Tourists, Don’t Sleep On Durango Las Vegas – The Newest Locals Casino

Key Points:

• Durango is a new casino and hotel away from the Strip in the locals market, but visitors shouldn’t sleep on it.

• The resort has a luxurious feel, boasting a stunning sportsbook, wide-ranging dining options, and abundant natural light.

• I’ll continue to visit for table games that have better odds and lower minimums than peer games on the Strip.

Focused on the Las Vegas locals market, Durango is the newest casino under the Station Casinos umbrella and is built to impress.

The casino offers natural lighting (like, from windows), dining options that span the price/quality spectrum, and an indoor/outdoor sportsbook that is among the most unique in Vegas.

I had been excited to check it out for some time and finally swung in with the intent of giving you a look under the hood.

Durango is just 20 minutes from the Strip by car and is located in the SW corner of the Las Vegas Valley, just off of the 215 beltway.

This area of Las Vegas is commonly overlooked by tourists, and I get it. Aside from the casino, there isn’t much “touristy” stuff around.

That being said, if you’re coming to town primarily to gamble, eat, and enjoy a nice (and comparatively inexpensive) resort product, Durango may be a solid, quieter, home base for your trip.

The Approach

Walking in from the parking lot (with free parking), I couldn’t help but notice the luxurious vibe the property was already giving off with landscaping, water features, and palm trees.

The place reeks of class, even from outside.

The Sportsbook

Start with my favorite feature of the resort right, right?

The STN Sportsbook is a stunner, featuring an oval-shaped bar with a wrap-around video screen. On the inside of the video screen, are more screens so that those bellied up don’t miss a minute of the action.

Once inside, there’s a traditional videoboard that wraps around the room that has a hair over 200 seats.

Just look at this bad boy.

What makes the sportsbook at Durango even more unique is the fact that it spills into the outdoors.

Another video wall, restaurant seating, and yard games are steps away within The George, a restaurant connected to the book.

Durango’s Casino

The casino is… well… a casino. You’ve been in one. While Durango’s won’t blow you away aesthetically, I’d describe it as having a “quiet elegance”.

What sets Durango’s apart from so many is the abundance of natural light, giving the environment a pretty upbeat, way less depressing feel.

Another differentiator in Durango’s casino vs. those on the Strip are the minimums offered on table games.

When I visited, traditional craps was at $10, Roll To Win Craps (1 dealer, betting on terminals) was $5, and 3:2 blackjack was $15.

If you’re a lower-rolling table gamer, this place may just be up your alley.

The Restaurant Lineup

Dining options at Durango range from fast-casual to upscale.

The Eat Your Heart Out food hall has been the recipient of a lot of buzz since opening and offers 11 outlets that include burgers, pasta, sushi, sandwiches, coffee, oysters, pizza, and cocktails.

I personally love the new food hall concept sweeping Las Vegas that offers a quick meal, at a decent price, with a more upscale vibe than traditional fast food options.

Outside the food hall are sit-down options that include:

• Nicco’s – Steakhouse & Fish
• Mijo – Mexican
• Summer House – California/American
• Bel-Aire Lounge – Small bites & cocktails
• The George – American

Despite the myriad options, I decided to give The George a shot and opted to sit outdoors at the bar, which has a heated bartop (amazing).

The view would be perfect to catch a game, the weather was perfect, but my NY strip steak was… Scorched.

I’m not kidding when I say it was the worst steak I have ever eaten. The ends were so burnt that they were un-chewable.

That being said, I scarfed it down and am willing to chalk the incident up as a fluke. After all, this is a brand new resort and staff. I’ve also only heard GREAT things.

Durango’s Hotel

The hotel product at Durango appears to be at the level of other high-end Station properties like Red Rock and Green Valley Ranch – The rooms look great.

I can’t wait to stay here.

This is a standard king:

Rates for Durango are elevated, as they are at Red Rock and Green Valley Ranch, landing at around $400/nt on weekdays, however, I’ve already gotten comp room offers for my minimal play within the the Station Casinos loyalty program.

If you’re a player at Station Casinos already, even a low roller, watch your mailers.

What’s Not To Like?

The main knock against Durango is the absence of ancillary amenities like a bowling alley or movie theater, which are common at casinos focused on the locals market in Las Vegas.

Since my primary interests in life are gambling, eating, and drinking, this doesn’t bother me. But certainly, something to be aware of.

Vital Vegas did point out on Twitter, however, that there may be an addition coming soon to add to those items.

Who Should Consider Durango

Obviously, this is a locals joint. It isn’t likely to appeal to those who want the full Las Vegas experience only offered along the main tourist corridors.

That being said, there’s a segment of tourists that shouldn’t overlook Durango.

Those of you who like comparative quiet, free parking, better gaming odds, lower minimums, diverse dining options, a unique sportsbook, and a solid home base for your trip should take a look.

Even if you don’t plan to stay in the hotel, the casino could be worth a visit for those who want to grind low-limit tables with respectable odds.

I spend a lot of time in Vegas and have grown to enjoy having a home base away from the action and then driving into the madness when needed.

One thing is sure. Durango easily qualifies as one of the nicest off-Strip casino resorts out there.

Related: Meet Fontainebleau Las Vegas – The Newest Resort On The Strip