Palace Station - Premier Room Review & Wild Deals
Key Points:
- Rooms at Palace Station start at under $100/nt after fees, and they're solid.
- Food & drink deals include $2.99 shrimp cocktails, $3 beer & shots, and $1.99 margaritas.
- Gaming minimums are palatable, and rules are friendlier than at Strip resorts.
Palace Station is a completely different resort today than it was when I first started staying there.
Our group made it our March Madness home base because it was one of the cheapest hotels in town, and, well... we were broke.
Palace Station was a lovable dump with cheap (gross) hotel rooms, low table-game minimums, and a sportsbook that used a freaking whiteboard to post game lines before a $192 million renovation project kicked off in 2016.
The price was right, and we loved it.
Today, Palace Station has "glowed up" across the board while still clinging to its value-oriented roots.
It's the best of both worlds.
Room Cost & Check-In
I booked a Premier King room on a comp, thanks to my play in the MyRewards loyalty program.
Notably, Station properties don't charge resort fees on complimentary rooms, so my stay was completely free.
Refreshing stuff.
Without a comp, this room starts at under $100/nt after fees.
As has been my check-in experience historically, there was no line, and I had room keys in hand within 5 minutes.
Premier King Room Review
The most brutal part of this stay was that 3 of 5 elevators were out of order, which meant long waits and packed cars.
I persevered and made it to my floor, where the common areas were in good condition.
The Premier King room's main bedroom area has a modern aesthetic, is in good condition, and is legit solid.
This is a FAR cry from the Courtyard rooms that I used to stay in, which have since been demolished.
RIP.
Fun fact: OJ Simpson went to prison for a robbery that occurred in Palace Station's Courtyard rooms. Room 1203, to be exact.
I once visited the door before that part of the hotel met the wrecking ball.
It wasn't that cool tbh. It was just a door.
Anyway. Here's the room.
Loved the accent wall and illuminated headboard.
Small details, but stone table/desk tops and real wood baseboards aren't touches you typically see in a budget hotel room.
The 55" TV was crisp, had a guide, and was above a small work desk and a couple of complimentary bottles of water.
The leather-clad ice bucket suggests an upscale room, but the cheap, plastic-wrapped cups remind you this is a budget joint.
Charging options were plentiful bedside, with a charging bank behind a digital clock and a wireless charge pad on top.
I thought the furnishings room-wide were impressive for an affordable hotel room. Fashionable and in good shape.
While the roof below left a bit to be desired, the view of STRAT and Downtown Las Vegas was pretty cool.
The bathroom feels a lot more "dated", albeit functional, with plenty of counter space and a separate water closet, which housed the shower and toilet.
Nothing fancy, but it works.
Bath products were provided by Bodyography.
What's Not To Like?
When I review hotels, I share the whole story, not just the good, so that you can make a more informed decision.
While I was impressed with the room for the price it typically commands, it had some flaws, including grimy corners, a wall dent, and baseboard splatter.
Palace Station Resort Experience
As mentioned at the beginning of the review, the resort experience at Palace Station improved significantly after the renovation.
Fortunately, the deals and *value* stuck around.
Food & Drink
Even if you're not staying at Palace Station, the deals make it worth a visit.
The first wave of deals are available at casino bars.
Blended margaritas are $1.99, and you can add a shot for $2 more.
Bottled beer is just $3 at casino bars (Bud, Bud Light, Michelob Ultra, and Michelob Ultra Zero).
Shots are also just $3. Options include Jameson, Crown Royal, Jack Daniel's, Jim Beam, Hennessy VS, and Patron.
The Brass Fork, Palace Station's diner, also offers some *deep* deals.
Late-night Boarding Pass Specials (ensure you're a member of the loyalty program) are available from 11pm-6am daily and include:
- $3.99 Pancakes (3 of them)
- $4.99 "Dueces Wild" breakfast (2 eggs, toast, hash browns, bacon or sausage).
- $4.99 Biscuits & Gravy, served with 2 eggs.
- $9.99 Steak & Eggs (6oz. NY Steak, 2 eggs, hash browns, toast).
On top of those late-night deals, The Brass Fork serves a quarter-pound cheeseburger and fries 24/7 for just $5.99. Add a second patty for $2.99.
I stopped in for that $2.99 shrimp cocktail, available 24/7, and it was substantial for the price.
The shrimp were small, but piled high on a bed of cocktail sauce and lettuce. The sauce had a spicy kick that reminded me of Du Par's recipe, which Circa's Saginaw's Deli still serves.
I loved it. TBH, I should've ordered a few more.
Here are a couple of angles.
Other dining options scattered about the property include the Charcoal Room (steakhouse), China Mama, Master Kim's Wagyu House (AYCE Korean BBQ), Lindo Michoacan (Mexican), and the popular Oyster Bar.
For a budget property, the dining lineup is compelling.
For quick eats, there's a Starbucks, Wingstop, and Panda Express.
The Pool
This was my first trip to the pool since renovations, and it's much improved. Not a huge scene, but it was relatively uncrowded.
The Casino
The casino has a "Strip-look", but boasts locals market value.
During my visit, they were dealing $10 00 Roulette, Craps, and 3:2 blackjack.
Shoot to win craps (live dice, personal betting screen) had a $5 minimum, as did 3 Card Poker and Double Down Madness Blackjack.
Pai Gow minimums were $15.
Crappy picture, but the sportsbook has come a long way from what it was 10 years ago.
I shit you not, they used to handwrite the odds/lines on a whiteboard behind the desk.
Despite going (or nearly going) extinct on the Strip, Palace also offers live keno and bingo.
The Verdict on Palace Station - Worth a Stay?
Palace Station is the antithesis of everything people detest about the Strip.
They have cheap gaming with rules that don't suck.
Food and drink deals are abundant, but upscale options are also available if you prefer.
The hotel is great for the price, starting under $100/nt after fees, and the Palace doesn't charge resort fees on complimentary rooms.
This property has come a long way since I first started visiting, but it's refreshing to see they haven't lost their value-oriented roots.
Palace Station is hardly a tourist hotspot, and that's what makes it special.
Related Las Vegas Hotel Reviews:
I’m a former software salesman turned Vegas aficionado. While the craps table is my preferred habitat, I pull myself away to explore new attractions, shows, restaurants, and outdoor activities around Las Vegas with the intent of sharing my experiences.
Ultimately, I just want to help folks plan a better trip and save a few bucks in the process.
