns make for a refreshingly classic style that's far from the over-the-top casino below. Rooms are carpeted and have pillowtop mattresses and padded headboards for extra comfort. They all have air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, free local and long-distance calls, free weekday newspapers, 37- to 40-inch flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, desks, and mini-fridges on request. Bathrooms are modern and clean, with beige tiling and shower/tub combos. Hairdryers and irons/ironing boards are provided in all rooms. All the rooms are quiet, and they either have city or mountain views -- some with great views of the strip. Past guests have complained about cigarette smoke odors.

The hotel’s large casino has everything that a gamer could want, including slot and video-poker machines, table games, a race and sports book, a 600-seat bingo parlor, and a poker room. The dining options are excellent -- there are 11 restaurants, including steak and seafood, Mexican, Italian, and a food court with chains like Burger King and Starbucks. Some of the restaurants are open 24-hours a day, and there's a buffet restaurant, too, which has a huge selection at very reasonable prices -- it’s been named the best buffet in Vegas by the Las Vegas-Review Journal. Limited room service and poolside food service are available. There are five bars, including options on the casino floor, a sports bar, and a Cuban-themed cigar lounge. Those traveling with little ones will appreciate the kids' club and babysitting, while all guests can enjoy the seasonal outdoor pool, gym, 11-screen movie theater, nightclub, and concert venue that hosts headlining acts plus other events, such as boxing. Business guests can use the three meeting rooms that cater for groups from 10 to 300, and there’s also a large conference space. On-site parking is free, and there’s a computer station, too.