By Scot Krause

The Orleans, A Boyd Gaming/Coast Casinos casino hotel property located on Tropicana and Arville, not far from the Las Vegas Strip, has proved to be a top favorite for tourists even though it’s considered to be a “locals” casino.

A view from outside from The Orleans Casino & Hotel

The hotel consistently wins awards and accolades in gaming publications and readers polls for its rooms, restaurants, gaming and amenities. In 2008 the property was voted “ America ’s Favorite Off-Strip Casino” by the readers of the American Casino Guide.

The Orleans proudly offers 1,886 beautifully appointed rooms and suites featuring the ultimate in luxury and comfort. The “oversized”rooms are actually "Petite Suites" with separate sitting areas. The Orleans’ one and two-bedroom suites provide all the conveniences of home. Spectacular views face the glittering Las Vegas Strip or the sweeping mountain panoramas surrounding the Las Vegas Valley. Free shuttle service is available to sister property, The Gold Coast as well as the Las Vegas Strip.

A standard room at The Orleans Casino & Hotel

The most impressive of their rooms is the Stardust Suite. Whether you’re holding a meeting, conference, or special event such as birthday or bachelor party, The Stardust Suite at The Orleans is the answer to your needs. It offers 2,500 square feet of comfort and style. Enjoy the finest views of the Las Vegas Strip from five picture windows, or the balcony off the 21st floor. The Stardust Suite features seating for up to 60 and 11 plasma TVs with high-definition programming. The Suite’s bar can be fully stocked, and the catering department can provide anything from fine cuisine to game day snacks 

guests can enjoy a variety of dining choices at the Orleans starting with the famous French Market Buffet.  It features Italian, Mongolian Grill, Barbecue, American, Seafood, Mexican and Chinese cooking, as well as an oversized dessert bar. This all-you-can-eat, every-meal-every-day restaurant is sure to satisfy any appetite. From eggs prepared before your eyes just the way you like them to finger-licking-good house smoked ribs, and scrumptious desserts, it's all here.

The French Market Buffet at Orleans

Casual dining is available in the coffee-shop-style Courtyard Café and upscale dining for steaks, prime rib and seafood is featured in the Canal Street Restaurant. Other restaurants include the Prime Rib Loft, Don Miguel’s (Mexican) and a T.G.I. Friday's located on the premises. Terrible Mike’s serves some of the best burgers in town. There are also fast food outlets, a Kate’s Korner ice cream shop and a Seattle’s Best Coffee bar.

The casino floor offers all table games, a huge poker room, Race & Sports Book, a variety of slots and some of the better video poker machines (higher paytables) than many of its Strip competitors.

Club Coast, the slot club, links the Orleans, Gold Coast, Sam's Town and Suncoast making them one club. This fall/winter, the downtown Boyd properties, Fremont, California and Main Street Station are expected to join the same program and merge clubs. Currently, $1 coin-in = 1 point. 1,000 points = $1 cashback or comps. Some machines require $2 coin-in to earn a point.  There are three tier levels and as players earn more points they can move up in tier levels for added benefits. The club often offers up to 6x points on most major holidays.  Ask for free Mardi Gras style beads when you join the slot club. Often, other promotions like drawings are held throughout the month.  Always visit Club Coast prior to playing to see what may be happening during your visit.

The Casino at the Orleans

  The hotel offers headliner entertainment in the showroom as well as in the Orleans Arena located next door and often features wrestling, circus events and is home to the Las Vegas Wrangler’s Hockey Team.  Live entertainment is also featured in the lounges. 

Among the additional amenities the hotel offers, guests can enjoy the Century Orleans 18-screen  Movie Theater, a 70-lane Bowling Center, a Spa, Beauty Salon, a Kids Tyme (supervised playtime for kids) and Time Out Game Arcade.

An especially good amenity is a free shuttle service that The Orleans provides to its sister property the Gold Coast Hotel and Casino as well as the Las Vegas Strip. The shuttle operates every day from 9:30 a.m. to midnight and picks up guests approximately every 20 - 30 minutes from the hotel's Tropicana Avenue entrance.

The Orleans Casino and Hotel is located at 4500 W. Tropicana Avenue in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, or room reservations, call them toll-free at (800) ORLEANS (800-675-3267), or visit their web site at www.orleanscasino.com

H. Scot Krause is a freelance writer, gaming industry analyst and researcher, originally from Cleveland, Ohio.  Scot reports, researches, and specializes in writing about casino games, events, attractions and promotions. He is a former entertainment director and a fourteen-year resident of Las Vegas.  His work is regularly featured in Gaming Today, the American Casino Guide Book and Vegas Values, a weekly feature found at: AmericanCasinoGuide.com Questions or comments for Scot may be posted on the American Casino Guide forum, located here