Downtown’s Plaza Hotel Is Rolling Out “Version 2.5”


Sammasseur Checks Out Phase 2 of Updates To the Iconic Downtown Casino

I feel no shame in admitting that I’m totally biased in favor of Downtown’s Plaza Hotel. It happened on my very first trip to Fremont Street, which also happened to coincide with my very first Vegas excursion. My partner and I parked in the garage next to Walgreens, stepped under the Fremont Street Experience canopy and headed west. The moment that the purple tower of Plaza came into view, with those cascading lights flowing around its distinctive shape, my jaw truly dropped.

Plaza 2.5

“It’s ‘Biff’s Casino’ from Back to the Future II,” I shouted, my finger eagerly pointed towards the dome and tower above it. The effect was like seeing my first movie star…albeit one that had aged significantly and seen better days. I also recognized the building as the headquarters for demonic “Randall Flagg” in the Stephen King miniseries The Stand. Despite its rundown condition and intensely smokey interior, I could sense a certain vibe about Plaza Hotel that set it apart from the others in the area.

It wasn’t until 2010 that I actually stayed at the Plaza (for $14 plus tax…no resort fee back then), but I’d already made it the centerpiece of a faux-documentary. Humorous little films were my hobby back then (before becoming a writer for VegasBright and VegasChatter). The shorts were admittedly bizarre and only intended for my own amusement. Yet, these silly videos displayed my intense fascination for all things “Plaza”. Watch them at your own risk:

It was while hanging with some friends at the Wynn on Halloween night of 2010 that I had the good fortune to meet Jonathan Jossel, the Plaza’s current CEO. Jossel was spearheading a head-to-toe renovation of the property at that time. Sharing my enthusiasm for the hotel via numerous posts I’d made on a certain Vegas message board, I was kindly invited by Jossel to go behind the construction barriers and see what he and his team were dreaming up.

Jossel’s love for Downtown (and the Plaza in particular) was infectious. He took me throughout the property, describing future new restaurants, a peek at a finished prototype guest room, and his plans for an eventual beer garden that would be open to Main Street. As the months passed, I was invited back several times to witness the progress, and even got a sneak at the glorious and little-seen high roller suites that were already completed.

When the Plaza reopened in September of 2011, I became a steady customer, enjoying the new facilities and amenities almost every month. But then my love for Downtown started to falter…and turned into dislike. Parking fees…resort fees…families with little children packed tightly against inebriated partiers well after midnight. It just got ugly to me…really ugly.

After the Slotzilla tower blocked the view of Oscar’s Steakhouse and the pedestrian mall became even tighter with a sudden explosion of outdoor bars (and an overabundance of unpleasant street characters), I shifted my attention to off-Strip locations. I just couldn’t take Downtown any more.

Plaza 2.5

Plaza 2.5

In the meantime, most of Plaza’s new offerings began to tank. Island Sushi. Simpatico Speakeasy. Insurgo Theater Movement. Exposed Salon. Bonkerz Comedy Club. The Drink. Z Bar. Swinger’s Club….all gone and forgotten in no time. And shows….LOTS of shows…came and went. Unhappy guests bashed the Plaza on Yelp! for things like a dreary casino atmosphere, an understaffed reservation desk, slow drink service, unfavorable gambling rules, unusually-cramped guest bathrooms, a heavy pumped-in fragrance, plumbing problems, poor housekeeping and maintenance, unsavory characters drifting in from the adjacent Greyhound bus station…well, you get the idea.

Plaza 2.5

Plaza 2.5

But here’s where things get interesting. Plaza showed a sincere interest in listening to complaints and addressing them. They hired new people for their operations team. They looked into advertising towards and sponsoring events for the LGBTQ community (still waiting, guys…). And best of all, they became a presence on that Vegas message board which I once frequented.

In a rare move, a representative from Plaza’s operation team was empowered to communicate directly with board members in an open forum. They answered questions, solicited suggestions, directed specific complaints to appropriate individuals and kept readers informed of current and impending changes. It was super-cool to see the power of social media being used in this capacity.

Jossel has also reached out to myself and other writers (like our own Blonde4Ever), offering meet-ups and discussions to pick our brains and engage in open dialogue. As stated above, I’m biased towards the Plaza, yet gestures of this type demonstrate a real desire to please…and succeed. Try getting a meeting with the CEO of any Strip hotel and let me know how that works out for you.

So now that I’ve just gotten back from a four-night stay at Plaza after an extended time away (one night was comped, btw), I can share the current state of the hotel and perhaps a little of what’s in store.

Sadly, that long-promised Beer Garden never took off. Hampered by loud, messy road construction along the sidewalk that seemed to go on forever, the Beer Garden is always virtually empty. Time to rip out that dead grass and do a serious relaunch…or perhaps throw in the proverbial bar towel.

Plaza 2.5

September 2011…

Plaza 2.5

…and today.

A completely reimagined Pool Deck is gloriously modern and attractive. Although the pool itself is small and shallow (necessitated by weight issues in the support structure), there are plenty of places to lounge in sun or shade. Both an outdoor gambling area and the new bar are hopping, wait staff is attentive, and the sound system is fantastic. A stage on the north side of the deck offers scheduled concerts on certain evenings, and a hip new food truck offers summer favorites daily from 10-4.

Plaza 2.5

Plaza 2.5

Plaza 2.5

Then…

Plaza 2.5

Plaza 2.5

Plaza 2.5

Plaza 2.5

Plaza 2.5

Plaza 2.5

Plaza 2.5

…and now.

The long-ignored tennis courts have been refreshed and redesigned for pickleball, although I didn’t see anyone trying them once during my four-day stay.

Plaza 2.5

Plaza 2.5

Pool Patio guest rooms have been added, which offer private sunning decks with fresh new lounging furniture. While having the same floor plan of a standard guest room, they include the convenience of entering directly to the pool deck, outside gaming area, ping pong tables and hot tub. Pretty convenient for an afternoon meal or cocktail, too. The rooms are definitely worth the price of an upgrade…if you can get one. I’ve been told that they’re in high demand.

Plaza 2.5

Plaza 2.5

As one of the rare folks who regularly use hotel fitness centers, I was sorely disappointed that Plaza didn’t upgrade theirs along with the other renovations. That finally came to pass recently, but only by way of new carpeting and wall coverings. In fact, a lot of the equipment was removed after the renovation. Grrrr……

Plaza 2.5

Plaza 2.5

Plaza 2.5

September 2011

Plaza 2.5

Plaza 2.5

Plaza 2.5

September 2016

The most noticeable work going on is in the area above the casino floor, starting on the second-floor entry to Oscar’s Restaurant and continuing upwards into the Bingo Room and Convention Center. The PR person for Plaza attributes this construction to modernization and plans to capitalize on the unusually large convention space (for a Downtown hotel, that is). An on-duty security guard told me that much of the work was necessitated by continued ceiling leakage from rains.

If that’s so (and constant dripping that I witnessed during my stay last week gave me no reason to doubt his information), that’s another example of the run of bad luck that Plaza has endured since reopening in 2011. You see, the corridors in that area were already redone five years ago, then got drenched during the Plaza’s second weekend of operation.

Plaza 2.5

Plaza 2.5

Plaza 2.5

Right after reopening in 2011

Plaza 2.5

Plaza 2.5

Plaza 2.5

…and September 2016…same problem, different year…

Along with improvements to facilities, casino operations, and customer service, the hotel has installed the same paid-parking system currently in use by both Westgate Las Vegas and MGM Resorts on the Strip. And as with Westgate’s method, your room key allows in-and-out privileges while being included in the price of your stay. It also ensures that there will be adequate space in the garage for hotel guests during events and peak times.

Plaza 2.5

I also noted a lot of activity being done along the casino facade last week. Not sure what they’re up to, but the gold-tone accents were pulled down some time ago and replaced with a bright red covering. Perhaps some new signage is on the way in. Oh, and that “overpowering fragrance”? They’re using something much lighter now…and it’s REALLY likable.

Plaza

July 2011

Plaza 2.5

September 2016

As with any business that evolves while still trying to keep longtime customers pleased, Plaza Casino Resort has had its share of bumps and bruises. But as I alluded to in my review of One Epic Night (their newest show), the regime at this Downtown landmark remains undeterred.

Eventually, Plaza may stumble onto a golden formula that brings them the type of success that they desire…and have been working so hard to achieve. After all, they’ve tried just about everything else.

Photos: [Sammasseur]

9 thoughts on “Downtown’s Plaza Hotel Is Rolling Out “Version 2.5”

  1. Great write up, I loved the videos and before/after pictures. While I have never stayed at Plaza, I always pop in for a couple of drinks and some gambling. This place has really changed since my first visit in 2004 when it smelled like a stale wet basement. We used to visit Vegas and stay Downtown just about every year, and our last time was Spring 2014. We were planning on coming back next Summer for my Sister’s 50th bday, but that 2014 trip we got really fed up with the “costumed characters” and now the law of dumping drinks into a paper cup before walking out onto Freemont St has us looking elsewhere to celebrate. It’s a shame that the Freemont St. we knew and loved just a few years ago is slowly disappearing.

  2. Thanks, Jeff. I so agree with you about Fremont. It used to be an absolute joy to walk under the canopy. These days it feels like a third-world country with a little slice of a circus sideshow mixed in. I get it that the crowds mean money, but I was much more comfortable when it was less popular. My biggest gripe of all is seeing the influx of families. Strollers, toddlers and pre-teens walking around there, late at night among the barely-clothed pan-handlers and rowdy partiers…..it’s just a mess.

  3. Great write up! I especially love the before and after pictures. It’s been about 4 years since I was in the casino there, did you see any significant changes in the gambling floor or in the availability of machines or tables? Thanks for sharing!

    1. Thanks, gennadius. Aside from noticing major work on the casino ceiling when visiting the pool deck reopening in July, I can’t say anything about changes to the gaming area and machines. Being a visitor to Vegas 2-3 times a month, I’ve gotten away from gambling. Sorry I couldn’t give you a better answer.

  4. Great article! Also love the before and after photos. :-) I just wish that they could somehow get my postal code information to ‘work’ so I could get offers in Canada…not sure what the problem is.

  5. I believe those are the first pickleball courts at a casino. Last time I checked, there were not any courts close to downtown or the strip. That might be a marketable attraction for the quickly growing pickleball community. Great write up!

  6. The beer garden has not succeeded of the the temperature which they have no control over. Nobody wants to sit outside when its 110 degrees. The hotel is getting better but still lacks a good restaurant.

    1. What about the hundreds of people that cluster around the three stages on Fremont Street, and all the dozens that sit at the outdoor bars at Golden Gate, Four Queens, the two at Binions, Golden Nugget, etc? They’re all outside. And the Beer Garden has fans and misters too, if I’m not mistaken. It’s just a bad concept and location for where it is. The sidewalk on Main Street is no place to eat and drink with all the buses, taxis and beggars walking by.

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