A giant neon rainbow extends down the side of the Fitzgeralds Hotel, leading directly into the casino’s logo - a giant green shamrock behind the location’s name in lights. In case you were still unclear on the theme of the Fitzgeralds Casino Hotel, there is plenty of green and gold inside, and the world “luck” seems to be emblazoned haphazardly across the main areas of the Fitzgeralds Las Vegas, from the Irish-themed slot machines (Dublin Your Jackpot, indeed) to the standard neon signs throughout the interior.
Despite the devotion to the Irish theme, however, the
Fitzgeralds Casino Hotel is one of the more laid-back
spots in the city. Sure, all downtown Vegas casinos
have the habit of going for relative understatement (of
course, relative to the likes of the Paris
or Mandalay Bay on the
strip, most of the rest
of the world is understated), but Fitzgeralds Hotel does
it a little better than its neighbors. Largely populated
by a clientele of the middle-aged and good-natured –
this is neither the Vegas of the strip, nor the old-school
charm that pervades some of the more popular off-strip
hotels. The Fitzgeralds Casino Hotel seems to
exist in some kind of limbo between these extremes, focusing
more on value and convenience than the overwhelming glamour
of the rest of the city. Almost for this reason
alone, Fitzgeralds Las Vegas is worth a visit, especially
if you have been around the city more than a few times.
The main casino floor is full of low-limit table games,
featuring one of the cheapest roulette wheels in all of
Vegas. Fitzgeralds Las
Vegas doesn’t seem to try too hard when it comes
to the frivolities of the city – its setup is fairly
utilitarian. Fitzgeralds definitely features some
of the strongest drinks anywhere in the city – whether
this is a nod to the hotel’s overriding theme or
not is anyone’s guess. The food options and
pool further the Fitzgeralds casino’s laid-back
theme. The food is tasty, if not amazing, and these
could be the only casino restaurants in the city where
you are more likely to see patrons in sweatpants and fanny
packs than Dolce and Gabbana. The pool is even less
flashy and rarely in use, even during the suffocating
summer months in the desert. Though it doesn’t
overwhelm, there are few things in Vegas that are not
available here. The upper rooms are especially nice,
creating a beautiful view of a bright and bustling city,
and if you are lucky enough to get a bathroom with a Jacuzzi
included, so much the better. Though the downtown
hotels are known for such things, the comps here might
be the best in town, at least for table game players.
If you are comfortable betting $20 a hand on blackjack,
it’ll only be a matter of time before the free stuff
is coming your way.
If value is important and location is not, Fitzgeralds Hotel might be the place for you – the party atmosphere is lacking, but the energy on the tables and in the (albeit cramped) poker room more than make up for the casino’s other inconsistencies. And with rooms running as low as $40 a night during the offseason, it’s already like you’ve had the room comped. Besides, $40 plus a cab ride to the strip and back is still significantly cheaper than most rooms in Sin City.
