Key Points:
- A locals casino, Sam’s Town offers unique amenities like bowling, a movie theater, and more.
- What I most appreciated most was *value* – Beer, gaming, food & activities were all reasonably priced.
- While not “touristy” I enjoyed my experience and plan to return.
Sam’s Town doesn’t find itself on most tourist’s radar, and that’s a damn shame as it’s packed with the kind of value that’s slowly going extinct on the Strip.
Located on the Boulder Highway, the resort is a $15-$20 Uber from mid-Strip resorts, and offers a unique slew of amenities, solid hotel rooms for the price, and an unpretentious vibe.
I booked a baseline Deluxe Room and upgraded to a Mystic Falls Park view for $117.51 after fees and tax.
Check In Experience
I received an email at 11am alerting me that my room was ready, well before the standard check-in time which is awesome.
They offer mobile check-in and keys via the Boyd app, but after completing that process, I was directed to visit the hotel registration desk to match my ID with my credit card… Completely negating the convenience of mobile check-in.
Fortunately, the hotel lobby is nestled inside the Mystic Falls Park atrium, making the mandatory visit more scenic.
My Deluxe Room
A unique twist, Sam’s Town makes the elevator ride to your hotel room more scenic with glass enclosed elevators with a view of the atrium below.
My immediate impression of the room was that it appeared solid for the price.
At 375 square feet, the room had enough space for a small glass-topped table, chair & ottoman, a standard work desk, and a TV stand with plenty of storage space and even an empty mini fridge hiding below it.
The 55” TV felt massive for the room, had a great picture, modern channel guide, and could even complete guest service tasks.
The king bed was comfortable, and the end tables on either side of it were outfitted with standard outlets and USB A charging capability.
The carpeting had a textured pattern and was in spectacular shape.
While not necessarily luxurious, I was surprised at how much the decor strategy agreed with me.
I liked the darker accent wall near the windows and matching coloration above the bed, the wall art, and I thought the furniture felt fresh and modern enough.
And I certainly didn’t mind the view of Mystic Falls Park below, which was worth the $15 extra bucks.
The bathroom was basic, offering a long stone single-sink vanity, a shower/tub combo with a fabric shower curtain, and a toilet sandwiched between.
The tub/shower combo has been refinished with a faux tile surround that felt a little cheap, but I suppose expected at the price point.
Bath products were provided by Echos of Nature.
What’s Not To Like
When I review hotels, I like to point out things that could impact your stay so that you can make a more informed decision.
While I found this to be a clean room that doubled as being in great shape, there were a few items of note that included:
A crusty showerhead and raggedy calk under the lip of the sink.
A mysterious message was scribbled on the framing around the bathroom mirror.
2 lonely hairs were chilling in the corner near the shower.
The bathroom door frame was a bit dinged up.
There was a faint splatter stain on the wall near the mirror.
And while popcorn ceilings don’t offend me, I know some are triggered by the rocky texture.
Lastly, these connecting doors are the worst. I could hear *every word* of my neighbor’s conversation perfectly. I feared what would come later in the evening, as it was Valentine’s Day weekend, but fortunately… all was quiet.
Sam’s Town Resort Experience
Let’s shift to the broader resort experience, starting with location… which isn’t ideal for tourists looking to do touristy things.
Sam’s town is just over 6 miles from the Las Vegas Strip on the Boulder HWY, and an Uber ride to Cromwell the morning after cost me $14 pre-tip.
For reference, the Uber from the airport to Sam’s Town cost me $23 before tipping.
Casino
While not the most glamorous in town, I *loved* my time in the casino, as they dealt $10 blackjack that paid 3:2 (refreshing!) and craps with 20x odds (refreshing!).
Per data reported by the Nevada Gaming Control Board, casinos within the Boulder reporting area, like Sam’s Town, have looser slots than casinos on the Strip.
I love when casinos post progressive jackpot amounts above banks of video poker, and they were everywhere, calling to me like a siren on the rocks.
While the sportsbook lacks the modern look of counterparts on the Strip, it was functional and I was even tossed a couple of drink tickets after placing a $110 bet (refreshing!).
After exhausting my drink tickets, I was thrilled to learn a Coors Light bottle at the casino bar only cost $4 (again, refreshing!).
Differentiated Amenities
Sam’s Town has amenities and things to do that you won’t find at Strip resorts.
The biggest draw is Mystic Falls Park, home to wandering cobblestone paths that cut through a serene setting full of plants and trees, rocky streams, and even animatronic animals that would randomly come to life.
A bonus, they even dropped a bar in the middle of it all.
The calming sound of water flowing or rushing is omnipresent throughout the park, which is surrounded by hotel rooms themed to look straight out of the old west.
At night, that waterfall comes to life 3-4x per night (depending on the day) as part of the Mystic Falls Laser Light Show.
While not amazing, it was a fun diversion and drew a big crowd.
In addition to Mystic Falls Park, Sam’s Town is home to a 56-lane bowling alley that costs as little as $5.50 per game, an 18-screen movie theater with admission as cheap as $5, and even a small arcade.
Adjacent to the casino floor, I stumbled across Roxy’s Lounge where a band was preparing for a free live music show – A great amenity.
Dining Options
Dining options at Sam’s Town span the spectrum from fast food like McDonald’s, Panda Express, Roberto’s, Dunkin, and Subway to the Angry Butcher Steakhouse that offers seating overlooking the park.
I decided to try Smokey Joes, a new restaurant specializing in Southern “down home” cooking.
While I don’t really know what that means as a northerner, I ordered a classic cheeseburger and fries for $15.49 and thought it was fantastic. The Coors bottle set me back $6.
On the topic of value, we’re all used to getting ripped off at casino convenience stores on the Strip – Not the case at Sam’s Town where you could snag a bottle of Dasini for $3, and even tall beers and seltzers for just $6, which felt reasonable (or dare I say, refreshing!).
The Verdict: Is Sam’s Town Worth a Visit?
If you’re coming to Vegas for the first time to do “touristy” stuff on the Strip & Downtown, Sam’s Town isn’t likely where you want to stay.
But for those who have “been there, done that” and prefer staying somewhere with better gaming odds, cheaper beer, affordable meals, and solid rooms for the price, Sam’s Town could be a good option.
Not to mention, Mystic Falls Park is frickin sweet.
This isn’t the type of place I’d stay with my wife, as it’s not close enough to one of those Vanderpump places, but if I were in town with the guys and we were looking to throw some money around on the tables, Sam’s Town’s comparatively better “bang for your buck” is worth the Uber ride or a stay.
I look forward to coming back soon.
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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.