ScottyVegas!

After receiving an email from Caesar’s Entertainment announcing hot deals across all their Las Vegas Properties I quickly booked four nights at Harrah’s for $228. The price was right, location good, and Trip Advisor reviews were decent. But after reading several Harrah’s reviews I noticed many people mentioned favorably about Bill’s Gambling Hall and Saloon So off I went to read reviews about Bill’s and surprisingly they were more favorable than Harrah’s and to top it all off the “hot deal” total price for four nights including a Saturday and taxes came to $165! Not one to pass up a screaming deal I booked Bill’s for the four nights and requested a non-smoking Bellagio fountain view room. Now I have two hotel reservations and one wife to convince Bill’s is the place for us.

Leading up to our trip I must have had the following conversation at least 2 dozen times.

Person: So you’re going to Vegas, where you staying?
Me: Bill’s Gambling Hall and Saloon
Person: Bill’s? Off Strip?
Me: Noooo, it’s right there on the strip, corner of Flamingo between Bally’s and the Flamingo. You know it’s the former Barberry Coast Hotel and Casino?
Person: Oh… you’re staying there?
Me: Yes, actually it gets great reviews. The rooms are a little older but they’re supposed to be really clean. It’s in a great location and you’re supposed to be able to get to the strip from any room in about 5 minutes.
Person: (Doubtful).. hmmmmm… with head nod
Me: I got a great deal, four nights including a Saturday for under $170 taxes included plus no resort fees.
Person: Ohh Okay, have a good time
Me: Yeah, I will let you know how it turns out

I must say I was a little apprehensive myself right before we left if I made the right decision to choose Bill’s. I definitely felt the uncertainly from my wife. In fact I frequently checked reviews at Trip Advisor for reassurance.

With adrenaline running through my veins I had a good feeling about Bill’s as we approached. Parking was a breeze as you enter the parking garage just off the strip on Flamingo Dr. It’s very easy to get in and out from all directions. There were plenty of spots near the elevator which was nice. The garage is older but very clean and there was never any traffic.

We approached the small registration desk which is located in the back of the casino. The host said you must be the ScottyVegas’, I said Yes, and she said, we were her last guests to check in for the night. I inquired about my reservation preferences and she said unfortunately we had a smoking room on the Flamingo hotel side and that was the last available room. She said to call the desk in the morning and they will accommodate our request. Not what you want to hear when you’re already apprehensive about a hotel.

Anyway, tired but eager to hit the strip, we quickly headed to our room on the 3rd floor. The room was large and roomy with a plasma TV hanging on the wall, and thankfully not as smoky as I feared it would be.

Tip: All rooms on the 3rd floor at Bill’s are smoking rooms, Floors 1 & 2 are non-smoking

The next morning I called and we swapped rooms, this time our request was honored for a non-smoking, Bellagio Fountain View room. Both rooms were very clean however the room décor was a bit dated with a western style feel to it. Each bathroom had a stained glass window you could open from the tub/shower. I absolutely loved this and thought it was the best feature of the room, it added a ton of character. It was great taking a shower with the window slightly opened and hearing the sounds of the strip including music from the dancing Bellagio fountains.

Like the reviews I read said, you literally can get to the strip from any room in the hotel in about 5 minutes. Try this at any of the mega resorts.

Entertainment

The casino might be dated and feel like it belongs downtown but it’s definitely NOT dull. The patron demographics varied widely but everyone seemed to be having a great time. The table games were packed nightly with plenty of cheers. The casino stage had nightly entertainment with either karaoke or bands, both drew a crowd of on lookers and fun was had my all.

You should also know this is the home of Big Elvis and from what I hear a great FREE act performed Mondays through Fridays at 3, 5 and 6:30 p.m. right there on Bill’s casino stage. Don’t know how we did it but we failed to see this highly rated popular show!

As far as gaming goes the casino offers a decent variety of slot and video poker games of all monetary denominations. We did not play extensively here. But when I did play, usually when I was waiting for my wife, I had fun and won some money playing Video Poker.

Tip: Bill’s is a Non-Total Rewards casino partner of Caesars Entertainment. So in other words they maintain their own independent players club.

Dining

The hotel has several dining options to choose from. However, we only visited one, Victorian Café and that was for the after 11:00pm steak and eggs breakfast special for $5.99. Let me tell you this special rocked, especially after a long evening of drinks and gaming action.

Note: It looks like the times and prices have changed a bit from when we visited. Here is updated information taken directly from their website “3 egg breakfast for only $4.99 Midnight to 8am and don’t miss our Steak and Eggs Special for $8.99 served from midnight to 8a.m.” Still not a bad deal.

Location

Like I said before the location is the best! If you walk out the door to your right you can easily reach the Wynn properties without much effort. Turn left and Planet Hollywood and City Center is just a short walk. Bill’s sits right on the corner so crossover bridges are right there for you to cross Las Vegas Blvd or Flamingo. Did I mention this was the perfect location?

SPA Services, Exercise and Pool

Looking for prime SPA services or a good workout before your day? If so, then don’t stay here. Bill’s does not offer such services. Bill’s does not have a pool either however, you do get full access to the highly rated Flamingo pool, so not all is lost.

The Bottom Line

If you are new to Vegas, looking to impress or want to be pampered by all the amenities of the mega resorts, Bill’s is not the place for you. If its value you seek or just need a good room to serve as a base for your Vegas Adventure then you should put Bill’s Gambling Hall and Casino towards the top of the list of places to consider.

Filed under: reviews, Tips, Trip Planning | Tagged: Big Elvis, Bill's, Casino, Eggs, Hall, Saloon, Steak |