Palace Station Review

First off let me just start with do not let TripAdvisor scare you away from this hotel! If I did I would have wasted money elsewhere & not found this hidden gem.

The Palace Station is just off Las Vegas Boulevard on Sahara Boulevard, right on the other side of the freeway. There are so many points I want to get to. I will begin with parking.

I am going to have to say parking is great. Once you figure out where your room is you can practically park right on top of it. There is a garage and plenty of extra parking all around the building.

And the building is not too shabby. Going up and down the main tower is a see-through elevator; the view is beautiful at night. Next up is check-in. For the most part checking in is fast & easy and done with average friendliness. Unless, of course, you are there on the weekend because as with all hotels it can be a circus.

So after check in depending on what kind of room you booked you will either start your journey to a courtyard room or walk a few steps over to the elevator for a tower room. Booking a courtyard room is really not a problem with me. Not only is it way cheaper but the rooms are really big and comfy. I have stayed in these rooms so many times I lost count. Now let me clarify; it is no Bellagio but it works! The TVs are big and have great picture quality, better than I have seen at a “nicer” hotel. The bathroom is big but simple, shower only, with great water pressure. The beds are big and comfortable. The décor is a little old fashioned but no Motel 6. They also have an a/c and heater that you can control based on your comfort.

One side note I want to emphasize: even though they will let you check in early DO NOT do it if you have chosen a courtyard room. I have made this mistake & dreaded leaving my room because not only did I get lost several times, it’s a very, very long walk back to civilization.

On to tower rooms. the tower rooms are a nice upgrade, they are newly remodeled and have big flat screens TV’s. The size is pretty much the same as the courtyard. So for an extra $20 or so, you get a flatter TV, a better location/view & a tub. Another side note: I always book on their website. They always have the best rates, and you don’t have to pay until you get there. My least favorite thing is hotel fees last time I checked it is $14.95 per night and they hold $100 until check-out.

My favorite thing about this hotel is the Starbucks in the lobby. Another plus is the gift shop, which is loaded with treats at reasonable prices and they even have a clearance rack of clothes in case you forget something. Overall this is one of my favorite places to stay and play. Even when I don’t stay I always find myself visiting the Palace Station.

ERIC'S REVIEW

In some ways, it's difficult to defend the Palace Station. To most people, it's known as the hotel where O.J. Simpson was infamously arrested for armed robbery in 2007.

Others are turned off by the hotel's decidedly old-fashioned aesthetics. It's true: at a time when opulent, extravagant resorts are becoming the norm in Vegas, the Palace Station is akin to a Ford Pinto in a Mercedes sales lot. What is that doing here?

But that's not to say the Palace Station isn't without its charm or value. With room rates starting at about $40 per night (slightly higher on Fridays and Saturdays), the Palace Station remains a viable option for vacationers.

You don't go to the Palace Station to be blown away by extavagance. Its architecture resembles an 1800s era railroad yard and the casino, while large, is dimly lit and mildly depressing. There's a plethora of slot machines and penny machines are plentiful. However, because Palace Station is owned by parent Station Casinos -- also operators of Sunset Station, Fiesta Station, Red Rock Hotel and Green Valley Ranch -- the slot machines are rotated quite frequently. So don't get used to one particular game because the next day it can be gone just like that.

The rooms are clean, well-stocked and average size. If your budget allows it, splurge for the tower room upgrade. Like Nicole said, you'll get a flat-screen TV, contemporary decor and, most important of all, you save yourself a hike to a courtyard room.

Other Palace Station pluses:

•It's conveniently located next to the 15 Freeway

•A 7-Eleven is within walking distance, so you can bypass the gift shop and save money

•A U.S. Bank is across the street, so you can use their ATM and save yourself the outrageous casino ATM fees.

Palace Station is home to plenty of restaurants, including a Subway and Coco's. A Starbucks is located next to the gift shop, but arrive early because during peak times the line can easily grow 10-people deep.

The Feast Buffet is on the second floor. It's affordable and that's the best I can say. The food is not horrible, just bland. You can definitely do better elsewhere.

All in all, the Palace Station isn't bad. It's cheap, safe and convenient. And sometimes, that's all you can ask for in a Las Vegas hotel.

~All tower room pictures taken by Us~