Hotel Comparisons
El Cortez Hotel & Casino vs Plaza Hotel & Casino
Compare El Cortez Hotel & Casino and Plaza Hotel & Casino side by side — resort fees, rooms, location, dining, and who each hotel is best for.
The oldest continuously operating hotel-casino in Las Vegas — vintage Vegas, real Fremont grit, and the best room rates downtown. vs. The anchor at the west end of Fremont Street — a value-tier downtown room with an unusually fun pool deck. — here's how they compare across location, price, dining, and vibe.
Side-by-Side Snapshot
| El Cortez Hotel & Casino | Plaza Hotel & Casino | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Budget | Mid-Range |
| Location | Downtown | Downtown |
| Rooms | 364 | 995 |
| Year Opened | 1941 | 1971 |
| Resort Fee | N/A | N/A |
Best For
El Cortez Hotel & Casino
- +Travelers who want authentic old-Vegas character
- +Budget-first trips — consistently the cheapest downtown rooms
- +Walkable Fremont Street access
- +Low-stakes table-game players (legitimately old-school pit)
Plaza Hotel & Casino
- +Downtown-first trips on a mid-range budget
- +Travelers who want walkable Fremont Street access without paying Golden Nugget rates
- +Pool-first stays (the Plaza pool is a sleeper-good downtown amenity)
- +Steak-and-cocktail nights at Oscar's with an arched-window Fremont view
Not Ideal For
El Cortez Hotel & Casino
- -Travelers who want modern room finishes or quiet
- -Anyone looking for upscale dining or pool amenities
- -Trips where loud Fremont Street nightlife outside your window is a dealbreaker
Plaza Hotel & Casino
- -Anyone wanting a quiet stay — the front door opens onto the Fremont Street zip line
- -Travelers who care about modern room finishes
Top Highlights
El Cortez Hotel & Casino
- *Opened November 1941 — oldest continuously operating hotel-casino in Las Vegas
- *Listed on the National Register of Historic Places (2013)
- *Originally co-owned by Bugsy Siegel before he moved to the Strip
Plaza Hotel & Casino
- *Opened July 2, 1971 — anchors the west end of the Fremont Street Experience
- *Built on the site of the original Las Vegas Union Pacific train station
- *Oscar's Steakhouse — domed restaurant with a 270° view down Fremont Street
Notable Dining
El Cortez Hotel & Casino
- -Siegel's 1941 (24-hour diner with retro vibe)
- -Café Cortez
Plaza Hotel & Casino
- -Oscar's Steakhouse (named for former Mayor Oscar Goodman)
- -Hash House A Go Go
- -Pop Up Pizza
Verdict
Edge: Plaza Hotel & Casino
Plaza Hotel & Casino edges ahead overall thanks to its Downtown location and mid-range positioning. That said, El Cortez Hotel & Casino is the better pick if you prioritize travelers who want authentic old-vegas character.
Choose El Cortez Hotel & Casino if you want
- +Travelers who want authentic old-Vegas character
- +Budget-first trips — consistently the cheapest downtown rooms
- +Walkable Fremont Street access
Choose Plaza Hotel & Casino if you want
- +Downtown-first trips on a mid-range budget
- +Travelers who want walkable Fremont Street access without paying Golden Nugget rates
- +Pool-first stays (the Plaza pool is a sleeper-good downtown amenity)
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Comparison FAQ
Common questions when deciding between these two hotels.
Are El Cortez Hotel & Casino and Plaza Hotel & Casino close to each other?
Yes, both hotels are on the Downtown, so they're within walking distance of each other. The choice comes down to the on-property experience rather than location.
Is El Cortez Hotel & Casino or Plaza Hotel & Casino better for a first trip to Vegas?
El Cortez Hotel & Casino is best for Travelers who want authentic old-Vegas character and Budget-first trips — consistently the cheapest downtown rooms. Plaza Hotel & Casino is best for Downtown-first trips on a mid-range budget and Travelers who want walkable Fremont Street access without paying Golden Nugget rates. For a first trip, consider which vibe matches your group.
Which hotel is bigger, El Cortez Hotel & Casino or Plaza Hotel & Casino?
Plaza Hotel & Casino is the larger property with 995 rooms, compared to 364 rooms at the other. Larger hotels generally mean more dining and entertainment options but can feel busier and have longer walks to your room.
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